So today is the day. Buh Bye 2007..and good riddance.
No, it wasn't all bad and I don't want to be cynical. It's just nice to start a new fresh year..
2007 in the news was a waste. Too much politics and celebrity crap.
Anna Nicole Smith's baby, her son's overdose, her death/overdose then the battle over her daughter.
Britney Spears and her drama..which leads to her sister.
Paris Hilton going to jail.
Lindsy Lohan and her rehab..
Speaking of rehab..Amy Winehouse please go
Politics though wasn't as bad as it will be this year. I'm already sick of it though..I just can't wait for this to get over so Hillary will be out of the news. That woman makes me sick.
2007 started off rough for the family. J's step-dad got sick, REALLY sick at Christmas and after a long hospital stay passed away in Feburary. This was a huge blow to J's mom and it's been a long process.
In early April we headed off to Aruba..This was a highlight of the year. J and I LOVED Aruba so much we want to marry it. I will use this time to have you note the sidebar...where you see the countdown.. Yep..it's coming up again soon!
Soon after we came home from Aruba we got the call that J's Uncle died. Heart attack on his drive home from Chicago for business. This was like a punch in the gut. I miss him so much I can't image how his wife and daughters feel. He was my favorite..and I'm not shy about admitting it.
This summer began the yo yo of where Drew would be going to school. It took all summer but was finally decided that he'd go to the Academy..and he loves it.
Late summer also brought us the arrival of our dear little Jack.
Mom and Dad have been having their health issues this year, I'm sure this won't get any better since they are getting older..and that sucks. But at least I still have them, right?
J's Grandma has really been going downhill. She wrecked the car..thank God no one was hurt and she's giving her daughters a really hard time about losing any independance and moving to a retirement community....she'll be 90 this year.
This year I've really gotten into taking pictures. I'm not very good and have a lot to learn. I love my flickr friends and have tons of fun!
Happy New Year to all and to all a good night.. Oh wrong holiday!?! Opps...
12.31.2007
End of 2007
12.30.2007
sunset through the screen
Sunday Weekly Winners
Go on over to Sarcastic Mom for the list of other Weekly Winners!
These are the ones that I love the best from the past week..but of course you can go to Flickr to view the rest..link on side bar...
Macro Shot of MY ornament on my mother-in-law's tree.
Holiday Candy
Drew at Grandmas...I love that the tree is the focal point and he is a little blurry.
Kitty
OK..J took this..cause that is my unmanicured finger..I love this shot!
(J's Aunt got two kittens the week before Christmas)
Ike and Tina..Yes I took this one :-)
I love this portrait of Dad
Same cat that got in the bar on Thanksgiving..got in mom's wheelchair on Christmas Eve.. (can you tell our families love animals) LOL
12.28.2007
What day is it??
Oh right... It's FRIDAY!?!?!
Holidays just confuse the heck out of me..then when you through in a vacation day..Man on man I don't know if I'm coming or going.
SO..I bring you MP Movie Review!
Waterhorse: Do NOT bring pre-kindergarten children to this movie. It will scare them a little and it will bore the socks off of them. DO go with your primary and up children..although children are not required. If you like stories of the Loch Ness Monster then you will love this movie. It is the story of Angus, a young buy living with his mother and sister in the servants quarters of a beautiful house in Scotland. WWII soldiers move in as well as a new handy man. Angus only dreams of the Sea and his daddy who is away fighting in the war. Angus though cannot swim and is terrified yet mesmerized by the water. During an afternoon collecting shells Angus finds an odd shell/rock/egg. This of course hatches and The Water Horse is born. The story is a bit predictable and does run a full 2 hours. I am glad that we saw it. Drew was VERY excited about the Water Horse/Monster and wondered what else we haven't told him about. Last night we spent quite a while reading stories on the Internet of Yeti, Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.
I have a new favorite wine! White Truck. Have you people heard of this before?
It is smooth, dry, NO after bite...AND it's $8.99 a bottle at my grocery store! My in laws are all white wine drinkers, I turned them on to it too!
I'm trying to decide what kind of End Of Year Hoopla I want to do... Any ideas??
12.26.2007
Pioneer Woman ON TV!
I totally can't hear the volume on this..I'll have to do it at home. Ree is totally my favorite blogger that doesn't know I exsist..and I don't care!
My Christmas Vacation by MP
* Friday night was a quick Target run, then home to get ready for the party at the country club. You saw the pics..I got to dress up and eat AWESOME food. Here is what happened next.
- Saturday morning we started the day quite lazy. Then we did some power shopping. We headed out to Macy's at the mall..then did some mall shopping. We purchased gifts and I also found some SUPER SKETCHERS...that I love. Now they weren't my fake fur lined Croc's but I'll get those later. As we were leaving the shoe store I started to feel faint..and I was sweating like a pig. Don't know what that was all about, must have been since it was day #2 of that time of the month. Then we headed off to Best Buy. We found some games and got some gift cards.
- Saturday night I got gussied up in my outfit from the country club. J and I headed off to one of the best restaurants in the city. We had a gift certificate that was going to expire on Christmas Day. SO we valet parked the car and were seated. It was the right amount of romantic, noisy, great service and awesome food. I got embarrassed though, in my previous life I was quite the bar whore. So the waiter looks at me puzzled and says, "Are you in the industry?" I said, "No, I just used to go to the after hours bars"...you know the places where all the wait staff and cooks go after the restaurant closes. Nice.. Our bill for dinner for the two of us was $160.00 before tip. Thank goodness we had a gift certificate.
- Sunday morning I took Dad and my aunt to church. Then I went and got us lunch. We did some more shopping and I retired to the bedroom and watched TV. As I'm laying in bed we hear this LOUD crashing.. J tells me to get some shoes on and call 911. I'm all, "wtf?" We get outside and all the neighbors are out there. There was a domestic dispute behind us and the man drove his 4x4 through the yard into the alley..dragging a dumpster out into the street, breaking another neighbors trampoline and smashed his girlfriend's car before fleeing. She (the girlfriend) was in the yard crying trying to get her car started. By the time the police came she had left and he was nowhere to be found. That was our real excitement of the day. This was the time we should have been wrapping gifts, we didn't. We rested, then watched Amazing Race.
- Christmas Eve we had more shopping to do. We finished that, went to Lion's Choice and got dressed for church. I went and picked up mom and dad for church. We had the walker/cane action going for both old people. I got them in their pew at 3:30 for 4:30 mass. By 4pm it was standing room only. A dad and his 1 year old were sitting next to J, they were SO cute..the little guy was a doll!! Not a peep out of him. My..I was choking on the incense. Next stop was back to mom and dads..walker/cane action again. They had to go to the bathroom before we went out. Then we get to my cousins...walker/cane/wheelchair. Oh yea, that was fun. We get mom parked in a chair and she was all good. We had 1 cat, 4 dogs and around 30 people. We had an awesome ham dinner and lots of goodies. Near fiasco getting mom back into the car. It took a village to get them loaded up. I got home around 11pm and J and I started wrapping gifts, we finished at 2am.
- Christmas morning I had a coffee, some gooey butter cake and wrapped the rest of the gifts for the day. We then went out to Drew's mom's house. We had a Disney Princess baby doll for Drew's little sister. She is a year and a half. She LOVED her baby doll. That was FUN. I love getting little girl gifts!! We got home and Drew opened his gifts from Santa that were left at our house. He deemed this the best Christmas ever. J is very depressed that this is more than likely the last Santa Christmas. He is 8... After the opening of the gifts there was no time to play. We dropped Jack off at mom and dad's and then loaded the old people back in the car. Off we were to J's Aunt's house. Walker/cane/Wheel chair again . Mom got settled and soon we were eating again. Chicken Devan..Yumm. And my new favorite wine is White Truck. VERY dry white wine w/ no bitter aftertaste. LOVE IT! A very special treat was that J's Aunt and Uncle got a new pair of kitties. Ike and Tina are two little black and white kitties who loved me most of all. We loaded mom and dad in the car then headed home. Now we are hungry again, as you may have noticed grocery shopping was not on the list, we had no food at home. We realized at 7pm Christmas evening Jack in the Box is open. We got food and Drew began to play with ALL of his Christmas gifts. He allowed himself 10 minutes per gift...and still didn't get through everything. I went to bed..cause I am the stupid person that didn't ask for this week off work. 12:30 J wakes me up, he couldn't find the gift cards for his sister that we're going to see tomorrow. Of course they were where he left them. I went back to sleep. 2:00am ish the phone rings again. luckily J heard the phone. Mom fell getting into bed. So we get Drew up and head over there. OMFG..I didn't think we were going to be able to lift her without pulling her arm out of the socket. We did it..and MAN my back is killing me now. I don't think she injured anything...but we were really close to having to call 911. For the 2nd time in a couple days. I got home and tossed and turned and watched 3:45 am go by...when that alarm went off at 6am I was NOT a happy camper....
- So here I am. There is NO work to be done, even being proactive is a moot point since the majority of people in the industry are closed all week.
So, Christmas is officially over and I plan to be more prepared next year. I'm going to schedule a massage to help cure my aching back. I should have pics this weekend.
12.22.2007
Holiday Christmas Party
12.21.2007
As the clock ticks down
Well I've read everyone's blogs, eaten my lunch..done my work. Now I'm sitting here. I have read TMZ..Yahoo News..listened to Christmas songs...
Jeremy is sick..but he's picking me up early from work and I'm going to get some laundry done and get ready for the party. J's not going..so I have to go by myself:-(
Tomorrow we have to do power shopping and get everything finished up. THEN we have a fancy dinner to go to..it's a gift certificate that expires on Christmas..it's for $100 so we HAVE to use it. Neither of us is thrilled we have to dress up..I would have perferred Steak N Shake gift certificates...you know what I mean. BUT can't look the gift horse in the mouth.
I've purchased an on line Christmas present..chocolates.
I've played UNO on my DS.. YES my DS..it's pink. I let Drew borrow it so it was in my purse.
So now I'm sitting here. Believe it or not the phone keeps ringing...stupid customers.
Last Work Day! Yippee
I spent ALL of yesterday home sick in bed..NO I'm not making that up. I went to bed at 9pm and didn't get out of bed until 4pm...ONLY to go to the bathroom.. I feel a little better today..no more fever. So I'm here at work and more than likey will be bored most of the day. Most people in the industry are already closed.
Snow is all gone, it's been close to 50 degrees outside. It is foggy foggy foggy. We have our Holiday party tonight at the country club. I'm hoping my stomach stays intact so I'll be able to go.
Here is a little Christmas ditty for you. I'm sure I'll have more to say later when I'm bored. :-)
12.19.2007
Blingo Baby!!
Have you SEEN this Blingo thing? I was over reading Sarah and the Goon Squad and she mentioned it was her bday..not to buy her anything just click on her links..cause really...how much do we actually do that for people??
SO I check out Blingo..it is NOW my Favorite..it will be my search engin..do you realize how many times I google a day...click on the little red button..it's like a slot machines chance to win stuff.
Aruba Countdown Continues
Merry Christmas
Damn Kids
Jamie-Lynn...What in the hell were you thinking? Were you using birth control? Do you not see the mess that is your sister and LEARN something? Boy's in college now..what are you going to do, marry him? Is he wanting the spotlight?
Aagghhh.. What am I supposed to tell my 8 year old step-son that LOVES you?? "Zoey 101 is cancelled cause the little Zoe couldn't keep her coochy closed?".. For crying out loud.
Pot smoking kid: You have a dad cool enough to buy you video games for Christmas. Why are you smoking pot?? Why are you smoking pot at your dad's house??
The Flying Tomato: Get drunk and set of fire extinguishers. That seems like a GREAT idea! Aren't you old enough to know better?
12.18.2007
Bossy Daughter Update
Bossy does have an update, they are playing the waiting game..I have to tell you this was on my mind all weekend.
Get your thinking cap on...
Surprise Contest..last of the year over at Pioneer Woman.
Put your thinking cap on, it's for $500 Amazon Gift certif!!
12.17.2007
Dad and his sisters
Updates, Current Events, Reviews
OK...First off we have a couple things to go over. One thing is I got a kick out of some of the comments about my "town".. it made me giggle a bit. I'm smack dab in the middle of the city. I guess we're in the top 50 in population..where I don't know. Anyway the city of St Louis is broken down into neighborhoods, some more desirable than others. I grew up in the Italian section. Now it is one neighborhood from where I live, I still go to the same church that I was baptised, confirmed, etc in.
THIS is a little about the neighborhood.
I was a big bummed out when I read the about the death of Dan Fogelberg. Did you know that his song, Same Old Lang Syne, WAS a true story. I read it on his website last night. He made some beautiful music in his day.
Did you read about the crazy politics going on? These two seem like strange bedfellows. I don't see how this is going to help McCain w/ votes.
Alvin and the Chipmunks.
If you have children...or not...and you are looking for a light-hearted funny, laugh out loud movie..then go see this. It is totally predictable in ever way. The singing is fun..and if you have an obnoxious 8 year old they will sign it Chipmunk style the rest of the weekend. Drew stated that he wished that the Chipmunks were real..cause he would love to go to the concert.
12.16.2007
Sunday Photo Meme
OK...I got my new camera..and love it VERY much. I didn't get to take all that many pictures though..here are some of my favories from this week!
OH..you take pictures? You should join us. http://sarcasticmom.com/
This is my neighborhood...this is the view as I was walking into church this morning!
Drew reading at Boarders Book Store
Drew in the back of the Jeep w/ all of his webkinz
Still Snowing... 
Jack learned to dance :-)
OK..I did take alot of pictures :-)
Last but not least my attempt at a macro shot..
12.15.2007
our baby tree has snow!!
More snow pics tomorrow!!
12.14.2007
LET IT SNOW!!!!!!!!!! please...
OK, it's in the forecast..this time it looks really good!!
Drew is coming over this weekend..I don't know what we're doing tonight, we're supposed to wake up to a couple inches of snow...then we go off to the cub scouts for a couple hours...then we're supposed to have more snow! I love snow. I can't wait to see Jack in the snow. I hope I have my new camera..I want to take macro shots in the snow!
BFF Slade went and got me a YUMMY lunch today..which I have to remember to pay her for.. the reason I'm telling you this is because right now I'm having a "carrot ball". It's like carrot cake rolled up in a ball..then covered in cream cheese then rolled in nuts...OMG...
testing....
OK...if you are a NON Blogger person try commenting and see if it works, there is a new thingy that they are doing...
They also have a slide show but it doesn't work.
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Ms Lucky Gem said it was funky for her word press...so I just went back to ANYONE!!
prayer's for Bossy's daughter
Bossy's 11 year old daughter had her lip bit off by a neighbors dog..poor thing. Read all about it here..and send Bossy your good wishes, I'm sure that can't be easy. I shudder at the thought of it.
12.13.2007
New Icon Thing
I get inspiration every day by reading blogs.
I steal all the cool things I see other people do! Well there is this new chick I've been reading, Melissa...and she had this darling little avatar. So I went to the website and made one for myself so instead of seeing me on Santa's lap when I comment you get this cute little thing!!
'the news of my death as been greatly exaggerated'
Mark Twain once said those words...Now I can!!
If you recall a while back an ex-coworker of mine died, very suddenly. It was very said, she was only 44 years old.
Well the new girl at this company went to visit one of my old customers..My name came up in conversation and she said, "Oh Mary Pat died, right before Thanksgiving". So today when he met w/ Miss Slade he said, "I'm SO sorry to hear about Mary Pat"..to which she replied, "HUH"..
Slade calls me on her cell phone and says, "You better call Rich, he thought you were dead". She told him that I was VERY much alive.
So I called him and we talked for a while, he actually spread the rumor a little more...and was going to recall my death rumors.
I'm laughing...but I'm freaking out!
Celebrating!!
OK, FIRST thing is that I bought myself a brand new camera. We had been shopping around for a while and fell in love with the Fuji. They had it on sale at Target..then I looked, if you bought on line at Best Buy it was cheaper..plus I had Best Buy bucks so it was even cheaper than that!! Wooo Hooo.. I will have in time for Christmas!
SECOND..My little, darling, talented step son was invited to play in an indoor soccer team in Feb.. Yes, our Drewby on a select team!! So stoked..and indoor, WAY better than outdoor. Bad news is we'll have weekend games at 7:30 am..40 miles from our house. Oh well.
THIRD..we have snow in the forecast..just a little..and that has totally got me inching toward the Christmas spirit! I'm actually going to go to the mall after work to use my gift certif for a holiday party outfit!
FOURTH.. I am doing Dinner By Design!
My MIL wants to do it in January and my friend Holly is showing some interest!
OK..back to work :-)
12.12.2007
the weather outside is frightful...
Well..not outside my house. This icy stuff is all around me. If I were going anywhere it would be like an ice rink. Right here though we are full of fog, mist and drizzely stuff. It's quite lovely...really helps with that whole holiday spirit. At least a little ice would be wintery. Yesterday it was like San Frickin Cisco around here..visibility was horrible. I think it was around 50 degrees. I have no idea why, it may be that we are surrounded by rivers. Mississippi to the East, Missouri to the North and West and the Mississippi and Meremac to the West and South. We're one of those places that if there was ever the big huge earthquake and the bridges all collapsed we would be locked in place..we'd need boats to get anything from the outside word.
A million people are without power in other places in the midwest..areas where Drew played soccer this summer/fall are now under layers of ice. Wierd how that happens.
Mom is driving me fruit about Christmas. I have a feeling this will be one of those years where I'm going to have to cart her around and not see Drew and Jeremy until the evening. Doesn't seem fair does it.
12.11.2007
Happy Anniversary To Me!
Yep..it's ALL about me right now. October, November, December go (boom boom boom)..all in a row.
3 Years Today..although we've been together going on 7 years..I think. I don't know does it really matter? What does matter is that I got a nice dozen roses that are smelling up my office and I'm planning on relaxing tonight. I have some food to fix really quick and we plan on watching a movie.
This is the 2nd year in a row though where my hubby did something nice and I haven't done shit. Not even a card. I was going to go today at lunch but I forgot to bring money. Oooppss.
Can you see it now:
Hi Honey, thanks for the roses, kiss kiss.. OK gotta go run and buy you a card at Walgreens, be back soon.
How lame is that?
Oh well.
12.10.2007
Happy Gotcha Day to Me - My adoption story
41 years ago today my mom and dad got me..the whole thing was a bit of a whirlwind.
WWII was over and after some courting mom and dad were married in 1954. They tried to have children (blah blah blah no visual) but nothing..nada..no baby. I don't think that there were fertility experts back then..they checked both mom and dad's plumbing, the only thing they could think of was that dad's tighty whities killed off his swimmers..Who knows. Mom was a school teacher, dad an electrician. They had TONS of nieces and nephews and were enjoying life.
Now we go to February 1966..a 18 year old chicky and her 21 year old bf were doing the nasty. She KNEW he was bad news. He had already gotten another gal pregnant and she had to give up her baby..and his motivation wasn't there..he would rather play tennis, race cars and drink than anything else. He came from a great family but she knew there wasn't any future. I think reading between the lines he may have been abusive. She became pregnant and he wanted to marry her and start a family but she knew in her heart that wasn't a good idea. She went with her mom to Children's Home Society in Kirkwood MO. She told them that she told the daddy that she had a miscarriage and she broke up with him. Her dad was on his 2nd tour in Nam and he was in the choir at his Catholic church..when she lived with her dad she loved that Catholic church, one day she would become catholic. She told the social worker that she wanted the baby raised catholic. They promised they would do that.
August 1966 mom and dad went to get new tires. Such a good couple they do everything together. They don't even go to all girl or all boy type parties. They stay together. They were sitting in the waiting room at the tire store waiting for their car. There was another family there w/ a little 2 year old named Jenny. Dad thought Jenny was adorable. They ooed and ahhed at the baby and enjoyed watching her play. In talking to the parents they come to find out that baby Jenny was adopted. Mom and Dad were sad that it was too late for them. The parents assured them it wasn't and they exchanged phone numbers and information. They told mom and dad they used Children's' Home Society. Mom and Dad called later that week and got information on how to start the proceedings. They had their priest friends write letters, their employers and families..all confirming that they weren't nut jobs. They passed with flying colors. Mom and dad were told that within the next 2 years they should have a baby for them. They were VERY excited. Mom and Dad prayed every night. They asked for a white, healthy baby. They weren't too particular.
November 10th 1966 I was born. I bit premature. I was born at Jewish Hospital in St Louis MO then transferred to another hospital off Grand Ave where the CHS had their nursery/orphanage. I was kept there for a month. I was very tiny and cried alot. The nurses liked me very much at the nursery my name was Mellisa Ann.
December 9th 1966 Dad gets a call at work. He was out in the field so a call came through his supervisor, John Sullivan. John told dad that he was supposed to call Children's Home Society. Dad called and they said you need to pick your baby up tomorrow. Dad freaked and called mom at school. They were both let go from their jobs and went home to spread the news. Dad and Vince next door went out to buy a crib and other baby furniture. They didn't know I was a girl so they bought a yellow onesy for a newborn to go pick me up. It was chilly but not too cold outside. Mom, her cousin Florence, Nana and some other relatives all went to purchase the other essential items. Mom and Dad were VERY nervous.
December 10th they went down South Grand to the hospital. The nurses put on my brand new outfit..Boy was it big...well I was so little. I came home and cried and cried and cried. They didn't know what the hell they got themselves into.
Days like today make me wonder; would I still be ME...if those events didn't happen JUST LIKE THAT? I don't think I would be. I totally think we are who we are by who raises us. I think somethings are genetic and by reading the non identifying information I have from CHS...I have to laugh at the similarities between me and that couple destined not to be together.
I get presents on my Gotcha Day..from mom, she gives presents alot. This year is a large hard covered Weight Watchers cook book :-)
People ask when I found out I was adopted...Well I always knew! The tire story was a great story. As a little girl I used to go to CHS every Christmas w/ Jenny (girl at the tire store)...we used to sit on Santa's lap and we got a present. I used to love the Christmas parties at the orphanage...and it really was one then.
Thanks to the chicky who did the right thing..and thanks to Jenny's parents getting tires..and thanks to mom and dad's timing..perfect! Karma?? Fate?? I think a little of everything.
12.09.2007
Weekly Winners
Weekly Winners Photo Meme... Check out the link on the side. Sign up!! Lotus Organizes..Quite simple. I'm posting since it's after midnight. Had a yummy dinner out with friends..Jack is w/ my mom and dad and it's darn quite in here tonight!
These are my photos of the week that I am proud of!
Drew had his Christmas Pagent today..they wore their dress uniforms. I tried to upload a video but blogger is gay.
I went to a girl ornament exchange party last night..they had a chocolate fountain..I stuck my head underneath..really I did..it was yummy!
First snow of the year..it lasted a half second and turned to sleet..in 12 hours it was all melted. 
I used a technique and cropped this beautiful sunset last Tuesday..before the cold weather..
This is my MOST favorite!! It really looked like this...
12.07.2007
a little education to the younger sort...
SO I sent her some websites to look at to which she replies:
He’s married to the woman from Little House on the Prairie!!!
MP- He’s way too old for you! He’s like my dad’s age!
New Meme...I've been tagged
I mention that I was tagged since normally I just do them myself.. Miss LuLu tagged me for this chain meme thingy. I think your hair falls out if you don't do it...NO..but I'm doing it anyway.
There are rules..and you MUST post them. I always follow directions..so I copied and pasted.
-Link to the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
-Share 7 facts about yourself.
-Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
-Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
OK: 7 Random this about myself..that you already don't know. Hmmmmm
I like when people do themes...LuLu's was about her being a Grinch..I already did the dorky one.(cause I'm a dork)... We will now do a Music one!!
1. I can play the piano. My mom made me take piano lessons when I was little from Miss Burnham. She was a big woman that came to our house every Monday at 4pm. Because of piano lessons I wasn't able to join the Girl Scouts. That bothers me to this day although I am glad I can read music and play poorly. I would be able to play better if I had practiced. Every once and a while when I'm at mom's I'll sit down and play for a while. They have a really nice white baby grand that they bought when I was in college. One of the first song books I pick up is the Broadway Musical books. Fiddler on The Roof and Oklahoma are the ones I like the best...I sign along also. Mom and I used to duet..her on the organ and me on the piano. It hurts her to sit at the organ now. Oh..and her fat ass broke one of my mom's dining room chairs.
2. I can play the violin. I picked up the violin my freshman year in HS. I did it because my mom wanted me to play the clarinet. She didn't think I'd have the ear for the violin. I showed her, by my senior year I was first chair. I enjoyed being 2nd violin the best. I love the harmony. There were 4 of us (3 violins and a cello) that competed in a contest at one of the local colleges. I was SO nervous. We didn't win anything but it was really cool. I doubt that I could play much anymore..again with the practice thing.
3. I was in choir and acapella choir in HS. 2nd soprano. I was also in the chorus in the musicals. I was in a barbershop quartet. I'm not really very good but I enjoyed the hell out of it.
4. I'm considering signing up for the church choir. They keep advertising for it. Then I would have to go to that particular mass all the time. I don't know..we'll see.
5. When I was really little my favorite music was oldies. I had a Raggedy Ann radio that I would put under my pillow at night and listen to Elvis, Frankie Avalon, Tom Jones, and other music from the 50's and 60's. I still love the oldies and I feel really old when people tell me that Cindy Lauper is an oldie.
6. In keeping with the arts. I took ballet and tap lessons when I was around 12. Step Ball Change. I remember my positions for ballet. That is about it.
7. I love karaoke..but only if I have a beer in one had and a smoke in the other. We don't go to bars much anymore...so I don't sing much anymore...except last night in the ice storm...I had Channel 7 (xm) on and was screaming at the top of my lungs, "I Think I LOVE YOU...I think I love you..." The BEST David Cassidy/Patridge Family song ever recorded.
Ooo...I get to tag people now...
DAWN
BIDDY
ANNIE
LINDA
SLADE
PUMKIN
LUCKY GEM
If you weren't tagged and you are really bummed about it don't fret...I'll tag you later for something else..or just DO it..Now go do the damn meme!!
Traffic because it kinda snowed and iced
More rain/snow/sleet this weekend. We'll see if we can't get at least an inch of plain old snow.
12.06.2007
Peaking into the past...
THIS is what we watched when I was little.. I had Kristy and Jimmy's album..LOVED THEM!!
My Favorite Show:
This is a hysterical video showing the MAN that I was going to marry..I just wish there would have been clips from How The West Was Won
I have been thinking about this for SO long...and finally thought to look it up on You Tube!!
For you people that weren't ALIVE during this time this is Rex Smith in Sooner or Later.. I read the book and watched the movie a thousand times. Then I bought the album. (album is a round black disc used to play music, preceded the cassette tape and cd..yes I'm being sarcastic)
WTF is going on??
I didn't realize it but I'm not getting emails on all my comments...and I missed some comments. I like my friend Biddy am a comment whore. I can't believe I missed them, and they were from some new folks too. :-(
Off to visit new places..love new blogs..well I really love my old ones but new is fun.
OK.. so go to www.ksdk.com They LEAD story is the storm moving in. I am REALLY thinking that we're going to end up w/ some rain. We have a "winter storm warning" right now. This is great!!
THIS is what the forcast looks like...
here it comes....
MAYBE we will have some winter weather today. I say maybe because it seems like everytime all of the TV channels and weathermen agree on something then nothing happens. About 75 miles north of us are supposed to get 2-4 inches of snow this afternoon. We on the other hand are supposed to get rain, ice, sleet and some mushy snow from 3/4:00 - 10pm tonight. So...what does that mean? It means that everyone will have forgotten how to drive in rush hour traffic. The grocery stores are going to have people packed getting french toast ingrediants. Schools nearby are going to have an early release..I just know that is going to happen.
Ohio/PA/NY..these people know how to deal with snow because they get alot of it. MO/AK/OK...not so much. North of us gets snow all the time. The last decade or so we're lucky to get one snow a year. WHY..cause we get the flipping ice storms. The weather pattern of recent years leaves us in this winter limbo. I hate it. I almost would rather be somewhere warm like AZ..but not really. I would just love to have to purchase some snow boots and make angels in the snow...not try to navigate my front steps so I don't wipe out and fall on my ass. Couple years ago I broke my wrist catching my fat ass falling on the ice. I do NOT want that to happen again.
OK..I haven't had a good weather rant in a while. I'll come back and update later this afternoon and let you know what happened.
12.05.2007
My Favorite Christmas Show...and song...
Please tell me..isn't this the BEST ever.. OK...see me getting more into the Christmas Spirit. I couldn't WAIT until this came on TV every year. Kids are spoiled now with these DVD and VHS..and Blue Ray..Tivo..On Demand. What happened to the good old days when you grabbed the TV Book from Sunday's paper and read the grid to find your favorite show..then planned your night accordingly??
12.04.2007
Creve Coeur Lake
12.03.2007
Read Read Read
I haven't been reading my novel at ALL. I am reading The Rhett Butler Story.
I have TV to watch now that the DVR has been working.
I have SO much blog reading to catch up on. Usually by 11am on a Monday I'm caught up from the weekend...NOT AT ALL.. plus I need to catch up on my Sunday Meme pictures..
I need to catch up w/ my Flickr palls too...and I need to figure out if we are going to order Christmas cards or things w/ Drews latest pictures.
I didn't do any shopping of record this weekend. I really need to just go..I couldn't get J to go with me last week so I didn't go. We went by the mall yesterday cause his mom was getting his and his sisters pictures taken..OMG it was a mess.
OH..and YES MIZZOU GOT SCREWED!!! Royally. I agree they didn't play well against Oklahoma..we were missing Chase C. But please Kansas got a BCS Bowl...how pitiful is that..they were playing a JV schedule. Please...
We had a great time though we put up J's mom's Christmas tree and she made chili. Drew watched the game with us even though we had his Wii hooked up upstairs... he is Oh...40% interested in the game the other 60% drawing attention to himself. We're listening to the commentary (onesided) during the game and Drew breaks out into Rudolf or Silver Bells...Ahhh..good times.
For you TV hounds like myself: TNT Tonight...Yes I'm telling you to skip Samantha Who tonight. WHY you ask. Brand New Saving Grace and then a 2 hour episode of The Closer. I am SO psyched!!
Megan My Space update
Megan update. Remember when I posted THIS. Well read it again and this time read the comments. There has been some local laws being passed that may end up affecting everyone at a national level at some point, which is a good thing. (ps lazy, effecting, affecting..I never know which is which.)
There is another update today in Yahoo.
12.02.2007
photo lull
I really need to just get out there and take some pictures. This week there were hardly any. Below are my selections for Weekly Winners...see the little link on the side if you would like to join in every Sunday!!
Orchid Circle
wet dog
11.30.2007
Update...
I updated my bloggroll thingy..cause it seems like the thing to do. Tell me if you believe you should be there and you aren't...or if your linky thing doesn't work :-)cause that means I didn something wrong.
This is funny...
GO to Sarah and the Goone Squad..her post from the 30th regarding randomness has a link to another blog which has a list w/ video for the top ten Rap Songs that White people like. I'm so embarrased.. he must have been talking about me.. One that cracked me up..tell me.. (white people w/ no rhythm).. have you been to a club, bar etc.. and Jump Around comes on and your drunk ass starts jumping straight up and down..for the whole song or until you realized you spilled your beer jumping and have to go get another one.. or some idiot jumps on your toe??
Man that is some funny stuff.
2 more things...
I almost forgot... Go over to BIDDY she's doing a contest and giving away a pillow and wallpaper. Those are totally not something I would be interested in since I am not creative like that..and they are in colors I would never use. But they are really cute and expensive looking.
2ndly.. Ms Lucky Gem decided to delurk some folks. I think this should be a trend...find your lurkers!! I think I may have a lurker or two... based on the kids that come by I think I do... like who is in Brazil?? So delurk and say hi..why do people not leave comments..is it cause I'm too boring to leave a comment..or are you speechless due to my brillance..yeah that must be it.
I DID IT I DID IT
Today is November 30th. I have posted every day in the month of November..Who said I can't finish what I start! Oh ... I did.. Well. I proved myself wrong.
Now hopefully I win something.
I am SO ready to go home. I was up at the crackass of dawn today. The red car has a busted belt or something, it's making an aweful noise.. SO I had my friend drive me to work..she is one of those hourly people that is pulling holiday overtime. I was up at 5am this morning...I was out the door by 6am and sitting here working by 7am. It's now 7:45..I'm caught up so I figured I'd get my "day 30" blog out of the way early.
I have no clue what we're doing tonight, I hope it involves watching Shrek 3rd. We ended up watching Meet the Robinsons last time Drew was over and never got to Shrek. Then on Saturday we're going to my MIL to help her put up Christmas decorations then watch the Mizzou Oklahoma game. It is supposed to maybe ice/rain/sleet or something on Saturday into Sunday. I'm crossing my fingers it's just nothing..or rain. If it were snow that would be a different story. I'm going to bring the camera along on Saturday. I want to get some shots of Drew and make Christmas cards. I'm also going to make my FIL a necktie for Chrismas...that Zazzle store thingy on the side. You don't have to buy my pictures. You can use your pictures and create cool gifts. How about getting a T shirt for Grandpa w/ pictures of the kiddos.. or a coffee mug for Grandma w/ her favorite grandpuppy... I think they have some fabulous ideas, I'm totally sold. Yesteday we created a necktie for the big boss w/ our company picture on it.
I have been wanting to go shopping..my BRAIN wants to shop..my heart isn't in it. I have a family discount from Macy's and JJill...I think they both expire on Sunday. I have to get an outfit for the Christmas Party..we do that country club thing every year.. and I also need some new warm pants for work. A black pair. My heart isn't in it though.
11.29.2007
11.28.2007
Meet The Nerdy Meme
LULU did a really cute meme today and I'm going to steal it...cause I like memes!!
The creative Ms LuLu did her homage to her nerdiness which is all encompassed with her unhealthy love of Anderson Cooper..gay or straight.
I have to admit Miss LuLu..Anderson got it going on..if I were a gay man I'd be all over that..and as a side note I would make a great gay man..I love men and I love show tunes!
But on to the meme. 7 random or weird facts about myself; like LuLu I'd like to talk about my geeky, nerdness.
1. I follow the rules. Traffic laws, signs posted on the wall...I even follow a suggestion. I DO what I'm told. I follow whatever an authority figure tells me to do...I don't usually question if this person really IS an authority figure. I am the FIRST person on the plane with me seat belt fastened, seat up and tray table in the upright position... THE FIRST. I will not unsnap my lap belt after we've landed UNTIL the bell dings and the lights go on. You get the idea?
2. I like nerds. I secretly had a crush on Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter.. and a crush on Mr Kotter too.
3. I think proper girls/women should not go around in belly shirts, tanks w/ no bras or daisy dukes w/ your ass hanging out the back. I have ALWAYS felt this way. Even in the late 1970's, early 80's I never wore my tube top by itself. I always wore my zippered terry cloth top over it. (darling really, it was white and had rainbow trim)
4. I love history and reading. I think these are very nerdy things but I'm very proud of them..I LOVED that I could tell Drew that the Bloody Mary drink was not named after a bloody Blessed Mother yet it was named after Mary Queen of Scots because she wanted to kill all the "non Catholics".. There was lots of blood and dead people and beheadings..there must have been vodka too??
5. I will dress like a nerd and not care about it. My shoes are often "granny"..I have black Mary Jane's that I LOVE.. I don't wear heals and like turtlenecks, sweaters, tshirts and jeans. I very rarely wear dresses. I also don't like socks and my feet smell.
6. Celebrity Gossip.. Yeah, I like it...and that is kind of gay/nerdy of a thing to like. I KNOW Britney got new hair extensions today and that Xtina posed new for Marie Claire. I know that Mel B didn't win Dancing w/ the Stars and I don't even watch that show. You want OLD celebrity gossip? Did you know that Bing Cosby used to abuse his children. Seems that back in the day he was a bit of a nasty mean drunk and he BEAT those kids. At least that is what the older boys from the first marriage said. They would briefly show up on the Christmas Shows w/ matching plaid pants. His darling daughter Mary from marriage #2 said Daddy was a saint. At least that is how I remember it.
7. I love the underdog. Unless my "team" is playing I'm always routing for the underdog.. When it comes to fiction or real life I want the least good looking, dorky one to win..and get the girl..
For Me:
Ponch and Jon.. Jon
The Beatles... George
Hardy Boys.. Parker Stevenson
Charlies Angels.. Sabrina
CBS Hour Drama shows
Love Boat.. Gopher
Only automatic drive cars
NO body piercing or tattoos
11.27.2007
Reaching Deep Down for that Holiday Spirit
Ok...I have been complaining about trying to get into the holiday mood of things. So far we have a tree in the foyer..I little plug in jobby, you may have seen my picture of it up on the blogger header.
I have been listening to Holly 103 and Traditional 104 on my drive home every day.
Ummmm and I've been thinking about it alot. J and I discussed Christmas plans last night, that is a step in the right direction.
When we were at my MIL's house we talked about how during the holidays we never get to do what WE want to do. It always seems that we are trying to please someone else. My MIL asked me; "well what do YOU want to do". I had to stop and think about that. No one has ever ASKED me what I wanted. I don't know what I want. Maybe that is my problem.
So I started thinking about what I have liked about the holidays in the past. Don't get me wrong I don't have evil childhood memories or anything like that. Santa was VERY good to me.
I always liked going to holiday parties.
I love dressing in red and green..velvet, velour.
Santa hats
Mistletoe
Fingerfood
Christmas music in the background.
I loved when my friend used to have everyone over and play board games.
I liked going caroling when I was younger.
I love sweaters and turtlenecks w/ cheesy Christmas things.
I like Christmas socks.
I love to receive presents more than give presents.
I like cheesy Christmasy/Hallmark specials on TV
I like childrens Christmas shows like Rudolf and The Year Without A Santa Clause
I love going to Mass on Christmas Eve
I like eating Ravioli on Christmas Day
As soon as I have a house large enough to entertain I am making people come to ME...I am going to open gifts with my family on Christmas Eve..I don't want to go anywhere except Church on Christmas Eve...I want to open gifts then go to bed. Then in the morning I want to cook...I want people to come in and out of my house ALL day brining me presents....NO I mean eating food and having drinks and playing games and watching TV. That is what I want. Now there is barely room for the three of us and the three pets.. Next house I guess.... Yep..that is what I truley want.
I love it!!
My pirate name is:
Red Mary Flint
Passion is a big part of your life, which makes sense for a pirate. Like the rock flint, you're hard and sharp. But, also like flint, you're easily chipped, and sparky. Arr!
Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network
11.26.2007
Jack and the candycane chewy
What will you be doing Saturday??
7PM..CST....
I hope to be sitting in front of that fireplace...having some yummy snacks.. It's monday and I'm looking foward to Saturday is that a bad thing??
Fa La La La La
I am TRYING to get into the Christmas spirit but it isn't working. I turn on holiday music and I've even gone as far as sprucing up the blog..I think it feels less Fally now doesn't it?
We are going to put up decorations at my mother in law's on Saturday. I guess there is no reason J and I don't start doing stuff around the house this weekend. He always wants to include Drew... poor kid could care less.. I of course was the worst as a child. I HATED putting up the tree and bringing up the boxes from the basement and then wrapping the gifts. I'm the same way to this day..although being w/ J makes it more fun..he enjoys decorating so much it rubs off a bit. Maybe I'll be more in the spirit when we get the house decorated.
I'll take any ideas on making the blog more holidayish.. Should I change the colors?
11.25.2007
autumn fireplace
Oh Yeah Baby- Mizzou Defeats Kansas
WHAT A GAME!!
That was fun! Kansas really didn't have a very tough schedule this year and the pundints of NCAA Football kept talking about how great they were. Mizzou NEVER was behind. The game ended w/ a safety..which was a bit hysterical.
My SIL lives in Kansas, just over the border. She had friends over, all KU alumn..only she and her husband were routing for the Tigers.
That would have been fun to be at that game, but damn it looked cold.
Now we have next Saturday...playing Oklahoma..who was our only loss of the season for the Big 12 Title.
Jack is spending the night at Grandma and Grandpas...that means BB gets to sleep until she wakes up, beauty!
11.24.2007
My duty post...
I almost forgot to post today...I was able to sleep late, then I took Jack for puppy grooming. Hims gotta a shampoo that smells like gingerbread and his toenails cut and his toofers brushed. He was THRILLED...let me tell you.
Tonight I took Dad and Aunt Norma to church. They were celebrating Christmas On The Hill..which I forgot about. It looks beautiful though down in the hood. Everything is decorated and there are lights up. Santa is there as well as carriage rides.
Father ended mass with "If you would like to stay a while and listen to the Christmas Caroles you can...or you can just stay and pray for Mizzou".
We're off to my Mother In Laws! M I Z Z O U...cheer along with me! This is for #1~
11.23.2007
MP Movie Review
You do not need a child to take some time out and see Enchanted! We took Drew this afternoon to a packed theater and laughed our booties off. This movie has everything. Patrick Dempsy, Pretty Princess, Talking Chipmunk, Wicked Step-Mother..singing, dancing...and roaches cleaning the living room. I guess it was a chick flick and would be best for "little girls" that adore princesses but it really has something for everyone. I'd love to see it again!
In other news...DID YOU SEE ARKANSAS UPSET LSU!!!!!!!! OMG!!!
So tomorrow's game Mizzou VS Kansas is HUGE. The winner will move into the #1 spot! We had planned our afternoon around the game. Then of course they moved the game to 7pm..Primetime TV and all. Some friends were getting together but we couldn't do both. We're going to my MIL's house w/ about 15 other family members..we're calling it our "football Turkey burp"...We'll eat any leftovers that they have and watch football. All except one of my step-brothers-in-law....who says that he must be home alone to watch the game..which I totally can appreciate.
It's so COOL that today is only Friday! Gotta Love that!!
11.22.2007
Kitty in the Bar
Happy Thanksgiving
11.21.2007
Pre-Thanksgiving Thankful Post..MP Style
OK, I bitched and moaned the other day and warned that I would be creating a Thankful post this week. Of course we are all thankful for the basics in life, we should live everyday thankful for our health, loved ones, roofs over our heads and food in our mouth's. If we are NOT thankful and overlook and take for granted the obvious then karma is more than likely going to bite you in the ass..I'm just saying..you will also be moved to Santa's naughty list.
SO I would like to make mention of the things that are the gravy in life that I am thankful for:
*My DVR that works. I FINALLY called Dish and threatened to rip their heads of if they didn't fix my DVR so I could record my shows. I told the tech that I was ready to do whatever I had to so I could get that sob working. Yeah...I had to power it off and on to reset it. It works FINE now. I am now a much nicer person to live with since I don't revolve my life around television.
*Gutenberg and his lovely invention. NO not Steve Guttenburg from The Police Academy Movies and Three Men and A Baby Fame...I'm talking 'bout the German guy who invented the printing press. I LOVE LOVE LURVE books. I like the Internet alot, don't' get me wrong. I just love having the paper in my hand..dust jacket falling off and that smell of the paper..It's awesome.
*Running Water. I have mentioned this before. Turning on the faucet and drinking clean water. Taking a shower, a bath..flushing the toilet. Washing my clothes in a machine!! Watering my lawn, running in the sprinkler. Running Water is fricking AWESOME!!!
*Movie Theaters. This is a place where you can go and watch a movie on a huge screen. You can enjoy the laughter, tears and drama with other people who have chosen to be in that same room at the same time. They will sell you tons of yummy food like popcorn, icee's, soda, candy, hot dogs, nachos. You can eat it in your SEAT then leave your garbage under your chair if you want. (yeah I do that, I'm guilty..gives those kids something to sweep up). Now of course this isn't free but neither is the running water, books or dvr..this is about being Thankful not about being cheap.
* *Gold Peak Iced Tea DIET. I look forward to that time everyday when I can go to the fridge here at work and push aside the water and have my iced tea. It's diet so I don't even have to feel guilty. It tastes like Sweet Tea. The bottle is cool too and I feel cool drinking it. this was not a paid endorsement although if I were ever contacted by Gold Peak I would LOVE to do paid advertisement cause I could SELL this stuff. When I LOVE something I can sell it. I started selling it to the gal giving away free samples at the BBQ competition in KC..I wanted to make sure she understood, as well as everyone around the tasting booth that this was NOT the other stuff. This was quality tea a step above the other stuff. You have to watch out though, in a shopping bag the bottles can break easy.
* Flannel and Cotton. These are two fabrics that I love. They are like the comfort food of clothes. A little cotton or flannel added to a shirt, sweat pants, jammie pants... makes you want to relax.
Well that is just a COUPLE things. I could go on and on...and will at a later date. I plan to have Thanksgiving pictures tomorrow. Hopefully I can get the GD camera to work indoors, I've been having indoor issues. I've asked Santa for a new camera for Christmas. Hopefully I can be thankful for that new Canon, Nikon, Sony, Kodak gift on December 26th!!
..back to work.
..funk has lifted a bit and I can feel most of my face yet my lip is still a little goofy..
11.20.2007
My ER Story
So yesterday shortly after I posted I started feeling funny. My face felt like I had a shot of novicane. It was all numb and tingly. I felt really tired too. I called the doctors office but they were at lunch. A coworker thought it would be a good idea to call the exchange, I did and they said to go to the ER.
Oh the stories from the ER. First off, after an EKG, Blood Work, CT Scan and X Rays they came back that I have Bells Palsy.
Year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Adies Tonic Pupil. I have to think these are somehow related, that I have a rouge virus attacking my nervous system.
8 hours in the ER I saw Santa Clause come in, the nurse wheeling him told him "you know you can't say ho ho ho anymore" Santa wasn't amused.
Then the 12 year old 5'4 County Cop came in w/ a guy in handcuffs. They were headed to XRay. The man in handcuffs screaming "I just wanted to get Fing laid"
So, it boils down to me being tired, I think I may work a half day. The feeling is almost all the way back in my face..and I have to follow up with my primary care doctor.
Fun, Fun, Fun.
11.19.2007
AMA Review
So, did you watch the American Music Awards last night? I did! I finally got the DVR working in the bedroom so I recorded Amazing Race, Cold Case and Shark. J and I decided if the AMA's got boring we would just turn on the Amazing Race..well the AMA's did NOT get borning. That was a great show. Of course there was some PG13 commentary by Jimmy Kimbell but it was funny stuff.
Highlights of the show for me:
Fergie
Duran Duran
Lenny Kravitz
Daughtry
Alicia Keys
Did I mention Duran Duran
Avril Lavigne
Sugarland and Beyonce
Oh..and Duran Duran
11.18.2007
Message from the Virgin Mary
I am NOT making this up, I couldn't if I had tried. There are somethings, like a dream that you have to write down right away because you are afraid you will forget. SO this is what happened...
We decided to get mom and dad fried chicken tonight, well Chicken fried steak for mom cause she doesn't eat chicken.
We went to Pat's Bar and Grill for take out..they are the BEST in St Louis. Honest.
I called in the order and went to pick everything up. This place has an ancient Budweiser neon sign on the outside, it's on a corner, much like any other neighborhood taverns. I walked in and went straight to the end of the bar. In front of me were a vase of roses, I had to lean to the right a little to talk to the bartender who was working on the cash register. There was a man sitting at the stool to my right. Olderman, much younger though than his looks. Alcohol I would believe has aged him. Let's say that he's around 60 years old. Not bad looking, a Patrick Stewart type look with a little more hair. He has a fresh pint of beer in front of him.
I lean to the right and tell the bartender "Carry out for Mary". (Mary is easier). He says, "Yep, coming right up".
The man on the stool says to me: How's the weather out there ?
Me: Getting a little chilly.
Man: Well it's November.
Me: Yeah, you are right about that.
Man: Shouldn't it be cold in November.
Me: Well, you have to look at the jet streams, some days like Saturday you get highs near 70, other days in November it snows.
blank stare...
Me: It snowed November 10th 1987.
Man: What are you some type of meteorologist?
Me laughing: Yeah, well not really but I'm a freak about the weather.
Man: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit.
Me taken aback..talk about a change of subject: Yes I do.
Man smirks
Man: You know I know all three of them.
Me: You personally know the trinity?
Man: Well especially God the Father.
Me: Oh, I guess years of prayer will get you that type of relationship.
Man: No, it doesn't matter how much you pray. You either know him or you don't.
Man: You know the Virgin Mary?
Me: Not personally. I know someone that did have a vision of her.
Man: Who was that?
Me: Sr Rosaria, my kindergarten teacher had a vision when she was in Lourdes.
Man: I know the Virgin Mary personally too.
Me: I don't know that I know her personally, I talk to her but she doesn't talk back.
Man: Your talking to me aren't you?
Man: She knows you.
Man: She said she's very proud of you.
During this I'm signing my credit card bill, giving a 20% tip on a carryout for some reason. I told the man to have a good night and I left and just burst in to tears when I got in the car.
Now you may be Jewish, Muslim, Nothing...you may believe or not believe. But that is similar to a ghost story or other strange phenomenon..don't you think. I know it freaked me out. I left wondering if he was really sitting there?
