Christmas-in-Pictures

First look . . . grumbling Christmas Bear -



Lots of stuff!

. . . and some more stuff!

Tearing up some turf!

. . . and to all a Good Night!

Intervention

It was bound to happen. I should have seen it coming. But I had gotten so sloppy and careless. I should not have been surprised but surprise is still the emotion I felt when it all happened. When the walls came tumbling down and I had to face the harsh ugly truth:

I'm an addict.

It had gotten to where I would get so euphorious that I couldn't see through the haze - the sprinkles of powder on my clothes. Or maybe it was the tell-tale residue on my upper lip. It could have been my unusually high energy at 6:30 in the evening. That's not normal for any middle-aged woman. Especially one with a 2 year old. Ahhh, the idiocy and lack of functioning brain matter of an addict.


Damn ye to hell, sugar donuts! DAMN YE TO HELL!!!!

Back to Regular Scheduled Programming

I don't know about the rest of you but I am glad to have my butt back in my office chair at my office computer doing my every day job (okay, after I finish this post).

I love the holidays and sharing the true meaning of the season with my family and friends and enjoying all the festivities that go with it - - but quite frankly, I'm pooped.

I just had four and a half days off from work and now I'm at work actually relaxing for the first time since last Wednesday.

Once I get all the photos downloaded from the camera, I'll create a photo-post of the Bear's very wonderful third Christmas.

Hope all of you had happy Christmases, too!

My Christmas Song for You

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
You give us so much kumquat.

O Christmas Tree
from the Christmas Song Generator.

Get your own song:

The Greatest Gift

It's 9:15 am and I could really use a nap. The kind of nap that finds one drifting off peacefully and with a happy little smile.

I love Christmas on the weekend. It means that our family's holiday schedule is that much farther away from the hustle and bustle that the secular world would have us caught up in. For us, the cash and carry of days ended at 3:30 on Friday afternoon.

Our Christmas weekend included three special worship services at church, each with its own special focus on the glory and immensity of the Christ child's birth. The tremendousness of the greatest gift we have ever received:

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." - - Luke 2:10-11

No Spelling before 0800 Hours!!!

The Bear woke up at 4 am this morning. I went in to check on him to try and get him to go back to sleep. Apparently he woke up worried about Santa Claus and when is he supposed to come and does he know what he's supposed to bring?

I carried the Bear into bed with me and Daddy, hoping to snuggle up and soothe his concerns so we could all go back to sleep. No such luck.

The question and answer session continued for about another 15 minutes or so. By this time Daddy is trying his best to get the Bear to just "shhhh, closey eyes and Santa will come see us in a couple of days." The Bear felt the need to re-iterate at 4:30 a.m. that he wanted a big red bike (yes, the color has changed from blue to green and now to red) and he wants a big white dirty truck (?).

Anyway, I start spelling to Daddy that we need to encourage the R E D B I K E deal because that is the color we got and since we're going to Fredericksburg this afternoon do they have a T R A C T O R S U P P L Y because then we can pick up some more J O H N D E E R E stuff to put under the T R E E from S A N T A.

Daddy holds up his hand in the darkened bedroom and without lifting his head off the pillow says, "Whoa whoa - - it is too D A M N early to be spelling at me!"

Merry Christmas!!!!

The Purina Diet

I was in Walmart buying a large bag of Purina and was in line to check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog . . . . duh!

I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IV's in both arms.

Her eyes about bugged out of her head. I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package said the food is nutritionally complete so I was going to try it again.

I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her. Horrified, she asked if something in the dog food had poisoned me and was that why I ended up in the hospital.

I said no . . . I'd been sitting in the street licking my butt when a car hit me.

har har har

The preceding joke was sent to me from a good friend who has taught me all I know about horses. Which ain't much.

I must be insane!

So we're right smack in the middle of the Christmas holidays out here: getting ready for the big night at home and with family, preparing for all the various and sundry events at work (church), baking every shape and size and flavor of holiday snack-sweet-bread-dish, etc.

Guess what I decided I need to do right in the middle of all this? I decided last night that I need to organize my "recipe hole." The "recipe hole" is one entire upper cupboard in my kitchen where, for the past 3 or so years, I have tossed countless scraps of paper and index cards and food 'zine pages upon which a recipe had been spied. It presented a very real danger to one's eyesight/nose to open the cupboard door lest the contents come flying out haphazardly. Opening the door has not been an enjoyable task.

Anyhoo, I figured now is as good a time as any to get it all wrangled and organized into some sort of order or something. Right now I am just trying to get it in one pile in one spot on my desk in hopes that maybe some time before next Christmas I can have it in a notebook or something that I can actually use on occasion.

I usually enjoy an exercise in organization but this is one that I fear is going to be somewhat painful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS Y'ALL ! ! ! !

Holiday Eating Tips 101

There's only one thing I hate about this time of year (besides the crass commercialism and forced frivolity) but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on "how to get through the holidays without gaining ten pounds."

You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief. Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A carrot was something you left for Rudolph.

I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make if to New Year's? Your pants don't fit anymore, anyway.

1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt Scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt Scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnogaholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with Gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between Christmas and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table carrying a ten- pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day? I don't think so.

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it all cost. I mean, have some standards, for pete sake.

And one final tip:
10. If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread the tips. Start over.

But hurry! Cookie-less January is just around the corner.

Legal Wranglings

Coming from 15+ years in the corporate litigation arena, my eye is always caught by any headlines regarding interesting lawsuits. Having been on both sides of the corporate litigation ball at one time or another, I cannot peg myself either "plaintiff" or "defendant." I consider myself relatively objective when presented with ALL the facts. But there has been occasion when my desire to win created a tunnelvision so as to preclude any reasonable arguments on behalf of the opposing side.

This article is in regards to a man in Alabama suing Merck Pharmaceuticals four years after he suffered a heart attack whilst he was taking the anti-inflammatory Vioxx. He filed his suit last year - one year after Merck pulled the drug out of circulation. Apparently this gentleman suffered from many health issues before the heart attack (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and was/is overweight). The jury found in favor of Merck and the plaintiff was denied his hoped-for payday of $5.75 million. (How this got to court is curious - - statute of limitations should have been somewhere in the neighborhood of two years.)

I have no problem with any part of the article regarding the lawsuits against Merck for what people feel are justifiable legal actions. You know where my problem is?? Look at the end of the article where it says: "A judge in one case ordered a retrial after jurors sided with Merck."

That tee-totally pisses me off!! You know why? Because that judge is essentially thumbing his nose at our jury trial system. In my book, there is no reason whatsoever that a judge should be allowed to order a retrial after a JURY verdict. I agree with the safeguards by letting judges order mis-trials due to any number of rights' violations, legal misconduct, procedural disqualifications, etc.

But if this judge (and I have no information as to specifics about the particular case) ordered a retrial for no other reason than he did not agree with its finding or he somehow felt that the jury was not qualified (and that's another argument for another day) to come to the conclusion that it did, he should be removed from the bench immediately.

That "good old boy" network crap PISSES me off!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Gloriously Interesting to Me!

I just got back from the post office and Hubby (the elected official in the family) received yet another Christmas card from a state government official. This time it was from Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

So far I think we've gotten Christmas greetings from the Governor, two Senators, one State Representative, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, and various and sundry Sheriffs throughout the state.

You wanna know the BEST part??

EVERY SINGLE one of these greetings had a Bible verse and/or a reference to the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I've been checking the addresses and postage. It looks like they all have personal return addresses and regular old .39 cent holiday stamps. Hmmm . . . I suppose the "separation of church and state" is not going to diminish the personal beliefs of our elected officials.

And I REJOICE in that!!!!

Cookies for Santa

Several years ago when I was single and childless with dreams of a very handsome wonderful Husband (check!) and adorable little ones (check!), I made some of my first "Mommy" purchases to be safely kept until needed. I bought six big Children's Treasury books: Bible Stories, Mother Goose, Fairy Tales, Christmas Stories, Peter Rabbit, and Bedtime Stories. These books were going to be critical to me reading to my children every night before I tucked them into bed. One of my other purchases was a plate and cookie cookbook set: Cookies for Santa. I have carried these items around with me from move to move, carefully packed in boxes until the blessed days came for me to utilize them.

The Cookies for Santa plate and cookbook are going to be used for the first time next week when the Bear and I work together in the kitchen to bake up his first batch of cookies. I cannot even begin to describe how excited I am about this upcoming event. Of course, I may be singing a totally different tune once I have to clean flour out of floor tile crevices and dried egg white out of stove burners. But I am going to delight in every minute of it.

And by the way, I have it on good authority that Santa would very much enjoy these Chocolate Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies.



MERRY CHRISTMAS ! ! !

Quote of the Day

"You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks." - - Will Rogers

I've got another term for the guy -

Pervert.

Maybe I'm being a prudish, uptight church lady but come on. That crap contributes NOTHING of value whatsoever to our society.

And the fact that he pulls in $40 million a year makes me wanna retch.

Slumbering Bear: A Retrospective

One of my very favorites things as a mommy is watching my baby sleep. He is so peaceful and looks so blissful that it gives me a wonderful feeling of maybe we're doing okay as parents after all.

Jesus tender

Shepherd hear me

Bless your little lamb tonight

Through the darkness

Be Thou near me

Keep me safe til morning's light.

Christmas Spirit, Smirit - GIMMMEE!

So the boss gets a package today from these people:



Said package is sitting on my desk. Unopened. For now.

Said boss is out of the office today.

hmmmmm . . . what to do, what to do.

Quote of the Day

"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty." - - Sacha Guitry

Stealing Kisses

Gotta get 'em while he's still shorter than me.

New Moniker? Maybe. No?

I'm considering changing the name of my blog from "The Complaint Department" to something a little more catchy, trendy, linkable. I'm thinking my current title lends itself to more avoidance than curiosity.

I love names like Williams-Sonoma, Harry & David, Crate & Barrel. They're so uber contemporary (hee hee - I've used the word "uber" in my blog TWICE now!) and memorable. Although since I'm not offering goods for sale perhaps I should stick with catchy AND descriptive. But I still love my subtitle though - I wanna keep it.

So after some thought (and a couple of glasses of wine), I've come up with "City Girl/Country Living."

My subtitle is going to have to change - it's not a good match for the new title. So you may see some other changes to the blogface but the URL will remain the same so no worries for any kind links that have been generously added.

Any subtitle thoughts?? I'm all ears.

Another Picture of My Kid

We had a beautiful day yesterday here in the Texas Hill Country. There was a little breeze with some nip to it but otherwise it was 65 and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky. We took the opportunity to get out and get some fresh air. The Bear was having a serious case of cabin fever over the weekend and the newly decorated Christmas tree barely survived.

Here he is on "Trigger" - his first horse. As he and Trigger are crazily galloping along, here comes Murphy (his second horse) with a look that says, "Hey, kid - - what's goin on here? I'M your horse!!"

If I don't, will I get kicked out?

I just logged into my dashboard and a message was at the top: "Your new version of Blogger is ready."

It didn't say anything about "beta" but it said there were new features and blah blah blah.

Am I supposed to do the new version? Is it a choice? I've heard that if I do "beta" I can't go back to the old blogger style.

I'm so confoosed!

I'b Sthick.

I went into work just long enough this morning to get the necessities completed and then I came home.

Last night was miserable. I couldn't breathe, my throat was all itchy and scratchy, and I had an ice picking headache. I guess the worst part is the stuffed up nose. First it's the left side, then the right side, then left, then right, then left, then both. I'm officially a mouth-breather today. I can already feel my IQ points falling.

Hopefully by Monday I will be back to my old smarmy forked tongue self.

Here's wishing everyone a wonderful, phlegm free weekend!

So THAT's why?!!

I find this article hilarious. You know, cheaters will do anything, even write a magazine article, to try and justify their actions. The funniest part is that they are so dense as to think we are stoopid enough to buy it.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the whole purpose of being in a relationship to commit yourself to that one person? If variety is what you want, then steering clear of "relationships" should be added to the top of your 'To Do' list. And if you're in a relationship that you don't want to be in, then that's your own fault. Nobody knows you better than yourself so signing up for a commitment you had no intention of keeping can't be blamed on anyone else - not even the other person in the relationship (unless, of course, a shotgun was involved).

Back to the article, supposedly the four top reasons you cheater guys will cheat are:

1. It's in your biology - Hey! It was in my biology to choke the living crap out of the ex-wife-in-law but I didn't. It's a little thing called "self-control." All adults are equipped with it - use it!

2. For the attention - awww, poor wittle baby not getting any attention at home? Wifey putting too much energy into washing your clothes, cooking your meals, cleaning the house, taking care of the kids, holding down a full-time job?? You poor wittle neglected thing. SHUT THE **** UP! Maybe if you'd help out a little and relieve a little of her burdens she wouldn't be so dog-ass tired and you could get/receive the attention you BOTH deserve.

3. You want out - Yeah, it's too much trouble and why bother with dignity by actually breaking up with the person you don't want to be with anymore. Just cheat and they'll kick you to curb on their own. So you're a weasely little nertless wuss on top of being a cheating slimeball. Where were you when I was single? blech

4. You want variety - and how about a little STD to go with that? woo hoo You got yourself a real party going now!

What the article didn't bother to acknowledge is that choosing (and it IS a choice - it's controllable behavior) to cheat is only going to get you celibate and lonely in the end.

The article is hilarious to me for several reasons with the first being that no matter who a guy is cheating on - - he is ultimately cheating himself. So to try to explain it away with smartly worded bullet points really only eases the cheater's mind, no one else's.

The fool is sadly fooling himself.

YO! I'm a Rocky kid!

When the "Rocky 6" commercial came on tv this weekend, Hubby and I looked at each other with expressions of perplexion. "Really?"

"Is that for real?"

So I did little surf-vestigating yesterday and sure 'nuff - "Rocky 6" is coming out some time around Christmas.

Now I know there are those out there who are giving hoots of laughter that Sylvester Stallone is doing another Rocky movie, saying "Give it a rest already!" But for those of us whose earliest movie memories include Rocky slugging his heart out against Apollo Creed and NOT winning (what kind of jacked up movie ending was THAT?), we still have a tender spot in our hearts for the big goofball. I watched the first four Rocky movies with my parents (I'm sure Mom would have preferred to see something else but Dad was there so it was Rocky or nothing). And then I saw the fifth Rocky with the jerk I was dating at the time (whole other story there).

With the sixth (and final?) Rocky coming out, I am looking forward to seeing how things have been going for my favorite boxer.

It Happened. Again.

I couldn't find my new lip liner this morning. A perfectly good reason to be on the verge of tears. I was sitting in the DQ drive-thru waiting for my morning Diet Dr. P and I realized that my $2 lip liner was not in my tote bag where it belonged. And I knew where it was. It had been thrown away at a Wal-Mart in another town.

Once again, my multiple roles of wife/mother/full-time employee caused me to let myself down. And it's always something small. It's never anything big because the big stuff I can remember and keep track of and if I don't accomplish it then, oh well - I tried.

But the small stuff gets me every time. We stopped at Wal-Mart after church on our way to my mother-in-law's house. I needed a lip liner, Hubby needed eyeglass cleaner and cloth, and the Bear needed wipes and bubble bath. I got everything we all needed but once I got back in the truck I realized that the bubble bath seal had been broken and the lid was loose. Great, the bubble bath was leaking onto everything else. I told Hubby we would stop back by on our way home and exchange the bubble bath. So I put everything else in the Bear's tote bag and then cleaned off Hubby's eyeglasses.

On the way home we stopped at Wal-Mart again so I could exchange the bubble bath. I just left it in the bag since it had leaked and gave it to the clerk. I went and got the new sealed bubble bath, did the check-out thing, and left.

You guessed it. My new lip liner was still in the bag with the old leaky bubble bath. I'm sure the bag hit the trash before I even got out the door.

Some times I put so much focus and energy into making sure that everything is just right for Hubby and just right for the Bear and just right for my employers that anything I needed to do for myself gets completely lost in the shuffle. And it's always something small.

I miss her.

I think a lot of my fellow bloggers (at least the ones I communicate with) will be able to relate with me on this issue. Or maybe not.

All day long I have my internet radio going (KLTY out of Dallas). They are playing Christmas music 24/7 this month. And they have a wonderful selection of Carpenter holiday songs that are played occasionally throughout the day.

Karen Carpenter's voice was kind of the background music of my life during my elementary years. One of my very dear friends even had a Carpenter's song played at her wedding several years after Karen's death.

I don't know why but hearing her voice makes me feel a little melancholy and wistful.

Sometimes vandalism IS funny!

PLEASE Do Your Part

Here's a link to Let's Say Thanks.

You can go in and send a card to our troops overseas. It only takes a minute and it doesn't cost a thing. Xerox Corp will print them off and distribute them. You can click to send one or two or twenty.

Whether you support the course of action in Iraq or not, our military men and women are still going to be away from their homes and families this holiday season on behalf of our country.

Let's show them that we have not forgotten them.

Thanks.

My heart is BREAKIN here!

What is it with all these lovely couples throwing away their lives together? What about us? The people who love them and wish them well on their wedding day(s)? We have an emotional investment here, too, you know!

Well, all I'm going to say is if THEY can't make it, nobody can!!

From the Archives

A friend found this photo while going through storage. I begged him to let me use it with the condition that I blur out the faces to the protect the innocent (her) and the pitiful (him).

Along with the fu man chu 'stache and mullet, don't miss the SHARK TOOTH EARRING!!!

It still amazes me that any dude with a mullet got any action back then.

har har har

A Big Bundled Up Bear, Oh My!

So we were enjoying a lovely autumn day yesterday - it was 78 degrees with a nice soft breeze wafting through the trees. I had a light sweater on, no need for a jacket in these parts.

The Bear enjoyed mow mow'ing the grass with his bubble mower for about 1/2 an hour before it started getting dark. I enjoyed my limited time with the horses - giving them the attention and snuggles that they have come to expect from me everyday. Okay, okay . . . we all know they're just buttering me up for their oats and feed but I'll take their affectionate bribery every time.

And then . . . some time during the dark wee hours of the night, the soft breeze turned sharp and cold and the temperature dropped to 30 degrees.

Wha - - ??? This crazy Texas weather bowed to Northern peer pressure and welcomed in that nasty artic blast.

poopers!

awwwwww, Mom! I can't move!

Green Bay must be HONGRY!

Here's a link to Campbell's Chunky Soup Tackling Hunger site. You can click for your favorite NFL team and Campbell's donates soup to the team's local soup kitchens.

It's a great thing, it helps feed the hungry, and it doesn't cost a dime. Get to clicking!


(Go Patriots!)

All I want for Christmas is . . . a pool skimmer!

I've always considered myself "low maintenance" and my Christmas wish list just proves it.

1. A pool skimmer . . . . for the horse trough. The trough sits between a couple of pecan trees so the water is always nice and cool and the horses have a shady place to get refreshed. The only problem is that pecan tree leaves are of the small-ish size and there are a gazillion on each tree. Every day I "rake" the leaves floating in the trough. So I'm thinking a pool skimmer would be cool not to mention very useful. And I'm sure the horses would appreciate not having to chew their water.

2. "The Devil Wears Prada" on DVD. I know it's a chick flick but it's hilarious and I can totally relate to the dichotomy of the main character's upbringing and eventual career. And it makes my own shoe addiction seem pretty insignificant.

3. A Cornelius Series 200 Flake Ice Machine. Yeah, so it costs about $2,500 but we shouldn't put a price on happiness, right? I have to have my Diet Dr. P with extra ice every morning just like some folks have to have their Starbuck's coffee (or any caffeine, for that matter). I've already included an ice machine in the preliminary new house plans. Just in case Santa doesn't come through for me.

What are YOU wishing for this year?

Now that's funny, I don't care who you are!

Disclaimer: The following is a funny e-mail I received from my aunt and which (in light of her somewhat straightlaced personality) I find pretty hilarious. Plus it is always fun when there is a feminist twist to the old sexist cliches. I think that is what has the guys so apoplectic - they don't take it as well as they give it. Oh, the disclaimer part, this is all just in fun. Any resemblance to actual little sausages, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?" Here's an update for you: Now days, 80% of women are against marriage. WHY? Because women realize it's not worth buying the entire pig just to get a little sausage.

1. Men are like Laxatives, they irritate the crap out of you.
2. Men are like Bananas, the older they get, the less firm they are.
3. Men are like the Weather, nothing can be done to change them.
4. Men are like Blenders, you think need one but you're not quite sure why.
5. Men are like Chocolate Bars, sweet and smooth but they usually head for your hips.
6. Men are like Commercials, you can't believe a word they say.
7. Men are like Department Stores, their clothes are always 1/2 off.
8. Men are like Government Bonds, they take soooooooo long to mature.
9. Men are like Popcorn, they satisfy you but only for a little while.
10. Men are like Lava Lamps, fun to look at but not very bright.

Updated Post Alert

I finally figured out a way around the Blogger picture nazis and put a picture of my beautiful Mother on her birthday post.

Potty Mouth

Well, the Bear had to do some time in Time-Out this morning. Apparently he and one of his little buddies were having themselves a little cussin' contest. She said "sh**" and he said "da**it" and they were having a big time.

I swear, er, I'm telling you - - he DID NOT hear that from ME. I'm big time into S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G things these days. My worst offense/contribution to the Bear's ever expanding dictionary is "fart."

I swear, er, honest!

What I'm Listening To Now

Finally! The Bear is at daycare and I can have my CD player back. If the Bear is riding shotgun, then we only have two choices: "Hicktown" by Jason Aldean or "Play Somethin' Country" by Brooks & Dunn. Or rather in the Bear's terms: "the Bronco song" or "the bumpin' song", respectfully. And we listen to them over and over and over and over and . . . .

Thank goodness he isn't aware that we could get the "ba donk a donk song" if we wanted to.

Now, I'm going to lunch and enjoy some good tunes!

Yeah . . . but is it really THAT funny?

Here's a picture for you. It pretty much sums up my real concern about our immigration problem.

Something has got to be done to get it under control and for crying out loud, this political correctness thing has gotten to the point of being ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!!!

If immigrants don't want to assimilate into American society and learn English to the degree necessary (the above photo represents the necessary degree NOT being met), then they should head back home.

There are certain responsibilities that come with living in America (notice I didn't say being an American citizen - that would indicate that all immigrants are coming here legally). The first being accountable for yourself and your actions. We have laws in America - if you're not going to obey the law of not coming here illegally, at least obey the rest of the laws. I find it atrocious that an illegal person can commit a heinous crime (murder being the most popular offense) in the US and not be held accountable for it. The worst he can get is deported. Wha- - ???!!! There's something SERIOUSLY wrong with the system if a murderer only gets deported. If you come here, you live by the rules or you suffer the consequences of breaking those rules. In Texas, we kill murderers. Works for me.

The second being assimilating into American culture. If you choose to speak your native tongue at home with family and friends, no problem. But out in American society, speak English. If you don't know English when you get here, then make it a priority to learn it. I have a real problem with American education standards being lowered to make it easier for non-English speaking students to advance. Bull-hockey! LEARN THE LANGUAGE!!

The third being personal and religious tolerance. Americans are by and far pretty tolerant when it comes to differences. I think that was part of the whole "getting away from the strict monarchy conformity" thing back a couple of hundred years ago. I'm a Republican Christian who likes to wear boots and jeans and listen to rock music and eat sushi. If you're a Chinese Buddhist and you prefer reggae music and tacos, then you're in the right place. But don't get pissed off at me because I don't like reggae. The people who come to America and then try to force their ways and beliefs on the rest of us are the ones who should be sent packing back to where they came from. You stay out of my church and I'll stay out of your mosque. It's called TOLERANCE and if you didn't have it where you were, you better get it when you get here.

I'm not writing this post to offend people. I'm writing it because it is my opinion and praise God that we live in a country where we are free to express ourselves without fear of punishment. It's what should motivate us to exchange different ideas and hopefully, together come up with solutions to the problems that are chipping away at our foundation as a productive society.

I loves me some Christmas!!

The Christmas season is my favorite time of the year. I love cold weather and snuggling in front of a fireplace, either with my Hubby or a good book. Or both. But most times if he's in the vicinity, ain't no reading going on!

Ahem . . . pardon.

Back to Christmas!! I love it! I love decorating and baking and shopping for the kids (the Bear and all his cousins and some close friends who happen to be small). Since we're out here in the sticks (meaning 2 hours away from any decent malls), I do most of my Christmas shopping online so I miss the majority of the hectic headaches that come along with the holidays. About the most aggravation I suffer from would be something being out of stock. So dealing with the gift shopping is something that is fun for me - just surfing the net for the perfect something for someone. But most of the gifts we give are of the "they need it or really want it" variety. I refuse to give a "whatever" gift just for the sake of handing a wrapped package to someone. That's worse than not giving them anything at all.

Right now, the priority on the shopping list are the 3 big things for the Bear. Two of which are coming from Santa Claus. Mommy and Daddy are only going to get props for one. The big ones are:

A John Deere tricycle!!! And this bad boy has inflated rubber TIRES!! No more slick action on the grassy knoll in front of the casa. The Bear is going to be tearing up some serious sod with this mean green riding machine!

Okay, in an effort to maintain my honesty obligation, this little beauty is more for Daddy than for the Bear but since it has cars that go fast, the Bear will still get have fun with it. Even more so since Daddy will be sure it is in operation at all times.

Now I'm off to find some holiday music for your listening pleasure. I really want Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" but I'm not having much luck.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Like always, I waddled around for a couple of days afterward but a brisk walk through The Parks Mall worked it off. (Or maybe it was the pushing and shoving, on my part, that worked it off.)

HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASONINGS!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I probably won't be posting again until Sunday or Monday so here's my Thanksgiving blessings to you all! Have a happy and safe one!

Tightee Whitee Spidees

Some of you are aware that there is a 2.5 year old boy living in my house. And, being 2.5 we are of course knee deep in the potty training phase. I laugh about this because let me tell you, it actually keeps me from crying. And I don't cry because he's growing up. I cry because of the inordinate amount of poop I have to deal with every flipping day! Changing diapers is SOOOOOO much easier than scraping - - - never mind.

Anyhoo, in an effort to encourage a quick transition from diaper-wearing toddler to big boy underpants, we have employed the following goods for bribery:

(1) Mega M&Ms: THEY ROCK!

And the Bear will do just about anything to get his paws on some Mega Emma Emmas. Anything just short of actually pooping in the potty. Oh, we've hit it a couple of times and you'd think the insane clapping and dancing that Daddy and I do would get him firmly on the road to hitting it every time. No such luck. Cause a guy has things to tend to, you know, like cars and trucks and bugs and stuff. No time to stop and use the potty. Just pause for a moment and, there! Job done in pants. Mom can take care of it later! ARRRRGHHH

(2) Spider Man Underpants: I know, we pulled out the big guns.

Because if forced to choose between diaper-like training pants or Spidees, the Bear goes for the Spidees every time. Oh, there's been the threat of "no more Spidees if you poop in them again" but apparently he called our bluff because he knows we want him to wear the Spidees maybe more than he does. And the Bear loves him some Spidees. He'll drop trou for anybody willing to stop long enough and take a peak. He ain't shy. "Wanna see my Spidah Man pants?" Drop the drawers down to the knees and push out tushy - - gotta get a good look. Oh good Lord. I'm almost dreading the trip to the Arlington mall on Friday to see Santa Claus. Indecent exposure, here we come!

License to Grille

I just got back from the post office which is about 6 blocks from here. Our little town doesn't have any traffic lights. We have one major intersection on the square and it is a 4-way stop. Needless to say, traffic shouldn't be too hazardous from here to the post office. You'd think.

So I'm driving behind this guy who is going too slow for my right foot but I stay off his bumper. The cops in this town'll give me a ticket for anything. (har har har) But this guy in front of me looks like he is on his way to the post office too so I just cool my jets and plod along behind him. Well, he obviously decided that an earlier turn off was what he wanted so he turns on his blinker to turn right and moves like he is going on to the shoulder (which is actually more of an outside lane). But instead of keepin 'er straight, he swings it out w--i--d--e to the left and then turns to the right. Of course I made my move to pass him when he drifted on to the shoulder/right lane. I guarantee the old poot almost got me but I headed to the left as soon as I saw him swing out. whew!!

But dadgum! I don't swing out that wide even when I'm hauling a stock trailer!

I hate it when people do that!

Quote of the Day

"Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, then you can't be promoted." - - Zen Sarcarsm

Counting My Blessings

As it is the time for outwardly acknowledging our blessings and what we are thankful for, I'd like to share mine with you.

The Lady Lorraine wrote a beautiful post today and provided added inspiration.

I'm thankful for the wonderful people I'm lucky enough to call family and friends. I'm thankful for good health for myself and my loved ones. But not only am I thankful for my family and friends who are an integral part of my every days but for those who play a vital part via the internet. I've made some wonderful friends through Blogger and for that I am very grateful.

And although my local friends are very important to me, my e-friends have special meaning. Maybe it comes from the skinny, awkward little girl that still resides in my psyche. The one who always tried so hard to be funny and be a good friend in hopes that the friendship would be returned. I was the proverbial ugly duckling all the way through school so my sense of humor and forked tongue and sharp wit served me well. If any of you out there were pre-teen or teenagers in the 80s then you know what I am talking about. It was all about looks and name brands. Thinking about it now only makes it seem that much more shallow. And shallow we were back then. We were so clique-y: jocks, cheerleaders, brainiacs, band nerds, dopers. All determinations were based on the outside package. Even though I was too tall, too skinny, braces, glasses, acne - the whole nine yards - I became best friends with the most beautiful and popular girl in school. I was part of the "in" crowd. Whether it was because of my best friend or the fact that I was the first girl in our class to get a car (and a kick ass hot rod, at that!), my school experiences for the most part were good. But all that came with a price. The junior high/high school social mine field. What you wore, what you drove, who you hung out with, etc. Geez louise, the shallowness!

But that's what makes e-friends so much more special. Because without all the superficial outside stuff to get in the way, we all get to know each other for the great people we are on the inside. And isn't that wonderfully beautiful?!

Quote of the Day

"If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments." - - Zen Sarcasm

He's a waste of human skin!

By now I'm sure all of you have at least heard a little something about OJ Simpson's forthcoming book and FOX interviews.

Apparently killing two people and getting away with it isn't enough for this piece of dogs*** media whore (and I mean that in the ugliest most negative way possible). He has decided that he needs to make money off his sick brutality by writing a book about "if he HAD done it, this is HOW he would have done it" theory.

So I will not be watching anything on FOX - not even their Sunday morning FOX football stuff, which I love. Their NASCAR coverage SUCKS - so that is no big loss. And if I hear of any consumer products that are advertised during OJ's interviews, I will never purchase those products again. (geez, I hope it's not toilet paper or chocolate!!!)

I will not buy the book. I will not even touch it if I see it in a store. And if it is in a store that I shop at, I will no longer shop at that store. I'm serious, people. That sick bastard needs to get the message loud and clear.

"WE KNOW YOU DID IT. YOU KNOW WE KNOW YOU DID IT. YOU'RE NOT ABOVE THE LAW, NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK. AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO CONTRIBUTE ONE MORE PENNY OF BLOOD MONEY TO SUPPORT YOUR SORRY MURDERING WORTHLESS ASS."


I couldn't do much about the legal atrocity that happened in that LA courtroom ten years ago but I can do something with my money now that will hopefully make a difference. Please see the site below which was set up by the family of Ron Goldman (who was murdered by OJ Simpson):

www.dontpayoj.com

Quote of the Day

"Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night." - - Anonymous

Mom and Pop gettin in on the action.

We had a friend come out this past weekend and take some pictures of us for our annual photo Christmas cards. (Beware of your mailbox if you were so foohardy as to let me know where you live.)

We got some great pictures of the Bear - if he sees a camera anywhere within sight he starts "cheese"-ing and doesn't stop until he sees a flash go off.

But here's a couple of me and old Dad.



The horse's name is Colonel. He's the boss out at our place and he don't take no guff off nobody. But he is a big ole sweetie and I loves him!

Whatcha gonna do with a Cowboy?

I can see you got your eye on this old cowboy,

and I can tell you've never had one for your own,

or you've never been around one,

Now you're thinkin that you've found one,

well it might be kinda fun to take him home.

You giggle every time that I say "yes, ma'am"

and I get this feelin if I held you tight,

you'd be seein his and hers

buckles, boots and spurs,

but that's a feelin you'll get over overnight.

Cause whatcha gonna do with a cowboy

when that old rooster crows at dawn,

when he's lyin there instead

of gettin outta bed

and puttin on his boots and gettin gone?

Whatcha gonna do when he says "Honey,

I've gotta half a mind to stay?"

Whatcha gonna do with a cowboy

when he don't saddle up and ride away?

You can see it takes a special kinda woman

to put up with the life a cowboy leads.

Cause his boots are always muddy

and his beer drinkin buddies

will camp out on your couch and never leave.

Don't even start to think you're gonna change him.

You'd be better off to try and rope the wind.

Whatcha see is what he's got,

and he can't be what he's not,

And honey, you can't hide him from your friends.

- - Chris LeDoux

Is it just me?

Yesterday morning while the whole family was getting ready to start the day, the local television news station was on. Our closest local station is Austin which is about 100 miles away so it's not really local for us but what the heck.

During the newscast they showed live footage from a new IKEA store that was opening later in the morning. Here's where my aggravation came in. There were families (of which there were children present) that had obviously camped out in their tents and sleeping bags and whatnot to await the opening of the store.

CHILDREN? Sleeping in a tent outside a retail store on a week night to wait for said store's grand opening?

There are so many things WRONG with this that I am having a hard time knowing where to start.

I'll start with the kids and the school night. Where in the feeble minds of these parents do they think this is a good idea? Skipping school to go to a store opening is beyond irresponsible. Not only was the week night schedule screwed (which, who am I kidding? These moron parents probably let their kids raise themselves so there is no "schedule" to adhere to), but the kids are getting the really sorry idea that this is how they are supposed to prioritize things in their lives. School or be first in line for the new Playstation? Crap! Skrew skule!!

You know, I know how every parent raises their kid is their own damn business but it is looking more and more to me that there is a significant number of dumbasses out there who should absolutely not procreate. And odds are, their kids are going to be the trouble makers who are disruptive in class and take away from the other children who are actually in school to learn and whose parents are trying to honestly do a good job of raising their children despite probably having both parents in the workforce.

eh . . . maybe it's just me after all.

The Line in My Life

Today is my Mom's birthday. She would have been 64.

I have lived the last 14 years always subconciously aware that I had a life with Mom and a now a life without her. Sometimes all it takes to bring back the heartache of losing her is to hear an old Conway Twitty song (he was her Elvis) or a reference to "Steel Magnolias" (her favorite movie). And then there are times when I watch my son exhibit a trait that he so obviously inherited from her, and joy and pain collide.

When she died on January 30, 1993, I didn't cry until May - Mother's Day to be exact. All of my friends and co-workers went on and on about how strong I was and how well I was handling it. Apparently none of them noticed I was on auto-pilot. The only thing I remember from January 1993 until November 1993 is repeatedly saying, "Mom didn't think it was proper to cry in public." My Mom was about maintaining her dignity at all costs. I can't count the number of people who referred to her as a "classy lady." When she died, people were surprised. But that was because she worked full time up until Christmas of 1992. She never let on how sick she was. She got up every day and put on her make-up and fixed up her expensive wig and dressed nicely just like she had done every day before the diagnosis. Only those of us in the family knew how little time she had and how badly she suffered for nine months trying to conquer the beast inside her that was determined to take her life. Ovarian cancer wanted to claim another victim.

My life with Mom was good. And it was bad. We had a love/hate relationship - probably like a lot of mothers and daughters. But through it all I still considered her my best friend. My Dad said the reason we loved each other so deeply was because we were just alike. He also said that is the reason we hated each other so much some times. All my life people have told me that in looks I am a replica of my Dad but that in personality I am my Mother made over. I always tried to be a good daughter to her but sometimes my greed or selfishness made me do things that a good daughter would never do. The fact that I became a better daughter to her after she died is not something that makes me happy. I only hope she knows that after she worked so hard to raise good children to be good people, I really did turn out okay after all.

The bad thing about my life with Mom was that I could never remove myself from her completely. Even when I moved 2 hours away from home to go to college, it took me almost a year to get to the point where I didn't go home every weekend. And that was only after she told me not to. She had things she wanted to do and they didn't include me coming home on Friday night and staying until Sunday. After college I moved home for about 3 months until I got my own apartment and started the task of becoming an adult with a full-time job and all the various and sundry bills that come with adulthood. I don't know if it was her controlling nature (yes, I got that from her) or if it was my inability to stand on my own two feet financially but I was still somewhat attached to Mom at the hip. Any decisions I made without her input were almost guaranteed to have disastrous results: what job to get, where to live, who to date, managing my budget, etc. Without her keeping her finger on the steering wheel of my life, I was fast headed down a dead end road. I wish I could explain why I couldn't make better decisions for myself.

Then she died. "And with the hub of our family wheel missing, the rest of us were just the scattered spokes." - - Anna Quindlan

Like I said before, January 1993 to November 1993 is a blur. I don't remember a whole lot. I remember the breakdown on Mother's Day. I was sitting in my singles' Sunday School class and the teacher asked everyone to go around the room and tell what they loved best about their Moms. No one even looked my way. Why would they? Maybe because I had been "handling it all so well since January, look what a trouper!" Then it came my turn. I let 'em have it. I didn't even see it coming. It's like when you know you are about to pass out so you go down on your knees to break the fall. All I remember coming out of my mouth was, "I can't do this." The next thing I remember I was in the ladies' restroom with a couple of my friends. I hadn't passed out but my mind had definitely left me for a few minutes. Since that time I have always felt that God wraps us up in a big soft thick blanket of shock until He knows we are ready to deal with the actual loss. Because bare naked grief will tear a sane person to shreds.

That next week I moved in with my older brother. He was so angry at the time (still is) that he was outwardly more constructive than I. Divine intervention came in the form of a telephone call from a college friend in June. She had just finished up her nursing education and had gotten her dream job at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. She knew what was going on with me and she had witnessed firsthand the all-consuming relationship that I had with my Mom. She was the first to tell me to get out of my hometown. "There's nothing there for you. No decent jobs, no decent men. Nothing. Come down here with me and find a job that will pay you three times what you are making now. You NEED to do this!" So I did.

I went to work for a prestigious Dallas law firm, made an incredible amount of money at the time given my limited experience, moved into a great condo, made friends with some really good people. For the first time in my life I was doing well and making good decisions on my own. Why couldn't I have done this when Mom was still here?

I've gone on to get married to a wonderful guy and have a beautiful child. A grandchild that she would have been absolutely crazy about. Lots of milestones have happened in my life since 1993 and every time there has been a moment when I wish she could have been here to share it with me. For me to show off my accomplishments to her and for her to beam with pride.

The line in my life is a bittersweet one to me. Without it I would probably still be in my hometown living close to my parents and being one of those adult kids who never quite grows up to amount to much. Because without it she would still be here. Fourteen years later I still remember what it felt like to hug her and what her perfume smelled like. I remember the sound of her voice. They say time steals those things away. But it doesn't. We can keep them if we choose to. Instead of locking them away in a memory box that is too painful to open and go through.

With the line in my life I was given an opportunity for a wonderful life that I wouldn't trade. With it I found my soul mate and have a love that not everyone is blessed enough to receive. With it I have a 2.5 year old little boy who tells me that he talks to his "Gomey" up there and he wants to go see her. My heart and faith tell me that Mom has not left us and I will see her again some day, but not yet. Only her grandson gets to see her for now.

Happy Birthday, Momma. I miss you terribly. Love - Daughter

Always remember I'm by your side, such a shame that you had to go. So much more that I'd like to know, so many things you forgot to show me how to do.

When times are hard I forget you're gone, I go to call you before it dawns on me that you won't be there now. But I still have these words that you gave me:

Always remember I'm by your side, always remember I'm by your side.

I got two kids of my own now, they grow up so fast. And how I wish you did not miss that part of who I am. But I keep doing all that I can do and I will smile when they ask about you. And I will sing to them every day with the voice and the words that you used to say will change the world one day.

And while they grow up you will show up in the things they do and say, like a reflection to a connection of who they'll be some day. They will learn to get their wings and fly through the changes life will bring. So on and it will go on and you will go on.

And they will sing with the voice that you gave them: Always remember I'm by your side. Always remember I'm by your side.

I'm by your side.

-- "Always Remember" by Train

Riddle me this . . .

Okay, so I'm watching the news with particular interest this weekend due to the outcome of last week's elections.

Of course, at the top of everyone's agenda is the war in Iraq and whether we pull out our troops now, or a little a time, or finish what was started. (Quite honestly, I'm not real sure what was started: were we suppose to obliterate terrorists or help assist in the set up of a new democratic government or both or just act as full time policemen?)

While watching all the opinions and such, I started thinking about the culture of the Iraqi people. How can democracy work in a culture wherein historically when someone opposes an opinion, they realistically put themselves in danger of being killed? Here in the US, although we cannot say "never," for the most part we don't kill our politicians if they don't hold the same beliefs as we do. Our "guns" are our ballots. We can "take 'em out" by not re-electing them. And if someone, whether elected or not, kills a politician then they are a criminal, not "passionate for their cause." In the U.S., according to the law, homicide is not justifiable.

If we are over there trying to "train" them in all the logistics of a democratic government, which from what I hear on the news, the Iragi people seem "unwilling" to continue the efforts required to maintain democracy once the American troops are withdrawn.

I am absolutely against any more of our men and women dying over there for a government that will not stand on its on without our presence. I am also against terrorists thinking that it is a free for all in the U.S. and they can come over here and kill OUR citizens because they see us as capitalist infidels who should be wiped off the face of the earth.

Any and all conversation is welcomed on this topic because truly I am not really clear on what it is we are trying to do, what it is we SHOULD do, and if bipartisan politics can be put aside for the best interests of our country and enlisted personnel.

(who me? did I say something about "my last political post"? hmmm, no recollection.)

Hurry! Quick! Before he sees this!

I got a little blog started for the Hubster right over here. I don't know how public he wants it to be but you can check it out and send him some encouragement to keep it going.

He's got some really great stories to tell if he just would!

Who knew I had such international flair??

So I gets me this "fine foods" catalog in the mail today. Maybe not such a good idea that I go to the mailbox before lunch, hmmm?

Anyhoo, this slick little glossy has pages covered with sinfulness.

English muffins, scones, povitica, crumpets, baklava, rugulach.

Oy vey!

Even pissy when they WIN

Just when we thought the Dems were going to be gracious about their wins and the Republicans were going to be gracious about their losses, some true jackass Democrat opens his yap.

Pissy in 2004 and apparently pissy in 2006.

Makin a list and checkin it TWICE

For those of you (and I know you number in the thousands) who are already wringing your hands in desperation as to what to get me for Christmas, may I suggest this little token of your affection?



And be sure to make it the 10-tier, baby. ;o)

UPDATE: To Very Cool Picture Thing-y

I tried a picture of Hubby on the Celebrity Lookalike site.

Here's what I got.

Centenarian Post: How Appropo

This is my 100th post! wooo hooo

So Election Day is behind us (pretty much except in VA and MT). Am I deliriously happy like the Lady Lorraine? No. Am I completely bummed like, er, okay, maybe finding somebody bummed about the results is going to prove a little difficult but the still answer is: No.

Actually, I'm relieved. Quite honestly, and I say this as a proud liberal Republican (oxymoron, no?), I am VERY OPTIMISTIC. Seriously.

Maybe I'm going to finally show all of you how not smart I really am but common sense just seems to dictate that we got two things going FOR us:

1) A "lame duck" President who MUST find a way to work with the Democrats who outnumber his party. If he doesn't work it out and figure it out, he may as well pack his respective s*** and move out of the White House this weekend. I think it is a tremendous opportunity for him to be a president to our ENTIRE country, not just the GOP-registered citizens.

2) The Democratic leaders who now find themselves out from behind the eight ball can really start putting some of their words into action. Independent energy sources? Bring it on! Raise the minimum wage? About dadgum time! Putting a stop to the gushing wound of America that is RIDICULOUSLY high prescription drug prices? Amen!!

Though there are certain issues that I absolutely wholeheartedly disagree with Democratic stances on, I can say the same about certain Republican stances. Like I said before, I am very optimistic about our nation's future.


BEST COMMENT I'VE HEARD ALL DAY:

"The success of the President is always good for the country." - - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

gasp! . . . choke! . . . ack! TOTALLY didn't see it comin!

But honestly, I don't think this is a surprise to anyone on this planet.

GO VOTE ! . . . . NOW ! ! !

Today is Election Day and if you haven't voted by now . . . get off your duff and get to the polls to cast your votes.

And I mean that even more so to you armchair politicians who can't form a single positive thing to say about ANY elected officials. Quitcherbitchin and GO VOTE!

Everybody in the vicinity of my desk has voted. I don't know if it was because they wanted me to shut up and quit pestering them or because they truly felt the urgency in getting their votes in.

You know what I'd like to see? How fabulously crazy would it be to see like an 85 or 90% voter turnout? Because if memory serves, it seems like only about 60% (? or less?) of registered voters in this country have been making the decisions for 100% of us. I really need to look that bit of statistical information up, don't I?

I'm praying that people don't go and vote for a candidate simply because of his or her party affiliation but because they feel that their chosen candidate is the best one for the job and will make a positive impact in local and national politics. Please don't vote out of spite but vote out of knowledge and the direction that you truly want our society to go. And use a little foresight if possible.

The choices we make today will shape our nation tomorrow for our children.

scritch, eeech, eeeorkk . . . Draggin out the soapbox

So now we have the good Rev. Ted Haggard confessing to his lifelong sexual problem.

Did you catch the emphasis there - LIFE LONG, people.

Okay, I know people who live in glass houses and black pots and all that but seriously. This guy who has lived as a REVEREND is now confessing to having a lifelong sexual problem. He confesses to paying a male prostitute for sex. I'm assuming that this sex was paid for with money that Haggard was paid from his church for being their Godly spiritual advisor.

Am I being totally unreasonable here? Is there an angle I am not taking into consideration? Because I have a REAL problem with someone in a leadership position of a church having a lifelong problem with a particular vice. To me, that problem should be saying to him, "Hey, buddy, we got a situation here and it pretty much precludes us from being any type of leader in a religious setting for the time being. We need to address and deal with our own little demon right here in our house first."

Case in point: many of you know by now that my husband is a Sheriff. As such, he (and the people who elected him) holds himself to a certain standard legally and morally. My husband is an above-board kind of guy. Even though he doesn't get paid squat in this county and my little salary is almost laughable in 2006, we make it work and we keep our personal vehicles registered and inspected. We keep insurance on them. Because it's the law. When we go out socializing and he has a beer or two, I do the driving (only one of us gets to drink at social functions). He does not drive when he has been drinking alcohol. Because it's the law.

You get where I am going with this.

My husband chose to go into a line of work where he is expected EVERY DAY to uphold the laws both national, state, and local. He does not break the law because that is what makes him who he is. He is a law enforcement officer. Not only does he enforce the laws but he obeys the laws. Call him crazy but he has a real problem with hypocrits. "Do as I say, not as I do."

When Haggard first "realized" (which wasn't lask week, I'm betting) that he had a problem, and I'm thinking had to be pretty apparent given his employment, he should have stepped down.

And at this point in the game, I really don't give a crap about Haggard. Where my anger comes in is on behalf of his congregation. Not only did this dipwad lie to his own family but he was lying to a whole congregation of people who looked to him for spiritual guidance. Being an active member of my church and being a congregant who looks to my pastor for real guidance with my faith journey, I can only imagine the depth of that congregation's feeling of loss and betrayal. Not only was their advisor not what he proclaimed to be, but was his Christian guidance of them sincere or just his own way of trying to justify what he knew about himself?

I don't claim to be some great Christian. Heck, I don't even claim to be a good one. I work hard every day to be the person I know God wants me to be and trust me, most days I don't accomplish it.

I know the Christian thing to say would be,"Pray for him as he goes through this difficult time." And I will.

But my strongest prayers are going to be for his former church's members. They are going to be paying an emotional debt they didn't incur.

Geraldo Rocks?

Just saw the pink jail segment on "Geraldo at Large." I must say, it was a great piece. I think it was even better than the CBS bit.

And the "Fistful of Dollars" theme music playing in the background was totally kick a$$.

Hopefully it will show up on youtube.com too so I can link it to my blog.

Coolness.

They make me giggle!

Some of my dear friends at the Dallas law firm I used to work at have been giving me a hard time about all the media attention on Hubby's pink jail.

They're calling Mason "Pink Acres" and making snarmy comments about me loving the publicity. But I set 'em straight.

I told them that they needed to have their people contact MY people and there will be no interviews without an appearance fee. And how the ding-dang did they get my personal e-mail??!!!?!

The nerve of "little people."

Blah!

There's not a whole lot going on today. Or maybe there is and I'm just too tired to know it. What legislative body do I need to complain to in order to get afternoon workplace naps instigated?

Went and voted today. I don't know about you but I always get a feeling of productiveness when I walk out of the polling place (our local courthouse). If any of this "productivity" works its way from me to my ballot to my chosen candidate should they get elected is another matter entirely.

Cleaned out the fish's tank yesterday and gave him some fresh clear water. He's practically fishy giddy in there. Either that or he's hopped up on bad minerals in the water.

Had lunch with the Hubby. Just me and him. That doesn't happen too often. There's always somebody who wants to go with us, not that I don't like these other people just fine. But once in a while it is really nice to have one-on-one adult talk time with my spouse. Plus, he lets me eat his dessert. One more reason I love him so.

Watched "Laws of Attraction" last night - this week's NetFlix selection. eh, it was okay but I'm glad I didn't pay full price at the theater. Next week: "Friends with Money."

Got my Lillian Vernon Christmas catalog in the mail today. I don't know what it is about that annual colorful glossy little publication (which is chock full of hundreds of items I can personalize for free) that gives me a little thrill. Of course, the shiny wears off fast and it hits the garbage every year but it officially signifies the start of holiday shopping in my mailbox.

So that's all the new news I have to report from out here. Maybe things'll spice up for the weekend. Oh yeah, Hubby's pink jail will be on Geraldo tomorrow. I guess that's something spicy 'cause you never know where Geraldo's gonna go with any given subject. But he better watch it or he's gonna get another chair in the nose!

ummm . . . is it a bad thing for a fish to be lying on its back at the bottom of the tank?

Very Cool . . . er, Picture Thingy

I saw this on another blog and of course I was immediately and very curious as to what celebrities I might happen to resemble. (Sometimes curiosity doesn't quite kill the cat so much as it hurts the cat's feelings.)



All I have to say is:

How ABSOLUTELY AWESOME I find it that I resemble BARBARA STANWYCK ! ! !

I'm stoked.

Ophelie whoozits??

AND . . . ta da! Here's Hubby's - (how cool is it that Wild Bill Hickok showed up??!!)

Halloween on Parade!

These are the last Halloween pictures I'm going to post, promise.

But how cute are these little curtain climbers???

Always a Bride . . .

Not that anyone is asking, but I've wondered a couple of times if some readers are thinking, "What a loser! Why does she keep her bridal pic up on her profile?"

Because, you know, I'm a smart a$$ like that so I would be saying the same thing.

My reasons for my profile picture are two:
(1) It's one of the best pictures of me and I am oh-so-NOT-photogenic; and
(2) It's the first picture I've seen of myself where my late Mother's face is visible in mine.

Now you know.

Encore! Encore!

Yesterday was Children's Sabbath at our church. The Bear is not only a member of the church but he is also enrolled in our children's weekday ministry dayschool, Steady Steps. All the children's Sunday School classes and the Steady Steps classes joined together yesterday to perform our worship services. (Sorry for the very unfocused picture - it's the result of the "wizard" on my software.)

Although the Bear spent the majority of his stage debut with his fingers in his mouth, at least he didn't take off running around like a crazy chicken. He stood still. That's sumpthin.

Who's the king of the jungle? oooh oooh

Who's the king of sea? bubble bubble bubble

Who's the king of the universe and

Who's the king of me?

J E S U S! Jesus! Jesus!

Halloween Havoc 2006

Remember from an earlier post when I was whining about needing to keep my mouth shut about volunteering to do stuff? I'm so glad my big mouth signed myself up for the annual Halloween Hayride. If I forget how great an event it is for the little ones, I need to re-read this post in a year.

We had 26 costumed kiddos show up to go hayriding and trick-or-treating. We had to have TWO trailers of hay to accomodate all the kids and parents. And some grandparents, too! I was able to line up 13 houses for us to stop at and do the "Trick-or-Treat" bit. We started a little earlier this year so we wouldn't be out with the kids on trailers after dark and made it to our "after party" at about 6:30 so we had about an hour of good light to enjoy all the potluck munchies that everyone contributed. The whole thing was even better this year than last year!


But before I take all the credit, I must give props to the parents who contibuted to the tasty spread of munchies (egg rolls, sausage balls, 7 layer dip and chips, nachos, pigs in a blanket, chocolate/caramel dipped green apples!! - -just to list a few of the mouthwatering choices to be had) and to the people who were willing to hand out candy to two dozen frenetic toddlers. Without everyone doing their part and joyfully participating to make it a great experience for our kids, it wouldn't have happened. I'm so thankful to be in a group of parents who are quick to pitch in and even do it with a smile!

I've already got a few good new ideas for next year!!

Apparently custom made just for me!

Hubby is convinced that this shirt was made for me (and I don't imagine he would get too much argument from those who know and love me best).



Cry and you cry alone.

Laugh at yourself and everyone else will, too.

Livin' SQUARE

I left for an early lunch a couple of days ago to pick up drycleaning, go to the post office, get a few items at the local market.

When I got to the drycleaners, just as I stepped out of my truck the courthouse clock struck the noon hour and the Methodist church's carillons (musical tower bells) starting chiming a familiar hymn.


When I went to the market, I knew everyone in the store (customers included) by first name.

Sandra at the post office knows my box number without me telling her.


I really love this square living.

Note to Self:

do NOT, under any circumstances, undergo plastic surgery where high school rival has medical access to my person while anesthetized.

Just a simple frock . . .

I've decided to sell my wedding dress. I know, I know - - what if I need it again? You never know when I might decide to kick this current husband to the curb! What with all the toothpaste and whiskers in the sink and the dirty socks on the floor . . . why I keep him around is a mystery to me.

Oh wait - - I'm in love with the big galoot!

Go figure.

So, I've had the dress cleaned and bagged up. Next trip to the city I will either leave it in the capable hands of a consignment shop or (hopefully) sell it directly to a wedding dress rental shop. Just get it over and done with, no worrying about shipping it to someone who may or may not pay for it or selling it to someone who ships it back because it doesn't fit. I want to leave all that headache to the stores that sign up for that kind of bidness.

Fare thee well, lovely wedding dress. You made a beautiful day more lovely by your simple presence (and no-alterations-needed fit). Many wishes that you will again put sparkles in another bride's eyes.

We're goin' down!

Okay - just saw the notice where Blogger is going to be down for a couple of hours starting at 2pm PDT. That's in about 15 minutes Texas time.

What am I gonna do for TWO WHOLE HOURS without Blogger??!

How can they do this? I mean, surely they can pick a better time, like 3 am or something. Don't they realize that the majority of us Bloggers are wasting precious employer time by blogging with each other?

The travesty, the inhumanity, the pure and simple injustice! We should all

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LOOK! Up in the sky!

It's a bird!!

It's a plane!

IT'S SUPER BEAR !!!!!

Death of a President

Has anyone else seen this? It sounds like it would be very interesting and I hope to be able to catch it at one of its three showings in Texas.

I was not alive when President Kennedy was assinated in Dallas so I have no frame of reference but given our very turbulent world, the impact of the death of the American president would probably (at least in my mind) have a profound affect on world politics. Or maybe not.

One question I do have is: if our President (no matter who it is) were killed on purpose for politically-motivated reasons but the murder was not witnessed by the public, would the public even be told about it?

Now I sound like Mel Gibson from "Conspiracy Theory."



arrgghh apparently I am in need of some caffeine

Going NATIONWIDE!!

Hubby just got a call from CBS - Katie Couric's crew will be here in Mason tomorrow to film him and the pink jail. Apparently "everyone wants to see more of the pink Texas jail," according to the CBS representative.

It will air on Friday evening during the CBS Evening News. It is called the Assignment America segment of the show.

I'll keep everybody posted of any new and interesting developments.

Quote of the Day

"Bless the Lord, all his works. In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul."

- - Psalm 103:22

The View from My Front Door

This afternoon as I was websurfing and checking to see if Hubby's pink jail had won the vote on CBS News' Assignment America (no such luck, they'll e-mail Hubby and let him know some time today), I casually glanced out the front window next to the computer. It grabbed my attention.

On our computer screen saver I have a gorgeous picture of Fall foliage looking down a winding country road, complete with a rickety splitwood fence. The golden leaves fill the photo and I yearn to go to that place and experience the season firsthand.

Little did I realize that just outside my own front door is a gorgeous scene all its own.