Silent for so Long

The beginning of the beginning and the end of an era

2012-01-12T15:36:00.000-05:00

Twenty-one years ago today my heart opened and filled with a love that I have never experienced before or since. I've been in love before, but never like this. I've been hurt before, but never like the hurt I've felt with her. I've been happy before, been elated before, but not like I have been with her.
This birthday seems bittersweet. Today marks the official first day of adulthood. Grown-up-ness. For years I know she has envisioned this night to be a limo driven bar crawl with friends rather than a quiet dinner for four with her boyfriend and her parents.
She has been my grown-up little girl for a while now. She has a good job, a great car and a good income for a person her age. And now she has a little one of her own on the way.
I know that despite any and all of my maternal shortcomings along the way she has made it through some trials of her own and come out the other side the better for it.
Happy Birth-day to us.

It's to Die For

2011-06-27T22:20:00.000-04:00

I've never been a fan of that saying, but I have a few friends who overuse it enough, especially when describing a food. I can't think of any food or drink that I would die for or die without. I wonder if it is because I can't think of any that I would have to do without. I mean, certain foods or beverages might be rarer than others but you know what I mean.
I saw something on my walk this evening that really disturbed me. I wasn't even sure that my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. I saw it, walked past it, walked back and took a closer look. I wish I hadn't. I wish I had been able to convince myself to keep walking at a brisk pace and let my mind wander until the impression vanished.
It was a cherry or similar fruit that grows on the blossoming trees along my street. The cherry was in the mouth of a turtle. A turtle whose body was missing. Obviously the littering of beer cans (cheap beer) along the street, a turtle head and neck and no body tell a story of downright cruelty. Who could do that? Why?
I walked on. Every car that passed, I imagined held a miscreant turtle torturer. This car, carrying a passenger drinking from a can...will the can be hurled from the window at me? Why not? Why?
Would I arrive home to find grafitti all over the house? Is this town hiding the likes of other torturers? The truth is, probably so.
My solitary thoughts run wild while I ride that train from one thought to the next. I get to a stopping point and retrace my steps. The places in between are lost.

Tapping the microphone

2011-06-14T12:41:00.003-04:00

"Is this thing on?"
I can't belive this blog is still out on the internets. I haven't posted here in three years, not that I haven't written posts in my head, but I just haven't transcribed them.
In truth, I assumed this blog was still out there, but knew I just didn't have the heart to update it. Silent Shouts? WTF was I thinking? Groovin with Soccamom. Heh. There's nothing groovy here and I haven't been a soccermom for what? two? three years? I've tied my identity to mom-ness and rarely written about it. I've tied my identity to something I've outgrown but carried the moniker to email, twitter and who knows what else. Is it possible to be just me? Who am I or rather, what part of who I am do I want to reveal?
Should I reinvent myself or just reveal the self I am or should I shed this blog like a snakeskin and move on?
I don't know.

A New Day

2008-11-05T16:10:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have the chimp-o-matic on their google page? Didja notice what it had on it today? It's a new day. A new hope.

I admit it, I read Houssie's post the other day, even though I tried to convince myself that I didn't. (Cubs fans and others will understand how aware of curses I am.) I stayed up later than I had originally planned last night because I just couldn't let go of the euphoria. I had to stop myself from hopping in the car and driving to Grant Park just to hug someone. Just to be there. Just to be. I wanted to hear the speeches. I wanted to share in the joy. I wanted to share in the tears. Tears of joy. Tears of hope. I've not dared to hope for so long that I didn't want the feeling to end.

Kevin and I went to the polls together yesterday. I waited till after work. The feeling of anticipation was with me the entire day and I could hardly wait to get home and go hand in hand to the polls. It was momentous. When they say stand up and be counted I could really see that in action. Kevin turned 50 years old this year. This year, for the first time in his life, Kevin registered to vote and voted. He voted. He counted. For the first time since i was two and a half months old, Indiana went "blue" and foted Democrat.

Last night when I finally came to bed, Kevin asked why I was waiting up so long. I told him I was listening to my President speak. This morning he noted that he'd never heard me refer to a president as "my president."

Of course.

Post Production

2008-11-01T20:19:00.002-04:00

All week I've been feeling like maybe I was coming down with something...or maybe just feeling a little burnt out. Anyhoo, I spent those days counting down to Saturday when I knew I'd be able to sleep in a little. Turns out that "a little" was just that...about an hour longer than usual because I had to run some stuff to the school that Asia had forgotten to take with her for the SATs. Grrr.
Determined to be lazy come hell or high water, I jumped back into bed and willed myself to fall asleep. No go. So, still vowing to not. do. anything. today I turned on the TV and settled in for a little mindless diversion. I watched an hour of Princess of Thieves with Kiera Knightly, the last 30 minutes of Ocean's Thirteen and most of The Jane Austen Book Club (which I loved) before deciding that maaaaybe since conditions were ideal, I could do a little cleaning.

Ideal conditions mean that no one is home, there is very little chance that anyone would call and I had a full charge on my phone, which is also my mp3 player. Some major tunes and a pot of coffee later I find that I've cleaned all three bathrooms including tubs, sinks, toilets, walls, floors and baseboards, vaccumed every room of the house, including stairs, swept and mopped all other floors, cleaned the woodwork around the front door and windows, done 2 loads of laundry and also cleaned, purged and filed every piece of paper in or near my office including all old files, and dusted every dustable surface.

Tomorrow if conditions are still good, I should finish the laundry, clean the aquarium and possibly tackle Kevin's office. I'm assuming now that since I actually plan to do those things that very few of them will actually get accomplished.

2008-04-07T20:44:00.000-04:00

2007-05-26T12:54:00.001-04:00

Blizzard

2007-02-15T22:19:00.000-05:00

So we got a little snow and a little blow. I hate the cold weather but at least I got my cozy boots from zappos. There's a huge drift on the side of the house that I'll try to get a pic of tomorrow or someday. In the meantime, here's a pic of the snowdog. (click to enlarge)

Horrid, if you don't like snow. And I don't. Here's something better. Undercover brother tried to get these to me before Vday, but because of the snow, the delivery was delayed till today. Still, they look beautiful. (clicky to biggie)

Steppin Out

2007-02-01T20:38:00.000-05:00

Yes it was another cold one up here in the land of snow and ice. In weather like this I really have to force myself to do anything other than the basic necessities and let me tell you the basic necessities don't completely cover grocery shopping unless I'm already out. While I've mastered the layering necessary to keep me from at least shivering all day long, I still find myself without boots. I've been eyeing a pair at Zappos but have yet to order them. I wish they'd go on sale.

In the meantime, I contented myself with a new pair of moc-croc slingbacks. Happy, happy piggies.

The Holidays

2007-01-25T11:28:00.000-05:00

So, how did they go...how did they go. I'd have to say that Sunday and Monday were good. Real good. I almost wouldn't change a thing. Tuesday? A whole 'nother ball of wax.

On Sunday, which was xmas eve, I went with Undercover Brother to his dad's place. Not really ever a fun trip, but I'd have to say but I'd have to say this time was actually ok. Certainly bearable, which is more that we ever expect. Miss Boo, had been invited to spend the day with Boyfriend's family, fortuitously getting her off the hook from visiting Big J. I've known UB's dad for about 8 years now and each year he says the same thing, "I didn't get out to the store this year, so I just gave you money so you can get what you want." Heh. I get a kick out of him saying that because he so believes that it's different than any other year. It's always the same total amounts, too, except that this year my check was $5 less and Miss Boo's was $5 more. Evil daughter-in-law or whatever. Since Miss Boo wasn't along this time, she sent a nice thank you note which thrilled Big J to the brink of tears. I guess she earned her extra five spot.

Monday. I had my morning scheduled to the minute. I like it when things flow the way I've anticipated. I'm anal that way. So. We got up and opened our presents. UB and I have had some challenges to over come in buying for each other. This year, like many others, UB ordered what he wanted and told me about it.
(Not exactly, this one, but you get the point.)

I wanted more of a surprise but not too much of one, so I gave him a list-a Word document with hyperlinks and instructions NOT to buy everything on the list. Believe me, that's way better that's way better than our first xmas together when he bought me four or five sexy lingerie items from Victoria's Secret. Most didn't fit my modest girls and had to be boxed for exchange. Unfortunately that box was a little too near the xmas trash and was pitched along with the contents. This year, I was the proud recipient of peace sign earrings and a Skagen watch . Good job, UB!

Being a little ahead of schedule, I opted to shower before prepping the turkey and popping it in the oven. Out of hte shower, dressed, not makeup yet and still working on my hair, I hear UB saying, "My mom's here. She just pulled in the driveway." Nearly two hours early. Yikes.

UB was tasked with entertaining his vivacious mother while I finished getting ready, got the turkey in and set out some little nibblies. Eventually even UB began pacing to the front door willing my parents to arrive soon. I was never so glad to see my parents, too.

Dinner turned out to be wonderful and my cranberry chutney was a hit. Even UB who had flat out told me he wouldn't even try it, ended up trying it and liking it...just like Mikey. Ha!

The presents were a trip. My parents, of course, gave cash and this year Miss Boo got five times what we got. Kids. For some reason UB's mom gave some really strange gifts. I mean really, next year when we say really, don't get us anything...we'll mean it. UB and Boo both got identical clock radios, and I got two shiteously ugly, too big Sag Harbor sweaters. Sag. Harbor. One was pepto pink and the other was purple on purple polka dots. I didn't get a picture of them but I did show the girls at work who said, "Hasn't she ever seen the way you dress?" Apparently not. Fortunately, I go to a retirement community/nursing facility twice a week for work, and I was able to ~~dump them on~~ donate them to a resident there.

All in all, a nice day, though. Parents came, food and company was enjoyed, and parents left. Miss Boo was a joy and when Boyfriend called and invited her for xmas evening at his grandparents, we didn't feel badly letting her go. She did her family time. And yeah, she came home with a card and cash from Boyfriend's grandparents, too. Seriously, people LOVE Miss Boo and that is truly a blessing. She's really a good kid, kind of quiet, very polite, yadda yadda. I think that's what made December 26 such a horrible day...

to be continued...

Best Week Ever

2006-12-17T17:55:00.000-05:00

Well ok, maybe ever is a little strong, but this evening draws a close to a pretty durn good week. I was on vacation, Miss Boo was in school and Undercover Brother was gone for several days for work. To me that translated into a to-do list that was nearly completed by mid-week which included staying home for some new carpet installation. All, nearly all, of the xmas shopping is done and wrapped. The tree and house are decorated...no muss, no fuss. The cookies are baked, decorated and stored. Doctor appointments have been made. Just check it all off the list. I have the menu nearly set for xmas dinner (which I volunteered to host this year.) All in all, I am going to declare this "My Stress-free Holiday."

*Knock on wood*

Weekender

2006-11-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

We're back, Miss Boo and I. Where were we, you ask? We went on a weekend trip to Wash DC for her grandmother's 90th birthday celebration.

I know...you didn't even know we were gone. I'm like that. That's what makes me a horrible blogger...lack of communication.

'Weenies 2006

2006-10-25T20:36:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday we went to a Halloween party with some friends. It was a blast. That is my version of a deviled egg, unfortunately you can't see my tail. Undercover Brother went as Undercover Brother. We ate, we drank and we went on a scavenger hunt through town before returning to enjoy a hayride and ... drink some more.

Lost:

2006-09-10T13:48:00.000-04:00

Eight pounds. Vicinity of tread mill and pilates mat.

If found please do not return to original owner.

Hippy Chick

2006-09-04T11:07:00.000-04:00

You Belong in 1965

If you scored...

1950 - 1959: You're fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

1960 - 1969: You are a free spirit with a huge heart. Love, peace, and happiness rule - oh, and drugs too.

1970 - 1979: Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all!

1980 - 1989: Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

1990 - 1999: With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

Garden Fresh

2006-08-19T19:03:00.000-04:00

My garden is usually very small and this year is no exception. I don't can, really, just freeze some tomatoes for sauce and maybe some beans, but mostly I garden for the fresh veggies that I can throw in a salad at any time. This year its a roma tomato plant, some zucchini and some lovely lemon cucumber which look like this:

Lemon cucumber

That, however, isn't a picture of my lemon cucumbers. I just picked about 5 or 6 of them the other day. I had one in my salad the very same night and the next day when I came home for lunch, the hubby says he gave all the rest of them to our neighbors. Of course, we still have all the tomatoes that I picked and I think you may have already guessed that hubby loves tomatoes but hates cucumbers. I guess I'll just have to hide them, that is if any more ripen.

You Read it Here First

2006-08-19T14:44:00.000-04:00

I just got my September issue of In Style magazine and what do you think I found in it? Yeah, you might guess, but you'll never narrow it down, so I'll just tell you. This bag which can be found at Forth and Towne. That's right...the store I mentioned in my previous post. Yeah, I totally want a knit and leather bag for fall.

My Kind of Town

2006-08-09T21:24:00.000-04:00

We went on vacation a couple of weeks ago and being the bad blogger that I am, I'm just now getting around to writing about it. As many years as possible, my husband and I have taken little weekend trips around the time of our anniversary (July 22) which usually includes taking in a major league game of some sort. To date, we've seen two White Sox games, the Cubs at Cincinnati and the Chicago Fire meaning we missed 2 years. This year, we took Miss Boo along with us and made it a week long affair which did include the game and no holds barred shopping spree.

Originally, Spy Guy and Miss Boo only wanted to eat and shop. That was the itinerary. Accordingly, I planned an evening trip for dessert here, which is where I used to eat brunch every Sunday after church. Great breakfasts and wonderful icecream. Yeah, we never made there.

I also had some fun shops mapped out to visit around the near north side, but alas, that was not to be either. We did make it to Marshall Field's in the loop to say goodbye and then wandered up to Michigan Ave and Watertower Place. Fortunately, I did get to make my first visit to Lush where Miss Boo and I grabbed some goodies which we fell in love with. But the best was definitely the Happy Hippy that you can use as body wash, bubble bath or shampoo. I didn't really believe it until one night I thought, "What the hey," and shampoo'd my hair with it. It turned out soft and silky and I loved it. The other fav was without a doubt the Flying Fox temple balm. I think I'm addicted.

One of the best finds, though, was Forth and Towne which is the fourth division of The Gap company. I love this store so much I visited it on two different days and bought both times. The whole shopping experience there was fantabulous. Too bad there are only 5 locations so far with no plans to be in my area. If you're lucky enough to be near one, make sure you give it a try.

I never thought we'd spend nearly a whole week's vacation just shopping but that's pretty much what we did. Spy Guy was quite the trooper following us from store to store and playing human pack mule to our shopaholic frenzy and Miss Boo truly loved city shopping. She scored some great
Pink stuff and a huge GWP bag filled and I mean filled with goodies from Vicky. We're talking full sized bottles of Heavenly and So in Love, shampoo, conditioner, mints, shower gel and more. Quite the goodie bag.

Until next time, happy shopping.

Overheard...

2006-08-02T17:53:00.000-04:00

So I was working on a project and only half listening to some co-workers chatting in the background when I hear the line, "It always starts with just a finger."

Ain't it the truth, baby.

Too Freakin Funny

2006-08-01T23:31:00.000-04:00

Erotic Thriller

You've made your own rules in life - and sometimes that catches up with you.
Winding a web of deceit comes naturally, and no one really knows the true you.

Your best movie matches: Swimming Pool, Unfaithful, The Crush

If Your Life Was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Raise Your Hand

2006-07-15T15:42:00.000-04:00

This is a pic of my herb garden/Mr. Man's moss rose garden. I have lemon thyme, winter savory, thyme, basil, sage, parsley, chives/garlic and pennyroyal growing in there right now. Since my herbs are always a work in progress you may find different things in there each year as things thrive or die and are replaced with other experiments. Although I am starting to pick and use some of the fresh herbs for cooking, I mostly planted the garden for the scent. I love to sit on the patio with the hubby and listen to the fountain and smell the sweet herb scent drifting on the breeze. Very relaxing.

I also love, love, love the color of the pretty moss roses. They're creeping up over the rock base of the fountain and spreading through the fallow areas. The greatest thing about this lovely bounty of color? All the moss roses are volunteers!

Finally an update...

2006-06-27T21:39:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I'm still alive and kickin it. I just wanted to let you know that the new job is going well and I'm adjusting to working for a place and for people who value me, my opinion and the reduced stress? well I'm learning to handle that too. Seriously. I've been waiting for the stress and pressure that I know is supposed to accompany this position. Where the hell is it? Why do you people keep acting as if my ideas are good and why are you taking my advice?

I realize there is no such thing as a perfect situation, but right now I'm loving mine.

Call Me Five

2006-05-27T14:31:00.000-04:00

I did it. I got my offer Thursday night and gave my notice Friday morning. Since I am going to a direct competitor in a management capacity, yesterday was my last day to work, but I will still get paid since I gave notice. Kewl. The upside downside of it was that the Dill wasn't there so I gave my notice to his boss who is extremely cool and decent. He almost got me to reconsider. I know he would have been able to get Abby to stay. The Dill came back late in the afternoon and also asked me to stay. Then he gave me his card in case I wanted to come back. Thanks, buddy. I might not have known how to reach you otherwise. Just part of why he's a Dill.

The goodbyes were sad but I left at the top of my game and on good terms with the door wide open. I really couldn't have asked for more.

Then our fam when out for a celebratory dinner last night and one of the servers dropped an entire tray of food near us. I got like one drop of ketchup splattered on my cardigan and Miss Boo got some on her t-shirt and the manager picked up our tab as a result. Good deal!

Enjoy the weekend.

The Funniest Part

2006-05-16T19:46:00.000-04:00

Is that I thought it was funny. Oh well, thanks for the traffic. There are those who can only feel good about themselves by trying to make others feel bad.
*****

This might be of interest to any pet owners. If you would like something that allows

"your pet to retain his natural look, self esteem and aids in the trauma associated with neutering."

This may just be for you. Unfortunately there isn't anything specifically for a pet rabbit, but maybe the x-small feline will work.

*****

Abby quit her job today. How many more need to leave before someone figures out what or who the problem is. Since March she is the fourth person to leave. Hopefully I will be number five. I had a second interview today with one company and am still talking to two company. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

****

You're clueless if you didn't realize that Denny had to die.

If you comment...

2006-05-12T19:27:00.000-04:00

1. I'll respond with something random I like about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll name something we should do together.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me (or just me).
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll leave you a quote that is somehow appropriate to you.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal so you can do the same for other people.

Wanna play?

Love, Loss and Life

2006-05-10T21:17:00.000-04:00

It's taken me a while to gear up to talk about this but here it goes. The Friday evening before Easter we got a call that Miss Boo's dad, my ex, had just days to live. He's been fighting cancer for a couple of years now and is nearing the end of the fight.

My husband immediately booked a hotel room and Miss Boo and I flew out early early early Easter Sunday morning. We rented a car and were with the ex and his wife that afternoon. We visited them for 2 days and I really think Miss Boo found some good closure to the situation. She didn't know he was terminal until last friday.

We called various family members and had a nice little reunion right there in Germantown. It felt great to be able to pull all these people together for Miss Boo and everyone else.

Those few days were good and bad. I'm surprised at how deeply emotional I felt about the whole thing. I don't know. It was just hard.

We did seem to make it just in time as he passed away on April 25.

O bla di o bla da...

Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch

2006-03-31T18:22:00.000-05:00

I really hate being called little pet names like Hon and Sweetie by people I don't know who are noticably younger than me. I find it dismissive and condescending and it really grates on my very last nerve. I can totally overlook it when a little old person calls me something like that or a friend for some strange reason feels the need to do it. Maybe that's because I don't have any friends who do it.

For some reason yesterday was my day to thus be annoyed/insulted. It started out at breakfast. A bunch of us from work met to have breakfast at a local restaurant and even though I was the second oldest in a group of ten, I was the only person the waitress called Hon. Thankfully the entire bill was taken care of by one of our managers so I didn't have to worry about tipping someone who made me angry and gave bad service to boot.

Second case yesterday. I came home from an excessively long day at work and was reflecting on a surprisingly large balance in the checking account when I realized the mortgage payment was due. So I headed off to the bank in the next town figuring I'd stop and get some make up too since I was nearly out and debating the trip anyway. I dropped off the payment and went to the Shiseido counter only to find it empty. I approached the gal at the Chanel counter who was effectively ignoring all foot traffic while she painted her nails and asked her to help me. "Sure, sweetie-pie, I'll help you." Uhhm, maybe a mistake. She then follows me to the front of the counter as if I wanted a make over or something. Hello? You aren't seriously doing that, are you? I turned around, looked her straight in the eye and told her what I wanted, waited while she fished around for it, followed her back to her own register and while she was ringing me up I asked her what the important new nail color was that she was so engrossed in. She showed me her chewed up nails and told me it didn't work out very well because she usually gets them "done." Yea, looks pretty bad. I got another sweetie-pie when she thanked me which really filled me with the overwhelming urge to return the makeup and cancel her commission and buy it from someone else.

So, how was your day, Dear?

Lots to Say...

2006-03-27T18:52:00.000-05:00

and no inclination to say it.

I realize I haven't written in over a month. By now I'm sure I've driven away my last reader or else he/she is lost amongst the cobwebs of my groovy space.

In the past thirty days I've thought about writing about a funny story about my wedding day (the second one), how much I hate my boss...(well really my boss's boss), what I'm going to do for the rest of the week and what I've done so far this week.

One boring detail at a time, I guess. My boss's boss (we'll call him The Pickle) is so inhuman. So inhuman. So far we've lost 3 people in the last 3 weeks and one more has given her notice. Three more are looking, and yes, I am one of the three. He made me so frustratedly angry that I cried. I freaking cried in front of him. That made me even angrier, of course, because he's a complete robotic dick.

I don't want to talk about him anymore.

I've also cooked for the past three days in a row! Saturday night I made homemade pizza, Sunday it was chicken vino bianco like the dish at Oli ve Garden and tonight steak, ranch mashed potatoes and asparagus. That's probably it for the week. The Spousal Unit will be out of town for the rest of the week and Miss Boo is in Florida on spring break. It'll just be me and the various animals we have here. I got a very good portion of the house cleaned and de-cluttered yesterday so I'm hoping I can keep the clean parts clean and work on the rest of the rooms. After that, I may call a realtor friend and check out the possibility of listing it soon.

Even though I'm bitching here and listening to the blues on my Launchcast, I'm actually in a good mood right now. Maybe the blogging and music are catharitic.

Quite a Feat

2006-02-23T18:57:00.000-05:00

I don't quite know how to describe what happened, but suffice it to say that The Pirate was in to see me today

and when he left, he winked at me!

It Really Happened

2006-02-09T18:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had an appointment with a guy who my friend Penny named The Pirate. This guy had some accident or something and now wears a black eyepatch thus the nickname. Naturally we don't call him that to his face or anything but nonetheless we all know who he is. Anyhow, yesterday he was telling me that he moved and is now living alone which is nice because...he and his roommate just couldn't see eye to eye!

And yes, I managed to not pee myself laughing.

We've got Big Balls

2006-02-06T18:12:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the first of two soccer nights per week for us. While I love watching her games, the leagues that Miss Boo is in right now are U-18 and those kids play late at night. Big girls, dontchaknow. Yeah, the games start at nine o'clock and they're about 30-40 minutes away from here, so we encounter some late nights for a school/work night. Because of this and the need for enormous amounts of sleep, Miss Boo has begun taking naps on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. Quite good thinking, if you ask me.

Super Sleuth, my husband (did I ever decide on a pseudonym for him or does it constantly change?), is off and in town today so he took this opportunity to take the car in for some much needed maintenance after which he met me at work. So we get home and he's in his office mapping directions to his next case, asking me questions and generally shouting throught the hallway at me. I'm in here, catching up on blogs and watching Gilmore reruns. Finally he's about done and he comes running in here, still talking loudly and I ask him why he's still shouting whereupon he revers-moons me and shouts that he has low-hangers!

"You know, Miss Boo is home," I calmly tell him.
"No she isn't."
"Umm, yeah she is...I wondered why you were shouting. She's taking a nap."

He creeps down the hallway (pants back on) to check and comes back in redfaced.

"I didn't think she was home." heh.

Cookie Dough

2006-01-30T18:24:00.000-05:00

Last night Miss Boo and I made chocolate chip cookies. Actually we took already cut out heart shaped cookies from the package and baked them. I relayed this info to three different people and got the same query...what do you do with the extra dough?

Ummm, it's chocolate chip cookie dough people! What do you think you do with it?

Sheesh! Hasn't anyone ever heard of chick comfort food?

Sorry, Kiddo

2006-01-28T11:34:00.000-05:00

Abby just called. Her parents (who were throwing the party) both have the flu. No party. Happy freakin birthday.

Sixteen Candles

2006-01-27T23:04:00.000-05:00

Geez, I can't even believe that movie is on tonight. I was just referencing it today. I called my friend Abby to make sure she was going to be home after work today. She's been off most of this week due to the death of her grandmother. The viewing was on Wednesday and the funeral was yesterday.

Yesterday was also Abby's thirtieth birthday. I happen to know she scheduled today to be off in preparation for the humongo hangover she was anticipating. Sorry, gal. She said most of yesterday really wasn't so bad until an aunt realized what a suck-ass birthday Abby must be having. The aunt made such a big deal over it that Abby really did end up feeling understandibly sorry for herself.

Yea, a lot like Sixteen Candles. I mean, my god, didn't anyone realize that Ginny was planning a wedding on Sam's birthday?

Well, there is a party in the works for Abby tomorrow, so hopefully the milestone birhtday will turn out well. I was telling her about my twenty-first birthday in an effort to cheer her up. That summer I was working as a counsellor at a sleep away camp in Pennsylvania. It just so happened that we were pretty close to the New York state line where the drinking age was 19 so I'd been getting served most of the summer which was good since during the week of my actual birthday we were in color wars and the camp was sealed. Happy momentous birthday to me.

Anyhow, I hope everyone has a great weekend. The last one in a long-ass, grey month. Here's cheers to February.

Is it January?

2006-01-24T21:24:00.000-05:00

I'm so fucking tired all the time. I'm hearing the same thing from lots of people around here. I lay awake in bed trying desperately to sleep and when I finally do, I wake several times during the night. Then, of course, I can't seem to get my sorry ass out of bed in the morning when the alarm goes off. By three in the afternoon I'm wiped and all I can do after work is veg. Then bedtime and the whole cycle begins again.

I can hardly wait until real daylight dawns again.

I Resolve...Do you?

2005-12-31T19:16:00.000-05:00

In the same way that I don't really dig the whole obligatory round of relative visiting on the holidays, I don't know why I need to use New Year's as the day to make resolutions. What's better-visiting relatives periodically throughout the year because you want to or seeing them in a prescribed period of time because you have to? We actually made the rounds on Christmas Eve and I had the entire day scheduled out to allow time with each relative and I even took into account travel time. Tell me that doesn't make seem like chore.

We got through it and had a nice day Sunday complete with turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls and gravy. Yes, I cooked and it was delish. For dessert we enjoyed sugar cream pie bars. Ahhh, so easy to make and so so so good to eat.

But back to the whole resolution thing. Yeah, I have some things I'd like to accomplish. I'd like to lose ten pounds. I'd really like to lose more than that, but I'm going to shoot for ten and then go from there. I'd like to save a little more money on a weekly basis. Then there would be more for a vacation and less scrambling for holiday shopping dough. Maybe we should just take a vacation next December. Oh yeah, maybe Vegas in December?

Baking Day

2005-12-17T22:30:00.000-05:00

Just a few of the xmas trees and ornament cookies we made today. Yes, my halls are decked and my baking is now done. If I could just get my shopping started I would be in good shape.

Miss Boo and I also made these yummy and beautiful dipped and doodled pretzels today. Aren't we clever.

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da...

2005-12-08T20:44:00.000-05:00

Christmas Time is Here Again. As the hustle and bustle of the holiday season approaches I find myself more and more loathe to participate. I even went so far as to ask Miss Boo if we really needed a tree this year. Her reply was that since I didn't "let" us have pumpkins for Halloween that I couldn't take away Christmas too. I guess I'll drag the tree out this weekend and spend Saturday decorating after all. Truth be told, I love the house decorated for the holidays but I'm just finding it hard to muster up the energy to do anything about it.

Yesterday. A day that will live in infamy. Pearl Harbor day, I must admit, really has little direct bearing on my life. Perhaps a big part of American history, but to me December seventh will always be my grandma's birthday. She passed away well over ten years ago and while I might not think of her every day, I do think of her quite a bit. More so on Pearl Harbor day. I remember asking her about that birthday, though I really don't remember what her answer was. I often envision her bending over a cake about to blow out candles as the radio in the background declares the news. I know my pretend-memory can't possibly be accurate, but it's imprinted in my mind.

Imagine. Twenty-five years ago today truly the day the music died. My uncle Jim was still a teenager when I was born and the first music I ever remember hearing was The Beatles. That's what music was to me. Quite a few years later when as a teen myself I started building my own Beatles collection. At sixteen years old I had posters of John, Paul, George and Ringo on my walls. I remember the night I made my little sister memorize each my sight. She was ten and there was no way I was letting her go to sleep until she got the names straight with the pictures. I wonder how many other ten year olds were privvy to that valuable life lesson. We both cried when we heard the news. I already owned the Double Fantasy album which immediately became sold out. I was pretty sure I sang just like Yoko. Like that is something to be proud of. Heh.

With Friends Like Me...

2005-11-27T19:48:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned earlier, I spent a good portion of this weekend with my Launchcast blaring. I admit I don't listen to it as much as I'd intended, but the times I do really make it worth the few bucks I spent on it. I spent an enjoyable few minutes playing "what does this song remind me of" and reliving little vignettes as they cut little paths across my memory. It's amazing that a memory can play fully blown through just a few seconds and to relate it to paper seems like it will be pages upon pages long.

In high school there were about 9 or 10 of gals that ran around together, but really it was more like 5 of us at the core and two more pairs of friends who sometimes hung out with us, too. Kind of wierd to explain, but you know what I mean. Anyhow, our sophomore year, one of the ancillary friends landed herself a date to the senior prom. A wierd thing since the date was with a friend of the guy she was interested in. And the guy who asked her was really not the kind of guy who can easily get a date. A really nice guy, smart, brainy. You get the picture.

So, on the night before the prom, a bunch of us were at a party and one of my friends points out a guy and says, "That's the guy Tina's going to the prom with, but she's out right now with Craig." Well, a few beers in me and that's about all it took. I walk up to the guy and say, "You're Joe, and you're such a sap. Tina is out with Craig tonight." I know it was a shitty-assed thing to say, but it's still kind of odd that he was so upset. Everyone knew Tina had a thing for Craig and they'd been out before, whereas Joe and Tina had never had anything but plans for the prom. Joe suddenly decided he and I were fast friends and he told me his plan: he wasn't going to show up.

My insensitive friends and I thought it was funny. Priceless. We could hardly wait to see the outcome and had the whole scene laid out in our head. Pictures, hairdos, waiting. And that's just what happened. It was pretty anticlimactic when it was all over. After all, Tina was disappointed, but not too much and I don't think it was ever attributed to our evil-doing, so it all just sort of went away.

All except Joe. Naturally, after meeting me he was in love. In Love. In love for more than two years. Two years of buying me things like concert tickets and record albums and booze (now what high school kid really appreciates Crown Royal?) There was even a time that he tried to buy me an album and I sent him back to the store 3 times because I kept telling him that "I already had that one." Which I didn't. But I did finally get the one I wanted.

Believe it or not, I never considered myself to be mean to him. I always thought we were friends, but in differing ways. He wanted to be my boyfriend and I thought I made it abundantly clear that that couldn't happen.

Well, the last time I ever heard from him was when I graduated from high school. I got a graduation card with $19.82 in cash taped inside. You know, for the year I graduated. Fun stuff.

Against the Wind
(Right click, save as, blah, blah)

Fab and Beef

2005-11-26T17:43:00.000-05:00

Now that the stress of T'giving day is over, I thought I'd make a nice roast today. The SuperSleuth is home tonight and mentioned that he might be inclined to partake in a little fabulous tonight. Heh, you probably thought I was "fabulous."

On another note, I've been re-addicted to my launchcast this weekend. I think it's been on for the past 24 hours straight. I keep telling myself I'm going to get some music together but I haven't done it yet.

This weekend would have also been a good time to do a little holiday decorating, but I didn't do that either. Oh well, it will get done sometime. Maybe.

From the Evil Princess...

2005-11-18T21:47:00.000-05:00

1) What is the last magazine you purchased? I subscribe to Instyle

2) Turkey or Ham? turkey

3) Boy George or George Michael? Boy George

4) What is the temperature and weather condition where you are today? f*cking freezing

5) What scent reminds you of the winter holidays? pine

6) What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish? mashed potatoes

7) What is the worst movie you've ever seen? Blade Runner

8) What did you have for dinner last night? angel hair and marinara

9) Sunny days or stormy days? I like both

10) Do you have a phobia or irrational fear? What is it? worms

11) What is your favorite flavor jelly or jam? um, what's the difference? I don't really eat either

12) Coffee or tea? duh! coffee

13) What is your favorite cartoon character? I don't think I have one

14) What movie are you dying to see? I don't die to see any movie. If I want to see one I will

15) Have you ever made a snowman? ummm, of course

16) Do you cook Thanksgiving dinner, go to a friend or relative's home or do you dine out? we go to my mom's

17) What is the best meal someone else has ever cooked for you? I'm assuming you mean someone other than a chef at a restaurant. To that I'll give a hearty har har

18) Coloring book or crossword puzzle? crossword

19) Do you prefer formal or casual parties? any party is a good party

20) What is the best hotel you've ever stayed in? who remembers?

Try it yourself. Here's a blank one to fill out.

1) What is the last magazine you purchased?

2) Turkey or Ham?

3) Boy George or George Michael?

4) What is the temperature and weather condition where you are today?

5) What scent reminds you of the winter holidays?

6) What is your favorite Thanksgiving side dish?

7) What is the worst movie you've ever seen?

8) What did you have for dinner last night?

9) Sunny days or stormy days?

10) Do you have a phobia or irrational fear? What is it?

11) What is your favorite flavor jelly or jam?

12) Coffee or tea?

13) What is your favorite cartoon character?

14) What movie are you dying to see?

15) Have you ever made a snowman?

16) Do you cook Thanksgiving dinner, go to a friend or relative's home or do you dine out?

17) What is the best meal someone else has ever cooked for you?

18) Coloring book or crossword puzzle?

19) Do you prefer formal or casual parties?

20) What is the best hotel you've ever stayed in?

Separating the Hayseeds from the Hoes

2005-10-30T18:19:00.000-05:00

We went to a wedding reception last night. The bride and groom stepped right off the haywagon and into the reception hall. I'm not kidding. The wedding party had straw in their hair. And on their clothes.
This was their wedding cake.

The reception included a band who played a lot of square dances. Good thing they knew so many because that was nearly the only time anyone danced. And boy did the square dances get the crowd on their feet. There was also some kind of dancing around a pig trough. Yeah, I said pig trough.

After that, someone brought out a little peddal tractor with a wagon hitched to it and the bride and groom took turns peddaling each other around the dance floor. For 2 entire songs. The bride and her father danced to Folsum Prison Blues by Johnny Cash, but I can't remember what the groom and his mother danced to. Probably just as well.

Reading in the Tub

2005-10-19T20:19:00.000-05:00

What I'd like to know is why someone hasn't invented waterproof paper. Well, ok, maybe someone has, but I'd really like to be able to read in the tub without having to worry about water wrinkled paper.

Is that too much to ask?

T Shirt

2005-10-09T18:51:00.000-05:00

Cute photo sent to me by someone I love. :-)

Ennui

2005-10-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

Can't post, can't do much of anything. Sorry.

Mama Mia

2005-09-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

I made homemade spaghetti sauce yesterday. I thought it turned out quite tastily but a tad thin. I didn't get to simmer it as long as I would have liked.

I also made some salsa. If I continue to eat my own cooking, I probably will run out of people to talk to. Garlic and onions.

On another happy note, my favorite new coffee shop/bookstore now has frequent sipper cards. Dude, I will probably be getting a free mocha-choca-latta yaya each week considering how frequently I'm in there and now that Miss Boo is latte addict too, I should be rackig up the points.

La Cage

2005-09-08T19:12:00.000-05:00

I'm watching The Birdcage for the bazillionth time. I can't get enough of it, I tell you.

It's like eating chips

2005-09-06T21:53:00.000-05:00

I got my hair cut (again) last Thursday and today we finished up with some color. Again i am very pleased with the results. The cut before this one was just a little odd and although I got a lot of complements on it, I never really "got" it. Normally something like that would send me to another stylist, but I explained to my stylist what I didn't like and what I wanted and I came away with a gorgeous graduated bob and some great but subtle color. I've had highlights before, which I liked, but this is the first time I've had lowlights too.

Hopefully it will help arm me for the rest of the week.

Heavenly Scent

2005-09-05T19:35:00.000-05:00

Today I finally made tomato sauce from all of the roma tomatos that have been invading my kitchen table. The smells coming from my kitchen are enough to drive me into a feeding frenzy, too. I found a good recipe and modified it a little and voila! Italianish tomato sauce.

I used from my garden: fresh roma tomatoes, fresh purple basil,and fresh greek oregano. I also used red wine, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and some extra virgin olive oil. I wonder how difficult it is to grow garlic?

Margarita Fab-u-loso

2005-08-27T13:47:00.000-05:00

While there is something to be said for a good $1.00 margarita, today I'm extolling the virtues of the fabulous margarita. That is the name coined by the bartender who started making them for me and my friend, Penny. It's basically two shots of corazon anejo and a squirt of marggie mix with lime and salt. Yum. Five of those and I was feeling pretty darn good. The best part is no headache and no bad after effects (hangover). The downside? They are expensive.

Last night was pretty fun. I was playing matchmaker and fixed Penny up with a customer from work and they were absolutely adorable together and very into each other. Can I pick 'em or can I pick 'em. I'll tell you, I can pick 'em. I don't match-make very often, but when I do, it's usually good.

The grand opening of my new favorite coffee shop/bookstore. I've now been there four times in three days. One raspberry white chocolate mocha and I am really ready to face the day. I also picked up The Secret Life of Bees which I've been wanting to read. Miss Boo will be leaving in a few minutes and Spy-guy won't be home till late, so I think I might just relax and read a little today.

Old and Lonely

2005-08-15T17:00:00.000-05:00

Nah, I'm just kidding. I got to work today to find my desk full of birthday surprises and cards from co-workers which was most unexpected. I kind of thought there would be the usual community card passed around but that wasn't the case.

"They like me, they really like me."

I just got off the phone with my honey who is out of town till Saturday and Miss Boo is still at soccer practise, so at the moment I'm just unwinding from a full day of nothing but goofing off.

Last night I ended up making a Texas sheet cake which turned out pretty well. The recipe called for it to be made in a regular 13x9 pan which was odd but it tasted good all the same. I turned up the music, sang really loudly and badly and had a grand old time. I was amazed at how good the music was until I remembered that I mixed the CD myself.

Old age and senility, you know.

Spelling Bee

2005-08-14T18:39:00.000-05:00

I got a birthday card from my mother yesterday. You'd think that of all the people in the world, the one person who can spell my name just might be my mother. Don't count on it, Bub. I'm sure that along with a creeping form of Korean senility, she is just plain kooky. There are generally two standard and accepted ways of spelling my name. I use the shorter version of the two. Common. I mean very common. Not only did she spell my name wrong...and I'm talking about my first name...the one she gave me, not my married surname, folks...but she got the street name so wierded up that I can't believe the card even made it here, let alone two days early. Oh well, at least she remembered. Oh, but she forgot how old I will be. That must just be wishful thinking on her part.

My husband, Secret Agent Man, finally got me the perfect gift without even too much prodding (cough: yeah right :cough) in the form of a Banana Republic gift card. Unfortunately, he left tonight and won't be home till Saturday. Life on the road continues.

In the meantime, I suppose I should search my recipe books. Traditionally at work if it is your birthday you bring in a treat. I'd better get to baking.

De-cap

2005-08-08T19:16:00.000-05:00

Could someone please come cut off my head? I don't know what's worse. The migrane or the imitrex.

Mall Rats

2005-08-06T17:29:00.000-05:00

We're on our way to the mall. My husband wants to make sure he can get my birthday present there. I'm scared. I want to know what it is.

We want a Pitcher!

2005-08-04T21:08:00.000-05:00

I had a very hectic day today. A circumstance that might make me a little frazzled if it weren't for one wonderful event...Margarita Thursday. I had appointments back to back to back this afternoon and as so often happens, I got behind. Luckily things worked themselves out and I was only 15 minutes late for my hair appointment.

When I got in the chair, Cathy asked me what were were going to do today. My response: the same thing only different. Luckily I have a stylist who knows what that means. I have the same type of hairstyle, but even my husband says he noticed the difference. I like it.

When we got to the watering hole, we were introduced to a wonderful concept: pitchers of margaritas. Now of course, everyone knows you can get margaritas in pitchers...but for $4???? You get about 5 drinks from a pitcher so dolla margarita night just got even better. Order a pitcher or two and you're ready for friday.

Dolla dolla dolla night

2005-07-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

Thirsty thursday

Yes, it was margarita night yet again. Funny how fast a week can fly by and yet it seems like it takes forever to make it to Thursday.

Actually, this picture is from a different margarita night and it is my friend, Penny's hand, but you get the idea.

Cheers!

Oh my aching eyes!

2005-07-28T21:21:00.000-05:00

How is the new font size workin' for ya? I've had a few comments on the teeny tiny font so I thought rather than drive away my 2 readers, I'd go ahead and make my font a little more reader friendly.

Hair-brained

2005-07-27T21:20:00.000-05:00

I had a relatively good day today. I meant to say "really good" day, but there are always those little annoyances, so I will settle for relatively good. I think it had something to do with my hair. I had a really good hair day today. It still looks good and I almost hate to go to bed and ruin it.

I'm sure the reason is twofold. It's finally not ninety-eight degrees with a gazillion percent humidity today. It came at a great time. The other reason? Just a good frame of mind, I think. I had just decided that it had to be that way.

That's it.

Leadfoot

2005-07-25T20:48:00.000-05:00

In the five years that we've been married, my dear husband has been pulled over twice for speeding. He has, as a result, been the recipient of two speeding tickets, the most recent of which I just paid earlier this month. I was not so happy to discover that after some various other surprise expenses that popped up this summer, I now had to shell out the maximum fine that one has to pay without actually having to go to court.

On the other hand, in the five years that we've been married, I've been pulled over about half a dozen times. So far I've not gotten a ticket yet. I've just been lucky, I guess. My husband thinks it's unfair and discriminatory (and being a former cop himself, I suppose he'd know) but I personally think it's just the luck of the draw. After all, it can't just be a woman thing because I've never had to resort to tears or stupid excuses. I just get lucky and get warnings.

The most recent incident came last week on the way back from Cincinnati. I was the passenger all the way down and most of the way back up due to the threat of some stupid dizzy spells I'd been experiencing. My sweetie, being exhausted, finally let me drive the last hour or so back and he promptly fell asleep. All of a sudden, I was hitting his arm, telling him to wake up and buckle up.
"Why," he groggily asked.

"We're being pulled over."

So up he sat, buckled up and I pulled to the side of the road and rolled down my window. The officer came to the window and asked for license (which I had ready for him) and registration (which we dug out of the glove compartment) he then proceded to inform me that he pulled me over for speeding but if my record was clean, he would only be issuing me a warning.
"Is there anything on your record?"
Dear husband pipes up, "No, she never gets a ticket!" Gee, thanks honey.
The young officer kind of chuckled and said, "Do you want me to give her one?"
To which I promtly said no and slugged my husband.

Naturally, the record came back clean and the officer came back with my warning. I then got to hear my husband bitch for the rest of the trip about the unfairness of it all and how if we could afford it he would have insisted on the ticket just to teach me a lesson, or some similar shite.

Some people are just sore speeders.

Cincinnati

2005-07-22T18:29:00.000-05:00

As promised, a little more on our anniversary trip to Cincinnati. We drove down and were able to check in early which was nice. My sweetie kept repeating how we didn't really need a suite, but I didn't seem to be able to get him to understand that the suite was $10 less than the regular room at the other hotel that we'd discussed. See? More room and less money, get it?

After we checked in we wandered about the city in search of sustenance which we found in the form of a fun little restaurant named Margaritas. Hmmm, suits me to a T. We headed back to the room to freshen up and then departed for the fabulous Cubs game. My husband (I really need to find him a nickname) wanted to be early enough to catch a glimpse of batting practice. So, we departed the hotel at 5 o'clock to make it to the 7:10 game. (Five minute walk from the hotel.) The gates weren't yet open (imagine that) when we arrived, but what we did see was a sea of blue...Cubbie blue and maybe one or two Reds caps sprinkled here and there. As we waited for the gates to open, one of the security people we were chatting with said he was surprised they weren't opening the gates a little early considering the crowd size. He said the Reds usually only draw about eighteen thousand or so, but when the Cubs are in da house numbers skyrocket. (insert gloat) That's why we were there, too. Too expensive to get good Cubs tickets in Chicago.

Just as the gates opened, a young girl maybe around the same age as Miss Boo swooned! I supposed it was from the heat. Fortunately, I had brought 2 bottled waters and was able to give up one. I hoped it helped.

Inside, we found our seats to be FAB-U-LOUS! I mean fabulous! Fifth row up from the field, right next to the Reds dugout and right by first base. We, of course, made it to batting practice, but only for the Cubs. Apparently the Reds went first before gates opened. Feh. Griffey spent a good portion of the time during batting practice in the dugout so we got to see him for quite some time. He did turn away nearly every time someone tried to take a picture of him. The guy in the seat next to us (Red fan) didn't have anything good to say about Griffey. Whatever.

The game started with a bang and some homers and just went uphill from there. As you can see from my pictures, I had a field day snapping pix of Derrek Lee and he knew it.

I mean really. I swear he waved at me and let me snap some of those pictures. I'll never be convinced otherwise. I mean, here I was, in the later innings, standing up and snapping pictures. There was no on in the next 8 seats beside me, no one immediately behind me and he waved. He waved at me!

By the last inning, the people in the first row had gone home and squatters had taken over their seats. Unfortunately, a ball got past my buddy, Derrek, and bounced right over the bumpers and hit some lady in the nose. Blood all over the place. Derrek came over to give her a ball and my husband kept nudging me to take his picture. He was 10 feet away. Not that time. Not when he was being a decent human being. I couldn't grab a photo under those circumstances. Maybe I'm a dork.

Anyhow, we had a really good time at the ballpark and despite the fact that I ended up with 4 blisters, I still think I wore the right shoes.

The Joy of Tequila

2005-07-21T13:46:00.000-05:00

We found the perfect spot to eat and drink in Cincinnati.

A great spot for some appetizers and a margarita or four before the ballgame.

Cin City

2005-07-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

We're on our honeymoon part cinq. We found a wonderful restaurant named Margarita's (of course) and are now on our way to a Cub's game. I'll write more when I'm sober. :-)

At Long Last

2005-07-11T22:07:00.000-05:00

About 4 years ago, I "met" a wonderful lady online and this past weekend I finally got the opportunity to meet her and her husband in person. This woman befriended me and invited me to a warm and supportive board where I've been fortunate enough to forge some wonderful friendships.

I'll write more later, but for now, enjoy the photos in my new flickr album.

Take me Home

2005-07-06T20:58:00.000-05:00

Miss Boo has been at my sister's house since Saturday. I miss her terribly and I know she wants to come home asap, however, I'm just exhausted tonight. I know she wants me to come get her tomorrow, but I really can't commit to that at this moment. I'd like to go get her, but that just might be too much driving on a work night. I guess I'll go call her now and start some negotiations.

A Funny

2005-07-04T19:45:00.000-05:00

Two prostitutes were riding around town
with a sign on top of their car which said:

"Two Prostitutes -- $50.00."

A policeman, seeing the sign,
stopped them and told them
they'd either have to remove the sign
or go to jail.

Just at that time, another car passed with a sign saying:
"JESUS SAVES."

One of the girls asked the officer,
"How come you don't stop them?!"

"Well, that's a little different,"
the officer smiled .
"Their sign pertains to religion."

So the two ladies of the night frowned
as they took their sign down and drove off.

The following day found the same police officer
in the area when he noticed the two ladies
driving around with a large sign on their car again.

Figuring he had an easy arrest,
he began to catch up with them
when he noticed the new sign which now read:

"Two Fallen Angels
Seeking Peter -- $50.00."

Skyrockets in Flight

2005-07-04T18:52:00.000-05:00

I just got home about, oh maybe an hour and a half or two hours ago. Miss Boo is spending the week with my sister and her family and my husband is away yet again on a case. Fortunately, I was able to go along with him yesterday so we got a mini vacation, brief as it might be.

I arrived home today fully expecting to see a mess from the dog, but I was pleasantly surprised. She somehow managed to eat her food, drink her water and keep her legs crossed for the 24 hours that I was away. Good girl. The cats seemed not to miss me at all, and even Fat Joe and Memphis, our fish handled the break well.

The only problemo now is that the dog, after having done her business, won't go back outside. She's a spaz when it comes to fireworks, so I guess I'll just get used to her hovering for the next 12 hours or so.

I had such a horrible headache today which I finally cured with a few cups of coffee. I tend not to drink coffee other than my own, then am not able to deal with the headache. Wadda baby.

Grab Your Balls and Go Home

2005-06-30T22:46:00.000-05:00

I realize that even though I am Soccamom, I hardly ever talk about Miss Boo's games. Part of the reason being that I don't want to be an annoying soccer mom, but the other reason is that she plays so much soccer and is in so many different leagues, it seems, that I just tend to keep it to myself. Well, that's about to change.

Yesterday's game was just one of the worst displays of sportsmanship by a coach that I've seen in a long time. The other team's coach was one of those guys who is just loud and annoying. We were playing in a 6 on 6 league so it's basically a half field type of thing with the parents sitting on the same sidelines with the teams. I found myself a comfy spot right at midfield and congratulated myself on the prime real estate...until I heard BigMouth start "coaching." This was the type of guy who commented and shouted for every minute of every play. I mean, jeebus, let the girls play at least a little on their own without telling them all exactly where to be every second of every minute. I turned to the dad I was sitting near and said I'd have to move if this coach didn't shut up soon.

Thank goodness I got my wish. By the time we were ahead 5-1 he stopped "coaching" altogether. I think the last comment I heard from him was when one of his girls said something to him and he replied, "Oh so I put you in and you didn't do your job and it's my fault??" What a jackass. After that he just sat in his folding chair and sulked. With about 2 minutes left in the match, he started packing up his chair. Wow, great role model.

I know poor sportsmanship occurs all over, but last night it just really seemed to gall me.

PS: Yeah, that's Miss Boo in the blue and white, but the picture is over a year old.

It's Hot

2005-06-25T11:10:00.000-05:00

Damn hot. I've been up for hours but all that I seem to be able to do is lay around and be hot. Maybe I can stick my head in the aquarium since Fat Joe and Memphis don't seem hot. Just hungry. Maybe I'll feed the fish and then wander off in search of ice water.

Lethargy sets in.

Oh! and by the way...

2005-06-23T21:31:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I've had a few....

What's Tonight?

2005-06-23T21:19:00.000-05:00

It's Thursday night!
What does that mean?
Margaritas!
What kind of margaritas?
Dollar margaritas!

Yeah, you can pretend that is the newest cheer from the soccamom stadium. The local bar/restaurant/bowling alley (ya gotta love hoosierland) here has $1.00 margaritas on Thursday nights and boy oh boy are they good. Well, any one dolllar margarita is good, but these are salty and lime-y and oh so delicious.

My pal, Lindsey, and her husband met me down here tonight for some wel deserved cocktails and mexican food. They've decided to be down next Thursday too. I'm so glad. I hardly ever get to see Lindsey anymore and she is one of my favorite friends.

Oh! I've got to tell you (yeah, you, my one and only reader) about the super cool thing that happened today. Ok, it started yesterday and ended today. I met a gal from near here who needed me to do help her with her account because she is moving. I asked her where she was moving to and she said Boston. Oh, that is so cool! I have a friend who lived in Boston and was trying to sublet her apartment. I told her I'd message my friend and see if the space was still available. Apparently it was and I may have actually helped two people in the process. The gal I met was so thrilled! I really got my "feel-good" on today.

Now I'm off to throttle my husband's dog. If she doesn't stop barking I may just have to tape her lips shut.

Single White Female

2005-06-17T18:20:00.000-05:00

So the other day, one of the girls at work asked me where I get my "outfits." Upon probing, I determined that she mostly meant my work wardrobe and specifically my black blazer. I told her and advised her to buy the best one she could afford and wear the hell out of it like I do.

Today, she and everyone else at work raved about my new 'doo. This girl, however, seemed to especially like it and now she has an appointment with my hairstylist for next week. Honestly, I didn't get the copycat thing or the SWF vibe from her until 2 of the other girls pointed it out. I'm not creeped out yet. Time will tell.

Hair Today, Gone Today

2005-06-16T19:56:00.000-05:00

I just got back from the salon and I am now minus about 5 inches of hair. I really was just ready for a change and was happy when my stylist suggested it. Actually, I think I kind of freaked her out because she knows I'm pretty much a long hair kind of gal, but when I sat in the chair today and she asked what we were doing, I just said, "You tell me."

I LOVE the new 'doo, too. It's just brushing the tops of my shoulders, lightly layered and soooo swingy. Yeah, I know just how swingy, because all I seem to be able to do is flip my hair back and forth in a state of amazement. So yeah, I'm pretty happy with it. I need to maybe go play a little.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2005-06-14T18:39:00.000-05:00

Actually my husband came home from his training and orientation on Saturday and left again for assignment on Monday. That was just about long enough for him to throw everyone into a tizzy, get his laundry done, pack and head out. We're thinking he'll be back tomorrow night as long as he doesn't get another case assigned in the meantime. I think this might be a good deal, really.

So far, he really seems to like everything and since he made his way to Chicago without getting lost, robbed, or murdered, he may just start to feel more comfortable about driving out of this podunk little town without me to navigate. :-)

~~~~~~

We all got our new phones and have been working on converting numbers and whatnot. I've decided not to port my old cell phone number so I need to let some people know how to get a hold of me. The wierdest thing is that we all chose the same ringtone and have a hard time figuring out whose phone to answer. I suppose I'll have to go searching for a new one but if I don't find one, someone else will just have to switch, after all, I'm the mommy and I got mine first. Heh.

~~~~~

This Saturday we're supposed to go to Muncie for some airshow and whatnot for work. It would be really nice if they told us exactly where it's going to be and what time to be there. I suppose we'll get the particulars on Friday or something. Nothing like last-minute plans. When I signed up to go several of the co-workers that I like were going to go too. Now, not so many of them. I may ditch too. We'll see. Maybe some other hoosier blogger will be there. That would be fun.

The other day, I was helping a customer who is starting a webhosting and design business and we got to talking about blogging. He said I was the first person he'd actually ever met in person who blogs. Come to think of it the only other person I know who blogs is Miss Boo, so I suppose that doesn't really count. Speaking of her, I have to go pick her and some of her friends up for a sleepover tonight.

Gourd have mercy.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2005-06-05T17:13:00.000-05:00

I just got back from dropping my husband off at the airport. Actually, I dropped him off hours and hours ago then Miss Boo and I went shopping and now we're home. The big guy will be gone till Saturday at this orientation/training class for his new job. I'm very excited for him because he has been trying to get with this company for quite awhile and I suppose now his persistance (or pain in the ass-i-ness) has finally paid off.

So, now Miss Boo and I find ourselves wondering who will mow the lawn this week? Nah, I'll do it but I won't be happy about it. I'll just have to see when I can fit it it. Maybe I'll luck out and it will rain all week.

Roll Over

2005-06-02T20:39:00.000-05:00

Why does it seem as if my blogroll isn't updating? I'm falling behind on my reading because the little asterisk isn't doing it's job. Hrumph!

Eagles

2005-06-01T21:40:00.000-05:00

Who else is watching the Eagles special on TV? I missed more than the first hour because I was at an interminable thing at school with Miss Boo and didn't even know it was on. Gawd, I love them. I mean I really love them but what in the hell is Joe Walsh wearing?

Appalling Memorial Day

2005-05-31T19:28:00.000-05:00

I've started this post a few times but could never seem to get it to seem coherent, so if you decide to read, you'll just have to muddle through.

Traditionally my parents have a cookout at their home on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend and this year was no exception. In more recent years we've also incorporated my niece's birthday celebration into the mix as she was born June second. One might think that since this is becoming a tradition, that the dual event would take little planning other than the menu and carry-in items, but apparently this is not the case at all. It took a few phone calls back and forth between my mom and sister to hammer down the details of the day. The details being yes we'd do the cookout thing and the birthday thing together, food at one gifts and cake afterwards.

I live two hours away from Mom. My sister lives one hour away from her (in another direction) and various other guests included my uncle from Ohio, my sister's inlaws, our grandparents, my mother-in-law who was meeting my family for the first time, and various other cousins from at least an hour away. Get the picture? Nearly all of us travelled a distance to get to this thing. Let me clarify another point. At Mom's house, if she says food is served at one then at 12:59 you should be at the buffet table, plate in hand ready to eat.

Knowing this and also knowing that my mother-in-law would be a little early, we'd arranged to meet her at a designated location so that she could follow us to my parents. We arrived around 11:40. Got the MIL settled in, helped Mom with setting out some veggies then at about 12:20 started calling my sister. No answer. I finally got ahold of her at 12:55.

"Where are you?"
giggling "Well, the car is loaded..."
"You haven't even left yet? We're getting ready to eat!"
"Don't wait for us." Ummm, duh!

When the four of them finally arrived an hour later, there was much giggling, no apologies and no explanation. I asked my older niece what the hold up was and apparently she was ready, but no explaination as to why the adults weren't able to get around. From a couple of things my BIL said, I really think he just didn't get up in time.

Then my sister says, "Oh there were plenty of times when we all still lived around here that you guys would be rolling in just about the same time as us or a little after." Um, yeah, but that was still managing to be there before the party started or food was served.
Needless to say, I'm completely appalled. Appalled!

Alphabet Dinners

2005-05-17T21:12:00.000-05:00

Ring, ring

My sister: "Hello?"
Me: "What are you doing?"
Sis: "Cooking dinner."
Me: "Me too. I'm making BLT's. What are you making?"
Sis (laughing): "SOS."

Obviously, my life is boring and now you know why it's been a month since my last post.

So Many Stripes

2005-04-18T21:15:00.000-05:00

I saw a little girl walking to school today. I noticed her for a few reasons. She was dressed in striped pants, a striped shirt and a plaid coat. None of the colors matched. I mean, they weren't even close. She was also the only person walking along the sidewalk, so considering how glaring her clothes, she was easy to spot.

As I dropped Miss Boo off at the door, I spied the little girl running along the sidewalk. She wasn't even half-way past the street and to the school yet. I knew why she was running. She'd missed her bus. The buses to the elementary schools were all pulling away and the little girl in stripes was left behind.

There were 2 ladies walking away from the school in the little girl's direction. She stopped them and I imagined she was asking them what she should do. They stopped, listened, shook their heads and proceded on. The little girl in stripes stood for a moment watching the last of the busses depart before turning around and heading back from where she came.

I sat in my car and watched the whole thing. I wondered who would let her leave the house dressed in such a way and was there anyone even there or was she responsible for getting herself around and ready for school? What will she do when she gets home? Will someone be there to take her to school? Will she call someone? Will she stay home alone all day?

I wanted to offer to drive her to school but was afraid she wouldn't accept, yet on the other hand, I was also afraid that she might. Would she be so desperate to get to school on time that she'd accept a ride from a stranger? How scary is that? I know that she'd be safe with me, but how would she know that?

I used to be a latch-key kid. For years I'd get myself ready and off to school, but there were always neighbors around if I needed anything. The neighbors across the alley were especially helpful and could always be counted on in a pinch and yet there were times when I just found their helpfulness annoying. I resented that there were parents there to give rides when it was raining and a houseful of people who were eager to look after me. I resented being dependant on those rides with nothing to give back.

I remember once during a heavy rain that the neighbors called and offered me a ride. I declined and hung up. "I don't need their charity," I thought to myself.

They called 3 more times.
I left and walked to school.
I arrived soaked to the skin and proud of myself.
I was no one's charity case and I could take care of myself.

Naturally, the school called my mom at work and she had to take time off to bring me dry clothes and a tongue lashing. I had inconvenienced her and done it for the stupidest of resons. I don't remember ever refusing a ride again, but then again, who knows. Memory is a tricky thing.

Spring has Sprung

2005-04-03T20:36:00.000-05:00

I envy those of you in more temperate climates as you write about your spring plantings and things. The pictures I see posted make me just want to fling seeds on the dirt and watch things grow. Unfortunately, the weather up here is too unpredictable and I don't usually plant till May.

There is one warm weather tradition that kicked off today assuring us and the rest of the neighborhood that spring truly is here. Beer on the patio! Yes, today we puttered about the yard, brought out and scrubbed the grill and drank beer in the sunshine on the patio. It was still a little too breezy to be perfect, but for me and my guy, we had a nice afternoon.

Yes, spring is definately in the air.

Let's hear it for Endorphins

2005-03-29T19:50:00.000-05:00

I finally got my phat ass back on the treadmill. I was afraid for a minute there that it might collapse, but it held and I walked, sang off key, sweated, smiled and felt great. I wonder if I can do it again tomorrow or will soccaslug be back.

I love being sweaty from physical exhertion in any form and tonight I can just feel my outlook brighten. I know that if I don't lose some flab before the summer, I may have to wear long sleeves and long pants all year long. That won't be a happy sight but I really can't believe I let myself get in this shape...a circle is a shape, isn't it?

Sunday-No-Fun-Day

2005-03-27T14:42:00.000-05:00

Its cold and gloomy today. We were roused from a sound sleep last night by some random boy calling for Miss Boo. Then we were awakened again by a caller for my husband. If I have never been to your church and never expressed interest in attening your church, then please don't call at 8 am on a Sunday morning inviting me to your church. I have my own religious code and it doesn't involve people who are always deciding what is a sin and what isn't and then sharing the info. Leave me alone and go hunt your pagan easter eggs all the while spouting your holier-than-thou christianisms.

Rocket to Boom

2005-03-24T20:09:00.000-05:00

It's been three days now. My rocket is gone. My soulmate of the past 10 years.(Ummm, except for the Soccadad, of course.) I understood her every noise, her every hum, her every curve. My car. My sweet, sweet car. Oh woe.

Ok, is that mellodramatic enough? Can you just imagine me drapped in sackcloth and ashes, sprawled over the hood of the rocket? Yeah, it took me 3 or 4 tries to sell her and in the end it was done while I was busy. Best that way. I can't let myself think of her sitting in a cold car lot wondering where I am. Wondering when I will come back for her. Gawd, am I a freak or what???

Ok, for the boom, part of it. I inherited our other car, a 300 M, which I really like. I think it will take some time for us to build a good relationship and it may never be like the one I enjoyed with the rocket, but I know we will definately grow to at least a good understanding.

I really need a life, don't I. :-)

Flying High

2005-03-18T23:14:00.000-05:00

So Miss Boo left for Florida yesterday. It's her first plane ride and I think she was pretty excited. I hope the weather in Sarasota and Orlando is nice for the coming week. For that matter, I hope it's nice here, though I suspect that with her on spring break, I will be working later in the evenings.

Germs

2005-03-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

No, I'm not dead, I just feel like it. I missed 2 days of work last week due to this stupid cold/flu thing that seems to be going around. I wish I could just shake it once and for all, but the cough seems to be lingering. All I want to do is sleep.

Assumptions

2005-02-14T18:16:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I nearly forgot. My guy was sick all weekend, so I mainly just vegged out with a Sex and the City DVD to keep me company. That and a mountain of laundry.

Today I wore a black suit with a beige mock neck to work. That's pretty standard type of clothing for me, the black part at least. So, Lois says to me, "Shame on you! You didn't wear any red for Valentine's Day."

"Oh, I am wearing red today," I told her with a cocked eyebrow.

Happy Valentine's day, shweetie!

Peevish

2005-02-12T13:53:00.000-05:00

The other night I ran to the small local grocery to pick up a few items. I had the small basket over my arm filled with maybe 6 items. There was only one lane open at that time of the evening and the only other customer checking out ran her full cart up to the lane so that she could check out ahead of me. Ok, whatever.

Naturally her bad behavior didn't stop there. She then began to argue the price of every third item or so that travelled across the scanner. Ok, so finally the last of her items were rung up and totalled to her satisfaction. The clerk upon hitting the total button informed her, "That's ninety-four sixty-two, please." Whereupon she pulled her checkbook out of her jeans pocket and asked for a pen. I wonder if I can even explain how much that bugs me.

I can't even quite comprehend the thought process behind doing that. Did she not think that she'd have to pay, maybe? I guess I could maybe see if you weren't sure if you'd pay cash or write a check, but being an avid debit card user, I just really don't see the justification for writing checks at all anyway. If I ever do find myself in a situation where I'm about to write a check, I certainly have as much of it filled out as I can. I don't know. I realize I'm a fairly impatient person but being that way makes me pretty aware of the fact that others may not be in the mood to wait for me too. Gah. I just can't wrap my mind around it.

Anyway. She finally got her check written out and the bagger asked her if she would like some help out with her bags. A pretty standard question to which she replies in a sour voice, "It's up to you." How is it up to him, lady? It's his job to ask but given that its zero degrees outside and you're not the most pleasant person, what do you think he'd decide if it really were up to him?

Well, that's one of my pet peeves; not having your check ready. All of the other unpleasantness is just extra bits of annoyance.

Silly Love Songs

2005-02-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

This just in: apparently Sir Paul still is capable of a little controversy even at the ripe old age of 62.

Sir Paul's Wardrobe Malfunction

Ok, don't get your knickers in a wad, I'm just kidding. Actually, I loved the halftime show. Maybe I'm old, but I really enjoyed it and I sang along to every word. So there.

The Poo-ch

2005-02-03T19:01:00.000-05:00

I've been telling my husband for quite a while now that his dog is a turd eater. For the longest time, I've had the suspicion that she rummages through the litter box as if it was her own personal buffet, but I never could quite catch her at it. Many was the time that she would wander from the corner of the room in which the box was kept, though I never actually saw her grazing. Being the man who paid a princely sum for this ball of fur, my guy has refused to believe that these allegations were true. I insisted that the very last time I saw her from the corner of my eye grazing in the box I was in the same room, just not looking in her direction. I promptly scolded her, of course, but I think sometimes the temptation is just too great for her.

Sometimes Shitfaced.

Finally, yesterday while eating lunch, my husband says to me, "Did you happen to notice there is litter in the dog's water bowl?"
Hmmmm.

What a Crock!

2005-01-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

Recently, some of my relatives and I were sharing some of our kitchen horror stories. Fortunately, I wasn't able to think of any terrible food mishaps of my own, but one did come to mind regarding some cookware. I've had a heck of a time finding and keeping a good crockpot.

I am actually on crockpot #4. My first crockpot was the kind that did
not have a removable crock and washing it was a nightmare of trying
not to get the cord wet so I gave it away to someone.

I replaced it with crockpot #2 which I liked well enough. It had all
the features I wanted including a removable insert which was very easy
to wash. The only drawback was that it was round and slightly smaller
than I would have liked. One day while cleaning up the kitchen, my
dear husband decided that after washing the crockery insert it
would be a good idea to expedite the drying process by drying the
crock over the open flame of the gas stove. Obviously, the crock
cracked.

Along came crockpot #3. This one was slightly larger and oval shaped
which I liked very much. After just a few months of enjoying this
crock which was the perfect shape, perfect size, perfect color and had
all the right features, along came my kitchen helper again. He
once again washed the crock but this man learns from past mistakes,
doesn't he. Doesn't he? Well, maybe not so much. He decided that the flame was probably
too high last time and turned the burner on low flame with my perfect
crock sitting atop. Crack!

After 5 months of searching, along came crockpot #4. It was the
perfect shape, size and color and it was loaded with some fancy new
buttons. Unfortunately, I hate crock #4 and the sad thing is that
my sweetie really did learn his lesson so I have no doubt this one will
last for a loooong loooong time.

How Was Your Day?

2005-01-24T18:50:00.000-05:00

Hair Today

2005-01-20T14:06:00.000-05:00

What's up with hair this month? Let me just tell you, that I've had at least 2 searches per day this month from people googling hair, hairstyles, hair cuts and wedges. Heh. I guess with the new year and resolutions and a nod towards turning a new leaf the interest is out there.

I admit, I've been thinking along the lines of a new hairstyle myself, though I really don't have any concrete ideas in mind. I definately need a color touch up and a trim.

Did I mention my new lipgloss? There are always so many things that I mean to blog about and spend enough time thinking about that I'm not sure if I ever got them down on paper or not. I spent about 30 minutes at MAC the other day looking for some gloss with my buddy Lindsey. I ended up with no MAC gloss mostly because the girl helping us was annoying. She was trying to get me to wear oranges (which I hate) even though I came in looking for a pink. Also, she wasn't wearing any make up. HELLO! No makeup! How do you wear no make up, give bad advise and expect to make a living? That's just wrong in my book.

Anyway, I ended up and Lancome for some juicy tubes pop which I adore. Yay.

Day After Tomorrow

2005-01-16T11:06:00.000-05:00

So, last Tuesday it was a warm and sunny 67 degrees. We also had a thunderstorm in the evening. That's a thunderstorm in Indiana in January. What's up with that? Also the snow melted and the river rose creating flood conditions that, although not as high as last year's hundred year flood level, were still inconveniently high.

We live about a minute and a half from downtown yet we have to detour 20 minutes out of the way to get there. Our street is closed due to water.

Also, it is now about 15 degrees or so outside. What kind of wierd weather shit is that?

A Picture is Worth

2005-01-07T20:19:00.000-05:00

A thousand complements.

Ever since I put Miss Boo's picture on my desk, I've heard some good ones. Naturally, the top comment is, "Surely, that isn't your daughter! You don't look old enough." Well I am plenty old enough. (And don't call me Shirley.)
I've also had people ask me if that is my sister. Ummm, nope.
Ok, and here is the biggie. A customer glances at Miss Boo's picture and says, "Oh, look, there you are." Ok, I might be a Leo and own lots of mirrors, and all that, but puh-lease. I keep the picture of myself in a file, not on my desktop. Heh.

Cheers

2005-01-03T22:08:00.000-05:00

We stayed in Friday night and watched football, ate snacks and drank margaritas. The hubster likes strawberry and I prefer lime. That's lime, salt, rocks. I'd show you a picture of mine, but they didn't seem to stay in the glass for very long. That might also explain why the picture is blurry...
:-)

Star Signs

2004-12-22T20:04:00.000-05:00

My friend, Angie, was telling me the other day that this coming spring she and her husband will be taking out a loan to do some landscaping. Apparently a neighbor complemented another neighbor's landscaping, saying it was the best in the neighborhood. Upon hearing this, the husband, Justin, decided he needed to redo his landscaping to make it the best in the neighborhood.
I asked Angie, "Is Justin a LEO by any chance?"

"How did you know that?" she asked me. I just had a hunch.

Survey Says...

2004-12-15T19:35:00.000-05:00

What else would you expect from an English major with a Latin and Greek minor?

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.
An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.
You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view.
A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

I'm Back!

2004-12-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I've been back since Friday. The trip went really well but I'm glad to be home again.
I had great weather for the trip down to Indy. I was travelling down the road, no traffic, good tunes and just speeding along minding my own business when I see a trooper heading toward me. Bah! Yeah, sure enough, he slowed, turned and chased me down. Bah. He pulled me over, of course, and asked me the normal questions: why the hurry, any warrants, etc. He collected my info and went back to his car as I sat calmly in mine.

As I was sitting there in my car a thought hit me like a ton of bricks-what if he actually gives me a ticket??? I figured it was a slam-dunk for a warning. I was starting to sweat it for a moment. Just then he came back to my car and handed me my warning. Heh.

My next move was to call home and ask my sweet husband, "if I get pulled over again today, will the warning show up or is it like a free pass?"

Some people never learn.

Toodles

2004-12-05T11:37:00.000-05:00

I'll be out of town until Friday without (gasp!) internet access. I'll miss reading you all.

Have a good week.

And They're Off!

2004-12-03T22:06:00.000-05:00

This may come as a huge surprise to you, but I'm a little bit competitive. (I can think of one person right now who just fell off the chair laughing.)

So this evening I had to run to the grocery to buy some bacon for the soup I was making. As I was getting into my car, I saw my neighbor driving heading out of the parking lot. I immediately took off in the opposite direction and decided I had to make it home first, to heck with if my neighbor may have had other stops to make. I scurried home as fast as I dared and by the time I turned onto my street, I had come to the conclusion that either she was way ahead of me and already home, or way behind me. As I neared my house, I wondered how I would determine if she was already home or not and just as the thought crossed my mind, someone turned onto the street. Oh, it must be her! I drove into my garage as slowly as I dared and she still wasn't home. Do you believe I had to stand out in the driveway to make sure it really was her? Yeah, I won. It might have been even more fun if she knew we were racing, eh?