Matt goes to Boy Scouts...

Last night we took Matt to his first Boy Scout meeting. The leaders are awesome and really into it. Matt was shy at first but when they started playing basketball for their activity he got into it and scored some really good shots and started having a good time. They said the pledge of Allegiance at the beginning and opened and closed with a prayer. This is definitely a good start to getting Matt healthy and happy again.
We have to get the shirt and book and start from there. This troupe is from our ward so it will be a good thing for him all around.
Poor Jack wanted to play sooo bad and be part of it. He has two more years before he can join and I know he will have a good time going..
But for now, Matt will go once a week.

Mindless thoughts at 2 am

I've been sick all week. Today was a bad day. I didn't cook dinner the last two nights - McDonald's did.. :/ I haven't done laundry all week, the dishes didn't get washed and put into the dishwasher and I have been fighting the chills, fever, headache, snotface and my lungs feel like someone is sitting on them. I went downstairs tonight to see the damage. I was down in the living room to meet Jack from his bus this morning but I did not go and see the damage. D-I-S-G-U-S-T... There was a mess and apparently it was going to wait for me to take care of it. I managed to wobble in there, load the dish washer, wash down everything including the bathrooms. Good lord I don't want an epidemic around here. I lug heavy laundry to and fro, separate and fold it and drag it upstairs. Now, I am waiting for the second load of towels to finish drying so I can switch it out before going to sleep. Why???
Well we are leaving tomorrow, me sick or not and all of these things and MORE have to get done before we can. I am disappointed that our leaving on Friday so I can get to feeling better has been moved to tomorrow.
Which moves me to a more nit picking thought. Why is it so hard to throw away used q-tips?? Or clean up your mess in the bathroom?? Or if you miss the wastebasket why can't you take the time to pick it up and put it in?? I'm not sure where in my life I went wrong and have given the impression this is something I like to do.
Obviously this is not a "nice" mood post. I didn't intend for it to be. I am just sick, I want help and I think I am looking in the wrong direction...

Scared....

Good grief.. I hate this town.. http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110824/NEWS/108240315 Only a couple more days left until we go back to Eugene. This gang shooting is about a mile from our hotel.. :O
I don't even feel safe about taking a short walk around here. There is a beautiful park across the river but it isn't safe either..
Reading news like this doesn't help my cabin fever any! I'm feeling antsy enough....

Another one

So I just updated my profile to age 34.. I can't believe another birthday is here upon me. Can't I stop having them for a while... Years just seem to spin by...
I woke up this morning feeling no different than I did the day before.. I don't feel/look/act older today. And if you want to get technical I won't be 34 until tonight near midnight, and possibly tomorrow. I love that. Not having an exact birthday makes it much more interesting. How many other people can say they have two days in which you were born. My birth was traumatic, and an emergency, so its not all fun and games..
I should be outside right now enjoying the hotel pool, but its too hot... Ahhh August....

Doggie Doo Game??

Are you kidding me?? While watching cartoons with Jack here at the hotel I saw a commercial for a new game called Doggie Doo. The title doesn't leave much for the imagination, and you guessed it, its a game where you pick up dog poop. Sound like fun??
I can't believe the crap they come up with...

randomness

I am really quite fortunate that Jack and I have been able to enjoy the pool at our very comfy and cozy hotel.. We have swam races, and practiced with no floats. Jack loves to do underwater flips and he is really quite good at it.
And when there is just a breeze the hot tub feels so good. With the jets and the bubbles and hot hot water I just love it. I miss our Utah house with the pool and hot tub. It is really quite a luxury to have these things..
When we go back home to Eugene its a shame we can't take the maids, the pool, the hot tub and the ready made breakfast every morning.
We are leaving in two days and its time to start packing up and I don't want to leave. I've been here three weeks but I didn't get to do the things I wanted to. I haven't got to hang out with Mary :( and I haven't gotten together with Stacy and they both live here!!

Pain

Ohhh the last three days now I have been down. I was having horrible awful pains and I finally got up and went to the ER. They did their tests and my awful cyst is GONE!! But it doesn't explain the pain, so I will be going to an ob/gyn when we get home. Yay fun stuff. And I knocked my back out so I have been laying down, or hobbling to and there.. Four hours in the ER and they basically said I need to go see specialist for it. Great, what do I do tonight?
Vicodin. That is what I was given. He said I am already on my other stuff, ( Lyrica, Flexeril )and the ( Imitrex, Vicodin and Phenergan )and there wasn't anything else they could give me and I need to go see a pain specialist. Great fun. My second and current Neurologist told me I fibromyalga and tonight I can see that yeah, I bet that is the problem.
For now I am awake and my back is doing a little better. I'm pacified enough that I can lay on my back and type this and I can't sleep..

Ebay

A few weeks ago I received a notice that my eBay seller privileges had been put on a limit of 10 auctions a month or $500. Now I haven't been listing auctions in a few months but I have been a member since 2004 with this account. I have 100% positive feedback and my seller evaluation is excellent. I was doing auctions pretty heavy last summer, but since we have been traveling I don't have the desire to drag things along to list. And after my cap was put on I have a hard time wanting to spend or sell with them. I looked it up and the reasoning for putting this new cap is for performance, but mine is impeccable.. Then I get this in my inbox.. LMAO...

The Void...

Today I am filling the void by coupon clipping and hunting. Now that I have internet back in my room I am not sitting at the lobby computer. Using a slow, old computer does NOT have its advantages. Spell check for instance. Its a luxury I have become too comfortable with. I love how I can just type and voia, if I spell something wrong that familiar, guiding red zip-zag line is there to tell me where I went wrong. If I only had something like that in real life to help me make decisions.
I finally updated my name on Paypal.. And its only been 9 months.. Now I have to wait for a new cc from them, and hopfully they won't send it to South Jordan again..
The pool is hopping with kids and Jack wants to go sometime. But for now Scooby Doo is keeping us company. Its a little too cold for me to get nearly naked.
So far my coupon clipping has been mild. I signed up for this and that. Found a few samples worth signing up for that are still valid.

Wedded Bliss...

I went to a wedding this weekend and was reminded of the absolute bliss of true love. The wedding was at a lodge between Eugene and Sisters facing the river and it was surrounded by natural beautiful growing around. The family was there supporting them and everyone was happy. Perfect.
And it reminded me that mine didn't have that sense.. And I did enjoy the wine and I got drunk. I haven't been like that since before Jack and it felt good.
I did get dressed up. I love doing that.
We did dance for the first time.. It was surreal. The blue grass band played "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay".. My first dance since my senior prom.

Easy Like Monday Morning...

Ahh Monday.. Another week is here. Monotonous.
Today is laundry day. Still here at the hotel, currently just sitting in the lobby just passing time and hoping the day slips away. And I'm waiting for the dryer so I can switch my load.
This morning as I was getting it all ready Jack asked me what I wanted to do. I asked him what he meant. He said "You know, what do you want to do for a job?".. My reply was "Do I need one?" "Yes"... My five year old is giving me employment advice. Fantastic.
My trusty green iPod is drowning out the background sounds and Madonna is singing "Crazy for You"...
My goal for the day is to apply for a new social security card.. Before we left Eugene we stopped at the court house and finally got the official marriage document so I could change my name at the DMV.. We only got married last November. :/
Why does it feel like an invisible elephant is sitting on me and I can't seem to get anywhere.

Happy Birthday Andrew

Today is Andrew's birthday... I wish I could spend the day with him. It's hard to believe that 13 years ago I met my son after a hard pregnancy and a little more than two weeks before his due date. I started dilating at 26 weeks and was put on bed rest from that point on. My Grandma came to stay with us to help with Darienne who had not quite turned two and cook/clean while I was down.
I met my "Drew" as he was to be called at 2:00 on the dot in the afternoon. He was beautiful and perfect. His birth was so much less complicated than Darienne's and it was a calm moment after he was born because he was breathing. They washed him up and handed me my swaddled baby boy..
I have a teenage son and I don't know where the time has gone.
I love you Andrew. I hope your birthday is a good one.. Love, Mommy

Jack in the Pool

Backpack for school??? ACKK!!!

Yesterday Jack and I went shopping at the Old Mill Center here in Bend, OR.. Its time to start getting clothes for school so we hit GAP. No Gymboree in this town, can you believe that?? Jack got a couple outfits to start - he is so grown up and picks out his own things.. And we got the backpack with lunch pail!!! ::: cries ::: My baby will be in school in a matter of WEEKS!!!! ACKK!!! Gap is having an awesome sale right now!! Its a good time to start shopping!!!

The Magic Germ wand!

I was watching GMA a few days ago and they had a segment on germ fighters for use in your home. They showed a few more but I was entranced by this nifty gadget. I can't wait to get one. OCD overboard.. I can't wait to use it!!

Hooray for Hollister!

Last night I was practically drug into Hollister last night by Matt.. He wanted to go look. We found a teeshirt that he LOVES and the smell in there was just heavenly.. I snuck off to the womens and found what has got to be the most comfortable summer ensemble I have ever tried on.. I am so in love. Thank you Hollister!! You never cease to amaze me!

What a day!

We went back to the river today for a float.. Matty and Justin wore their snorkeling gear and were in the water nearly the entire day.

Our day started off fine. It took forever to get things together and just go. It was nearly noon by the time we set off on our adventure.. The ride was interrupted rudely when a State Trooper sitting in his car nailed us for going over the speed limit after we came off a hill.. I had left my purse at home ( where I keep Justin's license so it doesn't get lost ), so that didn't go so well. We were "let off" by only getting a speeding ticket for $190 :/ I tried to not let us get down for the rest of the day and we were off ( much slower ) to the river...
The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day. There were so many agates to find and we found them. Nothing too spectacular but it was fun just the same. Jack and Matt had a blast, as did Justin. And I felt better this time so I really enjoyed being out.
We decided to get out further down so it was easier to get out so our day was extended. But, when we got down to our take out spot there was a new gate and fence so that was a no go. We had to petal back against the current and take out at the Golf course. Nothing like walking through a country club in wet clothes and shoes ;)
The entire trip we heard ambulances and firetrucks going down the road behind us. You never hear alarms in the country so it made us quite curious. When we got back to our car there was a road block, a firetruck right by our car and for a moment we all thought the worst. We couldn't see the car and quite honestly we did not know what to expect. Fortunately we were surprised when we saw the firetruck was just filling his truck with new water and we were told there had been a fire down the road. It was quite a relief. It felt so good to be home when we did! Now if I could just get rid of this sunburn!

She wore... BLUE Velvet...

I took advantage of my trial Netflix and Justin and I watched this movie together tonight.. I <3 David Lynch.. His style is so very unique..

Sleep?

Another night of insomnia.. Ironic today I went to Therapy and told my councilor how much better I have been sleeping in the past couple of days.
At least I'm getting the laundry caught up.
Today was hot ( for me ) and the first day of Summer.
Father's Day was quiet, Justin was at work until 6 and he came home and mowed the yard. I made a nice dinner ( Roasted Beast, potatoes and salad ) and that concluded our excitement for this Hallmark Holiday.
Jack made a card for his Daddy and Grandpa. It is amazing how well he is writing and the pictures he likes to draw. He brought me construction paper and asked me to fold it into little rectangles (to make the card ). He puts so much thought and detail into his drawings.
Jack made a friend. When we first moved in a few weeks ago a little boy his age came by and was very curious. He asked a lot of questions then sprinted off. Last week the little boy started coming over to play. His name is Seth, and seems like an well mannered kid. Jack really enjoys playing with him so its nice to see Jack open up a little bit socially.
Yesterday we went to the river. Justin and Jack wore their wet suits and were in the water most of the afternoon. Unfortunately for me, I fell, hurt myself and spent the rest of the day in misery. I brought a book along with me, so I sat down and read while they were having a jolly good time. I was grateful at the end of the day. I hate being a negative Nancy..
I should be asleep. But I can't. SLEEP. What a strange word if you take a second glance through the eyes of a sleep deprived maniac like me... S l e e p.....

Reverence...

Today we went to Church after a long hiatus ( its been since Easter that we have gone, and before that it was in early January). I haven't been as involved as I would like to be. It felt good to go and just be there. Jack had a good time at Primary, and told me all about his lesson that they learned. I came home and decided that we were going to be good and keep Sunday a quiet day. This meant when Jack's new friend stopped by to play I told him politely that he could come back tomorrow and play and that Sunday was our quiet day. And then he came back two more times trying to play. :O
Reverence was put to a halt when Justin got home from work and mowed the yard and Jack was out helping him. But I had good intentions.

Guess Not Folks, :/

Happy Saturday... I guess the day of the Rapture did not come.. I don't feel anything.. Good thing I didn't hear anything about it until a day and a half ago. My last day on earth would have been spent rather wasted. We spent our night at the laundry mat - hopefully one of the last times we will ever have to do that. Oh what great fun that is. I'm just glad we have it done and I can function again with clean things for the next week. It really throws me off not having the ability to wash my own clothes when I need and want to.. Things can only go up from here, right??

Its an over cast day here in the beautiful Valley and I couldn't be happier! Right now cartoons are on and I plan to hang out in my pajamas for a while and snuggle with these pillows and blanket friends of mine..

Hubby is at work and Jack is doing his puzzle, holding his kitten Gilbert and watching Sprout..

I think its going to be a pretty quiet day.. I feel good about saying today is not our judgement day, sorry folks.. If you'd have paid attention to anything, even if you only went to Vacation Bible School you would have known that the second coming is NOT known exactly. No date. He is coming, but we don't know when. Just be ready..

It's my Pity Party and I'll Cry if I want to...

Things kind of suck this week. Last Friday while at the Mall, Jack picked up a nasty cold virus. We don't normally go to the play area but I thought it would be good for him and he played with a nice little boy his age. We left and got ice cream, and came back and he played for a while longer. There were some bad kids there so we left.. And Monday he didn't feel so good, Tuesday he didn't feel good at all and by Wed I had it, and still do.. BLECK.. I never hardly get sick. Just achey, fever feel yucky and want to rip my head off it hurts so bad.. Other than that its ok..

We went house/apt hunting. Monday and Tuesday solid. Not much luck. We missed several great places by being the second applicant too late. There was one where a woman would not show us one because we had a five year old, she told us it would not be big enough - It is a 2 bedroom. She said it was an older neighborhood, it is practically next to an elementary school. Then we wasted a day on one place (it would have put Jack in the school Matt went to when we owned our house a couple of years ago) and the owners were psycho, and lived next door. Then finally, at 6 pm the second night we went to the last appointment and it was perfect. The one potential, we will know, if we got it this coming week. I will just cry if we don't. Its exactly what we need/want/must have. ::SIGH::: We gave our 30 day notice yesterday. Looking still in case we do not get the one, and there is nothing out there today.. BLAH..

I'll lost my will do to much of anything right now. I want to go shopping, but for what?? I don't want to cook, I feel too fat to buy any new clothes and I want to eat and eat yummy delicious things without consequence.

Six Months :)

Despite what a few had thought and voiced their opinions quite clearly we celebrated our six month wedding anniversary today. Funny - I didn't commemerate such a thing with my first marriage and neither did he. No presents, he left me a nice little love note and I was so sick and had a nice fever so we drove down to our favorite Hawaiian place and ordered take out. Justin and Jack looked for worms ( fishing boy stuff ) but then we Cuddled in bed, watched some office


until it was late and fell asleep. Guess I will update this in another six months :P Besides how romantic is being a "girl" and having a fever?? Watching the Office is much more romantic than that at times like this.. lol...

1 - 2 - 3 Magic!

So, had a little bit of difficulty with Mr. J and I thought I would try some thing else and read up a bit on effective methods... The book has been eying me for the past three days, and I will read it, its just so difficult to get into something like that.. Who needs the discipline now?? LMAO... Ughh... I liked the title 1 - 2 - 3 MAGIC!! Like Voila you child will Magically be under a spell and will be angelic from hence forth.. Maybe tomorrow I will look into it..

Today was pretty much a useless day. This morning I went in and had my tooth prepped for a crown and had a temp put in 1100 gone. I hate goodbyes, especially when its Green :/...

After that I went into White House Black Market to return a jacket I bought and tried on a few things and bought some more :) I love walking away with pretties.. Its hard feeling good about myself these days.. But that store, I always feel good in their clothes... It's hard to go wrong with black and white and right now its hot pink and its gorgeous.. I want this dress but I refuse to buy it until I loose a little bit of weight..

My boobs are just too big right now, with the ruffles its just too much. :/ Blah... But I did buy the cutest shoes today :D to wear with my other dresses :D

We drove around alll day today looking for places up for rent.. LONG story.. Maybe I will indulge on that one tomorrow when I am more awake.. Its a real dozey of a story, and my sleeping pills are really finally starting to kick my ass.. Thank God, seriously. I am Thankful.... Its going on FOUR am and I am awake. I am A W A K E... why??? I am neurotic I suppose.. Can't sleep... yay... finally fading... good niteee.

Colored Bubbles

Ok.  So I have a secret..  I'm not supposed to tell..  If I get caught telling I don't know what will happen to me.  Promise you won't tell???

Promise???


I mean it!  I will get in big trouble.. Plus Jack is liable to beat me up for it if he finds out any thing about it, ok?

Are we clear???

I'm the Easter Bunny..  Not "The Easter Bunny" but since he can't be expected to go to every house, Some of us mothers have pitched in and decided to help the poor bunny out and put baskets together for our kids in this part of the world.  That is why you will find basket supplies in all the stores at Easter time.  But if word go out to kids like Jack about this there would be rioting in the stores and streets and there would be hell to pay..

This year, I had a small list of things that Jack had expressed interest in.  I was not going to buy the $400 electric car he wanted nor was I going to buy a $60 Iron Man piece of plastic so I tried to keep it on the creative side.  I got him a few of the hex bugs, a ramp for them, a really cool 3-d coloring book and the colored bubbles he had been wanting. a few more little things and voia you have yourself a moderately priced easter basket for a five year old..

But, lets back up a bit..  I said Colored bubbles.  The commercial made it look so easy and fun.  The packaging said no mess clean up and no spills, washes right out.   BWAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA.  I think I have been taken for a sucker.  It was the worst thing I have bought in a while.  We have orange and green.  The orange dripped, leaked and spilled everywhere.  At first it was so dense it looked like blood.   It did come off some things like a dream.  Wood it did not.

What in the hell was I thinking when I bought this?? Sure Jack liked it, wanted it.  But he has wanted a lot of things and I have put my foot down.  Why did I have to be so niaeve about this??  I have half a mind to call the company and say hey I am not happy with your product.  My son blew about 10 bubbles before it made such a mess, spilled and we had to throw it away.  What a rip....

Am I really getting that old that I need a sane party with me when purchasing things now??? 

The Seduction of Chocolates...

I am wide awake..  I have been good all day and when I tried on the dress today the store I really wished I were a skinnier, so that leads me to believe I should stay in bed and not get up and go on a chocolate or munchie hunt like I would really like to...  :/ I'll just have to go find another sedative and see if I can't knock my self out cold for the night...  I need to loose some weight! BLAH!

Shopping at Oakway can be So Much Fun!!

I went to the Dentist the other day and afterward I stopped by White House Black Market and picked up a few things.  Why is it they have such flattering things and they are made in the USA ( at least that was what my Husband pointed out one day)...  I bought two of my favorite dresses, some capris, some tops, a couple of sweaters and a beautiful corset top.  I can't stop the crave..  I went in today and they had a brand new PINK dress that was screaming my name, I put it on hold and hopefully I can get my husband to go look at it and tell me that we can't live without it.. :bahahahaa:::

Which of course took me next door to Pottery Barn.  One of my favorite places to buy house stuff.  Yes I know you can buy higher thread counts but I swear, their liens have been blessed or something because I find more comfort in snuggling and rubbing my toes across Pottery Barn Linen than any other linens we have owned.  I tried to touch up the house a little.  Got a nicer place setting, coffee table ( that is a duo storage for Jack's toys), new couch pillow covers and new linens for my bed.  Next is getting the entertainment center....  I am quite pleased.  The coffee table came in a box, already assembled.  119 pounds.  I took it out, un wrapped it and voila! Its as solid as a rock!

Jack got a second pair of shoes at Burch's since we lost two other pair when the other car was stollen.. :/  He was thrilled with them.  I can't believe my baby wear's a size 2!!!!

Home.

Not what I have expected...  I just got home after being in the hospital for a few days.  I missed the Royal Wedding of the Century and the assassination of Osama Bin Ladin..  Can you freaking believe that???
I am exhausted yet...  Just glad to be in my bed with all my pillows and my fan..

Happy Easter!!!!!!

Happy Easter

Today was a quiet Easter at our house...  It was a magnificent morning slept in until nearly 10 am! Yes, 10 am..  We got up and Jack was raring to go to see what the Easter Bunny had brought.  He was disappointed that the Easter Bunny had not brought the Electric Cadillac he had really wanted, and despite my best efforts, he was not convinced the Easter Bunny was trying to pinch pennies...  We sat on the couch and took turns while Jack fed us chocolate until it was time to get dressed for church.
It really felt well going and being there for Sacrament today.  It was awkward a few times today.  The people were less than receptive and that is fine.. It will not stop me from going.  We haven't been home really since A week and a half after Christmas.  We were back 2 weeks then to Medford after returning from Arizona..  And we are finally here... Craziness..  They must assume we have been skipping out :X

We drove out to our house in Coburg that we really want... I want it soo bad.  It is such a shame.  Justin called because there was a new sign in the window from a Realtor and there were already three bids to the bank.  He called his Dad and he is going to call tomorrow and see..  But its not looking so good... Its a shame.  That would have made the perfect home...  I really love those wooden floors... The apt is another option, we will see, I think we will check that out tomorrow too.. We will see what goes on for now..  I swear If I have to stay here a minute more than I  have to I am going to go insane...
The new lady has been doing her laundry constantly... FUNNY how things work.. :/  Me getting pissy doesn't help me out...

I am still not feeling good.. REally dizzy and I almost blacked out today when I was on the floor trying to get Jack's other black church shoe..

But all in all, the three of us had a good easter together, even if our dinner was Chinese Chicken Salads and strawberries... YUMMY!!!!! :D

Trying

I'm trying to be more positive...  Today is a beautiful day.  Justin had to go in to work this morning ( on his day off ) :/ because he has customers who are "serious buyers"...  Hopefully he will find out one way or the other soon and I will know if today will be another day at home cooped up in this hell hole or if we are going to the river..  I hope for the latter..

It is still quiet..  I can hear faintly cars on the road and my typing..  I love peace in the mornings..  Right now I am reading "Water for Elephants"... I just started and it is surprisingly good.  I just finished "The Five People you meet in Heaven" and it was really good.  I am trying to read more positive, although I do enjoy my entirely crazy forensic true crime stories..

Off to read <3

Undone...

Life keeps unraveling for me...  When I don't think I can take much more, it comes at me, and knocks me back..  I learned some very unsettling (old) news when I was down on the Medford show trip that literally left me in bed for a few days trying to pry myself from the mattress.  Eventually I got up, but its been hard and I have had many days since then that I have stayed in my pajamas and could not cope.  That is as far as I will get into that..

I hate where we live... A few days ago Justin came and got Jack and I after work and showed us a house that was in foreclosure that his Dad had showed him.  It was beautiful and quaint and perfect.  Wooden floors, a rose trailis on the front walk.  Absolute perfect dream home for me.  Unfortunately, without help its impossible.  :(  I wish that were our home..

Last Friday our Cadillac was stolen from the US bank parking lot.  Justin locked the ONLY keys in the car and had to get back to work and it was faster to call a cab than wait for the tow truck guy, so he went back to work.  We planned on getting it the next morning because that night he had to work really late..  We drove by and the car was GONE!!!!!!  He called every tow truck company in town ( well he had to, thats how it works ) before he could file a report..  But he went for a drive and found the car.  Window smashed..  They took everything.  Including my wet clothes, Jack's wet clothes, his new shoes, everything you can think of, etc...   Someone pee'd inside @@.....  Anyway.   The car is back and will be going to the shop to get fixed, all in good time.  And in the meantime, we bought a 1999 Cadillac and its soooo nice!!! :)  I love it!!

Today was Dick ( Justin's Mom's Dad's) Birthday!  I don't even know how old he is... 74? 75?  I have no idea, they had already eaten the cake by the time we got up there.

At least its good Friday... Jack and I talked about that for a little while today..

I am going to try and be more positive..  I haven't been lately, I have been really down and really angry and bittter and that isn't fair to anyone..  I need to stop and take a breath I know...

Jack has been challenging lately and I have had little patience with him..  He was soo bad today, I spanked him four times, and the next time I put him in time out and he whined and carried on after that...

Exorcist Social Degree

I'm already having an "off" day... I happened to glance over at the ads that are to the right of my Facebook and this was one of my sponsored ads.  Now tell me why would I want to go to school for social work to work with children that need to be given a rite of exorcism, even if I can get my degree in under a year?? Good grief!!! Are they not paying attention when some jerk off submits a picture like this or are they really trying to get MY attention??

Monopoly

I looked it up.. Medford is a pretty big sized place. A little more than 75K call it home and in the Metro area there are 2007K. ONE book store. One TINY little Barnes and Noble bookstore in town, if you don't count the Christian bookstore in the mall.
I love Barnes and Noble back home.. They always have a big selection of what I want to look at and we usually get lost in the books..
I will have to say the newest phase in putting a toy store in the books was a brilliant idea on their part. Its such a low, mean dirty trick to pull. The incessant whining of children wanting a toy and the parent just wanting their book, will usually give in and get out of the store before any more damage is done. So far I have won the good fight with Jack. The only thing he has walked away with from there are some books and flash cards. I told him "This is a book store, we buy BOOKS here, not toys"
So, when a few days ago I was recommended a good book that was pending release I was excited. I got ready early and Jack and I hit the mall early... We went straight to Target to see if they had the book ( they carry a small selection). Negative on that. So, we shopped and did some errands we had to do and then decided that we were going to call Barnes and Noble.
The "Barney" on the phone was cranky. I asked him if he had my book on the shelf "The Chronology Of Water". He punched some keys and said nope its not out, ohh yeah it was released today but we don't have it."
What do you say to that.. Of course I replied "So, is there a reason it was not stocked". He gave me none. Told me I could order it. I asked if there were more books stores he said no, in Ashland. I replied with "WOW, your quite the Monopoly!" which really pissed him off and he recommended I come in and figure it out.. Great customer service. So, no book. I am hoping Eugene will have it when I get home, other wise I will just have to order it from them.. For now its "The Dead Janitors Club" to read.. ( Its a comedic memoir ).....

A critic of all things considered...

The last 8 days we have spent some eating out in nice places and just eating out of our hotel room with crude survivial supplies like fruit, granola and the likes of that.
We found the best mexican restaurant in town the first night and on the first try. Divine. We went back a few night later and it was replicated nearly to the T. But we have had a few bum deals. Mucho Gusto - They are great in Eugene, here the fixings were so cold my burito wasn't even warm enough to melt my cheese, and the beans were either half cooked or so over cooked they needed to be cooked again. It was awful. Then came Elmers. Over priced. Since when did simple dining become outrageous and their selection was so slim to choose from. I bought a tough steak I couldn't hardly eat, but the baked potato was good... Tonight We went to a Bear Paw Place I think it was called. Justin ordered salmon - he is always happy with Salmon. Jack spaghetti. I ordered an oriental salad. I couldn't have been more disapointed. I could have gotten a house salad ( which is was basically all mine was ) save the canned mandarins they threw in with my dried out and burned chicken. Moan and complain you say, well for $10.00 I would have thought they might try a LITTLE harder. Our waitress was rude, didn't bring utensils and brought the wrong thing on Justin's plate. She made the older woman who wasn't even stationed over by us do it. She had a table to clean by us and she waited until we were gone to pick it up. She didn't put our left overs in the out bags ( even the chinese places do that folks!) even though she had just got done telling us she had nothing to do, and she kept running out to take a smoke break in the front. HELLO??

The Office

Ohh... So I am twisted.. Normally here in my hotel room ( well since arriving on Sunday ) I haven't found anything to watch on TV, but today I found The Office. I love the show. The endings are always the best.. I always crack up at them. This one, Micheal tries to be cool and throw a big party in his hotel room during a convention. A few losers show up and he has alcohol and brings a black light. He turns off the light, and all kinds of stains show up on the bed spread, wall, floor, ceiling, everywhere.. They say "What's that?" "well its either blood, semen or urine" and the closing line is "I sure hope thats Urine"...
Why so funny you say, I guess I can relate to how totally uncool he is. I can relate having worked in an office and how it was.. I love it. Too funny..

:::: off to watch one other one:::::

4th Grader Shares Cocaine at School

A fourth-grader in Washington, D.C. was charged with drug possession after bringing cocaine to school and sharing it with other students, authorities said.

Four students at Thomson Elementary School either sniffed or swallowed an unknown amount of the drug and were taken to a hospital after complaining they were ill on Thursday.

Police later determined the substance they ingested was cocaine.

D.C. Fire Department spokesman Pete Piringer said the students were fine aside from having sore throats.

School Principal Albert DuPont sent a letter home to shocked parents saying child protective services and the police are trying to determine how the child got the cocaine.

Authorities did not disclose whether the student is a boy or a girl.

“This is not a situation that is typical at Thomson, and we take it very seriously,” DuPont wrote. “At school we will address drug awareness as a whole-school issue.”

Stuart Hovell, a parent of a fourth-grader at the school, said the incident was disgusting and that he would send his daughter to a different school next year.

“It’s sad. It’s very sad that this is getting into schools,”

he said.


Seriously.. A 4th grader??! A 4th Grader brings cocaine to school and SHARES it with classmates.. How messed up is that?! I saw this on Good morning America while waking up this morning and I could hardly believe what I was hearing. :/

Intrigued

I bought the book 'Bringing Adam Home'to read on my trip down here. Of all my true crime stories this one is the most interesting and my favorite. Favorite you say? I am in awe of the changes that John Walsh has made. I more than commend and respect all the things that he and his wife have done. I am sorry that they had to go through such a horrible loss to make these changes to protect other children, but without him, so many more children would have met the same fate.
I had read a paragraph summary of the Adam Walsh Murder in one of my books in a serial killer book but it made no mention of this great feat. Then one day on one of my thrift shop book adventures I found the book 'Tears of Rage' and gained instant respect.

Before we left on our adventure I found 'Bringing Adam Home' just by chance at Barnes and Noble. I never watch the new book lists. I have no patience, and was thrilled to see a book to read. I started reading last night and it was nearly 2 am before I put it down. I would have stayed up later, but the letters were blurry..
The book has more evidence against Otis Toole who had infact confessed, had detailed information only the killer would know and evidence against him then retracted. This was before DNA technology and then he died in prison before anything more could be done. Very tragic.

Pocket 'Copter

So, that darn TV..  Jack has been seeing  commercials for the Pocket 'Copter on TV, since right after Christmas.  He got two Air Hog Copters, but this commercial was played on almost every kid channel repeatedly for weeks.  "Can I get one? Can I? Can I"  "Jack, we just got 2 for Christmas" " But not one that "insert his perfectly memorized script from watching the commercial too many times!"  "Sure, Jack.  If we see one in the Store we will get one"
Haha.. I laughed to myself..  I pulled a good one on him... . :::GRIN:: Seen on TV..  And the next time we went to Target he went to the right isle and pulled it right off the shelf..  I could have smacked myself..  :::DUH:::

 

We didn't buy it that night but it broke his poor heart :(  I felt so bad, but I did not have the money to buy it.

Fast forward to Wed.  We went in Toys R US and told Jack he could pick out ANY toy he wanted because he was being good and didn't have a lot to do while we are down here.  He of course picked the :::: drum roll please ::::   The Pocket 'Copter.  Batteries aside, it put us back $36.00  He was in love.

We get home and after we find the right tools to open the battery compartments ( my tweezers!) he gets going.  But it is supposed to charge all night.  We let it..  And The darn thing won't keep a charge.  My mind is set and I tell Jack we are returning it.  There is no way we are keeping it if he can't fly it less than a minute without having to recharge.  We bought TOYS R US brand Batteries. Jack felt the same and wanted to take it back yesterday.   But that didn't stop him from landing in my face this morning with it.. Silly Boy..

 I used the other half of them in the Toy Story RC remote car ( we got it at Good WILL for $8 the other night, I priced it at TRS and its $80!!!  I can't believe what a deal we got, its an awesome toy!!)

So, tonight we took the toy back..  Jack wanted to get another one in another color and I had to tell him no.  He has two helicopters at home he can play with.  I just don't see the sense in buying a toy that is going to be faulty from the start. 

 So, instead Jack bought this... He is BIG time into Toys Story right now...All is happy in toy land tonight :D  He ran around the Hotel room ZOOMing with Buzz and hopefully tomorrow we can find a black permanent marker so he can write Jack on his foot just like the boy in the movie wrote ANDY.. 

Random Thought for the Night 3-17--2011

I am not always agreeable, but then again I try and get along with (almost) anyone.  I really do want everyone to like me even though I know that is impossible..  For years I tried with all my might to try and keep everyone happy, even if everyone meant everyone but me, but it didn't work out that way.  Because you can't make everyone happy, even if you exclude your own happiness.  I wish it weren't so.  I would gladly and did give up to make others happy.

Bored to Tears......

You know you are bored when you ask the maid how she makes the pillows stand up so nice on the bed...  Good lord..  I need to drag out my beads and make something..   I've read two books, and I can't turn on the TV without getting spastic about the Japanese disaster...  I've got my 365 picture blog all caught up and Facebook is dead today...  Jack is happily doing educational games on his Leapster spelling and making patterns..  Its so cold outside, the weather forecast said we might get SNOW!!!  I wish I were back in California and Arizona.  I miss the Sun and warmth..  Justin won't get home *if I am lucky* for another four hours...  What am I going to do with myself?????????? :/

Meltdown...

I have been trying to follow the Nuclear problem in Japan without being obsessive..  Jack has helped me with that "MOM, change the channel".  CNN mostly.   I terrifies me.  It is like the inevitable is being delayed.  I have read about Chernobyl, 3 Mile Island...  Chernobyl is a few decades old and there are so many problems...  Reproductive, etc...

I still don't understand why anyone would think using materials like Uranium or Plutonium and putting them in a system that is actually so unstable when you think about it, when it would take HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of years to be safe.  WTF....   Seriously...  Greed?  

I know what is coming and I want to close my eyes and make it go away, but I know it won't........

Sad....

I got a phone call last night from my Mom letting me know that my Nan was in the hospital with Pneumonia...  She is in her mid seventies..  Has Parkinson's and is living alone... She drove HERSELF to the hospital, and her stupid dog ran away when she was trying to get in the car..  I feel bad that I can't be there to help out.  I am here about 4 hours away and I can't leave..   I called and talked to her for about a minute last night, but she was doing her breathing treatment so she couldn't really talk..

And Zoey is sick...  RSV....  They thought she had Pneumonia too but they re diagnosed her.  I am worried about her too..  I remember when Jack had Pneumonia when he was about six months ( her age ) and it is a very scary thing to go through..

Donald Trump?

This morning on the News, Donald Trump came on and announced he would be considering running for president this next campaign.. ::::wonders how that will pan out:::::: 

Laundry Maid

It is amazing, it was cheaper to do my laundry here at the hotel than it is at home.. :/ I am perplexed.  I hate having to play a coin op.  Jack loves it of course.  Just touching money, the control of it, he becomes the Emperor of the laundry...
I finished the six loads of laundry we brought with us... Who brings dirty laundry on a business trip??  We do.  I do not consider myself to be extraordinary.  Just out of the ordinary.  Not dysfunctional, just not conventional functional.
Despite my hatred for the coin operation and public laundry facilities, when I bring my hot and clean laundry back smelling sweet and scented by my fabric sheets, the act of folding and putting it away is very satisfying.  I love cleaning, clean clothes and it makes me feel very functional..
It is a simple process, that when I don't have it, it throws me off my cycle of cleaning and can make for a bad day..  

Southern Oregon Adventures...

Daylight Savings Time is never a good adjustment at my house..  It is usually a frantic and forgotten date that is unfortunate and that lost hour is sadly missed..  This year it fell on a day that we didn't have an hour to spare.
Our trip down south was pushed up a day.  I had nothing ready, relying on Today to gather everything as we had laundry to do ( was going to pack after the laundry was done and we had RXs to pick up.  I felt like everything had fallen apart and nothing was going to get ready..
The laundry did NOT get done and we brought it with us, who does that??? Answer: ME... I never thought I would have to do that, but I had no choice.. GOOD Grief...
We are staying in a nice hotel, the beds are super comfy - Big deal with me, what the point if you can't sleep, right??  Big tub to soak in..  What's not to love about that?? ;)
As we were leaving Eugene, a huge wind storm picked up and as we drove South we drove further into it.  Hard  rain, thunder and lightening and Wind..  We just missed some HUGE trees coming down, there was debris all over the I-5, it was almost like a mini hurricane..  Reminded me of the winter storms in Alaska..  It took much longer to drive down here but we arrived safe and sound...
And how long will be we here??? A month, maybe less, maybe more..  I just hope my husband does very well :D

BEADS!!!!

My newest obsession has kept me entertained..  I have started beading.  Its like a drug habit.  I can't stop thinking about it.  Justin and I are both really into it.  The bead shop downtown is getting used to us coming in.  I am loving it..... : )  We are buying semi-precious gemstones, some pearl and I just bought my first seed beads ( wow are those small ) for an accent on a necklace..  

Last Night...

So here it is... Time to say goodbye to Blythe California.. Its been one LONG month.  Tonight is our last night here and will be driving back up north into Winter.  Its one am and I am wide away worrying that we will leave something behind.   Jack and Justin are snoring away and I have our stuff all backed and by the door.  I want sooo badly to take the keys and put what I can in the RV we are driving up.  Justin will freak out if I do, plus I hurt my back today and I can't seem to get comfortable.. Its all out of sync.. :P
Today was laundry day.  No fun there.  I asked the maid if she wanted to do it and make some extra money and she said she would, but she never came and picked it up.  Too bad, She could have made 30 bucks for doing 4 loads of laundry.  We went to yet, another Laundry Mat, that was very old and not as clean as I would have liked it.  But it was cheap..  Less Than 10 to do it.   I wish we could get that kind of rate back home..
Today I was irritated at Justin for something and I was mad, mad.  He tried to hug me and I jerked away and right smack into the RV step.  Bamn.  Where I hit it there is no skin, it was torn completely, a chunk out of my left shin.  There was hardly any blood and no pain if I poked the owie.  My shin is a different story.  OUCH...  I guess I should have been more contrite and accepted the peace offering of a hug..  My bad..
After the laundry we drove up to our spot between Quartzside and Blythe on the Arizona State line.  We tried two places.  The first  turned out to be a waste of time and energy.  We did find a few weird pieces.  The second place was our honey hole..  We spent the rest of the daylight searching in the flash flood river flows for agate.  and we found some :)  Jack finally got tired of picking up quartz..  But, before he did, BOY, oh Boy!  I was packing around boulders...  But unfortunately I spent the better part of the day bent over and I am paying for it now.. MY back is in some serious pain.   I have tried everything I can think of except get in the tub and I think I will even though its after 1 am now.. Booo.. That sucks..  Justin rubbed and rubbed for me but not ever the hot tub was a help tonight.  I royally messed it up..
I don't know why I am so anxious..  I know I will quadruple check the room to make sure that nothing is left behind.
Tomorrow is definitely going to be a very big day..  I should sleep.. ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Santa Anna....

So, I have heard about the Santa Anna Winds, but I had never experienced them before now. A totally different kind of storm than I have ever encountered. This picture was taken at 5:00. Its not Dark. Its the Dust that blew in from LA from the Winds. The visibility is insane, and the wind is whipping around. Growing up in Alaska is not like I am a newbie to winds or storms or cold. This is different, and intriguing to me. We were out in the desert yesterday afternoon looking for rocks and the wind really started to pick up.. The sky began to get a haze in the distance. You could taste the dust. By the time we left Arizona and got back to our hotel room in Blythe ( we are right on the border ) it was so dark you could not see because of the dust, but through a purple light. Garbage Cans were blown over, pool furniture moved from the strong gusts.

 We promised Jack a little time in the hot tub, so we indulged him.  After packing for him the heavy quartz pieces he so proudly found in the desert, I badly needed to sit in the hot tub, so I was happy to oblige. It was soo hot and the bubbles felt soo good to all of us.  We just sat and watched and felt the wind.  But then the dust got so heavy that it was getting into our noses and eyes so we had to get out and come to the room.  I love hearing and watching the palms blow in the wind....

crap-o-rama

I know there are going to be a lot of things in life I don't understand and probably never will. But one my pet peeves are commercials for crap trying to rip people off. A few months ago it was a coin for 9-11 that had an actual twin tower stand up on the coin that had metal from the actual crash site. Is that legally possible to profit from the disaster and sell crap from TV? I didn't think you were supposed to, but I guess someone was..

My latest commercial pet peeve is rampant on cartoon network and Nickelodeon of all channels. I don't even watch these channels, but when the TV is on for Jack I have to listen to this crap. Its this

An heirloom ring for $19.90? Are you kidding me?? Please people. Save your money. Your better off putting your money in one of those claw machines and winning one of those crappy off brand stuffed animals for your doggy to chew on.. GOOD Grief!!!!! Ok.. Vent over, I feel better... ;)

The Pioneering Laundry Woman

I am weak. A pioneer woman I am not. I have the utmost respect for my pioneer ancestors who lived lives of misery trying to make lives and worked their fingers to the bone to keep their families going. But as for me, I am just not like that.
Its been a week and a half since we left home. Everyone was out of clean clothes. Justin needed clean clothes to go to work in, he can't sell anything in dirty clothes and it is dirty out here in the desert. Jack had two pair of shorts and a pair of underwear left. I had no choice but to call it laundry day. I gathered up our dirty clothes into the giant suitcase and sat down with the phone book and called a cab. Unfortunately the cab was NOT in service anymore. Seriously. This town has NO cab..
After learning this news, I threw a small, private tantrum in my hotel room, drew my composure and gathered the 100 pounds of dirty laundry, my five year old son and started down the side walk of an unknown town that has two states in it. I had the directions for the laundry mat, and I had it out for reference. According to oogle it was a two minute drive. "F" you google. My husband is working 15 hours days most night and the last thing I am going to do is make him sit at the laundry mat. I keep walking. A woman about my age in a mini van stops and asks if I need a ride. I say like an idiot, "oh no, Im fine, Thank you soo much.". My pride has over taken my tongue. I want to yell out, throw myself in her lap and cry and tell her I can't do this.. But, I am a big girl. I thank her and tell her I am just going a few more blocks and tell her I am grateful. I love kind hearted people.
I keep going. I forget to mention I have one arm. No, the other is still attached, but I can't lift it more than a few inches, there is a pinched nerve. Its fantastically debilitating. One arm. Thankfully my suitcase has two wheels. Had a been born a midget I would have been perfect for wheeling it, but since I am not and one good arm and the length of a t-rex I didn't have a lot to work with. LOL...
I consider ditching it, and going to the only store in town. K-Mart. It wouldn't fly with anyone in the family. We just aren't a Big K kind of family.
Finally. Unexpectedly A laundry mat pops up, not the one I am looking for, but its there. Hooray. I go in. I have some quarters. I buy some tide and the quarters are looking a little slim. I go to break a 20 for quarters, and it comes back.. There is no attendant, I panic. I have just spent a good 45 minutes of hell and I am about to have a break down. Absolute panic attack. Breathing.. Trying.. Jack is trying to help.. I go up to an older man. Notice I didn't say Gentleman. I am dressed like a 1950's housewife. I have a black dress fitted at the waist, full skirt, cardigan, dress shoes ( flats though ) hair pulled back, 350 handbag and I ask him if he would be able to break a 20 for me. He looks at me up and down and rolls his eyes and says "um, no" Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh OOOOOH kay.. I had just enough to start my three loads by STUFFing them FULL. Jack and I had to run three blocks to a convience store that I am deathly afraid of going to and get it broke so I could buy dryer sheets and pay for the dryer. I was trying to be a good person and not think bad thoughts about that not nice person. I don't know what he had against me. He kept staring at me when we were in there. @@
The bathroom was a pay one. 25 cents. I kid you not. Jack was wiggling around, and fortunately I had gone and gotten more change for quarters. I should have just let him wee out back. We opened the door and were horrified at what we found. For a pay to pee it was the most horrible rest room I have ever seen. The scum and I don't know what was so filthy I told Jack to aim and not touch. I stood by the door for fresh air and had the anti bacterial ready. There wasn't even soap. What a scumbag business.
I read my book "Lit" while Jack played with his leapster and we waited for our clothes to dry. You know how it always takes forever. I wasn't too worried. I was dreading the trek back. I took my time folding and when it was all time to go, I packed it up and we headed back.
At least on the way back there was a sense of how far we had to go and when we could see the familiar signs it was a relief. My hands are sore and callused a little, but hey we have clean clothes for the week, and I did it. Don't know how much longer we will be in this town called Blythe but I know I survived something I didn't think I could do!

Sometimes...

It's Monday, and it has almost been a week since we left home. The hotel room offers comfort, and I have enjoyed laying in bed. Today Jack and I took a short walk after breakfast and looked around the lot. No trace of the meowing kitten from two days ago, which is just as well. I would take it all the way back home if I saw it again and that is the last thing I need.
My migraine has consumed me today. I have not had one in a week, and I was really hoping to try and go longer, but no such luck.
Monday is Intervention day, and I can hardly wait for the show to come on to break the monotony of lame cartoons they are popping out these days. No Disney channel here, I'm surprised. Can there really be 300 channels and no Disney? Watching Intervention, I am reminded that no matter how bad I think life can be or how hard it gets, its no where close to what kind of life these people have. I've often wondered what life would have been like had an intervention been called and how different things could and would be.

::: yawn ::::

Another day to waste. Reading "Lit" today, the last of my books to read, save the Bible in the bedside drawer. Jack and I went for our breakfast again this morning. It was the last venture out. I waited for the cleaning ladies to come before I coerced Jack into a mid afternoon nap that has left me feeling lethargic and yawning like a hippo. The worst is I'm out of cookies. No more, I am going to get really fat on this trip.

Day 2 down..

Soo, another day is winding down in the California Desert, just across the Colorado River from Arizona. Jack and I have managed to waste the last two days of our lives in the hotel room, reading books and watching cartoons. It feels good to just stop and have some quiet time. Waking up before six is not easy for me, I am trying to get used to not being able to read at night. My husband is working hectic 12 hours and this is day 1 ( but his second day )of 10, and I hope that I have been supportive enough. The hotel room is comfortable enough, but I haven't ventured further than the restaurant at the other end of the parking lot. Jack and I went in a little after 7 am and stuffed ourselves before trodding back across to our room. I came with three books to read and I am down two. Yesterday I read "Room"
The story was weak and didn't seem to make much sense. I hated this book, I only wish I had checked it out instead of buying it. Blah..
Today I finished up "Death Sentence"
Another true crime book...

Bubbles...

Jack came up and asked me if angels blew bubbles before they leave Heaven.

For Christmas Jack got three bottles of bubbles from Grandma and Grandpa Hardy. He's been wanting to go outside and blow them but the weather has been awful!! Today it was raining hard allllllll day and he wanted to go out and blow bubbles. He finally settled for blowing a bottle of bubbles into the shower. It lasted about three minutes before he spilled the bottle.