June 30, 2005
Nice & Slow
The kids have been taking a long lazy break since the end of school. I was sure I'd be hearing "I'm bored!" and "What are we going to do today?" by now but I guess they are still enjoying their freedom. It's been too hot to do very much anyway.
Yesterday was really busy! Heidi and I both went to see "Rosie" as we call Dr. R now, followed by an appt with the allergist and then an appointment to the plastic surgeon. Yes, I have finally gotten myself to the doctor to talk about a breast reduction. I even have a tentative surgery date: September 2.
My new leather brace left a big blister on my foot so I had to call and make an appointment to have it "adjusted". Until then, I can't wear it which is frustrating. I want to walk on that treadmill and lose some weight before the surgery!
::"I'll be your shoulder when you cry"::
Onesome - I'll be - What did you want to grow up to be when you were a child? If you aren't fulfilling your childhood dream, what made you change it?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. I stopped writing stories when I was in junior high school, particularly after Robert Kennedy was assassinated under the mistaken idea that writing kiddy stuff was irrelevant. Now what's holding me up is procrastination ... maybe a fear of success?
Twosome - Your shoulder - Who's your confidant? Who do you run to when you need emotional support?
First and foremost is TB. I also have 3 friends I feel close enough to go to as well.
I don't cry all that easily because I've sort of trained myself not to. Sometimes, though, it's triggered by a scene in a movie or a song. The last time I really cried was from missing Tomas.
June 28, 2005
Almost Normal
I almost feel like there's a normal rhythm to my day again! This morning I've been focusing more on getting a job. I want to bring in extra income because Billy's going away to college in the fall and we are just going to need it! I've been applying to different positions online for your regular 9-to-5 type jobs but I'm also still searching for a legit way to work out of home. That would be ideal! Well, I guess I'm giving away one answer to this meme:
Thought I'd do something a little different this time around. This can be sort of an interactive 10 on Tuesday for your readers, let them guess which 2 aren't true.
8 Truths and 2 Lies About You (let your readers guess which are the lies)
I love the ocean
I have almost always had at least one kitty cat
I procrastinate too much
My favorite color is red
I've met almost everyone who was on Dark Shadows
I love to read and have about a ton of books TBR (to be read)
I especially like to read romance
I want to start a home based business
My favorite meal is breakfast
I have to have music playing in the background
June 27, 2005
Baker's Dozen Weekend: Graduation Party!
1. We haven't had so many people over since Thanksgiving 2002...is there going to be enough food?
2. How early are my parents going to arrive? I'm guessing between 9 a.m. and noon!
3. I thought we bought more decorations than we did!
4. Oh well, there are so many people decorations will just get in everyone's way
5. I'm really nervous about seeing family members 'cuz I gained so much weight since the last time I saw them!
6. I think we have too much food! Oh well...it won't go bad.
7. It's so wonderful to see everyone! I'm having a nice time! No one is saying anything about my weight!
8. I am so proud of my son!
9. Thank goodness the pool is clean ... the kids can go swimming and cool off
10. That stupid dog won't stop barking!
11. How did the time go by so fast? People are leaving!
12. We had a wonderful time ... now I can relax!
And here are some more pictures:
"Show me the way to go home...I'm tired and I want to go to bed..."
- Useless:: worthless
- Radiant:: beaming
- W:: Dubya
- Unpaid:: volunteer
- Geek:: he who bites off chicken heads & works for a circus
- Unfaithful:: deceitful
- Reboot:: start over
- No!:: Why not?
- Squad:: troop
- Fetish:: obsessed with
June 24, 2005
Feline Friday: What's Up With Those Pets?
Mouse: What are our crazy two-legged pets up to now???
Amber: It's called 'cleaning up for company'...some kind of party for the boy who graduated.
Mouse: Yow! That's right ... and here comes the vacuum cleaner! Dibs on the closet!
Mouse: They'll never vacuum in here! Too much stuff to move!
Mouse: Safe and sound! Bring in on you crazy human pets!
Amber: Wait! What about me?
Mouse: Every feline for herself!
June 22, 2005
More Pictures From Yesterday
It's been so hectic this week what with Billy's graduation and getting ready for his party this weekend! I hardly have time to catch my breath, never mind update my diary and journal! Still, I wanted to take a few minutes to post a couple more pictures from yesterday.
I took this picture of Billy just before we left for the graduation.
See the young man waving? That's Billy!
I wasn't too thrilled with the fact that this was an outdoor graduation. It was held on the football/track field at Kristin's school, which used to be the old high school. Luckily, it wasn't terribly hot although the bleacher seats were very hard even on my cushioned butt! There were no accommodations for those with disabilities and I felt bad for people in wheelchairs and those hobbling along with crutches, canes and splints. There were no portapotties either and it was a long haul across the field to the school.
Well, enough kvetching!
Big Brother & Little Sister
Billy's gold tassel stands for being an honor roll student. The blue sash indicates that he is a member of the National Honor Society.
Proud 'Rents--naturally! And I feel that Rich was smiling proudly from Heaven too!
June 21, 2005
June 20, 2005
My Baker's Dozen Weekend
1. It's time to get serious about getting ready for Billy's graduation party next week
2. The mall closest to here has no party store! Imagine!
3. Uh-oh, the party store in our neighborhood is out of graduation party stuff!
4. Thank God for Party City, even if it is a 45 minute drive away!
5. Our family continues to blend well and we had such a nice Father's Day
6. We went to the favorite Chinese buffet place for dinner -- a wonderful treat
7. There's a new Chinese place at that useless mall that has even better food!
8. Thank you, Dean Koontz, for writing a new book every year around this time -- TB enjoys his books!
9. The weather couldn't have been better -- sunny but not humid!
10. Where has June gone?
11. I found a radio station that plays music from when I was a kid! Woohoo!
12. Enjoyed talking to Michele over the weekend too. Boy, we miss her, David & the kids! Has it been 2 weeks already???
June 19, 2005
Happy Father's Day!
Only A Dad
===========
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.
Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.
~Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)~
I saw this poem and thought right away of my Teddy Bear!
- Domesticated:: tame
- Cask:: wine
- Wayne:: Bruce
- Insidious:: sneaky
- Cool!:: far out!
- Dishwasher:: convenience
- Little house:: on the prairie
- Stepford:: Wives
- Hung:: over
- Falling:: down
June 17, 2005
Feline Friday: Will Work For Food
Mouse: I wish I was outside right now so I could get that yummy little birdie!
Amber: Mmmmm, yes, I'm feeling hungry too *but* I know where I can get some meat and not have to pluck the feathers or anything!
Amber: Mmmm-mmmm, that smells good, Mommy, is it turkey?
Amber: Yum-yum
Mouse: Oh puh-leeze! Where's your dignity?
Amber: Snarf! Gulp!
Mouse: Ugh! I'm too embarrassed to watch anymore!
Mouse: This is what a self respecting cat eats...
...well, if she can't get outside, anyway! Bleh!
Q1: If you clearly saw the driver of a car in front of yours or next to yours opening and drinking from a can of beer while driving, would you call the police or 911 to report what you saw?
Absolutely! Just what I need, this idiot out on the road and possibly causing an accident and injuring/killing someone!
Q2: When you eat meals at home, what percentage of those meals do you eat at a kitchen or dining room table verses those you eat while sitting in your favorite chair or on the couch while watching television?
When I'm with family, I eat 98% of my meals at the dining room table. When I'm all by my lonesome, maybe 50-50, half at the table and half in front of the TV
Q3: Was there ever a time in your life when you were convinced or pretty darned certain that you'd like to live in a specific city, state, or region that you did not live in at the time? If so, what happened... do you still want to live there, do you live there now, or has your impression of that place somehow changed?
When I lived in Maryland, I so wanted to live on Long Island. I missed it so bad. In 1999, we moved back and I was so happy! Now, though, I am living in NJ and although I miss LI very much I realize it's too expensive to live there.
Q4: Which would you say you posses more of... Business Acumen, Creativity, or Social Skills? Which would you like to have more of?
I think I have more social skills although my creative skills are there. I would like to have more focus and ambition to use those skills!
June 16, 2005
Sore Hands
I've been looking for work in the community and lined up a couple of interviews. This morning I was checking out those work-at-home opportunities trying to find one that wasn't BS. I found one that suggested I sign up with multiple survey places and that I could get paid for answering questions online. Hmmm...sounded good to me so I went and started signing up. Well, they all want you to do a screener in which you answer a bunch of general questions--the same stuff over and over. I noticed at the end of 2 hours my hands were getting sore but I was hooked! I don't know if this could work out but it would be a great deal for me if it did! I could work my own hours, be here for the kids, and not have to burn a lot of gas.
Heidi's been having tests at home all week long. The school hired a teacher to come and proctor her tests after giving me a lot of grief and no end of agita. You know, there is no good reason that administrators have to act like such idiots. TB and I signed up for a prepaid legal program and so far it's been great! I've gotten very useful advice, particularly with respect to Heidi's case. If they hadn't provided the teacher, I would be taking legal action.
What is really sickening is that the school is already set up for air conditioning. It's got all the vents and pipes and what-have-you. TB says they must be running a fan for circulation and it really wouldn't be all that hard to cool all the classrooms. I bet the district just doesn't want to pay for it! Meanwhile, my kids tell me that the windows on the first two floors don't even open. How barbaric is that? Of course, the main office has air conditioning and so does guidance, the nurses' offices, the library and any classrooms with computers. God forbid the principal, his assistants and secretaries should sweat, huh?
I feel a letter to the superintendent coming on!
::Calling in Sick::
Onesome: I can't come in-- Have you ever locked yourself out of the house or the car? How'd it happen, and how did you get back in?
Oh, yes, I remember this one time I locked myself out of my car while it was running, the headlights were on and the radio was blaring (don't ask me how I did this, I don't really remember because it was like 30 years ago). My neighbor across the street was a truck driver and he happened to have a slim Jim kit so that he could pick my lock. He said, don't ask me where I got this from and I said, hey, don't worry, I'm too relieved to wonder!
Twosome: to work today-- What is your dream job and why?
My dream job is to work from home, writing on the computer on any topic and for any length of time I like. Why? I love to write so as long as I didn't have a deadline or guidelines and I got paid this job would be ideal!!!! :D
Threesome: because I...-- What's the worst excuse you've ever given or heard of for not going into work/ school? Why did you really call in?
One time I didn't want to go interpret for Pink Floyd and so I called in some kind of medical disaster or death -of-family member or something equally despicable. I didn't want to go because I got profound stage fright and was scared almost witless at the thought of interpreting for a rock band like that!
June 14, 2005
Some Catch Up
Last week Tuesday was a big deal around here for a couple of reasons. Both Billy and Kristin received awards at their schools. You'd think a district would have enough sense to coordinate these events so that there aren't any conflicts but nooooooo. What was really ridiculous was that there were presenters who were supposed to give an award at both schools and they had to decide which event to attend. Duh!
TB went with Kristin and I went with Billy. Why isn't Heidi mentioned? For one thing, I had to pick her up from school. We went from cold and raining to hot and steamy just about overnight and Heidi began to have a really bad allergic reaction. Her eyes were puffy, her face was red and she was covered with hives. So she had to stay home and recuperate ... there is no air conditioning in the schools and with the windows open, all the pollen and other crap Heidi's allergic to floated in air already too thick and heavy to breathe.
Some pictures from the evening:
www.flickr.com
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It was so cute to watch Michele and Kristin together. Her hair and makeup looked really nice thanks to Big Sis Michele. I think Kristin got 4 awards but since I wasn't there, I didn't get any pictures with the electronic camera. Billy got a scholastic letter and a distinguished scholars award. We are so proud of them all!
10 Things You Wish You Knew When You Were in High school
1) Nothing is ever so easy again
2) Being in a clique doesn't matter once you graduate
3) Go to college right after you graduate even if you are sick of school
4) Enjoy those summer vacations while you can!
5) Good people come in all sizes and colors
6) Don't be in such a hurry to "grow up"
7) Cherish those high school friendships while they last
8) Do your homework and study! It's worth it!
9) If you are keeping a family secret you're not supposed to talk about, confide in a caring teacher -- especially if she asks & offers help
10) Cherish the good teachers you get -- they're gems
June 13, 2005
Baker's Dozen Weekend
1. Okay, I am done with summer now. When is it going to be fall?
2. Family vacations are a truly wonderful thing!
3. Just kicking back and relaxing after a vacation is also wonderful
4. It took me almost the whole weekend to recover from the stupidity of Pemberton Township High School's principal/administrators
5. The pool is clean and running!
6. We are already working on our next big project: getting the house ready for Billy's graduation party
7. We got picture frames for Heidi's lovely artwork and they are hanging in our room now
8. White Noise started out as an interesting movie but quickly turned dumb
9. Assault on Precinct 13 had more action but was just as dumb
10. I opened a flicker account to hopefully make more room for all these pictures I keep taking!
11. It's a good thing there's a summer season on TV or there'd be absolutely nothing to watch!
12. I am going to finish reading this book if it kills me and it just might :P
Okay, this picture was actually taken last Thursday but it was scanned over the weekend!
June 12, 2005
Pictures from Chuck E. Cheese
On Thursday, Heidi & I took the little ones for their first visit to that venerable rat Chuck E. Cheese. 
The pizza was delicious! 
Everyone had a great time! 
www.flickr.com
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- Wally:: World
- Phantom:: of the Opera
- Slippery:: when wet
- Fungus:: itchy
- Slot:: car
- Type:: blood
- Discharge:: send home
- "We need to talk?:: uh-oh
- On the spot:: hot seat
- Liquid:: solid
June 11, 2005
Pictures from the Family Visit
These are various pictures taken during the week. More to follow!
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June 10, 2005
Feline Friday: Wait A Minute...
Mouse: Hey, look, what's going on out there?
The van has to be packed. Our company has to go back to Tennessee, Mouse.
Mouse: What's that? They came all that way and now they're leaving?
It's called a vacation. We all had a wonderful time but now they have to go back home.
Mouse: Oh.....that's too bad. I'm going to miss them. But can I sleep in the playpen again?
June 05, 2005
Sunday Stuff
So today we called my father-in-law to see how he was feeling after his surgery on May 23. I am so glad that he is feeling better and is home from the hospital. The pathology report was very favorable; the surgeon got all the cancer. We're still praying for his speedy recovery and continued absence of any cancer.
Michele, David and the kids got here after dinner on Friday night and it was so good to see them! Also, I got to "meet" Nikolas for the first time and he is such a sweet, curious little guy. Taylor has gotten shy and so much taller! Ryan's got new glasses that look nice on him. Only Brandon, Michele and David seemed to be the same as when we last saw them February 2004.
The boys were eager to see Star Wars with Pop-Pop but I had a feeling that Taylor wouldn't enjoy it. I thought she'd much rather see Madagascar and I was right. So we went in to that movie and it was very cute. Taylor was such a little lady, too, she was so cute daintily holding her popcorn and soda on her lap. The boys say they enjoyed Star Wars but it was pretty brutal. That movie shouldn't have been marketed toward kids but then that happens a lot, doesn't it?
Today they've gone over to David's brother's house for a birthday party -- sister Yoko is 50 and the family is getting together to celebrate.
I have a feeling this week is going to go fast!
Unconscious Mutterings:
- Exhibit:: show
- Evolution:: change
- Loser:: winner
- Hypnotic:: spell-binding
- Unlikely:: probably not
- Interrupt:: stopped
- Ambivalent:: wishy-washy
- Rise and fall:: Roman Empire
- Indian:: Native American
- Prophecy:: prediction
June 03, 2005
Feline Friday: Posing Problems
It's not easy to get nice pictures of the cats.
Oh, Amber, look this way please!
Oh no, not that stupid camera again!
But you're so beautiful, Amber, I like taking your picture
Grrrr...it's like Mommy is the paparazzi!
Oh come on, just one little smile!
No, go away or I'll charge you like Prince what's-his-name did for Zsa Zsa Gabor!
I'll get you some deli ham.
Erk! What price, fame!
Ah well, I suppose it's worth it...
June 02, 2005
Three years already?
Time just goes! TB and I have been married 3 years now. Sometimes it feels like we've always been together although I know that is not so. I spent 17 years of my life loving Rich and I haven't forgotten that. It's just that it feels like it was another lifetime ago. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it right. TB and I have so much in common and can just about finish each other's thoughts. Yet there are still things we haven't learned about each other. Why is there such a feeling of connectiveness? I don't know but I'm not going to question it, it's a blessing!
::I Need a Laptop::
Onesome - I - Tell us something about yourself that you haven't posted about before and wouldn't mind stating on the record.
Well, let's see...I'm trying to remember if there's anything I haven't shared about myself before.
Twosome - Need - Is there anything you need at the moment? What is it? Or, are you not in need of anything but want something?
I need to see my grandson Tomas and spend time with him
Threesome - a Laptop - Do you have a laptop? If so, what type is it? Any recommendations for someone looking into getting a laptop?
I don't own the laptop, TB does. It's a Dell and in my opinion, you can't beat that brand.