Monday, June 23, 2008

I Fear It's Genetic

My grandmother has always been a source of entertainment for our family. Not because she’s trying to be, because when she tries it’s lost on everyone. She just has always done things that make you shake your head.

A few examples…

She once told us that she kept a set of keys in her trunk in case she ever locked her keys in her car.

She told us one time that she had hidden a key to her house and wanted to give my dad directions on how to find it. It’s been a long time, so I don’t remember the exact procedure, but this will give you a good idea…take the top of the yard lamp in front of her house (which would require a screw driver). Inside the lamp was a piece of paper that would tell you where to go in the garage. Once you got to this location, there was another note directing you where to go next in the garage. After about 5 stops on her self-made scavenger hunt, you found the key. You could have broken into the house faster and easier.

Once when I was around 14, she was taking me to a doctor’s appointment because both of my parents had to work. Before we got to the doctor’s office, she told me she wanted me to ask the doctor for a pamphlet on PMS (Post Menopause Syndrome). I told her she could ask the doctor for one, but I wasn’t going to do it. She got mad and later called my dad and said I was being disrespectful (but didn’t tell him why). My dad called me and wanted to know what I had done. I told him. He laughed. I was no longer in trouble.

My favorite though came to fruition this weekend. When I was younger, I was going to visit some friends/family with my grandmother. On the way to our destination, she told me that if something happened to her that weekend (no idea why she thought something was going to happen to her…but these conversations were pretty common with her) she wanted to tell me where she kept her money. She told me that in her freezer I would find a bread sack (she always kept bread sacks). In the bread sack, I would find a jar. Inside the jar was another bread sack. Inside that was a brown paper bag. Inside the paper bag was all her money. From that day on, I always told my family that if something happens to grandma, I get the freezer.

Well, over the last year, my grandmother’s health has been failing and the decision was recently made to move her to a nursing home. One of my uncles called my mom and asked if she would mind going over to the house and getting all the food out. My called me right away and said “guess what, I get the freezer!” I jokingly made her promise to split anything she found with me. Yesterday my mom called and was telling me of her experience cleaning out the freezer. She had it full of butter dishes that had frozen food in them. This wasn’t odd, but none of the containers actually had in them what the label said was in them (container marked green beans had strawberries in it). She was tossing some of them out when she came across a container that felt kind of light. She opened it and inside was folded up toilet paper. Inside the toilet paper was $35.

I guess since she’s still living it would be considered stealing instead of an inheritance to keep it, so I guess getting the freezer didn’t pan out as well as I thought. Oh well, $35 wouldn’t even fill up my car these days, so it’s not a big loss. =o)

I can’t wait to see what we find when we clean out the rest of her house.

P.S. For those of you saying "now I know where you get it"...hush!

Friday, June 20, 2008

Maybe I Should Charging for My Services

It's kind of been a joke that on 3 previous occassions when friends have been expecting babies, I've joked with them (for no apparent reason than just being onry) that their babies would be born 2 weeks early...and then they were! So when my cousin found out that her due date was the day before her daughter's birthday, we made a deal...they would pray he would be born healthy and I would pray he would come early. It worked. Carter Lane was born yesterday...2 1/2 weeks early. He's absolutely precious and perfectly healthy! Congrats to the new parents!

Monday, June 16, 2008

I Really Can't Win

Because someone made a comment about the state of my office, I took time on Friday to actually clean my desk off. Today, one of our sales reps walked in and said "you must not be very busy...your office is clean." I give up.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

More "Stuff"

Summer TV Watching
I was so excited for the Season 2 Premier of Army Wives on Lifetime. I love this show and the premier was worth the wait. If you didn’t follow it last season, it’s now on DVD so you can catch up. I highly recommend it.

On disappointing note, I watched the new season of Nashville Star last night. I had always been a fan of this show also and was excited to hear that it had been picked up by NBC now that I don’t get the USA Network. Sadly I was disappointed by the first episode. Somehow the show has lost something…talent being one of those things. The only two contestants that I thought were any good at all were Gabe Garcia and Melissa (don’t remember her last name). They both sounded really good. I’ll probably keep watching it because it’s summer and there is not much else on.


Late to Work
I found this article on MSN this morning. I was drawn to it because I am consistently late to work. Usually not by much, but same days are better than others. Sometimes I have some very legitimate excuses, but other days it’s just plain running behind. And it doesn’t matter how early I get up. I think I just have an aversion to going to work because I have no trouble being on time when I want to be somewhere. I always get up with the intention of being at work on time…that has to count for something.


Not-So-Clean Office
Someone (you know who you are) commented on Sunday how it must be nice to work some place where your office didn’t have to be clean before you left work. Ouch! =o) Yes, I know my office is a mess, but it’s not ALL my fault. I only take responsibility for the area around my computer and half responsibility for the stuff on the credenza behind me. I have so much stuff I have to store in my office and so much junk people put in my office (they think I’m their store room). What’s worse is that I have a closet in my office, but it has a filing cabinet that two other secretaries won’t let me remove because there is stuff stored in one drawer that they claim they need. I have been in here about 4-5 years and not once have they ever gotten into that filing cabinet.


Weird Dream
I know you’re SHOCKED to hear I had another weird dream, but this one is bugging me for some reason. Since I was in High School, I have had this reoccurring theme to my dreams from time to time where I have to marry someone I don’t want to marry. I actually hadn’t one of these dreams in quite a while, but had another one last night. This time though I was marrying someone from my distant past that I’m actually kind of repulsed by because of a dating experience with him. Thankfully in the course of the dream he also decided that he didn’t want to marry me either so the day of the wedding, we called it off. I was really relieved…and for the first time ever in these dreams, I got out of having to marry the person. Hmmm…

Monday, June 09, 2008

The Art of Non-Dating

Dating is not something I have ever been good at. I’m sure there are a lot of reasons for it, but we’ll save that for another post.

Non-dating on the other hand, I seem to be getting quite good at. I’ve found that everyone has a slightly different definition of “non-dating”, but here is mine: “non-dating” is when a guy picks you up at your house, opens the car door for you, and takes you to out to either dinner or a movie (rarely both in the same outing), and pays.

I know what you’re thinking “that sounds like a date.” The key difference is that IT IS NOT A DATE…its just two friends hanging out. You must be clear on this. Everyone you know must be clear on this, because if the definition is ever questioned, the guy will start acting very weird, keep you at arms length, and you get to spend the next 3 months convincing him that you are in fact very clear that the two of you are just friends, and nothing more than that.

I have spent the last 2 years perfecting the art of “non-dating.” So I’m sure most of you are wondering why I would even put up with it. Well, said “guy” is also a very dear friend of mine and I really enjoy his company. It took a little getting used to because I never had any experience in the non-dating department before him, but I’ve come to look at it the same way I do when I hang out with any of my other friends. The fact he pays is awkward for me, but I always go prepared to pay my own way. This is also something I have found you have to handle delicately. Some guys get offended if offer to pay and some guys think you’re a freeloader if you don’t…but again, a topic for another post.

But hey, non-dating is better than not dating…and it get me out of the house on Friday/Saturday night every few months and makes me feel less like a loser since normally I’m sitting at home or at the grocery store. =o)

Friday, June 06, 2008

Highlight from the Past Few Weeks:

I haven't had time to do much posting lately, so here it is on warp speed...

5-1 Ladder my mom bought me because I seriously needed one.

Cordless Power Screw Driver my brother bought me because he missed my birthday last year.

Seeing people I haven’t seen in YEARS, the biggest being a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in at least 10 years.

Being whistled at in the Homeland Parking Lot by two teenage boys. Thanks boys. I know you were just doing what teenage boys do, but you gave this “older woman” a much needed ego boost. =o)

Making $86k net at Relay (But we have until August to reach that goal of $90k. You can go here to donate!) =o)

Having 30 people in our new singles class the first Sunday it met (I was nervous about the turnout).

Dinner with Shelleye.

Pedicures with Jenn (even if I did spend more than I intended to because I couldn’t understand the lady and kept saying “sure”. Yeah, don’t do that.)

Getting a Team Captain Bag. I know that probably sounds silly, but they were kind of pricey (and the cost comes out of our Relay), so they only ordered enough for the team captains, and there weren’t extras for the committee but I really wanted one, so Sara got me one for my Event Chair gift. I was excited!


Now for the “Not So Funny” Highlights (that I can laugh at now):

The UCO Security Officer (aka Barney Fife) who tried to kick us off campus and out of our accounting room b/c his boss failed to tell him we’d be there. Seriously, did he think that 300 people would just show up and use UCO tables and chairs without clearing it first. Some people have nothing better to do.

Dropping a bag of ice on my foot. I know that your supposed to ice your foot when you drop something heavy on it, but I don’t think that is the way you’re supposed to go about it.

The Gator (kind of like a golf cart) that I borrowed from work being moved and the keys being taken. THANKFULLY, we were able to get a replacement key free of charge. Thank you RSC!

Almost falling head first into the copier this morning because I tripped on my own feet (okay, that was pretty funny).

Burning my forearm on the oven door making cookies. It hurt and there it left a scar.


Yeah, that is all I can thank of at the moment. That should suffice for the time being. =o)

Friday, May 23, 2008

Funny Little Random Story

A few weeks ago, some of my family came by my house for a little bit. My cousin’s 3 (almost 4) year-old daughter loves to “play cards” when she comes to my house. To her “playing cards” means we get out my Uno Attack game and take turns pushing the button until the cards come shooting out, and then we put all the cards back in and do it again. It keeps her entertained and requires little thought on my part.

This time when we were “playing cards” my Uno Attack game developed a little problem. Instead of shooting a few cards out like it normally does, it would shoot ALL the cards out. The first time it happened it was pretty funny because she was the one pushing the button and was drowning in a sea of cards. What was funnier is that she was the only one it would happen to. If it was aimed at Kinley, cards would come shooting out. If it was aimed at me…nothing (no matter who was pushing the button or how many times we pushed it).

Eventually she got them to shoot out at both me and her “Mimi”, but it was pretty much a guarantee if it was pointing at her, she was going to get covered. One of those moments when you really wish you had a video camera.

Just Wondering

Have you ever looked back at a situation in your life and thought “I wish I knew then what I know now?” Ever wish you had the wisdom, strength, courage, character, etc. that you have now to have handled something then? I guess for better or for worse, its those situations that make you the person you are now. But still, it would be nice if you could have had that knowledge/character then. That’s what has been on my mind a lot the last two days.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Moron Moment

Ever had one of those moments when you wonder "what was I thinking?" This morning I brought some orange juice with me to work. But the container I brought it in is hard to drink out of, so I was pouring into a cup. First I made the mistake of pouring the juice into the cup OVER my keyboard. But the worst part was the attached lid was in the way and so it was causing the juice to go everywhere and it took me a moment to realize I was pouring OJ all over my keyboard. I should never do anything that requires skill before 10 a.m.!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Today

Good Day
It has been a good day so far. Not a whole lot has happened, but one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world brought me a wonderful little thank you gift and a Sonic drink today. Sonic, cookies, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…doesn’t get any better than that (oh, and there was BBW lotion on top of that!) She said it was a belated “thank you” for watching her kids. I adore her kids, so I would have done it even if there wasn’t Sonic and chocolate involved! Thank Jenn for brightening my day…I’ve needed it lately.

Strategic Planning
I mentioned in a previous post that I put a lot of thought into planning out my errand running so that I use my time in the most efficient way. Tonight, I am so serious about it that I have a list…in the order I plan to visit the places. I gave it lots of thought. I decided to save all of my weekly errand for tonight. With the price of gas, errands definitely take some planning these days. My goal is to accomplish everything on my list before 9 p.m. Wish me luck!

Not Nuts about Nats (okay, Gnats)
I think I have also previously posted about my gnat problem. They have taken up residence in two of my house plants and I have been trying since last summer to get rid of them. They are REALLY bad right now and one of tonight’s errands is a last ditch attempt to save my plants and permanently rid myself of my gnat problem. I would just throw the plants out, but they have sentimental value and so I really don’t want to do that unless I have no other option. Back in March, I dumped them out, washed them off, washed out the pots, and re-potted them. I thought that solved my problem, but it didn’t last long. But something has to be done. They are really attracted to water…so much so that if I sit a drinking glass down for too long, it will have gnats floating in it. I’m telling you it’s GROSS! Ugh!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Ode to the Missing Drinking Glass

Oh Missing Drinking Glass, where ever did you go?
Our time together was oh so short.
I anticipated your arrival for so long,
Your short stay has left me oh so sad.

Daily I check the cupboard to see if you found your way home,
But each time I find myself disappointed that you are still MIA.
Did you grow feet and walk?
Did you move to a new home?
Did you meet an untimely demise?

I tried to accept our short time together was over.
I tried to replace you, but you cannot be easily replaced.
I guess I will just have to put aside my dreams of dinner parties…
With matching drinkware for eight.
Oh Missing Drinking Glass, where ever did you go?

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

May Madness

OK Chick…this is why I haven’t updated:

Ever had one of those months where you know that if you survive without some sort of break down, it will be a miracle? Right now June 1st is the magic date for me. If I can make it past June 1st, it will all be down hill.

This is my May (it may not sound like much, but it really is...I'm just not going into detail):

- Relay for Life and all the last minute preparations that go into that. Relay is May 30-31 (yep 3 weeks and 2 days from today). We’re a little short handed this year and the people willing to step up and help me with the areas I have to pick up the slack on are already pretty busy with their own committee positions. Thank heavens for a staff partner who has been willing to go above and beyond for me.

- I’ve been working with a group to start a new singles class at church. So far things have been going much better than I thought they would, but there is still so much that needs to be done before the class starts on June 1. Plus its my nature to always prepare for the worst, so I probably will not breath easy until after the first class is over (maybe even the first quarter).

- VBS. Now technically VBS isn’t until the middle of June, but my involvement with VBS actually takes place a month or two before the actual event takes place. The first phase of the VBS advertising is done. May holds the second phase.

- Building Campaign. This is the newest addition to my “To-Do” list, and though the timing is bad, I’m kind of excited about working on this one. I like having projects like this at work. Our congregation is getting ready to do some major renovations to our west wing…which requires money. My job is to design and prepare all of the information/fund raising packets for this project. I got to do a similar project back in 2002 and really enjoyed doing it, even though I took a lot of time. The only bad part is that everything needs to be ready to go by June 1.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not complaining because it will all be worth it if things go well…but I might need to hire someone to clean my house, do my laundry, and do my grocery shopping for the next month. =o)

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Is Anyone Listening to Me?!?

I have recently run into a problem with a company that I do business with. When I noticed there was an issue with my account, I contacted them the only way possible…through email. I stated my problem and the next day I receive a reply. Obviously an automated reply because if they had actually READ my email, they would have known that their response would not possibly solve my problem.

So I emailed them back. Said that I understand what they are saying, but I can’t go that item on my account activity list because the item isn’t showing up, so I can’t open up the item and click on “contact customer service for help with this item.”

The next day I got the exact same automated email back. Now I’m slightly irritated. I asked them if they even read my email. I can’t do what they are asking because the account item isn’t showing up. I can’t follow the steps they are telling me to take because not all the elements are available. Since there is only a small window of time to resolve this issue, I would really appreciate an actual response to my email instead of an automated response.

This morning…the exact same automated response. Ugh! I give up!!!

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Some Days Are Just Like This

Someone sent me this video years ago, but I have it saved on my computer because I absolutely love it...probably because this is how I feel 90% of the time. And I'm posting it because it's how I feel today!


Monday, April 21, 2008

Make It Stop!!!

I haven’t written much about Relay for Life this year, but this I’m going to share.

We are less than 6 weeks away from the event. For the most part, things are going okay, but there is still a lot that needs to be done and we’re still a ways from reaching some of our goals.

I guess the “lot to be done” part is really getting to me because all night, I dreamed about Relay. I dreamed that it was today (that woke me up in cold sweat several times). I dreamed that we were only able to get one case of water donated. I dreamed we didn’t have any food. I dreamed that everyone set up in my neighborhood instead of at UCO. I dreamed I got trapped on the top floor of someplace and couldn’t get into an elevator to go down (that I think was a flashback to Relay Summit in Dallas).

I kept waking up during the night from bad dreams and every dream was about Relay. I hope this doesn’t become a trend or I’m not going to be getting much sleep in the next several weeks.

Friday, April 18, 2008

I got this email from Suzy recently and I decided to share along with my own commentary.

The human body is a machine that is full of wonder. This collection of human body facts will leave you wondering why we were designed the way we were!

*Scientists say the higher your I.Q., the more you dream. I must be SMART!!!

*The largest cell in the human body is the female egg.

*The smallest is the male sperm.

*You use 200 muscles to take one step.

*The average woman is 5 inches shorter than the average man.

*Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three. Unless you are me and then you only have two in your little toes also...except for when you break them, then you have 3.

*A pair of human feet contains 250,000 sweat glands.

*A full bladder is roughly the size of a soft ball.

*The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. Some idiot is going to put this to the test. I will not be that idiot...remember, I'm smart!

*The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as the Encyclopedia Britannica. But it's much quicker to find the information in the Encyclopedia than it is to find it in my brain...things get lost in there.

*It takes the food seven seconds to get from your mouth to your stomach.

*The average human dream lasts 2-3 seconds. Man, I pack a lot into those 2-3 seconds.

*Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair.

*At the moment of conception, you spent about half an hour as a single cell.

*There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet. Yuck...when I was in high school, I could stick my foot in my mouth...literally...and did several times.

*Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil. Prove it!

*The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body.

*Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born.

*When you are looking at someone you love, your pupils dilate, and they do the same when you are looking at someone you hate. So if I'm staring into your eyes, don't get creeped out, I'm just trying to see if you love/hate me.

*Your thumb is the same length of your nose. I have a very long thumb.

*At this very moment I know full well you are putting this last fact to the test...now remove your thumb from your nose and pass this on to the friends you think might be interested in comparing their thumbs to their noses as well - I did.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Please Don’t Shoot the Messenger

I don’t know how many of you have the kind of job where from time to time, you are required to be the barer of news to a co-worker that is not going to make them very happy. If you do you probably can feel my pain right now.

I don’t know why I keep getting putting in this position because I’m not any of their supervisors and most of them seem to resent getting this information from me and I find myself in the middle of a battle that really isn’t mine. I often feel the need to duck and cover. I don’t know why people always insist on making me the bad guy. It happens at camp a lot too. I had a co-counselor once ask me to tell one of her campers that her shorts were too short because she “didn’t want the girl to hate [her]”. What, like I want her to hate me?

Anyway, I’m having one of those days today. It happens a little too often for my taste. And this one could be a big one, so I currently feel the need to get in a fetal position in the corner, cover my head and plead “Don’t Shoot the Messenger!!!”

Monday, March 31, 2008

First Annual Me Week

Last week was the First Annual Me Week? What is “Me Week”? That is the week of work I took off to do stuff I needed/wanted to do. I must say, “Me Week” will probably become an annual tradition. So how did I spend my “Me Week”? Here is the rundown…

Easter Weekend
Me Week started a little early with a visit from Tonna, Kael and Zaine. I hadn’t seen them in over a year so it was a much anticipated weekend and lots of fun! We hung out with Tarren & Erin (Tonna’s brother/sister-in-law), did some Easter Egg hunting, went to the park, and ate LOTS. It was a fun weekend.

Monday
Monday was spent cleaning my bedroom. Yes, it took me all day, BUT I wasn’t just cleaning, I was cleaning out and I dusted/vacuumed everything. I started an eBay pile and a Goodwill pile.

Tuesday
Tuesday was another cleaning/cleaning out day. I also took a break to go meet my friend, Grace, for lunch in Bricktown.

Wednesday
This was the most eventful day of the week. It started Tuesday night when the fan on my furnace wouldn’t shut off, so I had to turn it off at the fuse box to keep it from running. I had plans around noon on Wednesday, so I got up early to get ready in hopes that I could get someone out before I had to leave to look at the problem. That didn’t happen, but he did make it out late that afternoon, so all was well (with the exception of an impending repair before next fall).

After lunch, I went to the zoo with my friend, Jenn, and her kids. I LOVE going to the zoo and it was a nice day to do it. We did have to do a little redneck rigging of the stroller to keep the sun off of Kyler, but it worked. The animals were more into napping than anything else, so we were only there a couple of hours.

The most eventful part came after dinner that evening. I had been sitting on the couch and went to get up to take my dishes to the kitchen and change clothes before church. I was wearing a pair of cargo pants that were rolled up to Capri length. Don’t ask me how I did this, but I got up, took a step (maybe two) then managed to get my foot caught in loop of my pants and fell flat on my face. I have a HUGE bruise on my left knee to prove it and a nice big rip in my pants. I guess it’s a good thing they weren’t one of my favorite pairs of pants. I’m thinking it need to get one of those “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up” devices.

Thursday
This was work outside day. I cleaned out my garage, pulled weeds in the flower bed, fixed the crack in the bird bath, sprayed my back yard for weeds, and THEN I went inside and started the paper shredding process.

Friday
This was my last official cleaning day. I cleaned the kitchen and mopped/vacuumed/dusted everything downstairs. By Friday evening, I decided my work was done and didn’t do much the rest of the weekend.

Must say, I’m impressed with myself. I completed all but two items on my list and that was just because I couldn’t complete them. I know most of you could think of better ways to spend a week off, but when you can’t afford to go on a vacation, it’s a good way to spend a week away from the office. Me Week is definitely going to become a new tradition.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

This is NOT Fun!

Over the weekend, I developed a good, old-fashioned, sinus infection. I felt really cruddy Sunday night and Monday and since I can’t take over-the-counter cold medicines (they wire me, make me agitated, make me feel like I’m in a fog, and make my heart race), I decided to call the doctor. Well, my doctor couldn’t get me in for a few days, so I went to the urgent care facility they have referred me to in the past. The doctor I saw determined I had a sinus infection and gave me an antibiotic…and not any antibiotic, but a fairly new on that was pretty pricey.

So I go home, take the antibiotic, rest on the couch for a while, and then get up and do a few things that I HAD to get done that evening. Early evening, I begin to notice small bumps on my fore arms. I call my nurse friend and resident medical advice giver, Rachel, and ask her what hives look like. We determined that my bumps were too small to be hives and since it hadn’t spread anywhere, she said to watch it and suggested taking some Benadryl. By time I went to bed that night, the bumps on my fore arms were red and they were starting to show up on the trunk of my body. By time I got up the next morning, most of my body looked sunburned and I had a rash from head to toe and itched like nobody’s business! Seems I’m allergic to the new high-priced antibiotic. Lovely.

This resulted in a call to the doctor who gave me the antibiotic and they called in another antibiotic. Yes, I got to pay for two antibiotics and what hacks me off is the second one was much cheaper and has to be taken for fewer days. Why didn’t they just give me that one in the first place? Oh I know why.

When I went to pick up the new prescription, the pharmacist suggested I take Benadryl for the next couple of days instead of my regular allergy medicine. So last night I decided since the box said I could take two, I would take two. I shouldn’t have taken two. When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t walk straight and kept running into things. Note to self…next time stick to one. And yes, I know there is non-drowsy Benadryl, but it has the same side affects listed previously.

So as it stands, I’m looking less sunburned, but still itching a lot (even inside my ears and mouth). This better go away soon!

Monday, March 10, 2008

1 Weekend, 2 Heart Attacks

This was not a good weekend for my heart. It started Saturday morning when I woke at up a little after 7:00 a.m. and thought it was Sunday and that I had forgotten to change my clock and that was about to be late for church. I kept running around looking at every clock in my room, tried to figure out why the reminder on my cell phone didn’t go off, and kept trying to figure out if I was correct that if it was now actually 8:00 instead of 7:00. This went on for a couple of minutes until I started wondering “what happened to Saturday?” I hate it when that happens. =o(

The second heart attack took place this morning. About 6:30 I heard a crash and thought something fell off the wall in the bathroom. I got up to investigate and everything looked fine. So I went into the other bathroom down the hall…everything fine there. My next thought was that the mirror finally fell of the wall downstairs. I was about to go downstairs when I heard a noise in the empty bedroom. It was obvious there was a raccoon in the attic, but I thought certainly the trap didn’t make that much noise. Then I hear the raccoon overhead and realized it wasn’t in the trap. I then take a step further into the bedroom and low and behold laying on the floor in the closet was the entrance to the attic. This really freaks me out. I take a quick glance around the room to make sure I’m alone, and then I quickly closed the door to the closet and proceeded downstairs to find a chair to prop in front of the door to make sure that anything that comes out of that attic doesn’t make its way through my house. This afternoon Jay from work went with me to investigate the situation and more importantly fix the current pressing situation. And would you believe after all of that, no raccoon in the trap!!! But I have learned one lesson…the door to the closet will stay closed until this situation is resolved. I am not pressing my luck!

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Oh Well

Maybe God’s trying to tell me something, but twice this week I have been informed of how bad sugar and other foods are for you. Yesterday it was another patient sitting next to me in the chiropractor’s office (yes, it was a very eventful day in the chiropractor’s office). Today it was watching Montel while I was home at lunch. Seems we consume 150 lbs of sugar on average each year. Soda is also very bad for you. So what did I eat in addition to my sandwich at lunch…Girl Scout Cookies. What am I drinking right now…Diet Dr. Pepper. I do try to eat things in moderation, but I figure the world is over populated anyway, so I’m just doing my part. =o)

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Tuesday Tidbits

I have discovered that I cannot pronounce “Acapulco”. I guess that rules it out as a future vacation spot unless someone else handles the travel arrangements.

My chiropractor is trying to set me up again. This time it was awkward because the guy was sitting next to me in his office. I don’t know why my chiropractor thinks he’s such an expert in setting me up. If he really knew me at all, he wouldn’t attempt to set me up with half the guys he does. Today, he told me I would probably have a hard time finding a guy that didn’t have some baggage. I never once told him “baggage” was the reason I wouldn’t date any of his patients. Not trusting his match-making abilities is reason #1 of many.

Monday, March 03, 2008

They’re Baaack!

Oh yes blogger world, you guessed it…my non-rent paying residents decided to move back in over the weekend (see posts about this time two years ago).

Saturday morning, a little after 2 a.m., I wake up out of a deep sleep to hear that familiar sound of something walking around overhead and making it’s nest in the corner of my bedroom. Unlike the first time, I wasn’t freaked out…I was MAD! So I did the only thing I could think of…I stood on my bed and proceeded to pound on the ceiling until it moved. Then I laid there the rest of the night have irritated that they were back and half freaked out because the ceiling below the section of attic they seem to be attracted to is starting to sound weak and I don’t want a raccoon falling through the ceiling and landing in my bedroom. As I described it to my brother, it would be like that car commercial where the guy is locked in the car with the badger. Not good.

Saturday morning, I got up and went outside to see where it was getting in at, and sure enough, it was the same spot it got in the last time (which is not on my property, but the unit next to mine). Either the previous owner didn’t do a very good job of fixing it or those raccoons are persistent little boogers (I think it’s the latter). To make things more interesting, my new neighbors are Asian and the husband is freaked out by animals of any kind. When they moved in and I told them about my original experience with the raccoons, he looked panicked. Since I want this fixed permanently and quickly this time, I went next door and explained the situation and told him I would fix it if it was okay with them. I figured it will be a whole lot cheaper for me to fix it than to keep calling a pest control company out to remove raccoons.

Thankfully I haven’t heard the raccoons since Saturday. It doesn’t mean they’ve left all together, just means they haven’t been hanging out where I can hear them. The next step is to set a trap to be sure I caught the raccoon (I actually think there is only one up there so far…but I don’t want friends moving in). Since I don’t have anything to do with my attic – which includes sticking any part of my being through the opening – I’m hoping I can bribe a friend of mine with cookies and that he’ll come do it for me.

Once said raccoon has been relocated, I’ll be able to fix the opening under the eve. The next task will be to figure out a way to keep them from coming back. I am told that if I spray coyote urine (yes, that’s correct) in my attic, they’ll stay away. One, I’m not exactly sure where you buy such a product and two, I’ll owe my brother big time IF I’m able to talk him into going back up there (you know, after his whole finding a snake in my attic ordeal).

I guess the raccoons have been reading my posts lately and noticed how lame they had become and decided I needed a little excitement in my life. Thanks, but no thanks!

Friday, February 29, 2008

Ladies Priviledge

I've heard that February 29 (i.e. Leap Year) is also known as Sadie Hawkins Day or "Ladies Priviledge". I knew that Sadie Hawkins Day was this day that girls could ask guys out (whatever), but I found out for the first time today this actually comes from an Irish Custom where women could propose to men. Interesting...not that I plan to do it this year, but hey, check back in 4 years. I might have changed my mind by then.

On another note, I have decided that technically, this should be a holiday where you get the day off (at least if you're salaried like I am). Think about it, they figure our pay off of 365 days a year, so technically I'm working for free today. I guess I have 4 years to get that law passed (or get my employer to see it my way). ;o)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Random “Hmmm” for the Day

I have 223 Coke reward points. For 200 points, I can get a “Silver Ticket” at AMC (which can’t be used on new releases). I bought 90% or more of those Cokes from our machine at work. A pop at work costs $1.25. That means that if I decided to redeem my points for that ticket, it would have in a way cost me $83.75. It’s taken me over a year to save up that many points. If I gave up buying Cokes at work, I could have gone to the movies at least 9 times by now. Kind of makes me wonder why I took up the hobby of collecting Coke Rewards. =o)

Friday, February 22, 2008

Denim Dilemma

Today at lunch, I ripped the seat out of another pair of jeans. Not the same pair that I have ripped the seat out of 4 times already (my favorite pair, FYI). No, this was a different pair. And fortunately, it was as I was getting in my car, so no witnesses. But I am now down to one pair of jeans that don’t require the wearing of heels. This bums me out for 3 reasons…1) I don’t always want to wear heels, 2) I hate shopping for jeans, and 3) I put myself on an indefinite spending freeze.

With the exception of a dress this fall (that was less than $25), I have not bought clothes for myself since last summer (and even then, it was a gift card, so does that really count?) There were multiple reasons for this…no roommate, wanting to pay off debt, wanting to save as much as possible so I can finish some projects at home, save up for a new stove and furnace which are both on their last leg (stove will be MUCH cheaper to replace).

Granted it’s not been easy because my wardrobe is looking dated, but I keep telling myself I have clothes to wear and I don’t work in an environment where “fashionable” in expected. I’m thinking I might be checking out eBay again.

And P.S. it wasn't because they don't fit! They were actually loose, thank you very much!

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Random Bits of Info

I discovered today that my external keyboard has a button that if I push it, a calculator appears on my screen. Kind of cool. Actually, it has a lot of cool buttons, but the way my desk is, they stay hidden under the ledge and I forget they are there. I can push a button and “My Picture”, “My Documents” or “My Music” comes up. There are lots of cool buttons. The only ones I use right now though are the volume buttons and the mute button.

Self-con•trol n. Control of one’s emotions, actions, etc.
I’m exhibiting “self-control” today in regards to my posts and my opinion about this particular day. =o)

I finally got a new hair dryer to replace the one that blew up. If you’ve ever lived with me, you know it takes FOREVER for my hair to dry because it holds water like nothing you’ve ever seen. My sister-in-law can blow dry her hair completely in 2 minutes. It takes me at least 15 minutes. It’s annoying. Anyway, to aid in this, I really wanted to replace my hair dryer with a Chi because it dries my hair so much faster, but I didn’t want to pay the $129+ they usually run in the store. So I finally found one on eBay for a price I was willing to pay and got to use if for the first time today. Hair was dry in 10 minutes!!!

The decision was made to install a door bell in our receptionist area so that our new full-time receptionist could assist people when we don’t have a volunteer receptionist. This is much better than listening to someone yell “HELLLL-OOOO.” But the door bell that was purchased sounds like the chimes on the clock in our receptionist area. It’s very entertaining to see Vicki jump up to help someone every time the clock chimes.

Does anyone else use the term “okie dokie?” A couple of the ministers have been making fun of me for saying this. They say they’ve heard “okie doke” but wonder if “okie dokie” is a Kansas thing? Maybe it is. Just wondering.

I have a Facebook account, but I’m finding that I don’t do near as much with it as some people do. I guess I just haven’t really figured out WHAT to do with it. I take quizzes people send me, I respond to friend requests people send me, but I haven’t figured out or taken the time to do as much with it as I probably could. Plus side, some college friends have found me and it’s been nice to reconnect a little with people I haven’t seen or talked to in AGES!

I could be dangerous with a camera phone.

OKChick gave a bad review of “Fool’s Gold”. I personally liked it. There were parts of the story line they could have expounded on more, but over all I thought it was decent. Of course, I think I got a little wrapped up in the idea of living in the Caribbean on a boat and being surrounded by water (and searching for treasure would be tons of fun). Have I mentioned I don’t like cold weather?

My chiropractor would KILL me if he saw how I sit in my chair at work 90% of the time.

I love that I live in a state that has spring-like weather one day and snow the next (I’m being sarcastic).

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Efficiency Dilemma

I’m not sure if people have every caught on to this personality trait of mine or not, but I am all about being efficient. I am always trying to figure out the best way to accomplish the most with the least amount of work. Running errands is always very well planned out for me. I almost can’t stand it if that plan gets derailed. I could go on and on about this, but you get the point.

Today is one of those days that efficiency is a necessity. We have our Relay Kick-Off this evening and I have several things that I need to accomplish before I have to be at our Kick-Off location. Ideally, the best plan would be to go home, load up everything I need from there, change clothes, go vote (and no, I still haven’t decided who I’m voting for), and then head to our Kick-Off location. The problem with that plan is that when I change clothes, it will be into a poodle skirt and I really don’t want to draw that much attention to myself when I go vote. So as much as it KILLS me to have to go out of my way this afternoon, I’m thinking there is no way around it.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Weekend Happenings

This weekend I went to Kansas to do the birthday thing with the family. It was a good weekend (though I never sleep well at my mom’s…I think I’m just not used to a twin bed). Here is a rundown of the weekend…

Made a poodle skirt for our Relay Kick-Off on Tuesday. It’s a little full, but hey, it’s only for one night.

Kyler Russell finally made his appearance into this world. I make it sound like he was over-due, but he came on his due date. I guess I had known for so long that he was coming, it seemed like it was taking forever. =o) I figured it would be Saturday since I was out of town...and it was. But I got to go watch some of the Super Bowl half-time show with him. He’s a keeper. Congrats to his mom and dad and VERY proud big sister.

I got a propane grill for my birthday. I’m really excited about this. I love grilled food and though charcoal tastes better, you have to plan ahead if you’re going to use charcoal. I also got grilling tools from my brother and sister-in-law. Now I just need to go pick up the actual grill at Lowe’s (my mom decided giving me a gift card for it would be easier than wrapping it.)

I also got a big broom for my birthday. Now I can sweep out my garage!!! And yes, I asked for this…just like the snow shovel.

Sunday morning my hair dryer blew up while I was getting ready for church. First I heard a pop. Then I saw a quick flash. And then I heard a few more pops, then an even brighter flash. At this point, I turned off the dryer and unplugged it. But wondering if it was a fluke, I plugged it in again and turned it on. It started popping some more. I decided it was done for. I am now in the market for a new hair dryer. I’m hoping to get a Chi dryer off of eBay for a good price, but if I haven’t won something by the end of the week, I’m going to have to give in and go to Wal-Mart because at the moment I’m using an unclaimed hair dryer from camp that didn’t sell in the garage sale…it took me 30 minutes to dry my hair this morning. This is not good.

The Mississippi Squirrel has a Kansas cousin and he made his appearance at my mom’s church on Sunday morning. Church had just started when you start hearing all this commotion. Then the song leader stops and looks a little puzzled. He then informs everyone there is a squirrel loose in the auditorium and asked the ushers to open the doors and try to chase him out. The mission was successful…and humorous.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

I'm Getting Desperate People

Today's post comes from the great state of Kansas (which has WAY too much snow for my taste at this particular moment). I'm at my mom's this weekend celebrating my birthday with the fam.

Anywho, while driving last night, I was trying to contemplate my next post. My posts have been really lame lately, but there really hasn't been anything going on in my life worth writing about. And then this idea hit me...since I can't seem to come up with worthwhile topics on my own, I'm opening it up to my loyal readers (if I still have any). You suggest my topics. Ask me questions you think I should answer. The only rules are 1) keep it clean and 2) be nice. I of course reserve the right to choose what I respond to, though if I don't honor your request, I promise I probably have a really good reason.

And if this fails, be prepared for what is likely to be more lame posts.

P.S. Yes, this started out under a different title, but the original title sounded like an advice column.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Random Stuff

Cookies
I went to make chocolate chip cookies the other night and wanted to use a recipe I used to use that makes a smaller batch. The last 3 times I had made these cookies, they didn’t turn out right…something was wrong with the consistency. So I was very cautions as to what I was doing again this time and once again…the consistency was wrong. They come out spongy (kind of like pumpkin cookies or bread). I am at a loss as to why they’re turning out wrong. Cookies are the one thing I do REALLY well at in the kitchen. I don’t think I’ll be able to give up till I get them right.

Stolen Information
I got a letter in the mail yesterday from my bank saying the secret service had seized a computer that had my bank card number and address on it (and it was a legitimate letter). Considering I don’t ever use my bank card online and I’m super cautious about shredding anything with personal information on it, the fact that this happened is a little unnerving. All of this leads to a topic that has been bothering me the last few months. I know people are greedy and self serving, but what is it that makes some people think that it is okay for them to steal to get what they want? You hear of people having their Christmas presents stolen. You hear about the rising costs in retail stores because of theft. People have their identities and all kinds of personal property stolen all the time. I don't know the answer, but it’s just not right!

None of the Above
Is “None of the Above” an option in the upcoming elections? I have been trying to do my part to be an informed voter, but the more I read, the less I want to vote for any of them. Sometimes in this case I would choose the lesser evil…I just don’t think that is an option this time around. Ugh!

Monday, January 28, 2008

Birthday Highlights

Saturday I added another digit to my age, but it really wasn’t that painful. So once again, here is another “highlights” list…

My brother DIDN’T call and wake me up at the crack of dawn. My plan was to sleep in because I was exhausted, but I had an issue with the alarm clock and accidentally turned it back on when I thought I had turned it off and I never really went back to sleep after that. My mom did call at 8 a.m. which normally would have been too early, but I was already awake. My brother was kind and waited till 8:30 to call.

Had lunch with a friend whom I haven’t spent much time with the last several months. It was good to catch up beyond our email conversations.

Saw “27 Dresses” with friends. Very cute movie, but I’m kind of disturbed by how much I have in common with the main character beyond the 27 dresses part (I think I only have 6).

Dinner at Johnny Carino’s with the same friends. It was fun to actually have a “night out”. Oh, and word of warning…don’t get the free dessert at Johnny Carino’s. It really didn’t taste like anything and it was a little obscene looking.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Maybe the Most Pathetic Post EVER!!!

I have kind of been neglecting my posting lately. Nothing all that exciting has happened though and the few semi-humorous things that have taken place loose their humor level by time I have time to write about it.

You would think with as busy as I have been, I there would be something worthwhile to write about, but there hasn’t been. Here is the run down…

Working till somewhere between 5:30-6:30 every weeknight. When I get home I work out (if I’m not knock me over tired) and/or attempt something productive at home. Energy level bottoms out by 9 p.m. and I find myself on the couch watching TV or getting ready for bed.

Relay for Life. This fortunately has not been taking up a great deal of my evenings so far, but it does take up some of my lunch hour and took away my Saturday last weekend…though I did win a beach umbrella with bag as a consolation prize. =o)

Knocking on the door of one year further into my 30’s. On Saturday I will officially be 34. It still doesn’t seem real because I don’t feel that old. I guess that is all that counts.

Seriously…is that all of significance that has taken place in my life? I think it is. Okay that’s sad. I need to start getting a life…QUICK!

Here is a final question to ponder. I had a conversation with a friend recently and this question came up…Why is it that a guy you aren’t interested in can pay you a compliment (even if it is cheesy) and you’re totally turned off by it, but you would kill for some guy you ARE interested in to say the same thing? It doesn’t seem right, yet that is the way it is. Hmmm…

I promised a while back to avoid pathetic posts, but I think I dropped the ball on this one. But when I look back at my last few weeks, it is pathetic!!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

The Sweetest Thing

I was reading this article on MSN a little bit ago and they listed things people said were the sweetest thing anyone ever did for them on a date. The things listed I didn’t really wow ME that much, but what I realized is that what warms the heart is different for each person.

For me the sweetest thing a guy ever did for me was scrape my windshield. I had been dating him for a couple of months and even though I thought he was a really great guy, I just didn’t feel about him the way I thought I should be feeling at that point. I had even been praying that I would feel differently because he really was a wonderful guy. Then one night after church he was driving me to my car. It had snowed while we were at church so the cars were covered in snow. When we got to my car he got his scraper out while I went to get mine so I could scrape own my car. I assumed he was scraping his windows better for his drive home, but when I looked up, he was clearing mine. I think what got me was I didn’t even once wish he’d do it…which made it mean even more. Having a lack of feelings for him after that evening was no longer an issue.

So, just curious, what is the sweetest thing a date has ever done for you?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Things I’ve Learned in the Last Week

Supposedly the reoccurring theme of driving semi-trucks in my dreams lately commonly means that I feel over-worked or I’m carrying a heavy burden. I kind of already suspected this was what I was going to find if I looked it up. In this case, it’s pretty accurate.

Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming. I gladly helped a friend shop for hers the other night (the last dress turned out to be the winner), but there were so many to choose from and so much to take into consideration. I’m not so anxious to be doing the same for myself anytime soon.

The question “how is it that you are not married yet” is really starting to get on my nerves. I know it’s meant as a compliment, but if I knew the answer to that question wouldn’t it seem reasonable that I would be doing something about it. That question is better directed at the guys I’ve dated if you want an accurate answer.

This website is great. It’s a constant supply of music I like on my computer at work without having to go to all the work of downloading my existing CD’s. Plus it’s opened my eyes to some artists I wasn’t aware of. Thanks to my cousin for recommending it.

When putting away Christmas decorations, it is best to start with the Christmas tree box (at least in my case). It was not easy to put it away with all the other boxes in there…but mission accomplished (at least it’s out of sight).

I have to turn the heat up in my house if I want to get anything accomplished. I can’t get motivated if I’m cold. I’ve been keeping my thermostat low to save money…which is fine if I’m sleeping or watching TV. But it’s way too tempting to climb under a blanket instead of doing something productive if I’m cold. I’m ready for spring!!!

There is something about me that makes random men think that I can’t work the automated postage machine without their assistance. If you’re one of those men, thanks for the concern, but I do in fact know how to work it and if it appears I don’t, you might try backing up and stop breathing down my neck. I get things done a lot faster when someone (especially a stranger) is not looking over my shoulder. But again, thank you for your concern.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Movie Renting

I hate it when I find myself thinking, “I want to see that movie...I should rent it.” BUT when I actually go to the video store, I can’t remember what movie(s) I wanted to see. Somewhere I need to keep a list.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Christmas Pictures

I told some people I decorated my house for Christmas and then no one ever saw it. Here are pictures of the tree and fireplace so that I don't feel like my decorating was a total loss.



Random piece of information...my tree (no lights or decorations) is actually still up in my living room. I need a new container to store it in and needed to wait till I got paid again, so it's still up. Half of the outdoor Christmas lights are still laying on the floor too (also need to get a container for them). I guess that's the good thing about not having a roommate...no one to be inconvenienced by my "mess".

Holiday Highlights

Ths will be a quick list, but I really need to add something new to my blog. I wish I had more time to write, but it's "busy season" for me, so no time for goofing off, so here it goes...

8) Extended time off work. I had some vacation/comp days I hadn't used, so I had a little over a week off work. It was nice.

7) "White Christmas." Funny enough, it only appeared so in my mom's yard. The way her house sits, it takes a while for snow to melt off. The neighbors barely had any left on their yard. It was weird. (These were taken two days before Christmas when the neighbors still had snow).



6) Driving home the Saturday before Christmas in that HORRIBLE weather. Not the smartest thing I've ever done. It took me 7 hours to make a 2 hour & 45 minute trip. There was an eventful moment that resulted in damage to my car, but I'm afraid to post it for the world to see. If you want to know bad enough, email me.

5) I had a cold and spent most of my Christmas laying on my mom's couch watching rented movies and Hallmark Channel movies.

4) Seeing my friend, Stacey. We have known each other since my family moved to Hutchinson. She lives in New York now and we try to get together for dinner or "coffee" when we're both home if our scheduals mesh.

3) Got some really fun cookie cutters from a friend. As he put it, it's the gift that keeps on giving...to him. =o)

2) I FINALLY got a snow shovel from Santa Claus. =o) Watch, now it won't ever snow in Oklahoma ever again.



1) My brother finally made me the bench I had been wanting (kind of had this deal that if he built me this bench, he could have this piece of furniture in my bedroom at home that he wanted). Now all I have to do is paint it. Originally I was going to put it in my dining room, but now I'm thinking about putting it in the living room. Hmmm...


(picture to follow later)


So that's about it.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Ridding the World of Pests, One Gnat at a Time

For months now, I’ve had a gnat problem in my house. I have done EVERYTHING possible to try to get rid of them, and though I have lowered the count considerably, there are still some stragglers. What’s even more frustrating is that now they’re showing up at work. Am I bringing them with me…possibly. Not sure how exactly. Regardless, they are becoming quite annoying.

Since treating my house plants, getting rid of all fresh fruits and vegetables in the house, pouring Drano down my drains, and putting out bowls of water mixed with vinegar and dish washing soup isn’t ridding me of these pests, I have resorted to hand to hand combat. I have in fact begun slapping at them in the air and killing them by hand. I have already gotten 6 today at work and 4 at home last night.

There has to be a better method, so I’m open to any and all suggestions.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

This is NOT the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I feel I’ve done pretty good keeping Scrooge at bay this holiday season, but today just about did me in.

Because I am doing a little traveling over this holiday season, I decided to take my car in before Christmas and get the oil changed and the tires rotated. My $20 oil change just turned into an $850 one (Tamra, I’m feeling your pain now).

They first called to say that they couldn’t rotate my tires because the steel was showing through on one of my tires (of course it was the cheap tire that I purchased to replace the blown out tire I received on the float trip several years ago.) If that wasn’t bad enough, they told me that all of my struts need to be replaced because they’re leaking grease. One would be tempted to get a new car if it weren’t for the fact that no roommate = less cash flow.

I think what really got me is when I realized that I could replace my stove for half of what I have to pay to fix my car. I guess its better that I found this out BEFORE I took my trip, but it still stinks. I keep telling myself that at least I have a car, and at least I have the money in savings, but I hate taking that much out of savings (of course, that’s what it’s there for). Can you write car repairs off on your taxes? =o)

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Don't Get Excited

Yesterday I spent my entire afternoon looking at wedding rings. Normally, when a single person says something like this, it's supposed to be an exciting thing. Instead, I was looking at wedding rings for a billboard I'm working on for a marriage seminar. There is something very dangerous about asking a single person to design a billboard for a marriage seminar. I'm actually taking a break from said marriage seminar billboard because I still don't like it and I'm hoping taking a break from it will inspire me somehow. I'm not holding my breath.

Monday, December 10, 2007

I Bet You Never Thought You Would Hear Me Say This

To anyone who knows me WELL, you will find the true humor in all of this. On Saturday I made a purchase that I honestly never thought I would make in my entire lifetime…I bought a gun. A Remington 870 20 gauge Youth Series to be exact. My cousin called me on Saturday to see if I could do them a favor. McKensi wants her own gun for Christmas and since her little brother has two they decided it was only fair. Problem was, the one they wanted was on sale this past weekend at Academy and they don’t live near an Academy and couldn’t make it to the city to get it themselves. So it was “Aunt Stacey” to the rescue. =o) I think what is even funnier is that she’s getting this from Santa Claus.

We had some laughs at work because I said if the word got out that I’m now armed, this would probably put the nail in the coffin and confirm that I will be single forever. Mark & Andy pointed out that if I put an NRA bumper sticker on the back of my car and gun rack in the back window, it could possibly help my chances.

Have any of you ever purchased a gun? For obvious reasons, there is a lot of paperwork you have to fill out and a lot of procedures you have to go through. First of all, they asked if my address on my license was my current address – and it wasn’t because I never got it changed after I moved. So I resolved that by making a quick trip to the DMV to get it changed. I know that I did not have any ill intentions for my gun purchase, but still, it seemed a little too easy.

Then I had to fill out all of this paperwork and answer all of these questions asking me if I have a mental illness, or if I’m a stalker, etc. I almost started laughing while I was standing there because I just kept thinking, “If I did/am would I really admit it?” Now granted, they did do a background check on me so if I had incorrectly answered some of those questions, they would have discovered it then (I hope). I really liked the look on peoples’ faces when they saw ME trying to purchase this firearm. Actually, if they really knew me they might have been a little scared. =o) But worry not, I didn’t buy any ammo. I’ll leave that up to her daddy!

As big of a laugh as I’m getting out of this, I will be glad when it is out of my possession and I no longer have a gun registered in my name.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

When Life Give You Lemons...

I had one true goal the day after Thanksgiving…purchase dishes at Kohl’s to add to the ones I already have. I was a little terrified of the crowds, but I thought since Kohl’s opened at 4 a.m., if I waited till a little later in the morning (7 a.m.) then it wouldn’t be AS bad. I’m not sure how accurate that really was, but my dishes were on sale AND I had an additional 15% off that, so I getting my dishes at a really great price. The only problem was that I couldn’t decide on a color. The ones I have already were cobalt blue. At one time I thought about eventually getting 3 different colors…cobalt blue, cranberry, and yellow. But close to Thanksgiving I had started rethinking that decision. So that morning at Kohl’s I was in a quandary which color to get. My mom was kind of pushing the cranberry on me and since there were less cranberry than blue, I decided to purchase the cranberry and think about it a few days and exchange them if I changed my mind.

After a week of indecision, a friend convinced me that if I really couldn’t decide, then I must be leaning towards the blue (she knows me well). So, last Thursday night, I took the sacks of dishes and put them on my kitchen cabinet so that I wouldn’t forget to take them with me on Friday to return them. Friday morning, I went downstairs to leave for work and much to my dismay, the sack with the bowls in it were lying on my kitchen floor. I just stood there afraid that my fear of four broken bowls would be a reality. I finally reached down and felt the outside of the wrapping of each bowl and sure enough. All four bowls were in pieces.

I have no idea what happened. Since I live alone, it’s not like someone else could have knocked them off the counter (though a co-worker tried to convince me I have a critter in the house). I can only assume that one of the bowls wasn’t completely level and must have fallen over at some point (likely aided my by neighbors who slam their front door all the time). Regardless of how it happened, I now had four broken bowls that could no longer be returned.

I was about to throw them out that afternoon when I got home (and had finally come to terms with my loss) when I got the bright idea that I should turn them into some sort of broken dish mosaic like you see on all the design shows. Problem is, I know myself well enough to know that I would never actually get around to doing that. Then I got bright idea #2…sell them on eBay. Jay Leno is always showing random things that sell on eBay for crazy amounts of money. So today I listed my broken bowls on eBay. If they sell, great…maybe I’ll get enough money out of them to replace them. If they don’t, I’m only out $0.40. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Too Tired!!!

Last night, when I went to bed I turned on my reading lamp with the intention of reading my bible before I went to sleep. It appears I fell asleep before I reached for my bible (yes, I was THAT tired). But that’s not the “I’m a dork” part. I kept waking up during the night because the light was on, BUT it took me till 4:30 a.m. to comprehend that if I would just reach up and flip the switch, the light would go off. What a concept!!!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Thanksgiving Highlight

Saturday my mom and I went to see my cousin and her family. Here are a few pictures of the weekend...

This is the newest addition to the family, Remington, with his "Aunt" Stacey. The kids have always called me Aunt Stacey, even though I'm actually their cousin. McKensi is finally old enough that she was trying to figure out how I fit into the picture.

Isn't he just the cutest? He was a month old on Saturday.


Bundled up for our car ride to go look at the river and the countryside (they live in a small town in Southwestern Oklahoma and that's about it for excitement). =o)


Colton in his hunting gear. He hasn't managed to get a deer yet, but was quite proud of the wild pig he shot.


McKensi getting ready to go out for an evening in the deer stand with her dad. She was insistent that she was going to shoot that buck they had all been trying to get all week. I somehow doubt that happened. =o) And yes, those are deer hanging on the wall and camouflage furniture. They are REALLY into hunting. ;o)

You would have to see the scene leading up to this to find the true humor in this picture. Colton was goofing off and just being the six-year-old boy that he is and tripped and fell and landed in the baby carrier. You had to be there, but I included the picture anyway.

Monday, November 12, 2007

You Might Want to Think Twice

You might want to think twice before drinking out of hotel glasses. Personally, I may start traveling with my own after seeing this. This gives me the heeby jeebys!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

All I Want for Christmas Is...

Not really, but a friend sent these to me a LONG time ago and I had been saving them in my email folder because I thought they were funny and decided with the holidays approaching, it was a good time to share. ;o)

















Monday, November 05, 2007

For the Record...

...I like eating at Mimi's because I like their muffins (but their pancakes are good too).

...I don't like the new outside doors at my place of employment. They're heavy and hit me in the elbow every time I try to come in. I also don't like that my key doesn't work in them yet and I had to call and have someone let me in the other day.

...I will like it when the handicapped button is installed on said doors because it will make getting in with my arms full so much easier!

...I like that the trees are starting to change colors.

...I need to get a flu shot.

...for some reason I'm itching to put up my Christmas decorations (hurry up Thanksgiving).

...Magic 104 (that's KMGL Krista) was playing a Christmas song Friday night and it's WAY too early for that!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

The Golden Compass

This disturbs me, but the source is pretty reliable. I keep meaning to do some additional research of my own, but haven't had the time lately (hence the short posts).

This is a Sport?

Have you ever heard of cup stacking? Apparently, this is a "sport" and ESPN even covers it. Today we had a bunch of home schoolers (who don't follow directions very well) showing up at our building for a cup stacking tournament. I'm quite baffled by the interest in this particular "sport".

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Best Joke Ever

This is my favorite joke in the whole wide world!!!

Two fish in a tank.
One fish says to the other fish,
"How do you drive this thing?"

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

This Could Be Addicting

A friend sent this to me yesterday and it seems the first place either of us went was to find out where Data from "Goonies" is. Have fun!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Weekend at a Glance

This weekend I was given the opportunity to attend the Highland Plains Leadership Summit for Relay for Life. Honestly, I went because I knew the information would probably be helpful, but I was not looking forward to it. Spending my entire weekend listening to people lecture was not my idea of fun. Thankfully, it was not near as bad as I thought it would be and the lectures were interesting enough that I didn’t find myself looking at the clock on my cell phone every five minutes. Here are the most notable things to come out of this past weekend…

The HOV Lane: I LOVE the HOV! Broadway Extension needs a HOV lane. It easily took 30 minutes off our trip on the way there. It’s the greatest thing ever!!!

The Executive Suite: Don’t know how (and no I didn’t flirt with the desk clerk) but Susan and I ended up with an executive suite. It was so great to have an extra room to watch TV in or to get ready in.

Extreme Stair Master: Twice on Saturday I decided (with others) to take the stairs to avoid the EXTREME elevator congestion to and from break out sessions on the 37th floor. The first time, our staff partner, Sara, and I decided we would just walk down the stairs. Down should be no problem, right. Problem with down was that we started getting dizzy going round and round the stairwell, so at the 22nd floor, we decided to try to jump onto an elevator…it worked. After lunch, Susan and I decided that we would go down to the lobby and jump on the elevator there (everyone else was on the 2nd floor.) Problem was, the elevator never made it down to the lobby. So we came up with bright idea #2 (along with a few other women). We decided to take the north tower elevators up to the 29th floor and then jump on to an elevator. That didn’t work either…elevators were too full. So, we then moved on to bright idea #3…take the stairs. It was only eight floors. It wouldn’t be that bad. We didn’t take into account that 1) we weren’t in THAT great of shape and 2) there is an altitude difference that high up. After the 3rd flight, I thought I was going to die. By time we got to the top, I was sure of it. We did let some people think we walked all the way up 37 flights of stairs…it impresses people more. =o)

Nanotechnology: I won’t even begin to try to explain this, but here is one of many websites that helps to explain its importance to cancer research. Definitely one of the most encouraging things I’ve heard in the stride to fight cancer.

Big THANKS to Susan for being a great co-pilot! I might still be stuck in Dallas if it weren’t for her help (and to anyone we might have cut off in our instantaneous lane switching…sorry, we couldn’t help it.)

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Notables This Week So Far…

First of all, I was told yesterday that (and I quote) “…you’re much less pathetic in real life than you make yourself out to be on your blog.” So my goal is to do my best to make myself sound less pathetic, but there is only so much this girl can do. ;o)

Second, my toilet exploded last night…sort of. I flushed it, it made a weird noise (the kind that makes you think that what ever is supposed to go down is about to explode out). Then water started spewing out the top of the tank. I quickly took the top off, but couldn’t exactly figure out why. So what did I do…I flushed it again. Seems the hose that fills the tank with water came loose and when I flushed the toilet the hose shot around and started spraying me in the face (it’s okay to laugh, I’m sure it would have been funny to observe as a bystander). There is a little hook on the side of the hose and it appears to have come loose, but I don’t know where it was originally attached, so I attached to the first thing I could find. It works…that’s all that matters, right?

Third…toe vs. door frame. Jury is still out on exactly who won. My choice of shoes today may be giving the door frame that upper hand. I don’t think I broke it, but it sure does hurt!

Finally, my chiropractor told me I looked like Couisn It today. Sadly, it was probably deserved (oops, did that sound pathetic?). I need a haircut REALLY REALLY REALLY bad, so I’m getting one tomorrow (the appointment was made before the Cousin It comment…only because I was having the same issues yesterday as today.) Don’t expect anything earth shattering. I still don’t have a new roommate, so I won’t be doing anything that requires regular upkeep.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Someone Thinks They Are SOOO Funny

I don’t know if I ever actually wrote about this, but approximately a year ago, I started getting Men’s Vogue in my mailbox. At first I thought it was a trial offer, but I kept getting it every month. Since I have a hard enough time reading the magazines I do get, I would just throw it away…mainly because I didn’t feel like spending the time trying to get off the list. The trash can was faster.

Well, today I check my hotmail and I have an email telling my by preferred member subscription is about to expire. Funny that I was a preferred member since I never signed up for it in the first place. And since there aren’t a lot of people out there who have my hotmail address, I’m curious who played such a prank (and thank you for not using my work address). I’m sure I had it coming because I helped a co-worker play similar prank on a college friend of ours (Jim, was this your doing?).

Now the question is, why Men’s Vogue? Maybe my mom did it during one of her sleep walking (or sleep web-surfing) episodes. Hmmm…

Random Stuff

Mystery Dinner
Earlier in the week, I noticed I had a container of frozen soup in my deep freeze, so I decided to heat it up for dinner last night. It was raining and it was a little chilly outside. Perfect soup weather. Thing was, I didn’t exactly know what kind of soup it was. I wasn’t sure if it was chili or beef stew…either way, it worked. So I proceeded to heat it up in the microwave. When I took it out, it looked more like chili, but it smelled funny (not bad funny, just not like chili funny). So I took a bite. It wasn’t chili. It was spaghetti sauce! Not really what I expected. So instead of chili for dinner, I had spaghetti. Good thing I had spaghetti noodles on hand.

The Less Likely Option
As some of you know, my roommate will be getting married very soon and I have yet to find a replacement for her. It probably wouldn’t be so bad, but I have a furnace that could go out at anytime, so any additional help with expenses is quite appreciated at this time. So, I’ve decided at this point that at least one of four possible scenarios needs to take place in the next 30 days (preferably less):
- Find a new roommate (ideal for more than just financial reasons).
- Find an enjoyable part-time job (if I’m going to be working that much, I want to not dread it).
- Be tonight’s Deal or No Deal’s lucky $1,000,000 play at home winner (not holding my breath).
- Get married.
Of all of these options, marriage is definitely the least likely to take place. My mom thinks ruling out marriage in less than 30 days is a pessimistic attitude, but I’m not exactly the type to jump into something like that, though I guess I could always change my mind. =o)

I Hate it When I Do That!
This weekend I decided to rent two movies to watch since I had no other plans. I rented You Me & Dupree which was better than I expected and Vacancy. I knew Vacancy would be scary, but with Luke Wilson in it, how scary could it really be? Well, I couldn't tell you the answer to that. I decided to watch it Saturday afternoon so that I would have time to watch something else and get my mind off of it before I went to bed. I got 30 minutes into it and started to psych myself out thinking "what if it's scarier than I think because I'm home alone this weekend." Needless to say, I turned it off and ended up having to return it before I found someone to watch it with me. That's the funny thing...I like scary movies, I have just discovered that I don't like watching them by myself. There was $4 wasted. =o(

On a Serious Note…
I’ve actually been thinking about this a lot this last year, but something I heard on TV this morning has me thinking about it more in-depth again. How is it that multiple people can hear the exact same conversation and pull totally different meanings out of it? I’m constantly amazed how people can get bent out of shape over something they really shouldn’t be that upset about? To me it seems that person or group (and let me clarify…I’m sure I’ve been guilty of this myself in the past) is already sensitive towards the person speaking or about the particular subject matter and reads into it what they want (or technically don’t want) to hear. What ever happened to taking things with a grain of salt or being quick to listen and slow to speak? I don’t know. Why can’t we just all get along or at the very least agree to disagree?

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

I Guess it's Time I Admit It

I've never really fessed up to it...maybe I didn't want to believe it, but there is no denying it anymore. I have become a TV Junkie. What can I say, it's a cheap form of entertainment. I never really thought I was that big of a TV Junkie until this summer when I had nothing to watch on TV in the evenings. To save money, I cut back my cable to the very basic, which doesn't leave you with a lot of channels to choose from. TV pick'ins were slim. But last night was the night I had been waiting for all summer long...the beginning of Premier Week!!! I'm disappointed that Crossing Jordan didn't return, but that's okay because I have added Dancing with the Stars to my viewing schedule. My VCR is primed and ready to pick up the slack if I'm not home or am interupted during a show. Yes, sad to say...I have become a TV Junkie, but I'm balancing it out by reading during the open time slots. =o)

Thursday, September 20, 2007

What Does It Take for a Girl to Get Some Flowers?

Obviously, for me it requires the building manager to decide to take out some rose bushes. Some of our rose bushes at work had become overrun by a vine that was killing the bushes, so our building manager decided to rip out the bushes and start over. As a result they cut off all the existing roses and brought them into our office. So I currently have a vase of white roses on my desk.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Six Degrees of Separation

I intended to post this when it first occurred, but was really busy at the time and forgot, but I still think it’s interesting.

I’m sure most of you have heard of the Six Degrees of Separation theory which refers to the idea that, if a person is one "step" away from each person he or she knows and two "steps" away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is no more than six "steps" away from each person on Earth. Several studies, such as Milgram's small world experiment, have been conducted to empirically measure this connectedness. While the exact number of links between people differs depending on the population measured, it is generally found to be relatively small. Hence, six degrees of separation is somewhat synonymous with the idea of the "small world" phenomenon.

Well, it turns out I had less than six degrees of separation from the late Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner. No joke (though I’m sure there are more exciting people to have this kind of connection with, but oh well). Here is how I’m connected:

- Tammy Faye’s second husband was Roe Messner.
- Roe has an aunt named Julia.
- Julia is 1) a family friend that I attended church with as a child, 2) the great-aunt of a good friend/ex-boyfriend, and 3) the sister-in-law of my 3rd cousin.

Of course, I was not aware of this connection till after she died. The friend/ex-boyfriend’s grandmother made him aware of this connection. He had to call me right away to find out if I knew that we were inadvertently related to Tammy Faye (I did have to point out that it was less of a stretch to prove he was related to her than it was for me). I can’t believe she didn’t leave me anything in her will!!! :o)

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Fortune Revisited

So, I have down time at work again. I don’t like down time at work because it makes the days so slow. Today, I ran out of stuff to do a good hour before I could leave, so I decided to contemplate the items attached to my bulletin board next to my desk. I found the following on my bulletin board:

- A staff phone extension list,
- A cell phone listing
- A cell phone account grouping list (I keep up with our office cell phone accounts which I think it is cruel and unusual punishment to make someone spend so much time on hold trying to make changes to a cell phone account that isn’t even theirs.)
- A paper weight conversion chart
- Bulletin distribution list (that is extremely out of date)
- The label from a ream of paper so I’ll remember what kind I need to purchase next time
- A post it note with a drawing by a co-worker’s daughter when she learned to write her name
- Memos about network connections that I don’t even remember what they go to
- Address and phone number from a paper supplier
- IP addresses for everything under the sun
- A list of people who have a particular program loaded on their computer that 1) we don’t use anymore and 2) half the people don’t even work here any more.
- Names and phone numbers for people that I have no idea who they are anymore or why I have those numbers
- An office birthday list (which is also very outdated)
- A very old “to do” list
- A machine ID cheat sheet so that I don’t have to go look up the number every time I call for service
- And two note cards that I don’t even know what they say on the back or why I still have them (maybe I should read them).

But the most interesting is a slip of paper from a fortune cookie. I look at it every day, but hadn’t paid a lick of attention to what it actually says in who knows how long. So, looking for something to occupy some more of my time, I decided to read what was so important that I saved it on my bulletin board. It read:

“Good things come to those who wait. Be patient.”

Wow. That was definitely something I needed to be reminded of right now.

My life has been increasingly more difficult and frustrating the last couple of years. I’ve definitely been through worse, but there are some elements of the present circumstances that make them more difficult to accept. I’m not going to get into all of that, but I guess I just needed that little reminder to be patient. This too shall pass and I’ll have a whole new batch of challenges to over come. ;o)

Hmmm

I have dreamed about babies three times this week. They are never mine though. I've had dreams I was pregnant (and always trying to explain to people that I didn't do anything and don't know how I got pregnant), but I have never had dreams that I recall where babies were the focus? I looked it up today in an online dream bank, but it wasn't helpful (didn't seem applicable). At first I thought it was because Suzy's sister just had a baby (sometimes events from a day will show up in some form in my dreams), but it happened again last night...twice. It's probably just because everybody and their dog is pregnant right now. =o)