Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Pretentious Blogging MeMe

1. How long have you been blogging? Over four years.

2. What made you start? Super Cool JennyJ. I had no idea about the blog world until she introduced me.

3. Who inspired you? Those who share their funny and inspiring stories.

4. About how many hours a week would you estimate you spend on your blog? Not nearly enough hours, I think.

5. What kind of experience or background do you have with writing? I have no experience in writing but I have always enjoyed it. I kept diaries when I was young but there were many sporadic entries. I find the same thing happens here.

6. Talk about how you come up with blog topics. Where do you get your ideas? I steal ideas sometimes. But mostly I just write about my life.

7. What or who inspires you and your blog? Other people who tell their stories, the pictures that they take and post, that sort of thing. I get inspiration from everyone.

8. Where and/or how do your brainstorming for your blog? I find that alot of my posts are half written. When I got back and look at the draft I decide that it really wasn't as interesting or as funny as the "idea" of it.

9. Do you have any blogging rules or guidelines you follow? Its the one place where it's just about me.

10. Is there anything you will not blog about? Work, definitely. I am never entirely convinced that my boss isn't searching for me or reading what I am writing, even though I take the utmost care that it doesn't happen.

11. Do you have any sort of a publishing schedule in terms of day of week or topic? I have nothing of sort. This is the one area of my life that I leave unplanned.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Some Saturday Humor

  1. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
  2. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
  3. There is great need for a "sarcasm" font.
  4. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
  5. Was learning cursive really necessary?
  6. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
  7. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
  8. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
  9. Bad decisions make good stories.
  10. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
  11. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
  12. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.
  13. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this ever..
  14. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Damn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
  15. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
  16. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
  17. My boy asked me in the car the other day "What would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How the hell do I respond to that?
  18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well..
  19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Light than Kay.
  20. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Things I'm Looking Forward To This Weekend

  • going shopping with my favorite bff.
  • sleep
  • tape trim to paint in the living room.
  • finishing off this book I'm reading. The story is excellent.
  • watching Season II of Pushing Daisies.
  • relaxing!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Turns Out, I'm Just Dense!

There are so many things I don't like about the doctor's office. And before you all go nodding your head (I mean you, there, in the back), the anxiety and the whole "I'm going die" chant aren't even the half of it.

I was going to get into it ... here ... just now ... but really I just want to cut to the chase and explain that I am fine. (and thank you for thinking of me) My doctor went over my letter and then she showed me the letter she received. They were really two different things.

Her letter explained, in medical terms obviously, that due to my dense breast tissue they were recommending a six month follow up to get a better view. There was no mention of any spot. We discussed how if there had been anything even remotely questionable a biopsy would be ordered. They do not take chances these day on anything.

So that was very reassuring. My doctor said she would speak with the hospital about the wording of the generic letter so that it isn't so alarming.

'ya think?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

It's Official!

I can't believe this day has finally arrived ... but it HAS.

Everyone in my office (except me) has gone completely CrAzY! There is so much frustration, aggravation, lack of acknowledgement, no ability to be truthful, no venue in which to speak without fearing for your job and throw in some resentment.

Today, before I left, I declared that I am going to either buy everyone booze or put xanax in their coffee. It really is out of control.

And the sad part, the one person who really needs to hear about it all, is virtually unapproachable (even though he insists he is very approachable) ~waves to boss~

That's all I'm saying on the subject. And I feel remarkably better just writing that.

In other news, tomorrow is my doctor's appointment. I have had it scheduled for months now but up until Monday it was only for prescription refills and to see about having some things under the skin on my legs removed (nothing major, honest). Now it has taken on a whole new meaning. While I am hoping I'll get answers tomorrow at 2:30 PM, I'm guessing I will probably have to have some sort of biopsy done. We shall see.

I did take the entire day off. I am not sorry about that either. (HA and Double HA!) I haven't decided if I will grocery shop (boo!) or take a jaunt down to my favorite Salvation Army Store. (yay!)

I'm going to play it by ear ...

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Not That I Care ...

.... but here is an interesting link ....

speed trap org

Monday, January 25, 2010

Testing My Faith

This letter in my mail box today ...

Dear Mig,

Your recent mammography or breast ultrasound examination showed an area that we believe is probably benign (probably not cancer). However, in 6 months, you should have a follow-up mammogram to confirm that this area has not changed. Please call the scheduling department at (555) 555-5555.

A report of your results were sent to: ~insert Mig's doctor's name here~

Although mammography is the most accurate method for early detection, not all cancers are found through mammography. A breast finding of concern should never be ignored despite a normal mammogram. If you notice any new changes in your breast(s) you should bring them to your health care provider's attention immediately.

Thank you for allowing us to help in meeting your health care needs.

Sincerely,

Department of Diagnostic Imaging

*****

WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Google tells me I've got an 80% chance it's nothing. 20% it is.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Negativitiy MeMe

Foods which disgust the crap out of me: Red onions (I don't know why they are red, they look purple to me). They make me sick.

TV show I loathe: 700 Club. The theme song is like nails on a chalkboard.

Movie I loathe: Waterworld. What in the heck is that all about?

Music genres I loathe: Rap. It doesn't speak to me in the least bit.

Magazine which annoys me: Sports Illustrated. There is not a single thing in it that interests me.

Makes me cranky at restaurant: Waiting in a large crowd for a table. I don't think any restaurant is worth it.

Makes me cranky in public: If it's too hot while I'm trying to shop. I might bite someone.

Makes me cranky in general: Whiny children.

Pisses me off at home: Dog business on the kitchen floor.

Pisses me off at work: Cranky men. It's like I'm the whipping girl.

Pisses me off in general: People who drive s~l~o~w. I end up yelling in my car. I'm sure that looks attractive.

Makes me impatient at home: When everything gets really mess. I cannot stand it.

Makes me impatient at work: It happens rarely but someone who speaks rudely to me over the phone.

Makes me impatient in public: People who walk slow in front of you at the mall.

Celebrity I hate: Bill O'Reily. ANNOYING.

Music artist I hate: Lady Gah-Blah. (I did that on purpose)

I could care less about: My carbon footprint. Sorry about that.

Annoys the crap out of me weekdays: the back up at the rotary on the way to work. That should be a license requirement. Mastering the rotary. It's not that hard people!!

Annoys the crap out of me weekends: Having to hit any store. They are always super busy and the lines are long. My weekend time is to valuable to waste on that whole thing.

Blogger's habit that annoys you: Advertising on the side. I hate it when my mouse happens to be int hat spot and it launches something I didn't mean to launch. WTH!?!

Feature on your blog you hate: I've got nothing for this one.

Movie star you despise: Tom Cruise. I can't believed I liked him in Top Gun and Risky Business and he turned out to be a gigantic ass.

Politician that you hate: Republicans usually.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Random Picture


My 110 year old house. We rent the 1st floor and live on the 2nd & 3rd floors. I love it.

Friday, January 22, 2010

The Truth Doesn't Set You Free ...

...... because it still goes back to the lie and why it happened in the first place.

..... and you still feel like crap, even when the truth is out there.

This morning I was alone with the manager that I wrote about in my Tuesday post. My gut was telling me that I should come clean myself. Even though I knew my boss would do the deed when he arrived.

I had a good HOUR to do this. I mulled it over in my head. I thought about what I might say. Then I thought about how he would re-act.

Well, I utterly and completely chickened out. I cannot handle conflict. It will reduce me to tears every time. Nothing screams "freaking out" like me trying to keep it together while tears stream down my face.

Instead I took the cowards way out. I waited. My boss came in, matter of factly called this man into our shared office, came out with it, apologized for misleading him, explained how I am the bottom on the totem pole and how he and the other manager weren't told because it was felt they would get mad. (as if lying about it and the coming clean would be the lesser of the two evils)

He left the room and then walked out of the office. In my eyes, it went horribly. My boss told me I could leave and it would be fine. Not to worry.

I did leave. And I am not looking forward to Monday. When we will be alone first thing in the morning.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

So Much To Do!

I hate that the weekend is coming and my "want to" do list is a mile long.

Such as ~

  • take pictures of various books in the library and put together blog post.
  • write about and post pictures of the two birthday parties me and the youngest attended.
  • finish "tie together" quilt.
  • dig out next size car seat for the youngest.
  • endless laundry.
  • clear out one side of the living room.
  • locate paint and painting supplies.
  • paint living room walls.
  • install wall mount for flat screen TV. (yeah, I won't be doing that)
  • clear out other side of living room.
  • paint walls.
  • put everything back together.
  • finish reading Stackhouse series.
  • watch season II of Pushing Daisies.
  • clean bathrooms.
  • vacuum.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Today

Ranks right up there as one of the worst days ever.

Worked sucked.
Dinner sucked.
Etc.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

No Indication

I am a terrible liar. While this is probably a very good thing, it's really not, when you've been asked to go with the flow ... to seem like everyone else ....

You see, it was all going along just fine until I actually had to make like I was "doing it too". You asked me how it went.

Then the needle scratched the record.
Then I turned twelve shades of red.
Then I stumbled.

While I sort of pulled it back together and turned the table enough to seem like I knew what I was talking about, it was too late.

By doing what I was asked to do, I compromised something that was far more important then going along with it. I blew away the respect you had for me.

Now I regret the whole business.
Regret.
And when my boss comes back, I hope he'll do the right thing and tell the truth for me.
But it's too late.
The damage is done.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Do You Hear Bongos?

So, I've had this sinus headache for the last two days and I'm about ready to rip my nose off, scrape the insides of my cheeks with a baby spoon and call it a day.

My point? Enough already.

And, no, we do not have a single pill of sinus relief in the house. I used them all up yesterday trying to battle this beastly thing. I'm to the point where the antibiotics prescribed to me last year, that I didn't use the entire bottle of, is appealing. Very appealing.

Today is an extra day off. Could the weather co-operate here? The answer to that is about as much as my head is co-operating.

Stupid winter. With your rain/sleet/whipping wind. Would it kill you to be sunny today?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Trivia About Me MeMe

Opening…

Do you get regular massages? Since I don't like the idea of a stranger touching my body, that'd be a big FAT no.

Do you have an answering machine? Years ago we did. Now we all have voicemail.

What cuss word do you use the most? Rhymes with truck.

Are you underweight or overweight? Overweight sadly.

Can you see your veins? Some spots on my legs. Which I loathe.

Favorite…

Soap? Caress. It think it is like lotion in a bar.

Fruit? Grapes and melon.

Kind of red meat? Fillet Mignon.

Fish? Flounder.

Candy bar? Take Five (pretzel, chocolate)

Have You Ever…

Eaten a whole bag of potato chips? When I was a teenager. I think if I did it now, I'd barf.

Eaten lobster? Ahhh yes, I love me some lobster.

Climbed a mountain? I've climbed a few. I can't remember which ones now (because I'm so old and my mind is feeble. What?)

Been skydiving? Now you see, that whole fear of heights thing, actually PREVENTS me from even reading the second word.

Been water skiing? Let's just say, I can water ski poorly.

Do You…

Wish you could change something about your life? Yes. Money. We need more of it.

Like your nose? I have no problems with my nose.

Like salt and vinegar chips? I do and I find that most people cannot stand the combination.

Eat salsa? It's not my first choice at a party.

Own a boat? We did. For about five years. It cost us $500. It sat in our driveway for all those five years. At one point the motor was sitting next to it. I threw a party when it finally was hauled away.

What Is…

A small thing that people let slide but that actually has dire consequences? Being a recovering drug addict. (the question says "people", I am not talking about myself here)

Your most macho trait? I'll do just about anything (ie: get greasy, clean up disgusting stuff, lift something heavy, use a hammer, etc.)

The longest relationship you’ve ever had? The one I'm in right now with my husband. We've been together almost twenty years. Married for seventeen years.

Your most embarrassing thoughts? Let's just say my mind is always in the gutter. So if you say something that can be taken two ways, my thoughts go right to the most sexual one.

Your most shameful moment? I can't recall because I tend to block those things utterly and completely out of my mind. Don't we all?

This/That…


Bath/Shower? Shower. More practical.

Markers/Crayons? I like both, but if I have to choose a marker.

Pens/Pencils? Both, but if I have to choose pen.

Jelly/Cream Cheese? Grape jelly.

Bagel/Toast? Toast.

Finish…

My greatest weakness is… chocolate. It's hard for me to go a single day without it.

I wish I was…quick witted. I hate that I can come up with snappy retorts LONG AFTER the incident has passed and when I'm right int he moment, I'm easily rendered speechless.

Three things I wouldn’t do for a million dollars are…1) sell myself. 2) sell anyone in my family. 3)buy anything Gucci.

The oddest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth is…wax. From when I had braces.

Firsts…

Credit card you had? To a mall store called "Cummings". My first purchase was a pair of designer jeans.

Loan you got was for? My talking 1985 Plymouth Laser. I bought it for $2,500.

Paycheck was for how much? I got paid monthly, something like $900.

Time you had stitches? After my first baby. March, 1994.

Time you went to the hospital for something? Again, March, 1994.

Lasts…

List everything you ate in the last 24 hours? Bowl of Special K, Flat bread, Hummus, Feta Cheese, Coke (too much of it), Rice Chips, Mint Candy, Chicken, Potatoes and Corn.

Last thing you used a credit card for? $2. To the GAP.

What was your job previous to the one you have now? Same type of Secretarial Job.

Last thing you celebrated? Christmas.

Last time you were at a sports bar? A couple of years ago now, we went to a Sports Bar for our company Christmas Party. Generally I avoid them like the plague.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Saturday's To-Do List

  • Attempt to wash bottomless pit of laundry.
  • Fret over outrageously high Gas & Electric bill.
  • Wonder how much children are actually worth.
  • Reconsider that and instead wonder what husband is worth.
  • Give up on whole thing and hope for money tree.
  • Meticulously track calories, as days home = willy nilly eating.
  • Play Dora Dollhouse with my youngest.
  • Be happy about it.
  • Pick up son from friend's house at 2 PM.
  • Tease him with the fact that donuts were available and his favorite kind might not be left.
  • Checks lumps in bed to verify oldest teenager is indeed alive in there.
  • Insist she get up.
  • Sweep and wash the kitchen floor.
  • Check living room for dust bunnies.
  • Feed Cats.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Looking Back ....


Old Orchard Beach, July 28, 2004. How I wish I was there.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

I Must Be Old

Is it wrong that at 8 PM on a Thursday night and I want to go to bed?

I didn't think so.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Cookie Tale

I'm not one to return plates empty. I figure you brought it to my house with something yummy and left it, the least I can do is return it with something yummy too.

My yummy of choice is homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Since Christmas I have had a baking dish to return to my brother in law. I made a batch and got it ready to go. After dropping it by his house on my lunch hour, I sent him this text, to what I thought was his cell number.

"Hi there, I left your dish filled w/ cookies on the bench outside your front door. Enjoy!"

I got the following reply ~

"I don't think I have a bench outside my front door. But thank you."

Now I know he lives in a BIG ASS house and you'd think after living in it for the last eighteen years he'd know he has a bench outside his front door ... but whatever, I said ~

"ROFL! You totally do, I could tell the door is hardly used. Hope you have a nice day."

The reply to that was ~

"Sweet!"

I then went on with my day. A couple hours later I got this message ~

"Would like to say thank you for the cookies but there were none. I do not think I am who you think I am."

CRAP! All sorts of things went through my head but mostly I felt AWKWARD. Who could it be? Did I have the wrong number? Was he playing a trick on me? So I said ~

"Interesting. I must have the wrong #, sorry about that."

Good save on my part right? Diplomatic. But it puts an end to it. At this point I am wondering who, in the heck, am I talking to and how they must think I'm some sort of cookies tease. Then I get this reply ~

"No worries. I just really want cookies now."

See above tease reference. I can't help myself, like watching a train wreck about to happen I . must. send. one. more. text. ~

"Awwwww. Store bought cookies are good too."

There were no more replies. Figuring that was the end of it. I sent a regular 'ole email to my brother in law and asked him to verify his cell number and sort of told him the cookie story quickly.

I then went to my evening meeting, which consisted of a whole lot of blah, blah, blah. I found myself going back to the texts and my mind wandered as to who I could have been talking to. Kind of like when you know the answer and it is on the tip of your tongue but you just can't get it to come out.

That night, before I went to bed, I read this on my FB page ~

"Thank you for telling me I had cookies waiting for me then I have NO COOKIES when I get home from work. Jerk!!! It's okay though. I stole some from the old man. :)"

Monday, January 11, 2010

To The Max

Its pretty bad when you wake up at 5 AM and instantly wish it was Friday. I'm looking at a long week ahead of me. Mon-Tues nights working. Appointments for different kids in the afternoons each day. A tough phone call to make, that has to be done out of earshot of nosey people and preferably on a land line, although I don't see how I can pull that off. Maybe on my cellphone in the middle of nowhere would work... Bank of America is a demon to me right now.

I'm dreading the Gas & Electric bills arrival. And it sucks that I have to avoid the tenants because I worry that is the first thing they will mention to me (how cold it is downstairs), something that we cannot afford to do anything more about.

I wish winter were almost over, instead of just beginning. Even though I have a feeling that the extreme heat of the summer will be an issue as well.

Work is tense as a hornets net that has just been struck by a bat. A layoff that I can't talk about to anyone. Sitting in an office with my Boss, while he talks about how much it costs him to put oil in the furnace tank of his winter house. Or, like last week, telling me how he cannot survive on a salary of 125K.

All while I smile, answer phones kindly, and make like I don't have a care in the world.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Sunday Stealing: The Current Obsession MeMe

Book: Blink, The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcom Gladwell. This book was so interesting. It has many different scientific studies and the findings on facial expressions, gut reactions and how the unconscious knows before the conscious when something is wrong.

Snack: Barbecue Chicken Dip.

Restaurant: Longhorn & Applebee's. I'm looking for coupons to either of these places so that the gift cards we have will go farther.

Beverage: Focus by Crystal Light. It's risky for me to drink because it contains aspartame which sometimes causes migraines for me but it's so TASTY.

Decor: Black and White. always.

Actor: Robert Downey, Jr. Bad boy love.

Actress: Jennifer Garner.

Movie: Overboard is my all time favorite movie.

TV show: True Blood. I watched it for the first time last night and I'm HOOKED.

Hobby: Sewing. I've got to patterns, one for a purse and the other for pants, I can't wait to try them both.

Band: My man's band.

Song: Lifeline by Papa Roach.

Meme: Anything Sunday Stealing ;)

Blog: Post Secret.

Lover: My husband, always.

Friend: My BFF. She rocks.

Quote: "The world does not revolve around (insert child's name here)"

Peeve: People who wait until the last second to pull out in front of you and then drive slow.

Sport: Ahahahahahahahaha

Singer: Axl Rose. I might have a thing for bad boys or idiots.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

It Smarts

I was doing some cleaning in the kitchen today when I heard my youngest talking to her stuffed dogs. She had them lined up two by two with a pillow in the back. She was naming off reindeer as she pointed to the dogs and then showed me her pillow sleigh. Adorable.

But she kept saying her hand hurt. In between naming off "mocet, cupid, blonner and itzen" she would say ouch.

So I asked to see her hand and she would hold it tight to her, give me a wide eyed stare and say "Noooooo Mama."

See a couple of weeks ago, she experienced a splinter in the side of her hand. One that required me to use a safety pin to dig out. It wasn't deep but it wasn't fun for either of us getting it out and it took several tries.

I waited a while, knowing full well, she would forget eventually about it and I could sneak a peek. No dice.

"Sometime it was gonna hurt" she tells me.

I made her show me her hand, after much assurance I wouldn't poke at it. As it turned out she had no splinter this time, just a paper cut in the palm of her hand that was sore.

And a Dora Band-Aid did the trick.

Friday, January 8, 2010

End Of A Long Week

I am really looking forward to the weekend.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Sentiments


Oh how I love her.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

I Will Admit

.... that entering into someone's house that is messy, has stacks of stuff on every horizontal place, smells, has a sticky floor (that last one totally skeeves me) or greets you with a large smelly dog - while I pretend to smile and nod my head in agreement when its said to excuse the mess - my body goes into "must clean" mode and I have to hold myself back.

.... that previous statement isn't entirely true. First I think about the Spray Bleach and towels I have in my car and how handy they would be here.

.... I am not a fan of bleach, unless there is some serious dirt, yo.

.... how important it is to me that my children do well in school. And these days I'm feeling like an EPIC failure. With my son's C's and a D in math last term. To my oldest daughter's fingerquote high school fingerquote stress inducing drama that it brings. (See previous post w/ x's.)

.... that I love my black jeep.

.... in light of our current financial situation (think bad) my husband, in complete disregard of it, bought a 32" flat screen TV for our bedroom and I like it.

.... I am enjoying reading 10,001 Ways To Live Large on a Small Budget in spite of the fact that my boy didn't feel we needed to resort to that. My arguing that the do-it-yourself pickle recipe was a must try, did nothing to change his mind either. (Perhaps Snookie would be more interested)

.... my ultimate favorite lip balm is Pomegranate Burt's Bees. I may have to go out on a limb here and state that I probably never use chapstick again.

.... that I am feeling anxious about our new tenants. I'm trying extra hard to avoid seeing them just so I don't have to take a chance that they might want to discuss how cold it is downstairs or that an appliance is having issues. They assure me they love the place, so I am hoping winter passes quickly and by next year, it'll be old hat.

.... I am looking forward to heading to Lowes to buy toilet seats. In each bathroom, the seats are loose and the screws stripped. I am ready to be done with sliding cheeks.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Actual Conversation ...

With my three year old.

"MaMa, I want it to be Christmas again."

Monday, January 4, 2010

Deal Or No Deal?

Let's see. When we last left off, there was a potential for something "big" on the horizon. Something that would have meant big changes to my job. Something that, in all honestly, I dreaded just as much as I would have enjoyed the change.

Well, it's not happening. At this point it's dead. It ended with an insulting offer to my boss to purchase his company. This might be the end of it, or it might drag out a little bit more, only time will tell. But as of right now?

It's ovAH.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Well This Is Interesting ...

There are many evils regarding Facebook, of this I'm sure. But what I find most interesting is the side of my oldest daughter that I am getting to see. Whether she forgets that I'm there watching and reading I'm not sure.

But in her latest note (posted at 1 AM this morning) she recaps the year of 2009. Mostly answering questions in a way that I knew she would. But at the end, she had to put x's in the boxes that applied. Here is how she x'd them. (a complete cut and paste on my part)

"In 2009 I also....

[x] broke a promise
[x] fell out of love
[x] told a little white lie
[x] lied
[xx] cried over a broken heart
[xxxxxxxx] disappointed someone close
[xxxx] hid a secret
[xxxxxxxx] pretended to be happy
[] slept under the stars
[] kept your new years resolution
[] forgot your new years resolution
[x] met someone who changed your life
[] met one of your idols
[x] changed your outlook on life
[x] sat home all day doing nothing
[] pretended to be sick
[] left the country
[] almost died
[x] given up on something/someone important to you
[] lost something expensive
[x] learned something new about yourself
[x] tried something you normally wouldn't try and liked it
[x] made a change in your life
[x] found out who your true friends were
[x] met great people
[] stayed up til sunrise
[x] cried over the silliest thing
[x] had friends who were drifting away from you
[] had a high cell phone bill
[] spent most of your money on food
[] had a fist fight
[] went to the beach with your best friend(s)
[x] gotten sick
[] liked more than 3 people at the same time

[x] DIED OF STRESS. x.X Five or six times."

This speaks volumes to me. And tells a story that she hoped to keep me from knowing.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Tales Of Siblings

Well last night was interesting. My son asked if he could spend the night at a friends house. I said that would be fine but gave him the non-negotiable request of showering and teeth brushing (while I realize this should go without saying ... it just doesn't go with out SAYING.)

He packed up a small bag with games and his new cell phone. Which, come to find out, was full charged. That news in itself made me do a little jig. And tells me at 13 he is capable of thinking for himself (hey its the little things, trust me).

I dropped him off and that was that.

~cue other shoe dropping~

About an hour later my oldest girl comes in. She asks me if I've seen her new game. X-box 360 game that is. Tales of Vesperia. It's Anime. It's cool. And she was beyond excited to get it Christmas Day.

She already new the answer. She knew before she even asked me that her brother had taken it. She points out how "he" didn't give her his new cell number so she has no idea how to reach him. I got my phone, I handed it to her and figured I'd let them sort it out.

.... the best laid plans ....

I came back after a while to see if it was, indeed, sorted out. She was in her room sobbing. Part of me feels that it servers her right, she's rotten to her brother, sometimes. Other times she's very loving and kind and overly thoughtful toward him.

The other part of me was ANNOYED that he would do that.

So I called him, on his cell, to which I have the number. He answered. I asked if he had his sister's game. He did. I told him we'd be over to get it back. NOW.

I went back into my girls room and told her to get dressed, we were going to get it. Between sobs she asked me if "that was a little much?"

Maybe it was. But I didn't care at that point. Taking something without permission is wrong. She cleaned herself up and we went.

He apologized for taking it. She hugged him.

And all was right in the world, once again.

Until he comes home at 1:00 PM today, where there will be extra chores waiting for him.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Welcome 2010!

I got this text on my phone last night ...

"2009 is nearly over so pass this on to anyone who made you smile this year (: <3"

It was sent from my daughter.