Should have been a rocket scientist

Cause that would have been easier than changing the look on my "blogger" page. Holy cow....I had such a mess...colors run amuck....writing so small you almost needed a magnifying glass to read it...things didn't match. Then I went to a website that had free layouts....could I figure that out...NO, I could not. My daughter and daughter-in-law have cute blogs...and I know I have to be as smart as they are. Well all evidence to the contrary I know but this is ridiculous!! I did finally find something generic through Blogger, but is it cute....no, it's boring...it's plain...am I happy, NO!...I am not! I'm not giving up..I will conquer! I'm pretty sure that shoe shopping will be in order once I am done though just to calm my nerves!

51% vs 49%

He looks perfectly innocent right?!...okay well maybe not but I have touted him as being perfect. I may have been a little hasty in that assessment. He seems to have a slight flaw with a warped theory that he has. Everyone knows that there is always a struggle in a new relationship with the balance of power. There is never a true 50/50 deal....and let me tell you right now if your man is telling you that there is.....well I have some swamp land you might want to buy. Every man wants to be the "king of his castle" and we are to be submissive....right. I really don't have a problem with being submissive...I have perfected the art of mumbling inside my head and being quite sassy without ever saying a word. Just a smile and a "yes dear" thrown in for good measure. Richard, my perfect man, has the 51/49 theory. He has 51% and I have 49%. For most all decisions concerning the house....painting...moving the furniture around...where to hang a picture...my 49% rules...but when there is a executive decision to be made here he rides in on his "I have the ruling vote" horse and wants to pull rank. Yes he is still doing it nicely...and making me feel like he is listening to my opinion and that it really matters what I think.....but I detect a slight glazing coming over his eyes when I start talking. It could be my imagination but I think his "manly man-ness" might be running amuck. I have some good ideas as to whether or not I really need that new Camaro....or that new pair of shoes...my opinions should be heard ....and heeded....and I don't think it would hurt to let me run amuck with the 51% sometimes. I have good leadership skills....nevermind the fact I just paid $63 to have the dogs bathed....hey they were really dirty. Okay maybe I have to admit that I need a good strong man to rudder some of my craziness but still I have to envy that 51%......and would still like to take it out for a spin.

Who I have to thank

I mentioned in my last post that I had met Richard on a blind date set up by Lorie and Adrian. Most of you have heard me mention Lorie....who is crazy, but a good friend. Adrian works for Richard so he was really going out on a limb to set me up with his boss. Could have been bad for the future of his employment! But lucky for him I seemed to have charmed him. Lorie and Adrian went with us on our four wheel adventure...and too bad for them they broke up but they did a good thing for Richard and I.

New man....new attitude

I haven't posted for so long that I had almost forgotten how to get to my blog! I had run out of things...well unless I started blogging about the weather....but now I have something new...a man. Okay well for those of you that know me very well maybe that isn't something new....but I would like to think that this time I am a little wiser. I have waited longer this time...that has to count for something! Come on..give me some credit....fine never mind...here's the scoop on "Mr. Perfect" His name is Richard...he's 58....he's perfect....and thinks I'm the best thing ever...thus he's perfect. You have to love a guy that is blind to all your imperfections! We met on a blind date set up by my girlfriend Lorie and her boyfriend (at the time) that worked for Richard. I wasn't too sure about going at all and at first it was awkward...but you know me...I ended up chattering away and was my normal sarcastic self. That was on Monday evening...he asked me out for the following Friday and after talking to him on the phone several times that week and the date on Friday I was pretty well hooked. The next day Saturday we went out to the firetower, he's with the State of Tennessee Forrestry Division...and his main job is wildfire fighting....anyway we went out there and went four wheeling in the woods. It was so much fun. Since then it has been a whirlwind of meeting his friends and family and just hanging out together. He has a motorcycle that we ride every chance we get. So far we haven't run out of things to talk about...and my chattering seems to amuse him. I did ask him how he felt about dogs...since you know how I am about my babies. He said that some of his best friends were dogs. He and Homer have bonded and Beatrice, although still momma's baby, she seems to think he is okay too. Stay tuned for further progress reports....but this looks like a keeper.

My heart

I have the most wonderful kids....they are a constant source of humor...love....worry. These are flowers they sent me for Valentines Day. Sunflowers are my favorite, and these were so pretty. They lasted forever...well okay not forever cause they are dead now, but they lasted a really long time! I had been outside working all day and to find these at the end of my day was such a surprise.

I'm always bragging on Steven for his cleaver ideas for Valentines Day...last year it was chocolate covered strawberries...and the year before that it was Tulips...he's such a sweet boy! The strawberries were from Sheri's Berries...and if you want a unusual tasty gift, well that one is up there. Sarah, my cleaver girl, makes me a card...and then calls to ask if it made me cry. She is so talented with her scrapbooking and card making...I've saved all of them....and yes they make me cry. These two have stole my heart and make me proud...each and every day. Love you!!

Token blog :-)

I don't really have a blog purpose today, except for the fact that I gave Sarah a hard time about her lack of blogging. I know her well enough to know that she will come here and do a "right back atcha" thing. Thus my "lack of purpose" blog. I've been getting ready for my trip to see my new grandbaby...who hasn't decided to make an appearance yet. I have finished her quilt, which is amazing, it's the first one I have finished before the baby arrived. I would include a picture but I want it to be a surprise, not for Addysen...for Kristina and Steve. I'm pretty sure Addysen isn't going to care. My next quilt project is to finish the Sunbonnet Girl and Farm Boy quilt for Sarah. I had made a quilt for Kylea utilizing some Sunbonnet Girl squares my mom had made. Since that quilt was a combination of my work and my mom's it had a little more sentimental value...and of course Sarah was jealous :-) . Since Sarah has blessed our family with boys, I decided to use the remaining Sunbonnet squares and ad some Farm Boy ones that I did and make a quilt for Sarah. The squares are all finished but I need to do the piece together work. I have some more quilt projects in mind that I would like to accomplish before Christmas but I am very much a mood seamtress, if I don't happen to be in the mood....well it probably isn't going to happen.

Okay...I think this is enough of a blog to keep Sarah's admonishments at bay. I promise to get back with a more interesting baby post soon....and of course some Homer and Beatrice updates.

That's Mr Homer to you

This isn't a very good picture but until I break down and get a real camera you are stuck with my cell phone pictures. This is Mr. Homer Munster...(you'll understand the "Munster" part if you have read my earlier blog). He is quickly adapting to Beatrice and I and getting both of us trained to do exactly what he wants. He doesn't like his collar...and if he see's the cable in your hand to clip to his collar....well he's running, the other way. He does pretty good staying in the yard, and doesn't really get too far from Beatrice. Occassionally he has bursts of blazing speed and goes tearing around the yard. Some of you have talked to me on the phone while he and Beatrice are playing...it's noisy to say the least. They play together really well, although Bea will put him in his place when needed. My household is never boring and they are a constant source of amusement. I am thinking that I should have bought a king size bed as opposed to a queen, they take up most of the bed now and Homer is still small. Yes, I know they could sleep on a dog bed on the floor, but if I don't make you sleep on the floor when you come visit chances are I'm not going to make my babies either :-)

Nothin better after a hot walk

Mmmm cold water really hits the spot after a walk in the park. What?!...what am I not drinking out of a dog bowl?!........who are you calling a dog?!

If it is a hot day and I get done with yard work or after a walk and I grab a bottle of water...well I better grab two, cause Miss Beatrice will pester you until she gets a drink. I have gotten more strange looks, but hey it keeps her happy. She will also want a drink when you drag the garden hose out. Yes, she is spoiled but she is my baby girl and sure is good company.

Home Sweet Home

Well this is where I live. My little house..it is perfect for me just the right size. I have two bedrooms, a kitchen with a small eating area, living room and one bathroom. It does have a full basement, which is nice in case of bad weather. My yard is small but it's okay...less to mow that way. I have a couple of adirondak chairs and a small table now on my porch. I sit outside with the dogs and read. I have a small deck on the back where I sit sometimes too. It's pretty shady in the back so it's usually a cooler choice. All in all it's a pretty comfortable spot.

Homer...Herman...Norman...hey you dog

Well I have a new addition to my home...it was an impulse buy at WalMart. In the WalMart parking lot to be exact. I pulled in a couple of weeks ago to do some shopping and there it was a big yellow sign that said...Boxer Puppies. With no one in the car to tell me no...I stopped the car, just to go look. There was a lady there trying to pick between two puppies...and there alone in the cage was the runt. He was half the size of the other pups...and he looked so pitiful. Most of you know that Beatrice was the runt, in fact she was small enough that Sarah carried her in the pocket of her hoodie. So it was fate...I had to get him. I didn't know what I was going to name him and was thinking about Beatrice and remembered that Bill had picked out her name. So on a whim I called him to tell him what I had done. He would have been the one telling me no..you don't need another dog...so maybe it was defiance that made me call and say ha! look what I can do without permission....anyway he said I should name him Homer. At first I didn't really think it was a good name...I thought he should have something more refined. But, without any better idea I stuck with Homer.

Upon arriving home we started in with the house training and frequent trips to go outside. I would start to praise him for his good behavior and I couldn't for the life of me think of Homer....I called him Herman once and then another time it was Norman. I was trying to think of something I could use as a key word to help me remember, and I thought of the Munsters..and they had Herman....no wait his name isn't Herman...crap! Well long story short I have remembered Homer now....and I liked the Munster part so he now answers to Homer Munster. Although if you say it in the right tone he will answer to Herman or Norman too.

When I grow up I want to be a ventriloquist!

I recently watched a whole DVD of Jeff Dunham....or as his partner Peanut would say..Jef..f Dun..HAM..... .com. Okay you have to watch it to understand that but omg it is so funny. I have watched his clips on You Tube so many times and I never get tired of seeing them and it never fails to make me laugh. Then yesterday I was talking to my daughter and she was telling me about her putting words into the dogs mouth when they were outside playing we were both laughing as she retold me the story. I have done the same thing many times, and mostly with animals although it works on people too. Once Todd and I were out front doing something and a couple of buzzards landed in the street to get some type of roadkill. I started talking for them, and I don't really know if Todd was amused but we stood there for the longest time with me talking for the buzzards, now I can't help but chuckle when I see one. Unsuspecting people in cars make a good choice also....if you watch there is always something funny that someone is doing and then even more funny with a running commentary. Jeff Dunham in his commedy DVD was talking about using it in the toy store...it was hiliarious. I immediately started thinking how often that would come in handy...of course that probably ranks up there with magicical powers as something that is probably a good thing I don't have. It's pretty much a given that I would abuse my powers. As I have gotten older I have said if I did it all over again I would study to be a meteorologist but I've decided for entertainment purposes a ventriloquist is the way to go.

The anatomy of a break up

Not nearly as interesting as "Grey's Anatomy", if only! TV breakups are always so heart wrenching and well, bogus....I mean she has cried and not slept etc. etc. and is there any running mascara?....red nose.....spotty skin...nope! The girls face, except for the heartbroken expression is perfect, the reality is.....if he sees you looking like this there is no chance he is going to take your butt back. He is going to leave the scene thanking his lucky stars! You look like crap, red eyes, bags, red splotchy skin, raw nose...pitiful yes, but not attractive. The truth is, by the time he has decided you aren't worth his time anymore, he is already gone. There is nothing left to fix. Emotionally he has checked out and all that is left is unloading his baggage, you. I don't have alot of experience being dumped, well except for this one guy, and believe it or not he has dumped me twice. How can this happen?!, you ask. Ah! That is the question, isn't it....see he caught me before I was completely over him the first time...yes I was starting to feel like life would go on, but not enough recovered to not be vulnerable to his charm. He had an epiphany, he really did love me and I was the one he wanted to be with....he had made a mistake...come back, come back....live with me....holy crap was I a total idiot or what?! His "epiphany" turned out to be just a virus....and he got over it. In retrospect he dated me about the same amount of time and broke up with me about the same time of year....wonder if he'll end up dating the same girl afterwards?! Bitter?!.....well yes, I am. My arguement....you were free of me, I was starting to move on....had I changed?....no, I was still the same person, so why, what made you think it was going to be different? Some have told me that maybe he is going through a mid-life crisis, I suppose that could be. He says it's nothing that I have done, it's just him...."It's not you, it's me". Isn't that from some made for TV movie? I told him, in one of my red nose crying jags, that he would be sorry, and that I was a catch, my only fault was my crappy taste in men....yes I said it, but reality is sometimes the "catch" of the day does get thrown back, and when the hook injury heals, life does go on...so in the words of "Dora" from Finding Nemo......just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

I should apologize for venting, but hey, that's why I have a blog.....thanks!

Rest in Peace

Little Mation passed away peacefully on Friday January 4, 2008. She was about 14 years old. She was a really good dog and even though she couldn't hear she was the first to sound the alarm if there was someone around. She was always a gentle and sweet girl and loved her family. She leaves Beatrice behind, who I know will miss her spotted companion. If there is such a thing as dogs in heaven I know she will be welcomed by Cooper, Bear, Gizmo, Baby Blue, Jack, Martha and others.

Bah! Humbug!

and a Merry Christmas to you...or something like that. I don't know what is wrong with me this year. I haven't shopped yet....I haven't started sewing.....I barely decorated, it's pitiful! Why is it that some years I am totally in the mood and am decorating the day after Thanksgiving, busy sewing....buying presents...planning a menu...looking at new recipes, and this year, well...bah humbug. It could be a shortage of money, but then again, there is always a shortage of that, anyway that's how it seems. So what is it that gives you that Christmas spirit? I think about shopping and it's not really the thought of no money that stops me, it's the people....crowds of people, yuck! I think of baking or cooking and then I think of that diet that I need to go on...stay on...sewing?....well I don't know why I haven't started that...no good excuse for that one. I just seem to be in some kind of grinchy rut, I'm sure I'll snap out of it, but by that time I'll be doing everything at the last minute, out with the bigger crowds scrambling to pull everything together....well for now I sit here with you bloggers and my coffee...grumbling to myself....bah humbug!

Holiday Wish

To those of you that I hold dear...my children...my grandbabies...my parents....my friends and loved ones, I am especially thankful today for all of you, your love, support and friendship. We so often get busy in our lives and take for granted the things that mean the most. I know I don't tell you often enough just what you mean to me and how much I love you all. So today I'm taking the chance to be thankful and count all my many blessings.

May you all have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

A face only a mother could love....

....no Sarah I am not talking about your brother! It's Beatrice....although I think she is beautiful, and tell her that all the time. She was so happy to see me when I returned from Virginia, nobody else spoils her quite like mom. I had a great time visiting the kids and playing with the babies, which aren't very baby like anymore! Boy have they grown! It was great seeing Steven, who I think gets taller every time I see him. Sarah, my comic relief child, has hair to match her personality, it was a shock but I like it. I wonder where she gets that wild gene from?! Robert was even around this trip, who never fails to do or say something to give Sarah and I something to tease him about. This time it was "bread dust", which seems to be quite dangerous as a choking hazard. I went to several places with the kids and had a good time, I got to meet "Capt. Bob" which I was looking forward to until Steven told him that I was anxious to meet him...how embarrassing!!! We did keep "Firecracker Kristina" sitting during dinner instead of up on the table dancing...(sorry Kristina, I have to pick on you too or Robert gets fussy). All in all it was a great trip, I had a wonderful time....thanks to all my kids for the entertainment and company. I love you all!

James Dean Run

Well no he isn't actually running...he is still quite deceased, as you can see. I realize this seems like a morbid start for a post, but only for those of you that aren't familiar with what the "James Dean Run" actually is. Every year in Fairmount, IN the home town of James Dean they hold the annual "James Dean Run". It's a car show open to any type of car 1972 or older. They also let newer cars show that have been tricked out and modified. I did not get to attend, but Todd took his Monte Carlo and headed to Georgetown, IL to meet up with his Uncle Gary and Aunt Cindy.
They headed out early Friday morning for Fairmount to meet up with a few other "Junk Yard Dogs" and enjoy the show. I heard tales of the cool cars with the flame throwers...the poppers....the burnouts....all I know for sure is that when I talked to Todd on the phone there was alot of background noise and it sounded like there was at least all those things going on. They made the trip to see James Dean's headstone and by the looks of things they weren't the first ones there. The picture doesn't show it very well but there were lipstick lip prints all over his headstone. The man did have an air of sexy, I'll give you that, but kissing a rock with his name one it?!......I'll pass! All in all it sounded like they all had a great time, and we have marked it on our calendar of things we are going to do next year. One more picture of Todd's baby.......

Wasting time in the name of Jesus

Nothing like starting the new month and week off on top of my soap box, but alas that is where I find myself. I have been forced here by the pious-cy (my own word) of my co-workers. Let me set the stage for you...we are here, if I am not mistaken, to work, answer the phones, paperwork, word process, data entry, sell scaffold....blah blah, you get the general idea. Now we all know a certain amount of time wasting is done in every profession, water cooler talk, and if your choice is to talk about religion then there is nothing wrong with that. What my complaint is when anything else is being talked about or done then we are wasting company time and money. I choose to talk to my mom or daughter on the phone or chat about something else then invariably one of the "holy" ones will come and stand disapprovingly at my desk and then in my time wasting guilt, I get off of the phone and find out that they really need nothing important at all....what was that you needed?....at stamp....here let me stick that on there for you. Yet, we have hours....add them up...hours of wasted company time talking about all sorts of religious topics. Let me see last week it was the sacrifice being done of chickens. Baptist beliefs vs Church of Christ....the second coming...something in Ezekiel...alot of praise Gods and "I thinks" going on. Change that to alot of "I thinks" going on....each one has their own opinion which has to be heard...it's like they each have to top the other ones belief. For those of us actually trying to work it gets to be quite disturbing. You have a group of 3 or 4 people all congregating in the office area......excuse me, as I make my way to the copier....sorry to disturb your church service, as I get a dirty look for my copier and paper crackling noise...I feel like the naughty kid in church who is going to be led out by her ear for disrupting the service. We are expecting there to be an offering taken up or maybe communion to be started any day. I realize this may be coming off as something a atheist would be complaining about but if you stop to think about the other people you are working around....the others that may not share your beliefs...and the example you are setting for them. I believe some of them aren't even sincere in their beliefs so much as like to get our of working and have found this is a easy and acceptable way of doing it. I am not the only one who has seen this double standard. "Don't waste our company time and money smoking your cigarettes or talking about your weekend or homelife....we hired you to work......but if you would like to join us and talk about what we deem as acceptable then you can waste all the time you like, in Jesus name. They even talk bad about each other, behind the others back of course, when they waste time with their secular talk..."they talk too much...never get their work done.....need to learn time management...blah blah blah. Stay at home on Sunday and rest observe the holy day, play on your computer...enjoy the great outdoors and Monday come to work ready to worship. I was raised to go to church, worship and praise on Sunday and the rest of the week, be a good witness with your actions and deeds. Do a good and honest job whether it be at school or work, do your best. I am finding that here it's okay to not give your best and waste time and not get all your work done...just as long as you do it all in Jesus name.

Okay here goes!!

I can't believe I did it....I posted a picture! Actually it was so easy it's almost embarrassing to admit I hadn't had the nerve to try it before. This is a picture of the ship my son is on....impressive isn't it?! I have it as my screen background at work and I thought I would share it with you. I received a very nice email from him today, it was so good to hear from him! I'm proud of all of our military but especially proud of my boys, (my son-in-law Robert is in the Navy also)! We get Steven back in November and loose Robert in February....but my girls handle it well and take care of their homes and children with remarkable resiliency. I'm proud of all my kids for their service to our country and for loving and supporting their husbands while they are away. I think so many of us take the everyday part of military life for granted, what it is like for the spouse to be away and for the one left behind to try to maintain an air of normalcy for the family that is left behind. The rest of us should be as supportive as we can by keeping in contact with our men and women who are away from home and their loved ones....and by lending a helping hand to those that are alone here at home. It is the very least that we could do! Goodness gracious....my picture posting has turned into a soap box...how did that happen?! I'm climbing down now and getting back to work.