Technology

The great thing about modern technology is that it keeps me connected to friends and family. I email, text, Facebook, call, etc. on a daily basis. I love it. The bad thing about modern technology is that it pisses me off to no end when it doesn’t work correctly! My cell phone isn’t working right, and it’s driving me crazy! I have become so frustrated that I have literally wanted to smash it with a hammer.

Tonight I’ll go to AT&T and see what they can do to fix my phone. If they can’t fix it, I’ll get a new one. Simple as that. I need my phone. And, I need my phone to work. That’s really not too much to ask, right?

Happy Birthday, Stevie!

I'm lucky to have such a wonderful sister!

Work In Progress

TGIF! This has been a long week. The weather was beautiful the first half the week. The sun was out, the skies were clear, it hit 80 degrees. Goregous. All that changed! Now, it's cold! The skies are gray, and we actually have a chance of snow late tomorrow/early Sunday.

Hankadoo started soccer practice this week. He's on the same team as last year, with all the same kids plus an added three. He was so happy to see his buddies from last fall. They all acted like they hadn't seen each other in years. There was a lot of hugs, high fives, and rowdiness. He immediately took up the goalie position. Some kids don't like being goalie, they get nervous, or afraid they'll get hit by the ball. Not Hank. He loves it! I imagine I'll see him in the box most of the games this year. We actually have one girl on the team this year, and she is good. She can hang with those wild boys all day long and show them how to get that ball up the field. It will be interesting to see how they work with her as a team member. "Ohhhh, it's a girl!" is the mentality of most seven-year-old boys! I guess their team is a work in progress right now.

Last night at soccer practice, I decided that I'd walk around the field/school grounds, even it was cold! I grabbed my fleece, my mp3 player, and headed down the path. I got into a good grove, jamming to a little Kid Rock and much to my suprise, I actually started running! Now, it wasn't for long, or very far, but I ran. I'm not a runner. At all. I won't be running any marathons, that's for sure. But, it's the first time that I've really seen a difference from going to the gym. I guess all that time on the elliptical is paying off. I ran, and I didn't die. Wow. Now, if my jiggly parts would just tone up, I'd really be happy. I guess I'm a work in progress, too.

Foolish Pleasure

Every so often, something happens that I find very humorous, or ironic. Today I made a discovery that was both.

Over cake & coffee this morning, the discussion turned to the Kentucky Derby. I was talking about how I’m going to the Oaks this year, and how I love that my birthday always falls during Derby Week, etc. I told the story that mom always tells me about watching the derby from her hospital bed the year that I was born. I was two days old. Maybe my love for all things derby started right then and there.

Someone asked me if I knew who the derby winner was that year. I didn’t. So, when I looked it up I found it very humorous and ironic that the winner of the derby that year was Foolish Pleasure.

How appropriate is that? I have all kinds of ‘foolish pleasures’….. shoes, an iced caramel macchiato, new sunglasses because they are only $4, pink lip gloss, smell good shampoo, the list goes on. And, on. And, on some more...

Foolish Pleasure isn’t just a derby-winning horse!

Note to self--

Must. Work. Triceps.

Mine aren't as flabby as that picture, but I do have a case of lunchroom lady arms. You know when you wave, and your flab keeps waving?

Maybe I can dress up as a flying squirrel for Halloween.

Or, maybe I should work my arms when I'm at the gym. They do have machines just for that, afterall.

Blooms & Bald Heads

Spring has sorta sprung. The flowers are starting to bloom, the trees are starting to bud, and the weather was perfect all weekend. If you ask my itchy eyes and runny nose, they'd say that spring was definitely here! But, in true Kentucky weather form, it will be 80 today and 55 by the end of the week.

Yesterday, Austin participated in the St. Baldrick's fundraiser. St. Baldrick's is an organization that raises money for childhood cancer research. The big fundraiser for this organization is going bald, hence, St. Baldrick's! Austin asked me last week or so if it was too late to sign up. I checked into it, and realized he still had time to get registered and raise some money for this wonderful cause. I'm very proud of him for doing this. I don't know of many seventeen-year-old boys that would willingly shave their head. Most are too vain. But, Austin thought it would be cool, and knew that the money he raised would go to a wonderful cause. He looks good with his bald head! I read in the paper today that there were around sixty participants, and that they raised close to $12,000.

Dental Anxiety

For years, I've had dental anxiety. I would have panic attacks, break out in a sweat, get sick to my stomach, etc, etc. I had a horrible experience with having two wisdom teeth out. I ended up with dry sockets and was in the worst pain in my life. I would rather go through child birth and having my appendix out at the same time than reliving the dry sockets. I was in the dentist office 14 times in 17 days, I missed two weeks of work, I lost 12 pounds (well, that part wasn't bad!)...I basically wanted to die. I laid on the couch for days with a bag of frozen peas on my face. After all that, who wouldn't have dental anxiety?

Now, several, okay many, years later, I do really well when I go to the dentist. I don't freak out, I don't break out into a sweat. I love my dentist. He is the sweetest, kindest man that I have ever met. I actually got to know him through work, he's also our county coroner! The coroner is part of county government since it's an elected official. After seeing what kind of wonderful person he is, I knew that I'd be comfortable with him as my dentist. I recommend him to anyone and everyone when the discussion of a dentist comes up. He's the best. So is his staff. Although, I wish my hygienist wouldn't ask me questions while my mouth is wide open and she's cleaning my teeth. It makes it a little hard to talk! And, she makes me laugh. That's also not good when you're mouth is wide open and she has sharp instruments in her hand.

When I had those two wisdom teeth out, the dentist told me that if the other two ever needed to come out, it would have to be oral surgery.

Today, when I was at my regular cleaning, my wonderful dentist who I adore said the words I've been dreading for a long, long time.

"You need to go ahead and get those other two wisdom teeth taken out!"

Crap. I guess I HAVE to now!

Just when I'm getting over my dental anxiety, I have to have oral surgery. I know the minute I sit my butt in that chair I'm going to freak out! It's not anything that has to be done this very instant, but I know that if I don't get the ball rolling that I'll never do it. So, I'm going to call our buddy the oral surgeon and talk to him. I know I'd be in good hands, and that I'll be fine. But, it's still scary.

I'm going to put my big girl panties on and schedule my surgery. July or August sounds good, what do you think?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

This is a picture of me & Stevie from our St. Patrick's Day party a few years ago. As you can see, we're very festive. My family uses any excuse we can to get together, so for the past several years, we've had a St. Patrick's Day party. We're Irish, somewhere down the line.

We wear silly hats, headbands, tiaras, or barrettes. We have green and white feather boas, we make green food (spinach dip, green rice krispy treats, cupcakes with green frosting, etc) and we basically hang out and act silly. We are a good time! I love my wacky family.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

How is it that....??

How is it that I can eat things like pico de gallo by the cup full, and chow down on hot wings, yet things like bananas and a bowl of cornflakes give me heartburn? I don't understand it.

Last week, I ate a bowl of cornflakes. I ended up having a really bad case of heartburn. I ate Mexican food over the weekend. I had a huge serving of pico de gallo, drank a margarita, and I was fine. Last night, I ate a banana and then wanted to die I had heartburn so bad.

WTH?

Therapy comes in many forms

I love to shop. I love margaritas. I love to laugh. I love my best friend. And, when you combine those, it makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon.

There's something theraputic about an afternoon of trying on shoes, talking about old friends, bitching about our husbands, and walking through the mall searching for bargains.

I'm not sure if it's cheaper than seeing a psychiatrist, but it sure is a lot more fun!

Update on the table, and other tidbits

--The table looks SOOOO much better! I'm no longer ready to kill Joe. We went to Lowe's and bought some of the furniture paint pens and he spent some time last night coloring. You can still see the ring, but it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. I'm going to turn the table around so it's on the back side, and won't be so obvious. I'm very relieved over this. I was freaking out yesterday.
--I have a headache from hell.
--I need a nap. And, a margarita.
--Considering tequila will sometimes give me a headache, and make me sleepy, the margarita may not be the best idea.

TGIF!

Another trip to Wal-Mart Hell

I have to do something to keep me awake, I'm sure my boss wouldn't like to come back to find me drooling on my desk. Yes, I drool when I'm asleep. I'm not proud of that fact, but I've come to accept it. It's part of my life. Especially when my sinuses are bothering me. And, really--when aren't my sinuses bothering me? That leads me to my rant about Wal-Mart and getting my sinus prescriptions refilled.

Last night, I went to Wal-Mart to drop of my prescriptions. The lady tells me it will be about 30 minutes before they are filled. Okay, fine.. I can kill 30 minutes in Wal-Mart, that's not hard to do. After 30 minutes, I get in line to pick up my prescriptions, and they aren't ready. It's going to be another ten to fifteen minutes. Fine. Let me just wait. Again.

I stand close to the pharmacy and people watch. That was entertaining. There was the lady that had her gray sweatpants tucked into her cowboy boots. There was the lady with the mullet. No joke. And there was a guy who literally looked like a monkey. People watching made the next few minutes go by rather fast. I get back in line. And, guess what?

Yep, my prescriptions still weren't ready. Are you kidding me? This time I huffed. Between the huff and the look, the lady waiting on me knew I was tired of waiting. I politely said that I'd sit on the bench and wait. Again.

Roughly ten minutes later, they called me up. At this point I have almost an hour invested in waiting to get my Flonase. I just wanted to go home and watch 'American Idol'...

I get my prescriptions, and as I'm walking off, I look at the receipt and then I wonder, "Why is my prescribed Allegra more than the over-the-counter Allegra?"...... so I go back to the pharmacy. I'm such a glutton for punishment. But, money is money. And, I'm cheap.

The 45-day over-the-counter Allegra is cheaper than my prescribed bottle! Argh.

The pharmacist was nice, refunded my money on the prescription and apologized for the wait, and for the prescribed Allegra not ringing up the way it should. I think she even apologized for it being Wednesday and it raining, and Obama. She knew I wasn't happy. I'm not sure what gave her that idea, my huff or 'the look'... but regardless, my patience had been tested, and she knew it.

I'm switching to Walgreens!

Just "Stuff"

1. I'm so pissed. My brand new, pretty table has a huge ring on it where someone was too damn lazy to walk an extra five feet to put a glass in the sink. It's a bad ring. There was something wet/sticky on the bottom of the glass and it really did some damage to the table. I cried this morning I was so upset. I was livid! I know it's just a table. But, it's brand new. And, it's nice. And, I just feel like we can never have anything nice because it gets broke, or busted, or ruined somehow. The best bet at this point is to get some of those furniture pens and color the ring one layer at a time until it gets close enough to the table color that it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. I'm ready to cry again, just thinking about it. What a way to start my day!

2. I'm loving 'American Idol' this year. Steven Tyler cracks me up, and I think I have a little crush on Jennifer Lopez! Some of the contestants are incredible. I wish I could sing half as good as some of the people on there. They blow me away. Although, little Scotty looked like Howdy Doody last night. I think it was his hair. There's a guy on there named James that I love! His voice is great, but it's his story that makes him my sentimental favorite. He has Tourette's and Aspergers syndrome. You can just tell that things haven't always been easy for him, like some of the others. Let's face it, the girls have always been pretty and popular. The same is true for some of the other contestants, too. They've always been part of the 'it' crowd, I'm sure. But, I don't think that's the case for James Durbin, so to see this guy with this amazing talent overcome the obstacles that he has had in his life is really something! I have other favorites, too. At this point, I can't choose who I want to win.

3. Austin is participating in St. Baldrick's this year. St. Baldrick's is an organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research. The money raised benefits children with cancer all over the United States. So, next Sunday, we'll go down to the Knights of Columbus Hall, and Austie will get his head shaved for the St. Baldrick's fundraiser! He's excited about it, and I'm going to work on getting him donations.

4. I'm still pissed about my table!!

Lima Beans or Chocolate?

I'm trying to decide what to give up for Lent. I know it needs to be something that you have to make an effort to work at. I can't say, "Oh, I'm giving up lima beans"... I don't eat lima beans. Period.
I don't remember giving anything up last year, but I know the year before I gave up all meat. I did really well with it. I had to think about what I could eat and plan accordingly.
I've thought about giving up alcohol, but I really do like my occasional Blue Moon or margarita. I've thought about caffeine, but I think I'd break that by 4:30 this afternoon. My family and co-workers would probably hate me if I tried to give up my Diet Coke! I've considered sweets. That would be really, really difficult. So, I'm toying with giving up chocolate. That would be easier than all sweets. But, I'd have to put forth a lot of effort. Little Debbie Star Crunches have been my chocolate vice of choice the past few weeks. They don't help my quest to lose weight, but they sure do help my sweet tooth, and the curb my chocolate/sweet fix. Trying to decide what to give up can be a hard decision to make. A friend of mine is struggling with giving up fast food or Charlie Sheen!
Some people start something during Lent instead of giving something up. I'm really thinking about this also. We've fallen out of the habit of going to church. And, I can't think of a better opportunity to start going again than during this season of Lent. There for a while, we were going to both the Methodist church that Joe grew up attending and also the Catholic church that I was baptised and confirmed into almost two years ago. I actually enjoyed attending both services on Sunday mornings. Somehow, we fell out of the habit of going to one service, much less two.
So, now I think it's time to make a decision... we'll get up for church on Sunday, and I'll give up chocolate for Lent.
Time will tell which of the two is harder...

Location & Family Genes

Hankadoo has had a nagging, deep in the chest cough the past few days. And, I could tell that he's just been run down. He hasn't been sick, but I could tell the poor little guy just hasn't felt 100%. Yesterday he said his throat was sore, etc. This morning before school, we made a trip to the doctor. I wanted to make sure it wasn't settling into his lungs, and that he'd end up with pneumonia. I suspected it was just allergy and sinuses issues.

I was right. It's just allergies and sinuses. So, he is now on a daily dose of allergy medicine. Poor kiddo, he has his momma's allergies. It's just a family tradition. That, and we live in Ohio Valley. Everyone here has 'Ohio Valley Crud'...it's a medical condition, look it up! This crud is just that...crud.

I'm hoping his allergy medicine will help. I don't see us moving, and there's nothing I can do about those family genes. But, I wonder.... would we still have these allergies and sinus issues living on the beach??

What the hell am I doing in my sleep?

If you take one part Jiminy Glick

and add one part Foghorn Leghorn.....

The end result is what I saw when I looked in the mirror first thing this morning. My hair was all over the top of my head, sticking straight up. And, my face was so puffy.

I don't know why it's called "beauty sleep" because when you get up and scare yourself, it's anything but beautiful!

Happy Monday!

Pedicures & Margaritas!

This morning I couldn't decide which sounded better a pedicure or a margarita. And, then I thought how great it would be to have a pedi while drinking a margarita! I mean, really...how awesome would that be? I can picture it now, sitting back in the massaging chair, sipping a big frozen margarita and having my toes done. Ahhhh, bliss!

I think I shall petition city council to let nail salons purchase liquor licenses!

A Seuss-tastic Day!

We love Dr. Seuss in our house. Hank's all-time favorite book is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and Dr. Seuss books were on the top of Christmas wish list this past year. (The three shown in the picture just happened to be the first three he grabbed off the shelf this morning. There's many more to choose from!) and even though it's not the Christmas season, I thought his Grinch shirt would be perfect to wear today. It says 'Define Naughty"...which for Hankadoo could go all year long.

He made me email the picture to his teacher. She loved it, of course.

I'm actually surprised he didn't suggest having green eggs & ham for supper! We did that once.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!