trick into a treat

Do you remember trick or treating that night?

The neighbor we were staying with yelled across the courtyard "It's a girl!"

Then Jamie & I asked for extra candy because we just had a little sister?

I do.

Happy Birthday Autumn.

I love you.

to the searchers

To the one who searched for "home made Frankenstien costume" -- Dude, it's a little late now, dont'cha think?

To the one who searched for Fiesta Texas broken neck -- Yeouch! Sorry your neck is broken, mine was only a rib.

To the one who searched for Verizon water damage litmus paper -- I hope you have insurance, and, switch to Sprint!

To the one who searched for "poms poms and short skirts" -- I really hope you were searching for the lyrics to the beer commercial and nothing else!

To the one who searched for "care of dauschunds" -- awwwwwwww

To all the ones (and I get this one the most) searching for tammyfayebaker -- WTF?

click it

It is way too funny. I swiped it from waiter rant. But this is hilarious.

Boy Band Hilarity

ransom note

Hannah, I have your boots. I will release them to you when progress reports come out. The only authorities you can contact are the Geometry tutors.

Hannah has been wanting these boots for a month. Friday while we were at the mall, I told her I would buy them for her.

BUT --

I would hold them until progress reports. She failed Geometry this six weeks. She wasn't too happy about that, but agreed to it. I have the boots in my closet.

During the obligatory food court visit, I saw a couple of funny tee shirts.

Draft beer, not soldiers

and

define "girlfriend". quotations and all.

Then, there was a very bizarre lady with red eyes. Seriously. Red eyes. She looked like she walked right out of Anne Rice's mind. Creepy.

I didn't stare long enough to try and tell if they were contacts, or if she was just evil. Red eyes freak me out.

six months to life

Moby freaking rocks my socks (as Hannah would say)

I have taken a small step. I reduced my lease to six months from a year. I'm having to choke on the extra 69.00 a month my rent increased, but it's a step.

Saturday, after we resigned the lease, Larry walked to the apartment and stayed with me while I ate my mac and cheese. Topic of discussion, the letter Ashley wrote him.

I saw it Friday while picking Hannah up, but didn't have time to read it.

I told him, as long as there is tension between Ashley & I, there would be tension between he & I. There was a point where he was extremely frustrated, as was I. But I think we understand each other to a point.

In her letter, she mentioned that I sent her a birthday card, and it surprised her. During a point in our discussion, I told him, "YOU haven't even given me a birthday card" He asked if I wanted one, YES! I replied. I was pissed/hurt/angry that he got a letter and I did not. It just proved once again that he is the hero, and I am the bitch.

I asked him, do you really think this is how I wanted it? I want to buy furniture for her, set up her apartment, help her start a life. My childhood was so bad, I always went the other way, to extremes. I fought with Larry over and over to give them things, we went without year after year so they would have the perfect Christmas, the best vacations, that their mom would be there at school plays, Valentine's Day parties and the like. To a point it was. Eighth grade, Ashley's English teacher met us during open house. She exclaimed "you are such a FUN FAMILY!" She knew this from the "Monday Journal" she had the class write from their weekend adventures.

I had a fairy tale idea of motherhood, and daughterhood. I wanted girls, both times. I wanted to be supermom. Now I am super bitch.

She LOVES the Navy. She is holding two jobs. She brought in a ship, got a 5.0 on her inspection, hasn't got into trouble and learned to shoot a gun. That one scares me. She could go on to officer's school if she chose too. She could do anything she puts her mind too. I have always known this.

Her letter to him and all the glories of the Navy just irked me beyond belief. Partly because the Navy was MY idea for her! It's hard to describe, and still here typing I can not put it into clear words.

Jealous? Yes. Mad? Yes. Hurt? Yes.

He left as I had to return to work. It just kills me to have things like this between all of us. But slowly, Larry & I are making it back together.

With Ashley, I continue to project.

Projection #1 -- Graduation. Does she want me there to stick it to me? Cocky telling me, "see, I told you so". Does she want me there to be proud of her? Does she want me there because she loves me? The mind she twisted so well always returns to option numero uno.

Projection #2 -- She writes she is not sure how much liberty time she will have. Again, the warped mind says "she is setting us up" This way if Channell happens to make her way there, she can ditch us for her.

Projection #3 -- We all get together, something will be said, and I will extend my lease from six months to a year. ----- Again.

I return to work. I get a text message. From Larry.

"There is a letter here for you from Ashley"

I call him, he reads it to me. Projection -- She was a lot more informative in your letter. Jesus Kimmy, I say to my twisted mind, fucking be happy she is writing you at all. The twisted mind the circumstances created -- does not trust, always running the plays, can not sleep, can not think.

I will write to her again. She wants us there to be proud of her. We are. She loves the Navy. I knew she would.

How's it going to end?

i would stand in line for this .....

Extreme ways are back again
Extreme places I didn't know
I broke everything new again
Everything that I'd owned
I threw it out the windows, came along
Extreme ways I know move apart
The colors of my sea
Perfect color me

Extreme ways that that help me
Help me out at night
Extreme places I had gone
But never seen any light
Dirty basements, dirty noise
Dirty places coming through
Extreme worlds alone
Did you ever like it planned

I would stand in line for this
There's always room in life for this

Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Like it always does, always does

Extreme songs that told me
They helped me down every night
I didn't have much to say
I didn't get above the light
I closed my eyes and closed myself
And closed my world and never opened
Up to anything
That could get me along

I had to close down everything
I had to close down my mind
Too many things to cover me
Too much can make me blind
I've seen so much in so many places
So many heartaches, so many faces
So many dirty things
You couldn't believe

I would stand in line for this
It's always good in life for this

Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Then it fell apart, it fell apart
Oh baby, oh baby
Like it always does, always does

halloween revisited

This was one of the best costumes ever.

Hannah, circa 1998, the height of the Titanic phenomenon. Notice the Victorian like dress, the blue lips, and the ice (glitter) in her hair.

EVERY door she knocked on LOVED her costume.

I'm posting this to show how funny it was, and I'm trying to win Charlotte's Cookies.

Now, go post a comment on the "win Charlottes Cookies" post and tell them Hannah is just the cutest!

we're so sorry, uncle albert .....

As with any major merger, there are things that are shifted around. People, stores, managers, etc.

I found out this morning that our district manager Al will not be our district manager any longer.

This saddens me. He is awesome, strict when he needs to be, praises you when you deserve it, and really cares about his stores, managers, and this company.

I have never met the new guy. All the managers, district managers and head honchos are at the fourth quarter meeting.

I'll get the scoop on Saturday when I see Jeff.

Bye Al. I heart You!

business attire only

Well, it's back the yellow logo on black shirts. No more Astros gear on game days.

Thanks boys, it was fun.

There's always next year, which I do believe will have me watching more baseball than just the playoffs. For that, I am glad.

comments

During my morning visits to your blogs, I noticed I can not get the comments to pop up, or even open.

I don't know if it is my hunk o junk or blogger.

bring on the sheep

My insomnia is raging. I was a wreck today at work. Three extra strength tylenol pm could not keep me asleep last night. In bed at 10:15, up at 11:30, up at 1:00 (saw the stros loose), up at 3, up at 5:45.

Something has to be done.

I spoke with my doctor about it during my foot visit. He wants me to go to a sleep clinic. Why? So they can watch me toss and turn all night? I don't sleep, that's the point.

People who can just lay down and fall asleep have my eternal envy. Larry can, less than five minutes he is out, out hard. On a bed of nails, inside a ring of fire, he can sleep.

Without some kind of sleeping aid, I am awake until at least 3 or 4 am.

Today, dragging my body to work, I called the sleep clinic. You need a referral. Done. Make sure your insurance covers it, done. Now, just awaiting the appointment, where, they will sit, and watch me not sleep.

Bring on the sheep, I need some z's.

iSuck

Is anyone else as sick of the Curtain Call iPod comercial for Emimen as I am?

sheeeeesh

the spirit of the season

Best Baseball Movies Ever --

Bull Durham

Eight Men Out

The Natural

Bad News Bears

Field of Dreams

The best line from a baseball movie?

"If you build it, he will come"

and ....

"What do you believe in?"
"Well, I believe in the soul, the cock, the pussy, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days."
"Oh my"

Did I miss any?

father may i?

The Commissioners are starting to irritate me. Basketball commissioner is telling players that he wants a mandatory dress code within the NBA. Seems he is tired of seeing Sean John, South Pole & baggy jeans for that brief moment when they get off the bus and walk into the stadiums.

Um, David, you spent years building up the NBA as "hip hop". You have millions of fans who pour in every game based on your promotion of this image. Now you want to change it. OK, that makes sense .... NOT.

Now, the commissioner of baseball wants to force the Astros to keep the roof open tonight. It seems during championship series, the decision falls to the commissioner and not the Astros. That is BULLSHIT! Now, yes, it will be a bit nippy down here tonight, and us Houstonians are known to rush out for salt and chains when the tempature goes below 45, but come on. It is the team's decision, not yours. This idea makes me think the commissioner is wanting the more "marketable" team to win, much like the Rockets/Knicks series way back when. Sports Illustrated chose not to put out a championship cover when the Rockets won, the first time. Guess ya gotta win two back to back before they do anything, or get any respect.

Now, on the flip side, the last two home games at Reliant have had the roof closed. The last two home games the weather has been gorgeous, did this anger me? Yes. Why do they do it? FOR HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE! The noise. Did I get over it? Yes. Did it help me team win? NO!

Leave the roof decision to the teams, those dear old Dad's need to get a grip. To much organization is bad for any club, baseball included.

There STB, that's my baseball rant!

Read the full story Here

Edited to include
Just a couple more thoughts -- They don't call it home field advantage for nothing, if you have the home court, use it to your advantage, or change the saying.

Also, if this was going to be such a big issue, why did baseball sign off and approve such a stadium? Close the roof!

Chant it with me, close the roof!, close the roof!, close the roof!!

sleeping with the enemy

Saturday night, I called and asked Larry if he wanted to come over and watch the game. No, not really, but I could come over there. Fair enough. He is playing shuttle to Hannah on the weekends. Actually, the very late weekend nights after the haunted house closes.

And really, watching the game on a 9 foot screen in high definition from the projector upstairs in our media room beats watching at my apartment. So I went.

We had planned (or so I thought) to go and watch the slaughter the next day (Texans), so I said, OK, I will go home and get some stuff and just spend the night. OK.

So, I packed up my pillows, makeup, hat & toothbrush and headed over. My house is gorgeous, not to mention awesome freaking media room (painted almost black, including ceiling, movie posters, red velvet drapes). It is sooooo weird walking through there now. I really feel detatched from the house. But in I went.

We headed upstairs to watch the game, but both struggled to keep our eyes open. After the game, I headed to bed. He told me, don't take up the whole damn bed. I replied, I'll give you the bed if you give me the A/C! The A/C causes as much friction as anything else between us. He keeps it at 78, which is fine during the day, but at night, I like coooooool.

So, he slept on the couch until Hannah called, I don't remember even hearing him come to bed.

I wake up about 8:30 Sunday morning and watch a little tv. I start to shower about 9:30, he is up, I inquire what he is wearing to the game. He said he wasn't going, he didn't want to leave Hannah all by herself all day. I'm rinsing my hair, thinking, then why did I come over here and spend the night? But I don't, I continue to rinse. He then catches that snap and says, "I run her around all week long, she can wait for a bit".

So, off to the game we go. Hannah calls him about 12:30, inquiring as to where he was. When he told her, she said "Whatever, bye" and hung up on him!!!! That little be'otch! I promptly call her right back, instructing her to call him back, apologize or be grounded all week and have to wait to take your paycheck to the mall. (the girl has turned into a shopping FREAK! and this would just kill her), I further tell her if she ever hangs up on either of us again, I would beat her ass!

She knows she is wrong, calls him back and apologizes. After my call ended with her, I looked at him and said, "THAT is what I am talking about!" He replied, "yeah, it's easy when you're right there in the moment". Yes, I thought, and it's easy when you hear about it, even an hour or two later, or a minute later because you usually get a phone call right after it happened. But, I didn't say that to him.

Tonight he came for dinner (the weather is a little cooler and the winter menu is taking over, homemade chili). We talked about the weather in Great Lakes, cold and rainy, then debated whether Ashley was actually learning anything, or so damn hard headed that she would do whatever the drill sergeant wanted to "show him" like she did us.

I am not making any plans to return home until after her graduation, a few months after. I need to see how that goes, where we all stand, and what the future holds.

BTW -- have you tried frozen grapes? Frozen red seedless grapes? Oh - My - Gawd. They are soooooo good, like healthy candy. Try 'em

blatant theft

I have shamelessly stolen this from Annie & Jan. Like Annie, I don't really fill these out, but these questions are good.

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.
Anne Bancroft, John Ridder (I am adding who died on my birthday - Red Skelton)

2. Where was your first kiss?
In the parking lot of a teen dance club.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property?
Sadly, yes.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
I am sure I hit my brother when we were younger, I don't think I ever hit Larry without horseplay.

5. Have you ever sang in front of a large number of people?
Very bad Kareoke.

6. What's the first things you notice about the preferred sex?
Eyes, smile, clean shave.

7. What really turns you on?
Sense of humor, kindness, confidence, ever so light kisses on the back of my neck.

8. What do you order at Starbucks?
I don't go there very much, but when I do, if I am feeling like a glutton, I get the drinking chocolate, on a normal day I get a caramel frap.

9. What is your biggest mistake?
There are MANY I could choose from here. More than I care to list.

10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
No, I do it enough on accident.

11. Say something totally random about yourself.
Totally random? I wanted to be a stewardess when I was 10. I even wrote to SW Airlines asking how old you had to be to apply.

12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Yes, people used to tell me (and this is really funny as they both have my name) The girl on 'Different Strokes' and "Kimmy" from My Best Friends Wedding.

13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
If The Lion King and Finding Nemo are kiddie movies, absolutely. No TV shows though.

14. Did you have braces?
Yes, but I decided I was done with them, cut the wires and popped off the brackets, I really regret it now.

15. Are you comfortable with your height?
Hell no. I got the short end of the stick, my dad 6'3", my mom 5'7", me? 5'3".

16. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you?
Larry threw me a surprise party for my birthday a couple of years ago, very romantic for him, because he simply does not plan parties at all. My first boyfriend sent me roses at school, I was the envy of a lot of girls. Larry doesn't really do the "romantic mushy stuff", but he did do a lot of other very sweet things. I wish he was more intuitive. He still hasn't given me a birthday card.

17. When do you know it's love?
You just do, if you have to ask, it's not. And it doesn't stay the same, you will never love like your first love, but you will love deeper and longer.

18. Do you speak any other languages?
Nope.

19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
Yes.

20. What magazines do you read?
I love Entertainment Weekly.

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Yep.

22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
My Mom, my Mother in Law.


23. Do you watch MTV?
Rarely. Did you see that episode of pimp my ride where they took that really crappy car and made it cool? (insert eye rolling here).

24. What's something that really annoys you?
People "popping" their gum really close to my ear, people who won't stand behind or up for you.

25. What's something you really like?
Cooking, making quilts (I have three I need to make), football, being a Mom.

26. Do you like Michael Jackson?
No, 'nuff said.

27. Can you dance?
Depends on how much I have to drink, the more I drink, the better I dance.

28. What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
All night, a little thing I like to call, Ashley.

29. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
Not by ambulance, but two years ago Larry rushed me as fast as he could without hurting me to have my appendix taken out.

30. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
I do read them, I just don't fill 'em out.

signage

At sports events, there are always clever signs. Acronyms for whatever channel happens to be broadcasting, something really clever to get your sign on tv.

In baseball, the signs are from the pitchers and the managers. They are always fun to watch.

Today, at the Texans game, I saw what could prove to be the most prophetic sign of the season.

Carr for sale, as is, no warranty

It was, as you would imagine decorated with lemons. It was held up by one of two fans that had bags over their heads. Ashamed to have paid the cost of their cushy club level seats.

I sure do hope the Astro's win tonight. It would be rough to have two teams lose in a day.

Side note -- again, the loudest cheer in the stadium today was when they big screen said "Good Luck Astros"

That's sad.

i get TWO days off??

Yesterday, on my way out, I stopped to look at the schedule to see what time I worked today. To my surprise, I was off! I had totally forgotten about working Sunday for inventory, that I get two days off during the week.

I'm still in my pj's, it's 2:30. BUT!!!

I have balanced my checkbook, cleaned the kitchen, finished all my laundry and have enjoyed the windows being open and the absolutely gorgeous day it is here.

Hannah & I are planning another trip to NY in March for spring break. I tried to talk her into going to the west coast, no such luck. We are New York girls, not California ones.

A mandatory Rent show. Hopefully Wicked, and Phantom this time. I was so disappointed in Moving Out. Pizza, knock off purses, the smells and sounds. I can't wait. My favorite hotel, already booked. Farewatcher on.

I need to actually get dressed and run some errands. Our district manager sent an email stating we could wear Astros garb during game days. How fun! I have one Astros shirt, but it is not for work. Soooo, it's off to academy to find one.

I love surprise days off

wet butts, full ears

Yesterday at work was a blur. I remember going in, then leaving for the doctor, then coming back, then leaving for the day. I don't even feel like I was at work, except for that very first customer of the day.

The one who said, "Before I do anything, I'm going to stick this phone up someone's ass". Oh, and the one who said "I am NEVER coming back to this store again!!!!" The bitch in me wants to say to rude #1, "Here, let me bend over, you can start with mine" and to rude #2, "Good, that is exactly what we want, we do not WANT you to EVER come back here" Other than that, the day was quick.

I went to have the vein doppler done, no blood clot. One prayer answered. Still no real explanation as to why it is swelling so. Doctor has not called me back with xray results. Who knows how much damage I actually did to the three little piggy's.

After work, I picked up Hannah, Monica & clan had met me at my house and we all packed up and headed down to the Hocus Pocus Symphony concert. I love going to concerts out there, sitting on the grass with friends, I have many wonderful memories from the Pavillion. Sting, Elton (twice), Eddie Money, Riverdance, Jazz Festival, etc. It is a great venue, and nights like last, with a cool breeze are awesome.

The little kids all in various costumes were too cute for words.

As we found our spot on the grass, we laid our blankets down, then our butts, only to realize the grass was wet, very wet. We sat for awhile before we figured out the chairs were free. We all got chairs, and settled in for the music.

Imperial March (Darth Vader's theme) was first. I love this piece of music, I want it as my ringer for people at work. Bom, bom, bom ba ba bom, ba ba bom. Then they introduced us to some Harry Potter music (Hedwig's Theme) played with a very tiny piano like instrument. I forget the name, but it used in the Nutcracker Suite as well.

Then we had bride of frankenstien, Phantom of the Opera and Ghostbusters. It was awesome. We all had a very good time. Hannah & I discussed how cool it is that when you watch a movie, you don't realize there is a symphony playing. I told her how when they are recording a soundtrack, they have the movie playing in the room with them, to see and keep time. She replied, "That is so awesome!!" I love it when she learns something new and really thinks it's cool.

We made our way back to the car, packed it up and headed home. I went in, gave banana a hug, and said bye to Larry. It is so weird. Giving him a hug, saying goodnight, then instead of getting into bed, I get into the car. I will be home, I know that, but it is still too soon. We need to see how graduation #2 goes, and what aftermath ensues. Ashley is as always, a big focal point and our lives continue to revolve around hers.

Tonight we are getting a group together to go through Hannah's haunted houses. Tomorrow night, World Series starts.

Go Astros!

"root for the good guys"

Was the catch phrase during last year's Astro playoffs.

They have won. Making the very first appearance in the World Series.

I have no doubt it was one man's vigil who got them there!

Go 'Stros!

crap, I forgot

The was one thing I forgot to add one last thing to my last post.

I finally rejoined the IM community. I downloaded Yahoo IM. Id is kimmysblog

Add me if you like :)

e for effort

Sunday, during the "let's get Wicked tickets" craze, Dan mentioned the Symphony would be playing at the pavilion in The Woodlands. Hocus Pocus. Free lawn seats (and I so enjoy concerts there on the lawn!) We decided we would go. It's tomorrow night, and you could pick up free tickets at HEB (Texas grocery store).

So, knowing I was off today, I thought I would swing by HEB and pick up the tickets for us. Not as easy as I thought it would be. It seems the only stores that had the tickets were in fact, in The Woodlands. About an hour from where I am.

I decided to call Larry and ask him if he would like to drive out there with me, then have dinner at Chuy's (my all time favorite mexican food joint). He has to do this and that, but .... yeah, maybe. A phone call later, yes, he will pick me up, we will go get the tickets, and have dinner.

Then Monica calls, she has friends 10 minutes from The Woodlands, they will pick them up. I call Larry back and tell him he is off the hook.

He gets an E for effort.

tune in tomorrow ....

My day started early after a very late night. I was off and on my way to the doctor. I really don't go to the doctor very much. I have seen this one four times in four years. Latest visit included.

The first time I had mono (have NO idea how I got that!), the second time I couldn't speak I had been coughing so bad, the third time was a re-check of my rib, and today made the fourth.

It was a 45 minute wait, the longest I have had to wait for him, so my foot was nice and swollen for him.

He looked at it, moved my toes, asked what we had been doing, why is it bruised and one toenail gone? I told him about the incidents and asked if he ever did any patient requested amputation of the toes, no, he laughed.

He asked what we had done over the summer, I told him about the vacation. That got his attention. Not jumping from waterfalls or hiking to them twice, or climbing diamond head, it was the two eight hour flights.

I told him they were very swollen upon returning, but I had chalked it up to the Pho soup we had right before leaving. That I took a hot bath and massaged them as I should have.

He wasn't 100% convinced. So, he shipped me off to X-Ray downstairs, then scheduled a vein doppler for tomorrow. Thanks to Jan via Yahoo IM and a quick google search, a vein doppler is an ultrasound that measures your veins. This he said will just make sure there are no clots. Most of all, it is pain free (the test, not the foot).

So, 2:00 tomorrow I will have the vein doppler, and hopefully Friday will have full results. I'm hoping the call goes something like this "Miss Kimberly (he will say in his very Scottish accent), your veins are fine, but tell me again why you have three broken toes?"

I was supposed to have lunch with Corie, but calling to confirm I found out she has been really sick the past few days. She was on her way to her doctor. She is fine, has chest inflammation and head congestion. No fun when you are pregnant. Her doctor didn't do an ultrasound, so we still don't know what the baby is yet, darn it! I am really hoping she has a girl this time.

I came home, went to bed and slept for three hours. I could barely keep my eyes open on the way home.

Now I have that deep sleep hang over and anxiously awaiting the Astros game tonight. You know I follow football, but was so excited last year during the playoffs, and again this year. They are one game away from the World Series.

Nice to root for a winning team for a change!

So, tune in tomorrow, or Friday. Hopefully we will all know a little more.

security, isle five

It's about 11:45 and I just got home ..... from work.

Electricians or some kind of workers had been in the store all day. Rerouting the cameras to voice over IP lines.

We closed lickety split. Ready to go by 8:20. Awesome. But guess what, the alarm doesn't work. We can't set it.

Call corporate security. Protocol. Retarded.

They have to send a guard, to sleep in his car "watching" the store.

First physical security. Let me call the company, the headquarters calls me, you should get a call from local office. Local office calls, I'm sending someone out. No email confirmation.

It's about 11:15 at this point.

Jeff calls, go ahead and go, as long as they are on their way.

The guard just calls me, he is lost. This night is never ending.

My doctors appointment is tomorrow, wish me luck. I'm a little nervous about it. The more time I have to think about it, the more it worries me.

As I was limping my tech out, he said "you need to go to the doctor!"
"I'm going tomorrow!!!"

They make fun of me limping around.

The sleep-a-guard is at the store. Jeff will be there at 8:00 am

as if gas prices weren't bad enough

Exxon has found yet another way to stick it to me. Click it.

i'm going to tell you a secret

SHUT UP!

Friday, 9pm central -- Mtv

Madonna

"I'm Going to Tell You a Secret"

Truth or Dare revisted from the ReInvention Tour.

DVR set, I'm there

there's a plan somewhere I am sure of it

My team sucks balls instead of catching them.

Writing the ccheck for those season tickets will certainly not be fun.

I am hoping that they have a plan. Like, hey, let's lose every game so we can get a first round draft pick.

David Carr is no longer my future husband!!!!

400

With all the drama that ensued (another hurricane, me moving out, Ashley leaving) I almost forgot to post the totals.

You may remember Sprint was matching donations for Katrina relief.

I am keeping the names anonymous (you know who you are ;)

I had one donation for 50.00, I matched that, another for 26 (I know you didn't have it, and it touched my heart), I matched that, then added an extra 48.00. Sprint matched that for a total of $400.00!

Every little bit helped. Thank you ....

doctor knows best

After being told here, email and by everyone at work today, I am calling the doctor tomorrow. Everyone says GO NOW! Stop scaring me!

It does have me a little worried. It started slowly, but swells just sitting at work now.

I'm off on Wednesday, so off to the doctor I will go :)

the hair, the jewlery, the dress, the nails

The final product!

leg of lamb

It's not often Jeff stays past his assigned time at work, as it should be. He is the manager, and being the manager gives him certain rights. Leaving right at five, no Sundays and only closing one night a week.

Tonight, he stayed an extra hour for me. I left at five, he stayed. He knew how important it was to me to see Hannah before she left for homecoming.

I did, and she looked gorgeous. Way too grown up. (Suzi, I am anxiously looking forward to Kelli pics!)

After we dropped her off at the picking up place, Larry & I went to dinner.

It felt a little like the slaughtering of the lambs at first. You did this, I did that. I think he realizes what I have been trying to say. I emphasized again my hurt over the birthday thing. If he had reached out that day, I would probably not have left.

It is a good thing, he will re-see me as someone who is smart, who can handle things and I will hopefully see him standing a little taller behind me.

Now, in all this talking, sitting in the tall chair without my feet up, my foot began to swell again. I had started to notice when we took road trips my foot would swell a little. Then a little more, now it is pretty routine.

Anytime I sit for more than an hour without my feet up, my left foot swells. I looked online but can't find any real answers. I think it may be time for a doctor's appointment. Anyone have any advice on this?

What scares me is on the way home from the evacuation, it was swelling bad. On one of our pit stops I bought some aspirin, and it seemed to get better. Does this mean a blood clot? Bad circulation? Breaking three toes in as many weeks? It also never seems to be warm. Annie/Jan -- help!!

So, after we were talked out, I packed it up and came 'home'. He did reach out, hugged & kissed me. Told me one of these times I come over I need to spend the night. It's possible :)

absolutely wicked

If you are a broadway whore such as myself, you may be a bit green with envy.

Today it was very slow at work, it provided a little time online, catching up on my broadway news, visiting the staple sites such as Rent & The Lion King.

I looked longingly at the Wicked site. I have been wanting to see this since it came out. I heard the tickets were like 200 bucks.

Dan, my fellow broadway'er said he and Brandy wanted to go too, as well as Monica and her sister.

So, I called up ticketmaster and what do you know, they have seats, way up in the peanut gallery.

We are all going! Tuesday November 8th.

I can't wait.

So much happened before Dorothy dropped in ......

upside down M-O-M

wow .....

Yesterday I picked Hannah banana up from school. We drove to the mall, rubbed Corie's belly and shopped for jewelry to go with her homecoming dress.

She is so upset Stephanie (at current time) is not being allowed to go. I tried to reassure her mom that we would be all over them, but it's not my call to make.

We went to see Flightplan -- VERY, VERY good!

Today, I spoke with my sister who just returned from California.

Ashley called her.

She said she sounded good, was in charge of teaching/tutoring her unit and is looking forward to graduation.

She said she could only have three people there. She put down Autumn, Larry & me.

ME!

It is a very small step, but a step none the less. It makes me very, very happy.

I have already requested the time I thought was graduation. Her recruiter said to call 1st of November and he would have a firmer date. We thought it was around the 25th, which was odd as that is Thanksgiving weekend. If the unit gets in trouble, their date is set back.

wow .... So far, it's a good thing.

it's 11:47 am, have you had your daily dose of drama yet?

The remnants of last years drama are raising their very ugly heads again.

Stephanies house was egged Monday night. They called Hannah at four in the morning, then called the house, twice. It woke Larry up and he went to the front to watch the truck slowly drive down the street, then drive out.

It seems Stephanie and Hannah got into a really big fight a month ago. The fight was because Hannah found out Stephanie R. kissed Stephanie P.

Hannah had liked Stephanie P last year during the height of the drama at school with Ashley.

Now, Stephanie P is dating Ashley M. My Ashley lived with Ashley M during one of her outings. Ashley M is the one who kept her guitar. She has no life of her own so she must impale herself into everyone else's.

I can tell you exactly how this happened. School starts, they are all together again, Ashley M starts whipping up drama, the fight between Hannah and Stephanie R. happens, Ashley M sees an opportunity, and the drama ensues.

It is funny to me, I am not even home yet the drama continues.

It's reassuring to me that I am not and was not the source of the drama, like I was once led to believe. It reassures me that I am not, in fact, "crazy".

I had a thirty minute conversation with Trish, Stephanie R's mom this morning. She is not being allowed to go to Homecoming this weekend. Not my punishment, and tried to assure her as much as I could they would be watched (she & Stephanie's Dad will be out of town).

Most of the crowd Ashley hung out with has moved on, there are only a few that remain. This was exactly the reason I did not want Ashley back before she left. The drama would have started much, much sooner.

I shake my head, I have no idea how this will shake out. Stephanie P's parents turned her over to aunt & uncle when she was five, drug addicts. Ashley M's mom comes home to her vodka and smokes watching the soaps she has taped during the day.

Larry says the one common thread, bad parents. I ask, then what happened to OUR Ashley? No answer.

I found out last night our Ashley called him upon arriving in Chicago. She chastised him for not seeing her before she left. Stated he had all kinds of chances. Told him she would never come back and he no longer had a daughter. She was crying, then hung up on him.

He had not told me that. He then went on to say he did what I wanted him to do, not ever see or talk to her. Umm, Dr. Who? Wake up.

I NEVER, ever said that. My only point of contention with the trio was for him to support me in our decisions. For him not to shift the blame to me. For him to make sure she understood what he was saying, which she clearly did not.

We have much to discuss ..... a lot ...... If he truly thinks this is the source of our problems, there is no short answer to reconciliation.

I am hoping to have dinner with him Saturday night while Homecoming is going on.

We need to talk.

shut up!

I use this term a lot. Like "dude" was in the eighties, "shut up" is my 2000's.

I tell you this because I type "shut up" in my comments on your blogs.

I further tell you this because it is not meant to be mean, it's just, shut up!

It is said like Elaine from Seinfeld said "GET OUT!"

I also tell you this because my day was so scattered, so crazy, so just, ARGH. I don't want to even think about it, let alone commit it to memory, so I'm just going to...... you guessed it!

Shut Up!!

Miss Scarlet would be impressed!

OK, I'm pulling a Suzi.

Today during a break from the massacre, I noticed this charming woman who was wearing curtains for pants. Oh, how Miss Scarlet would have loved these!

Not only did she have the time to yank them off the window, she actually sewed them into pants, complete with pockets.

Now, my camera phone isn't the real deal like Suzi's awesome real camera, but hopefully you can make out the embossed pattern, those are not wrinkles!

Imagine gold lamae (sp?) but in baby blue.

She also seems to have taken a valance and made her handbag.

I'm sorry, I couldn't resist! Click it --

no consent

My Texans lost today, again.

I would love to tell you about it, but I do not have the express written consent of the National Football League.

driving me crazy

Here she is really driving




me crazy in her homecoming dress

In more ways than one!

pay no attention to the un-pedicured toes

OK, want to see what three broken toes look like?

Now, they are not their usual "I'm not really a waitress" color, seeing as I could not stand the pain of a pedicure.

However, the shades of blue, black and red do stand out, though not very well in the picture.

Let's recap -- 1st pinky toe on mean plastic, then middle toe on mean plastic (notice middle toe has no nail at all!), then "ring finger" toe on mean stool in bathroom at 3:00am.

I am a mess!

upstairs/downstairs

I met my upstairs neighbors. Meaning, I met their bass tube.

Apartment living sure does have it's advantages. Note the sarcasm.

Yes, everyone laughed at my hobbling today at work. Until I showed them the lovely tones of blue and black, right next to the one with no nail. That shut them up right away.

An email at 9:10 from Jeff asking if the new planagram was done.

Three applicants to choose from. One woman, two guys, one bilingual.

I'm rambling again, it's the lack of oxygen from my stuffed up nose :(

three down, two to go

Last night, I awoke to one functioning nostril. Not being able to breathe, sucks.

I stumbled my way to the bathroom, turn the corner and WHAM! You guessed it, another toe. Same foot, the fourth one this time. This one you can actually see the little crack in the knuckle. This one is bruising all the way up into the foot.

I am again hobbling. I will become a laughing stock at work tomorrow.

I hobbled my way up to warner cable to get the hd box they should have brought last weekend. I hobbled my way through best buy. Thanks to Larry's help, I am wireless once again. Thank goodness, the floor sucked and it really limited my blog visiting time.

I hobbled my way through Sams and got the ultra comfy memory foam topper that makes my bottom of the line tempurpedic feel like the top of the line tempurpedic (and saving 2000 bucks at the time), the spice rack I couldn't afford last week and the RIGHT rubbermaid storage containers.

I then went to pick Hannah Banana up at her cross country meet. I brought her back here and cooked spaghetti. I had invited Larry over as well. He could pick Hannah up, I will cook and he helped me switch the cable boxes.

It all went very well, odd at times, but nice. It was good to see him and Hannah. I miss them both, a lot.

I showed Hannah the work out room, and hugged her goodbye. I asked who Larry was taking to the game Sunday and he shrugged. I offered to go with him, he laughed stating he was thinking of asking me.

I moved towards him a little, wanting to hug him goodbye and thanks for helping, I felt him move away. Could be nerves, could be imagination, could be true.

All in all a good day .....

a nail grows in houston

No sleep last night.

I had all kinds of dreams. One -- Larry got a new cell phone, and a new girlfriend who he has been calling repeatedly.

Two -- Ashley dropping out of boot camp, wanting to come home and go to school.

Wake up at 3:00am, being freaked out because of that damn movie Corie made me see.

Being hot, throwing the covers off.

The cat, purring and kneading in my face.

Closing tonight for the third time in a row.

Training a book smart, street stupid 'manager in training'.

My toe, the one that broke the second time, that hurt so bad for so long? The nail lost .... a new one starting to grow.

Life will find a way ......

a 'pack' of 'texans'

Who would have ever thought the Packers would be 0-4 and the Texans would be 0-3?

Due to an off week, the Texans now have a better record than the Packers.

Last night watching the game, I saw how OLD Brett Farve looked. When did this happen? He was beyond frustrated.

I have to comment on the "helmet to helmet" rule, or lack of one. It seems you can do a helmet to helmet tackle if you are tackling the ball carrier. It's completely legal. If you don't have the ball, it's a personal foul and a fine.

WTF?

How many more players have to be carried out on a stretcher before this rule is changed? How many rookies need to have their career ended before it even starts?

Back in the day when helmets were leather, you never had these injuries. The helmet is now a weapon.

This rule needs to be changed NOW! And I am sorry, a 7,500.00 fine to players who make millions is chump change. Meaning, it will not change the behavior.

My boys play the Soilers Sunday. I will be watching from home as Larry & I have joint custody of the season tickets.

Maybe they will win one!

i am gas free

The pin has come out, a release ..... Finally.

Now, now, this is not a bodily function post.

My apartment is all electric, I have been cooking on gas for about 12 years. I burned the hamburger for my helper. I am learning to cook all over again, again!

I switched my direct deposit accounts. I did get a commission check Friday, or did I? Being the direct deposit comes on paydays, and commission comes in between, they sent me a "live check". Or did they? Seems my zip code was wrong and I never got it.

This threw me into major stress mode. My rent check, the cable check, my Walmart check. I could see them bouncing with joy like a kid on one of those blow up bouncy toys.

I was for a lack of a better word, screwed. I called Larry, did it come? No, no check. I asked, can I borrow it from you then pay you back when they fed ex me the check? Yes.

Larry gave me the cash, and I will give it back when my check comes (hopefully tomorrow).

I sent him an email telling him thanks for all the help he has given me. I told him I still love him, I do not want a divorce and let's try to take this slow.

He agreed. He replied he still loved me, and always will. He would always help when he could.

When I saw him to collect the much needed cash, there was finally an easiness about it. No more stress, no more tension, a release.

Finally.

to borrow an old sex and the city episode title

Change of a Dress

I am in my new apartment. Sunday in October, football, fall showers. Everything is much the same, except I am in my new apartment.

It's almost like being pregnant.

I have a new emotion every five minutes.

This will be the best or worst thing I have ever done.

Larry has been my best friend for 20 years. He has been my worst enemy for the last 20 days.

He did help me move a few things, and will help me get unwired when I get the wireless modem.

I still love him, and I do not want a divorce.

I do think we need this time though. We have been under such pressure for two years, it has taken a toll on us.

He did not once ask me to stay, and to be fair, I did not once offer.

The birthday thing though. It hurt me deeply. It still brings a lump in my throat. I could not believe he would not do anything.

He has helped me a lot during the move. Bought me a mattress, helped me move the recliner and has not been hateful.

The lease is in his name, and during the signing, when he read there was no "buy out" he grimaced. I don't know if it was because he is worried I will not finish the lease and it will be on his credit, or if it bothered him because if there was a reconciliation we would be stuck with it for a year.

Not entirely true. I could sublet it easily, even half the rent in doing so.

It is shaping up, one picture is hung. Hannah has not seen it yet. With her haunted adventures, weekends will be tough. I am waiting for her to call today.

I did get an address to write to Ashley. I have made arrangements for vacation for her graduation. I want to show her some support. To show her I am proud of her for making it through boot camp. I have a birthday card in the mail for her.

Like I said -- a change of a dress.