I smell a skunk

I consider myself quite lucky. Or blessed, however you would like to look at things. I have the most wonderful husband anyone could ask for. And I consider that a BIG blessing, because I got married at 20. And you can make some really stupid decisions on with whom you would like to spend the rest of your life when you get married that young. And I was able to work my way through college to get a degree. And I had a great, profitable career. I have lots of friends, a close family, a baby on the way. What more could a girl want?

BUT, I have never been lucky if I do something I shouldn't. If I cheated on my taxes, I'd be the one to get audited (Attention any IRS agents that read this...I did not cheat on my taxes. I probably pay too much on my taxes. ahem). When I was a kid, if I did something that could get me in trouble I inevitably got caught. Maybe that's why I became a goody-two-shoes. I gave up the "bad" girl thing. I lost the battle. It was either be good or be grounded or feel really guilty, because I was going to be caught. Come to think of it, my guilt was probably what got me caught.

One such time was when I was about 16 years old. I had a friend spending the night. My boyfriend came by at about midnight, knocked on my window, and asked us to come outside. My parents were asleep, so we opened the window, pulled off the screen and crawled through. It was easy enough as the windows were long and skinny, only a foot or two above the ground. We sat in the front yard chatting for an hour or so, and then he suggested we "go somewhere". Who the hell knows where. We were teenagers. It didn't matter.

My curfew was midnight, and I certainly wouldn't have been permitted to go somewhere at 1 a.m. But, we got in the car and got about 2 miles down the road. Then I chickened out. I asked him to go back. I could just see it, coming home in the wee hours of the morning from doing who knows what, my mom in hysterics, my dad pissed. I couldn't do it. So, after a lot of "oh, come ON!"'s and name calling by both my friend and boyfriend, he brought us back. And we started to crawl back into the window. And we realized a skunk was in my room.

We had left the window open with no screen and, lo and behold, while we were out a skunk decided to take residence in my bedroom. We were stuck. We couldn't go into the room and risk getting us and my entire bedroom sprayed by a skunk. The doors were locked, so we couldn't get into the house any other way. Our only option was to knock on my parents bedroom window and get them to let us in. Yea, we had a lot of explaining to do. I had to tell them we climbed out the window. I did omit the part where we went out in the car, but it didn't seem to matter. They were ticked. They were more than ticked.

They had to call Animal Control at 2 in the morning, who had to wake their guy on-call up who came with traps. He put moist cat food in them and set them up on my bedroom floor. My friend and I had to sleep in the living room. And honestly, I'm surprised my parents gave us blankets and a pillow.

Yea, I'm unlucky when it comes to things like that.

Question: Do you consider yourself a lucky or unlucky person?

Why, oh, why?

Why, blogger, why? Why are the links and other miscellaneous musings on the sidebar suddenly gone? Did I not hold my mouth right when posting today? Did I anger you by complaining too much about the comments? By switching to Haloscan, perhaps?

I'm hoping, being that I'm an HTML idiot, that if I ignore this problem it will suddenly go away. After all, I've heard other people say their blog went nuts then fixed itself. Could I be so lucky?? (I hope, I hope!)

I got a stick gently passed from Elle

Elle over at True Blue 4 Ever passed me a stick for your and my sticking pleasure. Thanks Elle! (Hope you feel better!)

You are stuck inside Fahrenheit 451, which book do you want to be? I haven't read this either, and honestly I haven't heard of it. But it sounds intriguing.

Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character? I'm sure I have, although I can't think of one. I've never been big on "Superman" types or anything, although friends have had a crush on him. My sister was in love with Luke Skywalker as a kid. Barney Rubble is a hottie. ;) (OK, maybe not)

The last book you bought is: Pregnancy Week by Week (sorry so boring, but it WAS the last one I bought)

The last book you read was: East of Eden by John Steinbeck (Nothing like the classics!! I love 'em!)

What are you currently Reading? Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Five books you would take to a deserted island:
1. How to make a "Wilson" out of a Coconut instead of a Volleyball (OK, I made that up)
2. The Life of Pi (there were some good survival techniques in it!)
3. A Fine Balance (Hey, it was a really good book. I could read it over and over)
4. Boy Scout Handbook
3. The Bible (Maybe then I'll be able to actually read the whole thing)

Thanks Elle! I needed something to blog about today.

I pass this stick on to:
Karen at Karentertainment
dl at Time to Tell
Angie at Rocks and Garbage

Oh, my aching back.

I somehow got roped into being the youth director at our church. It isn't because I have a particular talent with youth. It isn't because I exude energy and enthusiasm. It isn't because I have a passion for it. It is because nobody else would do it. One thing I've learned as a preacher's wife in a small 200 member church, it doesn't matter what you WANT to do, you fill in where they NEED you. That's your job. You could sing like Luciano Pavarotti but if they have enough singers and lack a piano player you will play piano (even if your piano repertoire consists of Mary Had a Little Lamb and Chopsticks).

Ok, fine. It's kind of fun to be jack of all trades. I enjoy working with the youth, but I don't think I'm particularly good at it. I don't have the crazy, enthusiastic, imaginitive personality it takes to effectively do the job. BUT, I figure I'm better than nothing.

So, last night I planned and held a Youth Easter Egg Hunt/Field Day/Hot dog cookout. I planned relay races, hid 300 plastic eggs, and built a bonfire to cook hotdogs. It was fun, but the kids were HYPER and I had to YELL to get them to hear me. I'm not particularly good at yelling, either.

Me, being childless except for the one that is -5 months inside me, learned a few things. First, teenagers cheat. You have to watch them like a hawk. We gave a prize to the person who found the most eggs at the Easter Egg hunt. Two kids thought they'd be smart and put their eggs together, hence getting the most.

Teenagers also bend the truth. One girl didn't want to play so she said she had asthma. I of course let her sit out. Then when her mom came to get her I learned her SISTER has asthma but she is fine.

We had one race called the Egg Race. The kids had teams of four, and they held the handle of a plastic spoon which had a raw egg on the other end. They were to race to the other end and back without breaking the egg. Most of the eggs ended up in their intended place but I believe one or two were deliberately thrown at me. I can't be sure.

All in all, the kids had a blast, so that's what mattered. And I learned that kids come out as defenseless babies for a reason. It gives you time to get used to them before they become teenagers.

Question: Have you ever done anything you are not comfortable doing just because no one else would do it?

"Touchy" people.

Being pregnant sure has been an experience. Not that I didn't expect it to be, but I'm learning more about myself than I thought I would.

For example...I learned that people can't resist touching pregnant bellies. I'm just now really showing "pregnant" and it's amazing how people just want to TOUCH it. People I don't know that well, people that I don't know at all, family, friends, pretty much any mammal is obsessed with my belly.

The thing is, I am not a 'touchy' person. It's not that I don't want to be. In Texas the thing to do is hug. Depending on how rural the area is (the more rural, the less time it takes), if you haven't seen the person in over 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days, you will get a hug from the person when you see them. However, my timeline is more on the 5 month mark. If you are a close friend and I haven't seen you in 5 months, I'll give you a hug. And I don't think I would survive in Russia or places in Europe where they KISS each cheek, too. Ewww.

When someone hugs me my initial instinct is to pull back. It's not that I'm an unfriendly or unwarm person. In fact, most people when describing me usually say that as one of my top 5 qualities. I'll chat with anyone. But, if you want to get closer than two feet we need to have some sort of relationship. I don't know why. Maybe it is because I lived in the Northeast until I was 10 and they aren't 'huggy' there. Maybe it is because my family wasn't huggy. Maybe I wasn't hugged enough as a child. Maybe I'm just a jerk. Who knows?

In a cruel twist of fate my husband and I moved to the country due to his job. So, I went from a city of a population of 5 million people (if you haven't seen someone in 5 days you hug them) to a town of population 300 (5 minutes until you hug someone). I decided I needed to be more "huggy". After all, it's a warm thing. It isn't a BAD thing. People do it because they are fond of you. And if I am going to fit into this rural life I must try. (Although I draw the line at calling everyone "Honey", "Sugar", "Sweetie", or "Darlin'"). I'll admit I started getting good at it. Almost comfortable and natural with it.

And then, I got pregnant. And now I've reached a new level of 'touchyness'. Not only do they HUG me, they want to RUB MY BELLY. The first person that did it was my sister. Who is probably (besides my husband) the closest person to me. And what's weird is my instinct when she went after the belly was to push her away literally. It almost startled me. Was it the "touchy" issue or the "mother instict" to protect the belly? I don't know. But it was very weird. So, since that happened I have learned to make a consious effort to just stand there while people rub my stomach. I know I look like a deer in headlightes, but I'll work on that later. I have to take baby steps to this therapy.

Question: Do you hug people on a regular basis? Is it a normal thing to do where you live?

Old Friends

I feel a little silly posting my picture, so I had to post something here to get it off the first thing you see. Yea, I have issues.

Anyway, I would really like your opinion. I posted a month or two ago about my old friend Jerri. I haven't talked to her in about 6 years. I finally got around to looking up her phone number, and I FOUND HER! HA! But, now I'm chicken to call.

My sister, who if you knew her would expect no other reaction, says call her, what can it hurt. And my husband, who generally isn't much of a friend whore like I am, says don't call, because she'll think I'm weird for calling.

I know if it were me, I'd be tickled pink that someone I was good friends with six years ago looked me up. But then again, the only time that has happened to me wasn't a plesant experience.

I got a call over a year ago from a guy I knew in high school. He worked with me at a florist back in our high school years. We were friends and would do stuff with a group of people we both hung out with on occassion. Some people said he had a crush on me then, but I was seriously dating at the time (my husband, actually) and honestly wouldn't have been interested anyway. And I tend to be skeptical when people say those things. Whatever.

Anyway, he called me about a year and a half ago and said he looked me up on the internet and realized we were living in the same town. He was married to an attorney and wanted to get together for lunch. I said that I was going out of town for work this week, but when I got back that sounded good.

When I told my hubby about it he said "Absolutely not". Now, my husband is SO-not-jealous. I wish sometimes he was MORE jealous. I'm always going on work lunches with gentlemen and sometimes even overnight business trips, and it never bothered him. But he said that in high school this guy was totally into me and he thought I shouldn't go. OK, whatever. I thought he was silly, but if he felt that way, fine. It is very rare he has an opinion on such things. It surprised me, actually, but if I felt the way he did about a girl from High School calling I would be upset if he went anyway.

So, the next week the guy called, and I made an excuse about working too much (which wasn't far from the truth) and he said "OK". Then he kept calling. Daily. And then it got weird. (yea, I only attract the great ones.) He told me he was getting a divorce and wanted to see me, and that he had been tracking what I was doing over the years and he told me exactly where I had lived and what I had been doing for the last 10 years. Then he would call 5 times a day. And I asked him not to call anymore. And he started crying on the phone and said he wanted to see me again. Finally I hung up on him and changed my phone number and marked it unlisted. AND I moved back to Houston about that time, so it worked out.

I never felt threatened, but I'm glad my husband talked me out of meeting him.

So, I think about that experience, and think, should I really call Jerri? I don't want her to think I'm one of THOSE.

What do YOU think? Should I call her?

I'll probably be able to add this to my "stupid things" list

Testing Flikr....

Here's a picture of me. BEFORE pregnancy. You will get NONE of me while pregnant. OK, maybe ONE when I'm almost 9 months. But that's it. Not that you asked for it or anything.



I'm the one on the LEFT. Wearing brown and tan.

I had to wait a freakin' hour to have my picture taken with this guy, but I think it was worth it. Isn't he a hottie?? And he bounces on his tail, too.

I'm with Stupid.

Just to keep up with the stupid things I've done theme...

When I was about 15, the fad in the neighborhood between the teenagers was to get and talk on a Citizens Band (CB) radio. Remember those? This was in 1988, so the 1970's CB fad was over, but it was before cell phones, and it was quite handy to have a CB in your car. That way, you could keep up with your friends and find out where the fun was on a Saturday night. Or, if you had one in your bedroom, several friends could talk together on a school night when none of us were permitted to go out.

My parents were out of town, and I wanted a CB in my room (I didn't have a car yet). So, I had the brilliant idea that I would set it up, complete with an antenna on the roof of the house, BEFORE my parents got home. I mean, after all, they aren't going to make me take it down once it was up there, are they?

So, a couple of my friends came over to help me with the task. We found an old CB somewhere from the 70's that someone's dad didn't want anymore. We got the coaxial cable, we even went down to the local truck stop and got an antenna. We found my dad's huge ladder, climbed on the roof, screwed the antenna to the peak of the house (after all the highest point is the best spot for reception, right?), strung the cable inconspicuously down the side of the house and through my window.

My parents came home the next day and didn't see it. They did see the CB in my room, but I think they assumed I had an antenna somewhere in there, not the roof of the house. I hid it well.

Not only was this experience a boost to my social life, but it was also a lesson in physics. You see, I learned that if you put an antenna on the peak of your house, the highest point, you are supposed to GROUND it also, so it doesn't get struck by lightning. Oops.

Living in the plains of Central Texas at the time, we got a lot of lightning storms. And it just so happens we got one a day or two after I installed the thing. And, as lightning does, it hit the tallest structure which happened to be the antenna that I carefully bolted to the peak of the house but didn't ground. And the lightning went through the house, and hit my CB radio, the refrigerator, our TV's, several lighting fixtures, and several other minor electrical equipment that we had plugged in. And destroyed them with a HUGE BANG. (We were really lucky that the house didn't catch fire).

And when my dad figured it all out he was mad. And I got another lesson about "grounding". So much for improving my social life.

Question: Were you ever grounded as a kid, or did your parents have more original ways of punishment? Do you ground your kids or do you have a more original way of punishing?

The Dog door.

Stupid things I've done seem to be a topic of conversation at family gatherings, so why not join in on the fun in my blog?

When I got my dog we decided that a dog door was a good idea. She's a little 15 pound mutt, so we only needed a tiny little door. I decided to become Ms. Handywoman and intstall the thing myself. And I did a damn good job, if I do say so.

And Casey, our dog, loved it. It took some coaxing at first. But once she got the hang of it, she would go in and out, and in and out. I think just because she could. And I'm pretty sure I heard her say "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!" to the outdoor dog next door once before running inside.

One day my husband was gone somewhere. I can't remember where. It doesn't matter. But, what does matter is he wouldn't be home for another couple of hours. I somehow managed to lock myself out of the house. And this was well before I got pregnant so I don't have that as an excuse for my absentmindedness.

I checked the windows, rattled the doors, and couldn't get in. I was in the back yard and looked down and realized...AHA! The dog door! I can squeeze through! At least enough to reach up and get the knob unlocked!

So, I tried to reach in with one hand and unlock the knob, but it was too far. So, me and my brilliant thinking contorted my body to get myself in to my waist, then I reached up and unlocked the door! Wallah!

But, when I tried to get out, somehow the hole got smaller. I know it did. After all, how could I have gotten in if I can't get out? I twisted, moved, contorted myself in ways that I'm sure would have gotten me a job at the circus if I just remembered how to do them at the audition. All with no avail. The dog was now stuck inside and decided that she would get me back for everything I've ever done to her by taking advantage of this. She licked my face and there was nothing I could do but let her. And I know I heard her laughing.

I was stuck in that door for 45 minutes. It first I was hoping my husband would not come home early and find me in this compromising position. But then after about 30 minutes I was wishing he WOULD come home to help me get out. I finally twisted myself out. I don't know how.

I DO know that I was full of bruises when it was all said and done. That was the problem. When I undressed that night my hubby wanted to know where all those bruises came from. I tried to think of something good, like how I saved a kid from drowning in a well or something. But finally I had to come clean about the dog door. He almost died laughing. And I wouldn't have revived him if he had, I don't think.

Question: Is there something you've done that seemed like a great idea at the time but turned terribly wrong?

HELP!

I WAS going to post about the beautiful day today. I went outside this country parsonage and took pictures of the trees, the sunny backyard, the nice birds, all of nature coming to life. The sun was shining, the flowers are in bloom, and the redbud trees, dogwood trees, and bradford pear trees are flowering, too! The temperature was 76 today with a slight breeze. Not a cloud in the sky, either. All captured on photos for your blogging enjoyment.

And then I tried to post it. And for some reason I can't get Hello to say "hello" to blogger. I just get an ugly red "X" when I post pictures here. Is anyone else having that problem? Is there another program I can use? I would hate for my 3.2 megapixel circa 2000 digital camera which weighs 27 pounds to go to waste.

I'm getting philosophical. Don't mind me...Just go about your day.

I heard a quote today by Tony Campolo. He is an evangelist who is well known as a radical and/or a heretic depending on the views you hold, is a leader of "prgressive Christianity" and is invited to many churches to speak/preach. I don't necessarily agree with most of his politics or theology, but he does have a few good thoughts. Apparently he was invited to speak at an Episcopal church. This was a very formal church. He got on the pulpit, and the first thing he said was (and I'm not quoting directly because I'm going by memory, but pretty close):

"Fifty thousand children die every day due to preventable causes, and you don't give a shit. And what's worse, is you're more concerned that I said 'Shit' than you are about the children."

Oh, that is SO true. So true. Not just about Church goers, either. It seems like we as people in general get so wrapped up in our own worlds we lose sight of what really matters. And it's not cars, the latest clothes, the brand new video games, anything of the sort. If it doesn't breathe it isn't important.

I was in sales for 7 years. I was there with them. It was so easy to chase the almighty dollar, to obsess about your next bonus check, a few thousand not being enough. The focus was on the boat or the lake house you were going to buy next. So much so that people sacrificed their whole lives, their whole being just for the money. I would work 60 to 70 hours a week, neglecting my husband and family, because of the ego trip I got. I was focused on the wrong thing. At least I didn't have kids. Many do.

Now, I should probably clarify that there are many rich people that do have the right focus. I'm not talking about the "rich" necessarily. I'm talking about any focus that is misplaced. The focus could be something other than money.

There's so much more to life than these things. I'm so glad I get that now. I'm so much happier, too.

OK. It's done. Finally.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog. I finally bit the bullet and did it. Actually, I got frustrated and started feeling rejected because no one had commented, but I know it was because blogger wouldn't let them. Apparently I upset the blogger Gods, like Elle has mentioned. They wouldn't let anyone post, making me sad and lonely.

But never fear! Haloscan is here!

Egg faced.

When I was 12 I attended a slumber party. I was there with three or four goody-two-shoes, being one myself. We did the usual listening to music, watching movies, eating doritos and sour cream and pickles. But we were bored. I, being a natural leader, decided this slumber party needed to be spiced up. So, we decided to play truth or dare. What 12 year old girl slumber party is complete without it? We went through the regular truths...are you a virgin? How many boys have you kissed? Who do you like?...Finally someone said "Dare". YAY! Now we're getting somewhere! I dared her to eat a raw egg.

She wouldn't do it. Apparently, we hadn't gone over the rules ahead of time and I failed to realize anything worth daring was exempt. So, I got mad. Not mad as in red faced, but more irritated because this party was BORING and I thought truth or dare would spice it up a bit. I proceeded to call them "pathetic" and "whimps".

Then they turned the tables. They said "Then YOU do it".

OK, fine. It was a challenege. I'm not going to be the boring person here. I'll do it. We went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and got the egg. We cracked it in a glass and, I drank it. Then proceeded to throw it up, along with the doritos, sour cream, and pickles, into the sink.

That was the nastiest thing on the planet.

Question: Have you ever done anything really stupid just to save face?

Planning stages

I'm finally getting into the baby thing. I don't know what has taken me so long. My very intrusive mother in law has been begging me to make decisions on the nursery and things since she knew I was pregnant. (She's an entirely different post.) I guess things just didn't seem "real". It has taken a while for me to realize that there actually IS a baby in there! You would think 3 ultrasounds and hearing the heartbeat twice would do it. What can I say, I'm hard headed.

I love to decorate, so I've been looking forward to decorating the nursery since I decided to have children. I wasn't going to start the planning of it quite yet, but I went to Canton this weekend and fell in love with a baby bedding set. It was a freakin' $600! Uh, no. That's rediculous.

So, I thought I'd look for the material. After hunting and hunting I FINALLY found it on the internet! Woo Hoo! Here it is:

Nursery Rhyme Fabric

What do you think? I think I'm going to accent it with Sage Green and Yellow. It has little nursery rhymes all over it. That's going to be the "theme" of the nursery.

WHY CAN'T I GET BLOGGER OR HELLO TO WORK!!! *&^%*())! Just go here to see the fabric. I give up.

It's Monday. I'm brain dead.

For some reason my brain is blank. I can think of nothing of interest to say. So, here is a stupid Meme for your enjoyment. Courtesy of Deb's blog for the idea.

bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...
Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C /
Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.

Interview...It's my turn! :)

True Jersey Girl was kind enough to visit and interview little 'ol me. Here is a chance to peek at our conversation...

True Jersey Girl: How in the world do you live with those roaches???

Carol: I'm very lucky, because, being tall, I also have big feet. And so does my husband. With big feet you also have big shoes. And big shoes means more surface area to kill the roaches. I never thought I'd be happy about my big feet. And if you start naming the roaches they sometimes aren't as gross once you get to know them. OK, maybe not.

True Jersey Girl: I’ve only been to Texas twice, to San Antonio and Houston. Tell me what you do for fun in your little corner of the state.

Carol: Ah! Good question. Well, I've lived in about 6 different cities in Texas in the last 22 years. In Waco where I spent my middle school/high school years, there is absolutely nothing to do but get drunk. Oh, an the Dr. Pepper museum. The only thing Dallas is famous for is the TV show and killing a president. Which is rather sad. But you CAN visit Southfork and tour the 6th floor of the book depository there. In Houston, well, we have NASA to tour. That can be fun. Oh, wait, you asked what "I" do for fun? Go out to eat WAY too much, sometimes go out with friends, catch movies, see bands, the typical. I wish I could say something "Texany" like to two-stepping or rope steers, but I avoid cowboy boots, big belt buckles, wranglers, and cowboy hats so I'm shunned from that kind of stuff. They don't want my kind there. San Antonio ROCKS. I love that city.

True Jersey Girl: How did you meet your husband?

Carol: Well, I've known him since I was 12. We grew up in the same neighborhood. I actually had a crush on him when I was 12, but he of course didn't give me the time of day, since he was a few years older than me. So, he went off to college and when he came back, Wallah! I was grown up and irresistable! (OK, maybe not irresistable, but he did take notice). We started dating, got married when I was 20, and the rest is history.

True Jersey Girl: Are you going to find out the sex of your baby? Why or why not?

Carol: I am. My family wants to know. I don't necessarily care about getting all the "boy" or "girl" stuff. I plan on having more, so I actually would rather it be generic so I can use it for the next baby no matter what. But, to me you get TWO surprises if you find out ahead of time. The sex before the baby is born and then on the day he/she is born you get to meet him/ her for the first time. I have a few friends that want me to wait, but generally I think most people I know agree it's great to find out ahead of time.

True Jersey Girl: From your postings I read, the only thing I got about your musical taste is that you like Simon and Garfunkel. What is your favorite song of all time, and why?

Carol: I have to pick ONE? Oh, boy. That may take a while. I like such a variety, and it really depends on my mood. Yes, I love Simon and Garfunkel, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Bare Naked Ladies, U2, Creed, The Beetles, Peter Gabriel, Cheryl Crow (sp?), Norah Jones, some classical, some bluegrass, some blues, some jazz. I love it all. If I can sing to it, even better. I have the radio on all day and I rarely walk from room to room. I dance from room to room. Yea, my kids are going to think I'm weird. Oh, I forgot barbershop music. My husband used to sing in a barbershop quartet. I listen to that, too. I love harmony.

Thanks, TJG! That was fun! Now, I know most people have already done this, but if you haven't and would like to, then please say so! I would love to pass the buck. And it's a great thing if you can't think of anything good to put in your blog that day. In fact, Happy and Blue2, I don't think you've done it yet...how 'bout it? Hmmmm? I bet your public would like it.

Doctors and Vampires and Genetics. All in one post.

I have a new obstetritian. Well, I've seen her for two prenatal appointments. I had one before, but I think I've mentioned he was for high risk/infertility people. And since I don't qualify as infertile anymore (yay!) and have gotten past the 10 week mark I am no longer high risk, either. (Another yay!). So, he referred me to a regular OB in his practice. I went from an older, "Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts" type to a perky, thirtysomething woman. I like her, I'm just not used to the perky. I've always had old men for doctors. Never even a perky man, much less a perky lady. But, in between the smiles and "goo goo" she seems to know her stuff.

Anyway, I went down to Houston and saw her yesterday. She informed me my blood type is O negative. Why did I not know this? I gave blood once before. Only once, because I have a nasty habit of fainting when giving blood, and they don't like that. I'm getting over it, though. You kind of have to when you are having infertility issues and they are taking every body fluid you could think of on a monthly basis from both you and your husband.

So, back to the O negative blood type. That's the universal donor type. The I-have-no-antigens-type. The people at the blood banks like you if you have that type. It's the coveted type. If someone was lying in the middle of the street bleeding, no matter who they are, I can step up and give them my blood and save their life!

I mean, all of these years, I could have been popular. I could have been the Norm Peterson of the blood bank. When I came in, they would be so happy to see me, they would yell "Carol!" and have the needle ready in my very own chair and my special kind of orange juice and cookies. And if the blood bank had a rivalry with Gary's Old Town Plasma Bank I would participate in the pranks. And my best friend would be a mailman who also has O type blood, but his is O positive. So, he's not nearly as popular as me, but they tollerate him.

But, alas, I didn't know. So, here I sit. And the BAD thing is my husband is A positive (the poor sap), so we have that Rh factor incompatability to worry about. Apparently it won't be a problem with THIS child, but could prove to be a problem with the future children and miscarriage, because if this child has HIS genes for blood type and is a positive Rh factor, I will start producing antibodies that sees this as foreign. I won't start producing them until late into this pregnancy, which won't be a problem, but they'll already be there for the next pregnancy. But, I once again thank GOD for modern medicine, because they have fixes for this. AND, like my husband said, we didn't think we'd ever have THIS baby, so rejoice in it, and worry about the next one later.

Oh, and I go on March 30th to have an ultrasound and find out the SEX! I can't wait!

Question: If you have had, or plan to have a child...did you find out the sex before? If you had one and didn't have the opportunity, would you do it if you could?

I'm being punished

I've been a little bratty when people have been complaining about the snow. I kind of sit here and say "ha ha!" as I look out of my big window at the 65-75 degree weather and listen to the birds, both nice and mean, and watch them eat the bird food. I bask in the ray of sunshine that pours in the window at the same time and think "suckers!" as I read blog after blog of "I wish it would stop snowing".

Well, last night I had a reality check. You see, we don't get snow here. Well, once a year we MIGHT see a flake, but it almost never sticks. And when it does it's big news. However, with the good comes the bad. In Texas we may not get snow, but ROACHES are a way of life. I don't care if you spray every day, seal your windows with masking tape, caulk a board over the fireplace openeing, do the anti-roach dance and seal a plastic bubble around your house. You are still, someway, somehow going to get roaches in your home in Texas.

I'm not talking your typical "mini" roach that you get elsewhere. I'm talking the huge, 2" buggers that live here. The winged ones. This website says they seldom fly, but they falied to mention that when they see ME they like to fly into my hair. And notice their legs have little spokes on them?

Roaches

Those little spokes don't let them release from your hair very easily! Trust me, I know.

Anyway, last night my dog decided she needed to go outside at 2am. Fine. I sleepily crawled out of bed, went into the kitchen and let her out. Once I got my senses about me I realized that I was thirsty. Not a usual kind of thirst. My tounge was sticking to the roof of my mouth. I couldn't feel my fingers, my skin felt like leather, and my eyes were so dry my contacts wouldn't focus and I felt like they had shriveled up right there in my eyeball.

So, since the dog was taking her sweet time I turned on the light and went to pour some of that country water I bragged about. But the only glasses left were huge glasses. And if I drank one of those huge glasses I'll be up every half hour peeing.

Never fear! I had just run the dishwasher earlier that evening! I can get a smaller glass out of there. (You are asking why I just didn't take a big glass and fill it halfway? I was half a asleep and too tired for such complicated things).

I opened the CLEAN dishwasher and thought I saw something run into the little hole that the clamp that holds the door closed comes out of. But I thought, "silly me! I haven't seen a roach in the kitchen in months! It can't be. Besides I can't see well because my contacts are fuzzy because I'm so dehydrated! I must be hallucinating. How could a roach get in a SEALED dishwasher?"

I start to pull the top rack out to get a glass. And ANOTHER roach comes running out. I let out a squeal and ran for a shoe. More of an "AACK!" Oh, by now I'm fully awake and my heart is beating 150 beats per minute. I hit the area of the roach with a shoe, but there are so many crevaces in the dishwasher that he could run into and I missed. So, I blindly hit, and hit, and hit, hoping one of the hits would strike. Bryan comes running out of the bedroom in his underwear with his hair sticking straight up and asks "What the hell are you doing?". I'm sure I was a sight, in the kitchen wearing my nightgown, beating up the dishwasher with a dirty shoe.

I explained to him that a roach was in the dishwasher and he said "could you hit a little quieter? I'm trying to sleep!". Obvioulsy he was too asleep to see the enormity of the situation. I mean a ROACH in the same space as our CLEAN dishes. And it may be a roach INFESTATION, as I swore I saw that other one escape in the latch.

He went back to bed and left ME to deal with this crisis. He must have forgotten that the main reason I married him was to kill bugs. Finally the roach ran to the side wall of the dishwasher and I got him good. I cleaned him and and put soap in the soap thingie thinking I would just run it again to clean the dishes. But then, the one that ran in the latch keeps haunting me.

Now I think I am going to start hand washing my dishes. Including the ones already in the dishwasher.

And I never did get my water.

Anyone want to trade snow for a dishwasher full of 2" long, winged roaches?

Question: Roaches or Snow? You decide.

My dog deserves better

I am embarrassed. Very embarrassed. I went out walking today. Not even jogging. Just walking. I haven't exercised in a year. I used to exercise all the time, but life got in the way. Stress, long work hours, driving constantly, all the normal excuses. So, I thought I would go back to exercising since I'm a domestic now and have time. Well, that and I thought since I'm pregnant it's a good idea. Really, I should have done it when I was stressed and working long hours. I probably needed it even more. But, still.

Anyway, I went out today and did a brisk walk over the rolling hills of the country for about 40 minutes. I'm embarrassed to say at some of the steeper hills I got winded. I had to slow down! And I wasn't even running! What is happening to me? Is it turning 30 that made me go so out of shape? Is it the pregnancy? (I love using that as an excuse.) I couldn't believe that in one year of no exercise I could have gone that downhill. I was embarrassed. The dog was looking at me like "wimp. I would have to walk with HER". I could tell the cows I passed snickered as I went by. Oh, it may have looked like they were just chewing their cud. But I know, they were snickering. I could see it in their eyes. And the ducks in the pond had that condescending "quack".

I'm never going to sacrifice exercise again. It's very important for physical health as well as mindset!

Question: What thing do you wish you never gave up?

Those little ingrates...

Remember the heartwarming story I told about the birds? Well, little did I know little birds could be so mean and ungrateful. Something that started out so lovely turned into this mean, horrible conspiracy.

The feeder was first visited by a variety of birds. Birds that seemed to appreciate our winter charity. Nice birds. Then the bad crowd moved in. The birds with piercings and tattoos. The ones that wear the baggy pants and play rap music. They came and wanted to fight with the nice birds. The good, studious, clean-cut birds. They would peck at them while they were at the feeder, chase them off, mock them.

Then the mean birds ate all the food. I filled it up on Friday and by Monday morning it was gone. All of it. Birdseed is now costing me about $6 a week because they are going through it so fast. Then they put their graffiti all over it. Oh, they don't use paint. They use bird poop. But do I stop filling it and punish the good birds because of the actions of a few bad ones?

Honestly, even if I wanted to stop filling the feeder, I don't think I could. The mean birds have started sitting on the little fence that is about 5 feet from the sliding glass door. As I sit here I'm trying not to make any sudden moves because they are staring at me through it. I know they are going to figure out a way in here and beat me up with their little bird brass knuckles if I don't fill it again.

Who knew this was such a bad bird neighborhood? The act of kindness gone astray.

Question: Have you ever tried to do something good that went wrong...very wrong? Have you ever done something and have not been appreciated?

Who needs the movies?

Last weekend we went to Houston to pick up some of the stuff at my apartment. We spent Friday night at the apartment and Saturday took a few large items that we won't need anymore now that we live in the same house to Waco to my sister's for a garage sale. We spent Saturday night in Waco at my in-laws house and came home Sunday.

The bed at the apartment is a queen bed. For normal people this would be just fine. However, I never claimed to be normal. We have a king bed at home, and our little mutt sleeps with us. We're also 5'11" and 6'6". So, when we sleep on the queen bed I usually end up with about 4 inches of bed space on which to sleep by morning, because little mutt tends to take up much more room than a 15 pound mutt should, and mister-long-legs likes to sleep with his knees bent. Therefore, I did not sleep well Friday night. I almost fell off the bed on several occassions.

As I said, Saturday night we slept at his folks house. When we are in Waco Casey, our mutt, spends the night at my sister's house because his parents have cats that aren't used to dogs. So, even though we had a queen bed there I didn't have the dog. We had a heck of a lot more room. However, their bed used to be a cement block. I'm sure of it. If you sleep on your stomach (which I can't do well these days anyway) your boobs squish and they hurt by morning. Sleeping on your side makes your arm fall asleep, and sleeping on your back feels like you are standing at attention. So, I didn't sleep well then, either.

Which brings me to the subject of this post. I slept VERY well in my own bed last night. So well, in fact, that I had a dream. When I dream, it isn't the usual quick, boring dream about being naked in class or losing my teeth. Oh, no. My dreams are twisted, demented, and would give Stephen King a run for his money.

Last night I had a dream that I was a spy for the United States in Cuba. I dreamed that a family with 8 kids let me stay with them while I was there, but they only had a bed the size of a crib mattress for me to sleep on. So, I opted to sleep on the floor, which was nasty and dirty and had rat feces. I dreamed that my sister came down as my spy partner and we had to be careful because every square inch of inside of buildings were bugged, so we had to sneak outside to talk about the spy stuff. And there was a gay couple who were neighbors that were in on the whole thing and would give me insider information. Oh, I could give you details...what the houses looked like and the people. And weird things happen in my dream, like I was outside by a pool (yea, I'm sure lots of peopole have nice pools in Cuba) talking to my sister about the information and two girls were swimming and one started drowning and I had to save her but couldn't. Things got a LOT weirder, too, but I'm afraid if I tell you you'll send men in white suits with a straight jacket to come and take me away. And I'm even more afraid to tell you I have these kinds of dreams ALL THE TIME.

Who needs to spend $8 for a movie when I get this entertainment while sleeping?

Question: Tell about a weird or impressive dream you've had.

100 things about Carol.

I caved. I'm doing it! It looked like fun. What the hell. In fact, why don't you do it too??

1. I have been married 12 years.
2. I got married when I was 20.
3. My husband was 24 when we married.
4. We had been trying to get pregnant for over 4 years before I had surgery for endometriosis.
5. One month after the surgery Mr. Sperm met Ms. Egg.
6. I am 5' 11"
7. My husband is 6'6"
8. I love dogs
9. My husband tried to get me a rabbit instead of a dog when we got married thinking it would suffice.
10. We had a dog a month later.
11. I can be obsessive about organization.
12. I am hoping I can let it go when I have the baby.
13. I have one sister.
14. My sister is my best friend.
15. My sister and I are nothing alike.
16. I am close to my niece.
17. My parents sold their house and bought a Motorhome and travel full time.
18. I think my parents are crazy.
19. I was born and lived in Erie, Pennsylvania until I was 10.
20. I moved to Texas when I was 10.
21. I hated Texas at first, but I love it now.
22. I love Little House on the Prairie.
23. I have light brown curly hair.
24. I straightened my hair once and my sister loved it, but I didn't.
25. I got braces at 29 and got them off at 31.
26. I have been to most states in the US including Hawaii twice, and also Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada and Germany. And that's it.
27. I would like to travel more for liesure someday.
28. The first time I was on an airplane was my honeymoon.
29. I love the Muppets.
30. My favorite Muppet is Beaker because I relate to him.
31. I love to scrapbook.
32. I have enough pictures in my boxes that I will never get them all in scrapbooks.
33. I owned a pet sitting business.
34. I was co-owner of a candle and soap making corporation.
35. My favorite dessert is home made chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting.
36. My birthday is December 14th.
37. I have a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry.
38. I often wonder why the hell I picked Chemistry.
39. My sister and my mom's birthdays are 4 days before and after mine.
40. I have an aversion to stickers and used little pieces of paper, they gross me out.
41. The first time I was really drunk was when I was 29.
42. My sister, niece, and I all share the same middle name "Joy".
43. My first Disneyland/world experience was when I was 30.
44. I hate ironing.
45. I like to cook when I have time to do it.
46. I would like to get my bellybutton pierced when it is flat again.
47. My husband doesn't want me to, so I probably won't.
48. I like to do crafty things.
49. I used to play the clarinet and piano.
50. I wish I kept the clarinet and piano up.
51. I played clarinet in an ensemble that played for George Bush Sr when he was president.
52. I sing in the choir at church.
53. I am an alto in the choir.
54. I broke my foot when I was 12 because my sister was trying to outrun me on the bicycle.
55. I don't like Sushi.
56. I shave my legs once a month in the winter because the hairs are fine and blonde.
57. I once got stuck in a dog door.
58. I once left my window open and a skunk got in my bedroom.
59. My first job was a car hop at a 50's style restaurant.
60. I worked at two florists through high school and early college.
61. My house got struck by lightning when I was 16.
62. I can wiggle my ears.
63. I like to horseback ride.
64. I took English riding lessons for a year.
65. I started to learn how to jump fences on a horse.
66. I like Paul Simon and Simon and Garfunkel.
67. I have lived in 6 different cities in Texas.
68. I am taller than both of my parents.
69. I hate taking pills.
70. I am afraid of birds.
71. I am very ticklish on my feet and sides.
72. My parents don't go to church.
73. I didn't go to church until I was 18.
74. I only started going to church because I thought a boy was cute and he wanted me to go with him.
75. I ended up marrying that boy.
76. Now I go to church because I want to.
77. I like to swim.
78. I played outdoors most of the time when I was a kid.
79. I don't like coffee.
80. I don't even like anything Mocha, kahlua, or coffee flavored desserts.
81. Both my parents and my husbands parents have been married 40 years each.
82. I like antiques.
83. My living room has a lot of antiques and I think it looks like an 80 year old woman's living room.
84. I knew how to squaredance (the real thing with the poofy skirts and everything) when I was younger.
85. I am embarrassed that I squaredanced when I was younger.
86. I just bought a 2001 Honda CRV that I like very much.
87. I like to walk around barefoot.
88. My favorite sport to play is volleyball.
89. I like to play competitive sports.
90. My husband was a social worker for the mentally ill and mentally retarded for 10 years.
91. I like to watch Football if a team I like is playing.
92. I am a fan of the Houston Texans.
93. I think their quarterback is cute.
94. I want to go to Alaska for vacation.
95. I tried smoking twice and didn't like it either time.
96. I enjoy reading an eclectic variety of books.
98. My mother was a foster child from the time she was 4 years old.
99. She met her biological family for the first time when she was 55 years old, but her mother had already died.
100. If you actually read down to the 100th one then say "the cow moos softly at midnight!!"

Open mouth. Insert foot.

Once again, I was reading someone else's blog, Cesca's to be exact, and I thought of a post for my own. Thanks, Cesca!

When I was in college I would work out at the free University Athletic Center. It was right on campus. When I would go there mostly the Jocks would be there, football players, basketball players, track people. But that didn't bother me even though I didn't play a sport. It was a cheap place to work out.

One day I was doing squats. You know, where you put the bar on your back and squat down and lift. I was resting in between the sets and this football player came up to me and started making conversation. I'm a friendly sort of person, so we chatted. He told me about his football practice and seemed like a nice fellow. He asked me what sport I play. I told him I don't play a sport, I just work out. His reply was "Oh, really? Well, usually big, buffed up women like yourself play sports".

Ahem.

I just looked at him and raised my eyebrows. After all, what woman wants to be called "big" and "buffed up"? For all of you single men out there, NONE.

He then proceeded to cough, get really uncomfortable, and say "well, uh, er, uh, you know what I mean, I mean, uh, you look really good and fit". I must admit I had to chuckle. I know the guy was trying to pick me up, and he realized he just said the WRONG THING. lol. (Little did he know he didn't have a chance anyway, as I was married).

And another related story.....

My sister and I were shopping last weekend for maternity clothes for myself. We walked into this shop and go toward the maternity section. The lady behind the counter said in a perky voice "Which one is pregnant?". My very NOT pregnant sister looks at her and says in the same perky voice "Thanks for asking!". The lady kind of choked, like she was embarrassed that she asked the question and didn't know what to say. In the lady's defense she couldn't see either of our stomachs because the clothes racks were high. If she could it would have been obvious.

Yes, open mouth, insert foot.

Question: Have you ever said something embarrassing and couldn't take it back? Has anyone ever said something to you that came out all wrong?

Pondering life

Do you ever go back to a place you once lived and feel weird? If you've lived in the same place all of your life you may not know what I am talking about.

I was born in Erie (actually a little town called Girard outside of Erie), Pennsylvania. I lived there until I was 10. My dad got tired of the snow, tired of working in steel and zinc, tired of the unions, and quit his job and moved us to Texas. When I go back to Pennsylvania, I can't help but remember the feelings of a good childhood. A happy time playing in the woods, eating berries off the wild bushes, climbing trees, stealing grapes from the grape farm up the hill, playing in the snow, sled riding down the "big hill".

We moved to Waco, Texas when I was 10. When I go there, I remember a crappy time. When I was a teenager my mom had breast cancer, my dad had a hard time finding work, my sister went through a rough time. Moving sucked, losing my friends, and I was shy so I had a hard time making new ones. But I also remember my first boyfriend, meeting my husband (we went to the same high school), "cruising the valley" with friends, climbing the fence to sneak into the public pool at midnight to skinnydip with my boyfriend, etc. The strange thing is, just going to the town brings back all of these weird feelings. All at once, not one at a time as I reminisce. Just setting foot in the town I start feeling everything at once.

I'm not the same person I was in Pennsylvania, I'm not the same person I was in Waco. I've grown. Things are different. Who WAS that girl, anyway?

Question: How many places have you lived, and do you feel strange going back to visit?

This country living is going to take some getting used to.

Besides the fact that we can't get any sort of HIGH SPEED internet out here in the depths of East Texas (yes, people, I have to do this on DIAL UP. I will pause for the gasps and pity party............), tonight I realized there are many other things I am going to have to get used to living here.

I went to the grocery store, which is about 40 minutes away. Actually, there IS a grocery store a mere 5 miles from here, but it resembles a grocery store you might see on Leave It To Beaver complete with the wooden floors and a butcher named Fred. But, it does not have 1952 prices like on Leave it to Beaver and is only open until 6pm. So I go the 40 minutes if I need more than one or two items.

I was driving home after the grocery endeavor at about 8:15. To get home I must go down a two-lane country road for about 20 miles. It was dark and I was probably driving a little faster than I should have been. About 5 miles down I had to slam on my brakes. There were about 7 pigs in the middle of the road that almost became pork right then and there. They were pink pigs with black splotches on them. It was dark so I had a hard time telling if they were black markings or mud. Me, being a city girl (or at least the suburbs) didn't know what to do. I've seen cows in the middle of the road but never pigs. And truth be told I don't know what I can do if cows are there, either. The pigs were blocking the way. I honked the horn, but apparently when pigs are in pig school they don't teach them what horns are for. They just stood there staring at me. Chewing. I'm not sure what they were chewing.

I thought about getting out of the car, but hesitated. I've never been around pigs. Can they be mean? Do they run after you? Are these farmer's pigs or wild pigs? I decided they were farmer's pigs because they were pink and didn't have tusks. It was either get out of the car and shoo them or sit there all night, because the pigs had no intention of going anywhere. I got out of the car. I stood there, thinking "what do I do?". I tried "shooing" them, but apparently they don't teach them "shoo pig" in pig school either. When I decided they weren't going to bite me, I tried pushing one on the butt with my shoe. I don't think I pushed hard enough, it was more like a tap. Again, he just stood there.

FINALLY a man in a pickup truck came along. He got out and knew exactly what to do. He picked one up, then the other, then herded a few to the side of the road. I thanked him profusely, he called me "ma'am" several times, and we were on our way. I am sure he and his friends will have lots of fun talking about the city slicker girl he found in the middle of the road trying to shoo pigs without touching them. Oh, well. At least I gave someone something to laugh about.

This baby is sucking my brain cells.

It started a few weeks ago. I was working with a customer. I JUST had the pen in my hand. I went to write something else down, and I couldn't find it. I looked under my chair. I looked on the desk, under papers, in crevaces. Nothing. And the customer didn't do anything to help. He didn't offer me one of HIS pens to use. He just sat and watched me scramble. Finally I just decided I would remember what he was telling me. Why I thought THAT was a good idea was beyond me. I couldn't even remember what I did with the pen I had in my hand 5 seconds before that. That night I got undressed and discovered the pen was in my POCKET.

Then I made a copy of my birth certificate for something my mom needed. I couldn't find what I did with it or the original. And I keep losing my keys. And I forget to take my pills. I'll go to bed thinking of 7 things I need to do the next day and only remember 4 when I wake up. And my husband says I repeat myself. Oh, and my husband says I repeat myself.

I am afraid by the time I have the baby I will be so brain dead I will be drooling and bubbling. Or, worse yet, I will have the brain of Jessica Simpson.

Question: Is there an item you tend to lose all the time?

Deep Thoughts by Carol

My last day as a working woman was Friday. Thanks to all of you who said congratulations and wished me well already! It meant a lot. I have to admit, I am mourning the passing of this phase in my life just a bit. I spent 10 years doing what I was doing. I enjoyed the science, the travel (usually), the social aspects, the money, the independence. But, I am also pretty excited about this new phase in my life. The mommy/housewife phase. And although chances are good that I'll go back to work in a few years, it is also exciting to think that my options are open. I can go back to what I was doing, or if I chose to, I can go back to school to do something else. I feel very blessed that I have these options.

I've gotten some criticism for quitting. As I was a career woman, it would make sense that most of my friends were career women as well. I've heard things like "You are going to be bored", "You are leaving your job to live on a PREACHER'S salary? Are you crazy?", and "well, I guess it is your decision. I couldn't do it". The worst was from Bryan's grandmother. It wasn't WHAT she said, it was how she said it. She was just really condescending and rolled her eyes a lot. I'm tired of defending my decision. Working 50-70 hours a week and traveling is just not my idea of what I want to do with children. It's our decision.

So, Monday I'm going to do what a very wise woman told me to do. I'm going to SLEEP IN. Then, I'm going to organize cabinets, clean out sock drawers, do taxes, clean the garage, volunteer, pack and move, plan a graduation party, cook, and be pregnant until August. Then I'm going to sleep very little, breastfeed, and sing ABCs and lullabyes. And, ya know what? I CAN'T WAIT. I am SO excited I can hardly stand it. Welcome new life! I'm ready!

Question: Do you enjoy what you do for a living? If you could do anything you wanted in life, what would it be?

Public Service Announcement

I noticed a lot of you mentioned you don't like blogger comments because you can't see the original post. Just thought I'd mention that you can click on "Show original Post" which is in the left side just under the title and see it! It's an easy thing to miss.

Housekeeping. It was a little dusty in here.

I am playing around with my blog. I want to switch to Haloscan for the comments, but I don't want to lose the comments already on here. I'm attached to them. I like them. Oh, the dilemmas (I obviously need a life).

Anyway, I found one someone else's blog a link to this compatibility thing. I would tell you WHERE I found it but for the life of me I can't get back to that person's blog. If you have it just give yourself credit, please.

I found it fun, so I put the link there on the right side. Go do it (please) if you have a second. And if you do tell me how compatible we are. I like friends who aren't compatible with me, keeps the spice in my life, so don't worry. If we are 5% compatible I'll still consider you my friend. You may not visit my blog anymore, but, hey, I'll take the risk! :)

I also added my dog's blog. I stole that idea, too, from Adrienne. Seems like I don't have an original thought these days. You're thinking I'm wacked, I know. My dog has a PAGE. But people do weird things when they are pregnant. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Question: #1 Do you like Haloscan or blogger comments better? #2 if you actually did the compatibility thing, where do we stand?? #3 if your compatibility was less than 50%, are you still going to be my blogging friend? #4 Are you tired of my questions?

Oh, the anticipation

I am sure you are tired of hearing about my DH, but I have to brag again. My almost 17 year old niece, who I am very close to, is DATING. I am glad kids don't come out of the womb as teenagers. They come out as little, defenseless babies that are completely reliant for a reason. So that you have to invest your whole being into taking care of them and then you become VESTED. Then, when they become teenagers you have all this vested interest and you HAVE to deal with them instead of throw them back like a fish that's too small (I'm kidding, of course...sort of. :) Anyway, I'm just her aunt and I'm getting gray hairs watching this.

Because her dad is absent and has been since she was about 5 or 6 years old, my husband is the only male influence. He decided that before she gets too serious with this boy (it's just a puppy love mutual crush right now) he is going to take her on a "date" to show her how she should be treated. And he is going to tell her if any boy treats her any less, dump his ass. AND he is going to warn her about teenage boys. I think it's sweet he is willing to do this. And the kid is pretty open to it, so that's good.

Actually, she's a good kid. She is very moral, sensitive to others, and generally responsible. She IS a teenager, so she isn't perfect, but she has a good head on her shoulders. The thing that scares me the most, though, is she's CUTE, too. I've decided if I have a girl she is going to wear her hair in a bun, turtle necks, and baggy pants until she is 30. That ought to do it.

Question: At what age is it appropriate for kids to start dating?

Of Fire Ants, Minivans, and Garbage

Good things happen to me. They really do. I know after the last few posts I've written you're probably thinking that if you ever met me there would be a grey cloud over my head and showers just on me when the rest of the world was sunny. But, really, my life is quite happy.

THAT being said, today my alarm was to go off at 6:30am. I am SO not a morning person. SO not. I would stay up until 2 am and sleep until 9 am most days if I could. Unfortunately, the world doesn't work that way. I could get away with it some because my office is/was in my house, so I could flex my hours. But, if a customer wants to see me at 8 am, I've got to be there. And today they chose 9am. (for those of you saying "HA! Just wait 'till the baby comes, you won't sleep late! You won't even know what sleeping late IS!" ...I know, I know. I'm trying to enjoy it while I can).

Anyway, today for some silly reason I woke up at 5:30 am WIDE AWAKE. I was very irritated. I didn't go to bed until midnight. It just didn't seem right. I refused to get up. I laid there until 6:30 when the alarm went off, and then I got up. When my husband is grumpy I call him "Mr. Grumpy". This morning I was "Ms. Grumpy". So, Ms. Grumpy got up and realized she is out of both cereal AND bagels AND juice in her apartment. They have been the pregnancy staples for me in the morning. But, since I haven't darkened the doorsteps of the apartment for the last 5 days, I forgot and didn't go to the store. I had to have SOMETHING. I live like a bachelor here. I had no food. The milk was curdled. When you open the pantry there is a lonely little mouse eating the last crumb. I DID have a chocolate chip cookiethat I fought the mouse for. It was good, actually.

Then Ms. Grumpy went to clean out her company van becuase she has to turn it in on Friday and she had to get it repaired before that. So, she parked the thing next to the apartment dumpster. She opened the side door and started to clean it out. She put the icky stuff (How the hell did my van get that dirty?) in a little paper bag and stuffed the bag so full it tore and the crap went all over the ground. Ms. Grumpy looked down and realized that not only did the garbage fall on top of a huge mound of fire ants but that she was also stepping in the fire ant pile. I think at that point the ants realized I knew what was up, and I SWEAR I heard a tiny, itty bitty, munchkin voice say "OK, boys! One, two, three...BITE HER!" Because suddenly the hundreds of ants that had quietly climbed inside my pant leg to my knees collectively started biting. If you don't have fire ants where you live, consider yourself lucky.

I danced, and jumped and swatted. And pulled up my pant leg to wipe them away. I hope no one was watching outside their apartment window. Although, I am sure if any Native American was watching this they would want to know the steps for their next rain dance. Or perhaps a pop coreographer. I did acrobatic acts I didn't know I was capable of doing.

I picked up most of the garbage, but I'm ashamed to admit I left a couple of pieces there, hoping the guy with the long thingie that picks up trash was soon to follow. I hate litterers, but my fingers had several welts and my legs were swollen so bad I was looking like Violet from Charlie (Willy Wonka) and the Chocolate Factory who ate the gum and blew up like a blueberry. This is what my leg looked like (no, this is not MY LEG. But the welts are the same):

How the hell do you get pictures off the web here? I am so unqualified to be a blogger. Oh, forget it. Just go here.

I'm glad to say the rest of the day wasn't quite so bad.

Question: When you fall or trip (or dance because you are bitten by fire ants) do you look around to see if anyone saw you?

There are creeps out there.

I get a heck of a lot of ideas for posts by reading your posts first. Yea, I'm a moocher. Milkmaid was talking about the spa day her sweet hubby gave to her for valentines. It reminded me of a creepy thing that happened to me. Actually, a series of creepy things. (Not that what her husband did was a creepy thing at all...it was very nice, but, well, you'll see what I mean)

The position that I have that will no longer be my position as of Friday (YAY!) is that of a sales representative for a bio-tech company. I go to research laboratories to visit customers. Labs who do some sort of medical research. Some of these laboratories are government labs, so the security is high. You practically have to give them your blood type, firstborn, AND 3 sets of identification to get in. But, I digress...

Anyway, I went in to do training for these people on this new, really cool instrument. I spent the morning showing them how it worked. I was there with a guy co-worker of mine and a girl co-worker of mine. We were wrapping up, and one guy had some questions about another piece of equipment. He took me to another lab to show it to me. We were talking about it, then out of the blue he says "What does your husband do?" I guess he knew I was married because I wear a wedding ring. I replied "He's a minister". Because, in fact, he IS a minister. I will say that I have difficulty telling people that. People have these weird, misconceptions of ministers. And their wives. And they often start treating you differently. But, anyway, I told him.

He gets this weird look on his face. If you could see me I would do it for you. Then he says "Come here". So, me, being STUPID followed him. He took me down this secluded hallway to an office. He tells me to go in the office, which, again being STUPID, I did. I was really thinking he had more business to discuss. The office was really small with no windows, as it is an inner office. He shut the door. Then he tells me to sit down, and again, being STUPID, I did. The chair had wheels and he scooted it against the wall so if the door opened I would be behind it. I start then to get creeped out.

He then sits down, rolls his chair so that he is facing me, gets so close his knees are pushed up against mine. He grabs my hands so I can't move them. He gets right in my face, I mean an INCH from my face, and starts telling me how he has had visions from God about how he was supposed to start a church. He kept telling me about these visions and the things God was telling me he was supposed to do. They got weirder and weirder. I won't go into them here, and I'm not going to dispute weather people get callings from God. But I DO think that some people that think they are hearing God's voice are really just schizofrenic. And I fully believe, after hearing all of his visions, that he was one of the schizofrenics. I was waiting for him to tell me he did/was going to kill someone because God told him to. He went on and on for about 30 minutes, holding my hands and 1 inch from my face, while I was scared to death. Then he started telling me that his wife didn't understand and she thought he was crazy (imagine THAT), and that he knew I would understand (I had just met the guy that morning and it was all business until that point). He started telling me he loved me, and that I was beautiful. The guy still had my hands so I couldn't move them. I was SO afraid he was going to attack me.

FINALLY, just then there was a knock at the door. His boss was looking for us. He opened the door and I RAN out of there. I know she probably thought something weird was up. We get back to where everyone else was, and the girl co-worker of mine made a comment about how they couldn't find us. And I said "we were in his office" and he says to her "If you're lucky, I'll take YOU in there next".

We left and I was REALLY quiet. They asked me what was wrong, but I didn't want to talk about it. Finally, after a while I told them. The guy co-worker of mine told me I needed to tell my manager right then. I called him. He, being an insensitive jerk guy, said something like "Oh, that's a bad day. You need a massage to relax. I'll pay for it".

I was going to refuse. After all, after that experience the last thing I wanted was someone TOUCHING me. But, after a few days I figured I'd never had a massage. I might as well. I waited a month or so to get it, but I did. That's the first and last massage I had.

And from now on, if anyone asks, my husband is an accountant.

Question: Is there a question that seems innocent to those who ask it, but when asked of you you cringe?

Happy Valentines Day!!

I'm a hypocrite.

After my blah, blah, blahing about not wanting to do anything for Valentines Day and how you shouldn't HAVE to do anything for Valentines if you do it the rest of the year, my dearest husband did something anyway. He got me a little heart pillow with a cute pocket, a box of chocolates, and a nice card. And I liked it. I must be a hopeless romantic and I just don't want to admit it.

I think I might suggest going out to dinner, too. Although the crowds probably will be pathetic, so we may change our minds. But we haven't been out in a long time. Nothing too fancy. But someplace that doesn't have plastic tablewear.

Question: What did/are you going to do, a couple or single, for Valentines? Will you celebrate Valentines Day or S.A.D. Day? (If you don't know what S.A.D. day is...see this)

Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad day.

My friend Deb gave up the "f-word" for lent. That made me think a bit. I've never been one to curse a lot. Or at all. I don't know why. Just never got into the habit, I guess. Oh, I'll curse for shock value every once in a while, although I don't tink I've ever said the f-word out loud. Like I said, no reason, really. I haven't ever flipped anyone off, either. Although, once I REALLY wish I had. This is the story....

I had just started a new job in Dallas. The company was to move us up there, but not until the house sold. So, hubby was still in the Houston area. It was my third day on the job. I knew no one in Dallas yet, and to make things worse my office was in my house, actually the temporary apartment I was in, and I visited customers. So I didn't have anyone at work to rely on either. I had been given a company car, but the guy before me trashed the thing. So, they were going to get me another, but they had to order it.

So, I'm driving down the tollway in this trashed Dodge Grand Caravan. Purple in color. I get just in front of a toll booth and the tire blows. And it jerks my steering wheel to the right, which made me go up on a curb next to the toll booth, which bent the rim on the blown out tire. Luckily I didn't hit the toll booth. One good thing happened that day.

So, I take the car limping, to the next exit and pull into a parking lot. Never fear, I'm a modern woman, my dad taught me how to change a tire when I went to college. So, I rolled up my sleeves (in my suit), opened the hatch and pulled back the carpet to get the spare tire. And it was FLAT.

Oh, great. So, what now? I know no one. I finally figured out that the leasing company that owns the company car has a service like Triple A. So, I call them. An hour later a tow truck shows up and tows me to a Firestone to get a new tire. They can't fix it that day because they don't have a rim for that particular vehicle. Fine, they call a rental car company to come get me and I'll be on my way.

I get the rental car. By now it is too late to see my customer, so I head back to the apartment. The Dallas traffic really sucked that day. I sat still in a traffic jam. The guy behind me apparently had his head up his butt. He rear-ended me. Thank GOD I had gotten the extra insurance on the rental car, which apparently I wasn't supposed to get according to the guy at my company, but since I was new and in this case he wasn't going to yell at me. Anyway, the guy who rear-ened me tried to get me to avoid telling the rental car place. Oh, yea, like they wouldn't walk to the back of the car EVER and would never notice that scrunched bumper! Jerk.

Anyway, now very frazzled and freaking out a little, wondering if this karma was going to follow me all of my days living in Dallas, I head to the apartment. Again. I went through this residential area and there was a stop sign. This stop sign was in the absolutely most STUPID place on the face of the earth. A speed bump would have been appropriate there, but a STOP SIGN?!? And me being new to the area I didn't see it. I was only driving 25 or 30, but I sailed right through. It just so happens an older lady had actually stopped on the opposite direction. Now, granted, I should have stopped. It WAS a stop sign. But I had a bad day. The older lady looks at me from her car, squints her eyes at me, tightenes her lips, and points her finger and wiggles it. As if to say "For SHAME". I regret not flipping her off. I'm sure it would have had every effect I intended. And I'm sure she would have squealed a "WELL, I NEVER!"

Question: #1 Have you ever had a conversation with someone and afterwards thought of 100 things you should have said? AND #2 Do you think I should have flipped the lady off, or was it better that I refrained?

I'm tired of talking about ME.

Seems like all my blog posts start with "I". I'm sure you are tired of hearing about ME. ME ME ME ME ME.

So, today folks, I'm going to talk about those in my blogroll. I don't have that many. I keep my very favorites over there. I have to REALLY like you to put you there. I visit them every day and rarely visit others, although I'm always open to suggestions of other good blogs.

First there's Happy and Blue. I think everyone knows him. He's a very popular guy. He has probably the most hilarious blog I've ever read. He makes me smile and ponder the meaning of life all at the same time. One day I was reading his blog and laughed so hard my husband was worried about me. Finally five minutes later I squeaked out what I was laughing at. My sister reads HIS every day but mine only when I beg her.

Next, theres Just my Junk. This is my friend Adrienne. She is a rather quiet, sweet lady. She is so considerate of others and has the mothering instinct of a bear. Don't mess with her babies. She's such a great mom. And lady. And friend.

Third is Odd Spot. Deb, now here's another that has the mothering instinct of a bear. She is an incredible mom two two sons with Asperger's syndrome. She has become quite the advocate on autism, and has congressmen coming to HER house. Not her going to them. She is one strong lady. And a great friend.

The next is On the Garden Wall . I can't say I know her well, because I'm new to her blog. But, she has the unique way of eloquently putting her stories so I know exactly what she is saying and feeling at the time. And she's pretty funny, too!

Then on to Rocks and Garbage. Angie got me into blogging in the first place. I think my husband is mad at her about that. And now she's gotten so advanced in her blog that I don't know if we can be friends anymore. (Kidding, Ang!). She is such a neat lady, always with a smile on her face whose caring goes to exponential proportions. She's always thinking of someone else. Probably because she has FOUR kids. (Yes, I counted them).

Next is Spilled Milk. The random thoughts of a Milkmaid. She is such a nice, down to earth lady. So non-judgemental and genuine. Her blog is nice and refreshing.

Last, but not least is True Blue 4Ever. Elle is so poetic, and witty, and writes so well you can tell what she's thinking and feeling. And so nice and sweet, too! I enjoy her blog a lot, probably because I feel like I relate to her a lot. Well, that and she writes so darn well.

**I had to edit this post as I just added another good one....Tidbits, Thingamajigs and Whatchamacallits. I'm new to Frally's too, but she is a good writer. And her mind works much like mine, which is scary.***

So, folks, check these dear people out. And, since I'm looking forward to expanding my blogging world:

Question: What is your favorite blog to visit and why??

Tamper Resistant.

I just opened a jug of water. Now, I feel I must put a disclaimer here. I don't buy water because I'm afraid of it. Or worried that it has impurities, lead or otherwise, or has been tampered with. I buy water for my Houston apartment (soon to not be my apartment anymore. YAY!) because the water in Houston tastes like crap. And I need to drink water. It is important. So, I buy the stuff. Simply as a taste luxury. In the little town that my husband is in, and that I soon will be in full time, I don't buy water. The stuff from the tap is fine. It tastes like water. Not like crap.

So, anyway, back to the reason for this post. The jug had that little plastic ring around it like the milk jugs do. (If you are from Canada, our milk does not come in bags, but jugs. Like this (Sorry, that's the best picture I could find). But you probably have the jugs there, too. I was just amazed by the bags last time I visited). I tore it off and then opened the cap. Under the cap was a plastic thingie that I then had to tear off.

I appreciate their concern for my safety, but I must say I think that is a bit overboard. After all, in the very same store is the produce section, where I can pick up an apple, no wrapper, no tamper resistant packaging, not even a dust cover, and eat it right there. It just doesn't make sense that you would need an armed guard and 4 pieces of identification to get into the water jug. I think the ring thing alone would make anyone wanting to tamper it to go over to the apples instead.

Question: Do you buy bottled water or use tap, and why?

My brain is dead.

Do you ever just run into a blogging fog? I'm in such a blicky mood, dispite the fact that the SUN is actually out today (woo hoo!). Nothing is new here. I have had no "ahh, ha!" moments in the last day or two. I've pondered nothing.

Well, that last statement is not true. I'm in a blicky mood because two people very dear to me are thinking of calling their marriage quits. I hurt for them. I can't imagine how difficult their pain is. I ponder how things get that bad, and I pray I never know.

Sorry for the downer post.

I think too much.

Why do they call it a DAY spa? Is there such a thing as a NIGHT spa?

Honey Do.

For those of you regular to my blog, I'm SURE you were on the edge of your seat wondering if I came through and quit my job like I said I was going to. Well, I almost chickened out, but my husband finally convinced me, and I did. My last day is next Friday.

So, I'm going to be a stay-at-home mom. But, the baby won't be here until August, so until then I will be a lady of leisure. I've never been a lady of liesure before. I've had a job since I was 15. Often two jobs.

Anyway, I'm feeling strange about the whole nothing to do thing. Even though I worked out of the house with my job I was out seeing customers 75% of the time. And working long hours. But between now and August we will be moving. AND I have to move out of my apartment, so that's two moves. So, I'll have packing to contend with. And Bryan will be finishing school (yipee!!) so I'll have to plan some sort of party thing. And family will be here for graduation. And he's got the first conditional ordainiation ceremony thingie that's a big deal which family will be here for. And we're going to have a garage sale, which will be mostly a PITA.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to doing all of the things I've put off for the last two years because maintaining two places was difficult. Especially when you are only at the bigger one two or three days a week. Before I was always an organizational, clean freak so to speak. I've been accued of being Martha. With the exception of the jail part. I've even put together a Honey Do list that I put on the fridge. Bryan has been adding to it, too.

1. Find a place for buttons that come with clothes that end up all over the house.
2. Fold the fitted sheets that Bryan was nice enough to wash but doesn't have a clue how to fold so he wads them in the linen closet.
3. Brush and floss the dog's teeth.
4. Clean garage
5. Clean and organize under the bathroom sink. Put misc. crap into plastic bins.
6. Clean out file cabinet.

If you can think of anything else I need to put on the list, please let me know.

Question: What household chore have you been putting off?

Strange Bedfellows

My husband talks in his sleep. Generally he doesn't give me any good information, per se. He doesn't reveal some swiss bank account he has been hiding from me or anything like that. But he DOES give me some good ammo for blackmail. And it's a great topic of conversation at parties.

For example, probably my favorite story about my husband talking in his sleep to share at parties (He's going to LOVE me when he reads this blog entry) is this one. We were married about a year. It was late 1993 or early 1994. In the wee hours of the morning, he taps me on the shoulder and shakes me gently to wake me up.
My irritated response is "What."
He calmly, yet matter of factly says "Call Ghost Busters".
Now, keep in mind, that movie was popular in the 80's. Well before 1993. So, I think I couldn't possibly have heard him right. After all, where could he come up with THAT?
I respond "What??"
He, again calmly and matter of factly, like he was telling me to call our insurance agent or something "Call Ghost Busters".
Now, I'm wide awake and trying desperately not to burst out laughing. I respond, half laughing "WHAT??".
He starts to get some sort of wits about him, and responds "Oh, never mind".
He then rolls over and goes back to sleep. However, I am now wide awake and shaking the bed I'm lauging so hard. He didn't remember a thing the next morning.

Last night at about 1am he did it again. No, not Ghost Busters, but he jumps up, startled, wakes me up and asks if I put something in his hair. Oh, yea, the light has been off for an hour and a half, I've been asleep, but for some reason I decided to get up, find something, and put it in his hair.
I responded "No"
He said "I felt something in my hair".
I asked if he was dreaming. He said "Maybe" and fell back to sleep. At that point he started snoring and I coudln't get back to sleep, so I did consider putting something in his hair as payback.

When I was little I would walk in my sleep. I was about four years old and saw the episode of the Waltons where they had the fire. It scared the begeebers out of me. My parents caught me trying to climb out of my second story window while sleepwalking in the middle of the night. Thank God they had a screen on it, and thank God four year olds don't know how to remove screens or I probalby would have been a goner. My parents had to bolt my window.

Question: Have you ever talked or done anything else embarrassing or noteworthy in your sleep?

Thanks to Angie for telling me about the baby ticker I put above!

Chocolate Cake Anonymous

My name is Carol and I have a chocolate cake problem (***pause for you to say "Hi Carol"***).

It started out innocently many years ago, when I was about six or seven. My parents got me an easy bake oven for Christmas. They would not have gotten it for me had they been able to see the future, I am sure. After all, how many cakes could I make when cooking with a lightbulb? Soon I was invited to birthday parties, where chocolate cake would be served. I would have just one slice like the other children. But I wanted more.

In high school there was an incident. It should have been a sign of things to come, but denial is a powerful thing. I went to a party and could not control myself. I had too much chocolate cake. By the middle of the evening the sugar rush had gone to my head. I danced on tables, put lamp shades on my head. I was the life of the party. But I had gone too far and the sugar rush soon made me crash. I had to call my parents to come and get me. I couldn't drive in that condition.

My parents thought it was the typical teenage chocolate cake addiction. They thought if they let me eat cake at home I wouldn't be tempted to do it with my friends and it would be safer. But by college I was turning down invitations to go out with friends so I could stay home and eat chocolate cake. And it got to the point that only the good stuff would do. No grocery store bakery cake would work anymore. I wanted the hard stuff....the chocolate cake mixes with pudding in the mix. I experimented with different frostings, I made black forest cake at night after my parents were asleep. I even made german chocolate one night.

I knew my problem had to be stopped this morning, though. I got up and, even though I am 12 weeks pregnant, I had chocolate cake for breakfast. With a glass of milk. Which is why I'm here, at chocolate cake anonymous. After all, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.

Question: What did you have for breakfast?

I'm going to do a marathon.

I'm so excited about it! I've always wanted to participate in a marathon. A lot of my friends have done it. They say it is very rewarding. I know it will be tough. I probably should train for it so I can endure the thing. I'm a little concerned about doing it while I'm pregnant. I'll probably have to stop and go to the bathroom a lot, but I don't see that as being a huge problem. And being able to say I did it will be quite an accomplishment. Something I can tell my children and grandchildren.

In fact, you can do it with me if you'd like! Oh, come on. We'll endure this marathon together. It's the Little House on the Prairie Marathon on The Hallmark Channel Sunday starting at 1pm Eastern.

I have a confession.

I am about to confess something that I am ashamed to admit. Something that I am sure will change the opinions that just about every one of you has for me. I am going to risk this, because I feel it is time to come out of the closet, so to speak. It is something that I've done for years, but I hid it. I'm tired of hiding it. It's time I faced the truth. It is time my friends knew me for who I really am.

I watch Matlock.

Yea, I am only 32. Yes, I realize the demographic for that show is 70-82 years of age. I don't know how I got hooked on it. It just happened. At first it meant nothing. I would watch Little House on the Prairie (You're probably wondering why I'm not embarrassed to admit that one!) and it was on afterward. But then one day I realized as I was looking through the TV Guide that I would make note of when Matlock was on. It has gone downhill from there. I find his cases interesting. The way he solves every one and never has lost. Well, it's like following a super hero! If I watch long enough certainly he will lose a case!

Before now when my husband would walk in the room and I was watching Matlock I would pretend I was surfing the channels. Or, that I was preoccupied with something else and didn't notice it was on. But, yea, it's time. I'm tired of hiding it. The first step is recognizing you have a problem.

Question for the day...What TV show do you watch that you are embarrassed about?

S.A.D. Day

I don't like Valentines Day. I know, I'm a girl. I'm supposed to like it. I'm supposed to get all giddy when my husband brings me flowers and candy. Maybe if I hadn't married the best guy in the world (sorry, girls, he's taken) who brings me flowers once or twice a year for the heck of it I would feel differently. But I think when he gets me the little somethings on no occassion it means a heck of a lot more than the obligatory Valentine.

But, in all honesty, I don't like Valentines Day because I have to reciprocate. What the hell do you get a guy for Valentines day? After 12 years of marriage and several years of dating before that the conversation heart boxers and chocolate that says "I heart you" gets old. He ACTS like he likes it. But then I find the boxers at the back of his underwear drawer by March1st.

And, I think we discriminate on Valentines Day. Discriminate against single people. My sister has had more than her share of bad relationships. She calls Valentines day "S.A.D. day". Single Awareness Day. I feel bad for her on Valentines Day. Although she usually makes a game of it. She'll go home from work, put on her plaid flannels, put her hair in a ponytail, light smelly candles, make a margarita, and watch a movie. Actually, that sounds pretty good to me. Maybe just for support, of course, I'll celebrate S.A.D. day, too.

Question of the day....How do you feel about Valentines Day??

The Moose is loose.

I woke up this morning in a relatively bad mood. My neighbors apparently have not resolved their differences. At 3:21 am I heard something like he doesn't realize she is a good person and I couldn't figure out what she didn't realize. His voice is lower than hers and he doesn't have that bloodcurdling scream. Honestly, if I wasn't a little afraid, I would go up there, knock on the door, and ask them nicely to keep it down. But, being a woman alone I was afraid no one would find my body.

So, already grumpy, and a little nauseous (still got that morning sickenss thing), I got in the shower this morning. Washed my hair. Got out of the shower. Toweled off, and then had one of those panic moments. I realized I AM OUT OF HAIR MOUSSE.

Oh, yea. I see you. You are rolling your eyes, saying something like "Stupid, vain woman". You just don't understand. I have curly hair. If I don't put in mousse or gel to tame the thing it gets out of control. If I walk out in public that way I scare small children. Men run in fear. Women protect their infants. Dogs howl. And, it poofs out so badly it is hard to walk through a doorway.

So, I put my hair up in a ponytail. Big deal, right? But, I never wear a ponytail unless I am working out. And I CERTAINLY wouldn't go out and meet with customers with a ponytail. You see, I have a "family" nose. Have you ever met anyone that had a nose passed down from their father that was in a beauty pageant? I think not. I think Clinger (Klinger?) on M*A*S*H was very proud of his "family" nose. Sam the Eagle on the Muppets has a family nose. I also have a complextion that the US Army has asked if they can drive their tanks on for practice because the craters are much like the sand dunes in Saudi. Oh, no, it's not pretty.

But, I DO have long hair. So, I use it as a shield. It hides the nose and complexion. I walk with more confidence. Cats don't claw my eyes out because they are afraid. It works.

After my work appointments this morning I bought two cans of Mousse. That way I will always have a backup.

Question: What is the one thing you would not want to go without on any given day?

Pass the Stick

Angie at Rocks and Garbage passed the stick to me. I'm new at this, so beware...

What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
31. Those were the 31 Simon and Garfunkel songs that I did not own. Yes, Simon and Garfunkel. No, I am not 65. No, I am not suicidal. I love those guys, though. They sure know how to harmonize. And the lyrics are untouchable.

The CD you last bought is:
The Essentials, by Simon and Garfunkel. I promise I DO have other song interests. They aren't the ONLY people I listen to. I'm not demented. (Oh, shut up. ;)

What is the song you last listened to before reading this message?
Purple Rain by Prince. I was in the car. It was on the radio.

Write down 5 songs you often listen to or that mean a lot to you:
Geez. I am in my car a minimun of 9 hours a week, so I listen to a helluva lot of songs. What means a lot to me? Geez. OK, how 'bout:
1. The one with the guy who is singing about the girl he likes but she likes someone else.
2. The one that everyone really liked in the 80's that is no longer popular now.
3. Any song by Simon and Garfunkel
4. The one that talks about sex through the whole thing.
5. Oh, I almost forgot, the one that that really, really weird guy sings.

Who are you going to pass this stick to? (3 persons) and why?
Since between Deb, Angie, and Elle all of the sticks have been passed to the people I know the most, I am going to pick a few who I don't know that well (except Adrienne) and hope they get over it.
1. Adrienne at Just my Junk because she is new at this and she is the COOLEST lunch lady on the face of the earth. And one of the sweetest people I know.
2. Joy at Joy and laughter because she never updates her blog and it gets on my nerves.
3. ChosenDaughter at Singular Diva Blog because, well, she just seems very cool and sincere.