Restroom Revelations

Stress Comes in Many Forms

2011-09-27T14:51:00.001-04:00

Music is one of those things that is a real stress reliever for me. Just a side note there.Ever take one of those stress tests where you have to do a questionnaire?

I think everyone has to take one of those at one point in life. I last took one when I was about 25. I think it was because of the migraines. Or it was part of pre-separation counseling, or something.

The Senior Chief took one around the same time as I did.Our results at that time were off the charts. We had had every major stressor there was and quite a few of the minor ones, as well. Good and bad.

That's one of those things that this particular evaluation teaches you...that stress comes in many forms.It's just as stressful to start a new job as it is to lose one, for example. Great.

Another thing I learned is that no matter what you are doing, there is ALWAYS some kind of stress. It exists. If you just got married, that's considered a major stressor. And then, the whole step-family thing, it gives it more value. Etc., etc....

There comes a point in time where on many things you can just put it off to stress. Screw it, it's just stress. Then when the REALLY major stressors come along, then you have some reserve energy to deal with it.

That's the theory anyway.Truth is, you do become a little neurotic under prolonged periods of stress. The brain gets in the damn way, somehow.

Starts making these extra chemicals that make you fat and depressed. And then there's hidden stress. You don't even know it's bothering you until it's taken care off.

Then, sometimes everything is stressful. I'm thinking as you get older, you get over a lot of it, as well. You get all like...Fukkit, I've been there or somewhere really similar before. Whatever.

You also learn to appreciate the folks in your life who help take the stress away. Someone who will do something to help or make you laugh your ass off so hard, that you nearly pee yourself. That was the revelation I had while in the head today.

Some People Should Be Shot

2011-08-13T13:10:00.000-04:00

A while ago, I wrote a post about one of our adopted kids.

It's been 6 years since I wrote that post and that guy is still very much a part of our lives. In that post I related a situation with his fucked up Momma.

He has gone on to make something of himself. He's had the same job for all this time and he's known around these parts as THE parts guy. If you need a part for your car, this guy can get it for you. I'm real proud of him.

He comes over every so often and always always helps The Senior Chief work on his cars and whatnot.

He also has been taking care of his fucked up Momma.

Recently, she bought a house, as I understand it. He also has a steady girlfriend and is Dad to her kids. Those kids adore him and vice versa. I am so proud of him, I could burst.

They were all living with his Momma in this house she bought that she can't afford. He gave her money for living there, as well.

So, he and his family were saving up money to get their own place, as is natural. Then his fucked up Momma drops the ball on him and says she's going to lose the house.

He gives her every last penny to keep this from happening, gives her money to keep the lights on and all that. He gave her every last dime he had...which was a significant amount, from what I understand. And she apparently spent it all on something else.

Her response? She called the cops on him, had them pick him up and tell him he has 24 hours to get out. The cop told her she couldn't do that, that she had to give him 14 days.

GI Joe went over there yesterday to help him load up some stuff to store over here. I love my son, he's a good man.

I want to know..how in the hell do you do that to your only son? To any of your children?

I've always had bad feelings towards that chick since that one day. But this...this is just mean. And fucked up like nothing I've ever seen before.

I don't know how she can sleep at night or live with herself treating her own flesh and blood that way. Looks to me like she just used him.

And with all the trouble he's got, he still is finding time to help us. He's going to haul ToughJake's truck off for us on Monday.

He is crushed that his own mother would do this to him, and I don't blame him. He is holding up well, though.

He came over last night to drop a couple of cars off that he is working on, and I hugged him at least 10 times. The boys took him out to eat and have a couple of beers with them to cheer him up also.

In my humble opinion, she should be shot. The bitch.

Always An Asshole

2011-08-10T14:38:00.000-04:00

GI Joe is here for a visit and that is always tiring as we try and make up for him having not been here every second that he is here.

We are celebrating the fact that he made it back from another tour in a hostile environment. Can I get a hell yeah? Hell yeah!

As usual there are a ton of people over, but they are all much older now than in past years. So, I don't think sitting around the bonfire listening to music and shooting the shit even counts as a party anymore. It's quiet and mellow, which is how I like it.

As well, since a couple of them live a couple of blocks over, they go over there to get loud and whatnot.

That was the plan anyway.

Sunday night changed everything. They went over to the other house and The Senior Chief and I were just chilling watching some tube before we went to bed. At about 11:30, there was a knock on the door. It was some young man looking for one of the girls that hangs with my son. I said she wasn't here and he said..."Are you sure."

That tripped a red flag for me, a little, but I closed the door, locked it and went back to my show.

That bastard never left. He stayed and hung around out in my front yard waiting for the chick to come over. We saw headlights and went outside to see what was going on and he was still here, the chick he was looking for wasn't happy with him, and another of the chicks that came with the first one to make sure she was ok.

He threatened them both, ....then threatened The Senior Chief. Right as The Senior Chief and he were having a discussion...the posse rolls up.

Let me just say, it's good to have a posse, although in the telling, I get counted as being part of it. He didn't want to leave plain and simple and I don't know about any of my dear readers, but if 5 guys all over 6 feet tall were up in my face telling me to leave, then I woulda beat feet out of there. This guy was stupid, though.

He finally left as my son pushed the last number one in 911. Then we had a couple of beers ..talked about it..and they all went back to what they were doing before the disturbance. An hour later we got a call that he said he was coming back to fuck my son up. So, back over they came and we chilled in the garage and stayed up until 3 am. This was before the first day of school and I had to get up and get my younger ones off to school.

The next day was ok..nice and quiet.

Last night..this idiot shows up at the workplace of one of the gals and is threatening her and my son again. She called the cops and again we stayed up late. The Senior Chief filed two complaints against him and for the time being, they are sending extra patrols out our way.

I do not know what this kid is thinking. Or if he is thinking at all. He really shouldn't be messing with us. GI Joe did just come out of a combat zone, and this really isn't helpful to his state of mind. He needs to be able to relax and feel safe within the confines of our home and we have this guy here that has him all worked up and tense, and it's really pissing me off.

The original girl in question will not file a restraining order. She seems to think that if she does then the threats will escalate. I can get that, and she couldn't defend herself if it did, and a piece of paper won't stop a bullet. But, she could make it a lot clearer that she doesn't want to talk to him.

All I know is that now I am completely exhausted and just a little bitchy. I need to get on a schedule and this just is not helping. Not to mention there's a wrecked truck out there that has not been worked on due to all this drama. This is the first time in all these years that there's been real drama. I hate drama, I really do.

And Some More Stress

2011-07-29T13:43:00.000-04:00

When I say that life has been full of constant stress for a very long time, believe me.

This one turned out alright, all things considered. If you can believe it, he walked away.

He was driving on a road that has a nasty curve at the bottom of a real steep hill, when his throttle stuck. He managed to make it through the curve, almost. There's a flat spot and a second part of the curve. At that point he fell off the road and over-corrected, which might have saved his life. At that point, it dug in and he barrel rolled at least 3 times. No time to turn the engine off, unfortunately. Going down that hill in neutral, you can hit 80+mph by the bottom. You have to be on the brakes the entire time.

Luckily, he rolled into the middle of the road instead of into the 60 foot ravine on the other side of the road. That would have been bad.

He's a very lucky boy and we are very thankful that it wasn't worse. He was able to walk away and only had minor scrapes and bumps to show for it. He wasn't decapitated by the axe floating around in the back of it, nor was he hit by the spare battery he had in it. He managed to recover most of his gear, including his Tough Book, which true to it's advertising is fully rugged.

Looks like the engine and tranny survived, as well, so he'll be able to pull those and put them into the truck that's sitting right behind his truck.

There's a lot of blessings from this tragedy, the biggest of which was that he walked away. I am, however, just bone weary and numb. They say God doesn't give ya more than you can bear, but a lot of days, I'm feeling a lot like Job. I don't know how much more I can take. I'm ready for some fun instead of all this crap.

Comments About The Next Presidential Candidate

2011-07-22T00:29:00.000-04:00

I believe the American People are getting wiser. I hope so anyway, and I'm sure that there are those that would beg to differ, and that's ok, too.

Here's the thing. Any candidate for the Presidency must raise a shitload of money in order to get the job. That's just a fact.

Another fact is that the candidate owes these people for contributing enough to get him or her elected.

What I would like is a list of donors from each candidate. I think that would actually be a better way to tell who to vote for.

Those are the people that the potential President is going to be working for. You cannot accumulate that much money and not owe somebody. I'd just like to know who they owe.

Seriously, this whole shindig is getting damned ridiculous.

None of the potential candidates out there has a clue about you or me. None of them has had to worry about money in their lives. Not once. None of them has ever had to decide between food or electricity.

These people don't even think twice about spending taking your money and then spending it on something else entirely. It matters not to them how you are going to come up with the money for this free health care. It matters not to them that the price of food has doubled in the last year.

These people that we are about to elect..no matter who they are...are so out of touch with the American People, that they might as well be in another galaxy altogether.

Somebody in the chain is greedy, that much I know, as well. Why does it cost so much for the candidates to have their debates on television. In this day and age, that stuff should be way cheaper. But it's not.

That's not to say you shouldn't vote. You should, by all means. I just don't expect it to make a real difference for a few more years. We have to keep voting for new folks during the mid term elections, and eventually we'll weed out all the old faces.

Clueless People

2011-07-06T22:51:00.000-04:00

Clueless ~~idiots~~, I mean, people, just piss me off sometimes.

Mostly because the words I would use to give them a clue would hurt their feelings worse than what they did to hurt mine.

Everybody knows that you never, ever, ever openly talk to the ex-wife in public hearing of the new wife, right? Especially not the Senior Chief's ex-wife.

We have one particular relative who just for some reason wants to be all disgustingly nice to the ex-wife...on Facebook.

So, Army boy just got back to the states and managed to make it to Texas for a family reunion, which was cool.

But here's this relative posting that he looks good, and he needs to improve his communication skills. AND that he can't wait to visit her (the ex-wife).

What? Get the hell out. First of all, I take extreme offense at the fact that she insulted him trying to be nice to someone who, from all accounts that I've heard, wasn't very nice to her.

Second of all, who is she to volunteer him to visit anyone? Ok, so we did kind of promise he might be able to go down to Pensacola to hang with his best friend...but that's way different.

Seriously though, couldn't she have wrote all that stuff in a private communication? And who the hell is she to say he needs to communicate better? I don't have too much of a problem with his communications skills and I RAISED HIM..not the one who was getting her ass kissed.

I just don't get it. The ex-wife doesn't have any claim to him as far as I'm concerned.

Not only was she a shitty mother...she never did anything to help raise them in any kind of way. All she did was make things harder and let me tell ya, if she'd have been a man, she'd have been in jail for not paying child support. It kind of tells ya what a shitty mother is that the Senior Chief got custody in that day and age.

I am excited to see him at the end of the month, though. He looks thin and could use some fattening up. God knows he won't get that at the ex-wife's ...not only can't she cook, but she flat out refused to cook.

Like I said, ignorant people just piss me off and I totally don't understand why the attempt is even being made to speak to her, let alone nice and promising her stuff that probably won't happen. Well, he might visit...for a day. Two weeks he'll be HOME though.

So there.

Couple Of Things On My Mind

2011-06-28T16:07:00.000-04:00

First of all, I am OH so glad to have busted my ass putting a garden in for the deer and caterpillars to eat. Thrilled to death.

Second of all, I am oh so thrilled with the judge who blocked enforcement of the new illegal immigration bill that is supposed to go into effect on Friday.

I am sick to death of people saying that we don't want immigrants here. All of us, with very few exceptions are descended from immigrants. This is a nation of immigrants.

LEGAL immigrants, that is.

You know, the ones who learn English and pay taxes.

I see all these "solutions" that crack me up. Like, "Just make them pay taxes. Problem solved."

Um, really? And, Mr. Knowitall, how on earth do you propose we do that?

What really kicks my ass is that a bunch of people voted for this and ONE person stopped it in its tracks. There is something very wrong with the system when one person can have that much power either way.

The illegals have 2 choices...get legal or leave. Plain and simple in my mind.

I'm sick of a bunch of folks coming in to our country and trying to change the rules to suit them while real Americans can't find jobs and are paying taxes so these people can have a free ride.

Open Season

2011-06-23T13:30:00.001-04:00

It is open season in my back yard. Last year's garden pretty much sucked. First, I had never used a tiller before, and that damn thing drug my ass all over the yard. Second, I didn't get the soil broke up good enough for anything to take root...except weeds.

We all call that area the North 40. It's like a mini-pasture and we could bale whatever it is that grows down there. It's like grass, but it's not. It's thick and holds moisture forever so that the best time to mow it is right after your second beer has hit ya in the evening and you don't feel like mowing the grass.

Besides that, it is the yard that is next to the neighbor's house, and every time I'd go out to fuck around in my garden, the neighbor would always be in his driveway walking up and down. Not what you want, when you're trying for a little peace and quiet in the back yard and a little solitude. It's not like he ever bothered me or anything, but that was when I was trying to get away from people..all of them.

The other time I tried to have a garden was years ago, and we put it in the side yard at the other end of the house...again with a neighbor on the other side..and I'd go out there to fuck around in my garden and she'd let her little yippy assed dogs out so they'd run up to the fence and yip, yip, yip. God, I wanted to kill those dogs.

This year..I did it a little different. I started seedlings, first of all, but I screwed up and the damn corn got root bound. I planted it anyway, so now I'm going to get baby corn. Ha! The tomatoes, I put next to my giant fig tree. They are doing FANTASTIC! They are about 4 feet tall, and I'm going to get some nice tomatoes.

Maybe.

I went out the other morning, and something..and I'm going to guess it was a deer, had took the top off of one of them.

Bastards.

I thought they were going to mess with the stuff I had in back, because we've seen them bed down there once or twice, but they walked right in the front yard to get these tomatoes.

Can't kill them with a pellet gun. Sigh. Even if you could, I'm a terrible shot. Scared the crap out of a rabbit a while ago, though.

Do you know how hard it was to dig that hole so I could plant my garden? Not as hard as tilling, but still, I was cussing and thought I was gonna die..or praying I would die...it was hard assed work. And some damn animal is going to come along and reap the rewards of all my hard work?

I don't think so.

I have some hellacious venison recipes, and I have no qualms at all about killing Bambi. Bastards are bad pains in the ass.

Venison stew, anyone?

*Edit: It was a big fat caterpillar. And I almost touched it before I realized what it was. EEEWWWW! It was HUGE! I sure hope it didn't have babies.

Swimming

2011-06-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

I was reading a post by Yabu today about swimming and it made me think back. Rather than leave a comment that was 3 pages long, I figured I'd just write it in a blog post.

I actually do not know how to swim, technically. I can doggy paddle, float, and stuff like that to survive..but actually do a breast stroke and swim...not so much.

I was never afraid of the water, though.

As a kid, I was always in the water...at the beach, at the pool. Never learned how to swim. Almost drowned a couple of times too. That is always embarrassing...having the life guard have to rescue you. Even that didn't make me afraid of the water.

In Navy boot camp, one of the things you have to do, no questions..if you don't pass the swim test, you cannot be in the Navy. Makes sense, doesn't it?

The swim test consists of jumping off a 30 foot high dive, treading water for 5 min.,turning your dungarees into a flotation device, and getting yourself down to the other end of the Olympic sized pool..using any stroke. I doggy paddled my way down there. Not the fastest way, but it got the job done.

I knew people who were deathly afraid to make that jump. It's as high as the side of a ship, although, I'm not sure what size ship. I'm pretty sure carriers are a little more than 30 feet tall.

To me, it was easy peasy lemon squeezy, but like I said, I grew up on the water.

I've water-skied, gone tubing with a boat pulling the tube, tubed down a river, spent time in the ocean and numerous pools over the years, and still I don't know how to swim properly.

Now that I'm older, and don't spend my days on the water, I do have a little anxiety. This didn't happen until I had children, though. Realizing that I am probably not the one you want in charge when all the kids are swimming because I don't have the skills to save them if they get themselves in a situation, tends to put a little fear in you.

All of my kids know how to swim except the youngest. He was little when the liner went out in the pool and opportunity hasn't presented itself. It's probably time to take him for lessons, and join him. Water isn't really that scary unless you don't know what to do when you find yourself in a situation.

If you spend enough time on the water, eventually you will find yourself in a situation. It's always good to be prepared.

Car Club

2011-06-10T11:32:00.000-04:00

If you own any kind of car that you consider cool, then the chances are, you belong to a car club. It's an automatic thing.

For example, I own a Camaro. Several, as a matter of fact, and no matter how old or new they are, they are always cool to other Camaro owners. You get the two finger wave, or the chin up nod..an acknowledgement of the fact that you have a cool car.

Back in the day, there wasn't such a club for AMC Pacers. There may be now, but I haven't seen one, let alone two, so I wouldn't know.

I'm sure there's an Audi club, and a BMW club for those that own those types of cars. It's mostly the performance cars that have those unspoken clubs.

I had no idea of the kind of coolness that comes from owning a high performance car. The cars I typically chose were more for utility rather than performance. The fact that you can have both was an eye opener to me, and I'll never own a utilitarian car again such as an Escort or Ranger truck, although there are times that I miss the truck.

I was sitting at a red light the other day next to a Jeep. Another Jeep came around the corner and those two locked eyes and did the chin up nod to each other. "I see you..nice ride."

Insider joke kind of deal.

I never knew. And now that I do know now, I'll never go back. It's like having friends you never met, and will likely never meet again..but for that moment in time..it's a party.

Writing Just Got Easier

2011-06-09T13:14:00.000-04:00

I switched my internet service today. Charter Communications sucks. It really does. I switched to AT&T today and now I can blog in my favorite place..down by the fire pit. All of my inspiration comes from down here, and now I won't forget what I was going to write by the time I get all the way up to my computer nor will I have to carry a pad and paper down here with me as well.

I am OVERJOYED...!!!!! And we saved almost a hundred bucks a month. Better service, cheaper price. I'm down with that. So, if you, too are having problems with Charter, then AT&T U-verse might be the answer for you as well.

Let me tell you just how bad Charter is. I couldn't even watch local channels on my upstairs tv without the message that this channel will soon be available. Forget watching movies or any of the channels above 29. On the main tv, couldn't watch movies. I didn't even bother ordering HD service for my HD tv, because I couldn't even get it consistently on a regular basis. The internet and phone worked fine but this seems to be much faster.

It was getting frustrating paying that much money for so long...for service not received. And then when I would call to get a tech out here to get it right...they would charge me for a service call. And still not fix it.

This has been going on for 10 years at least.

For this moment in time, I am a very happy camper. I am down at the fire pit, enjoying the view, I can type this without any problems, better service, more features, less hassle, less money. Win win win. Or should that be ...Winning!!!

So, now I have it all...and HD, too. And, boy howdy, HD is something else. It's like I got a new tv.

ADHD

2011-06-04T13:10:00.000-04:00

I might've mentioned once or twice that I have this condition. Many, many, many people view this condition as a bullshit diagnosis.

It's not, I assure you. The lack of ability to pay attention and lack of short term memory is constantly a problem.

The lack of motivation, organization, and the inability to achieve those things is a constant source of frustration.

How many women do you know that forget their own anniversaries? How many people do you know that forget their court dates.

A few years ago...about 13, to be exact...I was arrested because I forgot about a court date. You'd think that would have taught me, right?

Nope. This week...I forgot my anniversary AND a court date. So, now, a bench warrant has been issued, I am sure. Lovely. Not to mention how much more money it's going to cost.

Hell, I almost forgot to go to jury duty when I had it a while ago. In order to remember these things, I cannot allow myself to focus on anything else.

This kind of thing can bring self loathing to a level never achieved before. I know in my heart that I'm not lazy, crazy or stupid, but it sure is hard to convince the casual observer. Hell, it's hard to convince myself sometimes.

Sigh.

Sigh

2011-05-21T23:00:00.000-04:00

Dammit.

The world was supposed to end.

Again.

Can't count on...

Shit to be true.

Idiots.

Dammit. Fuck.

Friday The Thirteenth

2011-05-14T17:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was an interesting day. First, I was playing a casual game of poker and the youngsters come home. My daughter informs me that Yabu Jr. told her he was going to emancipate himself so that he could move to Texas and move in with his Grandma. What? I can poke several holes in that plan, number one being that he didn't have enough sense to not throw a can of butane into a fire and the resulting mayhem, so therefore he isn't qualified to take care of himself. Instead, I googled it, and google told him he had to be at least 14. Second of all, his grandma is 88 years old and looking after a teenage boy isn't exactly on her bucket list. Been there, done that.

Then, I go to Wallyworld. That was my first mistake, I suppose, but hey, there were a few beverages we needed for the weekend, and they do sell beer as well as soda.

Right before I left, there was a wicked wind that blew up. It looked like a tornado tried to form right in our yard. Someone that lives nearby said they saw one down the road a ways, but none of the sirens went off. It picked up all the newly mown grass and deposited it right on the black car sitting in the backyard.

The Senior Chief was down in the pine stand when it blew and he came up and said maybe he'd light the fire here in a minute.

The sun came back out, and I went on my way.

When I got home, Yabu Jr. informed me I needed to go down to the fire pit and check out the mayhem down that way.

As you can see from the picture, one of my gorgeous Georgia Pines came down. On the car. That one was due for the junkyard anyway, but it surely was everybody's favorite car. The Senior Chief ALMOST got it moved in time. We had been talking about it for awhile, but didn't get a round tuit.

He had taken the air compressor down there to fill up the tires, put it in neutral and roll it forward about 6 feet. He got around to the passneger side and it started coming down. He stood there and watched it. He said it didn't really make any noise until it popped the windows out of the car.

All in all, more excitement around here. Which I really, really could do without.

Bitches and their Durangos

2011-05-06T15:53:00.000-04:00

Let me tell ya, I am so sick of those Durangos, Hummers, Escalades and that type of person that drives those.

You know the ones I mean, the ones that use their big assed vehicle to bully you.

I had an incident with one of those this afternoon that has left me livid.

I was coming out of the bank turning right. Right there is an intersection with a light. The light was green when I started making my turn, but halfway through, it turned red which left me half in and half out of the parking lot. My front wheels were on the road and I was obviously occupying that space. For about 1/4 of Cowboy.

Along comes this bitch in her Durango. Beeps her horn at me. I pull up another inch...she pulls up...I keep on the gas and I pull up a little more...and then she just pulls on up until her fucking Durango is parked on MY car.

I can't even make this shit up. She just decided I wasn't going...even though I was already there...and parked her Durango on my car. And who gets the ticket. Why..Me of course. The cop lady told me that I should go on and tell the judge. And not in a mean way. I know she believed me. They tell you that you can pay those things but she said that I might just want to talk to the judge. She was actually pretty cool. She laughed at me because I have to be up on the wheel so far.

Man, I'm pissed though. I'm fighting this ticket for all that I'm worth...without hiring a lawyer. God, I hate a bully. And she thinks she got away with something.

May 1, 2011

2011-05-04T09:21:00.000-04:00

Not a good day for rat bastard dictators who want to commit genocide. Kind of like the Ides of March.

Hell maybe we should make it official. From here on out, May 1 is known as National If You Fuck With Us We WilL Hunt You Down Like The Dog You Are.

Nah. Too much of an insult to dogs. I actually love dogs.

Make no mistake about it. I cracked a beer and saluted the SEALS, and did a little dance.

To this song. I don't know why I couldn't just post it at the top. Sigh. Whatever.

Anyway, I am a happy camper. As Yabu says, in the long run, it's just a drop in the bucket...it won't really make a difference. Maybe he's right. In the short run, it does make a difference. And if you never forget, then it makes a difference. Just because we got the bastards does not mean the war is over, though. It won't be over until it's over. We're 2000 years and counting, so I'm not really holding my breath. We cannot just let them take over though. It's wrong.

Each small victory equals winning the war. You collect enough small victories over a short enough period of time, and then the odds change in your favor. Each small victory, and Bin Laden wasn't small. Each victory impels you too work harder, keep trying, keep hoping, keep fighting because it's the right thing to do.

This Sept. 11th is going to be different. Maybe now we can grieve for our loss of innocence on that day. There's a lot of small town America left. The small town hasn't lost it's appeal to a lot of folks. Those are the people that the attacks on Sept. 11th riled up. What do you mean that Mr. and Mrs. Joe Jones from whatever small town he lives in across the country..that God fearing couple that has the white picket fence, and goes to church every Sunday, Wednesday and sometimes Thursday. The Muslims hate THOSE people. They hate the very values which America is founded upon.

They hate small town America. That's just crazy. And to attack New York City, which is one of the cities most representative of America. The cultural diversity that lives in the big cities is pretty awesome. And for the most part, the level of scum isn't what it is in those countries that hate us.

I think the only ones who can really help are the Muslim Americans, and the peaceful Muslims across the world. They are there. They are going to have to pick a side and stand and fight. The young college kids that are American, and Muslim, are being interviewed here and there, and they are saying for their people of origin to just stop. It's lunacy. They are mostly tearing up their own stuff and hurting no one but themselves.

Can you believe that the house Osama was living in was a mansion? Poor bastards. I'm glad he's gone. Some people just do not deserve to live on this earth. He is in good company with Hitler. Fuck that not celebrating. I am glad he's gone, and I say we should dance in the streets. Why not? Sometimes, you have to communicate in the way some would understand in order to get their attention.

And fuck that Obama stuff. Look, I'm starting to feel sorry for the guy. I mean, look at how much he's aged in 2 years. We were right, he wasn't experienced enough for the job, but he is a pretty quick learner I think. He learned right away that Gitmo was necessary and you don't see any more talk of that shutting down, do you? I'm sure it's been pointed out only a few million times that the methods he said he was going to put an end to is what gained us this information. If he read G. W.'s book, he got a pretty damn good explanation as to why it's effective, and not as bad as it sounds. Let me tell ya something. Waterboarding is not torture. It's an interrogation method. There is a huge difference. Because most involved in any kind of intelligence job know that torture is an ineffective way of extracting information. People will tell you whatever you want to hear in order to make it stop. There are many interrogation methods, sensory deprivation being pretty effective as well. The whole name of the game is to get accurate, reliable information. Seems to me like it works pretty well, considering we got the bastard.

I'm not sad one bit. I'm so damn happy, words aren't even enough. Hell yeah! GO NAVY!!!!!

I Keep Waiting

2011-04-23T11:38:00.002-04:00

I watched the truck race last night. I didn't watch the burnout. I am so sick of Kyle Bush, it isn't even funny. I keep waiting for him to his a losing streak to teach him some humility and whatnot, but it just ain't happening.

He's a flaming idiot, as far as I am concerned and it's disgusting that if push came to shove, I'd have to bet on him if it came down to it. I felt that way about Jimmy Johnson, too, but ever since I won the campground pool at Talladega, I've kind of changed my mind.

I used to like Kyle Bush. I really did. When he came on the scene, his brother was the one acting the fool. Every time I see Kyle win a truck race, I miss Bobby Hamilton so much.

Kurt finally hit a losing streak after winning a championship. He all but got fired that year, as well. His team owner did away with the number and parked him for the last race or two at the end of the season.

I like watching the truck races because that's where all the old school style racing is. Love to watch them guys mix it up. There ain't no whining down there at the truck level either. That is the series where you'll see Kevin Harvick slide across the front of someones truck to jump up in their face. No whining though.

Not too many of the Cup guys can race the trucks, though. You'll see Cup guys try to race a truck, and they can't even get it qualified. That's what happened to Smoke last time he tried a truck. Same with DW. They gave him a clock anyway, the bastards.

You'll see Truck guys go to Cup and have the same problems, too. Kvapil is a Truck series champion and can't drive a car for shit. The guys that CAN drive both, are pretty damn awesome. Harvick, Edwards, and Biffle being 3. Bobby Hamilton did ok in a car, too. Brendan Gaughn can't drive a Cup car, and not too many of the Cup, guys even try to drive a truck. It's humiliating when you can't even qualify.

Anyway, I'm sick of Kyle Bush. Sick to death. Smashing that guitar last year...ugh. The little bastard keeps winning, too...that's the disgusting part. Except he isn't doing too much in Cup.

I'm just going to keep waiting for him to hit his losing streak. It's got to happen sooner or later. Either that or he's going to piss off the wrong person. The announcers keep saying.."Man, we're sorry for having to talk about Kyle Bush all the time. But, WOW"...blah, blah, blah. Nobody wants to see the same guy win race after race...especially the unpopular guy. They'll quit watching. I almost quit watching last night except Hornaday made a late run and almost won it. Sigh.

Party At The End Of The World

2011-04-08T12:25:00.000-04:00

I love that song. Helps me keep perspective. The world is certainly going to hell in a hand-basket, that's for sure.

I'm just working on getting my shit together so that at the end of it all, there's a party. The world can't possibly suck forever. But there are periods of time where it certainly does suck. The years of the bubonic plague. When we brought smallpox and gave it to the Indians. The great flood. Now that really sucked. And it kind of sucks now. Mostly due to mother nature.

People always forget that we are animals, too. Granted we are the highest animals on this planet, but that doesn't make us any less animals. Especially important to remember because as smart as we are, we cannot do a damn thing about the earth. We have no control over earthquakes and tsunamis, and hurricanes and tornadoes. We have done quite a bit on the disease end of it all...maybe. What with superbugs and all, we still really don't have control over any of it.

This is all independent of economy and politics and no budget, the bastards, and any of the stuff going on that is just complete and utter bullshit. How hard is it to make sure the troops are paid?

I actually believe that all this stuff we're all focused on and worried about...is all a moot point. I think that when mother nature lets loose, all that shit is going to go away. Things are going to get real simple. You have to work at simplifying things, trust me. In some ways it's not so hard, then in other ways it is.

And even if it is the economy..which is a totally people driven industry..driven by worry. People are worried about Japan, so the Japanese stock took a huge dip, which in turn affected ours, because people got worried about the companies that depended upon Japanese parts...and yada yada yada. For that reason right there, we need to start making some of this stuff at home now. We need to become totally independent as a country, and a continent. We really ought to make some peace down in South America and so on and so forth, because when it all happens, we'll be lucky to still be connected to them, I think. We have the natural resources to be independent. But what is going on? Do we want to hoard our supply until it's the only one left? Yes, it costs a couple of more bucks to start up all the equipment and infrastructure to achieve that, but stuff like that pays for itself.

So, with this and that, I think I'm just going to keep on simplifying my life, get more efficient, and try and make sure I'm around for the party at the end. You gotta practice if you're going to achieve that, though. Work hard, play hard, still the motto after all this time.

Wet and Slick

2011-03-27T12:25:00.002-04:00

That is what it is outside. I got up this morning and took one of my sons to work.

Did a lot of work on my hot rod. New transmission, new rear axles, new bearings on the rear gear. All that work was done while it was cold as hell outside too. I helped quite a bit. You'd think that would have tightened her up for a bit, but nope, she's loose. Really loose.

Working on cars gets on my nerves because I don't have the strength to muscle some of the stuff that needs it. Took us 2 days to get the bearings off. The senior chief likes my ideas because when it can't be muscled, you have to find another way. Being small like I am, it takes a certain amount of creativity and ingenuity to accomplish tasks that require dealing with heavy stuff or stuff with a lot of torque.

This is where tools rule. If you have the right tools, in this case a torch, you can do anything. Plus, my dad was a genius when it came to working on cars. And I don't recall anybody ever really helping him. Maybe my brother when he got older, because I know I never did, really. Somehow I picked up a lot of mechanical theory along the way. And that was reinforced in the Navy. The amount of knowledge we had to have at our working memory disposal about how stuff worked, was pretty damn intense. I am learning to gain some satisfaction of it because I get to drive it after. Next job is rebuilding the old transmission. That's going to be more fun because it'll be a workbench job. All the hard part of getting it out is already done. Putting it back is going to be a trick.

So, after I dropped my son off to work, I proceeded on home. The first thing is to take a left hand turn. I have done this a million times. I could do it in my sleep.

You'd think, anyway.

I turned left and was leaning into it a little bit, and shifted into second gear. First gear is short as hell in this car. It needs a longer first gear. Anyway, as soon as I popped it into second gear, the ass end came around on me. I managed to correct it, but over corrected the other way, but I was going slow enough, and enough speed had been scrubbed off that I could safely deploy my brake. I knew if I hit the grass it was all over.

What's crazy is I had this NASCAR commentary running in my head the whole time. Oh, there goes one around...looks like she's going to save it. Oh..oops, hope she can keep it off the inside wall..YES, she does it and look at her pull back on track like nothing ever happened.

I was very fortunate in that there were no other cars around. It woulda been the big one if there had been. I know people were watching too. My nerves are still shot now.

All that does is make me want to drive a race car more. I better learn to handle a 305 first, though. I have no desire to drive a more powerful car, though. I'm a little scared of that 383 out there..I really am. I can get my thrill with a 305 still, why upgrade? The Senior Chief has been there, done that with a 305. And even he has a lot of respect for the 383. My respect for the 305 has gone up a notch or two. The IROC would never have done that, though. It doesn't corner as well as this one, so I never pushed it like that either. Besides, it's not my car.

My car is the RS, and it's a lot different to drive. The Senior Chief says it's tight, but I don't agree. It'll take corners a lot better than the other one. It's a straight coupe, and the IROC is a t-top. The T-tops are more rigid because of what they do to the chassis. It'll get out from under you quicker, too. It'll do it on dry pavement, if you're not careful, too.

Man, I'm awake now, though.

Saturday

2011-03-19T09:56:00.004-04:00

It is Saturday morning and I woke up two hours ago. Pissed off. I don't know why. It must be the moon or something. I'm always a bitch during the full moon, but for it to be a supermoon means that I'm feeling superbitchy.

The birds are singing and all signs are there that spring has arrived. It's gorgeous outside. I can't bring myself to leave my room though. I know that there's a ton of work waiting for me out there, and I don't feel like doing it.

My ADD is so much worse in the spring. I can't concentrate on anything for more than ten seconds. It takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to do things because of this. Even this post alone has taken longer than it should.

Patience levels are at an all time low, as well. As is my tolerance for everybody's bitching. The constant bitching. I get so damn tired of it. It's everywhere, too. The whole country has done nothing but bitch and complain for the last 10 years.

Good lord. I'm sick of it. I'd like everybody to just take 25 damn seconds and count the things that are good in your life. Honestly.

I'm sick of reading stories where some politician is calling another names. I am so irritated with the way those idiots in DC are nothing but a bunch of bickering, bitching little kids.

I mean, my daughter has been wondering if people get any better. I use to hold out hope that they would. But, look at the news. All of it. So much bitching and complaining and name calling. Just like kids do. For the love of God, grow the hell up and do your damn job.

Reading the news just pisses me off.

Ok, we know the nuclear plant at Japan is probably going to melt down. Even if it doesn't, it's fried and non-fixable. That plant is gone. I don't need to hear about it every 15 seconds to know this.

Unions were a fantastic idea. A hundred years or more ago.

This is where I get pissed of at the damn Yankees when they start in about how we were horrible here in the south because we had slaves. The damn Yankees is why unions were invented in the first place. And why we have OSHA and child labor laws today. Those laws made unions obsolete. Unions have no place anymore. Not as they stand now. Right now all those fat bastards at the top are getting paid. What is there to negotiate for anymore? Not only that, just because you belong to a union, doesn't mean you have a guaranteed job. You'd think for the money they collect from their members, that would be part of the deal. But it's not, so they need to go. Those fat bastards need to get out and start earning their keep.

And then there's the rapists, murderers, and just sicko people out there that we have to hear about all the time too.

I like the Science and Technology section. I'm excited to stay up late tonight and try and get a few pictures of this supermoon. That would be cool.

The only conclusion you can draw from all this bitching is that the world is ending and everybody is screwed.

Well, that's just bullshit and we all know it.

I might just take a news hiatus for awhile.

That concludes my rant. I actually feel a lot better now and ready to tackle the day with vigor and enthusiasm. Well, maybe that's pushing it a little, but hey, I might get some stuff done today.

Spring Cleaning

2011-03-14T13:21:00.004-04:00

It is AMAZING how much stuff you accumulate when you live in a house for 14 years.

I mean, seriously.

It's just another part of the transition. When you move every 3 or 4 years, you are forced to pare down on your stuff some. Especially when the movers destroy third of it. It happens...their forklift driver just misses the pallet and puts the forks right into one of your boxes. And it's always with the stuff that you can't replace but you didn't want to carry it with you in your emergency cache that you have travelling from base to base. Most times, I just took my entire kitchen with me.

I think it would be harder now.

With the guys moving out....we are rearranging rooms and redistributing furniture. It's a lot easier with only four and a half. The college kid doesn't really count...he's never here, anyway. He does come around and eat some leftovers, though.

And, I get to take some stuff out of storage and have a craft room. There's even room to set up the exercise machine again..woot!

But dayum, there's just a ton of STUFF. Thank God the dump is only a mile away. I cannot believe some of the stuff those kids held on to. I came across pogs..remember pogs? Exactly.

Toys from when they were little little. Yabu Jr. had made out on the deal big time. He got ALL the workable left over toys. Micromachines..the whole works. He almost doesn't have room in his room for all he got.

The girl child has too many clothes. That works out jim-dandy for me because she can just give them to me, and I can wear them. She's got some cute clothes, too.

College boy cleaned out the empty bedroom and moved his stuff in. Brother number 3, thought he was going to complain about just having to pick up a neatly packed box of his stuff. Apparently, something wasn't packed right.

I said Aw HELL NO..when I heard the complaint there. That room was a mess..and that kid didn't clean it before he moved out, so he's got no room to bitch about how it was done.

Deal with it.

I do have some bickering assed kids. I have learned to ignore it over the years. Sometimes, though, they'll be back and forth and it's always over something soooo stupid, that I just lose my everloving mind.

So, needless to say, this particular year, spring cleaning has been an ordeal, of sorts.

As soon as we're all done with it, all of us can relax, too. They'll be happy in the end that they did all that work.

Well, I'll be happy anyway. I could really care less than zero about how they feel about it. They're doing it anyway.

Miracle or Tragedy?

2011-03-11T13:54:00.002-05:00

As a NASCAR fan, I follow up and comers and try to pick the new hot-shot out of those. Some of those I pick, like Smoke, turn out to be big stars. Others that I pick, struggle, like Johnny Sauter. It doesn't make me any less a fan.

A few years ago, there was an up and comer, new kid on the block by the name of Shane Hmiel. The kid had much talent behind the wheel of a car and was slated to go far. Brilliant driver.

Until the drug tests came back positive. Again. For the third time, actually. He was banned from NASCAR for life after this. It was sad to watch. So much talent wasted.

After the ban, he entered rehabilitation, where he sobered up and cleaned out. I watched, silently rooting for him. Hoping he didn't blow it again.

Eventually he returned to racing, in the USAC series. All the way back down to the bottom. Again. But, he'd pulled himself back up before, I knew he'd do it again.

And he did. Again, the brilliance behind the wheel. Had a ride for Indy Lights this year. His dream was to win the Indy 500.

Until 4 months ago. On a qualifying run in his USAC car, he lost control of his car, slammed roof up into the wall, leaving him nearly dead. Nearly, but not quite so.

Once at the hospital, he was given a one in ten chance of living. Then the respiratory complications set in. According to interviews with his father, Steve Hmiel, he died four times.

Today, five months and a few days later, he is in a wheelchair, a quadriplegic. However, the signs all point to him making a miraculous recovery. He has some feeling returned to his limbs and the reports say that there is a chance he may walk again and even maybe live a normal life. Maybe be able to drive again. Not race cars though. Those days are done for him, forever, according to some reports.

Shane Hmiel is determined to race again, however, and if he can't..to continue to be involved with motor sports through ownership.

I'm really not sure if this story is a miracle or a tragedy or maybe a little of both.

No matter what, though, there are people out there praying for the best for this talented young guy.

Ordeal

2011-03-10T09:27:00.002-05:00

Do it right or do it over. If you don't have time to do it right, when are you going to have time to do it over?

Things done half assed just piss me off no end. It really does. When I clean the kitchen, I clean it ALL. Including all the surfaces and the floor. It's just not done until then.

I sure wish my dentist had held that philosophy, but apparently I picked a shyster. As per normal. I have had the worst luck with civilian doctors. I was spoiled being a military brat, then in the military and then a military wife. And living in Virginia, there was a clinic in damn near every neighborhood. And the quality of care was excellent. And still is, as far as I know.

I think I got a good guy this time around. God knows, it's taking long enough because he wants to make sure everything is perfect. And it's fixed priced, so it's not like it's costing me extra money to have 57 visits.

Oh...I have to have the whole teeth thing redone. Sigh. I am so sick of worrying about my teeth, for the love of God.

I just wish it was over already, but he promises to have me a set that's going to last for the rest of my life. And my original dentist...gone. Poof. Not there anymore. No forwarding address. Bastard.

It has taken a month and a half of appointments and no damn teeth in sight. I've had several impressions made and next week is my appointment for the third freaking try in. Sigh. I HATE to have to do things over again. I thought I solved the whole f-ing problem going on 5 years ago. Already?

I don't have time to do things over. I'm having to squeeze it out now what with everything going on around here. My younger kids actually wanting a life.... And I'm pretty sure it will be easier to get a job with the whole teeth thing taken care of. Again. Dammit to hell.

And then to find a regular dentist. One that can see the whole family and do maintenance on my after market parts.

Hopefully, this is the last time I have to do this. It's an ordeal every single time.

International Women's Day

2011-03-09T10:15:00.003-05:00

That was yesterday. When the hell did we get a day, and how come I was never told of this until yesterday? I guess they figure we get Mother's Day or something.

Or are we American's just slow to catch on. Hell, my poker buddy from Jordan knew, of all people. For any of my single gals out there, this guy is an orthopedic surgeon for the United Nations. He went to Iraq in the Doctors without Borders and worked on the kids there. He said it was awful. He's very much anti-war, pro-woman, and I can understand that. And he's single and looking.

Hell, even some of my Canadian buddies knew it was International Women's Day.

Crap, I guess I have to get out more, or something. I'm getting ready to start pounding the pavement looking for a job, truth be told. It's time. I'm restless and unhappy, and I need to have something to occupy my days.

Being a stay at home mom is a lot like Ground Hog Day. You wash the same dishes, vacuum the same floors, clean the same toilets every single day of your life. After a while, you get pissed off when anything is out of place. Didn't I just DO that yesterday, for the love of all holy. I'm ready to bring home some bacon, too. It balances things out. The whole responsibility for any one thing like that should not be put on just one person.

Also, I'm still young enough to have another career at this point in my life. The Senior Chief is almost 9 years older than me. I have 20 good years or more left in me to build a career. That's one thing to be said for having your babies when you're young.

Anyhoo, I'm not gonna miss International Women's Day next year. I'll have earned it by then.

Best Friend

2011-02-24T09:13:00.003-05:00

I talked to my best friend from high school this morning. My best guy friend, anyway.

He is the older brother I never had and believe me, it wasn't an easy job.

I haven't talked to him in forever. When he was a senior in high school, both of our dad's got out of the Navy and he moved to Massachusetts and I moved to Maryland. We both went back to Virginia later but wound up going our separate ways as adults.

He came to visit me after I got married to the Senior Chief and was pregnant with my girl child. That was the last time I saw him.

I've talked to him off and on over the years but we haven't really kept in touch.

We didn't really need to. I love him and he loves me. We'll always be friends.

And that's just good to know.

Aren't friendships like that nice? We have kind of transcended the friendship bond and it's gone right on in to family. I've known this guy since I was 6 years old.

It was a little awkward in some spots, because we didn't need to have a long conversation to catch up. I'm good..you're good..good.

And you know..he hasn't changed a bit. Well, he has..we all change..but not in the basic areas.

Up With The Sun, Gone With The Wind

2011-02-21T06:14:00.002-05:00

My usual waking time is between five am and five-thirty am. I like to get up before the kids so I can have my wits together before I wake them up.

I procrastinated waking Yabu Jr. up this morning because I know it's going to be tough to get him to school today. That kid is the fakingest kid you've ever seen. EVERY Sunday night, he does this whole routine where he's setting up to be 'sick' on Monday morning.

Superbowl Sunday, yesterday..it's especially on the days where there's fun to be had. And on weekends where he's had Saturday school, which he had this weekend.

I'm finding I have less and less patience for this as time wears on. He's not little anymore and it's not cute. It pisses me off to have to fight with him for him to do what he's supposed to do.

As well, he's failing math, and I'm not at all pleased about that.

This morning, I actually have an appointment, so I have less patience than my usual lack of patience.

The sad face, the dawdling, the whining..all that not going to work this morning because he's going to have to deal with The Senior Chief. Hahaha!

Ten Years Ago

2011-02-18T13:36:00.002-05:00

Ten years ago on this day, the sport of NASCAR lost a legend. It was a sad day then, and it's a sad day now.

It's hard to explain why the Intimidator meant so much to so many people. Maybe it was his racing style, maybe it was his personal style.

He represented a lot of us working class folks. He was still a working class guy, even when he achieved so much fame. He appeared to be a shy guy.

I saw him once in person at the Mall of Georgia. He looked very uncomfortable with all the attention.

Ten years gone, but not forgotten. Still the man, after all this time. His souvenir stand still is a top seller. I still have a sweatshirt that I wear that is still a favorite.

I couldn't help but rewatch the final laps of that fateful Daytona 500. So many changes have come to the sport since that death. Many say as a result of, but I don't believe that. The season before took 4 drivers in fatal accidents at various racetracks on the circuit. Changes were already coming.

None of those deaths affected so many people like Earnhardt's did, though. Most still can't think of it without shedding a tear or two.

Feb. 18, 2001. The day the racing world was changed forever.

RAW

2011-02-12T15:21:00.002-05:00

Or is it RAWR? My daughter says the latter, but what do I know?

Not a damn thing, really.

This Superbowl Sunday came and went without any undue stress. Well, a little, but there's always a little.

No unauthorized pyrotechnics, as the Senior Chief would say.

I made some kick assed food...eventually. I made recipes I had never tried before so dinner was delayed til half-time, and it was only ready then because the king native got a little bitchy.

They liked it anyway...or so they said. The leftovers are still there, however. The same dish I brought home from the club that was premade, all gone. Hey, I know it wasn't right...I got rushed..but to be lied to about how good it was...well, it's just a good thing my tastebuds work.

I'm just happy nobody blew up.

Middle School

2011-02-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

Middle school sucks as far as I can tell. We didn't have middle school when I was a kid, we had junior high. Whatever, it still sucks.

What sucks the most is that I can't tell my kids that people ever really get any better.

I couldn't WAIT to be a grown up because I thought people somehow quit sucking so much when they were grownups. Boy, was I ever wrong.

I was in Wally World last night with my littlest son, who is almost taller than me now. He has grown a foot since this time last year.

Anyway, we're in the line..got all our stuff loaded on the conveyor and are crowded pretty close next to the people in front of us. Behind us is a group of a couple of ladies and little kid.

One of the ladies spied some gift cards right next to the refrigerator that holds all the sodas. She SHOVES my cart into me...I'm almost running into the people in front of me, almost...

She's trying to get at these stupid cards. Sick of my cart being shoved up my ass, I shove my cart right back at her and turn around and tell her..."Just wait a minute already." She tells her friend that I told her to wait and then calls me a bitch.

Which I am. No denying that. Hahaha!

I am actually used to people being assholes at this point in my life. I mean, seriously, the hope that people would change has LONG since been dashed. I expect it anymore.

My little son, though, is a little indignant at this lady. My kids still hold the hope that people aren't so mean. Poor babies.

He was outraged that she called me a bitch. And that she used that word in front of her little son.

I had to laugh a little. And then he comes home and tells the Senior Chief that some lady at the store was "being mean to his mommy".

Trash Cans

2011-01-26T07:10:00.002-05:00

I want to know. Why do people hide their trashcans? Seriously.

Have you ever been to someone's house and you are looking for a trashcan to throw ...say a soda can or whatever away ...and you can't find them anywhere?

Why would you want to hide your trashcans? How the hell do you expect people to use them if they are hidden?

I don't hide my trashcans, yet people still have a hard time throwing stuff away.

I have a trashcan in every room within distance to the couches and anywhere else people congregate. They are emptied often so as not to smell, but they are there for people to see. And to use.

You can't use them if you can't find them.

Don't Judge a Book By It's Movie

2011-01-22T09:21:00.003-05:00

I am hoping we don't get iced in for a week this time. It was fun the first time, but it's too soon for another.

I do have plenty of books to keep me occupied. My "to read" list is pretty long right now. I recently read the Inkheart trilogy. I don't know if they were supposed to be kids books, or what, but I thoroughly enjoyed them. I had seen parts of the movie and thought it was cute. I wasn't disappointed. It was more than cute, and totally unexpected. Some say "Don't judge a book by it's cover." I say, "Don't judge a book by it's movie".

Maybe it's just me, but I find that books are far better than movies. I like movies that are original movies. I hate movies that are made out of books. The movie makers invariably leave out something that brings so much to the charm of the books.

For instance, leaving out Peeves in the Harry Potter series, was just taking an important part of the lightheartedness out of the whole series.

I was watching Prince Caspian the other day, and I couldn't even enjoy it. All I was thinking was "Oh hell no, it didn't EVEN happen like that.

I have series that I'm reading with the kids, too. That's fun. They have accepted that I always get the book first. That's just how it is. I read fast enough that they don't have to wait long. That's why they tolerate it. They know they only have to wait one day. Yabu Jr. tried bitching about it, but he didn't get very far. They like the fact that as the story unfolds, they can talk to me about parts of it.

My daughter tried bitching about it too. Until this latest book from the House of Night series we are reading together. One of her favorite characters died, and she was happy to come and talk to me about it. That way I could forewarn the Senior Chief as well.

I'm sure she'll find that when they make them into movies, she'll be a tad disappointed.

If there is a movie that you enjoy and there is a book version of it, I urge you to read the book. Don't judge a book by it's movie.

12 Days Before Racing Season Starts

2011-01-17T14:07:00.000-05:00

On the twelfth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...a beer in a mug.

On the eleventh day before racing season, my true love gave to me...two new recliners, and a beer in a mug

On the tenth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the ninth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the eighth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the seventh day before racing season, my true love gave to me... six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the sixth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the fifth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...eight Winston cups, seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the fourth day before racing season, my true love gave to me...nine cases of Budweiser, eight Winston cups, seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the third day before racing season, my true love gave to me...ten Goodyear tires, nine cases of Budweiser, eight Winston Cups, seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

On the second day before racing season, my true love gave to me..eleven race tickets, ten Goodyear tires, nine cases of Budweiser, eight Winston cups, seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners and a beer in a mug.

On the day before racing season, my true love gave to me...twelve laps around the track, eleven race tickets, ten Goodyear tires, nine cases of Budweiser, eight Winston cups, seven checkered flags, six pit crew members, five racing buddies, four shots of tequila, three plates of hot wings, two new recliners, and a beer in a mug.

Morning Routine

2011-01-13T08:26:00.002-05:00

Over the last week or so I have developed a new enjoyable morning routine.

I get up, get my Dr. Pepper, log on to Facebook, and chat with G.I. Joe.

I love seeing him there...it reassures me that he's safe, for the moment.

And we talk about everything, just like the old days ...which seems so far away. He's been in the Army for a couple of minutes now.

He just reenlisted for 5 more years. I am disappointed..we miss him so much. However, he's got to do what he's got to do. He couldn't bear to leave those behind to fight the fight without him.

I can understand that. I really can. It didn't make it any easier to tell the little ones, though.

However, they are not so little anymore. Even Yabu Jr. couldn't give him too much shit. They understand, they just don't like it.

It's going to be a long time before he comes home again. For now, though, I'm happy with the morning routine. I ask him a million questions... I sure hope he doesn't mind.

Mystery Solved

2011-01-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

I figured out who put the ruts in the neighbor's yard.

It was probably him.

We've had quite the snowfall the last couple of days. They are calling for school to be out all week long. Which is great as far as the kids are concerned. It kind of messes with all that I had planned to get done this week, but I'm not at all alone in that.

I live at the top of a fairly steep hill. At the bottom of the hill, is a busy road, and it's not a very wide road. On the other side of the busy road, is a creek bed. It wouldn't be that hard to slide right across the street and right down into the creek bed.

The first person to go down the hill was my across the street neighbor. He started down the hill, and slid....right into his own yard, leaving ruts under the snow, I'm sure.

We happened to be all out in the front yard at the time, and The Senior Chief hollered at him while me and my daughter just pointed and laughed. The Senior Chief gave him the line..."Was just trying to look out for ya, us being neighbors and all."

The guy was all "I have to get to the store." I'm thinking he's really an idiot since they only said for 3 days before it snowed...hell, maybe even a whole week before, that it was going to snow. I mean, did it take that many brains to make sure and stock up on beer, milk, bread, and cigarettes two days before the storm hit? Not really.

But, nope, he just had to go out. He made it back up the hill, barely. And he got lucky with traffic on the busy road because he ran the stop sign every time.

I'm hoping sometime, I might get a beer drinking neighbor or something.

Stupid People Piss Me Off

2011-01-09T10:15:00.002-05:00

So, here we are. There are nine people dead in Arizona, including a little girl, and there are at least eighteen more wounded.

And what is the response of the media? To blame Sarah Palin, say it's HER fault because she advised people to vote Gabrielle Giffords out of office.

Un-fucking-believable.

What the hell are people thinking? Seriously.

Instead of expressing condolences to the family for their losses, or anything at ALL of that nature, instead there is nothing but finger pointing and blaming.

What the hell is wrong with people?

What surprises the hell out of me is that I know so many people of that belief. I thank God that the majority of people that I know see things mostly the same way. At least on this issue.

And let me tell you, neither the Senior Chief, nor I have stupid friends. That's what really blows my mind. I KNOW some of these people are smart, educated and articulate.

I don't care who you are, what you do, what degrees you hold, what your line of work is...what color you are, what gender you are...if you believe that Sarah Palin should be blamed for the shooting tragedy that occurred yesterday, then you are a flaming idiot.

I could probably say it a lot nicer like some of my friends, and point out that blaming Sarah Palin is like blaming The Beatles for Charles Manson. But, I'm not that way. I'm just gonna call you a flaming idiot and tell you to get your head out of your ass.

Because that's the way I roll.

First Saturday of the New Year

2011-01-08T11:53:00.002-05:00

Man, I got a lot accomplished this week in the way of paperwork. Paperwork is a bitch, especially if you get behind on it.

And for an ADD chick like me, the rule of thumb is OHIO. Only Handle It Once. For one thing, if you don't...it's nagging the shit out of you. Secondly, if you get past that, then it just gets harder and harder to do the longer you procrastinate.

It's a lot easier, now that some of the kids are gone. I know, I keep saying that but it's true. We ALL have ADD..and that many people living together is just too many.

Anyway, I got a lot done towards catching up. Woot! Woot! Soon as I get done with that, we can look at having some play time again.

It's hard to organize eight people, too. The reduction in numbers merely simplifies things and puts things on a level to where I can have a hope of keeping up with all the things that need to be done to run this place.

Running a household is a real job, let me tell ya. Especially when you're dealing with the numbers that make up a large family. And complicate that with the step-family factor and in order to do it right, you have to run a real tight ship.

I had them on a pretty strict schedule. I had to in order to get things done in a timely manner. Soccer practice was a bitch. We only did that for one year because I just could not be in 4 places at one time.

The younger two do the same activity which is chorus and that means I only have to be one place. That's pretty easy.

Once I get caught up with all my chores, I ought to be able to have some real free time. I'm really looking forward to that.

Underwear

2011-01-02T16:01:00.002-05:00

I love my underwear, I really do. There is nothing that makes me happier than pulling clean underwear out of the drawer.

I don't skimp on my underwear either. The right underwear can take your figure and transform it into what you think you see in the mirror. It' just like makeup as far as I am concerned.

In my 20's, it all had to match. You'd never know when you were going to have a date, at least I didn't, and everything had to be right, just in case. It never served me wrong. It wasn't really often that if I wanted a date, I didn't have one. Hell, that'd probably hold true today. I shudder to think of that, though.

I still like underwear, though. It doesn't necessarily have to match anymore, although I still do prefer it if it does. The matching sexy bra and underwear can make jeans and a t-shirt a power suit. Power underwear. It's true. All you gals know I'm right. There's nothing like the perfect pair of underwear to make you feel superhero-like.

With 6 kids around anymore, I never quit feeling like I was in my 20's. It still all has to match just in case me and the Senior Chief get a chance to have a date.

With most of them gone, we should have chances more often.

I like to go out when I put good underwear on. I found this little Irish Pub over the Christmas break, that I'm dying to take him to. I had the best Reuben Sandwich I've ever had at this place.

Any excuse to wear good underwear is fine by me.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T14:00:00.002-05:00

Whew. Glad that year is over. I'm ready for a new one. I have plans to ensure that this year is better than the last couple, deaths and injuries withstanding.

All my people are under strict orders to not injure themselves or die this year. I'm am putting a moratorium on all that stuff for 365 days, dammit.

Don't know if I'm going to get my wish there, but that's why they call it a wish.

I wish the same for all of y'all too.

For now, I have a ham to cook with black eyed peas and cornbread and mashed potatoes. I've never started a new year out that way before, but I figure it's high time, all things considered.

Alpha Dog On The Block

2010-12-29T14:12:00.002-05:00

One of the reasons I like where I live is because my neighbors aren't very friendly.

And I mean, unfriendly, even.

Seriously unfriendly. The lady next door had a husband when we moved in and we used to see him around occasionally, but then he wasn't there anymore. He was a pretty cool old guy. He said the dude that built our house was an asshole with a capital A. He's the only one I liked talking to. She is a bitch, but I kinda like her anyway.

I haven't had but two or three conversations with her over the years. Her kids are always coming to visit, and a while ago, they used to bring the grandson, who is about Sean's age. They will come over and borrow stuff to help take care of her, and that is cool, too. Jumper cables, a screwdriver...stuff like that.

My neighbor across the street. Goodness, where to start. First of all I have had exactly 2 conversations with him and they both involved the same subject. The first conversation was thirteen years ago, the very second we moved in.

We're at the top of the hill and on a dead end street, first of all. Second of all, coming in to the driveway with a big rig is a bit of a trick. There just isn't really enough room to get it done. So, the moving van guy Accidentally put a rut or two...very small ones...on the very edge of the guy's property. I mean, he went 6 inches off the road. So, the guy comes over and says something. Rick apologized and assured the guy that as soon as we unpacked the yard tools, we would fix it for him. The yard tools were about 3/4 of the way into the truck. We had just pulled them out, when up drives the county Sheriff. No shit. The Senior Chief is standing there ...with the rake... talking to the Sheriff, telling him what we told our neighbor. The Sheriff was pretty cool.

Welcome to the neighborhood.

We have never spoken to him again until today. I'm sitting there with the kiddos watching some tube and there is a knock on my door. It's my neighbor, lo and behold. I had noticed earlier this morning that someone rutted his yard and I was thinking about how pissed he would be when he found it. Yep, that's what he wanted to know. I laughed at him. I told him that I noticed them and it sure wasn't us. I was real sweet to him, and he knew I hadn't forgotten his welcome. I honestly don't know who did it. Probably someone that went off the road a little from the snow. I'd be looking for one of those trucks that hauls equipment that runs up and down the road.

He said "Well, I thought I'd ask y'all since you're my neighbors." That just makes me giggle. Maybe he does feel a kinship with us after all these years. There's a couple of rowdy kids that live on the street now. When we first moved here, it was all older people. We were the youngest people on the block. Now, not so much.

There's some younger folks that live 2 doors down and we can hear everything in our backyard, through the backyard of our next door neighbor.

Then the ones across the street and to the right have a SWEET sound system. I mean, it can get loud. They did a sound check one day and I was in my backyard, and it was clear as a bell. Shoot, we could have had a block party. They only had it on the one time, though, for which I am grateful.

The guy right across the street, though...he's a hoot with that whole yard deal. It's not even like he has real grass. And he cuts it with a tractor for crying out loud. A real tractor..not a riding lawnmower...a tractor, with the yard attachment on the back of it. He's got every bit as much yard as we do, maybe more, because he doesn't have a bunch of trees. He's real cool about anybody cutting through his yard to get to the neighborhood, I gotta say that. The kids have been using his yard as a shortcut, and we have too, occasionally, for all these years, and he's never said a word. But boy, howdy, don't you leave a rut in his yard.

He is the alpha dog on the block when it comes to that.

Whew...

2010-12-27T14:00:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas and all that jazz to y'all. I'm kinda glad it's over. Now I can clean up the mess and move forward with plans for the New Year.

I don't do resolutions. I do reflect upon things that I would like to do differently and make a bit of a plan to affect said changes, but it isn't about the resolution. Sometimes those thing you implement as change, are not what is needed. Then, it's time to go back to the drawing board.

Life is kinda like that. If what you are doing isn't working..try something else. Hell, it can't hurt, really.

It was quiet this year. The guys came over, but not for long. The Senior Chief and I even managed to squeeze a date in on Christmas Eve.

I have no idea what we're doing for New Year's Eve. Staying home, for sure. I doubt we'll have a big party, as the boys are sure to have one at there house.

They took the dogs to live with them Christmas Eve. And, they got a new puppy. I met her. I wasn't all that enthralled, personally. So now, it's just the cat living here and I'm liking that, let me tell ya.

I have plans for the extra rooms. I am so excited that I can have a craft area again, you have no idea. And a real office.

There's a lot of cleaning to do. They have toys still from when they were little. I am hoping to have it all done by New Year's day, then I can rest a little.

Maybe.

Another One Of Those Things

2010-12-22T19:36:00.002-05:00

So, this year better be better, dammit. I don't want anybody getting blown up, which just might be an impossibility since my Army boy who said for the last 4 years, he was getting out...reenlisted again. And, I'm good with it, except I have this whole getting out of the Army party planned and he won't be there to attend it. And that was a pretty sucky Christmas present from him. Just sayin'.

Another one of those things that happened this year, besides Yabu Jr. getting blown up and the Senior Chief having a huge hernia. Man, his scar is bigger than my c-section scars, and babies aren't small.

So, we had to have a new heater put in and we had to do some work on our septic tank. We had a pipe that needed to be replaced. It was old. It was one of those concrete pipes and it just rotted out on the bottom. It only took 30 years for it to happen. My house is a little older, so some of those things are going to break. It's all good, for the most part.

What wasn't good, was that the Senior Chief was walking in the backyard near the big hole and looking at the roof. Naturally, he fell in the hole. I feel fairly lucky that we got by with a dislocated shoulder. But, seriously. Enough is enough already.

That drive across Atlanta to the VA hospital was not fun, let me assure you. And then the parking...ugh..it's just awful. At least most of the people there are cool, actually. You can usually hear a pretty good story or two. And then there's those guys who are so obviously bad off, that you feel good for being you.

This year better be better, that's all I'm saying. I want "another one of those things" to become like jewelry or something.

Games

2010-12-22T09:31:00.004-05:00

Games are a harmless pastime to while away some rainy days. For some, anyway.

Not for me, baby. I play to win. I am competitive. Very.

Seriously, though, I like to be the best at everything I can. I will practice and practice, even.

I'm a pretty good loser, because the person I am in competition with is myself. You learn a lot by losing, really. Maybe simply because it feels so bad to lose. Pain can be a great motivator.

In some things I am used to losing. Horseshoes and pool. I have never beaten the Senior Chief at either.

It's hard for me to play a game just for fun. It's just not in my nature to play without being competitive. I guess I'm just hard wired that way.

I think it's some kind of innate survival instinct or something.

Shopping

2010-12-20T11:19:00.002-05:00

Shopping is one of those things that is a necessary thing to do whether you like it or not. I have my moments where I like it and then there's other times that I'm not so keen on it. I love shopping online. You don't have to deal with people that way.

Now, let me explain to you a typical trip to my local food club. There's a lot of affluent older women that live near there, apparently. Those are actually the pretty cool trips. You'll have a random lady look in your cart and tell you to pour a coke on your ham if you want it to be good.

Then, there's the gals that are around my age and younger. Those gals are something else, let me tell ya. They will stand there and chat...blocking the whole aisle. Now, when I go to the club, I'm spending a couple of bucks feeding a bunch of people. I still go for my bulk meat.

Sometimes it's a convention of the alpha female. When I'm in my right mind, I just laugh. There are the ones that hog the aisles. Then there's the ones who will just run you down with a cart. They will be coming along and you better get out of their way. It's like playing chicken with the shopping carts. Y'all know what I mean.

They will stare you down, even, DARING you to say something. I usually win those because my cart is so full and I am so small, it really is about momentum.

The ones that really get me are the ones who come running up with their one thing and ask if they can go in front of me after I just got done unloading 2 weeks worth of groceries for 8 people.

Oh hell no. That just is not flying with me. Grocery shopping for that many people is just not fun. There is no part of it that is fun, so I'm crabby to begin with. And then, people just want to be that way.

When I want to go and enjoy my grocery shopping experience, I have a couple of stores that I frequent, just for the relaxing atmosphere.

Can y'all tell I'm looking forward to shopping?

Sunday Morning

2010-12-19T10:10:00.002-05:00

It is Sunday morning, breakfast is made and I'm still in my pajamas.

My 20 yr old son and my daughter are at church. They are pretty religious..haha..about going.

After I eat, take a shower...do all that jazz, I'm off to brave the masses at the store to finish up my Christmas shopping. Woo hoo. I hate shopping. Next year, I'm doing it all online. It has a lot to do with hating people. I really do hate to be out and about among people. I love individuals, but I swear, people just piss me off.

It's hard to shop for 7 people and get that perfect gift every single year. I think I have it for most of them. I am having a hard time with one or two.

That's where going shopping helps. You walk around and you wait for that one gift to reach out and grab ya.

Happy Holidays, everybody.

Quiet

2010-12-14T12:55:00.000-05:00

A couple of the boys moved out and it's been real quiet around here. That makes half of them moved out, although the one adult kid that still lives here, really doesn't count because he's either at college, at work, or at church.

So, it's just me, the Senior Chief, and the two younger kids, who are rapidly becoming adult kids. My daughter will start high school next year.

I am very happy about them moving out. Mostly for them, but for me too. I have big plans for some of those rooms. It means less cooking, less cleaning, and more time for other stuff for me. They only moved a quarter mile away, anyway. It's the best of both worlds, really. I can see them frequently, and not have to clean up after them.

They even took the dogs with them. So, now all I have to worry about is my cat, which is alright by me. She's an outdoor cat in the warm months and an indoor cat during the winter months. She's always easy to find in the winter because she's always asleep on the Senior Chief's pillow during the day.

I am happy for them, really. There is so many things that you learn from being on their own that they need to learn. They have a buddy who had to move back in with his parents. Then his parents had to move in with their parents to take care of Mom.

So, that left their friend living in a 4 bedroom house all by himself. So, since his parent's are only trying to make the mortgage, the rent isn't very high and they can all probably live pretty well.

No sooner did they get moved over there, did number 3 son's truck break. However, I haven't had to take him to work much and when I do, they live so close that it's really no big deal.

I have enough time to take an afternoon nap again. And it's that time now.

Where The Hell Did My Ass Go?

2010-12-10T11:56:00.004-05:00

So, I've lost a ton of weight, which I'm real happy about. I had gotten too big to be comfortable anymore. My joints were aching and all that jazz.

What I'm not happy about, though, is the loss of my ass. I considered it one of my best features and it's just not there any more. Well, it is. It's just hanging down to my knees now.

I'm pretty sure they make shoes for that, though.

Sucky Stressful Year or Two

2010-12-04T12:03:00.002-05:00

It has been a very sucky year or two, with all kinds of stuff from every arena of life causing stress.

I'll be glad when it's a return to the good times again. They do come around every so often. Meanwhile, it's just trudge, trudge, trudge along.

This is where books keep me sane. For an hour or so at the end of every day, after everyone is asleep, I read. I let myself be taken away to a fictional world and immerse myself in the characters, setting...all of that.

Then I read myself to sleep. It's therapeutic. It alters my dreams and relaxes my brain so that I can dream.

That allows me to approach each day fresh and able to deal with whatever comes up next time.

One day at a time.

First Post With My New Computer

2010-12-03T19:08:00.002-05:00

So. I am an idiot. A really smart idiot, but an idiot nonetheless. I know better than to have sodas and whatnot near my computer, let alone overnight. But, I did it anyway... and a glass of soda got set right next to it. It was barely on the cord and tipped over enough just to spill a little bit in the exact wrong place.

So, there I was...on my birthday, no less, and my computer broke. I was a sad sad girl, let me tell ya.

So, I shared the Senior Chief's with him for a day or two, and that just wasn't really working for me. He was real good about sharing too. Not like women get with their computers. Woo boy, women are bad.

I do not know a woman alive that isn't possessive over their computers. There are rules and regulations and we'll stand over your shoulder to make sure that you don't...say...leave a soda sitting partly on the cord and break it broken..

Thanksgiving Madness

2010-11-23T13:08:00.003-05:00

NASCAR season is officially over. Jimmy Johnson for the fifth straight year. Snooze.

Things are hectic around the casa these days. Getting a new air conditioning unit installed today, along with the usual hectic-ness that surrounds any holiday with this many people.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it represents all those things near and dear to my heart. Family, Friends, and Food. That and having grown up along the eastern seaboard, Thanksgiving is a big holiday there. Those folks are serious about tracing their roots to the Mayflower.

There's no pressure with Thanksgiving either. Well, not much anyway for me anymore. When I was a young single mom I cooked the whole shebang for just he and I one year.

There's going to be some serious backyard football and horseshoe throwing. There will be people in and out all day. As many as want will be fed usually their second or third dinner that day, some only their first.

Always there is a certain few of the adopted kids who stop by on holidays. That always makes me feel good..to see those that we've known since they were knee high to a puddle duck. Some we've known for awhile, and they just now caught on or felt like there was room for them to be the adopted ones for awhile. We always seem to pick up one after a visit from GI Joe.

If it's raining, we'll play pool or video games. It's going to be great!

Mornings

2010-11-18T09:37:00.002-05:00

I think that's my favorite time of day. The whole day is before you with endless promise.

My favorite time of morning is right before I have to wake up the kids, and right after they go to school. I'm glad to see them when they come home, but I've become accustomed to some quiet thinking time right after they go to school.

Some people are night owls, and I had my years where I was. That was when they all went to bed and the Senior Chief was travelling. That made it hard for me to get up and get them to school the next day. I soon figured out that it's just better to get up early in the morning and get that time in then. Usually I'll do the dishes and pick some pet project to work on. Then I'm nice and mellow by the time I wake them up and the morning goes smoothly.

At night, I tend to dwell on the stuff that already happened. In the morning, I tend to look forward and look to what needs to happen.

It's all about finding your peak productive time, and taking advantage of it. Working with your own biorhythm.

And, that time is now over.

Happy Holidays

2010-11-17T12:46:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year, right before Thanksgiving that is always my favorite. The heat has finally broke enough to start cooking the good stuff.

Sean says that he loves winter...because of the food. I like it because it's cooler. Well, I like it for the food, too.

It's that time of year where you slow down a little. At least for us, anyway. Time to read some books, eat some good food, watch the end of racing and football..

This time of year makes me think of being cozy before a fire. A little break before it gets hectic again.

Hope all of y'all are having a good time!

School Sucks

2010-10-27T11:42:00.002-04:00

That's what my daughter tells me anyway. My littlest son, too, but he would always have rathered stay at home then go to school. He's been begging me for a year to home school him.

My daughter, however, has always LOVED school. I can remember her getting mad, throwing a crying hissy fit, and slamming her door because I decided she was too sick to go to school.

This year..not so much. She says since a few of the key personnel are not here this year, that the school is really not fun to go to. She says there are more arrests, more gangs, more violence and a lot of people are afraid to go to school.

Yesterday, she had a pms panic attack and wound up going to the counselor at school. She told the counselor she was having suicidal thoughts. The counselor asked her how she would do it and she said she'd just grab a gun. We don't have any guns for her to grab, thankfully, and she knows that. She also doesn't know anybody else who has a gun. According to the counselor though, that constituted a plan.

I thought to myself, that's no damn plan.

I talked with my daughter extensively last night and this evening and it was my assessment that she had a pms induced panic attack. I questioned her in depth about her feelings and she reported that it was more of a feeling of wanting to die and things to be better but that she was too chicken to actually do it herself.

She also got a hug and a talk from her beloved Daddy. This morning she said she felt much better. Yay.

Around 9am I get a call from the school telling me that I MUST take her over to the psychiatric clinic or they are going to call the social workers and tell them I'm neglectful. WTF? Get the hell out.

I took her..and he said she is pretty much fine. Totally didn't listen to any of the stuff she said about the school sucking now. Just blew it off. He said she could probably do well with talking to a counselor on a semi regular basis for just a little while, anyway. He totally blew me off when it came to the pms thing.

Idiots all of them.

PMDD is hereditary and since I have it, and she's experiencing some of the same symptoms as I am, it goes to reason that this is more of a medical condition than a psychiatric condition.

Anyway, I am pissed off that the school had the audacity to tell me how to take care of my child. Instead of being able to get her in to her regular doctor, we had to waste 2 days dealing with counselors who are worthless, in my opinion.

I wish there were someplace other than here that I could complain and do something about it. It's the biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever had to deal with.

PTSD

2010-10-19T20:55:00.002-04:00

With it being war-time and all, those initials and that disorder is talked about a lot.

There are some that think it's bullshit and there are those that know it's real. And it is real.

Trust me.

It's a sneaky thing that happens. You spend all of your energy trying to just get beyond what has happened...to not dwell on it. Then when you finally get there, say all curled up on the couch getting ready to watch a movie, BAM! It hits you and you're hurled back through time and space and having your own personal Groundhog Day.

It tends to suck after a time.

I don't know how long it takes to go away, or recede into the background a bit. I cannot imagine being a soldier and being bombarded day in and day out living in constant fear.

Why the hell would anyone deny the existence of such a disorder? I mean, really? It's not that hard to fathom. When something extremely traumatic happens, you are flooded with adrenaline and I personally believe that it sends your body into a state where it's trying to overcompensate for that much adrenaline. And then, that causes adrenaline to pump even more. It can become a vicious circle.

What to do about it becomes the question. First of all, it helps to have people you've gone through it with. In my case, that means the senior chief, the girlkid, and the one who was actually traumatized. I mean, the others knew about it pretty quick, but being here for the actual event was different than just hearing about it.

So, we talk about it every so often. Spur of the moment. They aren't shy..any of them...and that helps. So far, that's all I've got. I'm grateful to be able to put into words any of this.

Hot Southern Nights

2010-05-21T16:15:00.002-04:00

She wakes up late on one of her designated happy days. The last day of school. Ever since she was a kid, she got excited about it being the last day of school. As an adult, the first day of school holds a special place in her heart, too. But this is the last day of school.

Her mind trips back to the last days of school when she was younger and less responsible. Aerosmith's Walk This Way is playing today as it was a number of years ago on her very last day of school.

She wakes up late to a rainy day. In her mind, she's a little piqued that it is raining. Isn't that a sin or something? A law of nature that it should be sunny on the last day of school for heaven's sake.

She's got her day all planned out. Except for having to bring towels for the kids to sit on during the ride to school that is. She forgot to put her windows up in her beloved car. Again. So much for washing and waxing the car today.

She orders chinese food for lunch and spends the day reading her newest book. This routine never varies. Those that are home during this tradition are welcome to participate as long as they don't change the tradition. Her husband has decided to celebrate by watching a movie.

Her head is full of all the things she's going to do with the kids over the summer. She has a mental list of where she's going to take them, adventures they'll have.

The anticipation is so intense, she can see, taste, smell, feel and hear the sights and sounds they will encounter.

Days by the pool, nights by the fire, cookouts every day and camping. Always in her heart, she will remain child enough to anticipate and enjoy the last day of school.

Garden

2010-04-23T09:59:00.003-04:00

I put my first garden in at spring break this year. I have wanted a garden for a while now, and now I understand why I haven't had one until now.

Senior Chief had hernia surgery so he wasn't authorized to operate the tiller. But, get a tiller I did. Holy shit..those things are a bitch to operate. I rode that thing like a bucking bronco down three rows of the fifteen I wanted. I had to damn near literally drag my ass to keep from being just dragged along. It was then that I actually missed the extra weight I've recently lost. Number 3 son came along and bailed me out and did the rest of the rows for me. It wore him out, too.

There's actually some stuff growing in it, too. That makes me pretty damn happy. I was prepared to be pissed off if shit didn't grow after all that work and all the work yet to be done. Thank god we have such a long growing season here, too, and I can adjust as I learn. Next year's garden is going to be a breeze. I'll have seasoned help too. I intend to get a gardenia bush to plant at the "scene of the crime" so that it won't be that anymore.

Any of y'all that are seasoned gardeners can just feel free to comment. ;)

Ok, Back To Normal...Sort Of.

2010-03-21T12:49:00.002-04:00

Now that I can breathe again...I'd like to take a moment and give a special thank you to Auntie Omnibus.

She sent the boys a toy. And let me tell ya, it took the whole lot of them to get it figured out. I still haven't gotten to play with it.

Thanks, Leslie. I love ya, girl.

Reality

2010-03-03T15:25:00.001-05:00

It's all about perception and perception is defined by so very many things that we don't even understand or have control of.

I spend a lot of time worrying out loud about my oldest son. He frustrates me sometimes, but let me tell you something.

During the whole "ordeal" or any ordeal..that kid is solid as a rock. Not only did he keep the others together by being here, he was cool enough to make them laugh, too. He's always there.

I've taken him for granted in a lot of ways over the years. And that has been wrong of me. Very wrong.

Now that my perception of things has changed, maybe his perception of things can change, and we can begin to form a cohesive unit.

I really do love him.

Crying In My Beer

2010-02-26T10:44:00.002-05:00

I am crying in my Dr. Pepper, beer, milk..whatever. And no, not because Yabu Jr. blew himself up. That's so yesterday's news...

I went to go to my local grocery store the other day and found it gone. Like it was never even there.. gone.

Let me explain to you the local grocery store experience. This is a store I go in to 3-4 times a week. This has been so for 12 years. I have spent 12 years of my life developing a relationship with my local grocery store employees..you know the butcher, and the baker and all the checkout gals who saved coupons for me for the stuff I buy a lot of. I could go in there and save an average of $20-$25 and sometimes even up to as much as $50 because those gals took care of me and saved those coupons for me.

There was race talk, and updates on the kids, grandkids, husbands, job prospects, everything. I went for a little tea and sympathy on the kid blowing himself up thing. I counted on it. It would have been a short conversation, they always are, but a little human contact, ya know? Maybe I wouldn't have even told them. Maybe I would have just listened that day to whose grandkid was doing what..or which boy the younger girls liked. With them, it's hair, makeup and school...and boys.

There was the bread guy who always gave me the freshest bread. They stocked my favorite wine just because I liked it. For a while, they couldn't keep it in stock because all them gals decided to try it and they really liked it too. They got to where they'd stock 6 and nobody better get greedy.

I hate that the big chains run the little guy out of business. Greedy bastards. Now, that is my only f-ing choice unless I want to take my life in my hands by going across the highway. I broke down under the underpass once. THAT was a scary moment.

Now, I have to go find a new grocery store and start all over again. And, there is a choice of 3 near me, so it's going to not be a simple choice.

All gone. You bet your ass I'm crying in my beer.

Just Another Dull Day on the Ranch...

2010-02-25T12:32:00.002-05:00

And I like it that way. Did I ever mention, that dull, boring days are pretty usually just fine with me? Yeah, excitement around here is never usually a good thing.

In light of recent events, it really puts health care on my mind. You see, we're doing it both ways. The kid got the best care, right now, from civilian specialists. The senior chief is going the VA route to have a hernia taken care of. If we would have went with the civilians, it would have been done already. But no, there has to be 57 appointments to get him in the system and then once he's in the system he has to have a complete and total physical before they will even THINK about scheduling him for surgery. So all total, I'm going to guess that it's 6 months before this gets taken care of.

As a person, I'd rather have it done right now, than have to wait and be miserable for 6 months. It's not that the quality of the care isn't good, it is...the problem is the interminable wait.

That's what I see being the big problem with the public option. The wait. You could die waiting before you ever got to the second person in line. I mean, for real.

I don't know how civilian doctors determine the priority of who they see first and all that, but it seems like at most hospitals you get pretty good care. And quickly, even.

They did not let my son be in pain for a second. The very second that he said he was hurting they were there. That is awesome.

It's going to cost a pretty penny, even with insurance...but you know what? It was worth every single penny.

Screw public option. Let's get the crooks who milk the system with fake injuries. You think when health care is FREE..those people won't be clogging up the system? Ha. Think again.

It's just a bad idea. Trust me.

They Say..

2010-02-23T15:43:00.002-05:00

Don't ask me who "they" is, because I don't know. They say, though, that burn victims and their families experience dramatic change overnight...that their whole lives change in an instant. I would have to say this is true.

A few of my nearest and dearest really didn't comprehend what "he blew his eyebrows off meant." And quite a few did. They also say a picture says a thousand words. I would have to say that was true, because the pictures of Yabu Jr. freaked a few out. And the ones today, you'd truly believe it was a miracle. As I hear more and more of the story as to what happened, I am truly, truly humbled by just how blessed he, and us...really are.

Some were cliche and asked me if I beat his ass, or expressed that boys will be boys. Those kind of pissed me off. My baby's face was swelled up 4-5 times what it should be...he was helpless...completely helpless. As was I, in a way.

I cannot say enough about the burn center, Doctor's Hospital, in Augusta, GA, was the absolute best place for him to be. Those folks were awesome.

Life has indeed changed for him and for the rest of us. Without a doubt it caused our whole lives to change. I can truly mark these last 3 weeks as some of the best and some of the worst of my whole entire life. Hands down.

Sometimes, what "they say" is true and you can't get it until you get it.

No Time For Tears

2010-02-12T10:55:00.002-05:00

Well, we're home at last. Yabu Jr. is hanging in there. He's in really good spirits and it took him all of 10 min. to be playing video games with his brother Joe.

He's eating good...albeit through a straw but nourishment is nourishment.

I am completely amazed at how tough he is. He isn't complaining of any pain at all, which is wonderful. They gave him the good stuff, but he hasn't really wanted any. He doesn't want to go to sleep, he wants to hang out with his people.

He was a little irritated about the picture. Rick put it up on his facebook page first. Sean said.."Dad just HAD to put up a picture didn't he." There's a video where he gives Rick this look that just makes me laugh.

He's been laughing and joking as well, which is really good. He's having nightmares but he's never alone, not even for a second, so there's always someone there to soothe him. We're camped out in the living room because I'm just not comfortable with him going up and down the stairs. The bandages on his arms are so heavy, he's a little wobbly on his feet. Good lord we do not need him to fall down the stairs.

He's going to be spoiled rotten for a little while and that's just fine by me. He isn't asking for anything outrageous. Stuff like..orange juice and whatnot.

He donated one of his balloons so he could watch the cat play with it. Let me tell ya what...his laughter is really music to the ears.

Joseph M. Still Burn Center was where he was at and let me tell ya, those people were AWESOME! I cannot say enough for the professionalism and the courtesy of the entire staff. The first night I was there, I had to sit in a chair and rest my head on the end of his bed. I took a 2 hour nap in the car and it was some of the best sleep I've ever had. Rick and Joe were across the street at a house they had set up for the families to stay in. They said their experience was wonderful too. They were with a bunch of other people who had loved ones who were burnt and the churches took turns providing food 3 times a day.

The last night we were there, one of the techs brought me a recliner and let me tell ya, that was wonderful too.

It's amazing how when something like this happens, all the little stuff becomes glaringly important. I'd like to take a moment and say thank you very much for all the support I've received from everybody. It means so much to me. More than words can even express.

This has got to be one of the longest weeks of my life.

There really has been no time for tears. Seems a bit pointless to cry about it now..it's all over and he's on the mend. He's been showing significant improvement every day and I think it would scare him to see Mommy break down and cry.

God really does look after little kids and fools. I am just so grateful it wasn't worse than it is.

Burn Unit

2010-02-08T20:27:00.002-05:00

So, my little dude is in the burn unit in Augusta. He's hanging in there and pretty damn chipper ..all things considered. Eating like a horse. He's not in life threatening danger, he just really made a mess out of his face.

Suffice it to say, he will never, ever play with fire again. Cutting the apron strings on that one is going to be hard...if it ever really happens.

Lord, it's been a long day.

Turn For The Worse

2010-02-08T12:06:00.002-05:00

My little dude is in a bad way. Prayers would be appreciated. They're talking about sending him down to Augusta. No real word yet.

This momma is scared as she's ever been. Dammit.

Long Night

2010-02-08T07:34:00.002-05:00

It was definitely a very long night. Little dude is hanging in there, but his face is a bit of a mess.

I'm telling you, you cannot make this shit up. He is now afraid of ANYTHING having to do with fire..and this momma is a little glad.

This will probably be one of those things that might be funny ...in 10 years or so..or at least when his eyebrows grow back.

Good lord, children will be the death of us all.

I'm fairly certain he won't be playing with fire any time soon.

Damn.

No Superbowl For Us...

2010-02-07T21:56:00.002-05:00

Well, what a day it was. It's not even over yet, either. Did not watch one second of the Superbowl.

We have now dubbed our youngest "Yabu". I know I should do a link, but y'all know what I mean.

He was in the backyard just before the Superbowl...with a friend. They were playing with fire as boys their age are wont to do.

Sitting upstairs, taking a quiet moment before the start of the festivities...we are startled by a BOOM..that shook the house.

I went hauling ass downstairs to investigate just as the youngest appears ...hair singed, no eyebrows or eyelashes, face burnt. Oh yes, folks, oh yes.

A mother's worst fears confirmed. First had to figure out if he could see...which he can..thank God...well, just thank God in general.

He blew up a 24 oz can of butane. Oh yes. Poor baby is miserable right now. And me...a nervous wreck. Getting this one to adulthood is gonna be tough.

Mothering boys is not for sissies.

The Great Debate

2010-02-07T12:46:00.002-05:00

The great debate of the current NASCAR season is whether or not Danica Patrick should drive in the Nationwide series tomorrow. She finished 6th in the ARCA race....and it was her choice as to whether or not she should drive in the Nationwide race at Daytona.

All they votes are for her driving. I do think they are failing to take into consideration that if she drives that race, she will be kicking the full time driver out of a ride. When you're racing for points, that's a big deal. Jr. has already kicked him out of the 88 for that race and Danica is not racing full time this season. So...SHOULD she race Daytona and kick the full time driver out of a ride? Just because she can?

Or, should she just let him drive, and drive her schedule?

My vote is that she sit this one out and let Kelly Bires go on and drive it. That, in my opinion, would be the Right Thing To Do.

Thinking...

2010-01-31T12:57:00.002-05:00

You know, some times are for thinking and some times are for doing. Time brings perspective and perspective brings action.

And, then there comes times where you have to reevaluate everything. And, so I have done..and I'm happy to know that I am on the right path. Every decision stands. Some stuff you only have to take a minute or two on. Nope, I'm doing the right thing if you are. Only when you can't come to that conclusion quickly..right or wrong..call or fold...do you need to take time to revisit it. If the answer remains the same, don't waste time.

Recognizing where you are ...what hand your holding, if you will...is half the battle. It doesn't matter, the rules are basic. There are a few basic things that you have to do every single day in order to insure your success in life. And all the rest is superficial bullshit.

The older I get, the more I detest negativity. The older I get the less tolerance I have for people that won't even try to look at things in any kind of positive light. I detest people that blame others for the way they are. Life is about choices and we all make them. Live with the choices you made and make the best out of things.

I'm a bitch because I'm a bitch. But I'm not a bitch. I'm actually very sweet. But, sweet does have it's limits. I hate to hurt anyone, but sometimes there are times when you have to make a choice. And call me selfish, but I kinda choose myself mostly...when pushed. I'm not talking about the kids either...or the husband. That's different. In that situation, I always choose them first. Because the all of the good is the all of the one. Majority rules is how I do it. Yes, my house is a democracy at times and I'm all the better for it. Unless the majority decide that ice cream for every meal is the rule. Then, you know, I am the mom and at those times, I rule.

Like I said, there's a limit. Always has been, always will be, and I'm just fine with that.

Ah, Racing Season Begins

2010-01-30T16:54:00.002-05:00

All feels normal in the house with the advent of racing season. WE always kick it off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. That is an awesome race.

It's going to be an interesting racing season for sure. For those of you not in the know...Danica Patrick is making the move this year. She will be driving part time for Jr. Motorsports in the Nationwide series. She's good enough that there has been speculation for years about her driving for NASCAR.

It will be interesting to see if she really has that much talent. Her driving does impress me. I would like to see her do better in the Indy series..but hey...the cars are different. She may do better with a stock car. She does have the killer instinct...hell, she may fit right in. That's what we're all hoping anyway.

I mean, so far, the only other female besides Kelly Earnhardt, is Christy Wallace...that can do anything. You gotta have a killer instinct as a woman to be able to succeed in any male dominated career, though. People think women don't have a killer instinct, but I assure you, we do.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to watch and see how it all turns out.

The Online Experiment...

2010-01-21T13:03:00.002-05:00

Since there has been an internet and since there has been PEOPLE on the internet the whole damn thing has been about talking with people who share similar interests. Think about it really... What is the internet without people? Nothing.

I was in a discussion about meeting people online. In any kind of format, but especially dating. Is it really desperate to look for a mate among your internet friends? How exactly are internet friends different than real people? Oddly enough, I find a lot of my internet friends probably know more about my makeup than people who claim to. It's usually those that stake the claim that are the most wrong.

I'm all for meeting new people. You Blown Eyes are the best, all of you. I really mean that. I mean, when the argument came up I thought of each and every one of you that I've met as making a case against it...and some of you that I haven't.

Now, I don't have any experience with the whole online dating thing, but I am all for it. Really. Think about it...you search the internet for your interests and you find people that you have things in common with. It's natural to want to meet...

How would that be different with dating? I mean, you have a conversation with someone that piques your interest...it's a simple meeting to satisfy that curiosity, because one thing I've learned is that you pretty much know instantly with some people whether you get along or not. We've all had that experience.

Somehow it's easier dealing with it when you've met them online, oddly enough. You just chalk it up to bad chemistry and move on. It happens.

Either way, the experience is almost always worth it. Depends on which sites your cruisin'. Just sayin'. Knitting forums might not get it done for ya ...neither will the endless porn sites. Excluding those type experiments, it's worth it. Totally.

My Ass Is Still Fat

2010-01-20T09:19:00.002-05:00

I know, after such a hiatus..to come back with a tirade. Heh. Did ya miss me? I sure miss all of y'all.

I mentioned that I lost twenty pounds. All of my jeans are saggy and the jeans almost never lie. Depends on how old they are. But the jeans do lie occasionally. When you tried to squeeze in to them when you were two sizes bigger, because they are good jeans and why they are your favorites, they actually compromised and stretched a size.

Well, then when you lose the weight again, they aren't the same size as they were, either, so again you find that compromise. Until you go shopping for new jeans, and then you sorta fall in love with the old pair all over again.

But let me tell ya what. The underwear never lies. When your underwear gets baggy and saggy because it either won't compromise or you've actually lost weight. Underwear is unforgiving. You can cut the circulation off in your legs if you just don't accept that you've gained a little weight and go buy a bigger size underwear.

And bras...don't even make me go there.

But, still, I have a honky tonk bodonkadonk and ya know, I like it. I'm pretty good with having a fat ass. I appreciate it. It gives me stability. And it looks good in jeans.

I'm just happy because I don't have to give up my Dr. Pepper. I know exactly why I gained a bunch of weight, but that's a post for another time.

My underwear let me know..Let me tell ya there is nothing more unsexy than having to reach down the back of your pants every 10 min. and hike your saggy assed underwear back up lest you develop the plumber's crack. And these are brand damn new underwear. It doesn't even matter if they are made of lace.

So, off I go to the underwear store. I think the senior chief will appreciate it...

It's All Little Crap

2010-01-20T08:27:00.002-05:00

I've been doing some meditating and attitude adjusting..ha. Really, the shit that bugs me is all little stuff. Stuff that really should not matter. When you have seven and eight people living in a house, there is a LOT of little stuff. It's hard sometimes to look past it all but it is important to do so.

Because really, it's funny. The every day stuff. Like this morning. One son had to be at work by 8, the little ones had to be ready to be on the bus at 7:30 and another son had to be at college by 8:30. And being the Mom, I'm the only one who knew what the master schedule was. So, I pretty much pissed a few off this morning.

The youngest is grounded for the rest of the week. No Xbox, no friends, and I have a whole list of chores for him to do. Holy shit, the boy is 11 years old already. How the hell did that happen? He was out playing and got his school shoes wet, so he's up drying his shoes this morning. My daughter is a bathroom hog so if you don't get your ass up and get in before her designated time, man, you ain't getting in there. She's got the whole routine down..hair and makeup...it makes me laugh. Reminds me of myself when I was her age, but she doesn't put her crap up. I'm actually pretty proud of the youngest kid, to be honest. He tried to play the sick routine this morning, but decided to just get up and take some Pepto instead. I started to light in to him...but he let me know he wasn't playing like that. About 30 min. later...you know, right before the bus comes...yeah, tell me they aren't wily bastards...anyway, right before the bus comes he lets me know that he's got a past due and that he has to stay after school. I sentenced him right on the spot, he got pissed and went outside to wait for the bus. I waved as I drove the other two where they needed to go.

Understand that taking these people where they need to go is really no big deal. It is an eight mile round trip. I'm gone from my house all of twenty whole minutes when I do these runs and I often combine errands with the job. You know..efficiency is key to running a successful household. I have my moments but they are kind of hit and miss....

So, college boy stayed up all night studying and whatnot. Man, that kid works hard. He really does, but he has his little things that drive me nuts. Anyway, he tried to give me lip about not sleeping, but I pretty much let him know that his ride was leaving at a certain time and he better be in the damn car. He was. He was pissed too.

But, it's all good now. The house is quiet, my kitchen is clean..I have to find the kid that made that happen for me and say thanks. Makes me want to bake cookies and such. The Senior Chief is sipping his coffee and reading his news and I'm getting my chi from a hectic morning. And, I'm supposed to be cooking breakfast in the morning. They got cold cereal this morning.

I have to say, I love every minute of it. I really do. We all lose perspective at times...I've never had adult children before..you know? We all learn as we go and the rules change. The world has changed in the last 20 years. I know..I've watched it happen. During the Great Depression, people weren't kicking their kids out into the street to survive in such a hostile world. The kids stayed home and the family all worked together to survive.

Why would anyone assume that in a large family, things aren't just that way anyway. What, you finally get your team trained and then you send them off so other people can get the benefit of all your hard work? I know the one that is away from home is absolutely miserable. He misses home a lot and while he plans to have himself in a financial situation where he can buy his own house ..he plans on being nearby. I imagine if and when that happens, all of his brothers will move in with him. Either way, we're together. They are all a part of the team. I don't care if they live here...I like them. They take the trash out occasionally and do all kinds of stuff I need men around to do. For that alone...they get to stay. They are all competent enough to change the oil in my car...for a test drive..(grin) They are all competent enough to fix anything around the house that needs to be fixed.

Think about that. This girl does not have to worry about shit breaking around the house. Somebody will fix it. Damn, and they can all cook too, let me tell ya.

As well, for those of you who have never blended a family...it's different. The rules are different. When you think about it....most of the crap that you go through...all that stuff happens when they are about 14-16 or so...well, guess what... the senior chief and I have been married for 15 years.

It's all good. They have come to the conclusion, each of them in their own ways over the last few years that I am and integral part of the team...hehe...as I have come to see them, as well.

And you know, sometimes you bitch about the little shit.

Whatever...

2010-01-19T12:50:00.002-05:00

Man, yesterday's rant made me think of The Grouchy Old Cripple and how I wanted to catch up on his postings because they are good and usually reflect my inner bitch, except more articulate and better written.

Sure hope he's feeling better soon.

I lost an internet friend this year. It sucks. It sucks for all the reasons losing a real friend sucks, only different. I know y'all know.

Today was Sam's Club day and let me tell ya, that's a 3/4 day deal. You gotta shop for it, load it in the cart, load it on the belt, load it in the car, load it in the kitchen and then repackage everything into portions that your family uses and then put it all away. Now, this may not seem like a lot for one or two..or maybe even 4 people..but 8????? Let me tell ya...I am so sick of looking at that food by the time I'm done, I don't even want to cook supper. Usually that's a chinese lunch and a processed meal for supper. Especially if there's only me here, but that is rare.

The Senior Chief wasn't hungry for Chinese food today...he wanted a sandwich and cheetoes...so I'm off after this to rustle up some lunch for me. LOL!

Hey! I lost 20 pounds or so. Hell yeah, right? Hell yeah. All my clothes are too big...woot woot! A big HELL YEAH! Really! I was getting worried a little. Now, not so much.

I have jury duty next month. I am oddly excited. I cannot imagine what good case might be on the docket in my little podunk town, but I'm sure I'll be surprised. I've spent a minute or two at the downtown courthouse over the years. Maybe I won't.

So, there's a dress code for this dealio and I'm wondering with all my oversized clothes, I have anything to wear. Automatically, I start taking stock of my makeup and nail polish and nails for that matter. When I do my nails they look real...and that's a fact. I've had "experts" tell me. And critical ones at that. I learned from the best though.

Blah, blah, blah....

I hate negative posts, but I love the fact that I have a place to spew vitriol everywhere and people kinda love you for it.

Back to my pollyanna ways soon enough, no fear folks.

Until next time...

OK

2010-01-18T15:49:00.002-05:00

Ok, I just might be back. Hey, ya know...it's all mind over matter...if you don't mind, it don't matter. And that's a fact, jack. Attitude is everything and for this moment in time, I have a pretty decent attitude.

I got my first moron comment today. I should feel honored. I do feel much better...because it reminded me of a few things. I don't give a fuck what you think.

I really don't. I don't give a shit about "people". Individuals, certainly, until that "people" attitude starts kicking in and then I have little use for you.

People expect women to be soft and fuzzy and to give a shit. I don't. I don't give a shit about the Haitians or the millions dying from cancer or any of that crap. I don't give a shit about whatever celebrity is doing whatever thing, unless it happens to be actually useful.

I don't watch movies and my television time is limited. I like a little eye candy like most girls, but good fucking God, I do not care about what celebrity is doing what or what color their underwear is or all that crap. All I care about is whether or not the movies/tv shows are any real good or not. There are a few actors that do good work. It's all about the quality of the work.

Anybody that loves their work and is good at it is fine by me.

Let me just take a moment and give that moron who commented on the last post ...a little bit more attention. First of all..be a man or woman or whatever the fuck you are and leave a name. That is red flag number one to me. Either I know you and you're scared of me or I don't know you and your life sucks so bad you have nothing better to do than to judge mine. Number 2...how many kids do YOU have? Do you know what it takes to be a leader? Do you at all embrace the concept of freedom of speech or are you just a coward? Where the fuck did you learn English? I thank my fellow writer friends whom I know are anal about punctuation, spelling, and more importantly...usage...for not skewering every post that I write. However, my mistakes are not so glaringly obvious. At least you can recognize what I am writing as English...and I don't care what the "text" language is, I will never, ever, write that way. Just call me Miss Enunciation. And then to even PRESUME to know where my stress comes from.

Let me tell ya...I am a Mom. That is my job..that is what I do. It is my right to bitch about my kids any time I want. YOU, however, have no right to even think that my kids aren't the angels and the good Samaritans that they are. My kids rock..they really do. And believe me...the source of my stress is not them. It's the stupid assholes like you that I have to deal with in the Wal-Mart parking lot every day. They are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Growing up, making mistakes and learning from them. Nobody's kids have stress free lives. Boys are supposed to grow up loving fast cars, toy guns, real guns later, throwing rocks, fishing, peeing in the bushes, and other stuff that boys do. Please. That really so doesn't stress me out and I am not afraid to tell them what I think.

HOWEVER..once a month or so, their very breathing the same air as me might just piss me off. Deal with it or don't read. And the next person who even tries to imply that I'm a pushover or a bad mom...can kiss my redneck ass...and pray that I don't rip your head off and shit down your neck.

Are we clear? I thought so.

Alrighty...

2010-01-14T19:09:00.002-05:00

I always wondered why folks would abandon their blogs and not post for lengthy periods of time. Now I know.

It's a brand new year. And I haven't written a thing in a few months now.

Things change, routines change...shit happens, as they say.

Everything is relatively the same. Maybe that's why I've quit blogging so much.

I've been busy reading. I've got two I'm reading right now ...Mrs. Palin's book and once called "Why We Suck" by Dennis Leary. I read the new Crichton book..it was good too. And I have a new Clive Cussler book in reserves. I wish Larry McMurtry would put a new one out. Sigh.

Also the old saying goes...if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all and this peri-pre-whatever the fuck has me on full bitch most days. Hell, I don't even want to spend time with myself.

I just ran all the kids off because not a damn one of them helps me out and I've got YEARS on these older kids for doing stuff. I put some damn fantastic meals out and no help whatsoever doing dishes.

I chewed my daughter's ass up one side and down the other because when I asked her for help..she just got her ass on Facebook and started chatting with her friends. One of the adult kids had company...who was offering to help and the oldest son was just sitting on his ass.

I chewed his ass out way less than my daughter's and he just got in his car and left. I asked him to clean one table off and 15 min. later, he had thrown two cans away. I asked him a little more strongly....and he gave me lip. Just like my daughter..LOL..

It's sad when a 13 yr. old girl can take a harder ass chewing than a 25 yr old man. Just sayin'. That's his problem not mine.

Of course the senior chief got upset with me for getting on the oldest. However, that is his problem not mine.

He has a damn hernia and I'm not happy about that either. I know he's hurting too, but still.

The good news is ..is that the kids are on the honor roll. That's pretty cool.

The rest of our life just sucks right now, mostly. We are both depressed...it's been a long hard road, it really has....our stress levels...constant stress levels for years and years and years...are taking their toll.

There is ALWAYS something that is a major stressor and ya know...a body just gets tired after a while.

That's why I haven't been blogging lately. I'm pissed off at the world.

An Ode To The Search Engine..

2009-11-03T09:47:00.002-05:00

I'm telling you ...I have yet to get tired of the internet. It's a wondrous place, it really is. To be able to "meet" people from all over the country and all over the world is cool as hell.

To be able to use translating tools makes it so you don't miss ANY of the good stuff. And the wide variety of intelligence that you come across. Amazing. I have friends who are physicists, mathmeticians, still in the Navy, professional poker players, liberals, extreme liberals, politically active, reached the highest summit of their career....entrepreneurs, car loves, other NASCAR fans, journalists, authors...you name it.

All inside my little black box. How cool is that? Very cool. I wonder what the ancients would have said if we'd have said that the whole world would be able to converse together, overcome any language barrier, and be able to come together. Truly amazing...truly miraculous, even.

Just sayin'.

The Whole World Is Crazy

2009-10-21T09:00:00.003-04:00

You know it and I know it. At least it makes for some blog fodder. I said it before and I'll say it again.

This time next year, things are going to be bleak. I would advise buying stock in Kraft and Ramen noodles and hamburger helper because we'll be lucky to be able to afford that. Grow a garden. Grow an indoor garden if you have to.

You see, when the food runs out, nothing else is going to matter anymore to the general public. You see, the San Joaquin Valley in California not only produces one half of this country's fresh produce, it also produces one-fifth of the fresh produce for the world.

Think about that for a minute. One fifth of the whole world's food supply is just gone. This has been going on for three years. It's been a year that it's been the worst though. The unemployment in that region is as high as 38% in some areas.

Some of the articles actually read like they are straight out of Atlas Shrugged. It's unbelievable. We've got this commity and that commity and this and that studying the problem and everybody bickering and fighting..while the people starve.

It's not just a Valley problem. This has global implications. One-fifth of the world's fresh produce...gone. Not there anymore, and even now the recovery time to restart those farms and make them producing again is unknown. We are talking grapes, tomatoes, onions, nut trees, and melons.

You can't just cut off one fifth of the world's produce supply like that and not expect something bad to happen. Seriously. What impact is this going to have on the third world countries that depend upon us for food.

A global food crisis certainly has the potential to spark another world war. People get cranky when they are hungry and poor. The only good thing, I suppose is that food is still cheaper than bullets. Wait til that changes. Then we'll be in a world of shit.

Where are the happy cows going to go now? It's not like there isn't livestock that lives there, too, and a whole bunch of it. That means milk prices and other foods are going to skyrocket too.

But, lets just keep on talking about Balloon boy family. We all know that's more important than anything else. Or whatever celebrity is doing what.

Isn't this just the perfect storm for Communism? I spent years of my life fighting the spread of that shit and here in just a few months, it's all coming to fruition. I almost hope the world does end in 2012.

Away

2009-10-20T15:15:00.003-04:00

Away, away,
Push that thought away.
She'll think of that
Some other day.

The news is on,
She cries to see,
So very much,
Human misery.

Children dying,
Mothers crying.
Corruption galore,
And there's more and more and more.

Will it end
She begins to wonder.
Oh look, there go
The pirates and their plunder.

Mighty oaks fallen
In the wind
Landscapes changed
It never ends.

Hope and change
The people exclaimed
We cannot bear
This wretched pain.

Those of them
That dared dissent
They got their
Just punishment.

Labeled as racist,
Touted as liars.
All this craziness
Its smoke before the fire.

The problem for her
Is you see
That she is afraid
Of losing liberties.

She is a bit
Concerned after all
She doesn't want to see
Her great country fall.

Away away
Don't push those thoughts away
Think of all
Those things today.

Laughter is the best medicine...

2009-10-20T09:26:00.002-04:00

Katt Williams Discussing Women & Weed
Uploaded by klmbaby. - Watch more comedy videos and sitcoms.

Ok ladies, WHY does it take us until we're 40 to figure this shit out? Really. Why DO we trip over stuff that don't matter? I mean, I can't say I've ever been turned down and there have been times where a guy has indicated interest when I'm in some cut off sweat pants and a t-shirt...no makeup...hair definitely not done...and that shit freaks me out every time it happens. Crap, and it isn't like men change when they get old. Hell no.

Now really, wouldn't it have been nice to know that when we were twenty something..or is it just me?

Maybe we need to just go on and smoke some weed? Ha! ha!

I think all of us gals go through a period of time where we don't know. When I was younger, I knew I was the shit at work. I had statistics to back it up, though. This mommy gig is measured a bit different. But still, I know I'm the shit. My deal was I always thought I was ugly. Still do. I hate to see pictures of me. I really, honestly don't understand the male response, to be quite honest. The senior chief says I'm beautiful..which is cool as hell. I mean, I don't worry about it. I have other things that are great about me, but I hate my face.

I'm not joking. I never understood the male response and it's not like I didn't have a boyfriend or two. And if you've been following along..at least once a year I get kissed by a random stranger. I skipped last year, but we missed two Talladegas. Not going to this time, though. It's going to be just us, so I'm hoping we can opt out of the random stranger kissing thing this time, honestly. It upsets me and really puzzles me at the same time. Because I don't think I'm pretty. Once I was pretty when I let my best friend in the Navy do my makeup for a night out. I didn't even recognize myself. But generally speaking...not so much.

That can only leave one to come to the conclusion that really, looks haven't a damn thing to do about it. It has everything to do with attitude..and self esteem..LOL! And we all know I got some attitude. Anyway..this made me giggle and I hope it does you too.

So Quiet...

2009-10-17T13:53:00.003-04:00

I've been sitting here trying to pinpoint things. Like, when did I fall out of my routine..when did I quit blogging? I thought at first it was because of myspace and facebook, but no, that's not it. I thought it was because of the business or stress or whatever, but no, it's not any of those things.

When did the blog fodder stop, is what really occurred. When did the kids stop coming over? When did we quit having tornado parties? When did things get so fucking quiet around here?

It's been a gradual thing. It wasn't one thing or another. Some things are symptoms.

What really happened is that one flew the coop. As a family unit that each depended upon the others strengths and weaknesses, losing a link hurt. And it's not because he left or because he went to war or because he's going to war again, although all those things come in to play. It's because of ALL those things...it's because he's out of the loop now, and so are we. It's not that we don't think he's a man..or he doesn't believe in us...but certain things happen when your kids live far away.

You lose that day to day contact...and you start lying. You, as parents, don't tell the kid certain things..because goodness, he's got the weight of the war on him, and he doesn't tell you things, because for the first time, he understands your responsibilities.

He also doesn't want to talk of things that remind him of home. He isn't happy either. He won't watch the races..he won't talk of food, he won't talk of the antics of the others because it hurts him too badly to be reminded of home. He'd rather you didn't know the night he spent in the tank in Denver..so you can't talk of that either. He lies to you about things, as well. He pretends like he's doing stuff and going places but he's not. He's just drinking a lot and on his computer a lot and sitting in his barracks room. And after so long...all you feel is a big emptiness where a whole person used to be.

I think it's unnatural for kids to move far from home. Move out and form their own residences...yes..but move across the country...not so much. Go have adventures with the understanding that home is where you land...yes. I don't know when the family unit started straying so far from home..and staying gone. It hasn't been good for the world, for sure.

Kids not raised around extended family lose a lot of knowledge and they struggle harder. If you live near grandma, when you are a kid or an aunt or uncle...or whomever, you get the benefit of their wisdom when your parents are pissed off at you. That is something very cool about the south that is never talked about. If you're family...you are family for life.

Knowing that he misses us so much doesn't help, either. His brothers are aware of his longing for home and it affects them, too. I let my younger ones sign up for stuff so that they could talk to him online when they wanted. So, we just hang around the computer, not far away, in order to talk to family and friends that are like family. Because everybody lives so damn far away.

I don't know what the lessons learned in all this, all I know is there is a bunch of people all not happy and there's not a damn thing I can do about it and so therefore, I'm not happy either.

While We're Arguing About Public Option

2009-10-15T12:08:00.002-04:00

One of the most fertile places in California, our largest producer of the majority of our produce,is now a desert wasteland. The people that lived there, the producers of 36.6 billion dollars of food, HALF understand...HALF the nations fruits, nuts and vegetables....are now standing in food bank lines. We've been watching it for awhile, but the repercussions are huge. Here is an article that says it much better than I could.

I watched the videos. These people should not have to live like this and this is not of their doing. They really need to turn the water back on. This will have global repercussions. Better start growing your own now. And guarding it.

You can see by the article that the implications are tremendous. Being a child of the Cold War, I can actually buy into the Gorbachev connection. This is some scary stuff folks. These guys need some help. We need to get the word out. This is one of those stories that's been kind of buried...and that's not a good thing.

It could happen any time any where. Those of us here in Ga are a little sick of the rain, but mighty glad the lake is full again. It could happen to any of us. And is. He who controls the water supply rules..plain and simple. We cannot afford to let the people who are producers, who produce HALF of our produce..to starve so fish can live. That is just ludicrous, but it's happening.

Where The Hell Have All The Kids Gone?

2009-10-12T19:09:00.002-04:00

I mean seriously. I had food for 4 tonight. I do not even know how to cook for 4.

That isn't even no joke. The eldest one is ..around... off visiting friends, meeting new girls that I probably won't like. The Army boy is in Colorado preparing for another deployment and the third son is here and a big help. Number 4 son is in college and taking such a heavy course load, he lives and breathes school. He's on the dean's list and I am so proud of all of them. The younger two are in middle school and they are lots of fun to hang around.

For that I am grateful, but my minds eye knows how quickly they grow up....and well, what the hell am I going to do then?

I spend my days talking about the good ol' days already. I am too damn young for this. Those kids have been so much a part of me for so long, I'm finding myself a little unbalanced with the lack of them. No more tornado parties, although 2 of the older ones stopped by the other day. And, they are 25 or so, so it's cool to have Mom hug you. That's what they told little dude, anyway...Mom hugs are always cool..any time any where. God Bless them.

I've got lots of new things to learn. I've got lots of new teachers, too, which is really cool! There is checks and balances...but I prefer the kids.

And life goes on.

What Started Out as Good Parenting...

2009-09-25T19:05:00.002-04:00

I have to give you a prime example of why I just love having kids around. They are on top of technology, really...and without my need to monitor my kids, I would have never joined some of the social groups there are. And, I am having a BLAST...really.

There is a downside...well, if you've ever used the computer to escape from your kids, you'll see it right away. What happens, is now, the use the network to give you shit. Hey, it doesn't work on me. And it does help to see what they are saying and to whom. When they get all snarky and you just want to get away from them for a minute, well, I guess you just go running off to your blog..LOL! My daughter's birthday is tomorrow, and she's something else. She's my daughter, and I love her..I really do. She's a blast to be around!

God Bless your children for being constant reminders to keep having fun. My little guy got in trouble today for spitting spitballs in class. Ok. I do not know an 11 year old child who has not spit a spitball in class, including my guy who is studying to be a teacher, yet is now all high and mighty...Mr. had a Bear note home at least once a week in kindergarten, and the endless phone calls asking me if he took his medicine that day. He cracks me up, he really does.

After six kids, I have just learned to not let my kids stress me out. I think that's what it boils down to. There is not a thing they can do that I haven't seen at least a dozen times before, and it's lost it's shock value. But, to keep it interesting, you have to keep coming up with new speeches and stuff over the years..keep it fresh..keep in tune with the times, and keep them on track.

Shit, and if you let them talk you into joining any social networks...where all the "cool" people are...LOL...then they can open a whole new world for you. Then, they can throw your own words right back at ya.

I love the late night debates....

A Tale Of Two Kitties.

2009-09-20T12:21:00.003-04:00

It was the best of times and it was the worst of times, but here the similarities end.

About three years ago, we had a little black cat move in with us. Her name is Kitty. There are several others in the neighborhood who think she's theirs, too, but she's here every night and most days. She only really leaves when there's nobody here. She's a 'people' cat. She's very sweet to her people, never showing claw or fang, unless you're just really messing with her. She is fearsome, though. She conducts herself like a very small panther, really. She has the attitude of a large cat. She sleeps in the trees just like you'd expect a panther to.

She's a killer. She's a very good hunter. She doesn't discriminate against her prey....reptiles, birds, squirrels, mice, rats, chipmunks, rabbits...all fair game to her. Last night a baby possum wandered in and The Senior Chief decided he didn't want her trying to take it on, so he sent her inside for a bit, while he scared it out.

It would appear, just to muddy up the waters, that another black cat is trying to take up residence here. The crazy thing is, is that this one looks EXACTLY like the first one. I think we'll call it...Evil Twin. Really. I would see this cat going for the food dish, go to give it a pet, it would run off, and then I would see Kitty coming in through the window. It took me a while to figure out there were two.

Today was the first time I saw them both at the same time. The senior chief said he had once, as well. Can't shoot them, because we are afraid we'll shoot the wrong damn one. You can't tell which is which until Evil Twin runs off.

I think it's funny when it happens, because once the threat is gone, my kitty shows her appreciation freely. She comes over and meows her thanks and rubs against your leg, allowing you to calm her.

She's an unusual Kitty because when you call her..she comes bounding across the lawn or room to jump up next to you, happy to see you. She's extra grateful when you fill her food bowl, although, I did cut back on the tuna scraps and salmon scraps, because she would always go out and bring two or three kills in as way of expressing her gratitude.

That other one must be homeless. That's sad. Evil Twin just keeps trying to go after the food. Apparently, Evil Twin isn't a very good hunter. I can't leave food for Evil Twin anywhere on the property. My kitty will be having none of that. It's ALL hers. Works for me.

Remembering A Friend

2009-09-17T13:56:00.002-04:00

Gone from my sight.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

-Henry Van Dyke

Yesterday I got news that a long standing friend of mine had crossed the great divide. She was someone I knew only through the internet. She was mother, friend, sister. She was one of the ones who encouraged me to start this blog, who encouraged me to write. She and another friend helped brainstorm the names of my blog. Where her presence was, there is a big hole left in my heart, but I know she is still somewhere, just merely gone from my sight.

Linda, my friend, fair winds and following seas.

I am a PATRIOT, How DARE you call me racist?

2009-09-16T14:43:00.003-04:00

Oh Good Lord, you know I have to believe that the Democratic party is cringing today. I should hope so anyway. I mean, we all KNEW that's what they thought, but for Mr. Carter to just say it outright...well, I for one am glad it's out there so that there is half a chance to refute it.

And y'all thought the race card playing was over. Ha!

I am concerned myself about racial tensions in this country. I know who the racists are, and it isn't the white people. I had a black friend defriend me this week because of my political beliefs. Someone whom I believed was my friend. Not that I didn't see the writing on the wall, he all but accused me of being a racist and accused all those that were in opposition to his president ..racist. Unbelievable, I thought...he couldn't really truly believe that, but apparently, he did. He didn't quite come out and say it, but it was definitely implied. What is funny is that his reasoning was because of 'politics' and I see that he hasn't deleted those friends of his that talk politics that are in favor of Obama.

I see the state of the nation as heading towards being communist if things continue. Thank God for the million or so that showed up in DC. "The Cavalry" as it were. Communism, in my mind, is slavery for everybody but a few.

Now, didn't we fight a whole war with that being an issue? See, even then, it wasn't an issue, it was smoke. It was about money...slaves were being freed anyway. I'd like to think that there was a plan to make them independent, oh yeah, there was but he got shot before he got to enact it and reconstruction went a different way altogether...but anyway, I digress. Slavery is bad. Black people will tell ya so. So, why on EARTH would a black man put us on the road to slavery?

UNLESS, slavery wasn't as bad as it was purported. I mean, yes it is bad to enslave people, but apparently, they weren't treated as bad as they have been advertising all these years. Seems to me that group of people simply wants to be taken care of. Maybe kind of like back in the slavery days. That is the only reason I can think of at this point in time that would explain it. If they were the ones that wanted freedom so bad, then why oh why are they wanting to grow government instead of making government smaller? Of course there isn't a Democrat in charge at this point in time that knows how to do math.

We are talking about a plan that forces 90% of the people to pay for 10%, if you look at unemployment right now and assume that 10% is going to stay for awhile, which I'm sure it is. And quite a few of that percentage is uninsured BY CHOICE. There is another percentage that spend that same money on health food and gyms. They could purchase health insurance instead of protein shakes and all that crap, but they don't.

And then there is energy. If the cost of energy becomes such that manufacturers take their businesses overseas, then we are screwed. If manufacturing goes overseas, then there are no jobs and we have to pay higher prices to import things we could make right here. You want to see a depression, that is all it will take.

Instead of becoming more independent and self reliant as a country we will become the complete opposite. That scares me.

It galls me to be called a racist. I think there's a hell of a lot of black people out there that are racist. It almost makes me wish Hillary had been elected, and that's saying a lot.

I am a patriot.

Shoes

2009-09-12T13:08:00.002-04:00

Let me tell y'all something. I'm listening to CNN right now, which is awesome, but while it's a commercial, I can do a little writing.

Being a mom changed me a bit. It's wierd, it happened in increments, but there was a point in time that I didn't go out looking less than fabulous. Jeans and t-shirts were for at home. I mean, dresses were for going out in and if you were running errands, going out jeans were put on, full makeup, hair done..nails done...and heels.

My feet and my whole persona was made for high heels. I love heels, I love being taller, I love how it makes me feel like a girl to wear them. I love how I know my legs and butt look in heels. I love how I automatically feel confident and stand up straighter when they are on. It's easy to undertand how it got that way, but I think I need to take better care that it doesn't again.

I went shoe shopping the other day and just could not resist any more. I got a pair of 5 inch heels, and man, my attitude is different, too. And, I wear those damn shoes everywhere, but especially to the grocery store and out.

Come on, y'all admit it, there is nothing sexier than a woman stepping out of a hot rod with 5 inch heels on. I know it...it makes me feel sexier and if I feel sexier, then the senior chief gets more loving.

So, lesson learned, don't give up too much, especially not your real loves, like shoes or lipstick or whatever your love is. That's why they love you...for stuff like that.

I think all women have to find that balance. Thank God for good girlfriends that keep you reminded of that stuff.

Wild Boys..

2009-09-12T09:42:00.002-04:00

You'd think I would understand boys for sure by now after having been around so many. But, you know, I really don't.

What the hell happens to males in their twenties? Too much testosterone is what I'm thinking, but seriously, apparently testosterone completely and utterly wipes out any sense of survival or common sense. I guess that is why God protects fools, children, and men in their twenties.

I mean, really, what makes them think cars are toys? Does it not occur to them what will happen if they wreck the car...and these are cars these boys put hours and hours of blood, sweat and tears into. Do they not value their work or their money? Do they not think about what they would do without that car? I mean, I guess if they don't even think of their own lives, then why should they think about a car? It puzzles me, it really does.

One of our kids that claim us was out and about with one of his friends last week sometime. It was Saturday night, Labor day weekend, as a matter of fact.

I might have mentioned that though I live close to shopping areas, my house itself still looks like it's in a real rural area and there are a couple of real rural roads around here just right for having a little fun on. We always do a test drive or so when we've done an upgrade on one of our cars.

In one area, there is a 35mph corner. Now it looks long and easy, but it's deceiving. I have never gone faster than 55 at that point, and that's fast enough.

Well, one of the kids that claim us and his friend were doing 130 mph around that corner...trying to shift gears as well. First of all, make sure your transmission is in good shape, eh? You do not put it through a test like that when you're having trouble hitting gears. The car in question was a Mustang 5.0...rebuilt....

At 130 mph, the kid tries for fourth gear, misses twice..the third time he tried, he got a gear, but he got second instead of fourth. OOPS!

The rear wheels locked up, send them off the road where they hit a stump and were flung 10 feet up into the air and slammed back down to the ground. The passenger side is what took the tree and also where my young friend was sitting. He is very lucky to be alive.

NOW, he doesn't even want to be a passenger at all, even if you're going twenty miles an hour.

Why the fuck does it take something that extreme to teach boys? I mean, I understand the need for risk and all, but that is just too much. And it seems to be a fairly universal male trait.

And believe me, I've given all the momma admonitions to these kids. They always hang their heads...but it still takes something like that to teach them. No wonder some days I'm just weary.

Fiddle-De-Dee

2009-09-12T09:05:00.002-04:00

I swear I feel like Scarlett O'Hara some days. I am so sick of talk of war and all the bickering..really.

However, yesterday, I was truly and irrevocably offended. A day of service and rememberance my ass. Ok, rememberance yes, duh, but service?

What the hell is the deal with all this service shit, anyway. Look if you're so fucked up a charitable organization won't have anything to do with you, then why should anybody else?

Seriously now, I have met people, spent days of my life going to their house, cleaning up their shit...and sometimes literally...only to have the work undone in a week. Dealing with people like that is like setting your money on fire, if you count time as money and my time sure does count.

How about this? How about we take September 11...review what went wrong and double check we have stuff in place to make sure it never happens again?

I am just utterly and completely sick of people right now. I'm sick of having to worry every single second what my government is doing. I'm sick of the division and I'm really, really, really, sick of the racism. And, I mean, I'm sick of feeling bad because I'm white.

I'm sick of having to watch every word I say, lest there be an argument. It's getting really old and it hasn't even been one year yet. I'm sick of worrying what's going to happen to my business as a result of policies that this administration puts out.

And I sure as hell know we don't want government health care. You don't see us running down to the VA to take advantage of the free health care we have, I assure you. The only ones who get good health care under that system are the active duty military. Period.

Fiddle-de-dee, I'm sick of it all.

Reading and Writing

2009-09-09T12:38:00.004-04:00

And arithmetic. All are very important in today's world.

I'm glad to know that my kids didn't need the President to tell them they needed to stay in school. They assure me that they know they need their education because they don't know much. They assure us that they don't even know some stuff that we've learned and forgotten.

That's cool. However, he wasn't speaking to my kids. He was speaking to the ghetto children, and if of those kids stays in school because he made that speech, well, good for him and good for them.

I do think, on some levels, we do need to just chill for a damn second, just long enough to keep perspective, is all. And we need to incorporate a little understanding into things.

For the negroes of this country, this is a proud moment. They are finally free in their own mind and that means a lot. And, since they are Americans too, we should care a little about that. It means that finally, we can move forward as a country. Maybe not right this second, but let's take a moment...just one moment to appreciate the position our President is in. He is a democrat first of all and democrat in my mind means "bleeding heart". Any democrat who received a government grant to better themselves believes in their heart that everybody would do the same with the same money. Then, because the particular minority he represents has felt oppressed all these years...

Listen, I'm a white girl. I have no idea what it's like to sit at my grandmother's knee and hear about slavery. I know it FEELS like it's been a long time..that whole nasty slavery business...but for them, it hasn't and it won't for another generation or so. It just won't. Get that.

Some of you even remember the fifties and sixties. Things weren't so great for the minorities then, either.

And, so it has been throughout history. Those that come here en mass and are the "new guys" ...those....they have to pay some dues. And with all the minorities, it includes what they would term ..."grunt work"...

And, it's how it should be. When you think about it, those folks that got off the Mayflower and built this country did a lot of shit work. When the new groups came over, it made more sense for them to take over the shit work, while those that had been here for a minute figured out how it should be and got to work moving forward.

This latest group is so damn poor, they can work for less than minimum wage here and still have money to spare. You could make the argument to get legal and then you really could have so much more, but what they are getting is so far beyond what they get at home, it's already like they won the damn lottery. But, damned if they didn't take over the shit work for awhile.

Hey, whatever, the clip is funny...I don't care who ya are.

Just Thinking..

2009-09-01T09:07:00.002-04:00

Ok, I'm pretty much your average housewife here, truth be told. Average is a word I hate. I'd like to think I'm supermom and all that, but let's just for the sake of posterity, I'm Average Sally. Meaning, some days I have flashes of brilliance and others..well, not so much.

I do put forth effort every day though to keep up with what is current, but being and Average Sally, I pay attention to things that are more along the lines of consumer issues.

Two stories caught my eye today. One about how Wally World is recalling 1.5 million chinese made dvd players because they catch on fire.

The other story was about how Boeing is moving to China.

My little average Sally mind goes into overdrive a little.

So, we want to take a major corporation of ours like Boeing and home base it in a country that cannot even duplicate simple technology like a dvd player? I mean, it's not like they are new on the market or anything.

Besides all the questions about what kind of secrets are being divulged here...

Here's what I know. This white girl is never flying again, if that's the state of affairs. There are places I can google if I want to look at them. We have plenty of beautiful places right here in the good ol' USA and if I want to see Hawaii or Alaska, I'll go by sea.

Anywhere else, I'll drive, thank you very much.

All Is Well In The World...

2009-08-25T09:25:00.004-04:00

Ok, maybe not the whole world, but my world sure is fun. I wish the whole world could be as chilling as we are, really.

It's a beautiful sunny day, everyone is gone for at least 4 hours, and the hot rod is running beautifully. It's a great day to take the tops off and go find a mountain to get lost on.

The hot rod has being a little finicky of late. Not the original white one..that sucker has nearly 300,000 miles on it and is STILL running like a champ. Yeah, she shows her age, but man, what a car.

No, the IROC is the one that is being finicky. We finally solved the clutch problem and then an electrical problem reared it's ugly head. I am pretty sure I know exactly where the problem lie, honestly. The one who gave it to us rewired it redneck style and if we just put everything back where it is supposed to go, then I'm sure that will solve the problem. It is merely in the gauges, anyway, but when you have a hot rod, gauges are nice to have.

I'm certain it won't be hard to track. I do have 5 or 9 books at my disposal and the whole big world of the internet, eh?

The senior chief has his doubts, however. He informed me that I had to learn "atom theory" first.

WHAT?

ATOM THEORY?

I could be wrong now, but I'm pretty sure to undertake that job, I learned most of everything I needed to do it in kindergarten. I'm pretty sure all I need to know is what colored wire goes where, at this point in the juncture.

I mean, come on, I completely wired up an anti-collision device on a 75 ton crane, 60 feet up in the air. And it worked perfectly. I didn't need to know atom theory then and we were working with industrial electricity, hey?

Atom theory my ass. Reminds me of the time I asked my dad a simple algebraic law and by the time it was all over, my homework was long forgotten and I was halfway immersed in a Navy correspondence course on boolean algebra.

Not that it wouldn't be fun to learn and all, but sheesh, when would I have the time?

Hell, I'm happy as hell that I get to take a leisurely shower today and maybe actually get to shave my legs.

Atom theory my ass.

Health Care and Other Stuff

2009-08-19T08:57:00.002-04:00

Yes, I follow the news. What I want to know is if this healthcare plan is supposed to be so all fired great, then why are Congress and The President exempt? Why wouldn't they have the same plan as us? Are they not American's?

The funny thing is, is this healthcare plan is redundant. We already have SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) and you don't have to be very poor to get your children taken care of. I actually don't know anybody that uses it, but it sounds good to me. The first 6 years of a child's life are free. Then it starts costing, but when you look at the cost of health insurance, it is a bargain.

All states should have something similar at this point in time.

And then we already have Medicaid. How well is THAT program working? Why not revamp it a little? Make it ..I don't know.. make some money?

And then we have Medicare.

I think we have all the age groups covered now. So, tell me...WHY do we need to spend money and waste time thinking up a whole new plan when the social programs we already have don't work that well. You might as well just have a bonfire with your money.

Last I heard, the wheel was pretty much invented.

Been Awhile..

2009-08-18T15:23:00.002-04:00

Well, people. This has been a busy year. School has started which gives me an extra few minutes occasionally to write a thought or two down. I thought life was supposed slow down as you got older and your kids did too. Ha! Another myth, I see.

Every time I think I have a good book idea, I see it's been done. But, that doesn't discourage me, as reading is my very first love. I am always happiest when I have a book to read.

I've been catching up on my television watching as well to see if I can pick the formula. I can in most cases. Back to the classics, as well, I think.

You know what sucks about movies today? No intermission. I mean, gee, that's just good business sense right there. Remember how movies used to have intermissions so that you could go to the bathroom, refill your snacks? What happened to that? It just makes sense all the way around. People feel like they aren't missing half the movie because they have to pee, and they spend more money on the snacks at the concession stand. Win-win. That is partly why I don't go to movies anymore.

Look, I know I am going to have to pee halfway into the movie. It's just one of those things that is. It bugs me to miss that much of a movie that costs a hell of a lot of money. I'd probably go to the movies more often if they did it old school and had those intermissions. Then if you had to go, you knew you were going to get a break soon.

I got to take the kids to two movies this summer. We saw Night at the Museum and Harry Potter 6. I was disappointed in that one. The books had so much depth. My 11 year old has read them all, and he was disappointed too. I found it uncalled for to blow up the Weasly's house. Just saying.

Busy is good. Busy is making money and feeling productive. Sometimes life is full of words and sometimes life is full of quiet. I think a quiet time is upon me.

Training...is Everything...

2009-07-24T19:19:00.002-04:00

I learned this concept in the military. And, the United States Military...I do not care which branch...is a study of how to learn from your past mistakes.

As well, I'd like to think that it evolved into a machine that can ...predict... future mistakes based upon the past ones. You know what the military learned from how they were treated coming home from Viet Nam? Don't listen. It's all blah, blah, blah, to them. They soldier on, despite all these people bitching and doubting. I'm so very proud of our active duty right now, I could burst.

I learned A LOT in the military and I am happy to remember those times, now. Time fades the bitter memories and leaves only the best.

I have no doubt in my mind that if we aren't there...wherever there is...either providing mediation or whatever ...help... we can, then "they" will come here. My faith in this is unwaverable. I've seen the machine in action. It's a powerful machine.

The biggest thing I learned in the Navy, and from several different arenas...is that training is everything. You train like it's real, but you get a do-over to apply the training.

I treat my kids like that. I love the 19+ age group, it's easy to relate to them. Well, easiest to affect a change anyway, let's put it that way. This is what us who have been in the military understand. When the rest of the world has given up hope on a young lady or young man, the military always gives them an opportunity for a clean slate. Well, they get that at my house too.

It doesn't matter who they are exactly. The focus is more on who they want to be, what obstacles lie in the way of that achievement and the next tasks to overcome those obstacles. If you find yourself having the same problem over and over, then it's time to rethink your approach.

What we always do is put things in a practical atmosphere for them. Training, that is. They get a little explanation...classroom instruction... and the goals of the course or whatever...and then we put them through the practical part. They know it's just a test, and unlike in the military, it isn't served with derision..they know they are being instructed.

Psychology calls it role playing. I call it teaching with a multitude of learning styles in mind. It's all just terminology in the end. I guess role playing uses fewer words. Anyway, we do this for our kids. Set up scenarios in which they understand what the lesson was supposed to be from the outset and then roleplayed with them.

They were usually chosen to be the opposite person. The person they feel is doing them wrong, or the person they are intimidated by...whatever. Sometimes, they have to play themselves and one of us has to play the other. Those times are always best approached with caution. Gentle probing is called for in these scenarios. A trigger sentence only....is as far as it can go, and then you spend the rest of the time identifying exact emotions that go with things, and then, you have a "perspective" follow up talk with a summary of your findings.

I have one, who shall remain nameless, who has been accused of DUI twice. Neither time was it an accurate charge. I know this because I am the primary lawyer after the facts and the facts only and will use any bit of information to my advantage when forming an opinion. Without getting into details, he has had to hire a lawyer twice to get justice. Real justice. She's a good gal, too. I would recommend her in a minute to anybody. She's a bitch and she's fearsome when pissed. EXCELLENT!

Now that I have a professional dealing with that part of it, I can deal with the MOM part of it...what the hell keeps getting him into these situation? And, getting ahold of the whole actual police report was helpful. It's good to see that written report that is filed after the incident. I learned a lot from that, believe it or not.

I know my kids. I know what they are capable of, what they are likely to do, whether or not they are lying...all of that. I know my kids.

The answer to the situation at hand is a ...pull over drill... as it were. Hell, we all get pulled over shortly after getting our driver's licenses. We all know this. They might as well just put a rookie stripe on the back of new driver's cars. It ought to be required for the first year at least. They make rookie mistakes and it doesn't help when a bored/extra gung ho/rookie cop....is the one that gets him and there's a fair few amount of those in this area. Hey, I have not a thing against cops. I like them, as a matter of fact. I haven't had a real bad experience with a cop, personally. I also did a lot of studying in my Navy time to become a cop. I put some hard work into a cross rate before fate intervened, so I understand a lot about "cop" thinking. Sure as hell enough to understand what this sweet kid of mine is doing to tweak the red flags on a cop and to do a little practical training to ensure the kid knows how to answer the question being asked ..period.

Jeez, we went to court today and they cop behind the metal detector asked us a ...courtesty question..."Do you know where you are going today?" Correct answer..."Yes sir, thank you." Him..Well sir, I am being charged with such and such, and my lawyer is so and so and ....it was definitely a case of TMI. Good Lord, kid....

And his lawyer...pissed off enough at someone to take it to a jury trial... DAYUM! HELL YEAH! And then...OMG...imagining him in front of a jury....well, that made me think of this whole post. Boy needs some training if it has to go that way. Needs some anyway. On it.

And that right there....yeah...I know I rock as a mom. I don't feel that often. But, see, half the battle is understanding how much influence you have over that age group and how to use that influence. And, this is where, if you just spank ...immediately, and decide that teenagers suck...you have already lost the battle. If you develop your kids in a .... safe.... atmosphere...one in which they know they are loved, anyway, then you can do the roleplaying/life training...and they will ...get it. They will. But if you just rely on physical size and spanking during those formative years, then you will have a real battle on your hands when they get this age. And they still need you when they are going through their 20's and 30's.

In my estimation, that is the age that you have the MOST influence, besides those formative years. A second chance, if you will.. Use it wisely, and remember..training is everything.

Just Damn Hot

2009-07-17T15:24:00.002-04:00

It is. It's just hotter than hell out there. My air is broke and it's just damn hot. Tempers are flaring, and it's just hot. On the flip side, my electric bill is just fine by me. I love not running the air from that point of view.

I had reason to just be absolutely grateful for having so many kids today. Because, when you only have two..you have a youngest and an oldest and they are going to go at each other. Getting just two kids to be buddies, is hard. When you have THREE kids, then someone has to be in the middle of the youngest and the oldest person fighting. When you have FOUR kids, they trade off. You have a youngest and an oldest that are going to fight and two kids in between to share the duties of the middle child, therefore giving each of them a chance to shine. When you have 5 kids, you have a middle child, but he's stuck doing the duty of the other 4 that are fighting. When you have SIX children, and I think that is quite enough thank you...you have everybody fighting with everybody, pretty much....LOL! But you do still have the eldest child/youngest child battle.

And you have more middle children to mediate those battles. That is assuming that you have all the same sex. When you have that opposite sex thing going on, that just changes the equation even more.

All I know is that I'm damned hot, burned out, and ready for school to start already. I am also damned hot, burned out and ready for the rest to go to work. I'm also damned hot, burned out and ready for a damn vacation, which I do not forsee in the very near future.

My car broke...so I've been stuck at home with a bunch of bickering kids and I'm damned hot, burned out, and want to go to the damn air conditioned grocery store for just a few minutes and a damn bottle of wine. I mean, I love my beer, but, I'm ready to switch.

Anyway, I'm just damned hot, burned out, stuck at home and sick of my kids. And the senior chief wears thin on my nerves some days, as well.

And getting air conditioning will not help. I want my car. Hell, A car. This really upsets the senior chief, and he is doing all that he can as a human to rectify this, he is. But, shit keeps happening and I'm sick of IT...not him...you know? He's sick of it...not me, as well....but it's just damned hot. Sometimes people sink into their primal states and just want what they want.

Thank God for the electric bill being so low! And thank God for all the beautiful people that cross your path and just have something cool to say.

Special Times

2009-07-09T23:31:00.002-04:00

There are special times with your kids...times where they understand that you do understand. I think that is the cause of the communication breakdown, in some ways. Somebody thinks somebody else doesn't understand. But when you meet in an unexpected place, a new kind of relationship begins to form.

My daughter, and I assure you ...she is mine... made her own email address, signed herself up for ALL the social networks... honey, she's savvy. But, being a good mom, I was one step ahead of her, or maybe I led her...her seeing how much fun me and the senior chief were having in the garage....anyway, this is what she did. You know what's cool about it? She talks to me any time I log on any where. And her whole profile blew my mind.

You see, she was a bit sneaky. However, I have the "kids" computer in an area where I can monitor it from most anywhere...and especially from the kitchen. So, I noticed all this and one day booted her out of MY leather chair...(dammit) and just added all the family I knew as friends. She was all...aghast...."IIIII didn't know so and so was there...etc." And my response:

*****drumroll******

"If you hadn't been so damn sneaky, you would have know EEEEOOOONS ago."

Her reply???

*sheepish look* a little toe kick to the ground, reminiscent of Mark Twain's Tom ....and a grin, also reminiscent.

And that ....works every time. Those are the looks you are looking for. You just have to break the communication barrier. Our kids keep us hip...it's just fine and dandy by me.

Ringer!

2009-07-05T18:05:00.002-04:00

Somebody was happy they threw that set of shoes, let me tell ya! It's all about good times around here, mostly.

We had a nice time yesterday. Our country's birth. How cool is that. I reread the appropriate documents, and found a few inspirational quotes, which I micro blogged off and on all day long.

We cooked some awesome food and I promised someone a show of what a "real" grill master does...(hehe)..but alas, none of my pictures turned out. I think I can blame it on the beer, fairly safely.

Before we drank beer, though, me and the number three son had a discussion about ammo, and fired a few rounds off with our collective pistols. Much fun, that, I assure you.

Number 6 son only has a soft shooter..you know the little plastic bb gun that shoots the plastic bb's? Still he managed to graze himself and we had the lecture about ...do NOT shoot your eye out, dammit son!

Number 4 son invited some people from his church over to visit and eat.

Number one son was all worried about something he lost. Something I confiscated and smoked. Ha! Hey, ya leave it laying around, you get what you get. I'm not sorry after I heard the story about how he and his firefighter friend nearly exploded my house the other night.

I mean, hey, that's a far damn cry from catching some bacon on fire, seriously.

The DOG did it. Come on these guys are 25 freaking years old now and they still can't come up with a better excuse than the DOG did it? Give me a break! And, they can only have so much damn luck. It better the hell not run out over at my house. And I TOLD them..."Ya'll better make EXTRA sure you don't burn my house down tonight." They did not make EXTRA sure, you can bank on that.

He tells me this story and leaves. Boy better replace the damn gas can for sure, or his little brother is going to kick his ass. And, know what I'm going to be doing? Standing on the sidelines, taking bets.

I'm damn glad that it's just a good story about what "could" have happened.

And the senior chief often wonders why I can never sleep and why I never relax.

CONSTANT VIGILANCE!!!!

I was supposed to go to Texas but my car said..."Not only no, but HELL no." Poor baby needed some love. And besides, Army boy was only going to be there for a matter of hours and that would have upset the little ones more than not seeing him at all. At least this way, they got to have a real good time.

We did a pinata, and had some tiki torches. They got to camp out in the tent in the backyard and generally just have a good time.

You know, the older I get, the mellower I get, somehow. I should have kicked some ass for that last story, but I just take it all in now. Maybe I'm numb. Maybe I've learned to worry about things that really are happening instead of the ones that didn't. I'm glad he had the courage to confess, really.

Whatever, is what it boils down to. A little thank you prayer, a little words of wisdom for later....I mean, they know they do wrong..they just kind of wait for you to put it into perspective for them. Most of the time they are way harder on themselves than you would be, if they weren't so damn secretive.

I hooked my daughter up with all kinds of friends and family on her social networking account the other day. She's saying to me..."I didn't know so and so had an account..." I told her if she wasn't so damn sneaky, she would have known a long time ago. She giggled like she does when she knows I'm right.

So, all in all...good holidays. Tuned in to the news, but that's not where I choose to let my attention dwell. I have to keep the family bolstered, so I cannot afford to get bogged down by...all the negative crap out in the world. Mommies...and wives...they point out the obvious positives...while remaining realistic about the negatives. As long as we have half a plan, it's good with the guys....my guys anyway. They see Armageddon happening...they aren't scared. Because I'm not scared. So what...bring it. We'll survive. It's the laws of nature.

So will you, too, survive, should you so decide. As long as people know..you cannot do it alone. That is what people have forgotten, maybe in this day and age.

You cannot do anything much...alone....however, a good team, can accomplish miracles. Especially...a free thinking team. I would say, make sure you build your team, in this day and age.

And remember...it's all about freedom and liberty for the whole world. My favorite quote that I ran across yesterday is this...

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Wednesday Parties...

2009-07-01T22:38:00.002-04:00

Heh. That's the beauty of being in business for yourself. Wednesday parties.

Got one over tonight...one of the crowd, one of the ones that comes around every so often. He had this gorgeous long hair. I mean, it was hair a girl would kill for hair...Long and auburn and curly...and long ....and beautiful. He never brought it out to show it off too often. Mostly, he kept it all up under a hat. If you asked, though, he'd take his hat off and let you touch it. Heh! I mean, his hair rather defined him. Wish I had a picture of it.

He cut it all off. Every single lock. Gone. Why? To become a fire fighter, and he's proud of what he does, let me tell ya! He said when Army boy came to visit in the middle of his tour that that is what he wanted to do...and he did. It took 2 years to get it done and as I understand it, he overcame some obstacles over the way...but he did it.

I'm proud. I know, he's not mine, and I'm sure I didn't have much to do with it, but I'm still glad to see him, and glad to know he's happy, and proud of him for finding his dream and getting to live it.

Midnight Drama

2009-06-29T15:54:00.003-04:00

Well, having only one girl, she's a marvel to me. It's amazing how much we think alike, yet don't. I enjoy her company a lot.

I don't know much about pre-teen girls..but I am surely learning fast.

Good lord do these girls have a phone tree, internet tree, too...going ON. My goodness. Girls and communication is VERY important. My daughter has pages on all the social networks, made her own dang email addy, and the whole nine yards.

For a run of 3 days we had a phone tree going ...from North freaking Dakota to North Carolina to Georgia...all hysterical, crying and carrying on....

I walked out into the garage one night and there is my daughter just howling and hanging on to her daddy like there was no tomorrow. He's standing there, patting her shoulder, being sympathetic, but when I walked out the door, he looked immensely relieved. (heh! heh!)

She immediately flung herself at me and then we got to hear the ..problem.

And whatever are you going to say when you hear news like she imparted? Apparently one of her little friends moved to North Dakota....and apparently, her other friend is gone for the summer to North Carolina. So, the North Dakota friend...had a stepbrother...who got kicked out of his house by their stepmother. On his way walking to his uncle's house, he was killed by a drunk driver. Oh lordy, that's pretty damn tragic, but there isn't a damn thing any of us can do about something happening in North Dakota. Now the girl in North Carolina reports to my daughter that she's being hit and whatnot by HER stepmother...and also that several people (yes, it's getting farfetched at this point) killed themselves as a result of the kid in North Dakota being killed. My daughter is freaked out thinking the girl in North Carolina is going to hurt HERself....so...ugh...

So, here I am....talking to the girl in North Carolina....and my daughter was happy.

We had a long talk about doing what you can for people you love when they hurt and how taking their hurt upon yourself doesn't solve their problems, but mailing them a card sure does make them feel better.

Whew. I mean it's NICE that your kids think you can just make everything all better...it sucks when you can't...mostly for you, because she sure thinks I can, still. Don't ask me why. I'll take it though, for now. She's gonna be a big girl real soon, and I'm kinda glad she knows she can come to us for stuff and I hope she always knows that.

HOT!!!

2009-06-29T14:30:00.002-04:00

It's hotter than hell and my air is broke. Yippee. I'm not jumping on a replacement just yet because the whole system has to be redesigned. Ugh, eh?

Whatever. I'm thanking the sweet lord for the whole house fan and the many overhead fans in existance throughout the house.

I just changed my schedule a little bit, as well. Hell, I don't know many women my age that don't do their housecleaning at night. It's cooler then, everybody is quiet even if they are awake. The endless bickering is done for the day and everybody is fairly happy to choose a movie and just be nice.

I swear at least once a day, someone runs upstairs screaming..."LEAVE ME ALONE"...and slamming the door. Hell, occasionally it's even me or the senior chief...heh heh!

Usually, he's just chasing me up the stairs...(grin)....and neither of us want to be left alone, particularly. (Ahhh, young love....)

Gallons and gallons of Kool-aid, (cherry is EVERYBODY's favorite) have been consumed along with copious amounts of iced tea. Copious amounts of beer too, especially during the nighttime cleaning frenzies, which nobody is complaining about. Gotta find a time to quit though..before 3am. That will take it's toll upon a body after awhile.

Impromptu water balloon fights break out along with the water balls that get soaked in icy water and flung at someone ..anyone.. at random.

Fires around the fire pit/outdoor cooking area are a daily occurance. Horseshoes have been thrown far and wide, birds have been shot at...and cards played upon makeshift tables outside in the shade.

In the evening it is at least 20 degrees cooler in the outdoor cooking area. It is definitely a "hot spot", being such a "cool spot"! I know, how can it be hot and cool at the same time? The miracles of the English language, that's how!

I think these are the lazy days of summer, just a couple of months early. We are going to move our lazy selves on out to Texas to visit with the family ...and catch the Army boy before he relocates to another state. I'm looking forward to a chance to see Colorado.

Ya know...I love summertime!