Where's the Mute Button?

Yep... still gone

2007-05-10T08:18:00.001-05:00

I'm still over at the new digs at wordpress. Come visit me there!

Kathy's new place.

Still Over There...

2007-04-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

I'm still over at Wordpress if you're interested.

The new place.

Still Over There

2007-04-02T18:40:00.000-05:00

I'm still posting at the new site - I keep adding here on occasion to keep it from being taken over by spam comment, porns, and other freaks. GO VISIT ME HERE.

Wordpress Takes Over the World - Readership Down

2007-02-24T09:43:00.000-06:00

I just read my pal Tim's readership is down on Tennessee Redneck in King Harald's Court (and Pookie) so checked my stats too. My new blog at Wordpress seems to be suffering as well (or maybe it's just that fewer people are suffering from reading me since I've made the switch). So I clicked on my Google Reader which I've learned to depend on and found that I hadn't updated it for Tim's new wordpress site. I'm wondering if that's what's going on here, too.

So if you haven't updated your reader, consider this a friendly reminder. Or if you don't want to, that's okay too. But I hope you do. Thank you very much.

Here's my new blog at wordpress.

Resistance is Futile

2007-02-14T08:26:00.000-06:00

I waited and waited to convert to Word Press so that all my old posts and comments could be moved from the NEW blogger. The not-so-evil genius Lynnster contacted me and said she could make it so! So I'm the newest to be assimilated. Come visit me over here and read all about how our very own honorary citizen of MIDDLE TENNESSEE earned her wrinkles! Oh, and please change your links!

My Sweet Valentine's Gift

2007-02-13T21:39:00.000-06:00

For Valentine's Day, the husband and I have hired a handyman to come in and strip the hideous kitchen wallpaper. Woot! He is also going to repair the walls and prep it for paint, then we'll prime and paint as our own do-it-yourself project. I'm stoked! I'll need to do some before and after pictures.

We've cleared the countertops, the tops of the cabinets (and in fact have a load of stuff in the dishwasher now on the "china" cycle), and have taken clocks, calendars, and other assorted items off the walls. We're ready!

I picked up a goofball card for my husband and am giving him a Nacho Libre pen. It'll go with his Homer Simpson bottle opener ("Mmmmm.... beer.... yes! oh yes!"). We're so romantic. I truly find that new sitcom to be hilarious, though it's filled with predictable dialogue, etc. Ummm... Rules of Engagement? We're definitely the Puddy couple.

Meanwhile, I want to wish all my pals in computer land a very happy, romantic, fun, loving, or not-lonely Valentine's Day!

This One is For the Squirrel Queen

2007-02-13T08:44:00.000-06:00

My brother emailed this. I hope I put the link from whence it originally came. If no, here is the link where he picked it up.

It is a better Tuesday as I'm not green and dizzy today. It's also "award" day at work. I'll get my plaque for what was formerly known as the "million dollar club." It's interesting - you have to sell $2 million in real estate to make it because each transaction has a seller agent and a buyer agent, so you only get credit for half of one transaction (unless you sell both sides).

Last year was my first year in that not-so-exclusive club. I also picked up the People's Choice award (aka "Whale Done") in which the other agents vote for who has been the most helpful, best attitude, etc. So that was fun. My only disappointment was I never picked up the "Rookie of the Year" although the agents who been given it said it's been bad luck for them. So maybe in the bigger picture, that's a good thing. The best news is that the two agents who are up for it are really spectacular people. I'll be disappointed for the one that doesn't get it, but ecstatic for the one who does! And then there's always next year!

Okay... I'm done preening. In other news, the husband has finally agreed to allow the teenager to meet her boyfriend after a year of Internet and telephone dating. I'll be going along, as will his mother. The problem is that he's three years older than her. If she was 20, that wouldn't be a big deal. But she's 16 and still in high school. He's 19 and in college. At this point, it is a big deal. I'm just relieved that she's not sneaking around behind our backs to meet him. Sunday is the day. Wish us luck! Anyone from the Cookeville area who can tell us a great place to meet?

A Very Cool Clock

2007-02-12T12:17:00.000-06:00

My cousin sent this link to one of the coolest clocks I've ever seen. Enjoy!

The Cyber Clock

Woe is Me

2007-02-12T10:19:00.000-06:00

I think I have what Meg's had. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. drenched in sweat and ran to the bathroom. Subsequently, I've canceled all appointments for today. I am going to TRY to make it to the Home Buying Made Easy Seminar I'm putting on with four other agents, a couple of lenders, etc. since I'm supposed to be moderating. But it doesn't look good at this point.

Excuse me, I have to grab my bucket.

On Politics

2007-02-11T22:14:00.000-06:00

I want to see Al Gore run for president with Barack Obama as his running mate for VP. I think that would be one of the most kick ass things ever. I'm one of the seemingly rare people who like Hillary Rodham Clinton, but I just don't see her taking the White House. More Gore. More Gore. More Gore. Heh.

Put On Your Dancing Shoes

2007-02-11T19:48:00.000-06:00

Roxanne! Loved it. Loved. It. Bummed about The Grascals, though. If I coulda, I woulda voted for them. But you apparently must have some iota of musical talent to do so. And I guess I'm definitely a part of the biased left-wing conspiracy because I was thrilled to see the Dixie Chicks win! Yes, I'm sure politics played a big part but after they were shunned (and still are), I say hooray for them.

Have you seen the "Fab Faux" ... Will Lee's (base player from David Letterman's show) band that covers Beatles songs? They are fab. Will has actually long been one of my favorite musicians on the Letterman show.

Update: I also just finished watching tonight's "Extras" on HBO. I don't know which show makes me more uncomfortable watching it: Extras or Curb Your Enthusiasm. Watching while Andy watched people reviewing his horrible show, then him ruining the play with the critic frantically taking notes made me cringe watching. I know it's all made up, but it truly is genius because I have a real empathy for his character.

I Have a Dryer, Too

2007-02-10T08:43:00.000-06:00

Special note to Shauna - I'm happy to offer my dryer (and washer) if you're still looking for one to use. We have free entertainment here. Two dogs who love people to visit. One grumpy, ancient cat who gets jealous when anyone sits on her couch... unless you pet her poor scrawny body. One grumpy, ancient mother-in-law who delights in telling everyone what an awful housekeeper her daughter-in-law is, what an awful cook her daughter-in-law is, and what a gadabout her useless, probably-a-whore daughter-in-law is. It's fun, I promise!

My great news this week: I have finally found someone to take down the wallpaper in the kitchen and repair the surfaces where the drywall was coming down at a very affordable price. I'm so thrilled! He's coming Wednesday. It's a good thing he's giving me some time to clean off my counters and the tops of my cabinets because the MiL has given up. At least that's what she told the handy-man, "I give up! I can't keep that counter cleared and she* sure doesn't! So I throw my hands up!" (*pointed her finger at me when she said "she"). Nice. We won't even go into her comparing me to "that old thang" she used to be married to and despises with all her heart.

Did I tell you we just hit our 12 year anniversary of the MiL living with us? Do I sound a little frantic? I'm sorry. I really am grateful that the MiL has been there to help us with childcare, laundry, and cooking, I really am. Really. I am. She does have her redeeming qualities. But holy crap. 12 years. 12 LONG years. I think Kathy T. needs a break.

I think Kathy T. will be heading to The Mothership for a certain someone's birthday party this this afternoon. I'm bringing the kids so you get to meet the spawn.

Host Families Needed

2007-02-09T11:27:00.000-06:00

My company is sponsoring Up with People, an organization that offers young adults the opportunity to experience the different people, countries and cultures of the world firsthand while connecting with local communities in a meaningful and impactful way. From across the world, about 50 young adults ranging in age from 18 to 29 are coming to Smyrna and Nashville March 12-19 and will be working at the Wherry Housing on Weakly Lane. We desperately need host families to give them a place to stay, provide meals, and drive to the worksite.

Two Up with People concerts will also be held and host families will receive free tickets. If you are interested in hosting please contact Kathy Tyson at 491-2161 or Butch Roth at 477-8483. Please help - maybe your own children or you will be inspired to be a part of this international phenomenon.

Times They are a'Changing

2007-02-07T07:30:00.000-06:00

The talented Lynnster is working on a little project for yours truly. I'll be making the switch in the next few days to the rising star of blogging: Word Press. I think the powers that be at WP need to design and give the woman a special award for single-handedly ~~luring~~ converting so many disgruntled beta bloggers to their web community. In any case, when my new blog is up, I have a special first post waiting (besides the "this is your first post drivel" that automatically appears that I may delete anyway).

In other news, I've been hard at work planning a Home Buyer Seminar with other agents in my office. If anyone is interested, there is no charge and no sales (the public libraries at which we're meeting have prohibited this). We can't even say "Call us when you're ready to buy" because that constitutes a sales pitch. We can say "Please feel welcome to call if you have any questions." Just loads of information about buying. The seminars are Monday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Smyrna Public Library and Saturday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the LaVergne Public Library.

Girl Scout cookies are being unloaded from the cookie depot on Saturday (the 17th), so I'll be ready to deliver that next week. It's not to late to get cookies from me, Malia or Busy Mom! I'm excited about the new sugar free brownie cookies, but I'm sure they'll be loaded with carbs... must investigate.

Well I started a rant on Snickers and wife beating that I deleted because after rambling, I saw I had no cohesive, thought-provoking point to make. So I'll leave you with this instead as I get ready to sail to Word Press:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

Bloggers Writing About Bloggers

2007-02-03T20:41:00.000-06:00

Sarcastro just cracks me up. His comment about the shirt he wants to get for the baby knocked me over. He really isn't as bad as everyone says he is. Hahaha... I love that joke.

I love that joke unless it's not a joke. It actually happened to me in real life once, though, and was a most unpleasant experience. I worked for about two months in radio ad sales at a po-dunk FM station in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Elizabethtown was most definitely NOT as romantic as the movie with that hunky Orlando Bloom portrayed it to be. I worked my tail off, put miles and miles on my car pitching the station to area businesses, got yelled at by people who already had bad experiences thanks to that lousy station, and was backstabbed by my fellow sales staff.

I was barely scratching out a living. I'd buy chicken legs at the grocery because they were so cheap and would boil two for dinner every night. Boiled chicken legs and canned green beans or canned corn. The real kick was that because I accepted that job first (right out of college), I felt a misguided sense of loyalty so turned down another offer at the public television station in Evansville so I wouldn't let the FM station down. Well it sure let me down.

But back to the whole Sarcastro tie-in. As I was packing my desk to leave that hell-hole (and by the way the jack ass general manager-owner still owes me a paycheck for $200, the cheap bastard), the local village ... um... mentally challenged man ... was there talking to another salesperson. He asked the salesman who I was, then exclaimed, "Well she's not ugly at all like you said she was!" I really hated that place. It was the most horrible place I've worked, but not the most horrible boss. That's another story altogether.

Now back to the bloggers again (and sorry this is so disjointed). I really enjoyed seeing everyone today and got to sit down and talk with two ladies for my wrinkle series. It will be a toss-up who to write about first, but I plan to do both in the coming week. AND several other fine people have agreed to a sit down. This will be fun.

Robot Dreams and Dragon Tales

2007-02-03T10:41:00.000-06:00

Following Newscoma's nod on Nashville is Talking to Cuppa Powell's little featurette, I am:

I am:

Isaac Asimov

One of the most prolific writers in history, on any imaginable subject. Cared little for art but created lasting and memorable tales.

Which science fiction writer are you?

I'll take me some Isaac! My favorite sci-fi author, however, is and may always be Anne McCaffrey (Dragonriders of Pern series). I've really been enjoying Andre Norton's books, as well, and actually have the very last book she signed before she passed away in Murfreesboro -- has it been two years now?

Okay, I have to start getting ready for the big blow-out. Woot! Have pen and paper and will travel.

Never Say Never

2007-02-02T15:09:00.000-06:00

Please trot over to my good friend Mandi's NEW BLOG! We're sitting here today trying not to eat another bowl of ice cream and had the bright idea of setting up her blog. It's called "Never Say Never" because she's learned that anytime she does say that, the opposite occurs.

You may recall Mandi is one of my friends who I featured in the "Wrinkle" series. She is also the angry pregnant woman I talked about using the "mouse" cartoon. She's much calmer now that she's 22 weeks along. (Especially when you feed her ice cream.)

So please go say hello, bookmark her, or blogroll her. She's good people. I promise.

Oh... footnote. I set her up on Word Press as I generally like jumping on bandwagons.

More Snow Pictures

2007-02-02T10:46:00.000-06:00

You didn't ask for them, but you get them anyway. Because I have nothing else.

The girls.

The birdbath.

The yard with the girls heading out for their walk.

The youngest girl falling after she tried to see if she could slide on snow.

Snow is good.

What a Difference a Day Makes

2007-02-02T06:21:00.000-06:00

Yesterday's snow (my reaction was much like Ginger's "WTF?" comment in my previous post then gales of laughter at school being canceled when the roads were absolutely clear):

Today's snow:

My reaction today:

Dogs reaction:

"Uh...duh huh... what's that cold? Let me back in!"

So no school today. Yippee! But it begs the question: why is it when you HAVE to get up and get the kids ready I can barely keep my eyes open, but when I don't have to I bounce right out of bed? Yesterday, the same thing. Woke right up and pounced on the day.

I'm feeling like Lynnster today... volunteering to work on some projects for other people. I have a kick-ass buyer book and my pal Susie has one too that she loaned me. So I updated mine using her fantastic information, then I'm building copies for another couple of agents who work out of our Franklin office.

And speaking of Lynnster, has anyone said lately how wonderful she is? That girl! I can't wait to meet her on Saturday at the Sarcastro baby shower! I'm so glad he and his wife are bringing another little life into this world because it's another fantastic reason to gather with friends. (Oops, is this bloggers blogging about other bloggers?) (hahahahaha) I think I'm bringing paper and pen to try to catch a few people for the wrinkles because I want to write 70 more of them this year and have only done ONE. Ugh. I'm behind! But I'll get caught up.

Snow SNow SNOw SNOW

2007-01-31T16:03:00.000-06:00

Let it snow let it snow let it snow!

We moved from North Dakota to Arkansas when I was 16 years old. I was homesick that first Christmas for my friends from the North, so I went for a lonely little walk that evening. Why I keep talking about God and angels in my posts lately, I'm unsure, yet I prayed that night for snow. And it started snowing.

Meanwhile, I find myself now praying for a snow day so I don't have to drag out of bed at 6:00 a.m. I'm sure there will be a lot of little prayers tonight for snow from the Age 18 and under crowd. My 11-year old said all the teachers are planning for no school tomorrow already. There are going to be a lot of disappointed people if this doesn't pan out.

So who's rushing to the grocery today?

New York, Part Two

2007-01-30T07:27:00.000-06:00

The remainder of my trip to New York was eventful, but not quite like being surrounded by the gang about to be the victim of rape and possible homicide. (sipping my coffee... yes!) I remember some guy from Southern Illinois University was pretty forward about his intentions, but I wasn't into the one-night convention thing so declined. I think I may have laughed in his face because he was such a troll about it. I also recall a little old man following me and my friends around Times Square offering money for what he wanted. I swear I didn't dress like a hooker. Really. He was also roundly rejected, quite possibly through the use of bad language. O.o

But my guardian angel was also still around. My aunt and I had a dramatic falling out about four years earlier - my parents had moved to Kentucky from Indiana right as my senior year in high school was set to start and I didn't want to go to a brand new school in 12th grade. So they allowed my sister and I to stay behind and live with my aunt. It just didn't work out and ended with my sis and I getting our own little ugly apartment in Ferdinand, Indiana for the remainder of the school year.

Meanwhile, my aunt and her family returned to New Jersey and lived just across the river from NYC. Toward the end of my trip, I picked up the phone and called her. She said, "I knew family was in town!" She had a picture of her father (my grandfather) that sat on her mantle. Anytime family is near, the picture would move off the mantle. She had picked up that photo at least once a day for several days.

I met my aunt and her husband for dinner one night and we reconciled - really had a nice time. Then the funniest thing happened, albeit kind of gross. My uncle had to use the bathroom. And he did. He picked a door stoop, ducked inside, and pee'd. I didn't know whether to laugh or throw up. He said everyone did that, but I sure didn't smell pee in every entry door I walked into. I guess that's why they had so many doormen in the city - to keep people from pee'ing in them. All I know is that at the end of that trip to New York, this sheltered small-town girl was quite happy to get off the plane, walk on grass and see trees, and not have to worry about being propositioned by smelly old men who were following me, or surrounded by a gang of evil.

Sip. I love my coffee. I do want to go back to that amazing, vibrant city again, though. It was unforgettable.

O.o Coffee Pot Broken

2007-01-29T07:40:00.000-06:00

Gah. No drip. No perk. No hot caffeine.

I Believe in Angels

2007-01-28T11:53:00.000-06:00

On Friday, my husband ran into a couple moving to Smyrna. He's in the military and got his orders on Monday to report for duty no later than February 17th. The wife was frazzled, so my husband gave the couple my business card and I spent Saturday driving them around showing them places to rent. (See, sometimes realtors aren't all about the commission, but about :::helping::: people). We found several potential homes and I'm hopeful that the landlords of the two they love will pan-out today and they can put ink to paper. The wife kept telling me that my husband was like her guardian angel when he gave them my business card... leading to this discussion of angels.

I deeply believe there are angels among us. When my niece was two years old and unable to swim, she went missing and was found at a neighbor's pool - wet from head to toe. There were no adults around so to this day we aren't sure how she didn't drown except that an angel must have been watching over her.

When I stayed with my Mom who as in the hospital recovering from heart surgery, she kept talking to my deceased, much-loved brother-in-law and her own mother. Spirits or angels?

Before all this, however, I traveled to New York City when I was a senior in college. This was LONG ago - back in 1982 when crime was rampant. Several of my friends and I decided to catch the subway to Chinatown one Friday night for genuine Chinese food, found a restaurant and had a lovely meal. When we left, a train arrived and I said, "This is our train!" I stepped on the train alone because the doors closed before my friends hopped on.

So I was alone on a subway train at midnight in New York City. I was a little nervous, but quickly became scared when a gang of about six men came up to me and began circling me. They said things like, "What are you doing alone girlie?" "You won't be alone with us." "We going to make sure you not lonely!" Along with vicious laughter and other taunts including graphic descriptions of just what they planned to do to me.

I thought, "Oh God. I'm in trouble. I need help." And I knew something very bad was going to happen to me. I was terrified, I'm sure I'd turned pale and I know I was shaking. "Oh God, I need help." I read once that just calling on God using those simple words is indeed a prayer. And my prayer was answered.

From no where, a short little man who was balding walked directly through the gang and up to me. He set his briefcase down at my feet and said, "There you are Kathy! I've looked everywhere for you!"

The gang scattered. I was not wearing anything or carrying anything with my name or where I was staying visible. He said, "Could you watch my case for a moment?" And he went into another train car. The gang had truly disappeared, so the only thing that made me nervous was the briefcase and what was in it (I was totally freaked out at this point). My angel came back in a few moments and sat next to me.

He said, "Kathy, this next stop is yours. Go up the stairs then turn left on the street. Your hotel is one block away on the left."

The train stopped and I walked right into the lobby of my hotel following his directions. I hooked back up with my friends just shocked at what had occurred. I was safe. I was lucky. Blessed, even.

I later read that angels can appear to people differently. When I saw a short elderly man carrying a briefcase who looked harmless to me, the gang may have seen a huge, hulking figure walking a snarling rottweiler. He did put the briefcase at my feet where someone's dog might sit. I may never really know what they saw (unless I get to see a preview of my life like "Defending Your Life"), but I can well imagine. I do know that I'm here today to tell this story. I've tried to be good to other people and help when I can. Pay it forward. And that's why I tried to help the Army man and his wife find a home. Am I an angel? Certainly not to me. Is my husband an angel? Absolutely to them.

Angels come in different shapes and forms. We don't know how our actions and words affect other people, but one spoken word at just the right time or just showing up and greeting someone could drastically alter and improve a life. I try to remember that.

I Just Had a Flash (not a hot one)

2007-01-25T23:20:00.000-06:00

I'm sitting here watching Keith Olbermann and just had a Daphne Moon kind of moment. I predict that Dick Cheney will step down as vice president and John McCain will be appointed the new VP. Then in order to keep the White House in 2008, George Bush will resign approximately six months after the VP appointment thereby making John McCain president.

John McCain can then run as an incumbent, thus giving the R's a better chance to hold on to power. This could work if McCain then appoints Rudy Giuliani as his VP. I really should be a political strategist because that is pure genius.

Now, let's help the D's. I think Hillary and Barack should not oppose one another. I think they should run together and do this QUICKLY. And if I hear one more person cite "Whitewater" as the reason not to trust Hillary, let me just remind everyone that the MILLIONS spent on THAT investigation only outed a happy ending in the Oval Office. I think it's pretty obvious that had Kenneth Starr found something indictable (anything else), even the first lady would have been called to the carpet. Is that the right expression??

In any case, this election will be tedious, interesting, tiresome, and riveting.

I'll Be Gentle

2007-01-24T21:57:00.000-06:00

I'm thinking I want to get back to my wrinkle series. Anyone feel like sitting down to chat? Ginger? Shauna (more)? Smifferator? Angie M.? Smiley? Brittney? Kerry? Kat-Co? Come on... you know you want to.

Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog

2007-01-24T11:02:00.000-06:00

I'm not quite sure how I found this last night, but Three Dog Night is performing at Madisonville Community College in April. I'M ABSOLUTELY IN! When I was 12 or 13 and living in Grand Forks, North Dakota, they were my very first concert. I went with my sister and some friends (can't remember who we went with at all). They opened the performance with "The Show Must Go On," one of their more obscure hits but a phenomenal opening! I had the best time and chronicled the concert in details in one of my diaries that's missing. I may have to search for it later.

That concert may well be the reason for my hearing loss today because we sat probably 10 or 20 feet away from these speakers that were the size of a two-story house. I don't know. What I do know is that on April 27th I will be in Madisonville, Kentucky enjoying my second Three Dog Night concert.

Center Stage Performance
Three Dog Night
Friday, April 27, 2007 - 7:30 PM - Tickets: main floor: $45/balcony: $40
Sponsored by Trover Foundation
Joy to the World, Mama Told Me Not to Come, Black and White, Shambala, Liar, Eli's Coming, Celebrate: From 1969-1974, nobody had more Top 10 hits, moved more records, or sold more concert tickets. During this period Three Dog Night was undoubtedly the most popular band in America. Come relive the magic!

Oh yeah, I'll relive the magic.

The Painted Ponies Go Up and Down

2007-01-23T14:35:00.000-06:00

I had lunch with my faboo friend Mandi today. Mandi is about five months pregnant and brought fantastic 3-D pictures of the baby. One looked like the baby was holding a teddy bear and it was amazing. Our conversation turned to "big sisters" as both of our oldest children are daughters.

When my youngest was born, the oldest was in preschool. I had been on the board of directors at her preschool and had a great relationship with her teacher, the director, etc. So I said I'd bring the baby in to introduce to the class. My then-five-year-old thought it was Show-and-Tell. She stood in the front of her room and said matter-of-factly, "This is my baby sister. Her name is Melissa. She cries a lot. Would anyone like to pet her?"

Every hand in that room save mine and the teacher's shot straight up. It was one of the funniest moments I can remember as a Mom. I told the students they could come up and gently touch her, but asked them to please not "pet" her.

I just wanted to share a story of children in the early spring of their youth since we have two funerals this week. My husband and mother-in-law are on their way home from his aunt's funeral and my colleague's husband lost his battle with cancer yesterday. I suppose their deaths must be a relief to their families, yet I'm sure they're devastated and will miss them terribly. Such is the carousel of life.

Bad Time of Year

2007-01-21T23:12:00.000-06:00

Did you know that a British scientist has determined that January 24th is the worst day of the year? It's the day in England, apparently, when people realize their New Year's resolutions have fallen to the wayside, the Christmas credit card bills start coming in, and it's typically gloomy and wet weather-wise. Yeesh.

This isn't the greatest time in the U.S. either. Earlier this weekend, I posted where people have been going to funerals, losing jobs (sorry Ivy and Ginger and Smiffster and Tim C.!), and just experiencing a the blahs in general.

We got the call yesterday that the husband's last aunt on his Dad's side passed away. He and the mother-in-law are going to Kentucky on Tuesday for the funeral. I had planned to go, but I think I'm staying here with the kids instead. This aunt was sweet to me the few times I met her, so I regret that she's gone and I'm very sorry for her children and grandchildren.

And now, the lady who was my mentor when I got into the real estate business is about to lose her husband. When he was first diagnosed with colon cancer six years ago, he was given six months to live. He has defied all the odds the medical field laid on him, and as a result his family at first didn't believe this was it. Reality has now settled in and they met with the funeral home yesterday to make arrangements. The hospice nurse told her today that he likely wouldn't wake up by Monday morning.

I saw him for several minutes on Friday and just didn't know what to say when I left since I knew it would be the last time I saw him alive. My mouth finally spoke, "Well you take care and let me know if there's anything I can do for you." It was so lame.

Although the cycle of life and death touches all of us, it's the ordinary that make it worthwhile and the extraordinary that inspires. Tomorrow I will be inspired. But if I'm not inspired, my day will still be worthwhile.

Just Coffee and Friends

2007-01-20T12:27:00.000-06:00

Do you have something to say, but the media elite just won't listen to you? Do you crave to be around smart, funny people? Do you enjoy sometimes being made fun of? If you said yes to any of these questions, then we have a treat for you!

The monthly meeting of the Middle Tennessee Blogger & Podcasters Group is Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m. at Espresso Joe's in Smyrna.

Enjoy a nice cup of joe (Espresso Joe), make some friends, visit with old friends, have some laughs, be intellectually stimulated, hear bad jokes, and study the quirky phenomenon of people clamming up when a microphone is put in front of them.

Directions right here.

Friday! Oh well.

2007-01-19T17:45:00.000-06:00

Normally I welcome Fridays with much enthusiasm, but have to work all weekend. Work is good when you know you'll be getting a paycheck, but these are my "volunteer" hours. In real estate, we always have to have an agent at the office in case customers walk-in or call. I'm it. I really don't mind, especially since we have an agent who once sold $3 million from a walk-in while on floor-time. I'd be a happy girl if that happened. But otherwise I don't get paid.

Bad luck comes in threes. This has been a week filled with bad news. My husband's step-mother called and the last surviving aunt from his Dad's family is on the verge. The husband of the woman who mentored me has terminal colon cancer and is on the verge. And my pal Ivy lost her ultra-cool, hip-o-mighty MTV gig. Gah. Here's the thing. I do believe in the law of attraction (aka power of positive thought). So I'm going to think that Ivy's job loss means that something phenomenal will happen for her. Same for Kat Coble's husband. They are such good people that I know in my heart that they will be fine. And let's hope John won't have another funeral to attend for quite awhile.

I took today's photo this morning. I apologize for blotting out the school bus number and the street sign, but you can surely understand why (stop calling me Shirley).

We spent quite some time last night studying for baby girl's math test. It was on figuring the perimeter and the area of various geometric shapes. After what felt like hours of crying because she didn't understand, I got out the scissors and construction paper to make my own shapes. When I showed her that you get the area of the triangle the same way you get the area of a square or rectangle (but divide by two) and I folded the square in half (to demonstrate), I saw her whole face light up. "Ohhhhhhhhhhh!" Oh boy did that make me feel good. Like me, she must be a visual learner.

Okay, I must nap now.

Math + Project = Photo of the Day

2007-01-18T22:16:00.000-06:00

When you buy art supplies, you'd think this would be a science project or social studies. It's math... my daughter has to draw a geometric shape and decorate it to look like something real.

She's doing a field of flowers. I suggested she re-create her favorite book (rectangle shape) using construction paper. She didn't even want to try it for "Hop on Pop."

It's the Tox

2007-01-18T21:08:00.000-06:00

I checked my mail at work today and pulled out the usual: a conference brochure on how to be an effective manager (be organized, don't be an ass. $340, please); a conference brochure on how to be a terrific secretary (be organized, always make the boss look good. $340, please); and a postcard on a new listing.

But there was another piece of paper in the box that caught my attention before I flipped it in the trash. There was an eye, lips, a naked buttocks, and the word "erase" on a memo-looking piece of paper. It was my own personal invitation:

"Open House/Botox Event" for employees, associates, family and friends. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. If you bring a friend who purchases a package of any sort, you will receive $50 for future procedures.

I'd always heard of these botox parties in California. These rich folks get together, eat, drink, chatter, and line up to have a needle plunged into their lips or eyebrows or cheeks for an instant face lift. I suppose nice, full lips would be great for my American Idol audition, but the whole idea of putting toxins in my body really puts me off.

Hi Ho Hi Ho ... It's to Forced Labor they Go

2007-01-17T17:17:00.000-06:00

The most amazing thing happened at home this week. My daughters did the dishes without argument or lip. There was no fighting. No crying. No yelling. No slapping. No “Your face!” or “You’re stupid!” remarks. I just heard the dishes clinking, the hum of them talking, and occasional laughter.

This is rare because like any home with girls, ours usually fight, run and yell loudly, fight, laugh, and then fight more. So when they work together to get a job done, I am so very grateful. I gave them their space, but tried to acknowledge them as they came upstairs:

Me: “Hey my little pretties.”

Youngest Daughter: “Squeal!”

Oldest Daughter: “Hahahaha!”

Me: “Did you girls do the dishes?”

Oldest Daughter: “Yeah!”

Youngest Daughter: “We can’t talk, we’re going to play DDR!”

Aha… that was the reason behind this sudden policy shift. My guess is that the oldest daughter promised the youngest a rockin’ game of DDR (a game in which a dance mat is hooked up to a Playstation and the music video shows where the girls should dance through a series of directional arrows scrolling down the screen point up, down, right, left).

I find there are only three good ways to get my daughters to work well together on any project (barring good manners and my having raised them right, which naturally isn't usually the reason):

Find a common goal. Bribe them with shopping, cake, or money.
Work together against a common enemy. Let’s talk about how mean our Mom is to make us suffer through this heinous task.
Friendship. This one is the most effective and it’s when the magic happens. They will always be sisters and the companionship they enjoy together now will take them to a whole new level as adults. It’s the one that takes my breath away because that’s when I know my daughters will be okay long after I’m gone.

DDR helps kids to "Stay Cool!" Well, it does make them exercise, so I'm all for it!

Submit to the Decider's Will

2007-01-17T07:44:00.000-06:00

My jaw hit the floor as I read this article on MSNBC.com.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says federal judges are unqualified to make rulings affecting national security policy, ramping up his criticism of how they handle terrorism cases.
In remarks prepared for delivery Wednesday, Gonzales says judges generally should defer to the will of the president and Congress when deciding national security cases. He also raps jurists who “apply an activist philosophy that stretches the law to suit policy preferences.”

Wait. Did I actually read that? He believes the federal jurists should defer to the president's will. The attorney general of the United States believes that the well-educated, informed members of the judicial system, set up as one of the checks and balances of our democracy, are too stupid to know or understand what's going on in the war against terror.

The contemptuous view of the democratic process, the utter disregard of the voice of the American people, and the above the law attitudes of this administration beg the question: what will it take to get these jokers out of office and out of power?

I read an eloquent editorial published in a St. Petersburg (FL) Times to a Republican congresswoman from Florida, and believe all our elected leaders should take heed:

"But you cannot blindly follow a president whose war plan has been one bloody disaster after another, whose latest grand design is opposed by more than two-thirds of Americans, who has rejected the key elements of the Iraq Study Group, a distinguished panel whose findings you have applauded as echoing your own sentiments."

I beg the judiciary. I beg the Congress. I beg the American people. Stop this madness. Stop it with your rulings. Stop it with your laws. Stop it with your votes. I want to see people in Washington, D.C. who respect the U.S. Constitution and the democratic process. Is my agenda too liberal?

UPDATE: Okay, I thought about this in the shower and I believe I've identified what that brain niggle is that has been troubling me. This administration does not trust the people of this country. They don't trust the public. They don't trust the judicial branch. They don't trust anyone. So why should we trust them?

Your Next American Idol

2007-01-16T20:09:00.000-06:00

I think I should audition. I'd fit right in.

I can't sing.

I cry easily.

Dogs howl.

And babies cry.

Yep, I got the look. Except my nose is too big. Damn.

Just One More

2007-01-16T13:34:00.000-06:00

If I have to hear "You know if you don't like the weather here in Tennessee, just wait five minutes and it'll change. Haw Haw Haw!" just one more time, I will throw up. I will.

Three Subjects

2007-01-15T20:19:00.000-06:00

DIARYESQUE CRAP: Still in my funk, so not a lot to say these days. Sorry. I did have lunch with Ivy and her family. She looks too cute as a blonde! She was so nice to buy dessert for her kids, but being the cheapskate I told me wee one that we'd just go buy a gallon of ice cream and have dessert for several days. She picked neopolitan, which is actually not too bad. The only other excitement in our lives: the teenager actually drove all the way to the grocery store this weekend. She didn't hit anyone, anything, nor did anyone honk at her. AND I got a perm today, thankfully. My hair was disgustingly flat and lifeless. Now I get to stink for a couple of days, but it's worth it.

365 PROJECT: Since it's such a "silver" day as my youngest described what I would've considered "gray," my photo brings some color to the day.

This was sunrise a couple days ago. I'm not a morning person, so when I have to be up at 6:00 a.m., I'm glad to see something this pretty.

MORE CRAP How do you set up an RSS link on your blog? Brittney tried to set me up the the NiT aggregator but I'm not showing up. Does anyone have my feed where it's working? If yes, please look up the "properties" and comment with the link so I can make good use of it. Please?

Huh. Boring Me.

2007-01-14T20:39:00.000-06:00

$220. Pee'ing in the pool put me over $200. And how is spin the friggin' bottle so bad?

Quiet Sunday

2007-01-14T19:21:00.000-06:00

It's been quiet here today, except for a Mom who came to pick up a daughter's friend from a sleepover here last night. The Mom was very very nice and friendly - I quite enjoyed talking with her. She was here with her 3-year old daughter who took great joy in "touching" the horses in the field next door while we fed them carrots. No sign of the heron today, but Velma (mother-in-law) said she heard it calling this morning. When I walked the fence line, I only succeeded in flushing out a rabbit.

Here's my 365 Project photo. It's one of the fence posts in the yard along our driveway.

My youngest daughter thought it was funny that she could see the neighbor's playset in the background.

Happy Anniversary, Baby

2007-01-13T19:43:00.001-06:00

Here I thought today was an ordinary, boring day. I'm just tra-la-la'ing along watching a Fistful of Datas (Star Trek) on the tube and it occurred to me that this isn't just any other day. It's the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of this blog. So happy anniversary, blog. Does this make it a teenager now?

Pass the Baton

2007-01-13T18:56:00.000-06:00

This was Baton day. I'm trying to think of something enthusiastic to say but can only come up with having to rise early this morning to bring my baby girl to her class. There wasn't competition, but they did give trophies for most improved and hardest worker. Baby girl won for most improved and she's excited, yet not ("I must have been pretty bad when I started!"). She really did work hard, though. She learned a double hand roll and some other fancy-schmancy stuff.

Anyway, I did have a new listing nearby that still had some work to be done (flyers for the brochure box, a lead-based paint disclosure form) to drop off, so I was pleased I didn't have to add loads of extra mileage on the car.

After baton, we went to Opry Mills and hit a huge sale at some store...... Aeropostle. I paid $41.00 for what rung up at $152.00 originally. As much as I really dislike shopping, that made me happy. I kept looking for famous people and blogging buddies, but didn't see anyone.

When I got home, the teenager had died her bangs purple. It actually looks pretty cool and they wash out after about eight shampoos. My hair is driving me nuts... getting a perm on Monday. Gag this is a dreadful post. I'm all done except for the 365 Project photo. (You're welcome.)

Baby girl and her friend on the merry-go-round at the mall.

Here Lives the Heron

2007-01-12T10:46:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: I talked with the Fish and Wildlife expert and told him I thought the heron was trapped in the pasture with the horses chasing it. He said if it wasn't flying, he and his gun would come investigate. So I called the husband and he told me he saw the heron next to the roadway a couple of days ago - made me feel better because the heron could indeed fly. So I called Mr. Wildlife back and he'd been speaking to other field agents (is that what they're called?). They thought the heron possibly came over for the horse dung as it may have still held grain and corn (a delicacy). Or it may have a nest nearby. In any case, he sounded very relieved that I said we believed the heron could fly. So yippee. The heron still lives.

Here's my photo of the day (two, actually):

The heron is the blue blur way out of focus in the middle of this drastically zoomed in/edited picture.

And here's the horse that was chasing it.

ORIGINAL POST: There's a heron in my neighbor's field next to our house. It's been there for several days. My husband came home from work earlier this week and it moved or squawked or something and startled him, "There's some giant bird in our neighbor's field" he said.

This morning my mother-in-law said, "Kathy! Come out here!" I threw on my tennies and she and I watched the neighbor's horses chasing the poor thing. How do I know it's a heron? I googled it and found this picture:

That is exactly what the bird looks like. This is NOT my picture of the day for the 365 Project, and in fact credit goes here where I picked it up.

So I called Animal Control and they said they don't deal at all with wildlife. The gal who called back gave me several numbers of the state wildlife office. I called and spoke to another person who said I should leave it alone (ya think?). But she is going to have one of the wildlife officers call back. I think the bird must be in trouble or it would've flown away when the horses started chasing it.

Any experts out there?

Thursday Night TV Overdose

2007-01-11T22:36:00.000-06:00

"Fool me once, strike one. Fool me twice, strike three." Michael

"Hi!" "Hi!" "Hi!" Ryan

"Did you ever have a thing for Pam?" Karen

"He was a total douche. Doopity-Doo." Andy

"He was one of the most honorable and efficient people I know." Angela

Smack in the face from Jim to Dwight.

My name is Joy.

My name is Crabman.

My name is Dottie.

"I can't do this. We have to take her back." Carla.

And we haven't even gotten to ER and Grey's Anatomy. Heaven.

365 Project, Day 11

2007-01-11T15:16:00.000-06:00

I brought my screaming monkey to work today. Boy is that fun! Here's my picture of the day:

The husband picked up this piece of coral about a gazillion years ago when he was scuba diving and before coral reefs were endangered. It now sits in our rock garden with weeds trying to take it over.

I think I'm having a blank day here in my brain. I've just completed a mailing and scheduled some showings, so I must be in business mode rather than creative mode. Proof is in the pudding: I'm co-listing a duplex in north Nashville off Gallatin Road, so if anyone's interested let me know! By my figuring, you could live in one side and lease the other, thereby paying for half your mortgage.

If I come up with anything more juicy, I'll post again later.

Where the Stomach Virus Reigns Supreme

2007-01-10T17:29:00.000-06:00

We have some stomach funk here. My oldest daughter stayed home today and hubby came home early (something he NEVER does). I thought my problem was due to the absence of a gall bladder, but maybe it wasn't the taco salad after all. In any case, we seem to have a bug that's giving our septic system a workout. Sorry for being gross.

Despite it all, I have managed to take some pictures that I like for the 365 Project. I don't have the equipment or talent for the beautiful close-ups like Squirrel Queen and Heather, but I like them anyway.

Frozen bird bath this morning. I thought it was more interesting than the frozen garden hose, however I did like the green color of the hose on the brown grass. Okay, I'll post it.

See? I like the frost on it. So what if it'll probably split this summer when we try to use it thanks to being left out in freezing weather. Sigh.

Kitty looking at me trying to figure out why in the world I am outside in the cold taking pictures. I love it when she hops in my lap at night and purrs. When she lays down, she sort of falls back in a most ungraceful way. Kind of like when I fell in December, only she doesn't hurt herself. Did I every say that I think my elbow is chipped? It's all healed, yet it still hurts to the touch. Yowsie.

Weather Flag

2007-01-09T15:26:00.000-06:00

I've got a lot of nothing today except a weather report - we had some rain/sleet mix earlier. My picture today perfectly demonstrates the windy, overcast winter day. If I could, I'd have dropped 2 inches of snow on the ground overnight so we can experience a real winter here in middle Tennessee. Then after about a week of cold, I'd warm it back up to the mid-60s for the remainder of winter.

I took this photo of my neighbor's flag to talk about a project my girl scout troop is undertaking. We are going to plan for a flag retirement ceremony this spring or summer and will be inviting people to give us their flags for proper disposal. I went to a flag retirement ceremony several years ago and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I want the flag ceremony for my troop to be just as memorable.

No Cookie Website

2007-01-08T12:15:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: I went to the Council this afternoon to pick up some booklets for my troop to work on their Silver Awards. While I was there, I naturally took advantage to put the discussion to rest. I'm so considerate! (ha). They were also confused at Council, but finally decided that actual online cookie sales are not permitted ... meaning we are unable to set up an order form, collect money through paypal, sell on eBay, etc. We CAN talk about it in our blogs (again mentioning that they are available and watch for Girl Scouts coming through your neighborhood etc.). We CAN email our family, friends and acquaintances and they CAN email us. So hooray for me, Busy Mom and Malia. We did it right and still have our angel wings.

Now my pictures of the day:

I want to clarify the big cookie question. I've made phone calls to get the official scoop, but SNAFU: the people you need to talk with at the Council roll right into voice mail.

So I talked with another good soul. She said we are not allowed to set up a web page specifically to promote cookie sales (no online order forms). We can mention that it is cookie time and also say that if you know a scout, you can contact them to order. We are not allowed to email strangers that it's cookie time, but if someone emails us, that's okay.

I was wrong when I said the goal is 175 boxes per girl. It's 150 boxes that we need to sell for girls to get a prize and for troops to get a bonus. As it is now, the troops collect .50 (cents) per box and can earn up to another .08 (cents)'ish p/box in bonuses for turning in orders on time and for each girl selling 150 boxes. My troop has never gotten a bonus beyond turning in orders and money on time because we have sisters in the troop whose orders must be divided (in fairness).

So mentioning that it's cookie time on this blog is not against the rules. Saying you can contact me is against the rules unless I generalize that you can also contact any scout. So there it is: you can contact any scout at this time of year to order cookies. I don't want to break rules, even rules that are designed to inhibit girls from meeting the goals randomly set by big corporation in order to maximize their own profit.

Do I sound bitter? I'm sorry... I don't mean to be. I just do not like cookie season. It's my least favorite time of year.

Captain Kirk and Pink Kitty

2007-01-08T10:29:00.000-06:00

It's a weird-mood kind of day. Beyond the obvious having a "case of the Mondays" I've been reading Aunt B, Kat Coble and Pink Kitty following the Buddhist Attorney's one-line zing which was a very cruel, misguided attempt to be funny. Besides PK's response being eloquent, she also did something unexpected... she made me cry. I think it wasn't so much her talk about the human body being beautiful, etc. It was because she reminded me that despite how our society judges us on our physical appearance, we are allowed to live a life of dignity and joy. She said:

"People like Wintermute attempt to rob people like me of life through public shame and harassment. Fat people stay in there homes having been hounded for so long, made fun of, made to feel ugly and ashamed for what they look like. 18 months ago, a person like Wintermute might have succeeded with me. For a few minutes, he did.
However, it is today and it didn't work. I will not hide. I will not be ashamed. I will continue to live my life as God and I see fit, and that includes dancing."

I've been guilty of judging people based solely on their appearance - most definitely a case of the pot calling the kettle black. When I've done it, I kind of step back, acknowledge to myself what I've done, feel loads of guilt for doing it, then overcompensate to make up for it. But when I've done it, I'm likely judging someone to make myself feel better about my own problems. That said, I do owe Pink Kitty my gratitude for her amazing character - she is an inspiration on the dance floor and an even greater example of how I want to live my life... with confidence, compassion, and integrity.

Now to change the subject: I took my girls to see Night at the Museum yesterday. I've read a lot of comments about it not being a good movie, but I loved it! It reminded me a lot of Jumanji with Robin Williams and the wild animals, but it had some very funny moments. Except for one bad word ("kiss-as*"), it's very family friendly. We all laughed throughout the movie and I do love me a good, hearty laugh!

At home, the hubs and I have been watching the first season of Boston Legal. Now that's some funny stuff. I've been a Star Trek fan for more years than I care to share, but typically just tolerated Captain Kirk (I liked Mr. Spock and Chekhov). Now that I've watched Boston Legal, I believe William Shatner is a wonderful actor AND singer! :) hee hee! And James Spader. Wow.

The hubs also told me last night that "The Omega Man" (the Charlton Heston) movie is being remade under it's original title "I am Legend" (written by Richard Matheson). I totally freaked out because "I Am Legend" is one of my favorite books and stupidly I never realized it was "The Omega Man." Wow again. I'm very much looking forward to the new movie, and will probably have to read the book again as a result.

That's all I have for now. I'm going out shortly to take some pictures so I can post a photo later. Oh. And I suppose I should go to work for a while. I'm tweaking my database... anyone want on it?

Well Hello Puppet Dog

2007-01-07T12:06:00.000-06:00

Hello Puppet Dog. We obtained PD oh so long ago - he was in one of those pre-stuffed Christmas stockings ...you know the kind that looks like a potato sack with the red, open-weave. We love Puppet Dog.

It's a rainy, gloomy day and I promised to take my daughters to Night at the Museum with another friend. Showtime is at 1:30 or 4:00... should I procrastinate or get it over with? :) Maybe I'll come back and write a movie review later.

OH, I'm rapidly disappearing off of 25peeps.com so show me some love! Ha!

For A Few Moments Anyway

2007-01-06T20:13:00.000-06:00

I'm on 25 Peeps! You can help support my goofball addiction by going here: 25peeps.com

Don't touch my screaming monkey.

Barbeque and Screaming Monkeys

2007-01-06T12:36:00.000-06:00

Today's 365 Project gives you a twofer deal... two pictures in one day. But they go together, really. This was dinner last night enjoyed at Jim & Nick's BBQ in Smyrna with Bad Bad Ivy and two of her kiddos.

The dinner was faboo... I was miserable when they rolled me outta there. I went over to Ivy's house after and she gave me a fantastic Christmas gift!!!! ONE SCREAMING MONKEY! Woot! (dot com). Plus she found a beautiful brief case that I adore. Thank you, Ivy. And Merry Christmas back!

I need to go get cleaned up and run some errands. Nothing exciting to report here.

Oh... another pic of Ivy. Her hair on the computer looks blue, but in real life it's purple as purple can be. Ivy is my absolute hero when it comes to "no fear"! And I like the Princess Bride shirt (I think that's what's on it). :)

Cookies Anyone?

2007-01-05T12:08:00.000-06:00

The Girl Scout Council headquarters sets cookie goals for all the girls and this year they want every girl to sell at least 175 boxes each. While that shouldn't be a problem for most girls who (with their parents) get out there and work it, families with more than one daughter in scouting always face dilemmas. That is my case. I have two daughter, two girl scouts. I can make the 175 boxes and might even make it up to 200 but then I have to divide by two and my girls' numbers plunge.

I don't think I'm supposed to sell them online so if you are interested, please shoot me an email at kathy(dot)tyson(at)comcast(dot)net and I'll contact you about what kind and how many. And three since fifty I'm per not box supposed to say how much they are, you can also ask in my email. Here's the bonus.... I purchased the "Dinner for Eight" gift certificate that Jim at the Mothership graciously donated for our Skate for the Children silent auction. If you order cookies from my daughters, I will pick a date to deliver them out of the back of my car at the Mothership (with Jim's permission). The first eight who show up get lunch on me (or Jim, depending how you look at it).

Here's a link to the Little Brownie Bakers for type of cookies and nutritional information.

A New Day has Dawned

2007-01-05T07:48:00.000-06:00

It's a good day in our home when both girls made it to the bus stop in time to take the big yellow transport to school. I had to giggle at the teenager who galloped up the yard when she left the house. She made it to her stop with at least four minutes to spare before the bus arrived. I wish I'd taken a picture of that, but we get this instead.

I snapped the photo at the Mexican restaurant on Bell Road next to the Olive Garden while waiting for my salad. I got some weird looks from the workers and a lot of rapid fire Espanol of which I didn't understand a single word. But I still liked the fountain because it looks like a little Mexican Dutch boy.

I've been watching with interest the crying and gnashing of teeth from Republicans as the Democrats take charge of the House and Senate. It amazes me that the Democrats are taking ANY criticism from Republicans and anyone else because they aren't being "bipartisan." The Republicans blindly supported the current resident of the White House to their own peril and squashed all bipartisanship when they were in command. And now they complain about Dems not being bipartisan? Huh. They squandered years of Republican rule by letting politics take the front seat with common sense tied up and locked away in the trunk. They have only themselves to blame.

I think Democrats have every right to run the first 100 hours as they see fit. But I do hope that after that, they will reach out to Republicans and truly make an effort to legislate so that they represent all the people of the United States. All of our politicians need to forget about red states v. blue states and remember that no matter where we live or how we voted, we the PEOPLE deserve to be represented with dignity, respect, intelligence, and fairness.

Photo Day 4

2007-01-04T15:25:00.000-06:00

No cake today. I did get something else from eating at a Mexican restaurant today that probably only McSmiley would sympathize with. But we won't go into that. Meanwhile here are our dogs. They are not at all neglected as they would have you believe as they pitifully look from the sunroom into the dining room. No, they have that pitiful look because it was dinner time and they weren't invited in.

Poor babies. At least they don't stink now that they bathed this holiday season that I'm trying to stretch out until Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

It's Not Mississippi Mud, But...

2007-01-03T07:30:00.000-06:00

Good ol' yellow cake mix with chocolate frosting is the topic of today's 365 Project. I used to think it was my favorite cake, but then I tasted my mother-in-law's Mississippi Mud Cake. That's what I craved my entire pregnancy with my youngest, but couldn't eat it because I had gestational diabetes. She made one right after Melissa was born and only one other in the next 11 years, but it remains my favorite.

By the way, the corner piece is the absolute best. But then again, I like the heel of bread too. BUT, I'm trying to keep with the new year resolution of cutting back on the carbs and sugars, so didn't even have a bowl of cereal last night before bedtime. I feel a pound lighter already.

The ::REAL:: Elvis

2007-01-02T10:16:00.000-06:00

We got Kitty when my daughter and her cousins found her after a pounding rainstorm in West Kentucky about six or seven years ago. After the storm, the kids went outside and found a tiny little kitten about four weeks old with no Momma cat anywhere to be found. We think she must've been washed out of wherever her Mom had her tucked. We gave our daughter the okay to bring her home and have had no regrets.

Her name is Phoebe. She looks like Elvis. We call her Kitty.

The Christmas decorations are down! It was marvelous that our whole family worked together yesterday in putting everything away and cleaning the living room. It makes me think that perhaps we aren't so dysfunctional after all.

Happy 2007

2007-01-01T12:29:00.001-06:00

It's heeeere! 2007 arrived with fireworks, hugs, kisses, champagne, and family. We didn't have company for the first time in several years, but did have a nice time (especially watching Melissa's indescribable little dance - Elvis comes to mind). We posed for a family portrait.

We thawed the frozen shrimp I bought a couple of months ago. It smelled bad, so we didn't eat it (yet). Our oldest daughter ate one piece, so we're waiting to see if she gets sick from it before eating more. But we did munch on chips and salsa and snickerdoodle cookies. Have you tried those LIME tostitos? Those are wonderful!

I was so excited that we're at January 1, 2007 because I was going to copy Malia's project last year by going to blogbinders and having my blog published. Unfortunately, they've shut down and are recommending Lulu.com. The problem with Lulu is that you have to format it yourself and I didn't want to do that. Lazy indeed.

But I do have some New Year's resolutions:

Eat fewer carbs and sugars and more healthy veggies.
Schedule time to exercise (I really admire M. for taking her kung fu classes).
Keep a cleaner house (don't just wait for company to come before I clean).
Go through boxes, shelves, clothes, etc. and get rid of stuff that's not used.
Think before I speak and consider all ramifications (I know this sounds so high-schoolish, but old habits die hard!).
Say no-thank-you to anyone who offers any dogs or cats. Mean it.
Keep saving money for family vacation.

For family vacation, I'd like to go to Michigan, Connecticut, or Alaska. Those are the only three states I haven't been to, although I think I was in Nebraska only because of a wrong-turn my Dad made when I was a teen.

Oops... the picture was too big and completely messed up my blog format, so I'm taking it off and will just leave this link so you can do it yourself: create your own personalized map of the USA. The map came via Lynnster, via Chez Bez, and I saw John H. also had one.

I do have more resolutions, but they are work-related and I'll save those for my daily affirmations. You are worth it, you are a good person and dog-gone-it people like you! Happy New Year!

Favorite Photos - Last Day of the Year!

2006-12-31T18:09:00.000-06:00

I thought I'd post a couple more pictures for the fun of it. Tomorrow will start the photo a day thing, so hopefully I'm getting all the uninspired pics out the way early!

My kitties:

My 16-year old when she passed the test to get her driving permit:

I just like this picture. Don't know why, but here it is!

(Again) Happy New Year!

2006 Accomplishments

2006-12-31T11:12:00.000-06:00

It's a rainy, dreary morning to wake up to but I don't mind. 2006 has been a pretty good year for us and I'm going to finally respond to the "Seven Accomplishments" meme that Newscoma tagged me with last week.

Number One: Got both my daughters enrolled in school with positive attitudes. The youngest started middle school and was nervous and scared, but really loves it. The oldest is in 10th grade and has done quite well with subjects that I never had the courage to take: Chemistry and Geometry.

Number Two: Made it to 20th wedding anniversary with husband. We haven't killed each other yet and still laugh at each other's stupid, predictable jokes. We like spending time together and are truly grateful for having someone to scratch our backs, someone to sometimes chase down the hall giggling, and most importantly someone to share beans with (I hate chili beans and pick them out to give to my husband).

Number Three: Even with the real estate slump, I managed to make a little more money than I did last year. My goal in 2007 is to double my business and continue doing so in order for my husband to be able to retire from his job so we can work together.

Number Four: Started this blog, originally named "Resistance is NOT Futile." I changed the name when I decided I didn't want to focus on government, etc. but preferred to babble. My bloggiversary is on January 13th and the first entries set the precedent for being lame, but I've learned to not to be paranoid about it because I'm writing for myself. If anyone else reads and enjoys, that's just great.

Number Five: Started the LaVergne blog. It was an attempt to bring information and conversation to the residents of the community. With Chip and Ivy as contributing authors, we've definitely accomplished that - the unwitting controversy we have brought to the table has helped open discussions with the city and raised awareness on various issues (election parking, stupid name for school which will remain unchanged, etc.).

Number Six: Raised awareness for the "Christmas for the Children" efforts to provide gifts for the kids in LaVergne and Smyrna who wouldn't otherwise have a Christmas.

Number Seven: Met some of the smartest, nicest people in middle Tennessee through blogging. I'm dumbfounded that I've been so lucky to become acquainted with such amazing people. I want to shout out to Smiffster, Lynnster, Newscoma & SQ, CLC, Kerry, M., Michael, Gunner & Elizabeth, Malia, Sonia, Aunt B., Kat Coble, Shauna, Jamie & Jamie, Brittney, Ginger, Heather, SaraSue, B-Dub, Rachel, Tim, John H., Sam, Rex, Mark, Jeffraham, Finn, and everyone I've inadvertently left off and am so ashamed of myself for doing so. (And I left off Ivy and Chip because I met them before blogging!).

Number Eight: I feel like I've been a true friend to a lot of people I truly care about. I was there to listen as Mandi struggled through a difficult time with a former friend and rejoiced with her when I learned she was pregnant, I took another friend to a doctor and a domestic abuse office when she was injured by her husband (and tried to give her comfort as she suffered through two miscarriages), I went with a friend to document a notorious head shave (an act of courage and compassion), and I helped another friend who didn't think she could buy a home.

Number Nine: I've told my parents I love them more. I tell my husband I love him more. I tell my kids how much I love them, too.

Number Ten: I accept that I will be judged by other people and they can be cruel. I have learned that it doesn't matter because I will continue to try to be a good person. Even though I'm boring at times, I am interesting at other times. I can be comfortable with myself.

Happy 2007!

Yet Another 2006 Photo

2006-12-30T15:22:00.000-06:00

I thought this picture was funny. We took it during Thanksgiving at my husband's aunt's house in Greenville, Kentucky. They opened Christmas presents early because the aunt and uncle were heading to Texas for four months and wouldn't be here over the holidays.

I've been watching a lot of coverage about Saddam Hussein today. It's a shame that news takes precedence of the big ice shelf breaking off in Canada. That's real scary stuff, to me.

Picture Today (and Buh Bye Saddam)

2006-12-29T20:07:00.000-06:00

My pictures a day aren't going to be much fun, I can already tell.

Not much to post about here except we're on Saddam watch. It creeps me out that someone is scheduled to die. It's just a little bit horrifying that someone would know when the end will be. But I suppose people with incurable cancer and other diseases have a pretty good idea when their time is coming. So would I want to die unexpectedly or would I want to know when? I think I'd want a little notice to have time to make final preparations (write my own eulogy) and say goodbye to my loved ones. In that, perhaps Saddam's way to go is the best. But hanging? Sheesh. How about an injection or something?

Yikes. What a conversation.

UPDATE: I guess the higher you are, the harder you do fall. Saddam reached the end of the rope as a vicious dictator who directed cruelty, hatred, and murder to other human beings. My only question that remains: where is Osama bin Laden who truly deserves the same fate?

Oops... a photo from 2006

2006-12-28T23:56:00.000-06:00

That previous post wasn't from 2006... more like 1964'ish. So here's one from this year before midnight. Maybe.

It's my daughter bundled up in the scarf her godmother made her. No, we aren't Muslim. My sis-in-law is completely into knitting and she does a really good job. I'll stop kissing up now (I'm hinting for a blankie!). ha.

It's Still the Christmas Season, Right?

2006-12-28T19:04:00.000-06:00

Although Christmas is over for 2006, the season continues for as long as we have our tree up! Since it's still up, my picture today is from Christmas past.

That's me on the left holding my Chatty Cathy doll, my brother Jim, sister Karen holding her Chatty Cathy, and brother Mike. This is definitely one of my very favorite Christmas pictures from when we were little. I also have to give my Mom kudos for having four kids and floor clean enough that you can see our reflection in it. Geez, my floor didn't look that clean BEFORE I had kids. We asked our Mom this Christmas what happened to the old ornaments she had on her tree and she told us she gave them to us a couple of years ago. Only, none of us remember getting them. We're thinking they may still be in her attic, so that may be a project later this year.

Memories of 2006 !! in photos !!

2006-12-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

Since there are only five days left of 2006, I thought I'd get a jump start on the photo a day gig that Brittney pointed to that Rex announced by picking five ~~of my favorite~~ various photos of 2006. Let me be clear ... it doesn't mean that all the photos I post in 2007 will be NEW (they'll probably be from 2006 or before) because I'm lazy like that. But here we go:

I thought Kitty's eyes made her look a little evil, but decided she looks more like Yoda. See?

Kitty, her name is. Sweet, she is. More creative, I'll be later because sleepy, I am. Night, good.

Yeah, What John Said

2006-12-26T23:19:00.000-06:00

I'm following John H's example and submitted this site for the 25Peeps thingie. As I said to John in a congratulatory comment because he made the 25, I'm not really sure the point. But since I have about 10 more hours of vacation before I have to be back at work tomorrow, I'm going for it.

Here's where you go.

And go visit John again, too, because he is a fine speciman of peep.

Breaking "Flavor Flav'ish" News

2006-12-26T22:08:00.000-06:00

I was watching some craptastic drivel on VH1 today, I saw a preview, and now I'm setting my DVR.

I Love New York is coming!

It's like one of those bachelor/bachelorette shows where she gets to have a bunch of guys compete for her love. Let me tell you, New York's (aka Tiffany) TV persona on The Flavor of Love (Flavor Flav!) was hilarious - she was hateful, nasty, arrogant, conceited, obnoxious, unfair, meddling, dramatic, and MEAN. And her Mom was even worse to the point that it was embarrassingly funny to watch.

You heard it here first. Or second. Or you just heard it here. New York has her own show and it's sure to be a laugh riot.

Christmas in Pictures

2006-12-26T15:09:00.000-06:00

I just dumped something like 175 photos from my digi-cam to my computer, so I thought I'd share my favorites from Christmas. Ho ho ho good times.

Our 20th anniversary at Applebees. Yes, Applebees. It was that or Taco Johns.

My dad cooking my favorite breakfast.

Pancakes with fried eggs on top. He used to fix that for us when Mom was having babies (there are six of us) or the time or two she had to go out of town (to see her sister in New Jersey). I loved the eggs on top of pancakes then and it remains my favorite.

Part of the nieces and my daughters piling on the couch.

My sister and her daughters. From left: Rebecca is a HS senior this year and is hoping to go to University of Kentucky, depending on what kind of scholarship money she gets. My sister who rarely poses great in a photo. This one is good except she's picking her teeth. My niece Rachel who is a sophomore at University of Louisville. My niece Kathy who is CFO for a golf club community in Bowling Green.

Look! My sister-in-law got all the kids screaming monkeys. I LOVE THEM! There was no "Fat Bas*ard" wine to go along with them, though.

My niece Leah and my Dad (grandpa) on Christmas Eve.

My brother Dean and sis-in-law Martha. I can't exactly remember what he was doing, but it was funny at the time.

My niece Angie. She's such a talented girl... she also graduates from HS this year and wants to get into art. I say she could've gone into music given her songbird voice.

My Mom opening her cookie jar filled with nuts. She's in her late 60s now and is just starting to sprout gray hairs.

As adults, we kind of stand back and watch the kids opening their presents. Three of my four brothers are pictured: Mike (we just see part of his face), Steve, Dean, husband Richard, sis-in-law Trish, and back of Dad's head.

One of my favorite photos ever of my parents, except we can't see Dad's face.

But here's his face as he's surrounded by more hugs. :) hee hee.

My girls and their cousin Trevor.

My girls getting their Tomagatchi pets to communicate.

Our blurry tree. I guess it had too much to drink.

My daughter the elf. I love this picture of her.

Christmas morning and my baby opens her presents. She had a marvelous time and we had such a great day!

That's it for now! Again, Merry Christmas!

A to Z Meme

2006-12-25T22:10:00.000-06:00

I haven't downloaded Christmas pictures but I'm thinking about it, we're out of milk so I can't fix a bowl of cereal, Judge Judy is on TV, and the kids are still sleeping. That's my morning so far. So instead of getting up to clean house or scramble some eggs, I'm goofing off on this computer.

A- Available or taken? Taken
B- Best Friend? Too hard to say ... can I have more than one?
C- Cake or Pie? Cake
D- Drink of Choice? Diet Cream Soda or Coffee
E- Essential Item? Cell phone
F- Favorite Color? Blue
G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Bears
H- Hometown? Air Force brat, but if I had to pick I'd go with Dawson Springs, Ky.
I- Indulgence? Hmmmm... ice cream and too much Star Trek
J- January or February? February - it's shorter so brings you closer to spring
K- Kids and names? Two daughters - Hillanator or Moolissa
L- Life is incomplete without? Husband
M- Marriage Date? December 23, 1986.
N- Number of Siblings? One sister, four brothers
O- Oranges or apples? Oranges
P- Phobias/Fears? Cockroaches.
Q- Favorite Quote? Thank you! Come Again! (from Harold & Kumar go to White Castle)
R- Reason to Smile? No freakish dysfunctional family moments yesterday.
S- Season? Autumn, cool weather, great smells.
T- Tag three people! Who wants it? You, you and you.
U- Unknown Fact About Me? When I was 12, I invested my babysitting money in the stock market. It took me 10 years to double my investment.
V- Vegetable you hate? Brussel sprouts
W- Worst habit? So many to choose from, but I'll settle on picking the dry skin off my feet.
X- X-Rays you've had? Lots... last one was when I had gall bladder attack.
Y- Your favorite food? If I had to pick just one, homemade mac and cheese.
Z- Zodiac? Cancer. That's something I don't get about July kids - we are crabs and cancer. Why couldn't we be something nice and not-so-fatal like raccoons and eye goo?

Peace Be With You This Christmas

2006-12-25T13:02:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to my family and friends this gloomy, yet beautiful day. We spent the weekend with my parents, sister, brothers, their spouses, and their children and had a very nice time. We got home late last night so the girls could be home Christmas morning.

No fighting yesterday, maybe some political jokes and some off-color humor, but all-in-all a really good day! I played dominoes with my brother and sis-in-law and was in the lead when we had to stop for dinner (I say that for my uncle who always makes a point in his emails of not telling who won because he always wins and doesn't want to appear to be bragging! haha. He does the same when they go fishing... won't say how many he caught so other won't feel bad.).

We went to mass on Sunday and got to experience the quasi-new priest (new to their church, anyway) again. Now I've known a lot of priests in my life and they are usually kind, good-hearted people. But on occasion we get one with issues. I don't want to be ugly when I describe a priest, but this guy is just kind of power hungry. When he says mass, he says all the required parts, but he will randomly leave out traditional (but not required) parts when he wants for reasons apparent only to him.

Yesterday, he left out the customary "Let us offer each other a sign of peace" during the "rite of peace," thereby depriving the congregation the opportunity to greet each other during mass with love and friendship. I saw parishioners looking at each other and a few shook their heads. It was almost as if the priest were behaving in a passive aggressive manner. I'm truly hoping he has some rationale behind his decision besides just to demonstrate that he's in charge of that parish, but I'm not too optimistic. Maybe he skipped it so people wouldn't focus on each other, but rather the real meaning of Christmas. I'd believe that except my family says he does it sporadically throughout the year.

Psychological analysis aside, let's get back to the mass. Communion followed the "rite of peace" and I witnessed determined love. The priest did not see his parishioners quietly smiling at each other and gently touching each others' hands as they got in line to go to communion. The church family surreptitiously flashed peace signs or mouthed the word "peace" to one another. After communion, the priest ended mass with the traditional, "Mass is ended. Go now in peace." The congregation left the church with joy and peace in their hearts, ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus and a season of hope and love.

Margaret's Wrinkles

2006-12-22T17:03:00.000-06:00

Margaret will always hold a special place in my heart as the woman who helped to raise my husband because her sister, who worked out-of-town, had no access to child care. Margaret is almost childlike in her joy for life and recited highlights in diary-like stanza.

Like her sister Velma, one of her earliest memories was the crushing loss of her Daddy, who was the family’s primary caregiver. He worried during his illness loudly enough for his daughter to hear, “What’s going to happen to my children if something happens to me?” After he died, the children learned his worries were justified; they were sent to different homes.

Margaret recalls her Mother living with and working for Primley Farmer, and they handed out commodities to buy food. Later, she was sent to live with her Uncle Abraham Lincoln Cotton (Uncle Link) for a couple of years, but also spent time with her Uncle Jim the preacher and Aunt Berthie Cotton. She soon began earning her own money by caring for Dr. Simpson’s mother and father before school. Margaret worked for the Skaggs family, earning five dollars a week doing laundry. She washed the laundry on a wash board and wrung the clothes through a hand wringer and into the rinse water. She also learned to milk cows while working for the Skaggs. Margaret worked for the Murphey family (where she was saved at Green Chapel Church), with E.B. and Floella Dukes (in Louisville). At one point, she remembered earning more money than her Daddy; he made 75 cents per day and she was earning a dollar.

Eventually, Margaret moved back home with her mother who lived over the Casey Food Market at the corner of Depot Street in Greenville. One day she and her best friend Dorothy Baker were walking along the sidewalks of Greenville and noticed a soldier boy and his cousin next to Williams and Wells Drug Store. The soldier said, “I’ll take the little fat one.”

On that first double-date, the foursome followed their mothers to the Bisby Traveling Show. They rode the Farris wheel and all the other rides while their mothers stood around and watched them. When Pack was shipped off in World War II, Margaret repeated and again passed 8^th grade, then she passed 9^th grade as well. She still pined for her soldier and wrote to him often when he was stationed in the Philippines and in Japan. Meanwhile, his cousin married her friend Dorothy, but died later in a car wreck (Dorothy eventually remarried to Buzz Rose). The 23-year old Pack finally returned home and on June 20, 1946 he married the 16-year old Margaret. Today, they have two children, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Margaret did continue to work in sewing factories in Muhlenberg County. She sewed labels, made blue jeans for Levi, and worked for Cowden and Dame. But there aren’t any sewing factories left in that area as they’ve all closed and the jobs have been sent to Mexico.

Margaret spends a lot of her time nowadays at her church, which is right across the street from her home. She remembers when Pastor Fox took her to the cow pond behind the church to baptize her. The bovines were standing around watching her as she was dunked, and Margaret was careful to keep her lips tightly sealed because she didn’t want to get cow water in her mouth. After she was baptized, she ran home to take a shower to get rid of the smell.

Pack is the oldest deacon and recently gave up his position as church treasurer. They have gone to Texas to spend the winter with their daughter. Margaret’s daughter has been a foster mother for many years and is currently caring for a girl that was placed with them at 10-days old and another little girl who is 7-months old. Margaret is a little worried about outstaying her welcome with her daughter, but is looking forward to the Texas sun during the long, cold winter.

Laughy Laugherson > Whiny Whinerson

2006-12-22T13:49:00.000-06:00

It's a rainy, craptastic kind of day but I had to get out to get some chocolate bark and veggies for the obligatory vegetable tray I bring to Mom & Dad's every year. I also had to go to the post office to mail our cards that everyone will get AFTER Christmas. My youngest daughter went with me, yelling and crying the whole way because she hates her school picture this year.

Daughter: "Please, Momma, PLEASE!!! Don't put the picture in! I hate it! It's ugly of me!" (and she snatches the letters out of my hands).

Me: "Give me those envelopes."

Daughter: "NOOOOOOO! You are NOT getting them! I hate that picture!"

Me: "Give. me. the. envelopes. NOW. I'm not going to spend $48 on pictures that I throw away."

Daughter: "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! You're so mean! That's not fair!"

Blah blablabla Blah... I got the cards away from her and we went to the post office. So my mood was naturally a little bit sour. The line itself wasn't too long, but when customers reached the postal clerks, they took about 20 minutes each to mail one little box each. Sigh. From the corner of my eye, I spotted a woman walk in and get in line about three folks behind me. Before I knew it, she cut up to the front, interrupting a customer already talking at a window.

Line Cutter: "Can I just leave this envelope here with you?"

Clerk: "No ma'am. That's Fed Ex. We don't deliver Fed Ex packages."

Line Cutter: "You all go to the same places."

Clerk: "Ma'am, they are our competitors. There is a drop box right across the street."

Line Cutter: "You can't take it?"

Clerk: "No ma'am. It's a different company."

Line Cutter: "Could you look at the label for me to see if I've filled it out right, then?"

Clerk (dumbfounded): "I'm sure it's fine. You can take it to the drop box across the street."

Line Cutter: "Okay! Thanks!"

I had to turn my back to her or I would've scoffed and snorted out loud. As it was, I just muffled my laughs and was so thankful she was there to brighten my day. Thank you, confused lady. You definitely cracked me up.

Blogs Don't Make ME Peckish

2006-12-22T10:37:00.000-06:00

People who blog have taken a lot of criticism in 2006. There was the Nashville Scene's funny little piece:

"Bloggers blogged about their anticipation of the event, they posted photos on their blogs of themselves with other bloggers, and many bloggers rushed home to blog about how nice it was to meet people who are bloggers—just like themselves!"

There was the infamous "Nemesis Boy" who pulled the fast one on "even Nashville’s most 'intelligent' web surfers." When Kate was Nemesis Boy, I didn't hold her in high regard. Now that she's not, I still don't. But she got an "A" because she was a pretty good ~~liar~~ manipulator, so good for her. The bottom line is we all tell our children, "Be careful who you talk to online. They may say they're a preteen bookworm, but they may really be a middle-aged old pervert." How is that different than what Nemesis Boy did?

There was the interesting piece published by Open Source magazine: 200 Million People Can't be Wrong About Blogging. 200 million people have now stopped posting. I do miss Crap & Drivel, but otherwise the people I like to read still blog.

If you don't like reading blogs, don't. If you don't want to write one, don't. If you want to experiment on bloggers, whatever. I'm not trying to be pretentious or self-important. I'm just doing something I enjoy... writing, talking to other people, listening to opinions, following politics, etc. But because you insinuated that bloggers don't have lives (Captain Kirk, how could you betray us?), I suppose I'd better just go hide in my room and cry for a while. Sniff sniff.

UPDATE: So, I begin a lot of sentences like that. Yo. And I talk like this. I ROFLMAO and say OMG, too. Sometimes I throw up in my mouth a little. I'm a typical, misguided blogger who overuses old cliches! Woot!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

2006-12-22T08:49:00.000-06:00

Yo ho ho. I feel like this is going to be a big posting day... why? Because I have about 2 days worth of errands to run, rooms to clean, cookies to bake and this is a great way to procrastinate. My Motorola Razr phone isn't working (it just keeps showing "Unable to Charge") so I have to take that somewhere to have a battery fixed. I have a stack of about 50 Christmas cards that haven't been mailed and one wailing 11-year old who's boo-hooing because she hates her school picture and doesn't want it to be sent to anyone. She loved the picture until her Daddy said she looked like the lunch lady (her hair was pulled back in a tight bun). Thanks, Daddy. The other daughter hates the pic I'm using for her, too. I had snapfish develop some because I didn't order her school pictures in time. Arg.

So I'm copying Ginger and Sonia and whoever else has done this and my gift (like them) is to not tag anyone!

Favorite Christmas Movie: When I was a tween, I loved the song "Sunshine" by John Denver. Then Cliff DeYoung did a version (or maybe another song altogether ... I don't remember) and he starred in the movie "Sunshine." It was about a man who lost his wife and had to raise his young daughter alone with his guitar and motorcycle. He was a hippy and hung out with his hippy friends. Then they made "A Sunshine Christmas" movie. I loved it until I happened upon it last year and realized what a truly dated flick it was. That moves me to "Christmas Vacation" and "Elf" ... I love both of these. My favorite line is "Did you HEAR THAT?" after the Buddy burped (in fact, that's a much-used line in my own home). But the favorite has to be "It's a Wonderful Life" because it's held up through the years and still makes me cry even though I've seen it a kazillion times.

Favorite Christmas Song: I like "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" the best because I can hit all the notes with this terrible singing voice of mine (again, dogs howl and babies cry when I sing - no exaggeration). I also like "Angels we Have Heard on High" because of all the Glo-o-o-o-o-ria's. I also admit that I love "Do They Know It's Christmas" by the generous people of Band-Aid, the 80s version of "Cool People Care" that wrote and recorded the song to raise money to end hunger in Africa.

Favorite Christmas Cookie: My own version of the Girl Scout 's Tagalongs (Peanut Butter Patties in other parts of the country) is quite good. Make peanut butter sandwiches using just peanut butter and Ritz crackers. Then dip them in melted chocolate bark. Shockingly delicious. I also love the "Magic Cookie Bars" (we call them goobers here) and the Oatmeal/peanut butter no-bake cookies.

Favorite Christmas Gift Ever Received: I loved the record player I got when I was about 12 or 13-years old. It had little detachable speakers and I would lay down on the floor and put one speaker at each ear and listen to Neil Diamond and the Eagles. I also love the photo my sis gave me last year in the "sisters" picture frame. Aw. And anything my husband gives me trying to be sensitive and sweet (my dragon calendar last year because I love Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series). And he once framed a poem I wrote about squirrels (it was just hideous - the poem I mean).

Least favorite thing about Christmas: Living away from my parents, brothers and sisters. We all get together on Christmas Eve and used to stay the night until our daughters started saying they wanted to be home Christmas morning. Now we return Christmas Eve night. It makes for a long, tired Christmas day.

Where would your perfect Christmas be: In a mountain cabin with snow falling outside. Roaring fire. By cabin, I mean mansion big enough to house everyone... all 30-ish of us.

Favorite part of Christmas: Watching my kids pick out, wrap, and open gifts. Also seeing people smile at stores rather than glare. Oh! And I love Christmas lights and the carols! I also quite enjoy looking at the Nativity scenes. Dang. I just love Christmas!

Favorite Christmas decoration you own: It used to be my styrofoam egg that I made in 1st or 2nd grade. But now it has to be these two ornaments. The one on top is my youngest daughter in preschool. The ornament on the bottom right is my oldest daughter's "1st Christmas" ... notice her Eraserhead hair? ha.

When do you put up the tree? Usually two to three weeks before Christmas.

Do you wear "holiday" sweaters/ sweatshirts/ t shirts? I have a sweater (not a pullover sweater) that I sometimes wear. And a plain white shirt with a snowflake in the middle.

Merry Christmas everyone!

My Weird Cat

2006-12-21T10:13:00.000-06:00

I feel a little bit like Jeffraham today because I'm posting a picture of my cat. In her old age, she will not stay on the floor. When she has to get from Point A to Point B, she trots to minimize her paw-touching-the-floor time (she's too old to run now). If we have any boxes, she'll sit on them. Or she sits on the coffee table or on the couch arm. She does like laying on wrapping paper if it's on the floor. But that's it. Pootster is usually sleeping, eating, or crying to eat, and she's just skin and bones. I'm taking her to the vet after Christmas to see what we can do to help the almost 19-year old kitty.

Wow Dryers

2006-12-20T15:31:00.000-06:00

Has anyone seen these superpowerfulmegastronghotairhanddryers? I've seen them before and have been impressed, but finally took the photo at Target today. It's kind of freaky how it blows your skin around. I wish this camera phone picture was better, but you can kind of see the skin being blown around on my index finger.

Oh, and those are freckles not age spots.

Making a List

2006-12-20T09:06:00.000-06:00

I was going to call today's post my Thankful Thursday since Woeful Wednesday is just not working for me. But alas, I'm taking the easy way out and just making a list, albeit for what/whom I'm thankful.

I'm grateful for having met so many Neat-o people through blogging. I want so badly to list everyone here but because I'm sure to miss someone I'm just going to make that big blanket statement. Thanks guys and gals for bringing much laughter, thought, and kind words into my life. I've met a lot of you and have become fast (hopefully lifelong) friends with some. Others I haven't had the privilege to meet (yet!) but you too have brought joy, tears, and a sense of belonging to a vibrant, smart community.
I am grateful for today's technology that allows me to type in my mailing labels to slap on the Christmas cards that I have yet to start. If I had to hand address them, my friends and family could look forward to getting them around January 28th.
I am thankful that I only send out the pathetic family letters to people who already know what goobers we are. They already laugh and make fun of us, so at least we can give them a reason to do so. Aren't families fun!? ha.
I am very happy that I had two closings this month so I am able to treat each of my daughters to "Mom's Day Out" lunch and shopping. The teenager had her day out on Monday (she's back in her room chained to her bed) and the pre-teen gets to go today after school (2-hour day).
I am ~~shocked~~ thankful that my marriage has made it 20 years. This Saturday the 23rd we will have a quiet dinner together, hold hands, and say "Hey Freakshow. I love you."
I am incredibly happy that my daughters love wrapping Christmas presents. This means I no longer have to stoop over for two hours, popping a disc in my aching back, to accomplish this. When your kids get to this age, they also like decorating the tree. If I could find a way to make them want to CLEAN the house, then I'd bottle the idea and sell it.
I am grateful to work in an office and in a business where compassion and helpfulness is not just talk, but a way of life. Last night, we gave out gifts and clothing to more than 100 children in LaVergne and Smyrna for Christmas. My family had eight children and the mother said the gifts we provided were to be the only Christmas her children had. I know some people may get angry at those words and one person even said, "Those people have no business having that many kids if they can't take care of them." When you look at it like that, I suppose they could be right. However, the children didn't ask to be brought into this world and my support is for the kids. Who knows, maybe one of those children will be the one to discover the cure for cancer or diabetes, or invent warp drive. Or maybe they'll live an ordinary life like most of us do, but grow up to be compassionate enough to help the children of future generations. Either way, I'm happy.
I'm thankful for Kat Coble for her warm heart. Her sharp mind and kind spirit is evident with every word she writes.
I am so very thankful that my husband has a regular full-time job.
I am grateful for running water and electricity. Yes, I am.
I am grateful for Al Gore. His invention of the Internet is just dandy.
I am thankful there are only two years left and pray to God that our next president will be more moderate, open to ideas, and ... well ... that she can restore respect and dignity to the White House and to this country.
I am grateful for bunny rabbits.
I am most appreciative of Smiley's 12 days series. His genius is NOT wasted. Oh! And here's the one with me, or Hera to you.
I am thankful for the cute News 2 mirror that Mike Sechrist sent me.
I am thankful that the little boy running up and down the hallway making a lot of noise won't be here all day.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Daughter in the News

2006-12-19T07:50:00.000-06:00

My 16-year old made the news today in an article about Rutherford County's gifted and talented program. We were shocked when we moved here that the program seems to be designed to keep kids out rather than identify and pull them in... I wish that quote had made it in the article.

Meanwhile, you can read it here. They didn't talk about how she was rejected from the magnet school because we hadn't applied on time (we lived in another state when the deadline passed) and that she went on to win the county spelling bee that year. It was the first time her school won it, so we were very proud. It also didn't talk about how grateful we were to the teachers who did recognize her academic gift and did try to challenge her.

The gifted program here really is lacking. I wish the state could somehow find the money to offer orchestra beginning in 4th grade. I wish they'd try to pull kids in the gifted programs rather than working so hard to keep them out. I wish they'd look to the general population of schools and begin making the kids participate in science fairs EVERY YEAR starting in 3rd grade. We were shocked they didn't even do those - they aren't easy, but they do teach the fundamentals of hypotheses and experiments. I wish students who consistently make all A's would be automatically considered for the gifted program. My youngest does, but she's not gifted.

But if you wish in one hand and poo in the other, guess which one will fill up first?

Another Weekend Gone

2006-12-18T00:31:00.000-06:00

Nothing smart nor Earth-shattering entertainment in this post tonight, but here it is: I shopped successfully this weekend! Woot. I want to thank everyone who helped shop for "Christmas for the Children" and then all who helped wrap all those gifts we got. Little Kimberly, Dustin, Brandon, Katie, Amber, Maddi, Libby, and Zachary should have a very nice Christmas now. The only thing I wasn't able to get was a pair of brown shoes, but only because my writing wasn't clear enough to see if it was for a boy or girl.... I may go back tomorrow for the shoes.

Elbow feels better from my fall on Friday, but ankle and buttocks are sore. I'm so glad for shopping carts to hold on to as I walk around stores! Not sure, but I believe I'm done shopping for my kids, along with my nieces and nephews. I still haven't mailed any Christmas cards, though. Yuck. Nor any baking. Instead, I bought Comast's "Family Feud" game and have been playing the holiday version rather than doing something useful. My youngest daughter likes playing it with me. She's a sick little puppy today - spiked a 103 degree fever. The Tylenol has helped her a lot, but I told her to wake me up tonight if she feels really bad.

I did get one piece of hate email today. I had sent someone a market analysis of their home (it was a for sale by owner). The asshats sent me an email saying, "I don't know what you hoped to gain from this, but what will happen is that we'll never give you our business or recommend you." I really don't understand why people go out of their way to be nasty and ugly. I hope that the airport runway which is aimed directly at their house doesn't inhibit the sale of their home - NOT. Sigh... what jerks.

Saturday is our 20th anniversary and my parents have agreed for the girls to stay with them while the husband and I try to find a nice restaurant in Madisonville next Saturday to go to ALONE. While we're delighted to have a Christmas anniversary, it sometimes takes away the celebration because it is so close to Christmas. I asked the husband for a new vacuum cleaner for a gift. He hasn't asked for anything, so I know what he wants.

So why is it when we watch these shows about people from 13,000 years ago, some have perfectly straight, white teeth? And damn it! Why didn't Ozzy win on Survivor tonight?! Yul got by because he had the hidden idol, and everyone knew it, but every single immunity that Ozzy won was earned. And what the heck was wrong with the girls that they couldn't build a fire? Geez. I'm done now.

My Web as a Graphic

2006-12-16T16:42:00.000-06:00

I tried for months to graph my website from Websites as Graphs. It just sat there and looked at me (so to speak) when I plugged in my web address. Once I switched to Mozilla, I tried again et VOILA! It worked and I'm so excited! Here's my pic:

Good Idea Made Great

2006-12-16T09:56:00.000-06:00

Remember November and the NaBloPoMoFo project? You may or may not know that I was one of the lucky ones randomly selected to win a prize and I was to get 3 pounds of coffee from the Mocha Momma.

Mocha Momma is a teacher. Teachers are a breed of people who see not just children playing, learning, talking, and socializing all day, but they also witness a lot of suffering and sadness. When she contacted me, we were in the throes of the "Christmas for the Children" project so it was fresh in my brain. I replied to her that she could take the money she was planning to spend on the coffee and turn it instead into a gift for a child at her school who needed a little extra love at Christmas. She wrote back and told me about an 18-year old former student who has full custody of his much younger cousin - it's just the two of them struggling to make ends meet. At 18-years old.

Well Mocha Momma has taken it a step further and although it's now too late to officially comment, I wanted to applaud her fantastic idea. One day earlier this week, she opened a post on her blog to comments. For every unique comment she received, she donated $1. For every person who sent her an e-Card from a specific site, she donated $3. When I looked, she had 97 comments and I have no idea how many e-Cards. I thought that was fantastic.

So this is a shout-out again to the Mocha Momma who wants to be on a nice tropical island enjoying her tasty cup of joe. You are an inspiration to me to have the courage to make a big announcement like pulling money from your own pocket to help out. You are generous in spirit. You are a very positive influence. I plan to use this comment concept throughout the new year myself to help raise money for our next year's Christmas for the Children program. Thank you, Mocha Momma, for one of the greatest ideas I've seen on the Internet in a very long time.

Oh Happy Day (Mostly)

2006-12-15T22:53:00.000-06:00

I'm having some difficulty typing tonight - my first night to be able to post in several days. Christmas festivities and obligations have sure kept this household busy. Started out with our Girl Scout party Monday night, Tuesday was the youngest daughter's very first band concert (she did great), Wednesday was quiet so I spent family time, Thursday night was our Girl Scout Service Unit party, and tonight we had Christmas caroling to try to get donations for the local food bank. We had one person donate one dollar, so I bought some diapers and soup so we wouldn't show up with only a dollar to donate. Yikes.

My day hasn't been fabulous, yet it has! It started when I spilled my coffee all over my car... grrrr. Then an amazing friend of mine who shall remain anonymous unless she chooses to reveal herself purchased her very first home. That was exciting! The builder hadn't finished everything (little things like installing appliances, etc.), so we went back to the home after closing to check the progress. As we were leaving, I stepped off the curb and fell. It was not a graceful, slow motion fall. It was a hard fall and I landed on by elbow and back in the muddy street. That hurt (and still hurts) like a sonofab*tch, let me tell you. My friend and the appliance deliveryman were gracious enough to help me get up. My friend received a lovely throw blanket as a closing gift from the homebuilder, and she loaned the blanket to me to sit on so I wouldn't get mud all over my car on my drive home. Yes, I had to go home to take a shower and wash off the mud.

Now my eye hurts. But at least my dog didn't eat kids poop medicine.

Oh... tomorrow at 12:00 noon at the Smyrna K-Mart! If you want to help us "shop for the children" meet us there! Then we'll go to my office to wrap the presents! It should be fun. And what with this damaged elbow, I'll need all the help I can get.

Sorry this is disjointed and scattered. I have been working on another "wrinkle" story, but haven't finished it. More are coming! Hope everyone has a nice, sunny weekend.

Christmas Shopping Has Yet to Happen

2006-12-11T08:02:00.000-06:00

Every now and then I hear about women who defy the stereotype of loving to shop. I'm one of them... I hate fighting crowds, I get nervous when I look at cost (thinking I'd rather save that money for bills), I get angry at greedy store owners (remember the investigative piece that showed how stores label certain prices, but they ring up otherwise?), and did I mention the crowds? Bad bad crowd anxiety.

I have a lot of shopping left. I haven't been smart and done it online like everyone has told me. I missed out on the $1.99 screaming monkey on woot.com (dang!). This means that I now have a boat-load of shopping left. I have to buy for two daughters, husband, mother-in-law, parents (they're easy, they just want gift cards to restaurants) (Hi Mom!), sister, brothers and wives, and 13 nieces and nephews. Plus a couple of agents who I really like who live alone and really have no one else. We're having our girl scout party tonight and I need to go buy a little something for nine girls and the two co-leaders.

To top it all off, though, I also have to buy for EIGHT kids from the "Christmas for the Children" program we raised money for in the last few months. I volunteered for the biggest family because I thought it was a great opportunity for bloggers from LaVergne, Smyrna, and middle Tennessee would want to come along to help. No one has stepped up yet, though. :( To address this, I have come up with Plan B:

I want to invite bloggers to come Saturday, December 16th at 12:00 noon to KMart on Lowry St. in Smyrna to shop. We get 10% off at KMart and they also have our tax-exempt letter on file so we can get more for the money. We have $60 p/child and I have talked with the mother and she has given me detailed info on sizes, needs, and likes. I'd like to take about two hours to shop, then I want to invite the bloggers to my office at Bob Parks Realty on Sam Ridley Parkway at 2:00 p.m. to wrap the presents. We can have our blogger meeting while wrapping presents. The mother of the children told me the gifts we buy are indeed the only presents her kids will get this year. She is coming by the office on December 19th to pick them up.

I still want to open my home for a blogger potluck at some point, but given the sick husband and MIL this weekend, it really worked out for the better that the Mothership soiree was the same night. (And boy wasn't it fun!) (best dressed indeed haha).

Are there any takers to shop for the children? Pretty please with sugar on top?

Can You Have Fun and Not Drink?

2006-12-10T10:17:00.000-06:00

The answer is yes, especially when you're surrounded by people you like and admire. I had my Sam's Club chocolate eclairs arranged in my free-for-hosting-an-idiotic-Home-Interior-party bowl, I had my cheesey real estate calendars, and I had two of my best friends (M. of This is Smyrna and Ivy) as carpool buddies. Together we set out for the famous Mothership late yesterday afternoon.

Let me say here and now how grateful I am that Kerry and gang picked yesterday as the party date, pre-empting my own Middle-Tennessee Bloggers and Podcast Meeting shindig that was previously scheduled. They did contact me and I was totally cool with it, but now I'm especially grateful because my mother-in-law and husband were both home sick and I would've had to cancel the party anyway due to that. But I am still working on a party - just don't know when at this point.

I've met a lot of our friends in blogging before, but did get to finally meet others: GingerSnaps (she could not possibly be nicer or cuter), B-Dub (he could not possibly be nicer or cuter), Sarcastro (former Realtor who wised up), Sam Davidson (dude, you are awesome), Glen Dean (future Realtor and/or Appraiser), Linda (who made me laugh until I practically cried from watching her in the gag video), Chris Wage, Blake (who doesn't post enough!), Slartibartfast (yes he has a fun name to say) and Mrs. Slartifibartfast, Rex L. Camino (briefly) and Mrs. Camino, the Holiday Grinch (actually we met before, but she wasn't a blogger then), and RUaBelle.

It was also great seeing Rachel (I didn't know Koreans turn red when they drink), John H., CLC, the Knuck, Aunt B., K-Cob, Brittney (I'm jealous of her hair, it's long enough to cut and donate to locks-of-love), Smifferoo, Kerry, the guy on my MySpace, Sara Clark, Brilliant Jag, Gunner & Elizabeth, and I'm forgetting about a kazillion people. Sorry!

I want to see Jeffraham, Malia, Sonia, Newscoma and Rodent Queen (my deepest condolences), Drama Llama, Lynnster, Mari, Shauna, Chip, and Big Orange Michael at the next one! You guys were definitely missed! And next time I'm bringing my camera.

Eating Tips for the Holidays

2006-12-09T14:05:00.000-06:00

Nod to my cousin Sandy who emailed these:

Eating Tips for the Holidays

Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an "eggnog-aholic" or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it!!!! Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello???
Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat - have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips: Start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO what a ride!"

Better Than Cheese

2006-12-08T21:47:00.000-06:00

The Woo-man recently posted about how much his dogs love cheese. Like his mutts, my own Libby and Cocoa adore cheese. They'll take American, Cheddar, Colby, Shredded, Mozzarella, whatever is held in front of them. When I peel open a slice of American Cheese Food, they both get up on their hind legs and do their happy dance. Then I ask, "Who's sitting first?" The first one to sit gets the first piece. If I was as happy in a week as they are in that one minute, I'd be the happiest person on Earth.

But my dogs like one thing even more than they like cheese.

I'm not really a dog person so I didn't know this until we got our first dog three years ago. One day Libby was in the living room and I was petting her and thinking, "Gawd, your breath smells like crap." I thought it was just really bad breath. She left the room, I left the room. Several moments later we were both back and I started smelling poop again - cat poop. I looked up and that dog was chewing on a cat turd. I thought I'd puke. To stop the nonsense, the husband built a dog barrier around our kitty litter several years ago. The big dog is definitely too big for it, but when we got Cocoa, we realized she was small enough to get in the hole. It is now blocked with a giant laundry detergent box, although we don't really need it because the dogs are nearly always in the sunroom because they stink something awful.

I got tired of smelling them (plus had a really good closing this week), so today they went to Classy Clips for grooming. They were bathed, teeth brushed, nails clipped, etc. and looked (and smelled) so pretty when I brought them home that I let them back in the house. After about 5 hours of scratching their backs and bellies, Cocoa disappeared. I was suspicious, but not overly worried because of said kitty litter barrier hole now blocked by the big detergent box.

I walk into the kitchen looking for Cocoa and she's in the middle of the floor chowing down on cat crap!!! How did she get it, I wondered, as I yelled, "NO! BAD DOG!" and banished her back to the sunroom. Cleaned it up (I love those new Clorox wipes) and started looking in the laundry room. Here's what I've figured out: the little dog climbs onto the laundry detergent, hops up to the top of the barrier, steps over on the top of the kitty litter pan, drops to the floor, sticks her head in the opening, and picks up her delicacy. Then she carries it back over the barrier to eat it on the kitchen floor. (Gagging.)

I wanted to get to the bottom of why cat poop is a delicacy to dogs, so I consulted with the Great and Powerful Ivy (not that she's all knowing when it comes to dogs eating cat poop). Her theory is a good one, though. She said her veterinarian blames the cat food - it has more protein and dogs love the protein, so they eat the cat poop. The Scoop on Poop said the same thing and added:

"Dogs are particularly fond of cat poop because cat poop is high in protein. I had a friend with a dog and a cat, and he never had to clean the kitty litter. The dog took care of it."

So the protein theory is the one I'm going to hang my hat on. It's so much better than dogs are just stupid.

While researching the poop issue, I also learned about why they roll in it (along with dead, rotting things). According to the Encyclopaedia we call the Internet, it masks the their own scent so they can hunt their prey with much more ease. There's a good reason I like cats.

240. The Real Number

2006-12-06T21:58:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Kerry and the Lynnster for telling me the dashboard light doesn't just offer paradise - it also offers the number of posts you've made. I went through and deleted all my drafts:

Would I ever run for political office
The good things accomplished by the Bush administration (I only found two things)
On Being Fat (I was going to share a liposuction picture)

None of those had enough oomph to warrant posting. Much like this post so far! ha.

The real reason I'm here tonight is because I'm trying hard to contain myself but can't!!! My 16-year old announced what she wants to be as an adult and it's every parent's dream come true!!! I'm not being sarcastic, so it's NOT pregnant and unmarried living in a trailer down by the river.

She has decided she would maybe like to be a pediatrician because she likes kids and teaching positions just don't pay enough. If she does that, I no longer have to worry about Powerball being my retirement plan! Woot! So the husband asks her, "Are you sure you don't want to become a surgeon? You could do the gender reassignment operation changing a female to a male."

She just looked at him.

He asked, "Do you know what that operation is called?"

She said, "Ummm.. a transgender thing?"

::DRUMROLL::: "No, it's an addadicktome."

I live with clowns. But I am seriously hoping the daughter pursues a medical career. That would make me happy. The other daughter thinks she wants to be a school counselor and I like that too!

228. I Could Do This.

2006-12-06T09:04:00.000-06:00

For all of you techperts out there... is there an easier way to know how many posts you've made without just going back and counting them? Without the "drafts" that were never published, this makes number 228. If I counted right. Also, are those nifty calendars that people have (that highlight the days there's a post) a product of LiveJournal, TypePad, or something else? I dig 'em.

Curious Elvis has left the building. Thank you very much.

Slow Donnie Lives

2006-12-05T22:59:00.000-06:00

I used to love watching Just Shoot Me!, especially the Slow Donnie shows with David Cross. Here's an audio file to my favorite Slow Donnie song, "Chicken Pot Pie." It goes:

Chicken Pot
Chicken Pot
Chicken Pot Pie.

My husband's best friend in Atlanta has Thanksgiving dinner every year with David Cross and his sister. Close your eyes and shout "Lucky!" Thank you, Napoleon.

But my attention faltered... back to why I'm writing about this. A man and his mother in Tacoma, Washington have been faking his retardation for years and years to collect a disability check. That's pretty low. They've received $111,000 in total over the last 10 years. Wow.

On Cooking

2006-12-05T08:58:00.000-06:00

Somewhere in my past (I think I was 12 or 13), I thought I wanted to be a chef when I grew up. It was because one evening I took over my Mom's kitchen when we lived in North Dakota and prepared a "to die for" meal of hamburgers, frozen french fries, and Tang. I even took a picture of the meal because I was so darned proud of cooking it all by myself, set the table, etc.

Well I don't do much cooking anymore since Velma moved in with us. She used to be a dietary manager at a nursing home and before that she cooked at numerous restaurants. Her mashed potatoes are seriously the very best I've ever tasted. Ever. My Mom once started to have her feelings hurt when I said that, but when she tasted them she said, "You are right. These are the best mashed potatoes I've ever tasted." OMG... they are wonderful beyond words. And she doesn't put anything but salt, butter and milk in them, so she just has a special touch.

Again, I don't do much cooking here. When a top notch cook lives with you, there is always something wrong with the food you prepare. And I refuse to cook for anyone who criticizes my food. Which brings us to Top Chef on Bravo. I love that show, but I don't know how those "contestants" stand there and take the criticism offered by the judges. I would roll into a big blubbering ball of out-of-control tears. But I love that show! It amazes me to see these chefs pull together wonderful looking dishes in a short amount of time and with nasty ingredients (animal guts, vending machine, convenience store, etc.). I also watch stunned as the judges actually taste some of them. Blech. Sorry guys, I'm not going to be tasting anything with pigs blood, lamb hearts, or chicken feet.

Meanwhile, my vote for the top chef this time goes to either Cliff or Sam, but Ilan or Mia may come out of nowhere to take it. I get tired of watching Betty (although she seems to be a supreme cook) bashing Marcel and him bothering her in return. I don't like conflict and those two seem to be driving it this season. Oh. And the host Padma Lakshmi is married to Salman Rushdie. PLUS she was a guest on Star Trek. How cool is her life?

So if you cook or you thought you'd like to cook at some point in your life, watch that show. It's fun and interesting!

Die in a Firefox, Explorer

2006-12-04T18:18:00.000-06:00

I finally did it. I upgraded to Mozilla Firefox this afternoon and am feeling the love. Ivy tried to change me over earlier in the year, but being the stubborn jackass that I am, I resisted until :::I::: decided it was time to change. Ivy was right. My brother Jim was right (even though we never stood up to the Hallelujah Chorus when we were little because we were already standing at the end of Mass). Smifferific, John, Lynnster, Malia, John, and Tim were right too. So goodbye to Internet Explorer (well, when I get into the habit of not clicking the "blue e" on the bottom of my page). I might miss you. I might not.

I guess I need to go find some medicine for my baby girl. She's caught the crud from someone. Sneezing. Fever. Poor baby. She may have to miss baton class tomorrow night.

How About a Delish Cup from Mocha Momma?

2006-12-03T19:45:00.000-06:00

Well howdy howdy. I won one of the Nablomopobonoplohotoboro* prizes! Woot! I want to post a great big thank you to the Mocha Momma of Cabo San Lucas (read: big dreamer in Illinois) for sponsoring a reward! And as an added treat, I'm going to blogroll her... oooooooooh. Also thanks to Fussy for all her hard work in trying to keep up with 2,000 bloggers to see if they posted every day in November. Mr. Woo also gets a big shout out for sponsoring one of the prizes. I had my heart set on the Red Swingline Stapler, but am absolutely delighted to have won from the Mocha Momma! UPDATE: Shout out to the Lynnster (Queen of the Shiznittiest Weekend) for also giving a prize. I didn't know until now!

Congrats to everyone who made it for 30 days! I hope to begin writing more wrinkle stories again shortly as I have several I've already interviewed but haven't yet written. So stay tuned.

*If you want the real name, look up.

My Brain is Empty

2006-12-02T19:37:00.000-06:00

Tonight, it really is empty. So I thought I'd try to think about stuff. I don't want to piss off anyone else. I don't want to think too seriously about anything like religion, politics, professionalism, right to life, plastic surgery, or housecleaning, so I'm doing this instead. Read it if you want. If you don't want, don't read.

THREE THINGS

Scare me: "Come in and close the door," cockroaches, wondering about my daughters' futures.

People who make me laugh: Jon Stewart, Steve Carrell, my funny funny (at times) husband.

I love: Ice Cream, paychecks, vacations.

I hate: My temper, my singing voice, ringer on the phone of guy down the hall.

I don't understand: Why anyone besides Laura blindly supports "W," why kids today wear those baggy pants and grab their crotches, why I never had a paid position as the person in charge.

Things on my desk: Happy bell (ring it when I need some happiness), flickering lamp from sci fi writer Andre Norton's estate, envelope full of boxtop labels.

I'm doing right now: Watching Cash in the Attic, wondering when my husband and MIL are going to return from Wally World, thinking I need a shower.

I want to do before I die: Ride in a hotair balloon, publish a book, travel to Europe.

I can do: Find bumps in weird places all over my body, blog better than anyone else in my office, soothe a crying child.

I can't do: Cook well, sing well, have rhythm.

I think you should listen to: My brother's myspace site, Neil Young's version of "Four Strong Winds," Mozart.

You should never listen to: Advice from Tom Cruise, Ann Coulter, people without the ability to consider other viewpoints.

I'd like to learn: To speak Spanish, to play piano, to fly an airplane.

Favorite foods: Mom's fried chicken, homemade mac and cheese, perfectly cooked steak with sauteed mushrooms.

Beverages I drink regularly: Diet Cream Soda, Unsweet Iced Tea, Coffee (aka ambrosia).

Shows I watched as a kid: Star Trek (original), Gilligan's Island, Brady Bunch.

People I'm tagging (because they intrigue me): Ivy, Shauna, B-Dub.

MySpace Shenanigans

2006-12-02T13:18:00.000-06:00

My daughter just posted this on her MySpace (yes, I closely monitor her MySpace usage). It's titled: Body Parts. I think she needs to learn about using all caps.

ONE TRY (NO CHEATING & NO BACKSPACING)
TYPE YOUR FIRST NAME WITH YOUR...

1.FINGERS:MELISSA
2.CHin: M EDK,IDESDAZ
3.ONE FINGER, EYES CLOSED: MDJYSSA
4.ELBOW: M,REL;I9ESDSDAWQ
5.NOSE: MELISWSWAQ
6.PALM: MEL;IOSSDSDAS
7.TOES: ,M,LKWE4RL.IIO,DS DS ZA

You try and then post it...Label it "Body Parts

Now my turn:
1. Fingers: Kathy
2. Chin: iazgtfhhy
3. One finger, eyes closed: jaghhy
4. Elbow: kksatrhy
5. Nose (this could be tricky): kathy
6. Palm: kat h y
7. Toes: klfsagtth,jnyhk

That was absurdly fun.

Please Don't Give Me a Ticket

2006-12-02T10:58:00.000-06:00

I just read on Comcast how a police officer let two men get out of a ticket because they "rapped" for him. I suppose the hoo-ha is because of the racial implications, but let me tell you. I would absolutely rap to get out of a ticket.

"Yeah my name is Kat
I ain't no brat
But I got two girls
They like their curls
But brats they can be
Though they a product of me
I want to pinch their heads off
Until they say they have enough
They should clean their room
Or I'll give them their doom
Da da da dot da da dot dot dot"

What think you? Should I keep my day job?

My Lack of News Coma

2006-12-02T10:21:00.000-06:00

I'm feeling sad and empty inside. I can't read Newscoma anymore and I don't know why. Well, I can read the blog when I link directly to a post like from NiT or something, but when I go to her main page to try to read all the posts, this is what happens:

I get that message that says "Internet Explorer can not open the Internet site http://newscoma.blogspot.com/. Operation aborted."

After, the next page that usually comes up is the script page: try again later blah blah blah. I :::JUST::: opened a new window to capture that screen so I can post it here, and suddenly, my Newscoma is working again. Freaky deeky.

I know my pal Ivy is going to say, "Bitch, puhleeeeze! Get Mozilla like I've been telling you for the last kazillion years!!!" (except I've never heard her say "kazillion). What does everyone else think of Internet Explorer v. Mozilla Firefox? Because at this point, I'm finally giving Firefox some serious consideration.

Oh What Fun It Was to Watch

2006-12-01T21:14:00.000-06:00

UPDATE: Okay, so I've gotten a phone call from Mom asking if I still go to church, especially after I wrote that I didn't appreciate everyone jumping to their feet at the Hallelujah chorus and therefore blocking my view. Then I talked to my born-n-raised Baptist friend Mandi and she was shocked that I felt that way because she said "That's just what you do here. It's like when you stand for the National Anthem." I did not know this. Apparently it must be a Tennessee tradition or something because I never ever ever heard of it before. So if I have offended anyone, sorry. But I'm still not standing next time because it just feels completely unnatural to me. I will stand for the Pledge of Allegiance the National Anthem, though.

I've always wanted to see the Rockettes and it was well worth the trouble! But one of hte girls in my troop should be renamed Liar Liarson. I swear, that kid had so much fun at camp but I'm still having to hear her mom griping about it. So she had a great time at the Rockettes - I looked at her several times and she was totally enjoying it. So we get her back to Mom and she says, "It was okay, but I slept most of the time." I looked at her and said, "Stop lying to your mother. I watched you and you enjoyed it." Aaaarrgggghhhhhh! I don't know if she says that shit because she thinks it's what her mom wants to hear or if she's just a liar liar pants on fire.

But the Rockettes were a lot of fun... I really enjoyed the soldiers dance and fall. Very clever. The nativity scene was very very cool until the Alleluia song started playing - then all the asshats in front of us stood up. In front of us - our section only. Well, except for the herd of red-hatted old ladies in the very front row. People. We were not at church. We were at a paid performance. Please take your seats because while your public display of faith and worship may be admirable in the eyes of some people, it was very disrespectful of other people in the audience and very much unappreciated.

And Ivy has a tale to weave as well. So I'm going to post this gripe-fest to send her a picture to go along with her fun times.

Happy December

2006-12-01T11:29:00.000-06:00

Lots of stuff to talk about, but not much time... I'm taking my girl scout troop to see the Rockettes at the Grand Ol' Opry this afternoon so must go pack about 20 lunches (PBJ & chips) to keep the little princesses from being irritable from starvation. Then I have to check them out of school and meet the whole gang at my office at 2:00 p.m.

The bigger thing I wanted to say, my blogger Christmas get-together is going to be postponed to a little later in December (date to be announced after I consult with family). The Nashville is Talking fans met at the Barbequemeister's yesterday and tentatively set December 9th as their date. Because we Rutherfordians do love us some pig, I felt we should go have us some pork and dogfood instead. So anyone who managed to come up with an excuse not to come to mine (I'm talking to you OrangeSkin), I'm taking away your excuse.

I will reschedule the Rutherford meeting and anyone who is extra nice to us on December 9th might be invited to ours. Stay tuned for more info later.

Mike's Wrinkles

2006-11-30T16:42:00.000-06:00

When we were young, I used to swear my brother was a part of our family by mistake. We are all redheads and blondes (okay, brown now), except for Mike. He was born in Texas hospital at the same time a Mexican woman was giving birth. With his dark eyes and hair, we just knew that Mike and that baby must have been swapped somehow. But as he’s gotten older, I am finally seeing the rest of us in him. He recently shaved so now resembles another brother a lot.

Throughout our childhood, teen years, and into adulthood, Mike has always been the proverbial class clown. He began playing guitar before he was 10-years old, and used to come up to my ear and pick strings as loudly as he could to annoy me. Once, he learned that I didn’t care for “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and played the record continuously until I ripped it off the record-player, threw it on the concrete floor and scraped it until it couldn’t be played again. Mike tried to cuss at a young age. When he was told he wasn’t allowed to say certain words, he made up his own. He went to my third brother and whispered, “From now on, ‘coink’ means asshole.” Then he would say out loud, “Hey Coink.”

Despite his shenanigans, there has always been one constant: his music. Mike has always dreamed of conquering the music world to become a famous musician. His guitar skills are amazing, even to the most jaded. He is lead guitarist for 69 South, a popular band in western Kentucky. He expects they could do great things, but his band isn’t committed like he is – they don’t have the confidence to quit their day jobs to pursue music full time. Instead of concentrating on music only, his band plays weekend gigs at bars, restaurants, and weddings with a repertoire featuring mostly rock, southern rock, and country.

Mike said he never really liked country music until he began playing it three or four years ago. Although his influences were Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, and Rush, Mike now finds country music tolerable. His opinion is that a lot of country music feels canned, too polished, and corporate and that executives are just looking for the next “voice” that they can put on a track using the same studio musicians. He appreciates the country performers he occasionally hears who sound like they’re singing from the heart, but he still feels rock and roll has more energy and soul.

Mike’s three children have brought him a lot of joy, but also disappointment, too. He and his son always struggled to get along and Mike no longer tries to analyze why. He just knew his son would not accept being corrected or any type of discipline. Not tolerating discipline from your father felt alien to Mike because when his Dad told him to do something, you’d do it or get busted. His son learned early on to question Mike’s authority, especially during his teenage years. He dropped out, which was unheard of in our family and viewed with disdain, but eventually earned his GED. He then joined the Army against everyone’s advice. Mike and his son do get along now, but Mike is scared for him because he’s scheduled to go to Iraq as a forward observer in February. Mike describes this job as the guy in a movie who is calling in on the radio for air support and gets blown up. Most assuredly, everyone in our family is praying for Scott to return home safely.

Mike’s oldest daughter wants to grow up too fast and he is having a hard time letting her go. She has a boyfriend and although he seems nice enough, Mike doesn’t like it; he supposes it’s a dad thing. Angie, however, has inherited a lot of her father’s music skills and has an amazing singing voice. She leans toward the arts, while Mike’s youngest tends toward the academics. When Sarah was in the 2nd grade, she was reading at a 9th grade level. She consistently makes the honor roll and is smart as a whip.

As Mike described his daughters, he finished putting the new strings on his guitar. He had a gig, so went off to make his fans happy. His music was calling him.

Teresa's Wrinkles

2006-11-29T23:10:00.000-06:00

Teresa does not like negative things of any kind. She does not like to be around negative people, nor does she like to hear bad news. Although Teresa has had her share of bad things happen to her, she is always positive about whatever challenge she faces.

The greatest joy in Teresa’s life is her 12-year old son, Allen. She never thought she could have children, and in fact had tried for over a decade using infertility medicine, taking her temperature, keeping up with ovulation charts and more. After she and her husband divorced (they had grown apart), Teresa eventually remarried and became pregnant immediately. She had her miracle baby and now her greatest hope is to never take her son for granted. Teresa said a lot of people park their children in front of the TV, pawn them off one someone else to take care of, and generally don’t pay attention to them. She acknowledges that sometimes she treats Allen too much as an adult, but her intention is to treat him like a person. It is obvious to all of Teresa’s friends and colleagues that she deeply loves her son and would die for him if she had to.

Teresa saw her Mom struggle to make ends meet as a single parent with three children. Her mother earned too much money to qualify for assistance, but the family was regularly faced with no electricity, no telephone, lack of school clothes, no rent money, and few groceries. Teresa said that after experiencing financial insecurity throughout her childhood, it affected her entire adult life. She made a decision to have only one child in case she ever found herself in her mother’s position – on her own. She felt she could always find a way to support one child, but wasn’t confident she could handle more. Today, Teresa constantly saves money and is very thrifty. Her vehicle is showing its age, but it’s paid for; she only owes on her mortgage.

True to form, Teresa rarely splurges and is teased by her family as being a tightwad. She once told her mother that she found a cheaper way to bury her: discontinued caskets online are less expensive than buying from a funeral home. Thrifty though she is, Teresa is still a very generous person. In addition to providing for her own home, Teresa is the main breadwinner for her mother, who is 65 and lives alone on $575 a month from disability pay.

Teresa and her husband have been married since 1995, a strong case of opposites attract. It didn’t bother Chuck that she was divorced, but his old-fashioned parents refused to attend their wedding because of the divorce. They also refused to welcome their grandchild into the family for years. The relationship finally turned around one day when Teresa and Allen were in Wal Mart buying Chuck a Christmas gift. Chuck’s father approached Teresa and told his buddy, “That’s my grandson.” Allen looked at Teresa and asked, “Mommy, who is that?” Teresa and Allen are now invited to family functions, although they still don’t feel welcome. She is still bothered that her husband in the past chose to spend Christmas with his family rather than with his wife and son, who he left at home alone.

However, Teresa doesn’t focus on any of that. Instead, she embraces the good in her life and welcomes each day with honesty, good will, and gratitude for what she has.