Long Overdue

Here is the latest in the list of "home improvements"...the upstairs bathroom (a.k.a. the roommate bathroom). I should have posted these almost two weeks ago, but Facebook was as far as they got.

The yellow turned out a little brighter than I intended, but I think with other color accents it might be fine. It actually looks lighter in the pictures than it does in person. Right now I have a roommate again, so it's staying as is, but I MIGHT eventually try painting it a lighter shade of yellow...we'll see.

People of Walmart

Be forewarned that some of the commentary (and a few pictures) are not quite PG, but so VERY funny! Check out the People of Wal-Mart.

I don’t know if any of you saw David Letterman’s show last night, or like me, saw this clip this morning, but am I the only one who is seriously disturbed by the fact that the audience was laughing? I mean, I got the feeling he was being about as serious as a comedian (who naturally have a tendency to use humor as a defense mechanism) could be. The situation is sad/humiliating/wrong and by no means a laughing matter. He’s married, he has a child, and he just admitted to some very inappropriate behavior. What is wrong with people?

Paging Dr. Freud

I’ve been to busy to post this earlier, but days later I’m still thinking about this dream.

The other night, I dreamed I went to the Wal-Mart Market and when I got there, all I saw were gray cinder block walls and empty boxes. I asked where the groceries were and the lady asked me if I was single or married. What did that have to do with anything? She said there were two different parts to the grocery store and I had to shop in the appropriate area. Well this made mad. I was shopping for groceries and for something I needed for a baby shower and I didn’t see why I should only be allowed to shop on the “single” side. The lady called the manager. The manager and I really got into it. The manager tried to kick me out. I ran and found myself in the single side, but was desperately trying to sneak into the married side so I could get the stuff I needed that the single side didn’t carry. There was a lot of hiding behind stuff and covertly maneuvering myself through the grocery store without being discovered by the manager (who was still searching for me.) I woke up before I finished my shopping trip.

Analyze THAT Dr. Freud!!!

Longing for the Day

I am longing for a day when I can sleep in and not wake up until my body decides it is time to wake up. I'm sitting here wondering when was the last time I got to sleep in. I don't remember. My days off have been spoken for for way too long.

Why am I lamenting? Because I woke up this morning EXHAUSTED from my day yesterday and so badly wanting to stay in my nice warm bed, only to be reminded that tomorrow...Saturday...my only free day each week, has once again been spoken for and I have to get up early AGAIN.

I really need a day off that is in fact a day off. I mean, this was premier week...my favorite week of the year when the new fall shows start...and I didn't get to watch any of them. I have hours of recorded shows that need to be caught up on. Priorities!!!

So this was my weekend…

Friday Night: Grilled chicken for dinner for me and a friend. After dinner we went walking until we started feeling it sprinkle. After I got home, I went to the back patio to put the cover on the grill, and this is where it gets interesting. I flipped on the light, and opened the door only to hear a noise. Looked down, saw what I thought might be a cat so I closed the patio door really quick because I didn’t want it running into the house. Squat down to get a better look through the patio door only to see a long tail and two hind feet flailing. There was an opossum stuck between the propane tank and one of the legs of my grill. Freak out and run out to catch my friend, who suggests I call a neighbor friend to help me free it/get rid of it. Good idea. I head back into the house to get my phone and check once again on the status of my uninvited guest only to see it had freed itself and was now long gone. Whew! I really do wish I could have gotten a picture or video because it was a funny sight.

Saturday: Finally managed to create a new flower bed in my back yard and plant some bulbs. I will need to eventually put a border around the garden or the lawn guys will mow them down, but I have until spring to get that done. But hey, it’s a start. Also got more work done on the bathroom (and once again forgot to take a picture before I started). The humidity has made it difficult to get the doors and drawers finished because the paint stay tacky longer. I’m hoping by tonight to be able to turn everything over and finish painting the other side. All I have left after that is to paint the walls and put shelf paper in. Wish me luck.

Sunday: I cannot believe I’m about to admit this, but last night when I got home, I got out of my car and went to put the trash dumpster on curb before going in the house. I proceed back to my car to open the passenger side door only to find that I had once again locked my keys in the car. I didn’t even remember locking the door when I got out of the car. Thankfully I still had a spare key hidden in the garage (sadly, I have locked myself out of the house going into the garage MANY times). I went upstairs and got my spare key to the car and proceeded back to the garage. Guess what I discovered…my car was unlocked. The power locks on my car are operated by the drivers side door lock. Earlier in the evening, I was getting stuff out of my car and instead of locking all the doors, I only locked the passenger side door. Next time I’ll check better.

Random Stuff

We have a new guy working on our copier. I don’t think he knows what he’s doing. I’m nervous.

For some reason, I have been waking up at approximately 3:30 every morning for so long I can’t remember when it started. And when I wake up, I’m totally freaked out that there is someone in my house and it takes me a while to go back to sleep. Which means I am ALWAYS tired…and sleep aids don’t help.

I am not a big salt person, so I bought some unsalted pretzels. Note to self, some things need salt. Didn’t want to throw them out, so I got the BRIGHT idea to make taco seasoned pretzels. Mixed everything up according to the recipe and put them in the microwave. Seems the microwave owned by the creator of the recipe is not quite as powerful as mine. I took them out to stir them half way through as directed…and they weren’t burnt! Not a little toasty burnt, but about to burst into flames burnt. I’m not sure if I’m happy or concerned that the smoke didn’t set off my smoke alarm. The ones that aren’t burnt are good. Moral of this story…don’t buy unsalted pretzels.

As a result of the above, I tried opening up my house last night to let it air out. Like many other things on my house, the screen door isn’t quite up to par and some flies quickly found their way in. They didn’t last long…and if any of my neighbors were listening, they heard a crazy lady yelling “die fly!” multiple times. Last count…flies 0, Stacey 4!

Watched a rerun of NCIS recently and in this particular episode, Air Force 1 landed in of all places, Wichita, Kansas. In the course of dialog, the “coroner” says he has jurisdiction in “Wichita County”. Wichita County? Okay, NCIS writers, do your research. You can get the name of the airport right, but you can’t get the name of the county right? FYI, Wichita, Kansas is in Sedgwick County and a good 250 miles from Wichita County.

I hate it when gas prices are low until I go to fill up with gas or go down the day after I fill up. Seriously, for almost a week, prices were under $2.20 (yeah, I know…some of you live in areas that would die to have gas prices that low). Monday, they were $2.15 on the corner and I should have filled up then, but I was busy. Yesterday, they were $2.25. 10 cents that quick?!? I know…quit whining, but I really could have used some cheap gas this month. Ugh!

Last but not least, I am now among an elite 2 (maybe 3) to be the proud owner of the new window decals for my church. I know you’re jealous, but you too could be a proud owner in just a few short weeks. If this isn’t encouragement to read your bulletin, I don’t know what is.

We're So Funny

A friend and I decided to get motivated and help each other get up and work out every morning during the week. We started the end of June calling each other every morning at 5:30 to get up and work out. We did well for a few weeks...then I went to camp. We still kept calling each other, but sometimes one or both of us would just go back to bed. So we decided maybe just Monday, Wednesday, Friday. This was today's email:

Me: By the way, are either of us actually getting up at 5:30? I’ve had every intention the last two weeks, but haven’t. :o) I just keep going to bed too late…no matter how hard I try to go to bed early.

Friend: No :o) I’ve been wondering why we’re making ourselves get up to call only to go back to bed…haha!

Now, I have been at least still working out everyday (well, I have missed 3 days this week and probably will miss tomorrow too). But getting myself motivated to get out of bed lately has not been easy. Bed is a good hiding place (unless there is some creature hiding under your covers like in "The Grudge"). So we're going to try again after time change. Ha!

I'm Going To Go Bald

I want to pull my hair out, but I can't say why and I can't really do anything about it, which makes me want to pull my hair out even more. I know I have to wait on God's timing, and trust me I have really really really tried to be patient, but after many years of this, its beyond wearing on me. Seriously, what is the point in all of this?

Badger Car Salesman

This is some of the funniest stuff I've seen in a long time!!!

Badger Car Salesman

More Beautiful You

This has become one of my favorite songs lately. If you haven't heard it, go here. The message is so true, one that I really wish more women (of any age) would listen to. It breaks my heart to see so many of the teenage girls at camp focus so much on what is on the outside instead of learning to love and develop what is on the inside.

More Beautiful You
By Jonny Diaz

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you.

Level Two...I Don't Think So

So I wrote a while back about a new work out I was trying. It was harder than it appeared, but it was a good hard. Since I'm the type that likes to test things, I decided to put the "30 Day" part to the test. Since August 1, I have done this workout every day. I felt like I had mastered Level 1 well enough to move on to Level 2.

What the heck!?!?!?! I was definitely sweating, but the problem is that she LOVES jumping jacks and any other movement that involves jumping. I on the other hand have knee and lower back problems from injuries I received as I child. I am not allowed to do jarring movements. That's why I'm not a runner...doctors have told me for years it's not allowed.

With the first level most of the jumping was for cardio purposes, so just substituted those movements with less impact/equal calorie burn activities. That is going to be a chore with this level. I'm going to have to replace 90% of the moves. Why bother then? I'm not completely giving up on level two...though I may have to put it off until Saturday when I have time to try to come up with some adjustments. But I don't dare try that again without modifications because I was hurting all night...and it was not a GOOD hurt, it was a "I've injured myself hurt" and that is not good.

UGH!!!

Commentary on Commercials

I have to admit I am a self-proclaimed a TV commercial critic. Nothing annoys me more than a stupid, low-budget commercial. My theory on the subject is if you can’t do it well, don’t do it at all. A cheap looking TV commercial will just shoot you in the foot.

That being said, here are currently the top two on my most hated list and the #1 on my favorite list.

Most Hated Commercial #1: LifeTel’s Bob and the Big Burrito

If you haven’t seen it, I’m not quite sure where to begin. First of all, I get the feeling their trying to make some sexual innuendo when it comes to the big burrito…but its not funny and pretty stupid. The guy is also wearing an obviously fake mustache. I guess they’re trying to make some point that because Bob doesn’t have LifeTel telephone service, he can’t call his girlfriend (who is too pretty for him) and has to eat his big burrito all by himself. LifeTel, fire your ad agency and get a new commercial.


Most Hated Commercials #2: Quest

Okay, if you’re a single male reading this and you have been thinking about calling Quest because you’re looking for a hot woman to date, I have some news for you…it ain’t going to happen. Let me clue you in on a few things. First of all, women do not sit around their houses in slutty outfits with our hair and make-up done. We don’t go to that much trouble to sit around the house and talk on the phone. Second of all, women like THAT don’t generally join phone chat lines unless there is something not quite right about them (think Fatal Attraction). Sorry, you will not be talking to the girls on those commercials on the phone.

There is one more thing that bothers me about the Quest commercials…actually one in particular. The girl in the commercial says her name is Melissa. She looks 16 with big hair and lots of make-up. Are they now trying to attract the clientele that has a fetish for under-aged girls? I think so. But don’t they already have enough sick psycho clientele without reaching out to more?


Now for my FAVORITE commercial showing right now: Toyota Prius

Okay, these have to be the best directed/orchestrated/choreographed commercials I have EVER seen. The first few times, I just thought they were bright and happy…until I realized those are PEOPLE! I still watch with amazement. Click here and you can see all three, plus the making of the Harmony commercial, and even download the music. Well done Toyota. If I could afford your car, I would consider buying one...but only if I could see people running around in nature costumes everywhere I go.

In Mourning

If you know me well or have followed my blog from the early days, you know that Grant Johnston has been on my local celebrity crush list for quite awhile. So you can only imagine how distressed I was to hear on the news that he is leaving. WHAT!!!???!!! NOOOOO!!!!!! Sad but true, he is leaving but since he's leaving to attend a seminary school, I was able to find peace in the situation...especially considering his faith in God is what put him on the list in the first place (I bet you didn't know that). So farewell Grant. I will miss watching you on the news and the phone calls from my friends with Grant sightings. Good luck on your new endeavors.

Now I just need to find a replacement for the list.

Just When I Thought They Couldn't Outdo Themselves

This was the message left of my Facebook this morning by my neighbor/friend Krista:


So...what is that weird blue thing covering your neighbors front door? I've noticed it the last couple mornings when I've been leaving for work and I keep forgetting to ask.


Yes as if the "garden" in the front yard wasn't enough, my neighbors have taken yet another step in attempt to win the "Eye Sore of the Neighborhood" award (they're competing with Jason & Krista's neighbor).


To get the full affect...let's take a look at my half of the yard...



Now let's look at their half of the yard...

The blue thing is (to the best of my knowledge) is their cheap alternative for a screen door. When I saw it the other day, the door was open and I thought it was painters tape and that they were doing some work in their house. Nope, it's just a tack-it-up yourself, screen door alternative. It zips up the middle.

The plants by the front porch are cherry tomatoes. The other thing I thought was a weed, but now I think it's some sort of melon plant. I guess because I tore down their melons that were growing up the side of MY house last summer, they decided to try the front yard. I used to be annoyed by the maple tree they had growing in that spot (and then tried to transplant in the middle of the front yard and then moved to their backyard).

My neighbors are nice enough, but they drive me NUTS with the piano playing at all hours, the what sounds like the moving of furniture late at night, and the running up and down the stairs.

On a much happier note...my flowers in the front flower bed are doing MUCH better this time around!

Someone Needs to Take a Refresher Course in Customer Service

No joke...today I got a call from some from Cox Communications trying to get me to purchase more of their services and they lady sounded like she was eating lunch while she was talking to me on the phone. Considering it was around the lunch hour, I consider this to be very possible. Whether she was eating lunch or not, she most definately was chewing on something. Really?

A Good Lesson to Learn

I was reading my Bible last night and came across this story:

2 Kings 2:23-25
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. And he went on to Mount Carmel and from there returned to Samaria.

It kind of made me laugh. I don't recall ever hearing THIS story in Bible class when I was a kid. Probably because they thought it would scare us, but maybe they should. It would teach kids a good lesson -- make fun of people older than you and you might get mauled by bears.

Quote of the Week

When discussing the fact that my car does not meet the requirements for the new "clunker law," my friend replied, "No offense, but your car IS a clunker."

I have to agree.

By the way, while I was on the above site, I found a link to this site. I found it really interesting.

Not Another One

I don't know what is going on, but there really has been a string of celebrity deaths lately. I think I am the most upset about this one.

And I'm Off

Twenty-four hours from now (if all goes as planned) I will be on my way here:



The only constant in my life for the last 26 years. I have spent at least one week (sometimes two) at this place since I was nine. It holds many fond memories (and few traumatizing ones). Many of the staff are like my second family and the week is like one big reunion.


It's changed a lot over the years. New mess hall with a/c. New cabins with a/c. The old chapel is gone, a new one is being built (may be done by time I get there). The trees that used to encircle the lake have been removed. But no matter how much changes, in many ways it's still the same. And if I ever have children, I hope they love it as much as I do.