Welcome to Dallas. We Hope You Enjoy Your Stay.

Driving in Dallas ,Texas

First you must learn to pronounce the city name. It is DAL-LUS, or DAA-LIS depending on if you live inside or outside LBJ Freeway.

Next, if your Mapsco is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton County and your Mapsco is one-day-old, then it is already obsolete. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Frisco has screwed everything up.

Dallas has its own version of traffic rules... "Hold on and pray." There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dallas. We all drive like that.

All directions start with, "Get on Beltline," which has no beginning and no end. (It REALLY DOESN'T!!!)

The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.

If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot. When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.

Construction on Central Expressway is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We had sooo much fun with that, we have added George Bush Freeway and the High Five to the mix.

All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Fort Worth!"

If someone actually has his or her turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect.
Car horns are actually "Road Rage" indicators - and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.

All old ladies with blue hair in a Mercedes have the right of way. Period. And remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas ..

Inwood Road, Plano Road, NW Highway, East Grand, Garland Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, 15th Street, Preston Road all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples). The perfect example is what is MOSTLY known as Plano Road. On the south end, it is known as Lake Highlands Drive, cross Northwest Highway and it becomes Plano Road, go about 8 miles and it is briefly Greenville Ave, Ave K, and Highway 5. It ends in Sherman ...

The North Dallas Tollway is our daily version of NASCAR. The minimum acceptable speed on the Dallas North Toll Road is 85 mph. Anything less is considered downright sissy. It also ends in Sherman.

If asking directions in Irving or SE Dallas, you must have knowledge of Spanish. If in central Richardson or on Harry Hines, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Gaston or Live Oak, you better be armed... and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas

The wrought iron on windows near Oak Cliff and Fair Park is not ornamental!!

A trip across town east to west will take a minimum of four hours, although many north/south freeways have unposted minimum speeds of 75.

It is possible to be driving WEST in the NORTH-bound lane of EAST NORTHWEST Highway. Don't let this confuse you.

LBJ is called "The Death Trap" for two reasons: "death" and "trap."

If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it's 10 degrees and sleeting/snowing, the Fort Worth Stock Show is going on. If it has rained 6 inches in the last hour, the Byron Nelson Golf Classic is in the second round (if it's spring) - and it is the Texas State Fair if it's fall.

If you go to the Fair, pay the $8.00 to park INSIDE Fair Park . Parking elsewhere could cost up to $2500 for damages, towing fees, parking tickets, and possibly a gunshot wound. If some guy with a flag tries to get you to park in his yard, run over him.

Any amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, racetracks, airports, etc., are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.

Final Warning: Don't Mess with Texas Drivers ... remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas

***I actually live in the Fort Worth area and I could easily interchange the street names here but I thought I'd leave this as is. If you are from Fort Worth, you can just as easily use North South East West and NE NW SE SW LOOP 820 (yes, this is just one highway), I20 which is often confused with 820, I35E, I35W (which runs north and south) the mix master AND 183 are our "death traps", and the countless names for each of these roads depending on where you are on them. Shout out to Brenda for sending me this!

Snow!

Two days ago I was wearing shorts and enjoying the warm weather. Tonight, it's snowing. A LOT. It's dark outside, but I'm going to take my camera to work to try and get some decent memories.

Stay warm!

Picture Time!

Taken on this beautiful sunny Saturday...

Cat Owners

Here's a text I sent to my daughter and her reply:

ME: Is it sad that they (my cats) seem to be having more fun with the box (that my cat tower came in) than with the giant tower in the middle of my living room?

MY DAUGHTER: That's okay. My cat eats food out of the empty bag in the trash instead of her filled food bowl.


Cats can be so retarded.

Happy Leap Day. Go leap off a bridge or something.

Sad

The only sad part about being a Steven King junkie? A novel only lasts 24 hours. I'm already done with Blaze. Spent the entire afternoon with the wind whipping into the living room as the kitties slept around me totally enjoying my day off. It was a very lazy, unproductive day, but a good one.

I now have a new monstrosity sitting in my living room. Pictures as soon as I can upload them!

Blaze

Just picked up the book Blaze at Walgreens on my way home from work this morning. I'll see you guys in a couple of days. Time to go get my fix.

Something Worth Watching

More Demands From Islam

Why My Cat's Are Special - Libertine

I got Libby the second day I was back at work at my old job... the job I'm working at now.

Libby was barely two weeks old and she had just opened her eyes when I met her. Our Animal Control officer saw a sucker and brought her in. I had always wanted a Calico cat and Libby, even at such a young age, had such a sweet personality. She still does.

I bottle fed her for about two months which I had never done before, but she took to it very well and ate heartily. It was probably the sweetest thing I have ever seen. It was a bit more responsibility then what I've been use to with kittens, but it was well worth it in the end.

Libby LOVES to play! With the other kitties, with me, with just about anyone. Her favorite game to play, even now, is when I hide behind a corner and peek around it slowly. She chirps at me when I do this. When I take my head away and hide some more, she covers the distance as quick as possible to jump out at me when she gets close enough. It's like playing red light, green light with her. When I peek around the corner again, she'll have stealthily traveled across the room while I was hiding and wait for my head to peek around again. This goes on until she covers the entire room and at the end of the game she gets to jump out at me. My daughter use to play this with her constantly and she absolutely loves this game.

Libby is a door bolter. When exiting the house, you have to watch out because she's got her timing just right as the door swings open to follow you out. She's never run away when she's gotten out. She just wants out to eat the grass. Which is why often times in the Spring and Summer I'll grab a handful and sprinkle it on the back porch for ALL the kitties to enjoy as I come in from outside. She tries her best on a nightly basis to get me to stay home. She'll run out the back door onto the back porch and when I go to pick her up to take her back in, she runs away from me.

Libby is your typical "you'll pet me when I want to be petted" cat. We have our special time when I go to bed in the morning and at night if I'm off work. Once she gets her pet time in, she will usually find a place on the bed and settle down, but more times then not,she's gone when I wake up.

As I mentioned in the previous post, she knows what time I'm suppose to be home and will find a way into a window where she'll wait for my car to pull in.

She does NOT like me to take showers. It's not so bad since I've had to replace my shower curtain liner after Cricket thought jumping up on the liner and shredding it was a fun game. I replaced the liner with a clear one and she's able to see me while I'm taking a shower now and this seems to be okay with her. Afterwards, she sniffs me to make sure I got clean.

Libby is a small cat, compared to my big boys. But she's beautiful and has a beautiful personality. She was overjoyed when I brought Cricket home (after the initial being pissed off because she was no longer the baby) because her and Cricket will play run and chase until they collapse from exhaustion. She likes to chase Jynxy around, too, which on rare occasions he actually likes. Usually he runs and hides which is quite funny since he outweighs her by about 20 pounds.

She does NOT like to be locked in closets. She likes to lick my toothbrush as I'm brushing my teeth. She has a special routine that she goes through before she's able to drink water. Anyone watch Everybody Loves Raymond? You know how the brother, Robert, always has to touch his chin with his food before he eats it? It's kind of like that, but it's funnier. If Santa ever brings me a digital video camera, I'll show you how funny it is.

Need A Head Count!

When I had someone else living with me, I often did a head count of the kitties to make sure no one had escaped. Usually at bedtime or before I left for work. I have two that like to walk right out the door with you. Since I live alone, I don't practice this very often. Usually they all will hang out with me during the times I'm home and all of them greet me when I come in. And when I leave, I'm very careful about watching behind me to make sure no one gets out to go on holiday.

Last night when I left for work, the two that normally try to leave with me, or more accurately, try to get me to NOT leave, were absent as I walked out the door. I didn't think much of this because on occasion they will freely let me leave without much ado.

When I walked in this morning, all of them were there to greet me except Libby. Libby is ALWAYS there to greet me. She will set up in a window waiting for my car to pull into the drive and by the time I get out and in the house, she's right there at the door waiting to go out on the back porch. I was instantly worried. So I set about looking for her.

After not succeeding in finding her the first go around (my house is not that big), I sat on my bed to change clothes because I was wearing a very heavy sweater and sweating profusely, when I heard a tiny mew coming from somewhere in my room. And then I saw her paw... coming out from my mostly closed closet door. Closed enough where she couldn't get out. I rescued her, held her firmly and petted and talked to her and hugged her and told her how sorry I was. When she was able to get free from my guilty arms, she ran straight to the cat box.

LIBBY IN FRONT OF THE PRISON DOORS

I will be doing head counts nightly from now on.

In other cat news... Cricket seems to think that any doorway and any window treatment, is a place to get on top of. Sad part is, she's convinced Libby that this is fun, so Libby is right behind her doing the same things. My kitchen window curtain rods have been knocked down multiple times, the bathroom curtain rod for the window the same. My bedroom, my new bedroom and of course the living room which I was able to capture and post not too long ago. This is what I found when I heard a loud crash as I started this blog:

WHAT WAS ONCE MY WINDOW BLINDS

I tried to run back and get my camera to catch her up on top of the windows, but she jumped down before I could make it back. This cat craves heights like no other cat I have owned before her. I think she thinks her name is really Get Down Now. Good news is, I ordered my cat tree last Friday. I should get it sometime this week. I'm hoping with all that I have in me, that this will satisfy her need to climb up on something and deter her from climbing on things she shouldn't. The last time she jumped up on the bathroom window, she fell in the toilet. She hasn't been up on that window since. If the cat tree doesn't work, I might have to revert back to a spray bottle which I haven't used since trying to break Spazz of clawing my mattress at 3am to wake me up. Which he doesn't do any more, by the way.

It's suppose to be 80 degrees today. In February!

Where Have I Been?

I was doing my daily blog reading when one of them just mentioned that they were reading the new Steven King novel. What??! Then I went to stevenking.com and OMG! Why do I not have this bookmarked in my favorites????? THEN I found out that he's also put out a Richard Bachman book! Why, with all that the internet has provided me in terms of entertainment and company, have I never thought to find Seven King in cyber space? The one man I can honestly say I would marry tomorrow if he were to ask. His books are like a drug to me. As soon as I see a new one, I will buy it (doesn't matter that I have no money) and as soon as I'm home, I'll lock all my doors and settle into a chair/couch/bed and not be able to stop. I won't answer my phone, I won't shower, I'll call in sick to work, tell my kids I'm out of the country, tell my parents I've eloped... and God help the person who shows up unannounced.

You know those old black and white clips of the girls screaming and crying and fainting with the sight of Elvis, or The Beatles? I would be that way if I found out I was even in the same zip code as Steven King. I know I would. It would be way cool to say I had seen a movie star. But compared to meeting Steven King? Doesn't even come close. I can't BELIEVE I didn't have his website bookmarked. I'm seriously devastated that I missed even one word that he might have written.

So me and Steven have a date as soon as I score me some cash. Ahh, dear Steven... how I've missed you.

Politics? Me? Nah...

I'm not overly political. When I have an opinion on politics, there are very few people I will voice that opinion to. I can actually only think of one person that I have ever had a political conversation(s) with. Either way, this came about in an email I received and I was feeling a little political this morning and I'm sharing it with you. Boring Political Link That No One But Me Really Cares About

A Must See!

I was just sent this link. I highly recommend that you go here.

Sometimes life blesses us twice in a lifetime with talent like this...

Click here

Why My Cat's Are Special - Jynxy

I brought home Jynx in November of 2003. Which was about 2 months before S left me. Jynxy ended up being my cuddle buddy as I laid in bed the majority of the first third of 2004. He was a good friend to hold and cry with.

He was given to me by a dear friend who I use to work with. Her husband was away at pharmacist school in Houston and Jynxy's momma kept my friend's husband company while he was down there. I don't remember how many brothers and sisters Jynx had. I don't think it was many. But he was chosen for me by this friend that I wished I talked to more. She took over my job when I left that "other" city.

Jynx is kind of a nervous cat. He's friendly but only after he knows you. He's almost as big as Spazz, but not quite. His special talent includes sharpening his claws very audibly and dramatically. He has the sharpest claws of any cat I have ever seen. He's very jealous, but mostly tolerant of the other cats. Spazz was his big brother and they played quite a bit until Jynxy got older. Now they just exist together and occasionally they will pick on each other. Usually Jynxy starts it, but not always. They do still sleep together as I'm sure you've seen in the pictures. For some reason, when it's nap time, no one goes to bed angry and all is well.

I've never had a problem with Jynx wanting to go outside. He's just never shown any interest in bolting out a door. He likes open windows and handfuls of grass that I bring inside, but other then that, he's just as happy being an inside cat.

He's my door opener. Cabinet doors, closet doors... anything that is shut, when I'm away from home, is open when I get home. Especially the linen closet. Not sure if he gets in there to sleep at night or not, because when I'm home, he's with me and the door is always shut when I get up. Maybe it's his way of looking for me when I'm gone.

If I'm in bed, Jynx is in bed with me. Unlike the other cats who go and do their own thing while I'm sleeping, Jynx stays put until I get up. While I'm at my computer, he squishes himself between my back and the back of my chair. Yes... he's there right now. I tried taking a picture once, but alas... I'm not a good blind shooter.

Jynx likes to be held and carried around, but because of his sharp claws, it always looks like I've been in a cat fight after I put him down. The claws are SO sharp, that I don't even feel the skin of my shoulder being peeled away. Okay, it's not all that bad, but if I haven't stressed it enough, that boy's got some sharp claws!

Jynx will push and bump his way to the front of the line during pet time, supper time, nap time, sleep time. He's not mean about it, but he always has to be first.

Jynxy can be quite silly and loves to be talked to.

He's good at hide and seek.

Femme Fatale

I'm a baaaad pet owner. But only half bad. I have four cats. Two male, two female. Both the males have been neutered. Neither of the females have been spade. Cricket, my youngest, went into heat a few days ago. I think, for my sanity, and of course for theirs, I will be doing something about that in the next month or so.

Before Libby came to live with me, it had been many, many years since I had seen a female cat in heat. If anyone has ever experienced this, you know what I will be going though having two female cats in heat. It could get rocky around here.

The temptation to open the back door and let them run free can be overwhelming at times. Which makes me think back to the last female cat I saw go through this. Her name was Nermal. She was the sweetest cat of all. I was a teenager when she went through this which should tell you how long ago that was. This was so long ago, that I only vaguely remember feeling sorry for Nermal and opening the back door to let HER run free. When she came up pregnant, it was a miracle pregnancy because my parents weren't home when I did this and as far as my mom knew, she had not been let out. I don't remember if I ever fessed up about it.

(Mom, if you are reading this, I hope I had already told you that story. If not... oops.)

Nermal had two babies. A male cat that we adopted out and a female that we named Baby and kept. Of course, Nermal has long since passed and Baby has not been gone but a year or so. Baby spent her last days with my parents traveling the countryside in an RV and loved every minute of it. Both of them lived very long, very loved lives.

Anyway... I find myself wanting to open that back door, yet the adult in me knows what happens when one does this. See? I did learn something when I was a kid. So until I can get my two girls shipped off to the vet, keep that picture up there in mind. Because seriously... that's the way these girls act during "that time".

You're Never Too Old

I learned today that one is never too old to receive a mix tape for Valentine's Day.

Irony... I Has It.

How ironic is it, when you go through your important paperwork looking for something and what you end up finding are old letters from someone who broke your heart, especially since today is valentine's day?

I read them. I wanted to cry but I couldn't. And I don't think it's because I'm coming down with what might be the flu... they just didn't make me sad, really. It kind of did, but it was more or less a bittersweet feeling, recalling memories of when the letters were written, and being 7 years in the future and knowing how much those words meant to me then, yet how meaningless they turned out to be. The most prominent feeling I had was to get his address and send them to him. In fact, I still want to do that and I'm not sure why. I think I'll always have something inside of me that thinks he never did or never will understand how badly he hurt me. I don't think that one will ever go away... I don't think there really is any way he could know unless he went through it himself. So in the end... it would be completely useless to send them to him... it would serve no purpose in my life... after this much time, doing something like that would probably be considered stalkerish... I have no desire to even talk to him, so it makes no sense to knock on that door, even though I know he would avoid any and all communication with me... and it seems childish...

But I still wanna do it. I won't. But I wanna. :)

Happy Valentine's Day

I thought my search for a video valentine would fall short, but I found one that expresses my deepest feelings about love... enjoy. And Happy Valentine's Day.

Why My Cat's Are Special - Spazz

Spazz came to me in October of 2001. He might have been about 2 months old. I had recently made the decision to start looking for another job. I looked at him as sort of a going away present. I carried him around in a basket for about the first two weeks I had him. When he wasn't in the basket or in my arms, he was acting crazy, hence the name. The city I worked for then (and work for again now) has this "Funfest" every year. It's like a big giant carnival. (Although this past year it was canceled) I loaded him up in his basket and I carried him around with me and people thought this most amusing and amazing that he would just sit in his basket and be carried around like that. Little did I know this was an early sign of the lazy boy he turned out to be.

Spazz ended up being a very calm cat. Yes, he has his moments of "spazzing out" but they are very rare, yet so very funny. Imagine a 30 pound cat jumping around and playing. How is that NOT funny? He has tolerated 4 different kittens being brought into his home. With each one he lets them cuddle and play with him and he quickly becomes a big brother to them. He loves attention and is very verbal about wanting it. (The cartoon video at the bottom of this page reminds me very much of him. Including the scratched mattress.) But he's also very content passing out pretty much anywhere he happens to get tired, which is often. His favorite place is, of course, the stove in the living room. Before we moved here, though, his favorite place was my backyard. It was fenced in with a privacy fence and he was always too fat to make any attempt at jumping over it. But...

He made two escapes in the time he spent back there. The first one, he ended up in the neighbor's back yard under their bushes. The only way he got over there is by jumping up on the big green electrical box that was in our back yard and the only reason I think he actually went over is because he was chasing a stray cat, who was much more agile then him. I didn't know my neighbors very well. A wave here or there, but that's about it. The only access to their backyard was through the house. First of all, how stupid is that? I called them the screaming kid family because... well... the kids were constantly screaming. So Spazz jumps the fence, gets stuck back there because there is no big green electrical box on the other side of the fence and the screaming kids found him and terrified him to the point he hid under this gigantic row of bushes and was in some kind of shock because when I went over there to get him (having had to tramp through their home which was extremely uncomfortable) he would not respond to me at all. He was staring off into some cat world and it was like his eyes were open, but he wasn't at home. The oldest screamy kid went behind the bushes and was able to roll him out towards me far enough where I could get a hold of him. (seriously... he was rolled out of the bushes with that blank stare going on the whole time) After he was in my arms, it was then I found out that the husband was severely allergic to cats. Which meant I couldn't go tramping back through their home with Spazz. Luckily my son had come out to make sure we got Spazz out okay and I was able to half toss, half gently hand Spazz over the fence to my son.

The second time he got out, he escaped through our back gate. My kids had some friends over and they were swimming and going in and out of the gate and it was left open. And he took off on the adventure of his life, I'm sure. We couldn't find him that night and I left the gate open hoping he would come back. He didn't. We made fliers and put them up around the neighborhood. A week went by and I checked the local animal shelter and placed a flier in their facility. We drove the neighborhood, we walked the neighborhood, but he was gone. I worried about how he was getting along, if someone had him, if he had been hurt, if he was scared, lonely, or crying for me. I called the shelter for about two weeks straight. They would update a recording about the day's finds and describe the animal they picked up. Nothing. After about two weeks, I pretty much gave up hope. About a month later, I was having a bad day at work and I started thinking about Spazz and I swear I could feel him calling me. He was scared and he was sad. After about 30 minutes of this nagging on me, I picked up the phone and dialed the shelter. I don't remember all the animals that were listed, but somewhere in the mix they described a gray and white neutered male short hair that they had picked up the previous day. No other description but that. And I wondered... and I called, but couldn't get any better description. I asked if he was a fat cat, but they said he was kind of big, but not really. So I took my lunch at work and left to run up to the shelter to see if maybe, by some miracle, it was him. I didn't hold out much hope, but I had to know for sure. Low and behold, when they took me to the back, there he was. Ten pounds lighter, scared and sad, but fine, after a month's time. I burst into tears and picked him up and he wrapped his arms around me (okay, not really "around" me) and laid his head on my shoulder and I drove with him that way the whole way home. He was never let out, unsupervised, again.

Father's Day

And here I was afraid I'd not be able to find that perfect Father's Day Gift...

Yearning...

A few months ago I was way poor and I suspended my normal coffee shipment. I've been getting by on Maxwell House. It's a decent tasting coffee. It's not my gourmet that I've come to love, by far, but it's a lot cheaper. Well... I went to the store and splurged on some coffee beans. I didn't get the expensive Starbucks, I opted for Archer Farms. I was very excited about having a cup of "real" coffee after going so long without and I broke open the package of beans and lowered my nose into what I thought was going to be the wonderfulness that I was expecting. In my lifetime, I have never smelled coffee that I thought smelled bad. I wanted to vomit when I stuck my nose in this crap. Thinking maybe I just wasn't use to this brand, I ground some up and made a cup. WORST COFFEE E V E R!!!! I can't even think of words to describe what this stuff smells like. It has NO coffee aroma whatsoever. It's worse then poop. Maybe not as bad as a decomposing body, but close. I hate wasting anything, but this stuff is now in my garbage. So I get on my Gevalia account and told them to ship me coffee NOW! But I won't get any till the end of March. So until that gets here... me and Max will be hanging out, dreaming about G.

Poductivity

Got some things accomplished these last couple of days. Got my daughter's room cleaned out and I will be cleaning the carpet in there when the sun comes up. I've decided to make that room my new bedroom. The closet is much bigger (not that I have tons of clothes to put in there) and it's the only room in the house in which I've painted. The only problem is that none of my bed linens match the color scheme in there and it's the sunniest room in the house and for someone who works midnight shift, some darkening ideas will need to be done as well. Seeing as how I'm not into foil on my windows, I'm looking into some special shades. I've lived with maroon and dark blue for so many years I'll be glad for the change. I'll be changing to a very light sea mist green with dark brown. It will be fun to do and decorating a room is always so therapeutic for me. Seriously... when I grow up I want to be an interior designer. I would like to chronicle the re-do. If I can remember to take pictures I will post them.

I got woke up this morning at 0230 to a coyote howling outside my window. Well... I don't think he was right outside my window, but he was definitely no farther away then across the street. It was loud. Normally, I always have at least one light on overnight and it's usually either the florescent desk light, or one of the florescent lights under my kitchen cabinets. Last night, for some reason, I decided to turn them all off for the night and right after Lost (which was yummy, by the way) I went to bed. I were tired. So I get woke up by this howl and my entire house was really dark and it was just kind of creepy. So it's now about 0530 and I've had two cups of coffee, a shower and I'm done with all my email and I'm almost done with my blog post and I'm starving. I really need to go to the store this morning before I do anything. I would love a big bowl of oatmeal this morning yet I have no oatmeal to make. And a cup of hot chocolate to go with it.

Its 29 degrees outside.

Everything You Need To Know

Tonight is the season premiere of Lost. You may remember my watching ALL of the episodes of seasons 1, 2 and 3 in about 4 days about a month ago. I found this clip that could have saved me 4 days, so I thought I'd share it with you, in case you wish to start watching Lost tonight.

Here's everything you need to know to get you up to speed:

3 seasons of lost in 8 minutes 15 seconds

I could NOT live here!

(golf anyone?):

THIS:





IS JUST ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I NEED ONE OF THESE:

Women's Stuff

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!

Womens' Issues

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's
borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during
labor,but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife
is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and
act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

"ESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker
that says: "How's my driving-call 1- 800-".
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from "outer space".
8. You can't believe they don't make a tampon bigger than Super Plus.
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.


TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand :
1. OTHER WOMEN

Sometimes...

...one cat bed is enough.


...one cat bed package is enough.


...smaller is better than bigger.


...fake trees make the best cat bed.

For Me!?? You Shouldn't Have!

So... I was thinking a bigger TV would be kind of cool, but I haven't bought a TV in years and years and I was curious about TV prices and what's available on the market nowadays and I found this:

This is a 70 inch Sony Bravia. Listed price is $33,000.00. Next time someone asks me what I would like as a gift, this is what I'm going to tell them. :-)

January Things

1. My Grandmother turns 104 on the 16th
2. American Idol's new season starts tonight!
3. My son turns 22
4. I will be doing my taxes soon
5. I might get my garbage disposal installed
6. ?

I thought there was more, which is why I chose the list format for today... but now I can't remember everything I was thinking about 30 minutes ago. So... never mind.

The Truth Is Out

Looking through my mail yesterday, I got a "personal" invitation from Donald Trump to "take part in the most popular pageant system in the country!" That would be, the Miss Universe Organization. Of course, I would probably have to win either the Miss Teen USA or Miss USA pageant first.

Why does no one tell old Donald that his hair looks bad? I know there have been public jokes about it that he has heard... but why can't he pay someone to tell him he would look a lot better with shorter hair? And facial hair. That's a face that cries for facial hair.

Couldn't Stop Watching

LOST. I haven't officially counted, but it was over 60 episodes. Season finales were about 85 minutes long each, and each season contained over 20 episodes, each about 45 minutes long. Season premier is January 31st for anyone who cares.

My Review: Decently written show. If I had tried to start watching this show without seeing ALL of them, I would not have enjoyed it near as much. There were some corny parts, but not a lot. I think I heard MAYBE two cuss words in three seasons. I am one hundred percent addicted and will continue keeping up with this show when the new season starts. Lots of on the edge of your seat moments. I can imagine what other viewers felt as they ended quite a few of these episodes at moments that would have made me yell at the TV screen for making me wait a week to see what happens.

*****

I've decided I'm going to be 39 for the next 5 years.

Damn You ABC.com!

When I first started this blog in October, early on I listed a bunch of shows that I would be interested in seeing, those that already had me hooked and some old favorites. Since that blog post, I have discovered ABC.com. Where, if I missed an episode of a show I have been watching, I could go and watch it online. Which actually has been great for at work when I need something to occupy my mind. And then the writer's strike. The new episodes of all the shows that I have watched this season ran out of new shows and there's been nothing new to watch at work.

One show that a lot of people watch that I've never seen before, is Lost. I was never interested in seeing it and I felt after not watching the first season, it would be one of those shows that you wouldn't understand if you tried getting in on the middle of it. Well... ABC.com has posted season 1, season 2, and season 3 online. And I made the mistake yesterday of watching the pilot episode. And then I watched the next one... and the one after that... and now I am hooked. Each episode is about 45 minutes long and there are 24 episodes in the first season alone. I only hope that ABC.com leaves all these episodes up long enough for me to watch them all. Oh, glorious nights at work are to come!!!

I got a few things actually done yesterday. In between Lost episodes, that is. I need to vacuum and get over to my parent's house today to drop off mail, rent, laundry and to visit. And I am going to have to turn on my stereo loud enough to cover the calling of my computer to my backside. (I would have said "ass" here, but I got in trouble from my kids saying it at my brother's house on Christmas so I'm refraining from using that term in any public form whatsoever. But I've nick-named all my cats Ass, so if you come over to my house, expect to hear it a LOT.)

We had an employee at work quit this morning. Which means one of our dispatchers who is actually a police officer who came into dispatch until an opening came available, will now no longer be called a dispatcher, which means, 12 hour shifts until we can find someone to replace him. I'm not against 12 hours shifts. More money and more time to watch Lost.

Time to get my day started...

Which Way Is Up?

***Added Edit to end of post***

One of the drawbacks of working midnight shift (during Winter) is that when you awaken in your warm cozy bed and look at your clock and see it is 6:52, see that it is still dark outside, you will lay there and ponder for at least 10 minutes if it is evening or morning. I was well aware it was a day off, so I knew it could be either. The disorientation this causes is an instant waker-upper.

In the end... I soon found out it was morning. But is it trash day?

I'm disappointed in our Winter this year. We had a snow day, but it could have been described as more of a fluke snow day. None of it stuck to the ground and it was over in about 15 to 30 minutes. Nothing since that day. Last year I got some really good pictures of some snow covered ground by this time. Granted, it's only the 3rd of January and we get most of our snow during this month so maybe we will still get some.

I'm not one who stresses over global warming. I believe it to be true and happening, but it's happening so slow I'll be long gone before any serious dire effects come from it... like the earth flooding and stuff. Well... I take that back. The bad air that is causing said global warming is affecting me and my family now and I can't deny that. I've lived in this area my whole life. I've lived here long before it became the bustling city it now is. I know I've already posted on my disappointments of how much this city is nature-less with too many people and way too many cars. But 30 years ago (and the fact I can accurately say that particular phrase disturbs me greatly) I would build snowmen with my neighbor, go sledding with waxed cardboard homemade sleds down other neighbor's driveways, go sneaker skating on iced over roadways and eat snow ice cream my dad would make. My kids have maybe experienced this twice in their lifetime. Don't remember if they've ever tasted homemade snow ice cream. Sure we get a little snow here from time to time, even now. But it's nothing like it use to be. I'm no scientist or meteorologist, but I believe the amount of people and cars in this area now prevents the snows we use to get when I was a kid. If that is part of global warming, then I AM seeing it now.

I would just love a snow day where I could go outside and have my feet sink into the snow up to my knees and be the first one to make footprints in a blank canvas... I want a snow day so I can go outside and listen to the silence that snow always brings. If I were a boy, I would want to write my name in the snow. :-)

My goal today is to get something done. Anything. I don't even care what it is. But I need to get at least one thing done today. It gets frustrating with every day off that I have getting absolutely nothing done. So today I will get at least one thing done. I'll let you know tomorrow what it ended up being.

***Edit***
So I'm sitting here... still not doing anything and I noticed it was kind of cloudy outside and I happened to pull up the radar. There is a line of snow about 20 miles just west of where I'm still just sitting. I'm wondering if it will get here. It's 33 degrees outside now. I did not see the news or look at the radar prior to posting this morning. Maybe after I fell asleep on the couch last night with the TV on I subconsciously heard the weatherman say a chance of snow today or something. Which really probably didn't happen since the only time it snows here is when the weather people swear it's not going to.

Seriously going to go do something constructive now...

I'm STILL Laughing!

***EDIT***
I realized that some of you may have never seen the original of this video, so I've included the original first, and the translation video second. It's seriously not near as funny unless you've seen the first one, which in itself is still so awesome.


WHAT THEY ARE REALLY SAYING

The First Day of 2008...

...dawned cold and sunny and on the first day of this new year I learned a very important lesson. Addiction is more powerful then anything else on this planet. Addiction will cause you to lie to those you love the most, addiction will make you sneaky, addiction will sneak up on you and rear its ugly head when you aren't looking and make you see yourself as weak and worthless. Granted, I'm not a meth user or a crack head. I don't snort cocaine or shoot up heroin. I rarely drink. I'm not homeless, I'm not penniless (although sometimes I feel that way). The only thing my addiction is doing is killing me... slowly. And the saddest part of all? As long as I can have my fix, none of what I just mentioned matters... until afterwards.

To my friends and family that read this... this is going to be a lot harder then I thought. I have the want to. It only took me till now to get that. But it's not going to be near as easy as I thought it would be. Please be patient with me and know that I am trying and will be trying until the day I am cigarette free. I am weak, but I love myself enough to do this for me... and for you.

***

The last thing I accomplished in 2007 was successful training of "fetch" with Cricket. She is asked where her toy is... she will go and get it and bring it to me. I will then proceed to throw said toy across room where she will then grab it and bring it back to me to be placed in my open palms for me to do it again... and again... and again until I can't take it any more and I have to hide the toy.

CRICKET MAKING THE CATCH

There are several points of interest in the above photo. If you click on it and make it big, you can see the heat coming off of my furnace on the right hand side. Also, you can see my old microwave awaiting delivery to the garage, then there's Spazz all comfy in the box the new microwave came in. And I SWEAR I vacuum. I just haven't since Xmas.

CRICKET BRINGING IT BACK HOME

Happy New Year And Other Stoof!

At midnight tonight, I will be answering phone calls relating to gunshots being fired and fireworks being shot off. I will get a LOT of calls, in fact. Lots of people out acting crazy on this night. To my family and friends who may or may not read this... be careful. Don't drink and drive. The cops will be out in droves and they are just waiting for that one little swerve as an excuse to pull you over. They make it a game between themselves on nights like tonight to see who can get the most DWIs. Trust me. They do things like this. To my children!!!: Don't put yourself in a bad situation. Call me, call me, call me. Doesn't matter that I'll be at work. I will find you a ride home. Be smart. And be alert to the ones who choose to go ahead and spin that wheel on the revolver. Unfortunately, though, the shot usually goes awry and an 8 year old girl loses both of her parents instead. It's just not worth it folks. Be safe tonight.

***

My mom sent me the most beautiful birthday card. I felt I needed to share it because it touched me so:

How to Make a Beautiful Life (Reflections For a Daughter On Her Birthday)

Love Yourself.
MAKE PEACE with who you are
and where you are
at this moment in time.

Listen to you heart.
If you can't hear what it's saying
in this noisy world,
MAKE TIME for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let your mind wander among the stars.

Try.
Take chances.
MAKE MISTAKES.
Life can be messy
and confusing at times,
but it's also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path
might be a stepping-stone.

Be happy.
When you don't have what you want,
want what you have.
MAKE DO.
That's a well-kept secret of contentment.

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY(SHADE).
To know where you're going
is only part of it.
You need to know where you've been, too.
And if you ever get lost, don't worry.
The people who love you will find you.
Count on it.

Life isn't days and years.
It's what you do with time
and with all the goodness and grace
that's inside you.
MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE...
The kind of life you deserve.

There is no authors signature attached with this card, but it's from Hallmark. It is made so you can hang it up. Plan on doing just that.

***

Happy New Year, ya'll. May peace and love follow you through another year.

Today I am 40!

And with a loud drum roll, followed by a cymbal crash, please...

I'm 40. I am 40. I. Am. Forty. Years. Old. I know that saying it more doesn't make it any less true, but I'm still trying it on, so cut me some slack today.

Is being 40 twice as good as being 20? Don't know yet. When I turned 20, I was 6 months pregnant... don't have to worry bout that this year. When I was 20 I was married. No chance of that happening this year either. When I was 20 I had a son who was just about to turn 2 years old. Being 6 months pregnant, I wasn't skinny when I was 20. At 20, my marriage was long past the point of being over.

Now that I am 40. My children are grown and moved out of the house. I'm still not skinny. Gravity and gray hair are my worst nemesis. I never remarried. Still don't own my own home. I am not a grandmother. I have a job I like very much... working on my 14th year there. I have no retirement, though. (Loooooooooooooooong story) But I have no debt. I could pick up right now and leave and only owe utilities... and a good explanation to my kids why I'm leaving. But I'm not leaving. Not yet. This 40th year will be a year of changes. Of getting stuff done. On starting the rest of my life. Tonight at midnight, I will officially be a non-smoker. Tomorrows post should be entertaining, if I can muster up the jolly good cheer to even face my computer.

Being 40 for about 8 hours now, I am thankful for so many things. I'm thankful I lived to see 40 to see my children all grown up and adult-like, although they will always and forever be 3 in my eyes. I got to experience being an aunt, seeing my brothers marry well and I am thankful I still have my parents here with me along with my grandmother of almost 104.

I am happier than I was at 20. I am much, much, MUCH wiser. I've been up, I've been way down but for the most part, I can, at 40, look in the mirror and say I kind of like that gal. She's not so bad, really.

20 things about being 40.

1. I am more inclined to tell people to shut up.
2. Thinking about death is the new thinking about nothing much.
3. When my boss asks when I can get something done, I feel more free to say, "How 'bout never? Is never good for you?"
4. I am less certain about things then I use to be.
5. I argue with the TV. I always win.
6. It's hardly ever quiet enough.
7. It can be too quiet.
8. My joints are more accurate then the meteorologists.
9. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
10. I can eat dinner at 4pm.
11. "I'm eating ice cream at 8am because I CAN!"
12. Me and Ms. Clairol are best friends.
13. I can finally sit in a room full of adults and understand the conversations now.
14. I now have a valid excuse for forgetting things.
15. I actually LIKE going to work.
16. Staying home is just more appealing then going out.
17. Naps are goooood.
18. I can never be too warm in the winter, or too cool in the summer.
19. I actually WANT to save money now.
20. I am going to die sooner then ever.

Charlie...

I can't think of anything that sounds more odd than a child with an English accent, and I can't quit watching this video. It's hilarious to watch this kid's face when he's discovered he's placed his finger in a place he probably never will again. tee hee

Charlie bit him!

True Love

And It's Over...

And as fast as it got here, it got over with even faster.

Christmas aftermath:

Cricket standing tall and proud in her mess:

Libby had been into the catnip, but she thinks Christmas is greeeeeat:

And here's my Christmas Ficus:


Family:

My dad and his fish:

Mom and brother:

Son and daughter:

My niece, a Christmas kitten, and a pink tent in the living room:


Loot: Garbage Disposal, Super cool Microwave, ceramic heater for my feetsies, warm slippers, also for my feetsies, a really cool mirror that will need a very special place, humongous coffee mugs, getting to hug my brother after not seeing him in over a year and seeing one of my nephews and my sister-in-law, sitting next to my grandmother who asked me if I realized how old she was going to be in less than a month and I told her, "yes, 104". And she said, "When I was a hundred and three, I said whoopie, when I'm a hundred and four, I'm saying no more." And someone promptly responded with, "and when you are a hundred and five you can say, I'm still alive!" Coming home and seeing a new bunny friend hopping around my yard, time and lots of laughter with my kids, lots of hugs from lots of friends, good food... and some kind of icky sick that's going around my work that at least 5 of us are currently experiencing.

In other news...

I got my kitten to "fetch" 4 times in a row on xmas day while not sleeping and feeling ill. I use the term, fetch, loosely here, only because cats do what they WANT to do, and almost always NEVER what YOU want them to. I've never been one to train my cats to do anything aside from poo and pee in a litter box. And with cats, it's almost always a one time showing even at a very early age and they are cool with it. I've often thought of actually doing the whole "toilet" training thing, but as I'm sure you have heard me say before, I'm lazy and that just would take a lot of work. I spend more time trying to train my cats on things NOT to do. Like scratching on furniture (which they are actually really good at on everything except my mattress. But that's okay and for the most part I let them get away with it because my ex-boyfriend bought me that bed after he left me and I get some type of sick satisfaction as my kitties take out my projected anger on the bed) I spend a lot of time saying "Get out of there!" because they are all oh so good at getting into there... boxes, baskets, closets, top of closets, kitchen cabinets, tops of doors, IN the furniture, in the Ficus, drinking from the toilet... and other various odd places.

Each of my kitties has had a favorite toy when they were a kitten. Spazz loves strings, but he's one of these that likes to hide behind something and will only attack when the string is going back and forth almost in a whipping motion. My dad started him on that. He made this toy with a wooden stick and a thick string on the end and would get Spazz so wound up we would have to make my dad stop because Spazz would be laying on the floor panting. He liked the little mice covered in rabbit fur, too, but he was always chewing the tails off. Jynxy's favorite toy was a rabbit's foot. He carried and played with that thing until not much was left of it aside from bones and a bit of fur. I think he has some deep seated anger because he really likes to tear stuff up. And he sits and sharpens his claws like he can't wait to go find something to shred. Seriously, though... he DOES sit and sharpen his claws. I've never seen a cat sit and do that before. And he HAS some awesomely sharp claws. Anyway, he grew up and quit playing with the foot and I finally threw it away. Libby's favorite toy was a piece off of another toy. It is this gray fuzzy thing and it had a string that once attached it to something else and it had a little jingle bell that got stepped on so it didn't jingle any more and a small patch of fringed ribbon on the other end. She actually played with this toy until Cricket came along and made it her favorite toy and proceeded to rip off the string with the squished bell and all of the fringe where it was just an oval fuzzy gray thingy. Now it's an okay toy for when we can't find anything else to do. Cricket's new favorite toy is this little white mouse that has seen much better days.

I have several variations of mice made of different materials and colors, but this one is the best for some reason. One day I threw that mouse across the room while playing with Cricket and she kept coming back to me for me to throw it again but I would always have to get up and keep getting it myself. Remember... I'm lazy. So the game would not last very long. So one day she brought it back after catching it mid-flight. And so on Xmas, I think the idea has finally caught on that the game will last a lot longer if The Mommy doesn't have to get her fat rump off her computer chair. Right now our play room, as I'm sure you gathered from the pictures, is a disaster area and until I get some sleep, it's going to stay that way. But we will be practicing and I will let you know how it goes.

Two days off to look forward to. I'll be in bed covered in warm blankets and cats if you're looking for me.

4 days...

The Prayer... for you, and you, and you...

THE PRAYER

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!!

Just got home from work and I'm having a quick cup 'o joe before facing shopping hell on the day before Christmas. I don't have much to buy because you can't buy much without much money, but I have to get out there anyway... much.

This evening will entail a yearly trip to Celebration Fellowship Church for their Christmas program, which I look forward to every year. Tissues are always a must.

This year, my Christmas memories so far will include some very heartfelt, deep conversation with two people that I consider very dear friends even though I have not known either a very long time. They have described for me a side of myself I don't or can't see with my own eyes and their kind words I will take with me over the next two days and hold dear to my heart as I enjoy the true meaning of the Christmas Spirit.

For any who read, Merry Christmas and I hope the next two days are filled with family, love, merriment, good food, laughter and joy for you.

And just in case you don't know how to wrap a present, I leave you with this video because a) it's hilarious b) the ending is hilarious c) it's Christmas and I have to get out and go shopping and it's the funniest video I could find in a rush, but worth the find.

Love you ALL!!!!!!

The Men In My Life

I started thinking (which can be dangerous even though I'm a deep thoughtful person on a regular basis) about couples and what it's like to live with a significant other and how much work is involved and etc., etc. And I counted up the years of my life that I have spent living with a man. The total is about 7 years, give or take a few months. I've only been married once and 4 years of that 7 were with him. I don't take living with someone lightly because I know that it takes a lot of work and there have only been 3 men in my life that I trusted enough with my kids to allow them a space in my home and my heart.

Anyway... what prompted this post was a video that is an accurate re-enactment of a small part of what it is like to live with a man, which may explain why there have only been 7 years of my life dedicated to living with someone of the opposite sex.

Maybe I identified more with this video because at the beginning he says he calls out for her... "Laura, Laura..." Makes me think I'll be happily single for the rest of my life to never have to hear that "man whine" again. :-)

Been Taking Some Time Off

Haven't had it in me to write the last week or so. I'm actually having a hard time getting motivated to do much of anything, really. I find myself staring at the dust particles in a beam of sunlight with no thoughts in my head, aside from random things that don't look good on paper.

This Christmas season has not been what I thought it would be. I decided early on that I wasn't going to put up a tree... and I haven't. I did decorate my fake ficus, though. But I've left all the other decorations in storage because the later it gets, the point to dragging it all out becomes less important.

Today is the 16th, which leaves me with 14 days to B day and Q day. I'm starting to freak out about both. Starting? Yeah. I can say I have been successful in not stressing about turning 40. My mind is so wrapped up in the quitting smoking thing, that I haven't even really thought about it too much. Which was my intention all along. I'm sure there's some psychological explanation that could make me understand why I feel as if I won't be able to identify with who I am once I quit smoking. I've heard similar incidences when someone loses a lot of weight. One thing is for sure... it's past time to start doing some research on the subject. And while we are on the subject of quitting... I bought my last cigarettes last night. That in itself was a glorious achievement. Knowing when I went in... this is the last time. It was... liberating. I'm hoping for much more liberation before and after it gets here, though.

I got a letter from the IRS a couple of days ago. As did my son. Seems we double dipped in the exemption pot. Taxes were easier when my kids were under 18. Now I have to go back, make corrections, probably lose any and all of my refund for this year and pray I don't go to jail for tax evasion. Pretty soon I'll get to start using the old saying, "picked a bad day to quit smoking".

14 days...

Foggy Tuesday Morning

About two weeks ago my mom gave me a couple of homemade CDs to listen to. She's emailed me a couple of times asking what I thought of the music, and I just haven't had the chance to sit down and listen to them. This morning, as I sit at my computer, the music of love and spirit is surrounding me and my tired soul that has been dragging for the past couple of days, weeks, months...has lifted with this gift that my mother made for me.

I don't tell you I love you enough, mom... and I hope you know how much I do.

Thank you.

Friends

I don't have a lot of friends. But maybe my definition of a friend is different than yours. Sure, there are a lot of folks out there that I generally like and enjoy the time that I do spend with them, but they don't really know me because, one, I haven't had a chance to really get to know them, or two, I like them okay and am cordial because that's just the right thing to do but I'm wary in sharing personal details about myself. All relationships are unique, whether it be a friendship, an intimate and or romantic relationship or even a business partnership. The common denominator in relationships is that they take work from both parties to survive time. Those that I consider my closest friends are there because they took the time to get to know me and understand me and gave of themselves as well. Plus they understand me enough to know that just because I don't call, doesn't mean I'm mad, or upset or anything like that. I'm just lazy when it comes to my friendships. I don't wanna do any work. Which, in turn, limits the number of people that stick around for the long run and love me just the way I am and know that I love them back. For example... I have a friend that lives in Reno, Nevada. She moved there... years ago. Can't remember how long ago. Many years. 6, 8, 10... something like that. We rarely ever talk on the phone. Maybe once every other year. But when we do... it's like a day hasn't gone by since the last time we talked. I will always consider her one of my best friends. It's a lifetime deal, no matter time or distance.

I actually think I had a point to this post, yet I've been sitting here for 15 minutes watching it rain and have totally lost my thought.

I think what I needed to say all around was... I had a very good opportunity to meet up with a group of real friends yesterday and I was unable to because of stupid financial reasons. It was just one of those things that hit at the wrong time. It made me very sad to miss seeing them, but I know in my heart another opportunity will arise. I may get ragged on for skipping out for a while, but that's okay. I know they love me for who I am and I love them all back.

12 hour shift today... 12 hour shift tomorrow...

21 days...

Summer Days...

Are here again. Currently 83 degrees outside. I just got back from the store and I just put most everything up, and I had to sit down because I'm sweating my patooty off. Got my shorts on, summer shirt and my hair is braided and out of my face. I'm STILL hot. Sometime today I will have to lay down before going into work. This is going to require me to turn on the air conditioner since I can't stand being hot when I sleep. And I was so proud of my $45 electric bill this month!

This time change stuff is still messing with my head. This morning, my phone rings and I wake up and my clock says it's 730. I have no idea what day it is... if it's morning or night, if I was suppose to be at work... total confusion. Finally I remembered my son was needing to come by early in the morning to print some stuff off for before school and it was him that was calling. Then, when I did finally realize what day and time it was, I was still baffled that it was already Friday and that I had to go to work tonight. Got nothing done again on this weekend. No, I take that back... I DID go to the store. I've been needing to that for weeks now. I still don't feel I'm as stocked up as I would like to be, but every little step counts. So Merry Christmas to me, because that's what I'm getting myself this year. Groceries. It's just about 330pm and I still have the rest of the day to get a few things done before work week starts.

If you ever shop at Target and are in need of some bottled water, might I suggest Archer Farms Natural Spring Water. The water's source is listed as The Kisatchie Spring, Webster Parish, LA. I googled that. Couldn't find dittely squat on it. I found Kisatchie state park, but it's not located in Webster Parish. No where in all the stuff I just looked at did it make mention of any spring in the area. So this leads me to believe one of two things. It's either not a for real spring or it's not a famous one. Doesn't matter, really... I'm suggesting the water because its of a decent price and I really, really like the way it tastes. It goes down with no icky aftertaste and its refreshing. I use to drink Evian for EVER. This stuff has Evian beat by a mile as far as taste goes.

Looks like the kids are getting out of school. I am off to practice my Crazy Cat Lady existence by being a stereotypical crazy cat lady. I think I'll go dig randomly in my yard since the kids like to walk through it every day. Maybe I'll mumble loud enough to be heard by young ears about how "I just MUST find Mittens... I know I left her here the other day..." Then sharply turn around and ask the poor kid if he's seen Fluffy. Yeah... I think I need a new hobby now that I think about it...

My Little Bunny Friend

Right now it is 42 degrees outside. Our high today should get up to around 64. Friday's high is expected to be 80. Texas weather is CRAZY. Seriously the only place on earth where you use both a heater and an air conditioner on the same day, several times a year. Okay, I'm sure there are other places, but I've never lived there, so they don't exist for me.

I've taken a couple of days off from writing my senseless blog. As have a lot of bloggers who were doing the NaBloPoMo thing. Not much reading online lately.

I have plans today of pulling out my Christmas decorations and going crazy... but I have found I don't really care one way or another if I'm all decorated up or not. I have finally started listening to Christmas music to try and get me in a Xmas mood or something, but I've only been listening for a couple of days, so it really hasn't sunk in yet. I can't say I'm really in a bah humbug mood or anything... just unenthusiastic about it all, I guess. I can remember a time in the recent past where I LOVED this season and all that it brought out in people, and the music and the pretty sparkley things and the lights!!! But with my finances the way they are, the only giving I'm doing this year is to the bill collectors. And that makes me kind of sad. Yes, I know about the true spirit of Christmas and what it really means and I'm all hip to that and totally enjoy spending time with my family far above any gifts I may receive... but still... you know?

My cats are already starting to get cabin fever and it's not even halfway through the cold season, yet. Libby is constantly picking on Jynx and making him cry and run away like a girl. Jynx is constantly picking on Spazz and when Jynx isn't looking, Spazz sneaks up and picks on Jynxy. Cricket is picking on everyone and I can't keep her from climbing on stuff and getting into things she shouldn't. Jynx and Cricket both have this internal drive to get into, and climb on top of, everything. Must be the stripes in them, I think. I'm curious what part of their kitty DNA makes them this way. They all got used to me coming home, or waking up and opening the back door for them to watch the birds and other creatures of the day and night on the back porch... which is as close as they come to actually being outside. I give them time to be out there, but I have to shut the door because it takes forever to warm up the house again once it's been cooled off by outside air. But they like to run in and out which, for some reason, is part of the fun of being out there, and now they have to make a choice. So they get about 15 minutes of "outside" time a day because when they are out there, they get cold, too and want to come in... going to be a long winter.

I think the last of my bunnies that lived here with me has met his demise via car. This happened last week, but I was too torn up over it to blog about it. I woke up early, like I did this morning, and got to my computer and opened my blinds so I could watch the traffic as I typed. I noticed the little thing hanging out in the middle of the street and was hoping he wouldn't get hit. After he didn't move from his spot for a while, I went outside and approached him and it was very apparent that he had been hit, yet not killed, and was unable to remove himself from the roadway. So I very carefully picked him up and moved him into my yard onto the grass. He was very alert and very tolerant of me as I sat next to him and petted his little head as he laid there waiting to die. I made him as comfortable as possible and went inside and cried for him. I could blame the drivers who don't pay attention to the road like they should. I know I'VE never hit a bunny, a squirrel or any other animal for that matter while driving. I pay attention. But I have seen these animals seriously jump out from the dark side of the roadway into the path of an oncoming car without notice and I know there are times when there is nothing you can do. But it makes me wish I lived on a street with no traffic at all. In a place where people don't drive cars and kill small animals.
Bunny Says Goodbye:

Rest in peace, my little friend. I hope you were happy while you lived here. I tried to give you treats you would like and me and my kitties always liked watching you and talking to you. I never got to pet you until you were dying, but you let me sit with you while you munched on yummy grass and ate the treats I set out for you. You brought peace inside of me while we sat outside together.

10 Things That Disturb Me...

1. That white flaky milk crisp that forms in the area of the opening of a milk jug/carton/bottle.

2. Turning 40.

3. People who talk to themselves in public.

4. Those big black balls of burnt crap that develop at the top of the wick on a candle after burning it a while.

5. Being in a public restroom and listening to someone else pee.

6. The mall.

7. That one hair that grows from my collarbone that has no pigment and can only be seen in sunlight, at just the right angle, and only after it has grown to be about 3 inches long.

8. Guns.

9. My obsession with Roller Coaster Tycoon.

10. Quiting smoking.

Blow Me Away

Never open you front door to let in the breeze (straight-line winds)until you pick up the pile of mail you sorted last night, yet left on the coffee table. Remember the computer paper? This house sits just right to maximize ventilation.

My son has a concert today at 1pm. They are playing at some music festival. I will be there long enough to see him play and say hey to him after they are done. If anyone that reads this in time wants to go, let me know. Or show up. Its at Dreamworld Music Complex, 3102 W. Division Street in Arlington. Tickets are $18.00 (I think). This is a music festival, so there will be bands playing all day... just so you get your money's worth. If you would like to hear a sampling, Sinclaire

30 Days...