Trick Or Treat!!!!

The Pink Power Ranger (Hannah), The Unknown Phantom (Jacob) and Ghost Rider (Daniel) are all ready for Trick-or-Treating!


We actually had a good time tonight. We trick-or-treated on our street and the next street over. Halfway through the second street, Jacob asked if we could go home. I asked him if he was tired. He said, "no. My bag of candy's too heavy. I think we have enough!" I didn't think any child thought there was even such a thing as too much candy.

Our neighbor, Sue, brought the kids over Halloween goodie bags. I was expecting just some candy inside but she put a Beanie Baby in each one and a bunch of other stuff. She's a little strange, but she's always been really nice to the kids. The first thing Jacob wanted to do was trick-or-treat at her house so that he could thank her. Too sweet!

Happy Halloween!!!

18 Days until the Move

BWAHAHAHA! It's Halloween!

We didn't get to go to the Halloween party at the high school last night because Jacob was still so sick. Hannah fell asleep on the couch somewhere around 7pm and Jacob asked to go to bed not long after. Daniel took a bath and then hit the sack at about 7:45. It was bizarre to have a quiet house so early in the evening. I took the opportunity to clean the house. It looked great until the kids woke up this morning. Oh well.

Jacob woke up feeling better and begging to go to school. It doesn't hurt that his class has a field trip to the apple orchard today or that it's Halloween. Honestly, I probably would have kept him home another day if it hadn't been a "special" day but whatever. I have a feeling he'll be wiped out when he gets home.

They're coming to retest the air in the crawlspace today. I just want to get this over with. I'm done.

Mike got me hooked on Family Jewels, a reality show about Gene Simmons...yes, from KISS. Oh, and Mike, I did get it taped for you! I guess I was expecting to see something like The Osborne's, which is incredibly painful to watch. Family Jewels is really, really funny. They are actually very intelligent and, well, funny. One of my favorite lines is when they are getting a family portrait done and the photographer offers Sophie (his daughter) a "sexy black dress" to wear. Sophie looks at the photographer and says, "I'm 13. I don't do sexy." Or when Shannon tells Gene that, "YOU'RE MY BOYFRIEND!" LOL! They are amazingly normal.

Anyway, enjoy Halloween everyone...I'll post pictures later tonight!

And The Winner Is...

A big CONGRATS to St. Louis, MO who won this year's Most Dangerous City Award! Way to go! They bumped off Detroit in more ways than one this year! Interestingly, no Illinois cities were on the list...mostly because of the way they score cities. Illinois judges rapes differently somehow, so they are disqualified from the contest. (However, Chicago would be number 52 in the Most Dangerous City contest.)

I am pleased to see our new city in Kansas listed in the top 50 Safest Cities! Yay! Actually, both cities we were looking at made the top 50.

Manic Monday

19 Days until the Move

Jacob woke up with a horribly sore throat and a fever. I knew what he was feeling because I woke up with almost the same thing...just switch the fever for sore sinuses. Daniel was really upset that I kept Jacob home but was sending him to school. I told him that when he stayed home, Jacob had to go to school. He did not like that answer. Needless to say, he cried all of the way to the bus stop. I told him that he better come home from school with a better attitude or he was going to be spending the afternoon in his room. Luckily, he's come home in a good mood...so far.

I stepped on the scale for the first time in a long time this morning. Ugh. All of the weight I lost last year is back...plus 4 pounds. So, I'm doing the Weight Watchers thing again. I'm not going to bother with the meetings...unless I really can't do it on my own. I've got all of the stuff from last time and I'm just going to count my points and see where it gets me. I just can't be a big tubby anymore. I was so close and I stopped. We're talking within 5 pounds of goal. 30 pounds was gone. I felt so good. And it was way past the point of being hard. Slipping starts innocently enough...a taco here, a piece of cake there. After a while, you don't even think about it anymore. So, here we go. I've done it before, I can do it again. Wish me luck!

A Boy Named Sue

This is Jacob's favorite song right now...

A Boy Named Sue
written by Shel Silverstein
sung by Johnny Cash

My daddy left home when I was three
And he didn't leave much to ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue.

Well, he must o' thought that was quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folks,
It seems I had to fight my whole life through.
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I'd roam from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars
That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name.

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry,
I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
At an old saloon on a street of mud,
There at a table, dealing stud,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue.

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.
He was big and bent and gray and old,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said:
"My name is Sue!' How do you do!
Now you gonna die!!"

Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise,
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.

I tell ya, I've fought tougher men
But I really can't remember when,
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.

And he said: "Son, this world is rough
And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn't be there to help ya along.
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you'd have to get tough or die
And it's the name that helped to make you strong."

He said: "Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But ya ought to thank me, before I die,
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue."

What could I do?

I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,
And I came away with a different point of view.
And I think about him, now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him
Bill or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!

"I've Been Everywhere"

Mike loves this song, so here are the words...

I've Been Everywhere
sung by Johnny Cash

I was totin' my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road
When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load
If your goin' to Winnemucca, Mack with me you can ride
And so I climbed into the cab and then I setteled down inside
He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand
And I said, "Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"

I've been everywhere,man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to
Reno Chicago Fargo Minnesota Buffalo Toronto Winslow Sarasota Wichita Tulsa Ottawa Okalahoma Tampa Panama Mattawa LaPaloma Bango Baltimore Salvador Amarillo Tocapillo Barranquilla and Padilla

I'm a killer
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to
Boston Charleston Dayton Louisiana Washington Houston Kingston Texarkana Monterey Fairaday Santa Fe Tallapoosa Glen Rock Black Rock Little Rock Oskaloosa Tennessee Tennessee Chicopee Spirit Lake Grand Lake Devil's Lake Crater Lake

For Pete's sake
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to
Louisville Nashville Knoxville Ombabika Schefferville Jacksonville Waterville Costa Rock Pittsfield Springfield Bakersfield Shreveport Hackensack Cadillac Fond Du Lac Davenport Idaho Jellico Argentina Diamantin Pasadena Catalina

See what I mean
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

I've been to
Pittsburgh Parkersburg Gravelbourg Colorado Ellensburg Rexburg Vicksburg Eldorado Larimore Adimore Haverstraw Chatanika Shasta Nebraska Alaska Opalacka Baraboo Waterloo Kalamazoo Kansas City Sioux City Cedar City Dodge City

What a pity
I've been everywhere, man
I've been everywhere, man
Crossed the deserts bare, man
I've breathed the mountain air, man
Of travel I've had my share, man
I've been everywhere

Weekend in Review

20 Days until the Move

The wind has been howling here. It got so bad last night that it knocked the power out for about 4 hours. Thankfully, it was in the middle of the night and the kids were sleeping. Unfortunately, Daniel woke up and was freaked out. Before it went out completely, Mike and I heard beeping coming from downstairs and got a little spooked. We then realized that it was the answering machine. I've never seen the house so dark. Even when all of the lights are off, you still get a little bit of light from the clocks and from the neighbor's outside lights. It was eerie.

Jacob had been begging to go to the Halloween Party at the high school all Friday evening and most of Saturday. We got the kids dressed in their costumes and headed over. We found out the hard way that it's actually on Monday! LOL! Mike asked me if I had checked the flyer that came home and I said I did but I didn't check the date. I had believed Jacob when he said it was on Saturday. Jacob was so embarrassed. He ran to the car and sulked. We told him it was no big deal...we'd just come back on Monday. That seemed to make him feel better.

Mike bought a Johnny Cash CD last night. He had to have Folsom Prison Blues and I've Been Everywhere on it. It took some searching, but he found one with both. I laughed so hard when I took the CD out of it's case to play in the car and saw a picture of Johnny Cash flipping me the bird under the CD. I said, "oh, that's nice," and handed it to Mike to look at. I think he was confused at first and then he says, "why would they pick that picture of him?" 'Cause he was a bad ass. He was also having a hard time wrapping his mind around the fact that Johnny Cash recorded a song with U2. Yep, it's the real U2. LOL!

Another weekend with no showings. This market is so dead. It's just crazy. I knew it was bad I just didn't believe it was this bad. Mike's set up most of the utilities for the new house...we got a good deal for digital cable (bye bye satellite), digital phone and internet all from the same company. Way cheaper than if we just did each one on their own. It was strange to kill three birds with one stone. I still feel like we're forgetting to hook up something. If you didn't get our new address or phone number, let me know and I'll send it to you.

Mike's going to head to the airport an hour early to try to figure out how to board the animals. Then, we have to figure out how to pick them up from the airport in Kansas. It was so much easier last time...they came and picked the animals up from the house. Of course, they picked up Air Animal's tab...I can't imagine how expensive it is to use them since we never saw a bill. I wish that they still used them. It would make our lives so much easier.

A Huge Step Closer...

I finally finished our Illinois vacation album tonight! Yay me! 27 sheets (53 pages) of photos and journaling. For just two weeks! Phew. I really never thought I would get it done. My goal is to be completely caught up with my albums before we move.

Now, I have to work on the other 450 photos I have left from between Daniel's preschool graduation up until now. Yeah, I take a lot of pictures. I'm not saying I'll use all 450+ photos! LOL!!!


The Vacation Album


All of my albums in chronological order: Evergreen, Ruby, Navy, Tanzanite, Petal (the current album), Black Window (my wedding album), Chamois (the vacation album) and Baby Coverset (Hannah's album - it's missing it's spine, though). Not shown are Jacob and Daniel's school albums which are sapphire and plum.

BTW... The St. Louis Cardinals just won the World Series. Way to go National League! Hey Mike, I told you that the American League was a lesser league!!!

Out of the Mouths of Babes

22 Days until the move

Hannah and I were walking home from the bus stop yesterday morning when Hannah looks at me and says:
H: I love Jacob
Me: You do?
H: Yes.
Me: Me too. How about Daniel? Do you love Daniel?
H: No. He fights with me.
Me: Well I love Daniel
H: Well, I don't or something (she likes to add the "or something" to a lot of things)

Later in the day...

Daniel: Is it time to get Jacob yet?
Me: Not much longer
Daniel: Jacob is my best buddy.
Me: He is?
Hannah: He's my best buddy too. (In a sing song type voice that annoys Daniel)
Daniel: No, he's my best buddy. And Luke and Jake too. And they don't like you!

Poor Oriana

23 Days until the move

Oriana is cracking me up. She's freaked out by the mold guys. Every now and then they hit a vent or something in the crawlspace. She'll run to one of the vents and start growling. You'd think after a couple of days she'd be used to it. This morning, she was running from vent to vent just waiting for someone to come through! Too funny! Poor dog...it'll be over soon! LOL!!!

Daily Grammar

In trying to research the whole bad badly thing, I came across this website Daily Grammar. They will send you a grammar lesson 5 days a week with a quiz on Saturday. I just signed up and am anxiously awaiting my first lesson! I thought Sue might enjoy this!

I'm Shocked!

Okay...so I found out last night that *sniff* my mother hates Johnny Cash *sniff again*. What kind of Southerner is she? Where is her Arkansas loyalty? Seriously, Mom...Conway Twitty? Really? Okay, Mom...I'm officially handing you your Yankee ID card. LOL!!!!!

(I wonder what I've just started! LOL!)

GRRRRRR...

24 Days until the move
Word of the Day
coup de grâce \koo-duh-GRAHSS\ noun
1 : a deathblow or death shot administered to end the suffering of one mortally wounded
*2 : a decisive finishing blow, act, or event
Example sentence:
Paul's team led throughout the game, but the coup de grâce was his three-run homer in the eighth inning.


You all know I hate it when people bash my Grey's. I love that show...it's the one show I know inside and out. Come on...you all know you have one. This is the first time I've ever really had a show where I could spot the inconsistencies (unfortunately, there are a lot), know who the writers are, I've adopted several catch words into my everyday language (and so have the kids through me! LOL!),I can generally spot little Ipecac in every episode, and know the detailed backstory on the characters. Dad does it with Anime and I know Sue's been like that with several shows (I don't know why the West Wing pops into my mind...but I know you were obsessed with the X Files) anyway, I'm not saying it's a bad thing...whatever...I'm straying from what I wanted to say.

Mike sent me this article on Grey's Anatomy this morning from Fox News. While I think the author is a fan, he also boldly bashed the show...calling it irresponsible. Yes, Izzie should, at a minimum, be fired. However, IT'S A TV SHOW!!! Get over it already. Irresponsible? Seriously? If people get their medical advice from a TV show, I feel really badly for them. I was watching Boston Legal (don't ask me why...I hate that show!) and one of the lawyers convinced a defendant's mother to act like she had done the crime in order to prove reasonable doubt. He even said that what he was doing was wrong. (BTW, that whole storyline was messed up...a mother and grown son involved in a relationship with each other...so wrong) Where's the outcry?

People really need to lighten up. It's TV...a break from reality.

How Many Customer Service Reps Does It Take To Book A Flight For 3 Animals? Revisited

Okay, now the answer apparently is five and a supervisor. These idiots have no clue what they are doing. I called the "airport authority" number and got right back to the customer service desk. Now, this yahoo is telling me we can't even bring the bunny on the plane - he has to ride in the cargo area. I have him checking on it right now. Of course, he didn't have any of the animals listed in the system...big shocker there. Great...now they're telling me that there's no room for the bunny. Seriously, do these people have any training whatsoever? I could do a better job than this.

HE HUNG UP ON ME!!!! I asked to talk to a supervisor and he HUNG UP ON ME!!!! BASTARD!

Calling back...waiting on hold for a supervisor. 13 minutes so far. She's back and not with a supervisor...back on hold. Ahh...a supervisor!

Now, we're on the phone with the supervisor and the travel lady where Mike works. We have to split up the flights. Figures. You can only take 2 animals with you at a time. So, Mike and Hannah will be taking the first flight with Guillermo and Oriana...Jacob, Daniel and I will be taking the second flight with Bumper.

This is unbelievable. 63 minutes on the phone...for this one call. All I can say is I'm glad that Mike does't work for them anymore!

Way Too Funny!

25 Days Unitl the Move
Word of the Day
zoomorphic \zoh-uh-MOR-fik\ adjective
*1 : having the form of an animal
2 : of, relating to, or being a deity conceived of in animal form or with animal attributes

Example sentence:
Sid's costume was going to be a pumpkin, but he changed it to a hippopatumus when he decided it looked more zoomorphic than vegetal.

___________________
I get the Chicago Tribune e-mailed to me daily. 90% of the time, I just delete it but today, I decided to open it. Inside, I found this article about Stephen Colbert. I love Stephen Colbert and the Colbert Report. He cracks me up. When they gave him his own show, I was worried that it wouldn't work but it has. One of the things he does is a segment called Better Know a District. It's a 434 part series (he deleted a district in California for not supporting Duke Cunningham) where he interviews the Congress person who represents that district...and makes them look like idiots unless they are willing to play along. Apparently, Republicans are getting scared to go on. According to the article, he really goes after you if you decide not to talk to him. Here's a quote from the article:

When Rep. Sue W. Kelly (R-N.Y.) declined to appear for the segment that aired Thursday night, Colbert invited her Democratic opponent, John Hall.

"I oppose everything that you stand for," Colbert said, "but you were willing to talk to me. So let's move your numbers right here. Let's smear your opponent."

Hall picked from a deck of "smear cards" fanned by Colbert.

"My opponent smokes marijuana," Hall said blankly.

"That's a bold accusation," the host responded. "It's out there now that Sue Kelly smokes pot."

Last night, he had me laughing so hard because he had Jane Fonda and Gloria Steinem on and they were making apple pie. It was hysterical. Sometimes he's a little hard to watch but he's always really funny.

In Need of Advice...

Okay, so I just finished watching Walk the Line for about the bajillionth time. Good movie, by the way. Anyway, I'm looking at all of the Johnny Cash songs out there and I'm overwhelmed. Anyone have any recommendations? I've got It Ain't Me Babe, Ring of Fire, Jackson, I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues and Cocaine Blues...I tried to get A Boy Named Sue but couldn't. What else is good by Johnny Cash? Anyone?

How Many Customer Service Reps Does It Take To Book A Flight For 3 Animals?

WE'VE BOOKED OUR ONE-WAY FLIGHT TO KANSAS!!!!!

The answer to the above question is two. We called the airline to reserve Guillermo, Bumper and Oriana's spot on our plane because that's what the travel lady said to do. The first guy we got was an idiot. He told us that we just show up at the airport with the animals and they will get on the plane. That's not what we were told, we say. The travel lady said that there are limited spaces on the plane for cargo/animals so we need to get them booked now. The guy keeps spewing weird things. He tells us that the cat and bunny (we're bringing them on the plane with us - it seems unfair if people have allergies but whatever) can be brought in whatever we see fit. He keeps telling us to call the airport authority. We finally ask to talk to a supervisor. He repeats what he's been saying. We ask again. He puts us on hold forever and comes back saying that he's reserved a space for the dog. What about the cat and bunny? They're fine. Just bring them with you. Mike asks for an e-mail confirmation that they are booked so that there are no surprises when we get to the airport. The guy says fine. A minute later, Mike receives our original itinerary. Nice. I call back myself. I have my cell with Mike on the line to one ear and the home phone with the customer service rep to the other.

The second guy tells me a completely different story. We still have to pay for the cat and bunny to ride on the plane with us and they have to have seperate carriers that will fit under the seat in front of us. That, I figured. Bring health records, no more than 30 days old...oh...wait...let's check to make sure you can bring a bunny in the cabin. We go back to sitting on hold. After a few times of being on hold, we finally get the answers we were looking for. The cat and bunny are listed as being in the cabin and the dog will ride in the cargo area (they're even letting us rent one of their kennels). It's actually not as expensive as we thought to fly animals...it still ain't cheap. We're going to call the airport authority tomorrow to find out the loading instructions for the dog.

Grammar and Other Things

26 Days Until the Move
Word of the day
patina \puh-TEE-nuh\ noun

1 : a green film formed on copper and bronze by exposure to moist air b : a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use
*2 : an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
3 : a superficial covering or exterior

Example sentence:
The weather-beaten inns and storefronts along the seaside give the area the patina of a Colonial whaling village.


I was reading the Washington Post this morning when I came across this article: Clauses and Commas Make a Comeback. It's interesting to me because I didn't realize grammar had been missing from schools. I had grammar drilled into my head from a very young age (thanks, Mrs. Schmidt!). I may not have very good examples of it on the blog, but, I'm lazy. It's a sad fact, if it's true, that grammar lessons are gone. As much as I hated diagramming (don't even ask me about diagramming the Preamble to the Constitution in college) and learning proper usage, but it has served me well.

Daniel woke up this morning with a 102 fever. You'd have a hard time knowing he's sick but he is, so I kept him home. Jacob was eating breakfast in preparation for school and I went out to walk the dog. When I came back in, Jacob informed me that Daniel was faking. LOL!!! I asked him how he knew that. He told me that as soon as I left the room, Daniel was fine. I told him that I understand that he's upset that Daniel gets to stay home and he doesn't but rest assured that Daniel is indeed sick. Jacob began sulking in his Fruity Pebbles and began to fake a cough. Nice try. Get your backpack and let's go. He wouldn't talk to me the rest of the morning. Oh well.

Ummm...Okay

27 Days Until the Move

Word of the Day
weltschmerz \VELT-shmairts\ noun, often capitalized
*1 : a mental depression or apathy caused by comparison of the actual state of the world with an ideal state
2 : a mood of sentimental sadness
Example sentence:
The early lyrical works of Austrian poet Nikolaus Lenau express the weltschmerz of the Romantic period.


Is someone trying to tell me something that I don't know? Friday, I got Pampers coupons in the mail "in preparation of my new little bundle of joy." Ummm...yeah. Okay. Yesterday, I got a coupon from the Picture People wanting me to join their birthday club because my "child's first year goes by so quickly." WTF? I know that my friend, Maureen, would always say "new house, new baby," but seriously! Am I being paranoid?

Happy Saturday!

28 Days Until the Move

Word of the Day

debouch \dih-BOUTCH\ verb
1 : to cause to emerge : discharge
*2 : to march out into open ground : emerge, issue
Example sentence:
At their commander's signal, the soldiers debouched from the jungle into the dangerous open terrain.

________
So, it's a lazy Saturday. No showings in sight...that makes me sad. Usually, if we're going to have a showing, it's on Saturday. Oh well. You'd think with the price adjustment (again) we'd have something. There are just no buyers out there. The fact that there are 14 houses in our subdivision alone up for sale doesn't help.

Mike arrived home from Kansas last night and we decided to go out for Mexican. There's a pretty good Mexican restaurant here in town that the kids really like. I can't believe I'm going to say this, but, the best Mexican restaurant we've ever been to is in Dubuque. It was called Los Aztecas and Mike could never get the name right so after a while, we'd just start making up names for it! Lots of good food for really cheap. That restaurant and Happy Joe's taco pizza are the only things I miss about Dubuque. It would be all about the food, right? LOL! Damn, now I want taco pizza. Nice. I know that Sue's going to say that I can get one elsewhere but I don't know what it was about theirs that was so good. So tasty. I guess I'll have to settle for the chicken breasts I'm defrosting for dinner.

I made a pumpkin roll last night. I couldn't keep Mike's hands out of it so he had a couple of slices before it was completely chilled. LOL! You know that something's going to be good when the filling's a package of cream cheese, 6 tablespoons of butter and a cup of powdered sugar. I also added a full cup of pumpkin instead of the 3/4 cup it called for. It's a little more moist than I think it's supposed to be but it's full of pumpkin goodness. I'm having fun making my pumpkin goodies. I need to work on the pumpkin pancakes, though. I don't think I put in enough pumpkin.

Daniel was pissed off at me for making him clean his room today. Seriously, all that entailed was making his bed. He threw a fit. He kept telling me that he didn't know how to fold his blankets. Are you kidding me? Hannah even made her bed and folded her three blankets and he's seriously going to tell me that he can't fold his? Lazy. That's what that is.

I got my MOMS newsletter today. It was strange to get one in the mail that didn't have me listed as secretary. I was surprised that she used the exact same format as I did but whatever. The calendar looked a little sparse to me this month, too. I guess that's just me trying to tell myself that I did a better job...lame and shallow? Of course! LOL!! Seriously, Mary Jo's going to do a fantastic job.

Grey's

I'm sure you were all wondering what happened that I hadn't given my Friday Grey's analysis...okay, so you were all relieved that I hadn't given my Friday Grey's analysis. Whatever. Honestly, I'm not sure what to say about last night's episode. I understand where they are going with it...that they can't all be like the Super Bowl episode but there's just something missing. I can't exactly figure out what it is. Here we are, five episodes in, and we're still talking about Denny. The man died...let it go already. And Izzy putting a $8.7 million dollar check on the fridge? Come on. Shonda promised that she wouldn't drag out the Meredith and Derek thing...here we are again...they're still not together going into episode 6. I'll rewatch the episode tonight and see if I'm still as upset about it.

Happy Anniversary to Deb and Jeff!!!

Just a quick Happy Anniversary to my sister, Deb, and brother-in-law, Jeff, on their 16th anniversary. Damn, that's a long time! 16 years is 1 year older than I was when you got married! LOL!

Anyway, have a great day and enjoy it!!!

Getting Freaked Out

29 Days Until the Move

There was a spider in here last night that I swear was the size of an apple. I went to get the vacuum to suck him up and when I came back he was gone! I'm a little freaked out as to where I might find him. This was the biggest spider I've ever seen inside the house...he was HUGE...and I know he's just getting bigger. Freaking out!!!!!

Also, the second mold guy never showed up yesterday. This is the second mold company that's blown me off. The first guy came and gave me a quote and I never heard from him again. It pisses me off. It's like because they are in such a specialized industry, they can do whatever they want. I guess it's okay since the company that did come yesterday seemed really awesome. They were very sensitive to what I had to say and were really willing to work with me. They even talked to our relo lady because they had questions. I'm just done. And I'm done with people being on me about this. I'm doing the best that I can.

I HATE MOLD

I am getting so tired of all of this mold crap. The mold guys told me that we have a typical crawl space. They also said that they're not sure if they believe the airborne sample because if the levels of one mold were as high as it says, you'd smell it...from outside the crawl. Of course, I tried to call our relo lady and couldn't get hold of her...big surprise. In the three months we've been dealing with her, I've yet to actually get her on the phone when I've called. Not even on her cell phone. Whatever. The mold guys believe that they can fix the "problem" without having to do the full blown mold thing. They're going to e-mail me an estimate this afternoon. This whole thing literally has me sick. I literally feel like I'm going to throw up.

UPDATE
Okay, so I talked with another lady and she has made me feel a lot better. She did tell me that most major relo companies won't even have buyout as an option if there is mold found in the home. Anywhere. She told me that even with their relo company, their legal department is reviewing it for next year. Looks like we're getting out at a great time. Had we waited until January 1 to list the house, I don't think they would buy our house from us. I just want to get into our nice new house and be done with all of this.

It's Only Thursday

30 Days 'Til the Move

Word of the day
propaedeutic • \proh-pih-DOO-tik\ • noun
: preparatory study or instruction
Example sentence:
"Families in state programs that stressed immediate work earned . . . more per year than families in states that emphasized job training or education as a propaedeutic to work." (Richard Nadler, National Review, November 6, 2000)

I put the kids to bed last night at 7:45. I felt badly about it but it seems to take them forever to actually fall asleep and they've been so crabby that I thought that if they would just fall asleep before 9, I'd be happy. They were sleeping by 8. It was so nice. They woke up happy and smiling (they normally don't - Daniel's even learned the "five more minutes, Mom" and he's only 5!). They breezed through breakfast and getting dressed. We even made it to the bus stop early. It's one nice thing about it getting dark early, I guess. Hopefully, they'll do it again tonight 'cause Grey's is on at 9 and nothing gets to me more than trying to deal with cranky, tired kids and watch my show at the same time.

I need to get going on my scrabooks. I'm almost done with our Illinois vacation album and then I need to get caught up in our regular family album. The last thing I did in that one was Daniel's preschool graduation in May. I've got some work to do. I'd like to get caught up before we move since I know stuff'll (is that a word? LOL!) get lost and I don't think I'll have time to do it for a while. Just a reminder to everyone...Creative Memories direct ship starts on November 7th (my birthday!). You'll be able to place orders through my site and your order will come directly to you! Just click the link to my Creative Memories site in My Favorites to the left. Or, you can click this link. Once you get to my page, click on Our Products and Services and you'll be taken to our online catalog. You also have to check out the new Storybooks...I want to do one but with a dial up, it takes too long, so I'm going to wait until we move). It's scrabooking already done for you! Just plug in your pictures and they'll send you a completed album. So cool. Okay, I'm done with my little plug for now. I have to shower and get ready for the mold guy.

Start The Clock!

31 Days until the big move

Tonight went pretty well...the kids helped me make tuna casserole (they love to cook!). I then had them set the dining room table. We had a really nice dinner and they all took their plates back into the kitchen to be washed. They even asked to be excused from the table. With Mike gone and with baseball 4 nights out of the week, our family dinners have become much more relaxed and I'd like to get back into eating together as a family again. Jacob even told me that he liked eating like that a lot better than what we have been doing.

I have noticed that I've been putting the kids to bed 15 minutes earlier every night. Is that a bad thing?

Word of the Day

Because I think you really should learn something new everyday...

chaussure • \shoh-SEWR*1 : footgear
2 plural : shoes

Example sentence:
"'I delight in Hessian boots,' said Rebecca. Jos Sedley, who admired his own legs prodigiously, and always wore this ornamental chaussure, was extremely pleased at this remark. . .." (William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair)

How Far Do We Go?

I saw this article today. Massachussets School Bans Tag I find it absolutely ridiculous. Seriously. Are schools really that afraid of lawsuits that they would outright ban these games? Unbelievable. People have to get over the fact that you cannot protect your children every second of the day by banning childhood games. Just how far is it going to go? Do we ban jumprope because someone might trip and fall? I wouldn't doubt it. I see the boys climbing trees in the backyard all of the time. My advice to them? If you fall, don't come crying to me that you're hurt.

Stupid State Laws - California

Okay, so I lied. These are for Dad...

Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.

Animals are banned from mating publicly within 1,500 feet of a tavern, school, or place of worship.

It is a misdemeanor to shoot at any kind of game from a moving vehicle, unless the target is a whale.

Women may not drive in a house coat.

No vehicle without a driver may exceed 60 miles per hour.

Blythe - You are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows.

Chico - It is illegal to own a green or smelly animal hide.

Bowling on the sidewalk is illegal.

Detonating a nuclear device within the city limits results in a $500 fine.

Eureka - Persons may not sleep on a road.

A man with a moustache may not kiss a woman.

Fresno - Permanent markers may not be sold in the city limits.

It is illegal to sell gasoline to a drunken person.

Glendale - Cars may not be driven in reverse.

Hollywood - It is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time.

Los Angeles - It is illegal for a man to beat his wife with a strap wider than 2 inches without her consent.

You may not hunt moths under a street light.

It is illegal to cry on the witness stand.

Zoot suits are prohibited.

Norco - All persons wishing to keep a rhinoceros as a pet must obtain a $100 license first.

Palm Springs - It is illegal to walk a camel down Palm Canyon Drive between the hours of four and six PM.

Redlands - Motor vehicles may not drive on city streets unless a man with a lantern is wallking ahead of it.

San Diego- It is illegal to shoot jackrabbits from the back of a streetcar.

The owners of houses with Christmas lights on them past February second may be fined up to $250.

San Fransisco - Prohibits elephants from strolling down Market Street unless they are on a leash.

It is illegal to wipe one's car with used underwear

Persons classified as "ugly" may not walk down any street.

It is illegal to pile horse manure more than six feet high on a street corner.

Stupid State Laws - Kansas

Okay, I promise this is the last one.

Rabbits may not be shot from motorboats.

Pedestrians crossing the highways at night must wear tail lights. (much like the cats in Colorado)

No one may catch fish with his bare hands.

The state game rule prohibits the use of mules to hunt ducks.

If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.

Lawrence - All cars entering the city limits must first sound their horn to warn the horses of their arrival.

No one may wear a bee in their hat.

Topeka - It is illegal to drive one’s car through a parade.

No one may sing the alphabet on the streets at night.

Dead chickens may not be hauled across Kansas Avenue.

No one may scream at a haunted house.

The installation of bathtubs is prohibited.

Wichita - One can be sent to jail for up to a year for making lewd comments over the telephone.

One must get a permit from the city if they wish to take dirt from the airport.

Hopefully everyone in the city has a trash can, because dumping their waste in a city pool is against the law.

Before proceeding through the interesection of Douglas and Broadway, a motorist is required to get out of their vehice and fire three shot gun rounds into the air.

Any person caught using or carrying bean snappers or the like shall upon conviction, be fined.

Stupid State Laws - Virginia

Okay...I'm sure you're probably getting tired of these but I think they are so funny!

Not only is it illegal to have sex with the lights on, one may not have sex in any position other than missionary.

You may not engage in business on Sundays, with the exception of almost every industry.

Driving while not wearing shoes is prohibited.

Police radar detectors are illegal. (I knew this one)

Citizens must honk their horn while passing other cars.

Children are not to go trick-or-treating on Halloween.

It is illegal to tickle women. (finally! A state that understands!)

No animal may be hunted for on Sunday with the exception of raccoons, which may be hunted until 2:00 AM.

Culpeper - No one may wash a mule on the sidewalk.

Norfolk- Spitting on a sea gull is not tolerated.

Women must wear a corsette after sundown and be in the company of male chaperone.

Prince William County - No person may keep a skunk as a pet.

It is illegal to cuss about another.

It is illegal to park a car on railroad tracks.

Richmond - It is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to see who pays for a coffee.

Stafford County - It is legal for a man to beat his wife on the courthouse steps so long as it is before 8:00 pm

Stupid State Laws - Illinois

Okay, I'm having too much fun with this. Here are some stupid state laws from my home state of Illinois...

You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person.

You must contact the police before entering the city in an automobile.

The English language is not to be spoken.


And some fun city ones...

Champaign - One may not pee in his neighbor's mouth.

Chicago - Mike's hometown! - Law forbids eating in a place that is on fire.

It is forbidden to fish while sitting on a giraffe's neck.

Kites may not be flown within the city limits.

In the Pullman area, it is illegal to drink beer out of a bucket while sitting on the curb. (this is illegal in St. Louis too!)

It is legal to protest naked in front of city hall as long as you are under seventeen years of age and have legal permits.

Galesburg - Jostling others is illegal.

There is a $1,000 dollar fine for beating rats with baseball bats

Joliet - (I knew this one) Town fathers, reflecting the pet peeve of hearing their town's name mispronounced 'Jolly-ETTE' when all local folk know it's pronounced 'Joe-lee-ETTE', made pronouncing it Jolly-ette a misdemeanor, punishable by a $5 fine.

Moline - Ice skating at the Riverside pond during the months of June and August is prohibited.

Normal - You may not make faces at dogs

Peoria (let's hear it for my hometown!!!) - Basketball hoops may not be instaled on a driveway. (wasn't there a problem with enforcement of this one?)

Zion - It is illegal for anyone to give lighted cigars to dogs, cats, or any other domesticated animals.

Thanks Sue!

Sue sent me more little trivia bits and I liked 'em so much, I'm going to put them here! Enjoy! Oh, and Sue...no ice cream in your pocket when you move! LOL

In the State of Kansas, you're not allowed to drive a buffalo through a street.

In Virginia, chickens cannot lay eggs before 8:00 a.m., and must be done before 4:00 p.m.

In the state of Colorado, a pet cat, if loose, must have a tail-light !

The Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. It was the fashion in Renaissance Florence to shave them off

A Virginia law requires all bathtubs to be kept out in the yards, not inside the houses.

In Kentucky, by law, anyone who has been drinking is "sober" until he or she "cannot hold onto the ground." (hehehehe)

In Kentucky, it is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket.

In Virginia, the Code of 1930 has a statute which prohibits corrupt practices or bribery by any person other than political candidates.

New Template

You may have noticed a new look for the blog. I got tired of the other one. Unfortunately, it doesn't keep much when you change templates. That sucks. Oh well. I've lost my counter and will have to start back at 0 if I can get it back on. It's going to take me a little while to get used to but I like the new one.

Fun Facts

I thought this could be fun. Please don't tell me that these are incorrect 'cause I don't really care! LOL

40% of all people who fall off of a horse are drunk

10% of men and 8% of women are left handed

Texas state law prohibits taking more than 3 sips of beer at a time while standing

Nebraska state law prohibits bars from selling beer unless they are simultaneously brewing a kettle of soup

All planets rotate counterclockwise except Venus - it's the only planet that rotates clockwise

It's illegal to sit on any street curb in St Louis and drink beer from a bucket

"Almost" is the longest word in the English language with all letters in alphabetical order

The king of hearts is the only king without a moustache on a standard deck of playing cards

The kings in a deck of cards represent a king from history. The king of spades is King David, king of clubs is Alexander the Great, king of hearts is Charlemagne and the king of diamonds is Julius Caesar

The most popular name in the world is Muhammad

Tipping at a restaurant in Iceland is considered an insult

Forest fires move faster uphill than downhill

Ted Turner owns 2% of New Mexico

Most lipsticks contain fish scales

Before 1933, the dime was legal as payment only in transactions under $10. In that year, Congress made the dime legal tender for all transactions

In Chinese written language, the ideograph that stands for "trouble" is two women under one roof

A "jiffy" is an actual unit of time for 1/100th of a second

Suzie Derkins is the only character in "Calvin and Hobbes" to have a first and last name. Calvin's parents have no names at all

Assuming that each fold neatly overlaps it's opposite side, a dollar bill can be folded only 6 times - 7 if put in a vise

At 12,000 feet above sea level, there is barely enough oxygen in La Paz, Bolivia to support cumbustion. The city is nearly fireproof

In 1939, Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel titled Gadsby whose 267 pages and 50,000 words do not contain a single letter "e"

We Have A Date!!!

Fun Fact - Barbie's (the doll) full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts
and because I'm feeling generous today, here's another...
It's illegal to hunt whales in Oklahoma

We finally decided on a move date! Yay us! Actually, yay Mike...he's the one who came up with it and made valid points as to why we should do it that day. I still have to call the Tammy at the movers to make sure this is doable but it looks like we'll be packing on November 16th, loading on the 17th and actually flying out on the 18th. If all goes well, we're hoping to have the kids in their new school that Monday. The kids are excited...Mike keeps assuring me that I'm going to love the house (I can tell just how much he loves the house, which is a good sign!) and the area. Now, I just need to figure out how to transfer the kids to a new school.

Lists

I totally stole this from Darren and Sara's blog (see...I do read it! LOL!), who stole it from another blog...and on and on...and I thought that it looked like fun so here we go...the bolded ones are the ones I've done.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath
08. Said “I love you’ and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon - Hannah desperately wants to do this!
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten tipsy on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - this used to drive Dad nuts...now it's my turn with my own kids! LOL
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip - the best was Valerie, Beth and I went to Missouri for a few days. Good times.
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow -I'm a midwestern girl...of course I've milked a cow!
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero - I desperately wanted to be Wonder Woman as a kid!
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day - ah, those pre-children days!
60. *edited* Hmmm...wonder what was here!
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight - I've never actually played D&D
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage - gotta love grade/high school plays!
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music - in grade school, our mall had that Make your Own Record thing...Emily, Kirsten and I made one!
87. Eaten shark
88. *edited* - again with the editing!!!
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house - well...
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror - okay, so I wasn't up on stage but Dad had rice in his car for months after going to see it!!!!
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour - Tim McGraw years ago! The best was seeing him at the Bloomington Sale Barn in the middle of a torrential thunderstorm...how many tornadoes went through Bloomington that night?
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over - kind of
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking - I do this daily! And the kids are learning to do it too!
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray - Hey Mike, take a picture of me petting this stingray!
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild Mr. Sizemore used to bring in morels and would cook em up...good stuff
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours - Oh, I'm quite sure I've done this
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat - no but I've eaten Buffalo!
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school - every August for years!!! LOL
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes - pickeled ones are better
134. Read The Iliad
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions does it count if they were cancelled?!?
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office I once ran for office! Bastard kicked me off the ballot, though
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair- every 3 months
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

Pumpkin Recipes

I was at the grocery store today and was intreguied by all of the pumpkin that's around now. I went on The Libby's Pumpkin Site and got what looks to be a good pumpkin/apple recipe and a good pumpkin roll recipe. But I was wondering if there are any other good pumpkin recipes out there. Anyone got one?

Halloween Party

We had a great time at the MOMS Halloween party this evening. It was a great day for it...not too cold or windy. Jacob had been upset for the majority of the afternoon and even told us that he didn't want to go. We told him too bad. After we got there, he decided to stay in the van. After a while, I got really angry about him just sitting in the van and pulled him out. He threw another fit before he discovered the boxes of "worms," "fingers," and "eyes." There were other things too but after playing with this stuff, he really opened up and had a good time. It's sad to know that this would be our last big MOMS club event here. At least it was a good one! It was a fun afternoon together!

The kids put their hands in the touch boxes...even knowing that the stuff in the boxes were veggies and whatnot, it was still kind of gross!

Jacob's Last Game and Pizza Party

I have to admit, I didn't go to Jacob's last game. Mike felt that it was best to keep Hannah home, so he took the boys to the game. I told Mike that he was responsible for taking pictures of the game and party...he tried. Here's a photo of Jacob and his trophy.

A Funny Thing Happened After We Came Home From The Pharmacy

So, I was all pissed off at Wal Mart for messing things up. I dropped Hannah's prescriptions off at 11am and was told it'll be two hours before we could pick it up. Whatever. We come home and I "fed" (in quotes because she didn't eat anything) Hannah lunch and picked up Daniel. I went back to Wal Mart and sped there so that we'd make it before the pharmacist took her lunch at 1:30. We get there with 10 minutes to spare.

I come home and go to give Hannah one of her medicines and it's a bottle of powder! Grrrr. So, I call Wal Mart and the phone at the pharmacy rings and rings and rings. 65 times. I counted. When someone finally picks up, here's what I get...

"Tony, she's on lunch right now. Can she call you back?"
I say, "excuses me?"
She says, "uh...ummm...hold please."

She never came back. I know because I kept holding while I used the other phone to call the store manager. I explained what was going on and she said she'd connect me with the pharmacist. Even she had to walk down to the pharmacy to talk to someone! The manager gets back on the phone and says that someone will answer this time. No such luck. She takes my name and number and says that the pharmacist will call me right back. I told her that I won't hold my breath and hang up.

2 minutes later, the pharmacist calls. She apologizes profusely and says that she'll do whatever she can to make it right. What's my address and she'll bring the medicine to me. After a few "no, you don't have to do that," I finally break down and give her the address. I then tell her my subdivision and she says, "I know where that is! I'm seeing a house there tomorrow." I said, "really? Maybe it's mine." She asks me what our house is going for and I tell her. She says "that's the house!" Seriously? Now I'm freaking out! She says that she'll be here as soon as she can.

I begin running around the house like a mad woman. Putting stuff away and cleaning. Not that the house was all that bad but it wasn't show ready (and it really wasn't when she came over either...but it was clean). She calls from the road and asks if there's a better way than I81 to come in. I give her the directions.

She pulls up and apologizes again. I gave her the generic bottle of powder and she hands me the name brand stuff! LOL! She even laughed about that. I asked her if she'd like a sneak peek at the house before tomorrow. She says sure.

I explained to her the neighborhood and how awesome it is and how occasionally you'll come home to find your yard mowed because James thought you looked like you were having a bad week and he wanted to do something nice. (It's happened) She seemed really happy with the house - she really liked the jetted tub in the master. She said that she'll be coming back with her realtor tomorrow and she's sorry again for the mix up.

I called up our realtor and told him the story. He laughed and said that he hoped that it'll bode well for us.

This whole thing was way too funny.

Hannah Update (and my neighbor's an idiot)

First...my neighbor forgot to pick his daughter up from the bus stop this afternoon...they won't just drop the kindergarteners off, someone actually has to be there...they won't even release kids to me without a note. We'd been home a few minutes (I even heard the bus go by the second time) when I saw him fly up the street. He sat at the top of the street...waiting...for 5 minutes before realizing he'd missed the bus. Have fun going to the school to pick up your kid...idiot.

I took Hannah to the doctor this morning (I know...finally) and she's got an ear infection and some asthma problems. Her oxygen levels are good (up to 98%) but they went ahead and gave her a treatment and added a new asthma medicine. She's now on Singulair once a day and Pulmicourt (I think that's right...it goes in the nebulizer) twice a day, at least until spring. One covers allergy asthma and the other's supposed to help when she gets a cold. Hopefully, she'll get better. We have to go back on Tuesday and if she's better, they'll give her the flu shot as well.

Now, I have to go pick everything up.

Hmmm...

Welcome to my Friday morning Grey's rant. First, I have to laugh at Mike, who waited until 10:01 (the preview for next week's episode had just gone off when the phone started to ring) to call me. At first, he said that he was waiting until 10. Then he starts asking some very specific Grey's questions. I asked him if he watched the show and he says, "I did it for you!" LOL! He then tells me that it's in it's last season so he was trying to support me...follwed by..."this season is a lot weaker than last." Don't worry honey, I won't tell anyone that you secretly love it! ;)

I was a little shocked that the whole "are you pregnant" thing played out exactly like it did in the promo. I really didn't expect Cristina to blurt that out in front of everyone. Addison: "Great. An adulterous love child." Derek: "Goes along with the adulterous psychopath." A little sad that they didn't run with the pregnancy; that they gave her appendicitis...but whatever.

I loved watching Meredith on drugs. Telling Miranda that she is pretty and then crinkling her nose was too much! And the whole reference to George and the appendectomy in the first episode was great. I also loved the conversation between Mer and Addy...up until Addy says that "I'm only talking to you now because I know you won't remember any of it when the morphene's worn off." I did have to give her credit for telling Derek not to hurt her again.

Derek...oh Derek. After he told Meredith that he was stepping aside, I wanted to throw things at the TV (Mike said that he could imagine me screaming NO at the TV...I'm surprised that he couldn't hear it all the way to Kansas!) I was seriously thinking for those last 10 minutes that we'd have to put up with Finn for yet another week. Good for Mer that she finally chose Derek! Like the choice was seriously that hard. When Finn was talking with Derek, I wanted to punch Finn when he told Derek "I guess she only tells me things." Well, Finn, don't you think it's wierd that she's talking to you about Derek? Hmmm...anyway...let the divorce proceed! It looks like McSteamy may be telling Derek about how Addy stayed. Can't wait to see that!

WTF is up with Callie and Mark? Did Callie seriously take Mark home with her? Did that really happen? LOL!

Favorite lines from tonight:

Meredith: McSteamy? McSteamy!!!
Mark: Is that what you're calling me now?
Meredith: Yeah, but I don't think you're supposed to know.
Mark: So, how's my favorite dirty mistress?
Meredith: Didn't you hear? Now I'm an adulterous whore!

I love Mark and I'm glad he's going to be on all season. I'm also happy to see more of compassionate Alex. I wonder if he'll continue in plastics with Mark being such an ass. I think Mark will turn around - he needs to get his ego in check.

I know...I haven't said anything about Izzy, Burke or Cristina. Right now, I'm finding their storylines so blah. So, as for Izzy...totally predicted the multi-million dollar check from Denny. I knew Denny'd be loaded and would leave her a bunch of money...blah blah blah. Burke and Cristina...enough with the tremor already. Enough with the chickens and what not...blah blah blah.

Daniel's Last Game and Awards Ceremony

Tonight was the worst possible night for baseball. 43 degrees outside and 24 mph wind gusts. Nice. We played the fastest two innings I've ever seen and went to one of the shelters for pizza and trophies. I've never seen a group of kids eat pizza so fast, grab their trophies and leave so fast in my life. I did get some cute pictures, though...

Cool Picture

I took these pictures at Daniel's baseball game tonight. I thought that the sky looked so cool...Jacob thought that it looked like it was on fire. Just thought I'd share.

It's Just Enough, You Know?

(I meant to post this this morning but I couldn't log into Blogger. Did anyone else have the same problem?)

Last night was the third night in a row that Hannah woke up multiple times. Since we've moved here, I've never fully adjusted to the Eastern Time Zone (good thing we're moving back to Central - it's like that Seinfeld episode with the comfort lanes except with time) and I've been getting to sleep pretty late. But once I'd get to sleep, I'd actually stay asleep. Now, I feel like I have a newborn who wakes up every hour - except it's not to eat, it's because they're throwing up.

She woke up at 5:30 desperate for a drink. Since she's been throwing up, I felt she needed a drink. So, I came downstairs to get a juice box and as I was going back up, Jacob was coming down. I told him that it wasn't even 6AM yet. He ignored me and kept going. Whatever. I handed Hannah the drink and went back to bed. While I was gone, Daniel had crawled in, which I ddin't even notice until I went to get him up for school!

So, today, I'm exhausted again (and I even went to bed early in anticipation) and Hannah woke up all rainbows and sunshine. Figures.

Jacob told me that he didn't go back to bed this morning and did I know that Transformers are on in the morning? Ummm...no. As Daniel stumbled down the stairs after me, I heard Jacob ask him why he fell out of bed last night. He seems to do that a lot. No bunk bed for Daniel, that's for sure.

GAA (Grey's Anatomy Anonymous)

Someone posted this on the GA message boards. I thought it was funny. Does this fit you, Michelle? LOL! The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?


Hi! My name is _________________ and I am a serious addict of Grey’s Anatomy.

I pledge to keep my excitement down during “non” GA hours (including work or school). I will only have an outburst when GA is spoken about or seen.

I would like to apologize before-hand, if I throw something at your TV, due to a bad circumstance on GA.

I would also like to apologize before-hand, if I puke on your shoes, from seeing Finn.

This Cracks Me Up

Here is the Access Hollywood link to all of this commotion!

Yes, this post is about Grey's. It's just really funny to me...everyone's trying to make the GA set out to be some sort of battleground. This summer, there were reports that Patrick Dempsey threw Kate Walsh (Addison) into a wall during the filming of the New York flashback scene for the premiere and that she was terrified of him from then on. Uh huh. Now there's reports of a huge fight between Isaiah Washington (Dr. Burke) and Patrick Dempsey. What I had originally heard was that Isaiah was upset because of some filming delay. Patrick Dempsey said that it wasn't because of him; that he thought TR Knight (George) was causing the delay. This is where it gets comical. Apparently, IW begins threatening TR. PD tells IW to "pick on someone his own size" and IW allegedly comes after PD. IW grabs PD's throat and pushes him back several feet. At this point, the fight is broken up and IW goes to his trailer. I don't need to know that this comes from the freaking (my favorite word today) Enquirer that it's crap. People Magazine has a web article out that doesn't deny a fight but denies anything physical:

Patrick Dempsey & Isaiah Washington's On-Set Dustup
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11, 2006 10:15AM EST

By Elizabeth Leonard

There would have been no shortage of bandages if things had really gotten out of hand during an on-set argument between Grey's Anatomy costars Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington on Monday.

Dempsey, 40, and Washington, 43, didn't need medical aid, but the actors, who both play renowned doctors on the show, nearly came to blows during a spat over shooting issues.

"We were like two baseball players . . . nose-to-nose," Washington tells PEOPLE. "We had a difference of opinions while working on set but we've resolved it."

At issue, says Washington, was "time and (keeping) the production going. The communication was lost in translation."

But no punches were thrown: "Our faces are too beautiful for that!," says Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke. Dempsey plays heartthrob Dr. Derek Shepherd, otherwise known as "Dr. McDreamy."

In fact, just a few hours after the dustup, Washington and Dempsey were sitting side by side at a script read-through.

"In close families arguments happen," Dempsey's rep tells PEOPLE. "They worked it out."

Washington even learned a little something about his costar. "I've never been that close to (Patrick) before," he says. "He has really pretty blue eyes."

I know...I'm a loser...whatever. Here's what's even funnier...IW claims that he was supposed to be McDreamy (he auditioned for the part) but wasn't even going to be cast at all after he lost the part of PD! It was only after another actor had to step out did he get Burke! LOL!

So Freaking Tired

Hannah's been sick for the past two days now. Nothing with her lungs...just caught what Jacob had last week. Nice. 101 fever...headaches, sore throat, earache, stomach ache...she started throwing up around midnight last night and stopped around 8 am this morning. We had a realtor's open house this morning and I had to not only clean the house at an insane hour this morning (although I pretty much picked up last night...you just can't make beds when people are sleeping in them) but had to take my puking daughter and insane dog out of the house for a while. I came home to about 15 realtor's cards on the kitchen table and one on the island (dare to be different I guess). Hopefully, we'll get something out of it.

I was so busy arguing on Sue's blog that I almost forgot to get Daniel. Thanks to Hannah, I remembered. Since Daniel's been home, he's washed his hands about 5 times telling me that he's got Hannah's "throw up germs" on his hands. I swear that boy has OCD. Out of all my children, I really thought Jacob would be the one freaking out like this. He keeps asking me if Hannah's touched things. It's getting really annoying.

I wish I could get a nap. For now, I need to fold the laundry that's in the dryer and put Hannah's throw up blankets in. Thank God I bought bleach last week.

Isn't It Supposed To Be Fun?

Jacob's baseball game tonight was interesting. Our coaches are very insistant that the kids only get five pitches...they get more if they don't swing at the bad ones (however, they don't get walks which I think is stupid). Some of the other teams we've played are a lot more lax when it comes to pitching. Some of the parents tonight counted almost 10 pitches for some kids and when one of our kids got another out at first, they called him safe (even though he was three steps behind the ball). We figured whatever...they're 7. We had been having a really good inning (our previous inning had been 1-2-3) and one of our players knocked everyone on base home...even though he didn't run fast enough to get past first. After our last kid made it home, one of the red coaches decided that one of the kids is out because he didn't touch third. This actually cleared our stands. We were pissed. We were all mumbling things like, "they're 7!" and "does it really matter?" One of the dads on our side says "it's the adult factor. The kids don't care but some of the dads are more worried about their kid winning the game than they are about teaching the kids how to play the game." He's right. And it's just getting worse. All of the teams should be playing with the exact same rules and that's just not how it's being done. I sometimes hate other parents.

New House!!!!!!

After a weekend of negotiations, we have an accepted offer on the house in Kansas!!! Yay us! The yard is smaller there than it is here but the house is a lot bigger...and we have a basement! :)

The house is about 4 years old (the youngest house we've ever lived in) and a fairly new deck. The basement has a full bath, a bedroom (for a total of 5), a bar with a sink and lots of storage. The first floor has a half bath, the utility room (I was really hoping for one on the second floor), kitchen, dining room, etc. The upstairs has two full baths and four bedrooms. We're excited because they're leaving the fridge and washer/dryer.

Mike says there are 5 sahm's and 28 children on the street (he asked a neighbor). We're also in the school district we wanted. It's a little further away from Mike's job than we'd hoped but it's not anywhere near as far as he was here. But we also don't have an HOA which is a huge plus. Mike says the yard needs some work but it's always good to have a project (Mike hates my gardening projects). I'll e-mail those who need to know our new address after we get through inspections and all of the other little details (I will not be posting it here, however).

Now...if we could just get a buyer on this house.

Some Funny Stuff

I was reading the Washington Post Magazine today which is unusual since we typically don't get the Sunday Post at all. I guess it's the moral question at work here...our subscription expired (when we didn't update our credit card info) and stopped receiving it for about a month. Then we started getting it again, but not on Sundays - although we haven't been paying for it. Today, we got the Sunday version and still haven't paid for it. Now that I've put it on the blog, I'm sure I'll have 30 people calling and telling them that we owe for 2 months of service! LOL! Whatever. Anyway, here's what I found in there this morning:

Gene Weingarten has an article today called "Post-Modern Stupidity" in which he basically pranks people for the fun of it. He decided to prank people at the Post...specifically the Real Estate Classifieds, The Post Medical Writer, Personal Classified Advertising and Circluation. I'll share Mike's favorite and my favorite:

My Favorite: David Brown, MD, The Post's medical writer
Me: As a parent and political conservative, I would like to express my outrage over your article titled "E. Coli Blamed on Spinach."
David: Okay...
Me: Do you have any idea how hard it is to get children to eat spinach without an aritcle suggestiong it will give them fire-hose diarrhea?
David: Are you serious?
Me: Yes.
David: Well, this is not a prohibition against eating spinach for the rest of your life. Just not eating prepackaged fresh spinach until this outbreak is...
Me: Well, connect the dots, man! It's a subliminal message, typical of the liberal press in its war on family values. You are always trying to subvert parental authority, aren't you?
David: Would you expose your child to a potentially fatal disease? Is that better than discouraging him from eating a green leafy vegetable?
Me: Yes.
David: It's an interesting point of view.
Me: While you're at it, why don't you just write an article that says obeying your parents can cause leprosy?
David: I...just...don't...quite...know...where...to...start.
Me: Are you a pinko?

Mike's favorite: Circulation
Me: I would like to buy a subscription to the Washington Post, but I have a small, specific request.
Jane: Okay.
Me: You know those long plastic sleeves the paper comes in? Well, every day I would like two of them. You'd put the paper in one and a meatball sub in the other.
Jane: Ha-ha
Me: Really.
Jane: I don't think so.
Me: You people are always offereing special subscription deals. That's mine.
Jane: I don't have a deal like that. I do apologize.
Me: Good God, no wonder the newspaper business is dying. You people don't really want to sell subscriptions, do you?
Jane: I just can't do anything about a meatball sub.
Me: How about tuna fish?

Todd and Grey's

I was taking the dog out last night when I saw what I thought was a cat crossing the street. I realized it was too big to be a cat as it was about the size of a Sheltie. In fact, I thought it was a Sheltie until I realized it looked just like Todd! A big 'ol fox was wandering through my neighborhood! He was beautiful. Thankfully, Oriana didn't see it and it didn't see us (or if it did, it just ignored us) and it just kept walking down the street. I immediately thought of Bumper, who was still in the garage (the garage door was open) and ran to make sure he was okay. He was. Seriously, getting Bumper would be like fishing in a barrel.

So, Grey's last night. The only thing I was upset with is the fact that they didn't show Mer and Der's date. I would have loved to have seen that. Loved loved loved Cristina and Alex taking bets as to whether or not Derek would crash the lunch date...Alex taking the money when they thought that Derek was walking away and Cristina snatching it from him when he walked back. (Alex: "he's taking it like a man" George: "umm, guys, he's coming back") I also loved the Batman and Robin reference George made...I thought about Finn the whole time! Okay...Finn...what's up with him waiting in the bushes? Can you say stalker? I realize that he was just doing to Derek what Derek did to him but seriously. The look on Derek's face and the way he said "Finn" was priceless! I loved when Finn says "strawberry ice cream. It's homemade. A patient made it."
Derek: "you mean a patient's owner"
Meredith: I love strawberry ice cream!
Derek (to Finn): And you remembered.
Finn: I did. I just thought I'd leave it by the door.
Derek: You didn't think it would melt?
Finn: I thought I'd take my chances.
Derek: It worked out for you.
Finn: Hmmm
Derek: Hmmm
Meredith: What exactly is going on here?
Derek: He's crashing our date. (I love the way he says this through his teeth)
Finn: I wonder where I got that idea.
Derek: I did not crash your date. It was professional.
Finn: You can't operate without her?
Derek: I certainly operate better with her.
Meredith: Enough! This is not dating! I want moonlight and flowers and candy and people trying to feel me up. No one is trying to feel me up! No one is even looking at me. I'm an intern. Do the two of you have any idea how much effort it takes to do all this (points to self)? I'm waxed, plucked and I have a clean top on and the two of you are looking at each other!
Derek: Mered...
Meredith: My fantasy is not two men looking at each other! No talking until one of you figures out how to put on a date. I want heat, I want romance...Damnit, I want to feel like a freaking lady!


Now...let's address the promo for next week. Is Meredith pregnant? Honestly, I don't care either way. I just find it hard to believe that Shonda would put that out there like that. I just don't know. If she is...that's the official kiss of death for Finn. That would be awesome!!!! :) Bye bye Mcplanboystalker! I can't believe Finn's made it to episode 4. That sucks.

Conferences

I had a conference with both Jacob and Daniel's teacher tonight. The only concern with Jacob's teacher was that he's easily upset. She was worried that it was just for her. I told her that he's like that for everyone. She seemed relieved. She's not worried about him academically at all.

Daniel's teacher told me that Daniel is very serious and is critical of himself in class. LOL! Really? That's too funny. It cracks me up that Jacob is the same child at school that he is at home but Daniel is completely different. I've personally had parents tell me the same thing when I was teaching and I could never understand how a child could be a total angel at school and a nightmare at home. Now I get it. I guess he and another little boy kind of push each other along. She told me that he's a really smart cookie. She said that his lack of paying attention comes from the fact that he likes to multi task. He'll be doing one thing and she thinks she's caught him not listening or paying attention and she'll ask him a question and he'll answer her without skipping a beat. She did tell me that he tends to get bored pretty easily and she's constantly trying to find ways to keep his head in the game. That's my boy! :)

Grey's This Week

This week's episode is #303 Sometimes A Fantasy. Here's the episode description from abc.com:

Cristina tries to help Preston cope with his hand tremor, Izzie attempts to return to the hopital for the first time since she quit the program, Alex deals with a patient who has a long history of injuries, and George and Callie's relationship moves forward.

Personally, I can't wait to see Derek crash Mer and Finn's lunch date. A little sick over the Canadian preview (Michelle, I don't know if you've seen it...I think Youtube pulled it) of Mer's fantasy with Derek and Finn. Blech. Oh Canada...why do you do this to me? (BTW, Canada did nothing wrong...they just had a different preview than we did) Did Adele really leave Chief Webber? I hope Burke's mom and dad are still around in this episode, too.

Watch tomorrow (Thursday) at 9/8 central!!!!! :)

(I should really contact ABC about getting paid for GA promotions! LOL!)

Happy Hump Day!

Happy Wednesday everyone! Okay, so what's been going on besides me fighting with people? Hmmm...

Jacob has been dealing with a bug that I think he's finally kicked. On Monday, he was running a 102 fever and I kept him home from school. I decided to keep him home from school yesterday as well. His fever wasn't as high (99 degrees) but I didn't want him to be sick at school. That's just no fun. I guess Gavin and Nathan were both sent home from school Monday, although they both went to school yesterday. Gavin is spending a sick day at home today. Now, I'm waiting for Daniel to get it.

Daniel had a game last night and it was our turn to bring snack. I completely forgot until about 4:30 yesterday, so I got Daniel dressed and we headed to Martin's. As soon as we get there, Hannah starts screaming that she wants to go to the Tree House (the child care area). I keep telling her that we're only going to be there for 5 minutes so there's no need. She keeps crying and whatnot, so I finally give in.

We head over to the Tree House and get Hannah checked in. The boys don't want to go in and that's fine with me. They get everything ready and hand me the walkie talkie. I then hear a little voice say, "Hi Miss Barbara." I look in and there's Luke and Jake staring at me. I say, "hi Luke," and Jacob and Daniel are suddenly all about the Tree House. The lady laughs and checks them in too. I ask the boys if their mom was in the store and they say yes. I say okay and head to get snacks and drinks.

After getting what I had gone there for, I decide to look for Donna. I find her in the last aisle (of course). We get to talking and I walk with her while she finishes some of her shopping. She tells me that Jake's birthay is this Saturday and that she's planning a Lego party for him. Luke's birthday is in December but she wants to have his party before we leave so that Jacob and Daniel can come. How sweet is that? I wanted to cry.

So, after the game, Jacob's not feeling well and everyone's tired and crabby. I run the tub and Daniel starts crying that he's forgotten his toys. It's always something. He throws this huge temper tantrum in the tub. I'd had it so I pulled him out of the tub and he was pissed. I sat down with him and we had a nice (one sided) talk about listening, following directions and temper tantrums. I informed him that if he cannot follow directions and stay in bed, he'll be going to bed before everyone else from now on because I've had it with him not listening to me. I told him that if he can stay in his bed and do as he's told while I get Jacob and Hannah ready for bed, I'll give him another shot tomorrow. He agrees.

An hour later, Hannah's upstairs playing and running around. I go up there and Daniel's still awake, but playing quietly in his bed doing exactly as he was told (I knew he could do it!). Hannah gets a spank on the butt and I decide to openly praise Daniel for the great job he's doing. If he had smiled any bigger, his face would have split in half. He was so proud of himself. I made sure to say something to him this morning too...I don't know if it'll last, but now I know that he can listen.

Gun Control Continued...

I checked the board this morning and there was a really well written post that I thought I'd share. This person said everything so much better than I did. (the italics are where she's quoting the girl I was argueing with...and the comments were mostly directed at things that I said to her.)



I knew I should've ignored this thread, the ignorance being spouted is enough to make me sick.

I'm saying do whatever it takes to get a bloody milkman from getting his hands on them and shooting the place up. Other developed nations have managed this ...is it too much to ask that america do the same?

Other developed nations have managed to do what exactly? They've eliminated homicide by guns appears to be your point here. I must be reading that wrong, you can't honestly believe that there is a country where there is no crime that is committed with a gun.


there are darned good reasons most other developed nations have more stringent gun control laws.....please think about that

What are those darned good reasons? What facts support your position, your feelings and what you think should be done are not reasons. I have actually thought (and read, researched and studied) about gun control laws, and I can't list a single good reason, much less darned good ones.


btw,The crime statistic you were talking about...a conservative think tank came up w/ that

I actually hate statistics, you can distort them easily to support any position. However, when the same outcome appears across multiple instances, it's harder to refute. That trend would be that once a country takes away guns from the law abiding citizens, the rate of crime, particularly violent crime, increases. It has happened in Brazil, England, Russia and Australia, and their police records and sociology studies support that, not those evil conservative think tanks.


but have you thought of this little point, its easier to disarm somebody armed with a knife than one armed with a gun?

Once again, this is based on your personal opinion, not facts. Disarment of any weapon off a person is difficult, even with training. If knives are so useless and you can easily disarm a person, how is it that knives are effectively used in crimes all the time?


And if a person buys 20 guns from a gun store, i'm asking that the store should raise flags. A man needs only one gun to kill bambi. Ok, he can have 3 if he likes. But 20 is too much

Cause obviously the only reason for owning guns that is acceptable to you is for hunting. Who are you to determine what people can own, what hobbies they can enjoy, what items they can collect, what family heirlooms they can pass on? Your fear and lack of knowledge about guns and gun owners is embarrassingly apparent.

many ways to monitor exactly how many guns one single person buys....does your NRA soul raise objections to that?

Not only does my NRA soul raise objections, but my American soul is disgusted that you advocate restricting my Constitutional right to own guns. You don't get to pick and choose which rights you think I should be entitled to. You don't restrict a Constitutional right because some people will abuse it.

only after you can prove you have neither a criminal record nor are you a schizo.Any objections there?

Background checks lead to ILLEGAL registries of names and addresses of gunowners. There are federal laws that prohibit such registries from being made, and yet state officials still compile them. Background checks and waiting periods only effect law abiding citizens, criminals don't waltz into stores and purchase guns. Laws and regulations won't effect how many guns criminals can obtain, they just make it harder for honest people to get.

making guns a little less accessible by stringent gun control laws is the only thing that can help.

Let me reiterate, gun control laws HAVE NO EFFECT on accessibility to criminals.


This is me doing my bit...trying to get poeple to understand how gun control might reduce the number of guns flooding the streets.

You've failed to supply any facts to support this. When all the data from countries with gun control and bans says the opposite occurs, you should rethink your position. Or at least do some research instead of using probably and maybe as an argument.


I live in liberal land

Where the criminals have the power because you choose not to exercise your rights.

I live in America where I appreciate and believe in exercising ALL my Constitutional rights.

No Freaking Way

OMG...I've turned into Dad. I didn't much think of it when it happened the first time but it's happened again tonight (the first time it was over how the democrats wanted the 9/11 mini series pulled).

I found myself in the middle of a nasty gun control arguement on the GA message board tonight. When the other girl said that conceal carry doesn't make a difference in crime rates and that the statistics are padded by the Republicans, I went off on her. It got nasty. I actually accused her of wanting the government to come into everyone's homes and raid them for guns. I was so proud of my fellow boardies, though. Most were of the opinion that gun control doesn't really work and that (this was my favorite line of tonight) disarming the citizens and only allowing the armies to have access to guns would be a nightmare.

She told me that I have an NRA soul. Here's a typical arguement between us (this is actual transcript):

Her: no, i'm just saying that if the CRIMINALS had easy access to the guns, instaed of carrying thier little butcher knives, they could have done a lot more damage when they robbed all those convinience stores.. would you disagree?

The only difference between your city and mine is that in mine, the criminals carry guns. And frankly, i wish all they had were the butcher knives.

which city do you live in btw where no criminal ( or crazy person) has manged to get his hands on a gun? Sounds like utopia in america.


Me: Conceal Carry baby. You don't know who's packin' and who's not. The criminals don't want to get shot either.

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing that it would be so much better to outlaw all guns because of a few criminals who have no self control. Let's just dummy everything down to the lowest common denominator. Sounds like hell to me.

I hate this democratic baloney. It didn't work with prohibition, it hasn't worked for drugs and it won't work with guns.


WTF is going on with me? OMG...she did not just go there (sorry...it's still going on). Someone brought up 9/11 and the box cutters and here's what she had to say:


Her: apples and freaking oranges......the people died becuase they were armed with box cutters on a PLANE, which was BOUGHT DOWN. The weapon here was not the box cutters, that was simply a means to bring the plane down. Crashing the plane was the weapon there.

and by the way, the person who used air marshalls w/ guns as a reason for why guns should be around, i'm all for it.

Robin...take box cutters to a school, and see how much damage you can do.

Me: A handful of men armed with box cutters and a few airplanes were able to carry out the single most deadly attack on this country. Period. We are still feeling the repercussions from 9/11. Tell me that people who are motivated won't find another way to kill than with a gun.

I don't know what the answer is. It scares the crap out of me knowing that my two precious boys get on a bus everyday and head to school. I think they're safe, but are they really? At the same time, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. We don't know what's going to happen.

Another Girl: Woah! The box cutters were not a weapon?! Did the terrorists not KILL the pilots with the box cutters before taking the plane down?! You cannot hijack a plane w/o some sort of weapon.

Robin (a friend of mine on the board): A girl had her throat cut last week at a school near here...........not with a gun.....with a knife.


Listen.....our forefathers were smart people....they didn't have the right to bear arms in our Constitution just so they could hunt. They knew that if the only people who had guns...were the police and the military---and the criminals....then regular society is McScrewed.

Here's how it all ended...

Her:the problem is sunshine, they often DONT destroy the guns they collect. Only a few of the states do it. I want ALL the states to do it.

get THAT at least?

Me:Debate over...I don't mind a lively debate but when you begin to attack me personally (and this is the second time you've done it -first time when you sarcastically called me "lady") I'm done. I don't need to be called names.

Have a good flight to New Zealand

Her:lol...simplify it to a simple yes or no question and she chickens out.

anyway i'll be staying here thanks. I live in the good part of town, its only those poor sods in the crappy part of town dying in shootouts daily, becuase nobody bothers to take even illegally seized guns out of circulation....but then who cares about them right?

and about kids, god thats when i'll have to start praying everyday

Me:okay...to answer your question...no I still don't get what your problem is. I think you have a really hard time explaining your point and I'm disappointed with myself that I let you suck me into this.

I don't know why you're bothering staying...you hate it there so much and are terrified for your life. Poor thing. Must suck to have all of the answers.

And don't ever EVER tell me that I don't care about kids. I have three beautiful children and until you have your own, you have NO IDEA what it's like to have to watch them grow up in this world. NO IDEA so you can just shut the hell up.

Get off your G0D DAMNED high horse and get out in your community and make a freaking difference if you are really so sad about the "crappy part of town."

Robin:hehehehehe....wow....barb.....how do ya really feel?? btw....ITA