Creepy Creepertons

I am not generally a fan of blogging about reality shows, (Don't get me wrong, I love that everyone else blogs about them and I freely comment on said posts, but I myself do not write about them.) but I just HAVE to say....

....is anyone else watching The Bachelorette? I just jumped into it midway...literally maybe three weeks ago. I'm not a huge Jillian fan, but I'm not anti-Jillian either. BUT. Huge BUT.

Wes is the creepiest, boldest JERK I've ever seen on any of these reality-dating-to-find-my-lifetime-love shows. Well, okay, minus maybe some of the VH1 shows...but no. You know what? Even those crazy A$$ people at least cared, in their own psychotic ways, for the hosts(esses) of the show. The girls on Flavor of Love? They LOVED him, man. In the most psychotic way possible, but they cared.

WES blatantly discusses how this will help promote his album, and boost his career. If he really thinks that the sappy country stuff he sings is going to be accepted by country music followers AFTER he readily admits he's leading on and lying to a girl who's just SWEET as apple pie...he's got another THOUGHT coming. I don't get it. And I won't understand the people who support him by buying his album. And at his family gathering? All those women just fawning over him? With all this ego boosting he needs, he's got to have the smallest penis in the history of country music singers.

That's all I have to say about this.

Hand It Over

Dear Tooj,

Why am I such a bitch this week and what should I do about it?I went off on a dressing room lady because she told me not to go through the clothes racks that she'd already organized to be put back out. (Ok, that was her fault) but I got tacky...

Later in that same shopping trip I boxed a lady out because I thought she was trying to cut in front of me at the register.

I got mad a my waitress today because she gave me a dinner portion instead of the lunch-sized enchiladas...did she see that I'm six months pregnant and just ASSUME I needed the extra food at lunch? I didn't let it go...

I have to pencil-in a few nice words to my preschooler at bedtime. And my husband hardly talks to me anymore for fear of being the object of an aggressive rant. Its good to have my say, but I'm feeling so lonely and misunderstood...I feel like Kate (of "Jon &" fame.)

Signed,The Beast

Dear Beast,

About the clothes rack, take them OFF the rack and throw them on the floor. You might get cussed out, but it would make me feel better and I could vicariously get back at the CVS drugstore lady who whined about me touching some tee shirts she'd just folded. This doesn't help your bitchiness toward the saleswoman, but it would sure make me feel better.

Also, boxing out is completely appropriate because some people will ALWAYS try and cut, whether they be 18 or 81. They also deserve elbows if you have a free one to throw. You can also purposely stand NEXT to your cart and not in front or behind it. And since you're pregnant, you might try and stand next to the cart FACING it...the belly will fill in any gaps between the aisle-forming kiosks.

I do recommend that you try and not get angry about the lunch versus dinner portion. Don't lie to yourself Beast, you know you'll get hungry later before and after dinner. Just consider her "mistake" as the unwritten "I know what you want, Preggo" rule. She has probably experienced this herself or helped a sister through the same issue.

I think the most compelling admission you made was when you said you have to pencil in kind words for your pre-schooler. It stinks when that happens during pregnancy, but those hormones are serious emotion zappers. I've been there. Joking aside, I think it's great that you recognize it NOW. They always say that recognizing the problem is always the first step to solving it. Once you feel confident with your bedtime kindness, pencil in another at naptime. And then another at breakfast. Before you know it, you'll be adding more positives to your day with the pre-schooler, which in turn drastically affects your mood in all other facets. Who knows, you might even end up SHARING your dinner portion with the waitress while dispensing all your motherly wisdom to HER.

Oh, and about the hubby....he's been through it once before, he knows he'll survive. Somehow, I have a feeling they figure out how to "tune us out" during this period of our lives??? Bastards.

Yours,
Tooj

Monday Mumbles

Happy Monday. Here are the ten random things that are bothering me right now...or just on my mind. I suppose they don't always have to be negative. It's just that.....well, you know. It's Monday.



1. Today is surgery day for Hubs. He is really excited to be up before 5am so that he can get cut open and have cadaver parts put in him. He's so excited that he just went back to bed even though we're leaving in 15 minutes for the hospital. (this was typed before we left)


2. My mom came to town on Saturday to help out with the boys while I figure out how to manage being "the good wife" who sits by his side during surgery and "the good mom" who goes to work that same day to ensure I don't get "bad workgirl points". I'm sure I could take off and they wouldn't notice me, but my boss is on vacay and didn't make it seem as if I COULD take off. Her rule has been "you don't take off when I am off"....however, I am not at a point in my career at this company where I'd be covering for THE boss. Soooo.......??? Yeah, I'll still show up at work while he's under the knife. I don't know how long I'll be there, though. (see #7)

3. My mom is a bit crazy. When she starts something, she HAS to finish it. When I say this, I mean specifically cleaning and gardening and cleaning/organizing the garden. I think she loves them both equally. On Sunday, I needed to mow the lawn and Hubs decides to organize and clean out the garage. My mom couldn't stand it. She ends up weeding out our entire little tulip bed. And the small area above it. It looks fantastic.

4. She doesn't stop there, but this one particular act of hers gets its own mumble slot. She starts looking around the two other spots that are of the "front lawn gardeny" variety. One is a big bush that covers our basement window. She walks around the corner of it to the corner of the house and what does she see? The cacti that the old lady who owned the house before us must have thought was a good idea. They aren't. My mother proceeds to pull them out, with bare hands. And then with gloves. And then she shovels out the roots. Hubs is so helpless with his knee, he just goes to get the umbrella and stands there like a cabana boy, shading my mother. The corner of the house also looks fantastic. She also ended up with PLENTY of splinters.



5. While we were outside, a young boy of about 10 years or so rode up to our driveway and says, "Hey Annie...what are you doin'?" I *think* he was looking at me (whose name is not Annie)...although I suppose it could have been my mother he was addressing (who's name is also not Annie), but I just smile at him and give the look that says "Are you special, honey? Need help finding your home?" He gets a bit closer and then says, "Man, I swear I know you people," and then he rides off. Oooooooooooooooookay.

6. I decided the crazy looks that Hubs got when he explained that I wasn't staying through his surgery was enough to make me not go to work. I just couldn't bear having him get out of surgery and having the nurses ask him who to page and then have HIM say, "Uh, no one." He went through one knee surgery when he was 18, and his great-grandmother, who raised him, took him and then said, "I'm not staying here! I have a husband to feed. Let's go get some lunch, Tony." (Tony wasn't the great-grandfather but instead Hubs' best friend. He was there to support Hubs, but more importantly drive around great-grandma.) I didn't go to work today.

7. At this time in the day, we are home. Hubs is back in the bedroom drifting in and out of painful consciousness and the boys are tired from their day with grandma. My mother is a saint, truly. She cleaned a LOT for us, and more importantly, kept my sanity in tact when I was sure I would lose it today.

8. T.O. began favoring a blanket when he was 2 1/2 or 3. It is a crocheted blankie and it is called "Yellow Blankie". One afternoon, T.O. was cuddling Yellow Blankie and O.J. noticed it. He promptly went over to the dirty clothes pile, pulled his blankie off the top of the pile, and now it is HIS blankie. It has trains on it that my best girlfriend gave him. I have two Linuses. I have to admit, they're kind of cute. The blankies, not the kids.

9. 11 year old is here to stay with Hubs for the week. He JUST figured out about an hour ago what his mission was for being here this week. He's really excited about possibly helping his father pee into a "cup" from the bedside if Hubs doesn't feel he can hobble to the bathroom in the next day or two.

10. Well, timing is perfect. I have to go pick up the prescription I just dropped off for Hubs. He thinks he needs his pain meds. :) I suppose I'll oblige, this ONE time. After this though, I need pampering. The inconvenience I've been suffering since he hurt his knee far outweighs the pain he's probably in from having his knee cut open, his hamstring stripped to fix the knee, and whatever else they did. They showed me pics but I could "read" those pictures about as well as I could ultrasound photos. Lines of black and white and some fuzz in between.

Recent Snaps (1)

Here are some fun times we've had over the past few weeks. I talked about playing tennis with my siblings, but never showed proof. And didn't I mention that I allowed the boys to play in puddles? Another blogger mentioned her children playing in puddles, and I promised I would do that too...and I did. And then there are a few more....

Okay, let's start with this chocolate icing. HOW in the world did it get in this shape? This was how it appeared when we opened it. Chocolate covered hot dog? Or something else? We giggled all afternoon once we opened this. We MUST be 12.

These are my friend's feet and her boyfriend's feet. They bought these weird new shoes. Can't remember what they're called or where you can buy them, but they swear by the quality. They are like slippers, thin like slippers, and say it's actually better for your feet and strength and such. Who knew?

This is my brother. You can find him over at his blog if you get bored. He's not always great about updating, but I like to give him props when I get a chance.

This is my sister "L". She's either blocking the ball or the a bird. This was also the day she fell on the court. (yes yes, the same day I did. shhhhhh.)

This is sister "A" who talked a big game and then proceeded to beat me. We don't always like her.T.O. was allowed to jump in the puddles at Grandpa's. He loved it. Big surprise.
O.J. dabbled in the puddle, and he stomped around a bit, but there was no aggressive splashing. We'll save that for another time.
11 year old needed no encouragement to get messy. You can't really tell that the puddle was "there", but it was. You'll see......
T.O. realized the "better" puddle was over with 11 year old. And the real fun got started until.....
11 year old ended it with THIS splash. It reached all of us. That was the end of puddle time.

Hand It Over

I will randomly post responses to questions asked for my "Dear Tooj" portion of the blog. Whenever you see a post titled "Hand it Over"...that's a dear tooj letter. I'm calling this blog portion "Hand It Over" because that's what you should do with your problems. Give them up. Release them to someone or something else. If you hang onto them...they'll strangle you. I promise. So...just hand it over. I'm here to help.

Dear Tooj,
I have a three day weekend coming up and no plans. There are a bunch of things I could but I don't feel like doing them (the same-old same-old syndrome). I'm so desperate for company I might even be tempted to babysit for someone. Yesterday I got out an orange cone and pondered what it would look like with a pocket protector and dark eyeglasses.What should I do?
Signed - At a loss

Dear At a loss,

On the one hand, babysitting for someone is the ULTIMATE "to do" plan you could possibly have imagined. I say jump at THAT. There are NEW, endless possibilities that come along with babysitting. Whiplash scooter driving, upside down dangle game, can you bite me first? chase around.....I'm telling you.....TAKE THE GIG.

Or, on a serious Tooj note, here's what I think you should ponder. As I have navigated this life of marital bliss *ahemcoughsneezecough* and motherhood merriment *gagsnortchokelaugh*, one valuable lesson stands out to me. Do NOT underestimate the beauty of being alone. Before anyone goes thinking I don't love my family and wish I could have the single life returned to me in the form of a "SATC" laptop and Manolo B's, I don't. The marital and motherhood life is good. It's got its own set of joys and excitements attached to it. I know that some say their life has become BETTER by becoming a wife and mother. While I do believe that these additions to my existence have HELPED me grow and helped me find new enjoyments in life, I realize that I did NOT enjoy what I had before as much as I should have.

Spending time by yourself brings a particular solitude to your mental state that I did not appreciate when I was ALONE. I should have focused my alone time on individual hobbies and talents. These could have been nurtured and given me a real sense of WHO I could and would be besides just "hanging around being me." Even more important, at least to me, would be developing a sense of ACTION. And what I mean by action is to take the alone time you're blessed with now and use it to really reflect on your experiences, and OTHER people's experiences. Develop a sense of ACTION, a plan of action if you will, for how you would navigate future situations better with the hindsight you're now able to reflect on. You can spend this quality time developing this sense of action and preparing yourself to use it in the future. If you don't have a good plan in place, you can really get yourself caught up in a plan of REACTION.

Life can move so fast when you're faced with other personalities and constant interaction. You can find yourself caught up in only reacting to all the activity around you if you don't have a good sense of action in place. Develop it. Develop who you are and what you want but more importantly....DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CHANGE WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU WANT. And don't be afraid of the same old routine if you can help yourself elicit different results when you participate in them.

P.S. If all else fails and you already have all of this down pat....just be thankful you don't have to scrub the toilet for any guests.

Dear Tooj

Send in your letters. I will dedicate a post to solving your problems. The repsonse received from my faux Dear Abby letter responses was overwhelming....at least 3 or 4 of you thought I should set up shop as a problem solver. Send in your problems, anonymously if you like, and I'll tell you exactly how to solve that day's dilemma. I look forward to getting your issues in my hands!

On a sidenote, I am very sad about Michael Jackson. I was never a hardcore, "I can moonwalk" type of gal, but as I stated on FB....I feel as if my childhood is disappearing. I loved singing along to his music, dancing, pretending I "could". I remember hearing stories about our parents being upset about icons of their day passing away (i.e. Elvis and JFK), and how they cried. I couldn't understand how you could cry over someone you'd never met, but now...I understand. I teared up on my way home yesterday and couldn't figure out why I was so touched by this passing. I think it might have been Ed McMahon passing as well, (FF wasn't as dear to my growing up....but obviously it's sad that she's passed as well, same week) the fact that I'd just donated to "Feed the Children" campaign here in my city...I don't know. I was upset. The hour long tribute I heard on the radio while I was at the pool with T.O. and O.J. was fantastic....I was dancing in the water singing Billy Jean and Man in the Mirror....

*big sigh*

Go here to see some footage, smile, and get chills all at the same time. Thanks, Amy.

Happy Friday bloggy friends.

I Could Be Dear Abby

Don't you wonder sometimes, WHAT exactly got people where they are? How do you BECOME the lady who dispenses all things wise and related? Seriously. But what baffles me more than how she got there is that she's not saying anything that someone with common sense couldn't figure out. Or maybe I should say that she isn't saying anything that someone with common sense AND the ability to DECIDE something couldn't figure out. All these letter writers really want is someone to make their mind up for them. That way all blame goes onto someone else.

Take for example this poor person:
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently attended a spaghetti dinner. Is there a proper way to eat long noodles, or should one just put in a forkful and slurp up the noodles until they are gone?

My advice?
Bring your kids along. Kids make everything less formal and therefore MORE FUN. Slurp away. Screw that whole "spinning it onto a fork from a spoon" theory.

Now take this poor person's dilemma:
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I recently watched a comedy that featured men cross-dressing. Ever since, I have had a burning desire to have my husband wear sexy lingerie and makeup.
There is nothing effeminate about him, but I can't get this out of my head. I bought him a lacy bra and panty set, garter belt and stockings, but I haven't had the nerve to ask him to wear them. Am I crazy? Should I try to forget this?

My advice?
Hell yes you're nuts!!! Men don't need bras! You should have gotten a nightgown instead. And any sober man will not admit to wanting to do this, so get him really intoxicated and then dress him after he's passed out. When he wakes up, you'll know if he's "alright" with the change or not. Be prepared to run, though.

And finally, this poor lady. Or man? Who knows.
DEAR ABBY: I have been in a relationship with "John" for the past seven years. I live down south, while John lives up north. John is 76 and does not plan to retire, even though he doesn't have to work. I am 65 and need to work.
Is it possible for this long-distance relationship to survive? Part of me wishes we would end it so we could start over with someone who lives in the same city. I'm tired of living this way, but cannot seem to make the break. What should I do?

My advice?
Seriously? You WANT a relationship at 65? If I were alone at 65, I'd jump up and down on the bed and be happy I get to sleep in it alone. Count your blessings.

All of these Dear Abby letters were found here. Obviously my advice to these three scenarios are NOT serious. Except the slurping. I really think spaghetti should be slurped. Don't you?

Help!! The Disease of Food

*****UPDATE*****
1. My sisters never emailed to help me.
2. I didn't go get the french toast. I did, however, make an "appointment" with a co-worker to walk down there on Friday.

It's getting to me. I think I might have contracted a problem from my husband.

NO, not "THAT" type of problem. Sickos.

A food problem. A desire to go and buy what I WANT....to eat.....and eat......and eat.....

Okay, I really just want breakfast. Problem? The cafeteria in our building had the air conditioner go out and is closed this week. That might sound like a wimpy excuse, however, we've had temperatures in the upper 90s all week and they shouldn't have to work in those conditions. SO, that leaves this quaint little place down on the corner that is stuffed in a gas station-like convenience store. But I am trying HARD to not spend any money on food when I don't have to. I just want it. Their french toast. I want it. It's DElish. We're talking thick slices of bread smothered with butter and syrup and cinnamon.....

Okay, I have to stop. I DID bring myself a banana and I foiled up a couple of brownies that I made last night. Those will have to do, right? It'll get me through the next two hours.

No, they won't. I need help. I need helping getting over this "I want FOOD" disease. I say I got it from Hubs because he just likes to eat when he likes what is available. He doesn't have to be hungry. And now that I've thought about the french toast....I want it. I don't NEED it. I want it. So help. Talk to me. Sisters, email me. Friends, post up blog posts so I will stay glued to my chair. Help me fight this addiction and get me through to lunch.

At which point I will promptly go and find food that I want. Just because it's lunch time.

Comment Consideration

I think I'm way past due for one of these. I've caught myself responding "in my head" to things you've said or asked. Here are a few "in my head" moments just for you.



1. ~Trish~ said...
Storms??? We didn't have anything today!! It's just nasty hot...already!

Apparently it was a tiny blip that hit LS, MO and BS, MO. It came and went in 30 minutes but left tree limbs down in our street. Oh, and my power off. If I hadn't mentioned....

2. Rebecca said...
Congrats!After I recovered from #1 (I can't stand milk, barely even on my cereal) - the rest were fun! Thanks for sharing!

I KNEW I'd catch some milk hater with this one! Thanks for coming through for me. :)

3. Dorkys Ramos said...
Who on EARTH has argued that Saturday is the best day of the week?! And what are they on?Anywho, I just got your package today! I went out for a walk with Toby and read it in the park. I'll be sure to reply in two months ;) And P.S. Where are T.O.'s pictures??

If you must be as cruel as I am, then so be it. *BIG SAD SIGH* And I can't believe I flipping forgot to put his pictures in there. I will mail them separately. DANG it.

4. {april kennedy} said...
Thanks for the shout-out and the encouragement! And good luck with your goals too. You have inspired my little group of 3 to run on Saturday mornings with a group of girls instead of doing the work-out videos. Watch out countryside....here we come. (OK..we will be running on a track, but there are beautiful hills all around it!)

I am excited to hear if you guys started running this weekend or if you will this upcoming one. :) Tracks are so boring, you really should venture out onto the roads!! Keep me informed, at least through your work out blog posts.

5. Kaci said...
Oh goodness...well I kinda posted before and afters on my blog. It's under Turtle Weight. :)

I think that is VERY brave of you to post your "before" as well! Good luck and good work thus far. Exercising in any form is fabulous for your energy and attitude. Enjoy!

6. The Rambler said...
First things first. Hope your grandmother is doing better. And second. Your son. Heartbreaker :)

Thanks Rambler. My grandmother is home....they're treating her cautiously, but aren't entirely certain what the issue is. I believe what they're treating errors on the side of caution, so we're optimistic. :) (thank you to everyone who posted well wishes about my grandma. I appreciate the thoughts.)

7. Lins said...
Oh Scrunchies. I must admit...I still own one. I call it my "Security Scrunchie" and I only wear it when I sleep. This long hair of mine pretty nearly suffocates me if I don't tie it back. Hank (the dog) doesn't mind. :)

I love that you have a security scrunchie. LOL And the fact that your dog is named Hank threw me...I have a girlfriend who's dog is also named Hank. Is your Hank big? Hers is.

8. NYC Mama said...
Let us know how you manage to explain to him how inherently good people can do bad things. I'm still trying to figure that one out myself. ;-)

I simply asked him if he's ever done something he wasn't supposed to. Then I asked him if he thinks he tries to be a good boy, good son, good friend. When he answered yes to both, then I said, "You can understand now how other people make mistakes sometimes. Sometimes they just forget, sometimes they think something else is more important than the rule, and sometimes they don't think the rule is important. Once you understand WHY you're asked to do something a certain way, you'll follow the rules better."

Monday Mumbles

Here are the ten random things that are on my mind this morning. Many are connected because my day's just been FANTASTIC so far. Yeah. Sarcasm.

1. We get up, get started, a storm rolls through at 6:10. We're talking downpour and my husband mentioned hail. He was able to open the garage door and get the trash laid out and then shut my garage door again. Thank goodness I didn't have to do the trash today.

2. Oh, but wait. He shuts the garage door and then leaves. ZAP. Power is out. My hair isn't straightened and the kids haven't eaten. Okay, fine...ponytail day. (this really doesn't work for me, you see. My hair is short and has a natural curl/wave to it so it looks FRIZZY and clownish if I don't straighten it before a ponytail.) So bad hair day.

3. The kids' daycare is getting new tile and so I have to take them to another center that is out of my way this week (it's a chain). Fine. If I can't fix breakfast or my hair, I'll have time to get where I need to go by picking up breakfast at McDonald's. I'll still be fine and ON TIME.

4. Kids are buckled into their seats and because I know with the power out, I will have to manually open the door once I get the latch pulled. Oh wait.....the latch won't "click". I yank and yank, but don't want to put my full weight on the rope. I get frustrated, but keep my cool. I call my dad to make sure I'm yanking on the right thing. I am. I still hear no click that lets me know the door will come up manually. I finally step outside and see that the older gentleman next door (the only neighbor my husband talks to consistently) has his TV on. I leave the kids in the garage and walk over and ask him if he thinks he might be of some help to poor little ol' me. Seriously, I felt like an idiot. He comes, he pulls, and gently opens the door at the same time. I shake my head. I try explaining that I was waiting to hear a click....but it didn't matter. He was too kind to let me know he knew I was an idiot. He blamed my husband and said he should grease up the latch.

5. Now onto some more interesting mumbles. I lost to my sister one-on-one in tennis this weekend. HOWEVER....I am still part of the doubles champ team - OLDIES versus the skinny legs. Oldies would be me and my 27 year old brother, the skinny legs are my 23 year old twin sisters. The skinny legs haven't beat the Oldies YET. Girls, let us know when you're ready for another beatdown.

6. While playing tennis, we got rained on. Guess who fell on the court? Yup. Me. Oh, and my sister "L". We wiped out and bit it. But we continued playing. Nothing stops us when we're trying to win something. We're stupid like that.

7. After we went back to my dad's and rested, my sisters decided to go play again. "L" thought she'd better "fluff" the balls before going back out. They were wet so she put them in the dryer. She fluffed the tennis balls. I had no words. My dad did. He said he felt there wasn't a good reason to be using dryer energy on THAT.

8. Friday evening after work, a gal pal of mine with whom I used to work and now do AGAIN went to get a mani/pedi. She invited me along and Hubs said "go for it." I went for it. Through all the tennis, my paint job stayed in tact. I couldn't have been happier.

9. I am sitting here at my desk eating peanut butter. Off a knife. There are certain things in life that ARE really great. I just wish that T.O. could enjoy such pleasures. :(

10. Dad's day was gorgeous and sunny and 95 degrees. We got the kids a little froggy baby pool, and O.J. promptly decided HE didn't like it. T.O. and 11 year old loved it and I looked like a beached whale in it got to wear my swimsuit for the first time and sit in it to cool off. Froggy pool will be a great thing this summer during the heat days!

Happy Monday.

Diva Time

Okay, or not....but I do have an Honest Scrap award to receive.....should I give my acceptance speech in ballroom gown or cocktail slutty? Eh, we'll just go with my PJs. I was given this award by a very lovely new blogfriend, NYC Mama, who I just HAD to go visit one day. I can't remember what drew me to her blog, but I was instantly glad I found it. I think she's lovely.

I get to give you ten honest statements about ME. I find ME kinda boring...and I fear that coming up with ten will be difficult since I've told you a lot already. However, I tried to come up with different things, things that I don't necessarily use as blog material (what IS blog material anyhow?). I hope you enjoy. Anyone want to give us some honesty around here? Feel free.

1. I love milk. White milk. I can drink an entire glass full of milk right after I run. My boys are both milk lovers now, too.

2. I have a phobia of parents not liking me. I'm not talking about boyfriend or husband parents, although they are included by default, but the parents of friends. In 2nd grade (or so), we abruptly stopped going to church. I don't know why, and even after asking my parents as an adult, I don't really fully understand why. Shortly after, I invited a friend over to play. She told me she couldn't...several times. Finally after asking her again, she said she would never be able to come over because her mother told her I was a bad friend. This family attended the same church, and since that day, I fear that I've done something to my friends to make their parents deter them from becoming my friend. I worry that my lack of religious base will make my friends' parents find me not worthy of eating at their table. It's a worry I still carry 24 years later.

3. My mother read Danielle Steel when I was growing up. When I grew out of Sweet Valley High, I moved into DS. I have read nearly all of her books (the newer ones have escaped me because I fell out of my DS phase in college but I still received a few here and there at Xmas time), and have most of them packed in boxes downstairs. I can't part with them.

4. I am 8 years older than my twin sisters. I babysat a LOT during summer breaks. At one point, they were still young enough they needed to take naps, but they wouldn't go to sleep. They would play. So I devised a plan. It was evil, and I feel bad about it NOW. They had these cute little backpacks in their closet, and one was a pig. I put the backpack on my head and came out of the closet as Mr. Pig....the evil closet man who scared the girls into thinking they HAD to go to sleep. It worked. But I feel bad. I think I remember them crying once...or twice.

5. Every time I see the Bowflex commercial that starts off with "Size MATTERS"...I die laughing. And they have the bedroom scene and everything....seriously funny advertising.

6. I have never "told off" a complete stranger for some act done against me. Grocery store lines, traffic, phone call. Never. But I have found myself lately having to refrain and bite my tongue. I don't know if my tolerance is slipping or if I am feeling especially sensitive, or if they people around me are just more stupid. I'll go with the latter.

7. Sometimes, when Hubs goes to bed extra early, I slip into T.O.'s room and sleep on the bottom bunk. I get the BEST uninterrupted sleep EVER when I do this. With 11 year old gone for the summer, I have been able to do this on more than one occasion.

8. Maybe it's because I'm in the midwest (I doubt it) or maybe it's because of my parents (more logical), but I am a meat and potatoes girl. I don't do seafood at ALL and when we were in Japan for 2 weeks, I lived on rice. I was sooooooooooo hungry after that trip.

9. I have often heard people say "I have been truly amazed by the kindness shown"....and while I have seen instances like this, lately I have found myself disappointed in people's actions more and more. I think it might be my focus....I need to find more positive situations and I will then find the positive people...but it's been leaving a bitter taste.

10. I used to work in a staffing agency and had to take a typing test. I hadn't done that since high school. I scored 91 WPM. With errors, I had 88. My fingers can flyyyyyyyyy, but I have a feeling some of you other bloggers got me beat. ;)

NYC Mama...thanks for this award. I really enjoyed coming up with ten honest things about myself. I hope you enjoy and I hope you all have a wonderful week! Mumbles to come in a few hours.....

Tagged! Photo Shot

Good Sunday evening. I was tagged by two lovely ladies to post the tenth picture in my first folder. My fellow Kansan (so what if I'm not technically in KS right now...I WILL be back there. I drive there nearly every weekend, especially during the summer. I AM Kansas, too....dang it) Lins hooked me up as did Karen. I always worry that it won't be a good shot because often times my pictures sit in the folder they were uploaded in for a loooooooooooong time before I delete the ones I don't like and edit the ones I do. This time? I got lucky!! The ONLY change I made was to edit it the way I would anyhow...cropping, coloring, brightness, etc.

This is my sister "A". I haven't asked permission to post their names, so I'll refrain until I receive further notice. This is her dog Parker, and they are hanging out (last weekend) at my dad's place. We were all sitting around the baby pool, watching T.O. and my brother splash around while O.J. timidly touched the water and thought he was tough stuff. "A" and Parker are good pals and I love that my sisters both got dogs who could live and grow together like Parker and his buddy the flying weinie dog Petrie have been able to do. You two are good doggie moms, "A" and "L"!!!

Could anyone with lots of picture folders play along and let me know if you do? I love posting random pictures....what we store says a lot about what we DO and who we ARE. Play along if you find time, and leave me a comment if you do. Happy Sunday to you all.

Dad's Day

Happy Father's Day to my dad, my husband, and all the other men who love, respect, and honor their roles as fathers.

The TOOJ Agenda

Happy Friday everyone. What wonderful words. Almost as wonderful as Happy Saturday. Saturday is by far the best day in the week. I know some think Fridays are, they have the entire TGIF thing going on. And some like Sundays because it typically is considered the day of relaxation. But not me, give me SATURDAY. Why? Well, I wake up and don't go to work and I go to bed knowing I don't have to go to work. Everything in between those sleeping periods is just gravy.

Speaking of periods......

Blah.

Okay, enough of THAT. On with the agenda.

Wait, we don't have one.

We're doing "some"thing tonight. We're going to do "some"thing tomorrow - maybe swimming, maybe not. Sunday I have my dad and siblings coming over for dad's day. My husband "might" take the boys fishing Sunday morning before the rest arrive. We aren't sure yet. Everything is "Ummm...I guess we'll decide what to do when we're faced with free hours."

The one and only thing that WILL get fitted (yes it's a word) into the non-schedule this weekend will be my sister "A" getting her REAR kicked in tennis. She was talking a big game on email today, challenging me, so we're planning on a match. Or set. Or game. Whatever the hell they're called. As I mentioned before, we don't play tennis, never have...but we've come to like it as a recreational thing-to-do this summer. She thinks she's gotten good. Weekend Update or Monday Mumbles will be sure to let you know the outcome of her butt-whooping.

Until then blogfriends....enjoy yourselves, be safe, and be happy. (I'm sure I'll be blogging again tomorrow even though this sounds like a long term farewell. Don't fret, I'll be around stalking you this weekend. Feel free to stalk me.)

I'm on a Roll....

I can't stop today. I think that I have a lot of things building up to say on here and haven't taken the time (at work, of course!) to do it, or at home. This one will be short...but it was sparked by a lovely sentiment that this blogfriend shared on her blog.

My reaction?

"YEAH....what the hell?"

You have to read her blog to understand what I'm reacting to, I don't want to steal her thunder and she said it much better than I could anyway. But that's my reaction. What the hell? If you feel ambitious, you can read my comment to her post as well....gives you a bit more insight than "what the hell?"

Please go read her. And if you want, read MORE of her. I think she's great.

I would like to express a sincere thank you to my one cousin "Mommy" who comments frequently and shares in my bloggy fun. I would also like to thank my one friend T.W. for reading along even when I didn't realize you were. Heck, I don't know NOW if you still are...you might be busy with a new baby and all that jazz. Maybe one day you'll get brave to post some anonymous comments. They really are anonymous. And to....well, that's it. If I have any silent readers, I don't know about it. I'd love to have some anonymous commenters if you ARE silently stalking me. Just sayin'.....

You Wanna be a LOSER?

I am a fan of running. I've made no bones about that. I like it, I do it, I think it's a terrific way to get your heart going and sweat rolling. I think it's the fastest way to get in shape, lose weight, and get the "happy juices" flowing in your body. It really does release happy juices, too. I'm not making that up. We can have science class if you don't believe.

With THAT said...I've started running now that the weather has gotten good and I weaned OJ. Okay, so I weaned him back in March, but the weather wasn't good! And I'm talking regularly in the 70+ degree range and sunshine. I'm not a huge fan of clouds or chill.

So being the crazy "let's run and get active!" person that I am, imagine how excited I was to see that my blogfriend April is on a LOSER kick!!! She and her husband and her friend were brave enough to post BEFORE pictures AND their weight before officially starting a work-out regimen. They've set goals for themselves and.....they've invited anyone to join them! If you are serious about wanting to exercise and get healthy, losing weight and eating right.....JOIN THEM.

Be brave and post a "before" picture. Post your weight. Post your goal(s). And then follow them along their work-out paths and post your progress as well by commenting to her work-out posts. If you are interested, click on this LOSER link and read about April. I think she's fantastic and I hope you join her LOSER program to get active and gain encouragement from others with the same goals. Let's get active together!!

**For the record, I am not joining the LOSER program for the simple fact that I don't want to lose, but gain, muscle mass and tone. I will be "losing" my laziness, however, by running regularly and following April and her losers to give encouragement.**

My Beautiful Boy

Last night as I was headed home, I called my mother because I'd missed a call from her. She told me that my grandmother was in the hospital and gave me the few details that she knew. I decided to call home and tell Hubs I wouldn't be coming home directly and turned around on the highway and headed in the opposite direction. I wanted to at least be there and say hello to my grandmother so she knew we were thinking about her. As of right now, she is okay and will be having some tests done today to see if they can pinpoint what's wrong, exactly.

When I called home, I relayed the message to Hubs and then asked to speak with T.O.

"Hi mommy."

"Hi buddy, how are you?"

"I'm fine."

"Daddy says you had a great day at school. No more talking when we aren't supposed to?"

"Nope. I was good."

"Thank you so much T. I really appreciate when you go to school and respect your teachers and follow directions. There's always a time for talking, and then sometimes there's a time when we can't talk, right?"

"Yup. We can talk during group time. And circle time. And when we're outside."
(this basically covers all day long)

"That's right. T, why are you sooooooooo cute?"

"I don't knooooooooooooooow, mama, why are you sooooooooooo pretty?"

Seriously. I love him. He knows how to make a girl laugh.

Monday Mumbles

Happy Monday. Here are the ten random things I've got on my mind this tragically rainy turned beautiful, sunny day. I hope yours is going splendidly.

1. Yesterday, I took TO and OJ to my dad's house. On the way, we travel on highways with speed limits set at 65 miles per hour. I was going along and had the following conversation with TO.

"Mama, why are the other cars passing us? I thought we had the fastest car."

"No honey, our car isn't the fastest. Mommy is just driving the speed limit and the others are in more of a hurry so they're driving faster than the speed limit."

"Oh. Well....why are they driving so fast? The people driving the other cars aren't bad people...but why are they driving so fast when it's bad to do?"

It's always interesting trying to explain things to TO, especially the concept of inherently good people doing bad things. This topic will be a future post this week, FYI.

2. You know how we're supposed to move over for "emergency" vehicles that are on the side of the road? Do it. I watched a car in front of me get so anxious to go around a truck travelling in the fast lane (not realizing he was staying in the left lane because of the emergency vehicle up ahead on the right shoulder), that they passed the truck and didn't care a lick to get back over in the left lane once they realized there was a cop on the right shoulder. The cop pulled onto the highway, zoomed around me (I'd shifted to the right lane once I passed him) and pulled that car RIGHT OVER. Do as you're told, people, do as you're told.

3. One last thing about highways and driving. Does anyone know the law about speed limits posted in work zones when there are clearly no workers working? Does the "adjusted" speed limit still apply? Because NO ONE adheres to it.

4. I think blogging from work is becoming a bad idea. I do it on my down time and it doesn't interfere with my performance, but today? I couldn't log into blogger until LUNCH. Were they blocking me? Was blogger out of commission? Was it a sign? I think so.

5. I used to run cross country in high school. The CC team was "special" and it's become sort of a family atmosphere over the years. The coach started his coaching career my freshman year, so we were his inductees....or inductors? I don't know. Anyhow....that was back in the fall of 1992 (holy crap...I've never typed that out before)...and he's won multiple state championships over the years, and coached really great runners. We are about to have our 3rd annual CC reunion run on the 4th of July. Last year a runner from the class of '77 showed up, but other than that...my class has been the oldest there. People, we're talking about incoming classes running as well - kids who weren't born when I started. We jog the two mile course and then have a cookout afterward. Let's just say I'm hoping to get across the finish line before everyone else is done eating. My goal is to run it under 20 minutes, which is admirable considering I once ran two miles in 12:10. *big huge sigh*

6. Any SATC fans? If you are, you know the acronym and I don't need to explain it. Anyhow...if you are...do you recall the scrunchie episode? I do. And I'm reminded of it whenever a certain co-worker wears one. I have NO issues with scrunchies but I just want to giggle when I see her with it.....and I wonder....what would Carrie say?

7. I need to find another source of income. I really wanted to try and do this while working out of my home, but I don't know if I can find anything. I've been told medical transcribing, but I don't have a clue about finding a legit company with legit "out of home" offers. I thought about finding really, REALLY creatively challenged people who want pictures organized into scrapbooks.....mine are amateur at best, but I can spend time giving them an organized keepsake. Other than that, I don't have a clue. I just want to make extra cash so that I can help out family get to where we want to be, FASTER.

8. Buckethead - my little brother's nickname. We had gone to the local amusement park back in....oohhhh, say....1985 or something. My brother wasn't very old, maybe 3. He was ANGRY that we had to leave the park and threw a fit. My parents went on about their business of driving us home, but he was so upset he took a Lego bucket (that was in the car....for entertainment purposes I'm sure) and stuck it on his head. He fell asleep like that and rode with it all the way home. When he woke up, being the big sister I was, I teased him and kept chanting "BUCK-ET-HEAD. BUCK-ET-HEAD." It stuck, and to this day, family still calls him Bucket. Even extended family. He's 27. Ha!

9. Hubs is going to have knee surgery two weeks from today. I've finally started feeling a bit sorry for him, and given him space to rest or whatnot. Of course, that was AFTER I asked him to clean up the basement. :)

10. OJ learned a few signs to help him get "through" the non-verbal stages of infancy and toddlerhood. Problem is? OJ takes things to the extreme and now he's 14 months and a mute. Okay, he's not a mute...he mumbles his own baby talk a LOT and he can scream. Really well. And he giggles a lot when he plays with TO. But other than THAT...he's mute. What I mean is, he won't call me Mama, he will only occasionally use Dada. He keeps using the "milk" sign for whatever it is he wants....not exclusive to milk by any means. So I made it my goal to give him NOTHING unless he attempts to make a sound from his mouth. So we worked on JUICE this weekend. I typically don't give them juice this young, but he's got a cold and the vitamin C is good for him and less congestive in his throat. He loves it, right? So he's actually been trying to say it. "Jewshhhhush". Gotta love bribery.

Weekend Update

Alright, it's late. I planned on going to bed an hour ago...even told Pen Pal so...but my husband keeps insisting on TALKING to me. So I'm going to go ahead and post up my weekend update.

This actually travels over the past TWO weekends since I've been a huge slacker as of late.....
Here are a few pictures of my two boys (boy #3 is with his grandmother for a majority of the summer. Hopefully we'll get updated pics of him next weekend.)

OJ acting like a silly boy. Click on the picture and make this one bigger, if you can.
TO playing ball in the house. Yes, he's hitting with a sword.

My little brother celebrating his 27th bday. His girlfriend is next to him.

Boys will be silly. Always.

TO and OJ getting wet with their uncle "Bucket". (I still need to explain the name, don't I?) It'll be in the Mumbles.

OJ is testing the waters, literally, with my sister's dog Parker just WAITING to splash.

This is my other sister's dog, Petrie. With those ears, I think we determined he can fly.

First Crush(es)

My sons have crushes. At least I think they do.

T.O. had been talking on Monday and Tuesday about Ms. Megan. Ms. Megan is one of two teachers who are in his classroom all day long.

"What day is this, mama?"

"It's Monday, Bubba, why?"

"Ms. Megan got married. She comes back on Wednesday."

"Oh...that's good. Are you excited to see her?"

"Yes."

It was a simple exchange. It occurred both on Monday and Tuesday. When Wednesday rolled around he didn't ask but he didn't seem overly excited. I assumed he'd forgotten it was Wednesday. I believe my assumption was right. When we walked into school, we go first to the left to his daytime classroom to drop off jackets and his backpack (medicine bag - it keeps his inhaler and epi-pen) and then back across the mainway to the morning drop-off room. As SOON as he set eyes on the morning room, he ran and yelled "MS. MEGAN!!!!". He flew into her lap and hugged her.

Let me state - I have never seen him do this for Tina, his daycare lady for over 3 years, or his other current teacher Ms. Nikki. He's more reserved, generally, unless he's around family (in which case he's crazy). I think after he displayed such affection in front of me and the other kids, he was embarrassed, but I found it so endearing. I was wondering at what point would he bond with a teacher. It was actually quite adorable. So of course last night I decided to tickle and tease him about it. He just giggled and grinned and giggled some more. (And can I just state that Ms. Megan has a ROCK on her hand. Serious rock.)

O.J. on the other hand, has been known to have a teacher crush since day one. You all know I've spoken about the infant room teacher who loves him as much as he loves her. Did I ever tell you at T.O.'s pre-school graduation, she snatched O.J. out of my hands so that she could show him off to her mother? Yeah. And he gives her and the other teachers kisses RIGHT in front of me, and then won't give me a kiss good-bye unless I BEG for it. It's embarrassing. But that's okay....I'm alright with this. It means my kids love the ladies who care for them all day long.

I can deal with it.

I think.

..........................Bucket..............................

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER!!!

You're a special guy with special ways,

too much Nintendo during too many days.

Causing your brain to be a bit jumbled

but at least you've made my Monday Mumbles.

Stay happy, stay fun.

Stay out of the sun.

You're no longer brown boy, those days are done.

Working so much leaves you little time for play,

but hopefully between Sunday and today

you'll find the time to relax and say....

it's my birthday weekend and I'm here to stay!!!

**For all readers: Bucket is my brother's nickname. Well, actually it's Buckethead to be exact. Press one for the short story behind that.**

Weak on Wednesday

I did one of these before, about 25+ posts ago. Here we go again. Today I feel compelled to mention a few things that make me weak in the heart. But before we begin, I must tell you.....

Good morning. Or afternoon. It's afternoon here.

1. The Joy in Babies
This morning, I took the boys to school as I always do, but when I walked O.J. back to his room, I decided he didn't need to be there. He'd been a bit grumpy both Monday and Tuesday and with green goop in his eyes last night, he took a trip to the doctor so that we could get a presumably needed prescription. Ear infections again, moving to his eyes was the diagnosis this time. His mood just wasn't up to par and I couldn't bear to leave him, so I tucked him back into my car and headed to work. I called my sister who was able to come up from an hour away and stay with him for the day at our house. We made plans to meet at my work. In the meantime, I had to haul him into my office for about 30 minutes. While I started my work, I shushed him without success, and the ladies on the floor soon gathered around him, talking, playing, holding. While watching my co-workers go gaa-gaa for a baby, I realized how HAPPY getting to see this face each night should make me. I'm not saying it doesn't....I love entering the house and going up the split level stairs and seeing him greet me at the top. T.O. used to sit and greet me each day until he decided he had better things to do. When I walk in now, O.J. is either there and waiting or he's toddling over to me with the biggest, cutest grin...or even tears if he's tired and hungry. But the lighthearted feeling that all these women had....I get to have everyday. This does NOT make me want another baby, but it does make me realize how precious few days I have left of this unadulterated joy.

2. Blossoming Friendships
Watching old friendships fade away can be a really seeping experience. It wears on you...you wonder if you did something to drive the distance, or NOT do something. Over time, things change and I understand this concept, but it doesn't make the loss of a friend any easier. On the flip side, meeting new acquaintances can be a refreshing emotional cleanse. It makes you realize that maybe it's not YOU...but just what YOU are interested in, or what YOU can "give" in a friendship. Sometimes what you gave before isn't what you can give now, maybe you give something different, and thus old friendships can't hang with the swing of availability and interests, but new ones can. Are you still with me on this swinging line of thoughtful ramble? I hope so.

3. Thoughtful Blogs
When I meander around Blogland and I get to read joyful experiences about someone's life, kids, spouses, parents, it's smile-worthy. To know that so many people are finding joy in their families is a motivator, an uplifting PUSH toward becoming a better parent, sibling, daughter, wife. As enjoyable as these "daily life" posts are, so are the ones that focus on intangibles. The posts that describe the thoughts that shoot back and forth and burrow in our minds. When someone pauses to give these thoughts credibility, and they put these thoughts into a post, I get excited. It's especially exciting when it makes me feel less alienesque, and more in touch with being a mom or a woman or a wife. To know I'm not the only crazy person (and yes, I'm calling some - or all - of you crazy!) is a breath of deep, fresh air.

4. Pictures on my blog
I haven't posted enough "captured moments" of the kids lately because I keep blogging from work. First, it's bad to blog from work. I should be working. Second, I want to be sure I capture more kid moments with photos and not words. Besides, they're too cute to keep hidden.

Dear Pen Pal,

I am sorry for my negligence. I am sorry that T.O.'s pictures have been sitting on the counter, waiting, sadly, to be sent to you. They need to make it 'home' to you, soon, before milk gets splattered on them in a late-night pour for O.J.

Speaking of O.J., I find it a good time to blame my lack of penning on him. He's a good scapegoat for obvious reasons, the most prominent being my lack of mental focus. He soaks up all extra life I have each night and each morning. He moves around in his day-to-day as if he's starving, crying as if he's never eaten a morsel of food in a week. He hounds me, he falls on my feet during his tantrums, I can barely THINK when I walk in the door until he finally goes to bed.

When he does get to sleep, I have to deal with T.O. and his request for more cartoons or w-i-i-t-i-m-e. And yes, Pen Pal, he does spell it out. He's cute like that. :) And then, by the time I get him brushed up and ready for bed, he gets up from bed at least 2 times to speak about....ummm....NOTHING. By the time I finally threaten him with a baseball bat (not REALLY, well, most of the time not really) and he stays in bed, rolling around and kicking the walls, I'm exhausted. I flop down into my computer chair or in front of the tv (depends on the night), and zone out.

This is no excuse, however. I need to utilize my lunch hours to write to you. Things would get done a LOT faster if I didn't get lazy at lunch and hang out in Petco paying my sales tax. Seriously, I almost bought your pup a biscuit to mail. :) But I didn't know if he's on a special diet and I can't recall the breed so I didn't want to buy the wrong thing. I'm very dog-dumb. Pet-dumb, for that matter.

If you feel you are the only neglected soul, don't. You remember I said I would do a give-away? Well, no give-away YET. I'm such a slacker. The store I want to visit for the potential goods is a place I could only get to on the weekend, and so far....I've forgotten every time Saturday rolls around. But this weekend, I'm writing it into my planner. Not that I actually view my planner on the weekends. If I did, I would have known my friend's duathlon started at 7 and not 7:30, and wouldn't have had to bug her on text about the time. AGAIN.

So in LONG, Pen Pal, I'm sorry. I will try my best to make it up to you. I could mail you a card everyday for a week. But to truly make it up to you, I just won't let this much time lapse again. The best apology is to not do this type of "crime" again. I promise to be better. Forgive me? Please?

Sincerely yours,

Tooj

Mumbles Update

**Department of Motor Vehicles**

I now smell like dog biscuits and rabbit turds. One of the closest DMVs to my work is located in a Petco. Seriously. How in the world do they decide to place these things where they do??

Monday Mumbles

Here are ten random things that are stirring around in my tired little mind this morning. I hope you all woke up on the good side of the bed this morning. Happy Monday.

1. Wow. I've gone four days without posting anything significant (and by significant I mean wonderfully confusing posts that let you into my mindless babble, be it funny - to me - or serious - to me.). I hope you can all forgive me. The weather was too beautiful to be at the computer. That, and I had nothing of interest to share with you.

2. BECAUSE of the beautiful weather, I was outdoors. A lot. My siblings and I (two sisters and a brother) played tennis. If you trying to visualize this....don't. None of us ever had lessons, played competitively in high school, and I'm pretty sure none of us owned a racket until we were in our 20s. Sloppy at best, but a LOT of fun. We matched up oldies versus the youngins. Oldies would be my and my younger brother. Who won? Don't doubt me, PLEASE. ;)

3. I get to make a trip to the department of motor vehicles today. YEA for me. New car means sales tax. Ouch goes the pocket book.

4. Hey sister, if you're reading today.....OJ had the sniffles this morning and had to take a breathing treatment. Just sayin'......I would make you brownies for real this time.

5. This morning, I got caught up trying to get T.O. and O.J. ready that I didn't have time to do my hair. So...it's in little pigtails. Yeah, I'm looking hot this fine Monday morning. Oh, this just popped out....dang it. My hair is too short.

6. One of my sisters attended the Soweto Gospel Choir when it came to town last...summer, I think. She ended up getting the dvd she enjoyed it so much. She loaned it to me and I finally sat down and watched a majority of it last week. I really liked it, but what I like even more is that SHE likes it. It's fun watching them grow up and get all "culturized" and opinionated. Well, the opinions have been in place for awhile, but still....they're both news watchers, politically aware, and getting culturized. My "word", not theirs.

7. I desperately need to paint my toenails. They are getting hideous, and it doesn't help that I picked off the paint from two toes last night. HID-E-OUS.

8. Did I share with you that my mother (and her husband) now have a motorcycle? I really wonder about them sometimes. My mom is definitely a child of the 60s/70s, but more importantly, she's a motorhead. She grew up and hung out with the dudes under the carhoods, and apparently she's always liked motorcycles. I think this is less about mid-life crisis and more about her getting what she wants. Just don't ask to take my boys on it for a joyride. I'm not there, yet.

9. Friday night, Hubs and I went out for drinks. At the first place we indulged in, a girl came over to our table because it apparently was "the fun table". She proceeded to tell me, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you are too freaking cute in just a tee shirt and jeans!" At the second place we indulged in, Hubs was grabbed by the front of his shirt collar (by a chick) and asked to dance. I'd say all in all, we had a really good night of laughs with our cute selves.

10. This morning, T.O. asked me when Friday was. I explained today was Monday (which he knew, he told me so) and then said we have to get through Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and then Friday would be here. He then proceeded to tell me that he prefers M, T, W, Th, and F because he'd rather be at school than at home on Saturday and Sunday. What the heck? I'm beginning to think he doesn't think we're fun. Of course, Hubs ISN'T fun...he's gimpy. And I'm....well, shoot, I took him to play tennis! And to see Grandpa! And to the zoo last weekend! T.O. is getting on my nerves, darn boy. At least I still have O.J. He loves me, right?

Favorite Quote

Just a little finger-pointing. I have a favorite quote that I occasionally change over on my left sidebar. I changed it today, and wanted to make you aware of the change.

The Bare Truth

I found this article while news story searching during "down-time" at work today. What I found interesting wasn't the article itself (a topless coffee shop burned down), but a response to the article. There was one in particular that caught my eye. Below is the cut and paste from it, from a poster named NolaErus. I take no credit for these words, but I do find that they represent some of what I think in regards to the human body, nudity, and "getting back to the basics" without all the societal pressure to feel stigmatized about our fleshly (yes, it's a word today) selves. For the most part, I have been comfortable in my skin, but after nursing my two babies, I am even more so in tune with why we were given our bodies...and what they can do. I am not ashamed nor am I uncomfortable in the presence of nudity. The fight for public breastfeeding comes and goes in our local news, and each time I hear about it, I get more and more anxious for others to come to terms with what it MEANS to be able to do this. I personally chose to find private spots to nurse (my children were sloppy nursers), but the fact that other women do it at the table where they eat bothers me NOT at all. I truly feel this problem with nudity has become an American stigma, and it is unfortunate.

NolaErus comments:
I'll preface the message of this comment with this: Reared by a Baptist minister and a devoted philanthropist, I am a Christian. My faith is personal, and I do not wear it as a banner to prove what I am and you are not. I keep it within my heart to strengthen and fortify me. Now, I have a few things to add here. First of all, each of us must respect the opinions of others, regardless of how ridiculous they sound. I feel sure that people who spout opinions off the top of their heads without deep thought are routinely ineffective. There's grace in that. And now this, those of you who cannot accept the artistry of the human body, who cannot bear the burden of bare flesh, may need to look within yourselves. I fear that you are controlled by shame that will burn you from the inside out just as these flames burned the Coffee Shop--consumed by fear and hatred, you will become crusts where humanity could flourish. In and of itself, there is little to not celebrate about the human body. Whether by evolution or design, both the male form and the female form come together to begat life--for many a sign that we can perpetuate the work of God, glorious creation. In support of that life, breasts provide sustenance comparable to the Eucharist that feeds the starving, the weary, the aching, the sick, that builds us up to make us whole. And the nudity of these bodies is so breathtaking, so pleasing to God, that each of us comes into this world unencumbered by any bindings, lovely, a glory in our flesh. If gazing upon an unclothed body humiliates you, perhaps you are should look away. Perhaps, too, you should consider what your shame as you face God's most glorious creation, His own image in infinite repetition, says about you. Will you second guess the glory of God? Who are you to question His work? I'll say this, you are not the God fearing man or woman you may believe you are. Are you looking for perspective into the sensual possibilities Christianity offers? Read the Bible. Many of the loveliest sensual stories begin there.

What Have You Learned?

When you work in an office setting, desks, cubicles, the like....you tend to talk a lot with your co-workers. Cubicle office set-ups are a different animal than other jobs, I think. They tend to promote chatter, down-time, sharing. It's intimate. To a fault, sometimes. Let me share with you some things I've learned over time.

1. A lady has taken her bra off. At work.
2. A man will purposely goes into another man's cube to "release" his excess gas.
3. People sniff one another when they visit each other's cubicle. And then tell others how good they smelled. And then those others call him BACK down so they can sniff too.
4. Men send email alerts when hot chicks are walking by to give a head's up.
5. Personal phone calls should NOT be taken at your desk. At any cost. I don't want to know who is in jail.
6. Personal monetary matters shouldn't be handled at your desk. At any cost. I don't need to know what bill was sent to collections this month.
7. Paper airplanes are common when men are in nearby cubicles.
8. Hole punch cut-outs are fair game when decorating a cubicle.
9. You might sit across the wall from someone and within earshot, but you can bet you'll call them anyway.
10. You're arguing with your wife? Again? And she works just upstairs?
11. Your kid got into a fight? Again? You have to pick him up? Again?
12. Your ex threatened to kill you? Let me leave before you, please.

Offices are so much fun. Anyone have any good work stories?

Monday Mumbles

Ten random things that I am thinking about on this fine Monday morning. They are twirling around in my head bumping into one another...which really leads me to believe the theory about dreams and how they are a concoction of lots of different memories. How else do you explain.....?

1. My husband. He went to bed before me last night. (which is unusual if you take in our entire history, but par for the course with his torn ACL. YES, it's torn. As is his meniscus. Don't tell me I'm mean for calling him a wimp. I know.) As I was saying...he was in bed before me so when I climbed in over him and then reached back and leaned on him to turn up the monitor, he started talking very clearly about how I shouldn't let a bigger girl climb on me. And then he started talking about roller coaster tracks...and laying them.....and being safe....I don't have a clue.

2. Saturday morning I decided to cruise down the interstate to St. Louis with T.O. and Wee One. My sister and mother were there already for a book signing my sister wanted to attend and had convinced me I should bring the boys and go to the zoo with them. So we did. Wee One is an A$$ in the car if he isn't constantly being fed.

3. A tidbit from the zoo. We made it to the gorillas and my sister got an up close and personal seat in the corner of the glass viewing area. Apparently, she attracted attention because big Mr. Gorilla man came up to her corner and looked her up AND down. And then he looked at her booty again. And then my sister said "That's the first sign that you attract the wrong men." and she got up....and walked away. Thank you big Mr. Gorilla for the laughs.

4. Another tidbit from the zoo - at another gorilla viewing window. There were two sitting there grooming one another....however....the position was NOT a PG rating zoo experience. The mister gorilla was sitting with his legs spread wide and the we-don't-know-if-it-was-a-boy-or-girl gorilla was laid out in front of the mister and grooming....well, down THERE. Leisurely lounging and picking and licking. And the mister? He had HUUUUUUGE....well, mister parts. I love the apes at the zoo. They are the most entertaining.

5. This morning the alarm went off and I was too tired to get up and shut it off so I pretended not to hear it. Hubs shakes me and shakes me to turn it off (as if he couldn't gimp over there and do it himself), but I refused to acknowledge that I heard it. And you know what? That felt good.

6. As I was dropping T.O. off in his classroom this morning, the a.m. teacher asked if it was his last day. If the school thinks it's his last day, I have some serious problems come tomorrow morning. Apparently one of T.O.'s friends told the teacher it was his last day. Bizarre.

7. Name change alert - Because Wee One is no longer a baby and he eats like a horse, I have decided he will now become like his big brother and go by his initials. O.J. I hope this doesn't bring about negative feelings for any of you who felt that the glove MIGHT fit. We're trying to change the name image around, so we'll start with my grumpy little sugar booger. And besides, I'm lazy and it's easier to type O.J.

8. This weekend, I am going to try and go buy T.O. a bike. I'm so excited to see if he can learn it this summer....that, and swimming. He's got a full summer of learning laid out before him.

9. 11 year old is officially done with school and he is down at his grandmother's for a majority of the summer. She lives in a sleepy town where he can roam about on his bike and go to the pool whenever he wants to. He should have a good time, but T.O. will be missing him. That's why I have to step up my fun factor.

10. Any aunts and uncles of T.O. and O.J. reading this...you can step up your fun factors as well, and visit this summer, or be available to join us when we go to the pool. I can't WAIT for the heat to be here to stay for days....on....end. I love summer. I love the sun. I love the heat.

Happy Monday!