West Texas Weather

In a word - - crazy. Am I right? Can I get an amen? I mean really...Tuesday I sent my children to Mom's Day Out in shorts. Wednesday we had the windows open in the house. It was a beautiful day. And today - - it SNOWED! Un-freakin'-believable. It is supposed to get down to 19 tonight. 19. It was 81 on Tuesday. If the 19 degrees will kill the mosquitos and these allergy causing substances that are in the air, I can take it.

I've decided to be nice to my hubby. Our bathroom is so stinkin' cold in the mornings. We have a high ceiling in there and one teeny tiny little vent. It does not warm up in there at all. So, I dug out the space heater that still has the timer attached to it. Here's the dillemma - - I can't for the life of me remember how to program that blessed little thing. I so want for that to be on and running when he gets up in the morning. I want him to walk into a nice and toasty bathroom. Every year I forget how to operate this thing. You'd think that one of these times something would click inside this brain of mine and I'd just get it. Oh well. I'm giving it another 20 minutes and then I'm headed to bed myself. It's the thought that counts, right?

I'm sleepy. Ambien is working. I feel like I'm going into my happy place. Yay me. Good night me.

Goodbye Afrin

Okay, it looks like I did it. Again. You people scare me! Okay, okay. I'm off that wretched, sinus membrane destroying poison. Scary stuff. (But who doesn't like the immediate gratification of being able to breathe?) Keep your fingers crossed. I'm 48 hours on the wagon. By the way, that codeine cough syrup that was prescribed for Justin - - didn't phase him in the least. The pharmacist warned us that it was *really* potent. Ha! I've determined that he really is a three year old super hero. It was nothing short of an Olympic gymnastic feat to get it in him and then nothing. I've got to find some kryptonite and see if he responds to it. He's over the cough now, but he pretty much had to tough it out. I however got some stuff with hydrocodone in it. It worked pretty well for me. I wish his doctor would let me give him some ambien so I could get some freakin' rest at night. But alas, my doctor made me promise I wouldn't give my children any. (Yeah right - - like I'd share what I equivocate as the tablet version of pure gold.)

Okay that's all. My dirty bathrooms need cleaning. (And no mixing chemicals this time. Duh...)

Blast from the past and today's obsession

I graduated from high school in 1989. I'll save you the trouble of doing the math. I'm 35. Not far from 36. (Yikes.) In the 80's, Def Leppard was *it* for me. I loved them. I followed an album or two into the 90's and then have stopped there. Of course, I'm still a sucker for my favorite songs from 87 - 89. The high school years. The impressionable years. I mean it, "Pour Some Sugar On Me." High School dances. Good times. But the other day, I caught part of Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story on VH1. I didn't watch it all because frankly, it was a bunch of bad acting, and the only thing that differentiates them from other bands' stories of sex, drugs and rock and roll was that their drummer had a horrible accident that left him without an arm. I won't go into all of that. If you are at all familiar with the band you know about that. Where I am going is this - - they started playing (on the show) the acoustic version of Two Steps Behind and I have fallen in love with that song all over again. I've got it on a cd in my car, another cd in the house, loaded onto the computer and now it's on my mp3 player. I'm about to play it for what seems like the gazillionth time today. I'm loving it. I think it's the acoustic part that is so appealing to me. No fancy drums or anything. It's my new obsession. Forget the Christmas music I ought to be listening to right now. I've got my boys on my mp3 player and they are taking me back to some good times. Great song.

Scrapper's Quiz

Attention Scrapbookers - -

You *have* to take this quiz. It will ask you a few questions and then tell you what kind of scrapper you are based on a paper collection. (i.e. Chatterbox, Bazzill, etc.) It was too funny. The thing was, it hit the nail on the head for me. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing.

Post your comment as to what kind of paper collection it says you are. Big surprise. I was Bazzill. Ha ha ha!!!

One More Thing

Am I post crazy today or what?

I have a confession to make. I'm back on Afrin. I know. I know. I'm a weak, weak, pathetic woman. I added it to the grocery list and my husband caught on. (He's a good man. He offered to do the shopping for me this week.) He told me he wasn't going to support my habit. I told him I didn't need his support or therapy session, just bring me home my freakin' Afrin. He must have been afraid of the demonic voice I said it in because he brought some home. Either he loves me or he's buttering me up for something he needs me to be able to breathe for. I wonder what that could be... (Snicker, snicker.)

Ahhh...the breath of fresh air.

Ohhh...the destroyed sinus passages.

Oh well. I can breathe at the moment.

(I know this post is at the top, but it's my third one today. And my final. I'm off to stick my nose in something scrapbook related to read. Even though there's a load of laundry waiting to be folded. Yay me.)

Least Favorite Holiday Decoration

Okay, this will be my sixth Christmas in this house with my husband. This doesn't count the years we dated before we got married. Our neighborhood is *insane* with decorating. I mean it. Of course, we are the Scrooge's and don't ever decorate outside. It's a pain in the arse. I bugged David to death a couple of years ago and he wouldn't do it. So I did. I thought I was going to die. I mean physically die from a fall. I was paralyzed with fear. I tried to talk him into putting lights up this weekend and he adamantly refused. He's the man that's his job. But I digress. Back to the reason for this post. A few streets over, there are some people who use the same cheesy decorations every year. And every year, I hate them a little more. If you decorate with these, I apologize. I don't know why this particular type of decoration sends my body into the holiday dry heaves, but they do. I try to not look. But my eyes are mysteriously drawn to their curved sidewalk lined with these wretched little bags every time I pass their street. Why do I hate them so? The thing is - - I really liked them the first year I saw them.

Here is your challenge. In my Scrooge like nastiness - - what is your least favorite holiday decoration? Do you hate tinsel on trees? Do icicle lights make you feel like you need a therapy session? Do share.

Me and GrandDaddy

Here is a picture of me and GrandDaddy. It was taken on Thanksgiving Day. I have been so blessed in my life to have known all four of my grandparents. I even knew several great-grandparents. GrandDaddy is the last of my living grandparents. I e-mailed him a copy of this picture. (Yes, he is on the net. How cute is that?) He called me this afternoon to tell me that he thought he and I took a great picture together. I tend to agree. I know I will always treasure this picture as well as this memory.

Funny Sign

This is proof as to why it's important to carry your camera with you at all times. David and I were in separate cars on a little side journey on Thanksgiving Day. He had the camera and I didn't. He *thought* he saw this sign but wasn't sure. When we arrived at our destination, he told me about it. Since I was driving the other car, I told him to give me the camera and I'd look for it on the way back. Well, I found it. I *had* to stop and snap a picture of it. It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen. I hope you think it's as funny as I do. It was just outside of Gustine, TX.

I think I beat my addiction.

I've got an addictive personality. My weight should be evidence enough to prove that. Every year, I catch a little cold, get a sinus infection, whatever you want to call it and face the same dilemma each time. Do I go with the immediate gratification of the nose spray or do I suck it up (pardon the pun) and stay stopped up? Since I hate the feeling or fear of not being able to breathe through my nose (or not at all) I go with the nose spray every time. Not *just* regular nose spray. But the *menthol* nose spray. The severe congestion kind. You know? The kind that makes your brain feel like you just took an electric shock? But it works. And it works good. The problem is. It's only supposed to be used twice a day and not for more than three days. HA! I've been working that stuff over for about two weeks now. I tried to quit once but quickly hopped back on the wagon. Or is it off the wagon? Anyway - - I snorted it again. And it felt good. I could breathe. So, Monday night, I decided to kick this beast. It is not the boss of me. And I've been successful this go round. Yay me. But all stinkin' day, I've sneezed and had to blow my nose. I've probably given myself some kind of actual sinus infection from snorting the stuff too much. Will I learn? Probably not. The next time I'm stopped up, I won't be patient enough to wait the three days it will take to clear up. Instead I will drag it out another two weeks and have to kick the habit again. So not only do I have an addictive personality, I don't learn from my mistakes.

Boogers...Yes...Boogers

Gross. I know. Justin has discovered them. He brings them to me. It's DISGUSTING. I hate boogers.

Dirty Clothes Hamper

Cameron has discovered how to play hide and seek in the dirty clothes hamper. It was cute at first. Now it has become down right irritating. He takes the hinged part on top and *slams* it open. It hits the door and it makes the loudest noise. It drives me crazy. It's especially annoying when I'm trying to get ready and I'm running late. (Which if you know me at all - - that's pretty much all the time.) I'll have to admit though. He looks pretty cute when he's "hiding" in there. So, when I get real irritated, I'll have to take a look at this picture and let it remind me of how cute he is.

I know there will be a day when I wish he could fit in there again!

Recovering

Life is getting better. That nightmare of a day is fading into history. I will feel a whole lot better about it when that $200 in listing fees disappears from my eBay account. The help people assured me that I will not be billed for it. But you know... The hardest part of that day was having to deal with all of that while I had a fever. I sat here at the computer, wrapped up in a blanket, with chills, completely achy and crying. (Feel sorry for me yet?) It was terrible! But - - I survived. Really, it could have been *so* much worse. At least it was just my eBay identity that was stolen. So far, it hasn't affected me financially and I haven't seen any other negative repercussions of that day. It forced me to re-examine my whole password thing - - which in retrospect was nothing close to Fort Knox. But now, I have to keep track of all of those. I have to come up with a system for that. Oye. As far as that whole eBay day - - there's four hours of my life I'll *never* get back.

By the way, I am feeling much better. It's awfully early in the season to have bronchitis. I hope this doesn't mean I'll get it again. It has kicked Cameron and I around pretty good. His coughing has been quite a bit worse than mine. Justin has coughed a little, but I'm beginning to think that he is tough like his Daddy.

Now, let's transition to the dorks who are camped out waiting in line (at this moment) for a Play Station 3. (They don't go on sale until midnight tonight. I guess these people want to be at the front of the line.) If you are one of these people, I apologize for the name calling. But - - PLEASE!! I was zipping through the Target parking lot about 10:30 this morning when I saw the line outside of the store. I'm only sorry that they didn't know I was laughing at them. First of all, these were either high schoolers or young adults. So, they should have either been in school or been at work. Secondly, the game with the smaller hard disk is $499 at Wal-Mart. Where are these people getting this kind of money? At this age? At that age, I was struggling to pay my rent and put gas in my car. I sure didn't have money to blow on *upgrading* my video game system. I didn't even have a video game system. I really shouldn't judge because gaming isn't my vice. These same geeks would probably shout "geek" at me if they saw me carting my rolling bag in the scrapbook store in my jammies. Ouch.

Okay, the Colbert Report is on, so I better go. You should catch it sometime. He is hilarious. (He pokes fun at Liberals and Nancy Pelosi. I love that!)

Adios!!

Crappy, Crappy Day

My day went from bad to worse today. And I really mean that. Today, I was the victim of identity theft. It's a good thing I'm an e-mail junkie. I received an e-mail from an eBay member asking me about a listing I had on eBay. The thing is - - I don't have anything listed on eBay. I went to my account and sure enough, there were a crap load of purses listed for sale under my user name. Some poor sucker had already bought one and paid for it. My head started swirling. And not just from the cough syrup I had just taken. I had to try to get my thoughts together and think as straight as I could. I panicked. I called David. I didn't know what else to do. He said to get a hold of their help line and go from there. I spent the next four hours fixing the problem. Some a-hole listed 52 items under my name. While I was on hold with the help line, I manually deleted each listing. As I deleted them, they were adding new ones. I was so freakin' angry. Not only was I exhausted from being sick, but I was exhausted emotionally from panic. I could picture us having to cancel our credit cards and all kinds of stuff. It must have been a good deal on the purses, because three of them sold. I tried to send e-mails out as soon as they sold telling the poor victims not to pay that it was fraudulent. Little did I know that my opponent was sending e-mails, on my behalf, from my account, saying heaven knows what. It could have been so much worse. But I'm still so incredibly pissed off. I feel so freakin' violated. Why can't people just be honest? Where did all of the honest people go? I was beaming about my American pride the other day and someone shoved that "American Pie" back into my face. The thing is, this looks like the work of foreigners. It was in Australian dollars. I'm still proud to be an American. And I'm an honest American.

Now - - I'm going to tape CSI Miami, take my cough medicine, and I'm going to bed. Tomorrow is a brand new day. Hopefully when I wake up in the morning, my abs won't be very sore from coughing so much and my money will still be in my checking account.

When Will He Learn?

If he doesn't want his laundry folded inside out, when will he quit leaving it for me that way? Nine shirts inside out. Seven shirts folded that way. I started correcting them then quickly realized he hadn't changed his ways yet. I've asked him about this before. I thought I'd be nice since he's taken care of the boys all weekend while I've been sick. (And still am.) He said he doesn't care. Since he doesn't and it takes too much time to fix them, then I don't either. My time is more valuable than that. So, I folded the remaining seven inside out. When *will* he learn?

Where's the Love?

Today...

1. I slept on the couch (again) because my husband is still sick.
2. Justin decided that my day should start about 3:30 this morning.
3. I was over an hour late dropping the kids off for Mom's Day Out. (Even with the early start.)
4. I had to go to the gynecologist for my annual exam.
5. Justin got a "red light" at school today. (Again. By the way, that's not good. He had to go to the office. He's only three.)
6. I stepped in gum.
7. I'm achy and my throat hurts. Why did I get that flu shot?
8. My youngest son, Cameron, pee'd on my foot.

So, I ask you, where's the love today?

My Hidden Bliss

Okay, so it was not a good day for the Republicans. But it was not the end of the world. At the end of the day, the democratic process triumphed and that's what it's supposed to be about.

I'm not going to complain today. (I'll save that for another day.) Today I want to talk about how blessed I feel. As I stood in line waiting to vote, I had lots of time to think. I had put the whole thing off until the last minute. Apparently most of the people in my precinct did the same because I waited in line nearly an hour to vote. Again, another story for another day. My own fault. Anyway - - the line was outdoors part of the time and I was able to catch the West Texas sunset. My thoughts immediately went to my family overseas. Not just them, but what they are doing over there and the people that they work with. I began to feel guilty because I was "inconvenienced" for having to wait in line. Inconvenienced. Please. I was late to meet friends for coffee. Coffee. There are people on the other side of the world making a couple of dollars a day, hoping they can feed their families that day and living under dictatorships and I was inconvenienced by having to stand in line for an hour to exercise my right as an American. A free American. An American blessed by God.

I won't continue on because I think you get my drift. The election did not completely turn out the way I desired. But I thank God that I had the opportunity to cast my vote. Voting really made me feel like an American this time. And I'm proud to be an American.

Politics

Okay, I turn into a political crazy person this time of the year. I'm just ready for the nasty ads and the automated voice messages (regardless of the candidate) to stop. They drive me insane!

Thank goodness it's not a Presidential Election. I'm *not* ready for Hillary and the First Gentleman (I guess that's what they'll call him) to take over Washington. It should be abundantly clear to you that I bleed Republican blood. It's not up for debate. It's me. It's how I feel. You are entitled to your own opinion and you are more than welcome to share that opinion on your own blog. But this is mine, so if I may, I will continue. Thank you. Actually, I'm not going to *go off* on anything right now. Well, maybe a little on anyone who votes for Kinky. Are you *kidding* me? Hey, I majored in Psychology. I'm pretty sure what Dr. Freud might say about that cigar Mr. Friedman is always fondling. And putting Willie Nelson in charge of something? You've *got* to be kidding me. Kinky is completely wrong for the job. I do agree that "politicians" can get too "political" at times. But come on? I seriously don't think he'll win. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to crash my car into the hillbillies that have his bumperstickers on their bumpers. I wouldn't do that, you know. But I do think about it. Tee hee hee. I have considered a good thump on their foreheads complete with a "Are you serious?" No, both just scream lawsuit. *Sigh.*

Anyway, back to what's to come on Tuesday. Since I am what I'd label a "conservative" then it should serve as no surprise to you that I choose to watch election returns on Fox News. Ever since Dan Rather nearly broke down in tears on CBS when Al Gore was defeated by George W. Bush - - I have had to boycott the networks biased coverage of the returns. Well, basically their coverage of just about anything newsworthy. But we won't cover that whole issue today. And CNN - - please, the Clinton News Network? No thanks. So, FOX News it is. Here is a link to their site. I really like the way their site is presenting information so far. So, without further ado:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/youdecide2006/races.html?TX

The important thing is to vote. Do your homework and know about the offices for which you need to vote for and get out there and do your thing. It's your responsibility. Be a responsible American and do your part. If you don't, then don't expect me or anyone else listen to you gripe about the results. You earn the ability the day you make your voice heard by voting. VOTE!!!!!

**A note to my liberal friends out there: (I actually have a few!) We're still friends, right?

Product Review

Two thumbs up!! If I had more thumbs, I'd give them more. Wow! This product is nice. I made chili in the crockpot on Friday. I purchased these little gems a while back and kept forgetting that I had them. My mother in law suggested that I store them in the crockpot so that I'd remember I had them. (This was after I found them - - after I had scrubbed the pot - - after I had cooked queso in it.) They work beautifully. I didn't use them for cooking chicken in it last night. I didn't think I'd need to scrub the pot a lot for that. And I was right. But for the chili, it was a great call. I haven't tried the queso with them yet, but I'm betting it will also be a huge success. So, Reynolds company - - Kudos on an excellent product. My time is definitely worth the price I paid for your product. You guys rock!