New Car Smell

We got the new car-(for us anyway)- today- a 1996 Toyota Corolla, and have been driving it around all day running errands and getting used to it.

In a sentence- WE LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

More later- but I am exhausted tonight.

Electronics Made Easy

Okay, so this is what I do- i come in from work and lo and behold i want to watch some TV while I'm waiting for Daughter to come over so we can switch cars. Ummmmmm Hmmmmm.....


So, then I turn on the TV and the volume, and the cable- and the TV is on Video 2. Now i KNOW that it has to be on Video1 for it to work- so i hunt down the stupid controler(we have four-each one for a different thing PLUS the master controler) and try and put it on video1. It won't do it.
DAMN!!!!

I take the back off the controller and then roll the batteries- sometimes it wont work unless you do that cause the batteries shift slightly. Still nothing.
DAMN!!!!

So I try turning the TV on manually and seeing if the menu on IT will let me switch it. Nothing.
DAMN!!!!!!

I give up because I'm about to get the freaking baseball bat and beat the everliving HELL out of the damn thing and then toss the little pieces into the yard and then run over them with the car.

Why can electronics not be simple? Turn it on- It works.
Why does everything have to be complicated?????......

Turn on the cable box to channel 99 then turn the TV on Channel 3. Turn the home theatre system on and plug the green cable into the back of the TV, unless you have a converterbox J1945-WTF69 and in that case plug in the RED cable into the back of the remote VCR box. Now stand in the direct center of the northern corner of the far eastern room of the house, make sure the room is painted split-pea soup green, and whistle yankee doodle while balancing a broomstick on your elbow while washing your hair and painting the boy dogs toenails Avon Fuscia #w895hdye98732. Hop three times backward, then plug the orange cable into the wall socket of the kitchen outlet, unless you have no orange cable. If that is the case, find your husband and let him do this because you are obviously too stupid to possibly understand any of this.

Amen to THAT brother!!

Dammitt!!! I burnt my fries while I was writing this!! And the one I didn't burn I poped into my mouth and then spit it back out because I could HEAR my tongue sizzling when the fry went in.

Oh this SUX all round!!!!!


PAULLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Honey, will you come tur......................

Electronics Made Easy

Okay, so this is what I do- i come in from work and lo and behold i want to watch some TV while I'm waiting for Daughter to come over so we can switch cars. Ummmmmm Hmmmmm.....


So, then I turn on the TV and the volume

10 Loves/Hates With "T"

1. Leave a comment on my blog and I will assign you a letter.
2. Write about ten things that you love that begin with that letter.
3. Post the list on your blog.
4.When people comment on your list of favorite things, assign them a letter and the game continues..... or not- I can do without the game continuing altho it WAS a blast to join in on the fun with the girls. I know not everyone feels that way about these things and I understand completely.
;-)

LOVE..............
1)Trees- Shade in the South in the Summer is DEFINITELY a PLUS!!

2)Teryaki Chicken- Been a staple in my quick dinners for YEARS!

3) Television- OMG- when I'm in the mood to watch it- I LOVE it. Especially HGTV.

4)Tee Shirts- Nothing more Classic than a plain white Tee- be it a short sleeve or a wife-beater.

5)Trucks- Love the sound of them- and the practicality of them. You're everyones friend when it comes time to move tho.

6)Tractors-I think a man on a big ole honkin' tractor , shirtless, and sweaty riding in the fields is one of the sexiest things on god's green earth.

7)Tonka Toys- They're indestructible- even the toughest, roughest kids cant tear 'em up.

8)The Tardis- Who wouldn't LOVE a Time machine???

9)Table Lamps-I LOVE mood lighting- Hate Overhead lights.

10)Templeton from Charlotte's Web- I think he was the MOST interesting character on there by FAR!
********************
********************
HATE...................

1)Temptations music...I don't know why- but it's like fingernails on a blackboard to me.

2)Tattletales- Siblings tattling just annoy the CRAP out of me. Guess it's a throw-back to MY younger days at home with MY siblings.

3)Tubas- UGH-Worst instrument EVER invented.

4)Tickling- I hate to be tickled- it makes me pee. LMAO.

5)Twin Beds for a married couple- Why? For God's sake WHY???

6)Tangles- Long hair and tangles don't mix...at ALL.

7)Tabasco - One Word- ULCER!!!

8)Topaz- The yellow colored ones. They put the UG in UGLY.

9)Tornadoes- Been there, done that- don't wanna do it again. EVER.

10)Television-Yeah I know I put it in the LOVE list too......but when I'm trying to lose weight- it's the ONE most hated thing in my life....8 out of every 10 commercials is for some food that LOOKS yummy and makes you want it. It's like advertising on Saturday mornings... for kids... at Christmastime...and like a kid, I WANT IT ALL!!!!!!!!!

That was way easier than I thought it would be!!!

Whoo-Hooooo!!!

If everything goes right this week- by the weekend Paul and I will have a new(er) car.

My daughter and her fiance bought a Ford Expedition over the weekend and thanks to her and Paul's parents generosity- we are getting Julie's Toyota Corolla to replace our Two-Ticks-From- The-Junkyard Ford Aspire.

I KNEW this year would be an improvement over last!!!!
We almost feel like we just won the lottery!!!!
(But I'm still going to try the occasional lottery ticket, as well!! Can't hurt, can it?!?!)

Just thought of something I could post quickly.....

A bit of sweetness....... I got a phone call tonight and picked up the phone and it was a baby talking. Then after a couple minutes the baby hung up.

So I called the number back...(it was Daughter-in-law Kathy's phone number-she had called me earlier tonight.)
Again, I got the baby and after him "talking" for a couple minutes- he hung up.
So I called back again....and Kathy answered.
She asked me if C.J. had called me and when I said yes- she gave him the phone and he chattered for a couple minutes and then gave the phone back to her. Kathy said he must have wanted to talk to his Nana and got into her purse when she went to put clothes away. She said the old cell-phone that she gave to him to play with when she got her new phone "doesn't talk to him and make sounds" so he prefers playing with HERS whenever he gets the chance.

(Of course we all KNOW he was just playing with her phone- but I like HER version better!!)


LOL......What a CARD!!!!!

It was especially welcome because I had been crying just this afternoon missing Clayton.
How is THAT for a coincidence??????
My Baby Boy is looking out for me from Heaven.

I love you, Clay.

Sorry.....

No posts lately...my mom is in hospital for another day or so......


and my brain is FRIED!!!!


Maybe after the weekend.

Sleigh Ride

Well, maybe not just quite yet.

I went out to take my son to the fire-station this morning to talk to the fire chief and the car cranked right up. (Yes, I remembered to take the towel out from around the battery before I cranked it up.)
It's about 30 degrees warmer than it's been the past couple of night & days too.....and lo and behold- it's blowing snow flurries here today!!
I looked and this is supposed to go on for a couple days. Small accumulations here and there.....but I don't really see it happening.

I'll just sit back and enjoy the flurries while they last.

Update......

Paulius said...Ammendum: I changed the tire, went with her to buy anti-freeze, we spent our last twenty bucks on it...and when we went to put it in, there was already anti-freeze in it.

I soooooo didn't remember us putting it in...Neither did Paul or my son til we opened it up and he(Frank) thought long and hard about it. So it's NOT just me. It's all of us having a brain fart.

So.....it's not the battery....it's not water in the system....and I'm almost a hundred % sure it's not the starter or solenoid because it starts up just fine when it's not cold out.

Could it be because I need to put thinner oil in it now that the weather is cold- cold????

I DID put a towel around the battery when we got back in hopes it won't get so cold it won't start again in the morning.
I mean- I WORK nights and get off at 6AM- I've been going out and starting the car every hour and a half so it will start- but Friday morning I was almost 10AM getting home because by 2 in the morning the car wouldn't start WITH me cranking it every hour and a half. I don't want to be 10 coming in EVERY morning I work, for Christ- sake!!!
12 hours is more than enough for me to be at that place, no matter how much I like my co-workers...besides- they all go home at 7AM and I'm left there with the day crew who I don't know that well- but that's neither here nor there.......... I just wanna come HOME when I get off work, not stay there waiting for the sun to come out and warm that Prima Donna Car.

I'm so fed up with it....and I'm PRETTY SURE you guys are tired of hearing me whine about it, too.
I'm finishing my coffee and going to bed. Things will hopefully look better in the morning.

Later Y'all!!!!!

Meet Sunnius, The Scatterbrained

Have I TRULY become THIS SCATTERBRAINED??????
Looks like.

My son called me this morning and asked me what I had in my car. Now, I couldn't figure out what he meant by that at first.

Did he mean, How much money had I put into the car during my ownership?
Did he mean, What are the contents of my car right now(oh GOD PLEASE don't make me list everything in that hatchback.)

Or did he mean something totally different?

He meant "did I have water or anti-freeze in the system". And the answer is WATER.
OMG- Have I TRULY become so damn scatterbrained that I forgot to drain the water and add coolant/antifreeze to the system for the past couple of years?

The answer is Apparently, YES- I have.

So I go take a bit of a nap- since the car wouldn't start anyway......and then I get up and get dressed to go buy anti-freeze for the car. By now it's dark out and I hop IN the car and start out the driveway. When I got to the top of the drive and turned the corner at my brothers house. I felt a strange swerve in the steering wheel and then heard and felt a thump-thump-thump going on. So I stop the car, get out and look (and when I say LOOK I mean FEEL the tires)around the car.....and LO and BEHOLD- I have a flat tire.

So I get out- open up the back, get the air compressor out but can't get it on the valve-stem....... It's dark and my Mag-light is buried somewhere in the crap in the hatch of the car and my interior lights don't work to FIND it. So I walk back to the house to get a flashlight and my darling hubby Paul tells me he will be happy to go do it for me. So, being the wonderful wife I am, I let him. (Thank GOD I have a wonderful hubby or my car would be SOOO full of shotgun pellets right now. I'm PMSing.)

Anyway, he returns a few minutes later and tells me it's not just a flat- it's come completely off the rim!!! So he's having to change the tire and it will be a few minutes.

I just heard the car start up the hill, so hopefully he'll be back in a couple of minutes and I can go get that anti-freeze.

Can someone PLEASE give me the winning numbers to the lottery so I can WIN & buy a new freaking CAR????????????????

Sigh..........................................

THIS

Aspire.

THIS about says it all about the Ford Aspire.
Only mine has 196,000+ miles on it.

Aspire- Yeah....I ASPIRE to getting a Better/REAL Car one day.....SOON.

It was good to get me from Point A to Point B if it wasn't too far and didn't have too many hills in the route.

Gah.....

Hmmmmm.....

Bloody Hell!!
Brand Spanking NEW Battery and the thing STILL won't start this morning.
Now what can be wrong with it??????
Sum-Beach.


I have a 9mm if you think it will help.

Dazed & Confused.

Bloody Hell, it's FREEZING here!!!!

I won't bore you with the numbers since I see that Evan, Tom, and several other of my blogger friends have it MUCH worse than we do and would just laugh at me with my piddly single digit numbers. They would all say at least it's not NEGATIVE numbers and I should be out sunbathing instead of being such a crybaby.

And they're completely right in saying so. But, as I told John in Tom's Blog Comments, "Cold is Relative". Yeah, I know the original quote was "Time is Relative" but I'm a Goddess and I changed it to suit me. And you know what I always say...."It's All About ME.".

Besides- I honestly don't think .............ummmmmm............huh........That thought COMPLETELY went out the window.
Isn't confusion one of the first symptoms of hypothermia?

So here I sit.....dazed and confused. The story of my LIFE!

Oh yeah- I remember what I was going to blog about now-
We finally gave in and went and bought a new battery for the car.....after it not cranking AGAIN today when I got ready to leave for work. Just in time too- tonight it's supposed to be even colder than it was last night.
Brrrrrrrrrr................
I don't know how you Northerners and mid westerners DO it!!!
(And here I was thinking I wanted to live in freaking MONTANA a few months ago....in the summer.......when it was in the hundreds here with a thousand % humidity thrown in.)

Aren't we EVER going to have Spring and Autumn again? You know...remember those?.... TRANSITIONAL seasons that eaaaaaaase us into the hot Summer and the cold Winter months?

Owwww- I smell Paul's roast dinner cooking!!!!!! YUMMMMMMMM!!!

I need COFFEE!!!!
"Coffee, coffee, coffee,, coffee,,......Laaaatttttttteeeeeeee ,, Cappuccinoooooooooooo. "

Decaf will probably be best, huh?

Snippets From A Coctail Party.

I was working on a different type deal for this- but as soon as I had commented on Evan's post- I had a light-bulb moment...so here it is, Evan.

****************************************
Hubby and I attended a cocktail party at our friends house.
As I glided around the house holding a glass of Chardonnay, I soaked up the bit's and pieces of conversations going on in the various groups.

"... I asked him if Enzyte really works. Next thing I knew, he whipped it out and said "Here, see for yourself"..." I passed on that conversation- TMI-TMI!!!!

"... I'm not one of those puritans who thinks pornography is bad. In fact, I'd love to see Alyssa Milano do an episode of Charmed where they all get naked and have forbidden sister sex..." I think hubby might have sotopped in on that one for a minute or two before moving on.

"... he said "Dude, I can't believe you voted for Obama. Bush is a much better candidate." That shows how much he knew about this election..." Nope- Passed on this conversation as well, I was hoping the politics were over.....until he got in office anyway.

"... it wasn't just a google bomb. He really was a miserable failure..." I think I refilled my glass at this point. Half the people there looked like they were into their 2nd BOTTLE, to be honest and I wondered if they would even remember any of their reramrks in the morning. At least they weren't getting redneck like some of the paries I've attended.

"...it's not just racial hatred. It's a roundabout form of population control. Whether it's the gang-bangers, the Arabs, whoever, I say we quit stepping in and let them kill each other. We can step in after they're all dead..." Oops- another political conversation......and from the looks of things might be about to get redneck.

"... screw unemployment. I hear the Army is always hiring..." Now there's an idea- the Army as a place of employment. They need to have commitment before they go joining the army altho i DO think everyone-male and female alike shoud be required to give the country a year of their life and learn some discipline and respect before being unleased on the general population. But that's just MY opinion.

"... okay, I may have lost some money, but look at how much the super-rich lost. Poor little rich kids..." Yeah- Poor litle rich kids my Aunt Fanny.

"... Metallica's new album is the greatest thing since..." I won't even GO here.....

"... Microsoft's new game. The motto is "If you want to sing, you've got to have lips." Does that mean that only women can sing?..." At this point I was wondering if Evan was going to break out the Rock Band equipment. As varied as these people were- there had to be some talent amongst them.

"... that wasn't exactly age-appropriate..." This from a couple of middle aged, overweight dyed blondes in skintight spandex dresses. Yeah- look in the mirror sisters- THEN talk about age appropriateness.

"... somehow I ended up at whitehouse.com. Let me tell you, that site had NOTHING to do with the Federal Government..." Note to self- Google "whitehouse.com" when I have a spare minute.

"... met Robert Pattinson... you know, the guy who played Edward in Twilight. We got to chat for about 30 minutes. He was really surprised by the sudden fame brought to him by this role. He seemed genuinely relieved that I didn't know immediately who he was..." I don't see the hype- they certainly could have cast a more "pretty" guy for the role...but maybe that's the appeal.....I haven't seen the movie yet- just the trailers.

"... tell me THAT phrase isn't going to get a lot of hits from the teenie-bopper crowd..." I assumed THAT crowd was talking about Twilight as well...... I gotta go SEE that movie.

"... most sexy, voluptuous, wonderful woman I had ever met. The ad was true. Beats the hell out of match.com and their endless survey, only to hear that I didn't match with anyone..." Didn't stick around to find out what her personality was like.... i just don't GET the advertising for a mate deal anyway. I mean if me and hubby did the online dating servive- there's no WAY we would have been matched up. And I know this couple at work who were matched up and they dispise each other....well, maybe that's being a bit harsh- but they definately don't belong together....Not at ALL!!

"... told me the funniest joke in the world. I guess it was just me. I thought the joke was lame, but lo and behold, Google said it was the funniest joke in the world, so it must be true..." Yeah- and i'm the Queen Mother.... do you believe everything you READ or see on the NET???

"... would have never thought that Jack Nicholson's Joker could be topped. Heath Ledger kicked his ass though. They say that drove him over the edge... he looked into the abyss of the Joker's mind and never quite came back..." LOL- Did anyone ever think maybe it was honestly, truly, just an ACCIDENTAL overdose? I saw the movie and I don't think he was THAT into the persona.

"... I can understand how people overdose. I see the attraction brought on by the instant gratification of drug use. I did a lot of drugs. Fortunately, I listened to the little voice in my head that told me to stop before it was too late. I know too many people who didn't listen..." Same group- differnt persons opinion.

"... but who cares. Yeah, heaven may be eternal bliss, but no matter how you slice it, eternal salvation looks absolutely boring. Hell looks like a far greater adventure, and I get to have fun here and now while I seal my fate..." Well, now there's a TRUE believer!!!

"... you too can find out which keywords drive the most traffic to your web site..." Wonder what bussiness THEY'RE pitching.


Someone had turned the TV on for some ungodly reason at that point and I cringed as I heard.....
"... but you've got to act now. Operators are standing by..........." I think T.V's should be locked away for parties- they just completely spoil the mood of a PERFECT Cocktail Party.

Time to go home now.........How can you choose from all those conversations?

Next time, Evan- Can you make it a POOL PARTY???

Beach Holidays........Not Really My Style.

So many of my friends are planning their vacations right now.
Most are planning on going to the beach.

I've never been much of a beach girl....even when I had a killer bikini body. The sand everywhere irritates me- the sticky salt water irritates me, the heat and humidity irritate me. I've always liked going to the ocean in the winter tho. November was my favorite month of the year to go to the Isle Of Palms or Charleston.
When I had to go to the beach in the summer months, I would sit on the balcony overlooking the ocean so I could see the kids on the beach while I read a book. Then when they had alternate adult supervision, I would trot off to the pool for a couple of hours of sun and swimming.(Actually it was more like floating in the pool on an air mattress because I don't really swim...)

I LOVED all the fresh seafood and the carefree casual living style of the beach- just not the actual sand and water that went with it.
Doesn't make sense, does it?

No, I've always been more of a mountain person. I love the cool, crisp spring, summer and autumn nights in the mountains- when no matter how hot it gets during the days, the nights require a sweater or wrap to ward off a bit of chill in the air.

I love the winter snow slopes, even tho I don't ski. Looking out the window at the glistening snow while sitting in front of a roaring fire with a cup of Hot cocoa or hot buttered rum is MUCH more my style. Being able to bundle up in leggings and cashmere turtlenecks and furry parkas and chenille gloves and go on a sleigh-ride is MY idea of heaven on earth.

I have NO idea why I live in hot humid South Carolina- altho I think it may have something to do with the fact that from where I live, I'm about 2 hours from the ski slopes in the winter(Pic #2 ....That's Maggie Valley Ski Resort nearest us)....4 hours from the beach in the summer(Pic #1 is Edisto Beach on our coast), and about 5 minutes from the nearest lake or river(I didn't put a pic of those up.).

I like variety.

Good Lord.....Dumb-Ass Idiots.

I just spent the past hour or so at the end of our driveway...or I should say my MOM'S driveway.
With the County Officer- AND Two Highway Patrol Officers and tow people, and rubberneckers, and EMS personnel, and relatives- both mine and the DAI's .

Some little dumb-ass idiot tried to commit suicide after having a domestic argument with his wife and telling her she would never see him again.

Sorry, Dink-Brain- but all you got out of the deal was a broken thigh from the steering wheel and a busted up face and hand from running your car headfirst into the cement block retaining wall at the end of Mom's driveway. Oh and a big ole hefty hospital and other various services bills for you to fight about!! How lucky are you??

No skid marks at all- it was intentional. The driveway is messed up- but they're cleaning it up now so I can get past the mess to go to work.
I'll be a few minutes late- but as you can see- I'm putting that time to GOOD use.

Wasted Space and Wasted Lights.....

(Who was the singer who did that song...Wasted Days and Wasted Nights...???)
ANYWAY...........

So here I sit......too early to get ready for work...too late to try to play Fable II before I have to leave.

Maybe tomorrow morning, I'll get to give it a whirl. Or maybe not....We'll see how things stack up tomorrow.
I got the paint to FINALLY repaint my Main Entrance Hallway. That's a project I cannot WAIT to get started on as well.
Marie calls the color "Baby Poop Brown"..... Frank says the color is actually called "Mocha".

I absolutely LOVE the color- but may add a half gallon of white I have to it to lighten it up JUSSSSSST a tad so it's not the EXACT same color as Devon's room.
All I have to say is- Any Color is better than that Easter Egg Lavender that's on the walls now....and with Black carpet no less.

I'm ashamed to say I LIVE here sometimes.

My plan is to paint the walls that taupe brown and then make my entire Hallway wall into a family photo gallery. All the photos in Black frames and my black curio cabinet down-lit and filled with my special mementos and crystal in the center of the hallway where the archway leading to the living room is. Its the ONLY part of the hallway that's wide enough to hold a piece of furniture. Even a smallish narrow console table is too wide for that hallway.

SO frustrating to have a 40 foot by 40 INCH hallway and it all be wasted space.

I really need a bit of a nap again altho I just got up.
and NO- I haven't had a MONSTER drink ...........yet.

Maybe I should go GET one tho!!! I have a few of them in the fridge. Yummmmmmmmm!!!

Frank Created a MONSTER......

A Java Monster- Monster, that is!!!
My eldest son, Frank, introduced to a LOVELY energy drink called MONSTER- as in Java Monster.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Mean Bean flavor. They are SOOOO good and the rush lasts about 4-5 hours. They taste like iced coffee-which I ADORE..... And are only 200 cals each.

I look like the guy in Dante's Peak tho when I have one...."Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee....cappachiiiiiiiinoooooooo, Laaaatteeeeeee....coffee,coffee,coffee......!!!!"
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............LMAO!!
If it works tho- I say DRINK 'em....only problem is...they cost around 2.50 for 15 oz.....a little on the pricey side...BUT- a couple times a week won't kill me.

Thanks, Doll!!!

HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?

My DIL sent this to me- I'm not sure where she got it from- but it was a very interesting article to read...(my apologies to the author for not being able to give credit where credit is due.)..........

***********************************
How Long Do We Have?

This is the most interesting thing I've read in a long time. The sad thing

about it, you can see it coming.

I have always heard about this democracy countdown. It is interesting to see it

in print. God help us, not that we deserve it.

How Long Do We Have?

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in

1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of

Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000

years earlier:

'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a

permanent form of government.'

'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover

they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'

'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who

promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every

democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always

followed by a dictatorship.'

'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the

beginning of history, has been about 200 years'

'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the

following sequence:

1. from bondage to spiritual faith;

2. from spiritual faith to great courage;

3. from courage to liberty;

4. from liberty to abundance;

5. from abundance to complacency;

6. from complacency to apathy;

7. from apathy to dependence;

8. from dependence back into bondage'

Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul ,

Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential

election:

Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29

Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2

Republicans: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: 'In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican

won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.

Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned

tenements and living off various forms of government welfare...' Olson

believes the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency and

apathy' phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some

forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the

'governmental dependency' phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders

called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer

than five years.

If you are in favor of this, then by all means, delete this message. If you are

not, then pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake,

knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

********************************

Thoughts?

Totally Exhaused, But Happy

Well, I'm sitting here all happy and relaxed.

My son and his wife and youngest son came over for dinner and the guys grilled steaks while us girls made the indoor foods.
The steaks were grilled to perfection, the ranch potatoes were perfectly seasoned and the cheesecake was delish.
We watched a show on TV- the guys played a game on the x-box, and then I took the kids home.
Paul gave out about 30 minutes before hat- he had been up for well over 28 hours by that point and was about to fall flat on his face from exhaustion and all the excitement today.

Well, I came home, sat down here, and worked on my newest story-hopefully one i'll finish this year.
I'm still working on Hunters Revenge- but I'm just too happy to be able to get in the mood to work on that one much lately.
Same with Charlie's Choice....I don't feel too happy to work on it.......I just get upset thinking about working on it because it was my Dad who gave me the idea for the story-line.

My NEW one tho....now that's one I SERIOUSLY can get into....I 've been reading the Twilight Series and thought, "I've been working on an idea for a vampyre story for years- why not just bite the bullet and write the dang thing." It's not like I don't have all the details and stuff in my head anyway. And it's a dang good story, if I do say so. I love everything about vampyres. If I could- I'd probably BE one....(my dad says I probably already am....I love my steaks so rare they are still screaming MOOOO when I stick a knife in them to eat, PLUS I detest the daylight sun.....seriously, if I see the full sunlight I look just LIKE one of the vampyres in the old movies- I duck and my arm gets thrown up over my face and I almost start screaming because the light hurts them so much I'm temporarily blinded) No joke. All that is 100% true- just ask my hubby or family or friends. They've all seen it happen.

I started getting it all together last night- and as some of you know- the hardest part for me was choosing a font to work in.I have to have the ambiance-(the weather has been perfect for this type story around my house lately....) and the font-(I wanted something kind of old style Gothic- and readable, yet I wanted something of a handwriting type script too.....)and I got it with a bit of help from you all.


I wanted to sit down when I got back and play a couple hours of Fable II before going to bed...but that-and the dishes- will have to wait until morning.
My tummy is full and I'm utterly exhausted from all the excitement....I managed to get a few hours sleep last night when Paul was too geared up to sleep, but I'm still dragging, so it's off to bed I go.

Sweet Dreams Everyone.

Third Time's A Charm....... Sometimes.

Well, I'm sitting here all happy and relaxed.

My son and his wife and youngest son came over for dinner and the guys grilled steaks while us girls made the indoor foods.
The steaks were grilled to perfection, the ranch potatoes were perfectly seasoned and the cheesecake was delish.
We watched a show on TV- the guys played a game on the x-box, and then I took the kids home.
Paul gave out about 30 minutes before hat- he had been up for well over 28 hours by that point and was about to fall flat on his face from exhaustion and all the excitement today.

Well, I came home, sat down here, and worked on my newest story-hopefully one i'll finish this year.
I'm still working on Hunters Revenge- but I'm just too happy to be able to get in the mood to work on that one much lately.
Same with Charlie's Choice....I don't feel too happy to work on it.......I just get upset thinking about working on it because it was my Dad who gave me the idea for the story-line.

My NEW one tho....now that's one I SERIOUSLY can get into....I 've been reading the Twilight Series and thought, "I've been working on an idea for a vampyre story for years- why not just bite the bullet and write the dang thing." It's not like I don't have all the details and stuff in my head anyway. And it's a dang good story, if I do say so. I love everything about vampyres. If I could- I'd probably BE one....(my dad says I probably already am....I love my steaks so rare they are still screaming MOOOO when i stick a knife in hem to eat, PLUS I detes the daylight sun.....seriously, if I see the full sunlight I look just LIKE one of the vampyres in the old movies- I duck and my arm gets thrown up over my face and I almost start screaming because the light hurts them so much I'm temporarily blinded) No joke. All that is 100% true- just ask my hubby or family or friends. They've all seen it happen.

I started getting it all together last night- and as some of you know- the hardest part for me was choosing a font to work in.I have to have the ambience-(the weather has been perfect for this ype sory around my house lately....) and the font-( I wanted something kind of old style gothic- and readable, yet I wanted somehing of a handwriting type script too.....)and I got it with a bit of help from you all.
Tis a lonely life I lead.........(freestyle script in bold)

I wanted to sit down when I got back and play a couple hours of Fable II before going to bed...but that-and the dishes- will have to wait until morning.
My tummy is full and I'm utterly exhausted from all the excitement....I managed to get a few hours sleep last night when Paul was too geared up to sleep, but I'm still dragging, so it's off to bed I go.

Sweet Dreams Everyone.

I actually sent a few of you the fonts asking for your opinion. Thank you for the input btw......

Congratulations Are In Order.

Paul went and took the written test for his Drivers Permit.

And he passed.

I have to admit that I have NEVER seen anyone so in a dither about trying for it.
But he passed.

And for me- that's certainly one of the most wonderful things that could happen.
I proudly and more than happily sat in the PASSENGER SEAT of my vehicle when we left the DMV and he drove home. And then drove to the recycling center. A Grand Total of about 40 miles today.
And did you get that I was in the PASSENGER SEAT?????
Well, I was- and not the least bit nervous at all, altho Paul mentioned several times that if it were him- he would be.
But I wasn't.
I honestly think I'm happier about it than he is.
I mean- had it been ME that got my permit- I would have been wanting to drive to the beach or the mountains as a celebratory act. I would have driven up and down Main Street waving at everyone as tho I were Miss Easley in the Christmas Parade. I would have been riding past my friends houses beeping the horn and then riding back by them again several more times before I finally were over the excitement enough to be able to go home and park the car.

But that's just me.
Paul?....he didn't even come home and e-mail anyone....or call anyone.....or BLOG about it!!!
I guess he's celebrating in Strong & Silent Mode.

Congrats Babe...... I wish you a long and happy driving experience here in the USA.

Congratulations Are In Order.

Paul went and took the written test for his Drivers Permit.

And he passed

Whooooo- Hoooo!!!!

We got Fable II!!!!
YAY!!!!!!

Off To The DMV

In about 20 minutes, we'll be off to the DMV.

I don't think I've ever seen my husband in such a dither about ANYTHING.

Paul doesn't like the idea of driving and I can't say I actually blame him. I don't much care for driving either.

I AM looking forward to him getting his learners permit. As much as having other people drive scares me- I'm looking forward to being in the passengers seat for a change.

Of course, as new as things are- if he fails to get it first time trying, he's

OOps, I Did It Again..........

Got up- got dressed, gathered my things, got in the car, got halfway to work.....




and realized it was Monday- the day I go in at 10PM instead of 6PM.

Sigh.............. Dammitt.

Trees & Vampires & Work, Oh My!!!!!

Well, last night was a productive one......

I finally got my Christmas Tree un-decorated. It was a sad time for me. Every time I leaned in to take another ornament off or to un-clip a bulb from a branch, it gave off a whiff of that wonderful pine scent I love so much.....like it was begging me, "Please- don't take me away!!!! See? I have LOTS of that wonderful smell left- don't get rid of me yet!!! It's not my TIME! It's Not My Time!!!!"
Do I get this emotional every year taking my tree down? Sadly, the answer is yes, I Do.
Paul will have to take it out to the disposal.....There is NO way I can do that and walk away without ending up crying. (My mom says when I was small- as in two years old small, I would cry hysterically every time we rode past an auto graveyard, too-they would have to plan any driving excursions so we didn't go past any of them lest they had to deal with a hysterical little girl, so it's obviously been a lifelong flaw of mine.)
Luckily, I have a wonderful Hubby who KNOWS me and does the hard stuff like taking out the tree for me....(and only rolls his eyes a little bit while he's doing it).
;-)

WARNING!!!!!! "TWILIGHT" & "NEW MOON" SPOILER!!!
Well now, as you know- I am into all things vampire as well as Christmas. I had borrowed the book "Twilight" from a girl at work, and I LOVED it altho it's sort of geared towards the teen female audience. As a surprise, Paul had gotten me the next two books in the series and I just finished "New Moon" last night- or Early this morning about 4AM, I suppose I should say.

In all honesty, I was a bit disappointed in New Moon. Whereas Twilight was all about the forbidden love of Bella and the Vampire Edward, Edward made the pages of New Moon for only the first couple of Chapters and then was sparsely mentioned throughout the rest of it. A semi-quasi relationship(but not really) between Bella and Jake(who turns out to become a Werewolf) was the main focus of New Moon. That's all I'll say about it......

I must say tho- if I had a Tween or Teen-aged daughter- this is the type books I would definitely NOT mind her reading. There is no graphic gore, No sex(so far), and no graphically bad language, yet it manages to not just hold your attention, but to leave you wanting to read more when you're finished.

It sure made ME think about how their situations apply to a lot of things in real life.....book discussion type questions, I mean. And I'm the type who likes to read just for the FUN of it, without a lot of thought put into the deeper meaning of it. You know???

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading Eclipse tonight while I'm at work in between rounds. And I suppose then I'll have to go out to B&N for Breaking Dawn. That'll be my B-day prezzie!!!
SPOILER FINISHED HERE!!!...................

And now it's back to the grinding board this week!!! Work, Work, Work!!!!
But this is a new year, and I have a feeling fantastic things are in store for us in 2009!!!!
It's going to be OUR year!!!!!!

No Birthday Cake?????

Yesterday I asked Paul what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. He replied he wanted either Chocolate Eclairs or Profiteroles.
I'm not good with puff pastries so eclairs was out.....and when he showed me what profiteroles were- it was just a different shaped eclair. Same ingredients- made the same way- just a different shape.
Being a sport- and wanting him to have what he wanted on his birthday- I told him I would have to do a trial run before his birthday and so I went straight to the kitchen at 10PM and got started.

I made up the vanilla custard for the filling and put it in the fridge to chill while I got started on the pastry. The chocolate glaze for them takes about 2 minutes to make and 5 to cool and you do that while the pastry is cooling after baking.

I made up the first batch and it just LOOKED wrong- it looked like very thin pancake batter and I KNEW it should have looked more like very thick yeast roll dough but with a richer sheen and color. But I had never made them myself before- only seen it done- and so I carried on......

To say those things turned out flat as a pancake is seriously overstating it......they were literally as flat as a DIME- and would have given a dime a bit of room to wiggle in, at that!!!

So I waited for Paul to finish writing his blog and then I went BACK on the net to double-check the recipe I had written down and to check it against some of the other recipes for the same thing.
Turns out I had written everything down correctly from the first one- BUT when I checked it against some of the other recipes for the same thing- the AUTHOR of the first recipe had managed to leave OUT a few KEY ingredients(like baking powder and sugar) and ALSO a few KEY instructions to COOKING it-( like after it comes to a boil- boil for exactly one minute and then remove from heat and let COOL before adding the flour), so when I checked several other recipes against them- the second one was the correct version so I went BACK to the kitchen and tried a second batch.

The second batch came out looking SO much better than the first one-BUT- I had went to check them after only 30 minutes of baking time(the recipe called for 40 minutes baking time) and they were looking better than the first batch- but they were so browned they weren't right either.

So I dumped them in the trash bin and gave it a THIRD try- adjusting the baking time to the initial 15 mins and checking them every 5 minutes thereafter. It took a mere 20 minutes to get the color and consistency right.
I took them out, cooled them off and then filled them with the custard and topped them with another profiterole and then topped that with the chocolate glaze.

Looked very nice. Smelled very nice. Tasted So-So.
Altho these were "nice" to eat, they STILL weren't as light and fluffy and tender as they should have been. I know baking and these just weren't close altho they were edible.

(The photo is the actual ones I made- not a net pic.)

After eating one- Paul said he liked them- but would like ones with a cream filling much better than the custard filling- and I agree with him....the cream filling would be MUCH lighter and less rich than the custard filling. He was also a sweetheart and told me if it was too much trouble to do these he would be PERFECTLY happy with a regular Birthday Cake.

No- I can't let this beat me....I must conquer the pastry dough!!!!
It must be light and airy and tender and flaky and rival the creations of the great Pastry Chefs of France!!!

Guess what I'll be doing for the next couple of weeks???
Yep- Right after I take down my tree.....and I SWEAR I'm actually DOING that as soon as I hit PUBLISH for this post. It's been long enough now.

(REALLY-I AM!!!!!!!!)

Yep-Today's Definately THE Day.......

Yep- Sitting here getting ready to take down my tree now.......
Just Diiiiiinking my coffee and getting ready to get started..................

Yep, gonna vacuum the carpet and then get started taaaaaaaking it down..........


Yep........Yep.....Yessireeeeeeeeee.............

Just taking one last look..................................

Oh My GOSH! I had no idea it was this late in the afternoon!! I need to make some LUNCH now....

...........Wonder if K needs to have a bit of a chat........and L comes home from her trip today too.........haven't talked to her in two weeks!!!!
Oh, well....... That tree may have to wait til later tonight....or maybe tomorrow morning.........I have so much to take care of today!!!...........

2008- 2009 Meme

2008-2009

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Screwed up a job interview for a promotion. It was just a few weeks after Clay's accident and I was in NO emotional state to attempt such a huge endeavor but I went ahead anyway...and came away horrified and humiliated that I had done so badly. I should have KNOWN better.
2. Did you keep your 2008 new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for this year?

I only make one resolution a year- and that was to lose weight...and I did...several times....and gained it back....and lost again...and gained again....get the picture?? This year I have made several resolutions...I seem to be doing a LOT of things differently this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

yes- as you know Kathy and Clay had CJ in February-a few days before MY birthday!!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My step-nephew

5. What countries did you visit?

None unfortunately.....

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Financial security and a home of our OWN...and I want to be able to take a LONG vacation this year!!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Feb 19th.......CJ's Birthday. Clay's legacy to us.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting back to a salary I can actually breathe a bit on!!!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not getting into our own place.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I almost died in April from a massive kidney infection - a complication compounded by my diabetes.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

An artist/drafting table for Paul. It was an out of the blue-for no special occasion-gift that he wasn't expecting and it made him -and therefore ME-happy. It makes ME happy to see him sitting at it drawing.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Several people....Julie- for becoming a CNA and bettering her life,being a great mom and for buying her first home. Frank, for being a great dad, kicking a habit and getting his life together, and becoming the man I always knew he would be. Kathy and Marie- my sweet Daughters in law who are devoted moms and show it every day with little CJ, Devon & Nicholas. My mom- for giving so much of herself to so many, my brother Charlie, for giving my mom (and me)more help than she realizes he does(I, of course, KNOW and APPRECIATE IT!!). My friends, for keeping me laughing when I'm down and listening when I need to talk....and last- but most certainly not least....My Husband Paul- who is my rock thru it all- who has held me many a night while I cried and my heart broke, who has laughed with me- and at me- and made my life heaven again. I love you all.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My moms.....altho I'm happy that she's found someone to be with and care about- I can't deal with her acting like a 14 year old with first crush and all the drama that goes along with it.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills. Now where ELSE would it have gone???? Is there an excess of money I don't know about?????

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Being in the delivery room when CJ was born....I was so thrilled that Kathy asked me AND her mom to be there!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Pussycat Dolls- "When I Grow Up"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder?

Happier

b) thinner or fatter?

Fatter-unfortunately- but that's about to change!!!

c) richer or poorer?

richer- in many ways!!!!

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

cleaning

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

worrying

20. How did you spend Christmas?

working at the job too much and not enough decorating my house for the kids...okay for ME...Geeze!!!!

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

I fall in love with Paul every single day. He's THAT loveable and sweet!!

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I have several...Biggest Loser, Army Wives, Housewives of Orange County, Project Runway, The Tudors, and Dexter. I have issues...you all KNOW that!!!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Can't say I do, to be honest. I don't make enemies easily.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Trans Syberian Orchestra

26. What did you want and get?

An iPod Shuffle

27. What did you want and not get?

A new place to live and a mothers ring.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I don't even remember a film I've seen this year!!!!

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I think I worked on my Birthday and I was 48. And if I'm not Mistanken- I'll be 49 and working on my birthday THIS year as well!

Ugh.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

For Paul to have found employment. Not for our financial outlook per se- but for the satisfaction it would have brought HIM.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Comfort trumps Fashion.

32. What kept you sane?

Having so many people to care about me- and to care about. Keeping as busy as possible to keep my mind off problems.....sometimes it worked...sometimes not.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Oded Fehr........for celebrity.

Obama....... for Public figure.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Alien Amnesty. OMG- Just DON'T get me Started.

35. Who did you miss?

Clay and my Dad. Always.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Hands down it had to be Cindy Cater....I met a LOT of interesting new people this year- Cindy was someone who I went to school with and knew about but was so shy(both of us- altho I DID like to talk once I got to know someone) but she's changed so MUCH I didn't even recognise her at first!!!

Whereas she used to be painfully shy, quiet and hard to get to know because of it, Now She's outgoing, fun, funny, caring and one of the most genuine people I have EVER met and I'm happy to claim her as one of my best, closest friends ever! And that's a very small circle!!!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

Take things slow.

Things happen when they're MEANT to happen.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

No Idea..........maybe some line from "When I Grow Up"?????