My Netflix queue is empty.
I find it hard to believe we've watched every movie out there that was worth watching. We've seen all the new releases. We just finished "Flight Plan" and "Wedding Crashers". I'm looking for suggestions that are a little off the beaten path. I'm even open to a really good Lifetime movie, but Papa may just gag.
So c'mon, help me fill my queue.
-E
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
Proper Flip Flop Style
Let's talk about the correct way to size flip flops.
I'm one of those people who fall into a half size, 7 1/2 if you're interested. I know the flip flop manufacturers suggest you go up a size if you fall in to the "half" group, but I don't know. When I go up I find I'm getting more of a shlep shlop than a true flip flop.
So the last time I went to Target I went ahead and bought a size 7. They fit fine, but my heel extends all the way to the end of the "shoe" (Papa prefers I put shoe in quotes because he doesn't understand how a flip flop can be considered a shoe by any stretch of the imagination). I fear it may look just small enough to be wrong.
What do you do?
-E, who thinks she wears a 7 1/4 in flip flops
I'm one of those people who fall into a half size, 7 1/2 if you're interested. I know the flip flop manufacturers suggest you go up a size if you fall in to the "half" group, but I don't know. When I go up I find I'm getting more of a shlep shlop than a true flip flop.
So the last time I went to Target I went ahead and bought a size 7. They fit fine, but my heel extends all the way to the end of the "shoe" (Papa prefers I put shoe in quotes because he doesn't understand how a flip flop can be considered a shoe by any stretch of the imagination). I fear it may look just small enough to be wrong.
What do you do?
-E, who thinks she wears a 7 1/4 in flip flops
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Dude
Dude, my name is Hurley.
I'm living with these new humans and they're pretty cool, but dude, they're crazy. They have people, especially the little people, over, like, all the time. And they speak in this crazy language, you know, not like dog. Something that, dude, I just feel compelled to respond to when they speak to me. The lady says it's because my dad is like a Chihuahua, dude. She says I should speak, like, Spanish. The crazy thing is I totally understand what they're saying to me.
Dude.
I'm living with these new humans and they're pretty cool, but dude, they're crazy. They have people, especially the little people, over, like, all the time. And they speak in this crazy language, you know, not like dog. Something that, dude, I just feel compelled to respond to when they speak to me. The lady says it's because my dad is like a Chihuahua, dude. She says I should speak, like, Spanish. The crazy thing is I totally understand what they're saying to me.
Dude.
*******************************************
E's note: Yes, ordinarily I am afraid of dogs, but I guess I should mention this particular dog is shown in actual size. No shit. This dog is 6.5" long and just at 4.5" high. Good mother of canines, the dog gets lost (LOST, get it??) in Papa's shoe!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
A Lazy Blogger's Post
Someone sent it to me and now you get the benefit of my mass e-mail.
Welcome to the winter 2006 edition of getting to know your friends. What you are supposed to do is copy (not forward) this entire e-mail and paste it into a new one. Change all the answers so they apply to you and send this to a whole bunch of people, including the person who sent it to you. The idea is that you will learn a lot of little things about yourfriends that you probably didn't know already.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 3:12 a.m. and then again at 6:20 or so.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Curious George
4. What's your favorite TV show? Lost
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning? potato, egg and cheese taco with a Pepsi One
6. What's your favorite cuisine? Mexican food
7. What foods do you dislike? Pork chops, cabbage, cauliflower
8. What is your favorite chip flavor? Cheetos - is that a "flavor"?
9. What's your favorite CD at the moment? A mix of Christian praise and worship music in the house and Ambrosia in the car.
10. What kind of car do you drive? Suburban
11. Favorite sandwich? Chicken salad on a croissant from Central Market. Yum!!
12. What characteristics do you despise? Self involvement to the point of narcissism. Passive-aggressive behavior. People who criticize e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.
13. Favorite item of clothing? My Levi's 505 jeans
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I'd take the kids to Disney World or to the Pacific Northwest
15. What color is your bathroom? Green with a calypso theme
16. Favorite Brand of clothing? Target brand. If I can't get it at Target, I just don't need it.
17. Where would you retire? Austin, Texas or Mexico
18. Favorite time of day? After the boys are in bed and the house is quiet
19. What was your most memorable birthday? My 34th was pretty good. My mom threw me a birthday dinner and lots of family came.
20. Where were you born? Austin, Texas
21. Favorite sport to watch? Football or basketball
22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Denise
23. Person you expect to send it back first? Jackie ** update ** actually Cassie sent it back first
24. What fabric detergent do you use? The kind that is splattered all over my garage floor.
25. Were you named after anyone? Sort of. My mom went to school with someone named my name who they called Shelley. My mom liked the name, but I don't know if she was necessarily naming me after that chick.
26. Do you wish on stars? No.
27. When did you last cry? Yesterday when I saw my first grader in his first school performance.
28. Do you like your handwriting? My signature is cool, but not the rest of the handwriting.
29. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Damn, straight!
30. Are you a daredevil? No, I'm a chicken. Hear me cluck.
31. Do looks matter? I suppose. I want to feel good about myself, but I don't care what other people look like.
32. How do you release anger? Walking, crying, talking
33. Where is your second home? My mom's house, my in-law's house, Lily's house, Di's house. If I've been to your home, I'm pretty much at home.
34. What class in High School was totally useless? Geometry
35. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Uh, no, because I'm just real sensitive like that.
36. Favorite movie? "Fools Rush In"
37. What are your nicknames? Lainey, E
38. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? You mean other people do?
39. Do you think that you are strong? About some things.
40. What\'s your favorite ice cream flavor? Amy's Mexican Vanilla
41. What are your favorite colors? Pink, Orange, Brown
42. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? The post-baby shape and my nose
43. Who do you miss most? My grandparents who died all before my children were born. Jenny K. who moved to Seattle. My family, who are still alive, all live in town so it's hard to really miss them.
44. Do you want everyone you sent this to send it back? if they want to
45. What color pants are you wearing? denim
46. What are you listening to right now? The boys watching SpongeBob.
47. Last thing you ate? a kolache
48. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Burnt orange
49. Last person you talked to on the phone? Lily
50. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? eyes and bulging biceps
51. What's your favorite drink? Margarita, Diet Coke or vanilla latte w/ cinnamon, 2%, no foam, please
52. Do you wear contacts? Yes
53. Favorite Day(s) of the Year? The first spring-like day, warm, but not hot. Also the first chilly days after a hot summer.
54. Scary Movies or Happy Endings? Happy endings
55. Summer or winter? winter in the summer, summer in the winter
56. Hugs Or Kisses? Both
57. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Tres leches...oh, hell, all of them!
58. What Book are you currently reading? Something by Ann Rule, I forgot the name of it
59. What's on your mouse pad? nothing, it's just purple
-E
Welcome to the winter 2006 edition of getting to know your friends. What you are supposed to do is copy (not forward) this entire e-mail and paste it into a new one. Change all the answers so they apply to you and send this to a whole bunch of people, including the person who sent it to you. The idea is that you will learn a lot of little things about yourfriends that you probably didn't know already.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 3:12 a.m. and then again at 6:20 or so.
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Curious George
4. What's your favorite TV show? Lost
5. What did you have for breakfast this morning? potato, egg and cheese taco with a Pepsi One
6. What's your favorite cuisine? Mexican food
7. What foods do you dislike? Pork chops, cabbage, cauliflower
8. What is your favorite chip flavor? Cheetos - is that a "flavor"?
9. What's your favorite CD at the moment? A mix of Christian praise and worship music in the house and Ambrosia in the car.
10. What kind of car do you drive? Suburban
11. Favorite sandwich? Chicken salad on a croissant from Central Market. Yum!!
12. What characteristics do you despise? Self involvement to the point of narcissism. Passive-aggressive behavior. People who criticize e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.
13. Favorite item of clothing? My Levi's 505 jeans
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I'd take the kids to Disney World or to the Pacific Northwest
15. What color is your bathroom? Green with a calypso theme
16. Favorite Brand of clothing? Target brand. If I can't get it at Target, I just don't need it.
17. Where would you retire? Austin, Texas or Mexico
18. Favorite time of day? After the boys are in bed and the house is quiet
19. What was your most memorable birthday? My 34th was pretty good. My mom threw me a birthday dinner and lots of family came.
20. Where were you born? Austin, Texas
21. Favorite sport to watch? Football or basketball
22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you? Denise
23. Person you expect to send it back first? Jackie ** update ** actually Cassie sent it back first
24. What fabric detergent do you use? The kind that is splattered all over my garage floor.
25. Were you named after anyone? Sort of. My mom went to school with someone named my name who they called Shelley. My mom liked the name, but I don't know if she was necessarily naming me after that chick.
26. Do you wish on stars? No.
27. When did you last cry? Yesterday when I saw my first grader in his first school performance.
28. Do you like your handwriting? My signature is cool, but not the rest of the handwriting.
29. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Damn, straight!
30. Are you a daredevil? No, I'm a chicken. Hear me cluck.
31. Do looks matter? I suppose. I want to feel good about myself, but I don't care what other people look like.
32. How do you release anger? Walking, crying, talking
33. Where is your second home? My mom's house, my in-law's house, Lily's house, Di's house. If I've been to your home, I'm pretty much at home.
34. What class in High School was totally useless? Geometry
35. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Uh, no, because I'm just real sensitive like that.
36. Favorite movie? "Fools Rush In"
37. What are your nicknames? Lainey, E
38. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? You mean other people do?
39. Do you think that you are strong? About some things.
40. What\'s your favorite ice cream flavor? Amy's Mexican Vanilla
41. What are your favorite colors? Pink, Orange, Brown
42. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? The post-baby shape and my nose
43. Who do you miss most? My grandparents who died all before my children were born. Jenny K. who moved to Seattle. My family, who are still alive, all live in town so it's hard to really miss them.
44. Do you want everyone you sent this to send it back? if they want to
45. What color pants are you wearing? denim
46. What are you listening to right now? The boys watching SpongeBob.
47. Last thing you ate? a kolache
48. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Burnt orange
49. Last person you talked to on the phone? Lily
50. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? eyes and bulging biceps
51. What's your favorite drink? Margarita, Diet Coke or vanilla latte w/ cinnamon, 2%, no foam, please
52. Do you wear contacts? Yes
53. Favorite Day(s) of the Year? The first spring-like day, warm, but not hot. Also the first chilly days after a hot summer.
54. Scary Movies or Happy Endings? Happy endings
55. Summer or winter? winter in the summer, summer in the winter
56. Hugs Or Kisses? Both
57. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Tres leches...oh, hell, all of them!
58. What Book are you currently reading? Something by Ann Rule, I forgot the name of it
59. What's on your mouse pad? nothing, it's just purple
-E
Friday, February 24, 2006
SPF: Bedside secrets
This week Kristine, now located at her new residence since her recent blogger break-up, has asked us to show our SPF best. Or our best this week. So here's the assignment:
The inside of my nightstand drawer: I don't have a drawer so you'll have to settle for the top of my nightstand table, which I'm sure you'll find equally scary. I have this thing about magazines. I think it's because it's the most time commitment I can make to reading material at the moment. Look at the pretty pictures and move on.
The outlet adapter and the Lego are the boy's nod to decor around this house.
Did you play??
-E
- the inside of your nightstand drawer
- a good book you’ve read
- your favorite lamp
The inside of my nightstand drawer: I don't have a drawer so you'll have to settle for the top of my nightstand table, which I'm sure you'll find equally scary. I have this thing about magazines. I think it's because it's the most time commitment I can make to reading material at the moment. Look at the pretty pictures and move on.
A good book I've read: As I mentioned earlier it's been awhile since I've given reading a good book a chance so here again we'll have to settle for just a book I've read. I usually donate all the books I've read so this is one book I just happed to still have in the house.
Yes, that is "Blair" from Facts of Life. It's a good book, but I don't agree with everything she says. I guess that's true of most books with me though. I take what I need and discard the rest.
My favorite lamp: My mom gave this to me and I sort of used it as an inspiration for other things I've purchased on my way to grown-up furniture. I was going through a shabby-chic phase for awhile and this lamp helped me make the break.
The outlet adapter and the Lego are the boy's nod to decor around this house.
Did you play??
-E
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Thirteen Thursday: Week In Review
Today's Thirteen Thursday has us taking inventory of our week's activities. This is probably a good exercise for me since at the end of each day I find myself think "where the hell has this week gone?" So thanks Krisco for the reflection.
1. Found out my birth control pill had been recalled and went to the doctor for a supply of samples that actually would prevent pregnancy. Sheesh!
2. Kept a sick kid home from school and took said sick kid on errands with me. Oh and since he wasn't that sick we went to Le Madeleine for a cheese pizza for him and tomato basil soup for me.
3. Bought black pants and a white shirt with a collar for first grader's school performance.
4. Taught twelve 3 and 4 year olds how to make a Mardi Gras float.
5. Had dinner with my best friend from high school who was also my maid of honor. She is a criminal defense attorney so I gave her a dollar as a retainer, just in case.
6. Went and checked on my comadre's cat since her and her family were in Boston.
7. Had lunch with my mom.
8. Hosted three play dates for school and neighborhood kids.
9. Had a meeting about next year's program at my work.
10. Helped 18 first graders get their costumes on for dress rehearsal.
11. Made dinner 3 times.
12. Had dinner with the in-law's.
13. Ran to Target 3 times.
Tell me what you've done.
-E
1. Found out my birth control pill had been recalled and went to the doctor for a supply of samples that actually would prevent pregnancy. Sheesh!
2. Kept a sick kid home from school and took said sick kid on errands with me. Oh and since he wasn't that sick we went to Le Madeleine for a cheese pizza for him and tomato basil soup for me.
3. Bought black pants and a white shirt with a collar for first grader's school performance.
4. Taught twelve 3 and 4 year olds how to make a Mardi Gras float.
5. Had dinner with my best friend from high school who was also my maid of honor. She is a criminal defense attorney so I gave her a dollar as a retainer, just in case.
6. Went and checked on my comadre's cat since her and her family were in Boston.
7. Had lunch with my mom.
8. Hosted three play dates for school and neighborhood kids.
9. Had a meeting about next year's program at my work.
10. Helped 18 first graders get their costumes on for dress rehearsal.
11. Made dinner 3 times.
12. Had dinner with the in-law's.
13. Ran to Target 3 times.
Tell me what you've done.
-E
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Back By Popluar Demand
The BOOBS!
Amy was so disappointed to see my boobs taken off my profile that, for her, I've resurrected them.
No Way Back Wednesday today.
-E
Amy was so disappointed to see my boobs taken off my profile that, for her, I've resurrected them.
No Way Back Wednesday today.
-E
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Local Baker Babe
Someone from Austin is a finalist for the Pillsbury cookoff!
How cool is that?
I don't know if I'll like her recipe or if I'll give her my vote, but it only seems right to give the dish a try.
-E
How cool is that?
I don't know if I'll like her recipe or if I'll give her my vote, but it only seems right to give the dish a try.
-E
Monday, February 20, 2006
Feliz Cumpleaños!
Just a shout out to wish my blogger bitch a non-hungover day. Happy Birthday to Mrs. Dallas K!! Today she celebrates the second anniversary of her 29th birthday.
Here we were celebrating her big 3-0 last year.
Here we were celebrating her big 3-0 last year.
Yeah, booze was involved in this soiree as well. Imagine!
-E
Sunday, February 19, 2006
I'm Inspired
I'm making some changes to my blog having talked with all the other bloggers last night. I'm keeping the address the same so that y'all don't get lost, but I'm thinking the look and feel don't reflect where I'm at right now. So I'm going to mix it up a bit.
Stay tuned for the fun and for the updates about last night.
-E
Stay tuned for the fun and for the updates about last night.
-E
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Fire In The Hole!
So I'm off to the Blowout with the other Blogger Bitches. I'm waiting for Beth to come get me and we'll meet up with the other BB's downtown. I'm so excited to see my old friends and meet some new ones! I have my camera with me and I'll post the pictures that are fit for public consumption when I get back. I can't promise I'll stay to the bitter end, but I'll bring you what I can!
Oh, and a very special middle finger salute to The Kept Woman who brought down the arctic air from Wisconsin. It's fucking cold tonight and none of my usual going out wardrobe will work. I personally think she did it so that her soul mate will have to be on air while she is in town. She's just like that you know.
Lots of bloggers have dropped out at the last minute, but I think it'll still be a blast, frozen asses and all!
The DHW
Friday, February 17, 2006
SPF: Glory Be!
Kristine wants to see our Stuff (PF) in its glory this week. Okay, you asked for it:
1. UNDER YOUR BED!
2. STEREO (do we still call them that?)
3. POTS AND PANS
Under my bed: All the organizational gurus say to use this space for additional storage. I'm thinking under my bed is not what they had in mind.
That is my boxed wedding dress under the bed. That dress looks like a satin and lace factory exploded. A decade and a half ago my grandmother told me I should save the dress for my daughter, which would have be a fine plan if I didn't have BOYS. Really does anyone believe my future daughter-in-law will want to wear even a portion of this dress someday? Even I can't delude myself about that notion.
Along with the dress are three Rubbermaid bins of crap I want to get up on Ebay. I just never seem to have the time. I should just donate all that crap, but I really, really want to sell it. It's a sickness.
My pots and pans: When I was pimping Pampered Chef a couple of years ago under the fascinating Mrs. Dallas K I was able to build up my culinary collection. I also have a ton of stones which is what I use for most of my oven cooking. Hmm, I only see one PC pan in there and a lid. Maybe a picture from the other cabinet would have been a better choice?
My stereo: It's old, but it works. Mostly it's to play the kid's music. I think there are two Veggie Tales CD's and a Carrie Underwood CD in the disc player. I just don't get into all the new fangled music accessories. If I listen to music it's while I'm on the computer.
There's my stuff. Did you show yours?
The DHW
Thursday, February 16, 2006
A Blowout Warm Up
While I will still be attending the weekend's Blogger Blowout I think I will have to take it easy following tonight's debauchery. I went out with my mom friends to historic Matt's El Rancho for drinks and eats.
Really moms should get out on a regular basis or we just lose our better judgment. We're dancing in aisles, drinking mightily, and generally creating a nuisance of ourselves. We should be ashamed of ourselves!
DAMN, IT WAS FUN!!!
I could tell you what all we did, but then I'd have to kill you.
Muwahahahaha.
The not-feeling-quite-so DHW
Really moms should get out on a regular basis or we just lose our better judgment. We're dancing in aisles, drinking mightily, and generally creating a nuisance of ourselves. We should be ashamed of ourselves!
DAMN, IT WAS FUN!!!
I could tell you what all we did, but then I'd have to kill you.
Muwahahahaha.
The not-feeling-quite-so DHW
Thirteen Thursday: Hangin' My Hat
It's Thirteen Thursday brought to you by the good folks over at Crib Ceiling also known as Krisco. Today we're 'fessing up to all the places we've called home over the years. I'm so sorry to disappoint, but my residential history is BORING. Still maybe you'll find out something new about me and isn't that the whole point?
1) Austin, Texas (1970-1975) - I was born here and when my mom met my step-dad we relocated to his homeland in Oregon. My family could NOT believe my 24 year old mother would pick up lock, stock and barrel to move across the country to a place no one of us had ever been before. Knowing what I know now, I can't believe it either. That took a lot of courage or a lot of naivete, however you want to look at it.
2) Eugene, Oregon (1975-1976) - We first moved to Eugene so my then mom's Significant Other (eventually my step-father) could finish school or something. I don't really remember living there much except that I had my 5th birthday party at this bad-ass place called Ferrell's. It was like TGI Friday with better food and the most awesome ice cream sundae that fed like 10 people! I wish I knew what happened to this place, because I would plan a vacation around going back to Ferrell's.
3) Los Angeles, California (1976) - My mom decided she wanted to go to court reporting school. There was a great place in L.A. where she was able to get Financial Aid so off we went without her S.O. in search of a trade. When she got to L.A. she realized school may have been paid for, but living was not. Apparently affordable and housing were mutually exclusive in the L.A. area even back then. So we came back down to Texas to regroup.
4) Austin, Texas (1976) - Moved back with what was in my mom's car and made the rounds with relatives. That was enough for my mom apparently who called her S.O. in Oregon. He asked her to come back and we made the cross country trip again, arriving in NW Oregon just in time for me to start school.
5) Wilsonville, Oregon (1976-1978) - truly a one horse town back in those days. No lie, there was only one traffic light in the whole town. There was one school k-8 and many of the grades were combined. For example my second grade class was also home to a handful of third graders. The moms came in every day to make hot lunches for the kids and deliver them to the classrooms.
6) West Linn, Oregon (1978-1983) - By this time my mom and step-dad were married and they bought a house and that is where I attended 3rd through 7th grades. Sometime during these years two things happened that brought us back to Texas. One, my mom and step-dad got divorced. Two, my mom's dad, my grandfather, was in a fire and was badly injured. A few years later he died as a result of his injuries. We were so far away it was very difficult to have this traumatic event happening and be so far away. The final event that led us home was my mom hurt her back. We were alone because our family in Oregon was her now divorced husband's family and that wasn't working. So we packed up our VW Rabbit with the cat and some plants and headed back to the Lone Star State.
7 - 13) Austin, Texas - (1983 - present) - We came back (everyone does). Our whole family is here except for a few that have ventured off, but they usually come back too. I really love living here in Central Texas. No, we don't know JR Ewing. No, we don't own a horse. Yes, I do have a Texas twang. I only wish we had a oil well in our back yard.
The DHW
1) Austin, Texas (1970-1975) - I was born here and when my mom met my step-dad we relocated to his homeland in Oregon. My family could NOT believe my 24 year old mother would pick up lock, stock and barrel to move across the country to a place no one of us had ever been before. Knowing what I know now, I can't believe it either. That took a lot of courage or a lot of naivete, however you want to look at it.
2) Eugene, Oregon (1975-1976) - We first moved to Eugene so my then mom's Significant Other (eventually my step-father) could finish school or something. I don't really remember living there much except that I had my 5th birthday party at this bad-ass place called Ferrell's. It was like TGI Friday with better food and the most awesome ice cream sundae that fed like 10 people! I wish I knew what happened to this place, because I would plan a vacation around going back to Ferrell's.
3) Los Angeles, California (1976) - My mom decided she wanted to go to court reporting school. There was a great place in L.A. where she was able to get Financial Aid so off we went without her S.O. in search of a trade. When she got to L.A. she realized school may have been paid for, but living was not. Apparently affordable and housing were mutually exclusive in the L.A. area even back then. So we came back down to Texas to regroup.
4) Austin, Texas (1976) - Moved back with what was in my mom's car and made the rounds with relatives. That was enough for my mom apparently who called her S.O. in Oregon. He asked her to come back and we made the cross country trip again, arriving in NW Oregon just in time for me to start school.
5) Wilsonville, Oregon (1976-1978) - truly a one horse town back in those days. No lie, there was only one traffic light in the whole town. There was one school k-8 and many of the grades were combined. For example my second grade class was also home to a handful of third graders. The moms came in every day to make hot lunches for the kids and deliver them to the classrooms.
6) West Linn, Oregon (1978-1983) - By this time my mom and step-dad were married and they bought a house and that is where I attended 3rd through 7th grades. Sometime during these years two things happened that brought us back to Texas. One, my mom and step-dad got divorced. Two, my mom's dad, my grandfather, was in a fire and was badly injured. A few years later he died as a result of his injuries. We were so far away it was very difficult to have this traumatic event happening and be so far away. The final event that led us home was my mom hurt her back. We were alone because our family in Oregon was her now divorced husband's family and that wasn't working. So we packed up our VW Rabbit with the cat and some plants and headed back to the Lone Star State.
7 - 13) Austin, Texas - (1983 - present) - We came back (everyone does). Our whole family is here except for a few that have ventured off, but they usually come back too. I really love living here in Central Texas. No, we don't know JR Ewing. No, we don't own a horse. Yes, I do have a Texas twang. I only wish we had a oil well in our back yard.
The DHW
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
WBW: Old Flames Die Hard
This is where a picture of an old boyfriend would be if I had one. A picture, that is, not an old boyfriend. I had a few of those, but I've been with Papa now for nearly half my life and the photos of former loves are MIA. Hey, we've moved, we've purged, we've moved again. Make note I'm the one that was happy to see those photos go. Papa wouldn't have cared and probably would have been intrigued (or found great humor). Really I have no desire to hold on to a picture of the Greatest Loser On Earth. Even now I shudder at the time he spent in my life. Still I consider that little life lesson well learned if only to know what I did NOT want in a mate.
I'm just sayin'.
The only other picture I had was an obituary of a guy I "went with" when I was in 8th grade. He too was a loser. Years later as Papa and I were having coffee whilest reading the Statesman I saw a memorium to the Other Loser, ahem, boyfriend. Not to speak ill of the dead, but then boyfriend was 19 when I was 14 and he was still hanging out with kids my age. Not in a perverted, child molester sort of way, but more of Peter Pan variety. Anyway, it seems he was lost in the Adriadic Sea some time in the late 1980's, early 1990's. Yikes! How depressing.
On a slightly different note, but not really if your stretch your mind, is there nothing better than sitting on the throne in the loo and finding one little square of t.p.? J-boy to me, "but Moooooommmmm, I wasn't the last one to use the toilet paper. Look there's some left!"
One fucking squre.
The DHW
Monday, February 13, 2006
What Mommy Does
I went up to the school today to have lunch with J-boy. He got to invite a friend to sit at the guest table. He tells his friend, "my mom has three jobs: taking care of me and my brother, taking care of the class and teaching." That's kinda sweet. I think to myself, he does get me.
Fast forward to afterschool. J-boy says to me, "what else did you do today besides have lunch with me, take brother to school, bring the stuff for Valentine's day, go to the grocery store and make the goodie bags my class?"
What else indeed.
The DHW
Fast forward to afterschool. J-boy says to me, "what else did you do today besides have lunch with me, take brother to school, bring the stuff for Valentine's day, go to the grocery store and make the goodie bags my class?"
What else indeed.
The DHW
Friday, February 10, 2006
SPF: I Heart Love
Today's SPF is brought to you by Kami as she babysits for a hooky-playing Kristine this week.
~ What you love most about your home
~ What you love least about your home
~ What you love most about yourself
So let's play on...
What I love most about my home. I love that it's finally starting to grow up. For years we have lived in a home that looked first like a frat house after rush. All of our furniture had been put together with an alan wrench and was made of MDF. Classy. We've slowly given away, donated or burned all that dorm decor and are buying real furniture (at least in some of the house). Oh, and do ignore the piles of Valentine's crap on the the grown-up table. I am room mom for J-boy and therefore in charge of putting together V-day goodie bags for the kids to take home on Tuesday.
What I (also) love about my home. This window looks out over the back yard. I am able to cook dinner without critters underfoot and still keep an eye on them. It's the next closest thing to heaven I've found. I turn my CD player on and watch my boys play on the swings, build car trails out of dirt and roll around in the grass with the dog and still get things done. It's awesome!
What I love least about my home. The floor. I hate our floors. For a short time our home was a rental and so everything was done el rancho. The carpet is nasty. It's gray office carpet with no padding. I cannot even begin to imagine the ick that has accumulated over the past 7 years and 2 kids since we've moved back in this place. Then there is the tile. It's white shower tile on the floor. It's slicker than deer guts when wet and my boys have busted their ass on it more times than I can count. Finally we feel our kids are old enough that it's worth the investment of new floors so this spring we'll be taking the plunge.
What I love most about me. My friends. I think they are a total reflection of my spirit, values, personality and humor. But that's the easy answer, no? And it's not really what I like about me. Okay, so I'll put modesty aside and throw my answer on the table: I'm smart.
Now don't let the fact I put a picture of my degree up there mislead you. It has nothing to do with the fact that I have an education (my Comadre is about the smartest person I know and doesn't have a degree, yet I am totally in awe of what is rocking around in her mind). So again, it's not about the "formal" education, it has more do with the fact a picture of my brain is hard to come by and would, frankly, be oogy. I am not talking about book smarts anyway. What I'm talking about are things like I learn quickly, I retain information, information generally just clicks and when I do fuck up (and believe me I *do*) I learn from the mistakes. I am not afraid of public speaking (good thing since I worked with the media before I had kids) and I feel like I can communicate with people and help them see something they might not have seen without me.
The DHW, who has to love her mind since her body is in need of serious repair
~ What you love most about your home
~ What you love least about your home
~ What you love most about yourself
So let's play on...
What I love most about my home. I love that it's finally starting to grow up. For years we have lived in a home that looked first like a frat house after rush. All of our furniture had been put together with an alan wrench and was made of MDF. Classy. We've slowly given away, donated or burned all that dorm decor and are buying real furniture (at least in some of the house). Oh, and do ignore the piles of Valentine's crap on the the grown-up table. I am room mom for J-boy and therefore in charge of putting together V-day goodie bags for the kids to take home on Tuesday.
What I (also) love about my home. This window looks out over the back yard. I am able to cook dinner without critters underfoot and still keep an eye on them. It's the next closest thing to heaven I've found. I turn my CD player on and watch my boys play on the swings, build car trails out of dirt and roll around in the grass with the dog and still get things done. It's awesome!
What I love least about my home. The floor. I hate our floors. For a short time our home was a rental and so everything was done el rancho. The carpet is nasty. It's gray office carpet with no padding. I cannot even begin to imagine the ick that has accumulated over the past 7 years and 2 kids since we've moved back in this place. Then there is the tile. It's white shower tile on the floor. It's slicker than deer guts when wet and my boys have busted their ass on it more times than I can count. Finally we feel our kids are old enough that it's worth the investment of new floors so this spring we'll be taking the plunge.
What I love most about me. My friends. I think they are a total reflection of my spirit, values, personality and humor. But that's the easy answer, no? And it's not really what I like about me. Okay, so I'll put modesty aside and throw my answer on the table: I'm smart.
Now don't let the fact I put a picture of my degree up there mislead you. It has nothing to do with the fact that I have an education (my Comadre is about the smartest person I know and doesn't have a degree, yet I am totally in awe of what is rocking around in her mind). So again, it's not about the "formal" education, it has more do with the fact a picture of my brain is hard to come by and would, frankly, be oogy. I am not talking about book smarts anyway. What I'm talking about are things like I learn quickly, I retain information, information generally just clicks and when I do fuck up (and believe me I *do*) I learn from the mistakes. I am not afraid of public speaking (good thing since I worked with the media before I had kids) and I feel like I can communicate with people and help them see something they might not have seen without me.
The DHW, who has to love her mind since her body is in need of serious repair
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Thirteen Thursday: Makin' The Bacon
Today's Thirteen Thursday is brought to you by Krisco. She's the lovely lady that gets us all knowing one another just a little bit better. And this week we are finding out about jobs of the past. I decided to exclude Mom from my list since it's the most obvious job of the last 7 years, but there is more to me than Mom. I know you're all dying to know. So I take you down my employment memory lane by way of oldest to most recent jobs.
1. Courtesy Clerk: That would be the fancy name for the person who bags your groceries and carries them out to the car for you. No, seriously. That job isn't just an urban legend. It used to be the CC's did actually put the groceries in your car instead of shoving the cart at you and telling you to have a nice day after they've smushed your bread and packed the rat poison with your organic bananas. For real.
2. Shoe Sales Person at Beall's Department Store: I really hated working in the shoe department. I was so glad when I got "promoted" to accessories. I met some nice people and got into trouble hanging with some of the girls. Good times. Anyway the cashier duties gave me the experience to move on to The Next Big Job.
3. Checker at Tom Thumb Page: I still think fondly on this job. I got tons of cash handling experience and it's where my love of accounting and seeing things balance begins. I had fun, dated the guy in the deli a few times and never had empty pockets over the summer. Hey, I was 17 years old and a making more than minimum wage. I thought I was living the life.
4. Bookkeeper at Jack Brown Cleaners: I ran all the tickets for each store every day. That is where I learned 10-day by touch and I was an adding fool. When I was hired to fill that position I heard through the grapevine the owner's son was not happy about it. Seems he thought the front office staff should be less, um...ethnic. Turns out in the end he liked me and gave me a few more opportunities to learn, which I took, but I never really got to like him because of how we started out. I saw him not too long ago and that man is bald. You know, I always say God don't like ugly.
5. Proof operator at SW Savings: Do you know where your check goes once you write it and the sales clerk processes it? It goes to the bank and the somewhere along the way the proof operator codes it so the money can move from one account to another. The operations side of banking is absolutely incredible. My 10-key by touch came in handy at this gig and gave me an idea of where I wanted to be someday which was out of the basement (that's where Proof was housed). I liked that job because it was independent work. You got your six bags of checks, coded them, balanced them and batched them. When you were done you left and put the full time on your timesheet. Now you know why I was so fast on that 10-key.
6. Research Associate: This would be a fancy name for "skip tracing". I worked to find people who owed the City money. I located people so that they could be sued. Don't you just get all warm and fuzzy thinking about it? It was like Intro to Bounty Hunter. Still, this is the job I absolutely the fondest memories of in my life. First it's because it's where I met a young and optimistic Papa and two because it was the first time I really felt I had a direction. Everyone I worked with was in school working towards something bigger. It was a great support.
7. Purchasing Clerk/Administrative Assistant: I took this job after I got married, before I finished school because I thought Papa has a degree, why do I need one? This job had one purpose and it was to teach me that I was destined for better things. I worked my ass off and got paid shit for it. The bitch of it was I would have never moved up this particular food chain because I didn't have a degree. Maybe that is not true, but what I saw was the girl who got hired for the same job as me at the same time as me do nothing each day except for sleep at her desk and got paid the same amount as I did. Those lessons best learned...
8. vault Teller: Another cool gig. Have you ever held over 100K cash in your hands? I have. As the vault teller in the drive-through the other tellers "bought" cash from my vault so I had all the loot. And I had to balance all that money at each close. That was another fun, independent job, but the City was calling me home.
9. Account Clerk: I processed some of the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable for the library. I held this job for several years because they worked with my school schedule even in those times when I had to do split shifts.
10. Accountant: I always thought it was dumb to call me an accountant. All I did was A/P for a State run program, managed by the City. This was a boring job. It was filled with a bunch of malcontents. Mostly I just wanted to work close to school my last semester of college. I graduated and totally changed career directions.
11. Public Information Specialist: This was my all time favorite job. I responded to media inquiries regarding City projects. I did on-camera and on-air interviews. I wrote press releases. I planned ribbon cuttings and community events. I wrote copy for City publications. I represented 5 departments. I was the youngest Public Information Specialist at the time and maybe since then. I learned on this job. I would have stayed forever, but after nearly three years of infertility I finally had a baby. I couldn't go back to work and leave him when I had to try so hard for him to even be here. I don't regret the decision one bit.
12. Director of Finance: The nice thing about working for a start up company is that you get a big title that doesn't mean diddly in the scheme of things. I made the most money at this job I ever made and I hated every moment of it. I thought I would have the best of both worlds because I had a home office and all the employees were spread out so we did things virtually. It didn't really work out well. My kids were still very young and the hours for this job were long and demanding. Since I was at home the work never went away. The guy I worked for was a screwball and acted like a child. I'm sorry, but no amount of money was worth putting up with his shit. Most of the people in his employ were being moved to Georgia to work on a huge project that meant a windfall for the company, but this Texas girl wasn't moving. So before we could have that conversation I closed out their books, fedexed the files and quit. I don't regret the decision one bit.
13. Program Specialty Instructor (Teacher): That's me. I teach 3 and 4 year olds two days a week in a Mother's Day Out program. I get to wear shorts and flip-flops with the employer provided t-shirts. I get to color and make crafts. I get to work with other moms and have built a community of support. The best thing is my Z-boy gets to come not only to my class, but to his own class that one of my dearest Mommy friends teaches. And it's all at no charge to me. I feel this job has been a total blessing to my family. It's not a high paying gig, but I am sooooo happy. Can't beat that!
Are you still here? Props to you for sticking around this long. This was good for me and not just because it was free therapy. So pop on over to Krisco's blog and play next week.
The DHW
1. Courtesy Clerk: That would be the fancy name for the person who bags your groceries and carries them out to the car for you. No, seriously. That job isn't just an urban legend. It used to be the CC's did actually put the groceries in your car instead of shoving the cart at you and telling you to have a nice day after they've smushed your bread and packed the rat poison with your organic bananas. For real.
2. Shoe Sales Person at Beall's Department Store: I really hated working in the shoe department. I was so glad when I got "promoted" to accessories. I met some nice people and got into trouble hanging with some of the girls. Good times. Anyway the cashier duties gave me the experience to move on to The Next Big Job.
3. Checker at Tom Thumb Page: I still think fondly on this job. I got tons of cash handling experience and it's where my love of accounting and seeing things balance begins. I had fun, dated the guy in the deli a few times and never had empty pockets over the summer. Hey, I was 17 years old and a making more than minimum wage. I thought I was living the life.
4. Bookkeeper at Jack Brown Cleaners: I ran all the tickets for each store every day. That is where I learned 10-day by touch and I was an adding fool. When I was hired to fill that position I heard through the grapevine the owner's son was not happy about it. Seems he thought the front office staff should be less, um...ethnic. Turns out in the end he liked me and gave me a few more opportunities to learn, which I took, but I never really got to like him because of how we started out. I saw him not too long ago and that man is bald. You know, I always say God don't like ugly.
5. Proof operator at SW Savings: Do you know where your check goes once you write it and the sales clerk processes it? It goes to the bank and the somewhere along the way the proof operator codes it so the money can move from one account to another. The operations side of banking is absolutely incredible. My 10-key by touch came in handy at this gig and gave me an idea of where I wanted to be someday which was out of the basement (that's where Proof was housed). I liked that job because it was independent work. You got your six bags of checks, coded them, balanced them and batched them. When you were done you left and put the full time on your timesheet. Now you know why I was so fast on that 10-key.
6. Research Associate: This would be a fancy name for "skip tracing". I worked to find people who owed the City money. I located people so that they could be sued. Don't you just get all warm and fuzzy thinking about it? It was like Intro to Bounty Hunter. Still, this is the job I absolutely the fondest memories of in my life. First it's because it's where I met a young and optimistic Papa and two because it was the first time I really felt I had a direction. Everyone I worked with was in school working towards something bigger. It was a great support.
7. Purchasing Clerk/Administrative Assistant: I took this job after I got married, before I finished school because I thought Papa has a degree, why do I need one? This job had one purpose and it was to teach me that I was destined for better things. I worked my ass off and got paid shit for it. The bitch of it was I would have never moved up this particular food chain because I didn't have a degree. Maybe that is not true, but what I saw was the girl who got hired for the same job as me at the same time as me do nothing each day except for sleep at her desk and got paid the same amount as I did. Those lessons best learned...
8. vault Teller: Another cool gig. Have you ever held over 100K cash in your hands? I have. As the vault teller in the drive-through the other tellers "bought" cash from my vault so I had all the loot. And I had to balance all that money at each close. That was another fun, independent job, but the City was calling me home.
9. Account Clerk: I processed some of the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable for the library. I held this job for several years because they worked with my school schedule even in those times when I had to do split shifts.
10. Accountant: I always thought it was dumb to call me an accountant. All I did was A/P for a State run program, managed by the City. This was a boring job. It was filled with a bunch of malcontents. Mostly I just wanted to work close to school my last semester of college. I graduated and totally changed career directions.
11. Public Information Specialist: This was my all time favorite job. I responded to media inquiries regarding City projects. I did on-camera and on-air interviews. I wrote press releases. I planned ribbon cuttings and community events. I wrote copy for City publications. I represented 5 departments. I was the youngest Public Information Specialist at the time and maybe since then. I learned on this job. I would have stayed forever, but after nearly three years of infertility I finally had a baby. I couldn't go back to work and leave him when I had to try so hard for him to even be here. I don't regret the decision one bit.
12. Director of Finance: The nice thing about working for a start up company is that you get a big title that doesn't mean diddly in the scheme of things. I made the most money at this job I ever made and I hated every moment of it. I thought I would have the best of both worlds because I had a home office and all the employees were spread out so we did things virtually. It didn't really work out well. My kids were still very young and the hours for this job were long and demanding. Since I was at home the work never went away. The guy I worked for was a screwball and acted like a child. I'm sorry, but no amount of money was worth putting up with his shit. Most of the people in his employ were being moved to Georgia to work on a huge project that meant a windfall for the company, but this Texas girl wasn't moving. So before we could have that conversation I closed out their books, fedexed the files and quit. I don't regret the decision one bit.
13. Program Specialty Instructor (Teacher): That's me. I teach 3 and 4 year olds two days a week in a Mother's Day Out program. I get to wear shorts and flip-flops with the employer provided t-shirts. I get to color and make crafts. I get to work with other moms and have built a community of support. The best thing is my Z-boy gets to come not only to my class, but to his own class that one of my dearest Mommy friends teaches. And it's all at no charge to me. I feel this job has been a total blessing to my family. It's not a high paying gig, but I am sooooo happy. Can't beat that!
Are you still here? Props to you for sticking around this long. This was good for me and not just because it was free therapy. So pop on over to Krisco's blog and play next week.
The DHW
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
A River Runs Through It
A river of laundry detergent.
It seems my liquid laundry detergent decided to commit suicide in my absence and threw itself off my dryer. Its innards are all over the floor. We scooped a good portion of it off the floor, but we were at a loss as to how to get the rest of goo off the floor. Mostly we just scooped and dumped it all into a bucket, but since all this muck fell on concrete and it's porous welp, I was just f---ed. Fortunately my Comadre was over to have dinner thinking we'd have a nice relaxing evening eating pizza and watching LOST. Instead she spend the better part of her 4 hour visiting shoveling fresh clean glop off my floor with me. Is that a friend indeed or what?
And despite the hysterical laughter of a woman gone mad (oh wait, that was me) I still had the wherewithal to grab my camera knowing I would blog this moment. That there econo-size detergent container was empty. I just bought it. Unloaded the bugger out of my paddle wagon right before the kids and I took off to the park.
You know the pain of all this doesn't even end at getting the stuff off the floor. First we had to disconnect the washer and the dryer to get behind them and clean. Then I had to use ever towel in the house to sop up detergent so when I went to take a shower this morning, you guessed it NO towels! I had to dry with a friggen washcloth. All of my papers that were to be shredded are now saturated in Tide knock-off. My throw rugs are goopy as are the piles of clothes that were waiting to be laundered. There is enough detergent in each article of clothing to wash 6 loads so I'm having to wash one or two items at a time or end up in a bubbly mess.
How very I Love Lucy.
Anyway, if you've wondered where I've been - and I know you have - that's what has been keeping me out of the bars. I'll be back soon with all my charming anecdotes, don't you worry a bit.
The DHW, who will return to the store to buy *powdered* detergent that can be swept up and tossed into a trash can should we have a detergentcide epidemic in our home
Friday, February 03, 2006
SPF: Drunko, Sweet Connections and Digital Days
This week's SPF is all about games - mind and otherwise. The lovely Kristine over at Random and Odd has asked us about:
1. A game YOU play/ed
2. Your family game. (if you have a story about a game you use to play as a kid...that would be cool too!!)
3. Your Games.
A game I played: That would be Bunko (or Bunco, however you spell it in your parts). I started playing with my mom's club a few years ago and it's a great deal of fun. Okay, getting together to drink, chat and possibly win a few bucks is actually the fun part, but the game is pretty cool too. Now that I have a new set of moms getting together once a month I'm going to see if I can convince them to start Drunko...um, I mean Bunko again.
1. A game YOU play/ed
2. Your family game. (if you have a story about a game you use to play as a kid...that would be cool too!!)
3. Your Games.
A game I played: That would be Bunko (or Bunco, however you spell it in your parts). I started playing with my mom's club a few years ago and it's a great deal of fun. Okay, getting together to drink, chat and possibly win a few bucks is actually the fun part, but the game is pretty cool too. Now that I have a new set of moms getting together once a month I'm going to see if I can convince them to start Drunko...um, I mean Bunko again.
Our family game: Connect Four has a special place in my heart since it's one of the first games I wanted as a kid, but didn't get. So my kids got it so I could repair my childhood heartbreak whether they wanted it on not. As it turns out J-boy likes the game, but Z-boy prefers to just annoy his big bro and wreck the game. Which leads us to the unbeatable game of sibling rivalry.
Our games: The only games that seem to matter around here lately are the ones that have buttons and cartidges. We're a Gamecube/Gameboy household. The kids are hooked and even their circle of friends are on the Nintendo bus, Gus. There doesn't seem to be anyway to get away from it. The music and the beeps drive me bananas and I don't get the games. Fortunately Papa and M down the street keep an eye on what the kids are playing so I know it's all good, even if I don't what all it is.
Weehoo I played! How about you?!
The DHW
Thursday, February 02, 2006
I Love A Parade!
We were in a parade this weekend with all the other Scouts in the Central Texas area. Our den got to ride in a old Army vehicle. It was fun if not a tad bumpy. Still no complaints since a bunch of the kiddos were walking the 12 blocks up and 12 blocks back. Believe you me we were grateful.
Next year I hope we can get the big Duckmobile for the parade unless some other Scout has all the connections.
The DHW
Next year I hope we can get the big Duckmobile for the parade unless some other Scout has all the connections.
The DHW
Yahell!
What is up with Yahoo?
First I'm not getting my messages. Then I'm told I can't sign in because my browser is rejecting something or other. Umm, nothing has changed! Now when I reply to a message I have to put in a character string for verification. Enough! It's pissing me off. Sending e-mail should not be this hard!
The DHW
First I'm not getting my messages. Then I'm told I can't sign in because my browser is rejecting something or other. Umm, nothing has changed! Now when I reply to a message I have to put in a character string for verification. Enough! It's pissing me off. Sending e-mail should not be this hard!
The DHW
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
WBW: Don't Be Fooled By The Rocks That He's Got...
It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that ring, baby.
In preparation for my son's lucrative career as either a rapper or a jewelry sales man I have him modeling my bling. I wish I had some older photos for offer today for The Kept Woman, but my photos are in a state of organizational chaos.
My most recent Christmas present. It's supposed to be good luck to wear your spouses birthstone so I got two little peridots on the side of my amethyst which represents the month we started dating. We've been together 16 years sometime this month (don't tell Papa, but I don't remember the date).
In preparation for my son's lucrative career as either a rapper or a jewelry sales man I have him modeling my bling. I wish I had some older photos for offer today for The Kept Woman, but my photos are in a state of organizational chaos.
My most recent Christmas present. It's supposed to be good luck to wear your spouses birthstone so I got two little peridots on the side of my amethyst which represents the month we started dating. We've been together 16 years sometime this month (don't tell Papa, but I don't remember the date).
My college class ring. I was so thrilled to be done with school that I got the ring that screamed "I'm finished" the loudest. Papa bought it for me as my graduation gift and I still love it.
My wedding ring set. I got married before platinum was the rage so I have the gold that was popular circa late Dynasty. I'd love to have the stone reset, but I'm saving the two bands for my boys. They each get one when I die. I'm just sentimental like that.
Happy Way Back Wednesday!
The DHW
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