Society for the Preservation of My Sanity

Perhaps not the ones you've been requesting, but ones I know you'll enjoy nonetheless!

The big ol' shindig went well. VERY well considering how long it'd been since I'd hosted a big ol' shindig. Seriously, it was nothing short of a miracle that I could even think about doing that because I haven't done it OR even thought about doing it for YEARS!

We had twenty shindiggers shindigging at our shindig. *whew!* TWENTY! That's the most shindug I've been in a LONG LONG TIME! Woah!

Anyhow, so we shindigged. And the shindig was a shebang. All the shindiggers seemed to be shindug quite thoroughly by the evening time when the desserting commenced.

Ahhhh, the desserting. We had rootbeer floats, we had freshly chopped-n-sugared strawberries for the topping of vanilla ice cream and we had the obligatory 0reo casserole. Actually, we did have ingredients for another desserty drink with strawberries, lemonade, crushed ice and limon soda, but we forget to mention it. *sigh*

I regret to inform that my camera handlers did not get a good cross section of shindiggerers whilst snapping their pix, but I shall offer you what they had to show....

FIrst I shall give you the cast, in no way, shape or form are they in order of appearance:
The Lindas - featuring Linda, her hubby Studley Dallas, her chillens Kenn, Mellow, Calen Shnookie, Miss Hannah Proper, The Grinning Abigail and Zackeroonie.
The Grands - Tommy's mom and dad, referred to as Papaw Tom and Mamaw Tom and my parents referred to as Nana and Pap
Guest stars - Abz and her little sister, Hopehedon'tbiteme, my sis Mrs. Hedidn'tcomewithme and Karen YougotfoodI'llberightover

Now...here we go::::

here is Mellow and Abz...they seem like nice normal little girls...but don't let them fool you. tsk, tsk...

Here, I think they must be talking about Corey or something... I mean, LOOK AT THOSE FACES!!!

They want you to think they're sleeping...but they ain't.

They want you to think they're shy...but they ain't.

They want you to think....well, I believe they're probably actually praying in this shot that I won't really post these pix, but....MWAH-HA-HAAAA!!!!!!!!

BEHOLD!!!!

I think Abz is trying to whistle the theme from @ndy Griffith and Mellow was SUPPOSED to be doing the "bum, bum, bum, bum" part in between them whistles, but as you can see, she quit to mug for the camera....poor, poor Abby...trying to whistle all by herself...

'Course, when I told them to quit being silly and pose for me (actually, I think the words were "Pause, Pose!"), THIS is what they did....

Somebody tell me what this is?! New Age Disco!?!? LOL! That's the first thing they did when ordered to "stop being silly"....me thinks it's hopelss!

Of course, Corey had to get in on the craziness too. He's apparently adopted or been bestowed with the nickname "Chet", so instead of Bond girls, these are Chet girls. *shrugs* Don't ask me...I'm really not sure what it means...but it IS good for a laugh. ;)

And now enough of those goofballs....

Here you see the beginning of the big croquet game. My father considers himself to be a croquet 'champeen' having grown up in a family that played a mean game and practiced religiously and there were NO baby rules. If you played, you played by the men's rules. Oh, and no cryin' neither! Hmph!

Ha...here we go. He's starting to boss people around and tell them how to really play croquet. LOL! Sounds infuriating....and it can be...but at the same time.....it's HILARIOUS too. I'm telling you, my dad's one of the last country boys. There's not a properly constructed, grammatically correct sentence comes out of his mouth most of the time. I just love him!

Uh oh....looks like something bad happened, don't it? LOL! There's Mr. Shnookie staring on the left going counterclockwise, Kenn, Pap (probably explaining how someone shoulda kept the bad thing from happening), Papaw Tom, Linda's Studley and Tommy.

Here is The Grinning Abby. Yes, perhaps the name Snaggles would have fit her as well, but really, doesn't the grin grab you before the gaps? ;)

And since either some the camera handlers were bad, OR some chillens were sneaky....

Here is a shot I snagged from the Linda's of Miss Hannah S. Proper. S. being for Sneaky, if indeed she evaded the camera all evening! You can't outwit me, Miss Proper!! Mwah-ha!

Here you have my own little .... um ... *ahem* .... darling .... *sigh* ....being his usual demented creative self. We call this the Deli Pirate. *shrugs* Don't ask.

Sis would die if she saw this, but most likely she won't and besides, I'll blame someone else for snapping her whilst sticking a big ol' bite of food in her mouth! Ha! This is my MIL, my fweet mommy and Sis.

Finally, one pitiful shot (the angle, people, the ANGLE is pitiful!) of the Linda...I'm not QUITE sure what's going on here...but here's what I think is being said:
Casey - "LOOK EVERYBODY!"
Abby - "What is it?"
Hopeitdon'tbiteme - "I'm not touching that. Keep it away from me!"
Mellow - "Aw, how cute!"
The Linda - "I don't think it should be doing that in the floor, but whatever..."

Zackaroonie.....now you see 'im.....

...now you don't!!!

We had a shot of Karen, but it was from such a far distance, it wasn't very good, so I thought I'd show you one from the graduation. I just love this picture.

And lastly, here's a silly one of Luke and Corey. I really hope this kid can rise above the difficulties he's faced in the last few years and see all his dreams come true.

Okay...still promising to get some shots of birdies, houses and flowers!! YES!

~hugs!!~

Posted by subject G~ at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (0)

The graduation went well. It wasn't as long as I thought it might be, but even though Karen went early to "save seats", we were still in the nosebleed section...THREE ROWS FROM THE TOP!!! It was in the high school gymnasium, so the seating wasn't that comfortable, either. And it's really amazing how differently you view bleachers after the age of 18. After that age, they cease to be the moderately uncomfortable seating you endure so as to not have math class, or maybe the dark place naughty people retreat to so as to miss lots of classes...after that they become wooden staircase-like seats of death!

The first thing I did was lose my purse over the edge of the seat (thankfully, it was too big to actually go down in the bleachers) and dumped my water bottle out. I was terrified that more than that had fallen out...and it may have, but the main thing that worried me was my pain prescription, which I found in its place, so I forgot about whatever else might have fallen.

So anyhow, Karen went on and on about how much she appreciated Corey and I coming to sit with her. I think she was so afraid that her almost-ex would show up with his live-in or his family from TN or something, and she'd be alone. Anyhow, we did spot him. He was alone. I hadn't seen him for over two years, before the actual breakup even started. He has avoided me like the plague ever since he knew that it was me who took Karen to the police station to swear out a restraining order against him. Anyhow, the whole thing was without incident. *whew*

Got to work some on the rest of the wedding pix. I think there are like 12 or so left to go. YAY! Depending upon how much work each one needs, I may be done with them very, very, very soon....or not. *sigh* Like I said...it all depends. I hope to get to work on them tomorrow.

Today? Well, today I'm getting ready for a mondo cookout! And I was totally unaware that I was going to be throwing a mondo cookout til this morning!! That's kinda the way we do things around here. Spontaneously. Sometimes it's not such a good thing, but today, it's all good.

Ya see, the Linda crew were coming already so we were planning on having a semi-mondo cookout anyhows, then we thought, Well heck! Why not invite the grands to come too? Usually they're all working or with my parents, they're so odd about stuff like that, they won't come, but wonder of wonders...Tommy called his mom and she was off work and immediately agreed to come. So I said, "Now, call my mom since you're on a roll and all..." And wouldn't you know it? She accepted right off the bat!! Said she'd call Daddy to make sure he came in from work on time! W-O-W!!! That's just amazing! Sooooo, then I called my sis. She's been a bit under the weather...and this would be her first day back to work since Thursday. She said both of them would be working til 7pm. I told her we probably wouldn't be ready to eat til 6pm or so anyway so just come on up when they got off. She said they would! ??!!?? Woah!

Now Corey is calling his pals. LOL! Waiting for some of them to wake up, actually. He called his graduate pal, but Karen said she thought he had to work (she wasn't sure) but she would come over. He left a message with his other buddy-pie to invite her and her family, so that may be four more folkses.

GAH! We're having a shindig folks! Now yun's KNOW I'm feeling better!

That said, my MeSiN isn't working. GRRR! So lemme say to anyone who may be headed this way (because of course, you are all invited to my house at 5pm today!) BRING CHAIRS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!

I gotta git! Lots to do! LOTS TO DO!

Have a lovely and blessed memorial day. (tomorrow I'll be going to put flowers on the graves of Papaw, great aunt Lida, Mayme and (gramma) Mom) *sniffle*

~hugs~

Posted by subject G~ at 05:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

Sheesh. Take a little break and what happens? The place just poofs on ya. Gah!

Awright, lessee...what's goin' on with me?

-- neck is still, thus far, going out on me all the time (lol...um, no, not cheating on me...just not staying in line like it should) but this last time (Thursday) Doc really worked me over and it seems to have been a good thing so far!

-- muscles across shoulders are still strung so tight you could pluck a tune on them. not so good. :(

-- tommy still working all the time except for taking a day off when he was sick as a dawg with this allergy/cold/nasty-whatever that's going around here. he slept like all day long and all night too. he's about over it now though, I think. i hope!!!

-- went to big-time cookout jiggy at zee linda's last week. it was lotsa fun, fun, fun! then, would you believe it? all of zee lindas came over here the next evening and ate pizza (that they stubbornly bought - hmph!) in the garage whilst zee d graciously helped tommy and corey work on the stang-a-roo. that's what I'm calling it forever now. that or stangie-poo. anything silly, just to see the reaction on the faces of all of the manly-ish stang lovers around here. sheesh. ;)

-- finally got some flowers out around here. mom bought me some for mother's day, then I bought a few more. she also gave me some lillies she'd pulled up around her house. they'd gotten a little overpopulated, it seems. hey...give 'em over! I will take 'em!

-- gots lotsa birdies all over. am loving the shows. now have a baltimore oriel! I think we've only had one ever before. now this guy's here almost everyday. we loves him. <3 have a family of barn swallows building on the front porch. I was afraid tommy would go out and tear down the nest. he did last year. :( he's like that. but this year, he could sit on the loveseat and watch them from the window...made him appreciate them, I guess. I told him I'd clean up the poo, so he said they could stay. hmm...gotta watch what I say. lol...nah, I don't mind. they're really awesome to watch and they'll let you sit right on the swing and observe, too!

-- going tomorrow to be with karen as her eldest graduates from the g'ment high school...after a lifetime of homeschooling. I can't imagine that, and I think she's reeling from all the emotion, plus, she's dreading having to deal with the should-be-by-now-ex and his floozy who lives in the house that still contains most of karen's stuff... maybe.....who knows if he/they will even show. she doesn't even know if her other two sons are coming. :*( so very, very sad. she'd told me about the graduation last week, then quickly changed subject. then called me mid-day on tuesday. now that was odd...just to ask if I would go with her. I felt so bad for her. I assured her I'd go and find out if corey'd be able to, etc. then I thought since it was going to be nice that day, I'd just plan on having them over for a cookout and stuff. when I told her about that today she was all like I appreciate that so much. I just didn't know what to do for him. I haven't even talked to him much this week... etc. and so forth. *long sad sigh* I knew she hadn't planned anything for an after-graduation celebration. her brain just doesn't work that way. so...we'll see how it goes. his girlfriend's family is planning a huge party for her, but karen didn't know what time it was. gah. I just feel so bad for that kid. I just hope his father doesn't make a larger-than-usual ass of himself....

-- what else? tommy's dad has been calling and calling wanting tommy to fix his lawnmowers. yes, that's plural. he has two. tommy fixed one already and he tore it up again somehow. now he'd torn up the cheaper one too. tommy'd been working so much, then SICK...but he kept calling. I simply detest when he/they behave that way. we never hear from them at all unless 1) they want something or 2) the boys' birthdays are coming up and they want a detailed list to choose from so they can shop. since they have no clue about what they like, etc. PUKE! anyhow, he went out and fixed both the stupid things last night. one just needed a switch moved to adjust something er other...like my dad and tommy had been telling him!!!!!!!!!!! the other? he'd been letting off the seat kill-switch and...what? ....KILLING IT!!!!!! URGH!!!!!!!!!!! I swear, sometimes I just wanna throttle those people. you can take the pun or leave it. I just wanna clobber them! I know, I know...just pray for me!!

-- mom's been up here yesterday and today, love her heart. I wish she didn't feel like the state of my house reflects on her, but somehow she does. but I really do appreciate it when she helps out like this. I just hate feeling like she's killing herself. *sigh* I'm getting ready to finish waxing the hardwood, which has needed doing for literally y e a r s. she just got me started on the picking up so much ssttuuffff in the floor! anyhow...I have almost all the windows flung wide open...and I'm sweating. (lovely image, eh?) I'm not turning on the air til I'm gasping for breath, you hear me? I'm holding out as long as possible!

-- I need d e s p e r a t e l y to finish all the editing on my sis's wedding pix. GAH! I have most of our family's pix done, to be honest...and am kinda dreading doing the others. shame on me, I know. speaking of the happy-swappy couple...we all took mamaw out for her 92nd birthday to cr@cker b@rrel the other day so I got to look the bil over a bit...sis got him to grow himself a gotee and comb his hair differently and he looks really nice! who knew?!? rofl!!! wish she'd done that before the wedding! lol! he's warming up to us a bit now, but is still just .... well, just him. not the cut-up and loud-laughy type that we are...but he's learning to deal with us, I guess. ha!

-- okay now...no more white space! yay! hope to start being able to make less sporatic visits to ya'll, but don't hold me to it just yet. it's just too pretty outside to sit in here, know what I mean?!?! hope you're getting to enjoy the weather where you are too! hugs and smoochies~~~

Posted by subject G~ at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, okay...I'll try to go easy on the whine. That's all I need...a bunch of drunken memberships running around here when I'm trying to say something. sheesh!

Um, updates..okay.

I thought I was doing really well with the chiro as my neck was holding great, almost for two straight weeks once, and I thought Yay! It's almost whooped now! but then? He adjusted it on the Friday before the boys came home from DeeSea (and we went to TN straight afterward), then I had to have it redone again on Monday, it was good Wednesday. But Friday, it was out again. Then Sunday on the way to church, I took a wild coughing fit and soon after my neck started hurting really bad. I knew I'd "knocked it out" or whatever, and sure enough...Monday it was out again. Then same thing that next week, it held til Friday, but was out again on Monday. Doc O is now thinking I have some wild weekend ritual thing that I take part in each week. GAH! I don't know what it is, but it's not good. I've studied and studied about it, but I can't figure out what could be getting it out of line. This Monday, he set it and then informed me he'd be out of town the rest of the week.

WHAT?!?!?! NOOOOOO!!!!!! I told him he couldn't go. *stomps foot* He says, "You just need to take it easy, drink plenty of water and not be running around doing whatever it is you've been doing..."

Hardy, har, har.

"So, um Doc? When you say 'Take it easy'...exactly what is it you mean?"

"Well, you know, like don't be reaching or flexing your neck a lot, or lifting or sweeping and stuff."

Um. Okay, that was clear as mud.

Gah. So, I think it's already out again. It's popping and cracking like crazy and it hurts. And I haven't swept the first sweep, I swear! If you could only see (thank God you can't!) you wouldn't have to ask! LOL! Anyhow...hopefully, it won't get any worse than it is right now. Blech.

BUT! The headaches are for sure and defininintely better. It really only hurts when my neck's out. But there are still those tight muscles to deal with. I swear, I don't know if they're ever gonna let up. My sugars have been doing great. Still dropping tiny amounts of weight. Nothing spectacular, but I'll take whatever I can get (or unload, as the case may be!) Even my twelves are starting to get loose on me now. ??!! Unbelievable! Shocking, even!

Maybe one day I'll feel like using the small package of tanning bed minutes Karen got me for my birthday back in November!! I've carried the certificate around with me, but I just never seem to feel like going. Never. I dunno why. And I won't drive all the way over there JUST to strip down and lie in some lights for five minutes either. Sheesh! So...sigh, I just don't know when I'll ever go. *shrug*

All during the time the boys were gone, Tommy and I actually got to see how we might fare being on our own. It was pretty much the same as ever, except when he got home, he didn't have two other children to play games with or to keep some nonsensical thing he was doing going on and on and on... We actually talked some, but stayed extremely tired, too, so it wasn't so enjoyable as it could have been. But they hadn't been home for more than 15 minutes before he was back to his old obnoxious self. Garg. When they leave home, I'm just going to ship him off to the retirement center where he can play with other old men who like to be treated like little boys too. GAH!

Um....*ahem*....okie dokie then.... Corey's back to working, saving up that money to get the parts for his St@ng, and the fancy paint job and who knows what else he's planning....hopefully it won't take too much longer. That boy needs to finish his senior year maybe?!?!? Yes! I'm still cruising the sites looking for ideas and such for his graduation celebration. I think I've found a place we can have a larger group of people that won't cost much, if anything at all. Woo-hoo! Gotta check on that....

Casey is being...well, Casey. I'm having fits trying to keep him on his school work. Before I start that, though...and this is kinda related, but in a different way...

...You guys wouldn't believe what he made me for Mother's Day! I don't have a pic of it yet, but gimme a little time. He made, TOTALLY FROM SCRATCH and without a pattern of ANY KIND, a birdhouse using scrap pieces of hardwood flooring from the new house my dad's building (to sell). I was shocked when he told me about it. He didn't wanna hafta tell me, but he needed to know how I wanted it, and he couldn't get anyone else, meaning Tommy or Corey, to come look at it. He'd asked his dad to help him figure out how to fasten it together, and he wouldn't even do that.

GRRR!!!

When I confronted Tommy about it and told him how hurt Casey was and how upset he was that it forced him to tell me about it, Tommy just said, "I didn't know he was wanting me to help him. He just said he was building you a birdhouse." Sheesh.

Anyway, it's wonderful and get this, the kid had been working on it for a couple of weeks!!! He'd told me he was playing ball at Pap's, but instead he'd been using the CHOP SAW in Pap's shop ALONE and NO ONE ELSE KNEW EITHER!!!!

ARGH!!!! I couldn't believe it!! When I saw the thing, I figured surely someone else had to have at least known what he was doing, but nope. He'd been doing it all on his own. I'll HAVE to get ya'll a pic to see. It was really amazing to see all the thought that went into it.

Casey had set up my birdfeeder holder several weeks ago, too. After pouring the patio last year, Tommy had never put it back up for me, so no birds all last summer. It was unreal how badly we missed them. So, Casey took it upon himself to set it for me again. It's a large wooden structure that looks like a cross, even though it wasn't intended to. It's made out of "gardening crossties" treated wood and will hold quite a few feeders depending on what type and size you put out.

We lost about three of our larger feeders to...well, just plain neglect. I kept thinking He'll put the thing back up and I can hang those feeders soon... but he never did and so the feeders got knocked around by the boys and dogs, etc., etc. So we had to buy a few new ones. I'd never bought a thistle seed feeder before because #1 - thistle seed is quite a bit more expensive than just regular wild brid seed and #2 - being that it mostly attracts goldfinches, who I thought only migrated through our area for a short time, I figured what's the use?

Boy, was I wrong?! We have had the most wonderful time watching those yellow beauties feeding out there, 5 - 7 at a time! Whereas before, we'd only see a flock of maybe up to 14 blow through once, maybe twice in a year's time...now we see them daily. I'm telling you, it's a sheer joy to behold. They are one of my top favorites!

We have cardinals now...finally. Sparrows of all kinds, tufted titmice, whitebrested nuthatches, brown-headed cow birds (much prettier than they sound :), chickadees, downy wookpeckers, starlings, mourning doves, robins and red-winded black birds and......today I FINALLY saw an Eastern bluebird. YAY! I was beginning to think we weren't going to have any! And that would be truly sad.

Yesterday, Casey went to Mom's and asked if she was going to ever use the wooden birdfeeder holder Daddy had built his Aunt Sis? She said no, so we now have that by the front porch waiting for more feathered friends. Ahhhh...

Corey brought The Girl to the house Saturday, as instructed to do by His Mamaness. The Girl, she don't talk too much. She don't eat too much either, come to think of it. But anyway, I just wanted to visit with them some, when Karen called to tell me she was coming to drop off Corey's check. Her first of ten payments on the rest of the Trep she bought from Corey. She'd told me she was coming about three hours earlier after she'd done her cleaning job, which usually takes around an hour, so I'd kinda given up on her. Anyhow, when she called again, I said Sure, c'mon over. She then told me she was really tired and she'd just be dropping the check off and then heading home. Something about taking longer at the offices she cleans. I could understand that, but knowing she pretty much lives alone what with her one (of three) son who lives with her either working, going to school or courting, she could probably use a hot bowl of chili, of which I just happened to have a big pot of on the stove, so I invited her to have a bowl if she wanted.

Annnyhow, once she got here, she got her second wind apparently and felt like takling, so she talked....and she talked...et cetera and so forth. I think she was kinda dreading Mother's Day, to be honest with you. I didn't mind letting her talk it out, but my sugar was kinda low so I wasn't the best respondant plus I had been really wanting to visit with Cootie and The Girl. *sigh* As it turned out, though, Cootie had to take The Girl home before Karen left.

That's okay though...we're all going over to The Linda's, home of The Girl, on Friday anyhows. I can talk to The Linda and The Girl then if I feel like it.

If I can! Hopefully, I won't have to wear my neck brace over there and answer a ton of questions from The Linda Littles about said neck brace. LOL! Them Littles...they can ask some doozies. And speaking of doozies? My neck is KILLING ME!

Doc is going to be SO sorry he left me for so long, that's all I gotta say about that. I'm really gonna bust him a good one on Monday....if I'm able. Waaah!

Tommy took off work two days this week to do side jobs. I asked him what his boss had to say about that. Seems he was all fine with it. I asked didn't his little light bulb come on at all?

Tommy: Huh?
Me: Y'know....you're taking OFF work to earn money doing jobs on your own? *ding, ding!*
Tommy: Hmmm. Nope. I guess it didn't.
Me: Maybe you need to point it out to him? Knowing him, looks like he'd be embarrassed that his top man isn't making enough money working "for him." (actually, it's the city overseen by a board of commissioners)
Tommy: *grumble, grumble* don'tyoustart *fuss, fuss* don'tneedmoretrouble *gripe, gripe* iwon'taskforaraiseevenifIdeserveit *fart, grumble, fuss*

Gah!!

Whatever. Friday? He's taking off NOT to do a side job for money. He's taking off to work on Corey's car. *pththt* I hope I survive. (LOL! I'll probably not see him at all, truth be told)

Well, now that I've whined and updataged you...I think I'll go lie down awhile. See if I can find a comfy position that doesn't irritate the naughty neck. Grrr.

Now I bet you wish Linda hadn't badgered a post outta me, huh? Yep....blame her.

ROFL!

Posted by subject G~ at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

I was going to write about my wonderful Mother's Day gift, handmade by Casey...but while researching some things with him that relate to that gift, I found something that just made my blood boil over on eHow.

I mean, here I've been looking at a lot of cool info on this site today thinking to myself Hey, what a cool site! since I'd never seen it before...then I find the very last link at the bottom.... go on. Go look for yourself. Alll the way at the bottom under the last 'category'. A category which, in my opinion, doesn't have an ounce of business on the "natural world" page. As far as I'm concerned, that kinda thing? It's totally UNnatural!!!

And what of the unsuspecting parents and/or teachers who may be sending their students to research there? Sheesh!! What a curiosity-grabber down there for the little kiddies to find, eh?

Click the link, and you'll find, along with a wimpy, watery disclaimer, complete (according to whom? The Church of S@+@N? Who knows?) instructions on how to do the deed.

Aside from the sick trail the whole 0LLul+ 'category' leads you into, the site is all geared toward kids. THAT'S what ticks me most. And WHY is it on THAT page, of all pages, anyhow?!?

Gah.

Alls I gotta say is, Linda, lock up yer goats woman.

Grrrrr.

Posted by subject G~ at 01:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Your Personality Profile

You are pure, moral, and adaptable. You tend to blend into your surroundings. Shy on the outside, you're outspoken to your friends. You believe that you live a virtuous life... And you tend to judge others with a harsh eye. As a result, people tend to crave your approval.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You Are a Root Beer Jelly Bean

You are truly All American and down to earth. You don't have fancy tastes, and you don't apologize for who you are. You enjoy tradition and proven quality.

What Flavor Jelly Bean Are You?

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

HOW EMBARRASSING!!!!

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 7 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Your Brain is 60% Female, 40% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

LOL!...whatever!

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love. You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

*GASP!* No way! WAAAHHHH!!!

You Are Cindy Brady

Warm hearted and sweet, you have a childlike innocence that lets you see the good in everyone. But you're also a bit of a baby. You stick your nose where it doesn't belong... and cry when you get caught!

What Brady Are You?

Oh, yeah, bay-bay!

You Should Drive a Ford Shelby Mustang Cobra

You have an extreme need for speed, even when you're not in a hurry. And while your flying by, you don't want to look like every other car on the road!

What 2007 Car Should You Drive?

Your Observation Skills Get A B-

Your senses are pretty sharp (okay, most of the time) And it takes something big to distract you!

How Observant Are You?

YA THINK???!!!

Your Stress Level is: 59%

You are somewhat prone to stress, especially when life gets hard. When things are good, you resist stressing over little problems. But when things are difficult, you tend to freak out and find it hard to calm down.

How Stressed Are You?

huh?

Your French Name is:

Geneva Lebon

What's Your French Name?

LOL!

You Are a Boston Creme Donut

You have a tough exterior. No one wants to mess with you. But on the inside, you're a total pushover and completely soft. You're a traditionalist, and you don't change easily. You're likely to eat the same doughnut every morning, and pout if it's sold out.

What Donut Are You?

Hmmm.....

You Are 28% Happy

You're not miserable, but you could stand to be a lot happier. Focus on what's right in the world, and you'll be happier than you ever thought possible.

How Happy Are You?

woooah!

You Are Likely a First Born

At your darkest moments, you feel guilty. At work and school, you do best when you're researching. When you love someone, you tend to agree with them often. In friendship, you are considerate and compromising. Your ideal careers are: business, research, counseling, promotion, and speaking. You will leave your mark on the world with discoveries, new information, and teaching people to dream.

The Birth Order Predictor

Your Personality Is

Idealist (NF) You are a passionate, caring, and unique person. You are good at expressing yourself and sharing your ideals. You are the most compassionate of all types and connect with others easily. Your heart tends to rule you. You can't make decisions without considering feelings. You seek out other empathetic people to befriend. Truth and authenticity matters in your friendships. In love, you give everything you have to relationships. You fall in love easily. At work, you crave personal expression and meaning in your career. With others, you communicate well. You can spend all night talking with someone. As far as your looks go, you've likely taken the time to develop your own personal style. On weekends, you like to be with others. Charity work is also a favorite pastime of yours.

The Three Question Personality Test

You Have Low Self Esteem 68% of the Time

You tend to blame yourself when things go wrong, regardless of whether it's your fault or not. You're anxious to please others and rely too much on their opinions. Learn to please yourself first, and your confidence will soar.

How is Your Self Esteem?

You Are 82% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

How American Are You?

You Are 28% Selfish

In general, you are a very giving person who treats others very well. But at times, you insist on getting your way - when it matters most to you.

How Selfish Are You?

Your Blogging Type is Artistic and Passionate

You see your blog as the ultimate personal expression - and work hard to make it great. One moment you may be working on a new dramatic design for your blog... And the next, you're passionately writing about your pet causes. Your blog is very important - and you're careful about who you share it with.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

You Are 9% Vain

You don't have a vain bone in your body - almost as a matter of principal. You demand to be judged on who you are, not what you look like.

How Vain Are You?

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

You Are Austin

A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. You're totally weird and very proud of it. Artistic and freaky, you still seem to fit in... in your own strange way. Famous Austin residents: Lance Armstrong, Sandra Bullock, Andy Roddick

What American City Are You?

You Are a Traditional Christmas Tree

For a good Christmas, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. You already have traditions, foods, and special things you bring out every year.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

You Should Get a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts)

You're a blooming artistic talent, even if you aren't quite convinced. You'd make an incredible artist, photographer, or film maker.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

There you go now. Amazing what you can learn from silly little quizzies, eh? Have a great weekend!

Posted by subject G~ at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (12) | TrackBacks (0)

I think Dr. O, the Chiro, is helping me. The headaches are definately less frequent and I am SO HAPPEEEEEE!!!!!!

Woo! Praise the Lord! :D

The neck pain is even letting up now. You can't believe how much better that makes me feel!

If I just had some energy, that would be REALLLLY nice.

Monday, I got in to see my GP, Dr. K and he did a thyroid test jiggy. Seems my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is down, which means I'm taking too much thyroid med....so I'm getting a lower dose to start on. Maybe THAT will make me feel better.

I tell ya, there's not much worse thing you can have out of kelter than your thyroid....well, except your blood sugar...but that's noticed more immediately. The thyroid on the other hand, comes on slowly so you don't notice it. You just wake up one day and want to go right back to sleep and STAY ASLEEP ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!!!!

Gah. Anyhow, I'm praying that the lower dose will bring up the energy level. Please, Lord?!

He also put me on a 3-day Zpak, a 5-dayM3dr0l (pr3dni$on3) pak and some cough syrup for this awful hack I've had for over a month. Says it's "post bronchitis".

Ha. No duh! Sheesh! I'd called him about 2.or so weeks ago about it and he said to just wait and see if it cleared up on its own.....but I could come in to see him any time. Yeah.....

Gah. Anyhow, maybe I'm getting better. It WAS getting better by the time I saw the doc, but it just wouldn't GO AWAY! I didn't think I would be able to get rid of it on my own. If I was out in the night air, it'd get a little worse, ya know? So I figured I might oughta get some meds for it, bad as I hated to. *sigh*

According to the doc's scales, I'd lost about 14 pounds. Go me! That's just from not eating so much. Loss of appitite --- side effect from one of my other meds. I HOPE the change in thyroid med will let me have the energy to exercise a bit now! If I could just walk a little, or go down and use Mom's @bloung3r...that'd do wonders for my flabby ol' self, I'd think.

Maybe soon..... maybe soon.....

Okie-dokie....there you go. The Medical Mucky-Muck on Me. ;)

All you never wanted to know, huh?! LOL!

Posted by subject G~ at 08:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

I called about this homeschooling crapola with the insurance company. (see here)

I ended up talking to three different people. The lady who wrote the letter seemed the most blown-away by the news that no, Kentucky homeschoolers do NOT have to test, do NOT have to send "their stuff" to be graded, do NOT have to belong to an "organization who oversees" us, etc., etc. ad nauseum.

She finally put some man on the phone. He was much calmer about it, until I kept challenging him with facts. He finally said This is the first time we've ever had a situation where a parent wanted to sign the form.

So what? It's not my problem, buddy! He proceeded to tell me that other homeschoolers had the test proctors sign. To which I replied But we are not required to have our children tested. That's a purely voluntary thing.

Oh, oh...well, yes, I know....*mumble, mumble*..... .....but don't they [THEY?!? gah!] have to take a test to graduate?

No.

Well, don't they still have to test to get into college???

Yes, of course.

Well, when he takes that, you can get the test giver to sign your form.

WHA?!?!?! That's ridiculous! The form is stating that he has good grades and such. All the test proctor does is TEST. I don't see how that makes them qualitfied to sign the form??

GAH!

Finally, he copped out and said it wasn't them...it was the insurance company (they represent many companies) who wouldn't accept my signature.

Ahhh, of course it is.....

So, since we got an offer from another company recently, I've been told to call them and check on their prices and policy concerning homeschool students.

*sptooey!*

I spit on all insurance! *spit, spit, spit!*

(I'll be back...need some water....) *grumble, grumble*

Posted by subject G~ at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm so mad! I just opened a letter from our auto insurance stating:

That's it!!! No sorry. No, maybe I'm not understanding this. NOTHING!!

GARRRR! That just irks me hugely!

We filled out that good grade discount form jiggy. Of course, I signed it, like I always do with the title "teacher/advisor", which is what I am. And here I get this crapola back?!!?

RAAAAAAARRR!!!! I know for a fact that other companies in town have taken forms signed by parents. And besides that, we don't belong to any "organization" nor are we required by law to belong to one!! ARGH! The nerve of people!!!

I've been hunting around on the internet for something, SOMETHING that says No private or parochial school shall be compelled to join any organization or be required to obtain a signature from one. So there.

But so far, nothing. Sheesh!! Linda? Do you know of anything sorta-kinda like that? I've searched everything I can think of! I'm going crosseyed!

This is totally and wholly unfair and I'm not going to just take it. But I'm torn between just putting any ol' body's name on there, or letting some friend or stranger sign it...or slamming them with a ton of info....if I could FIND enough info. I was hoping to hit a goldmine of legal jargon I could go through with a bright neon yellow highlighter and mail them in a big manilla envelope. Ha!

So....c'mon, people. Can ya help me out?

Here are the facts about homeschooling in my state....

Children between ages of 6 & 16 must be "in school", must be taught in English, and be taught these core subjects: reading, writing, spelling, grammar, history, mathematics and civics. We are required only to inform the local school board each year that we will be teach our children at home, their ages and names. The school year must be minimum of 185 days (175 instruction + 10 off days), for a total of 1050 hours of instruction per year. We have to keep attendence records (I know, kinda weird) and 'scholarship' (grade) reports, to be kept in any manner we choose. The Dir. of Pupil Purse-on-el has authority to investigate any cases of violation of compulsary attendance laws, but "purpose for visiting a home school is to ensure that the requirements of compulsory attendance are being met and not to determine the quality of the instruction. This inspection of school records may be conducted in a neutral site rather than in the home."

So...how can they tell me that I have to have a signature from some organization that I'm not required to belong to?

HELP ME???!?!?? Pwease??

If you find something helpful, please email me. THANK YOU!!!

Posted by subject G~ at 01:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Obviously, eh?

They got back Saturday afternoon, around 4pm. Glad to be home, I think, and anxious to regale us with tales of the sights they saw in our nation's capitol. :) They have some gorgeous pix that make me ashamed that I dissed my li'l digicam so bad! LOL! They drove the ridge of the Sh@n3ndo@h V@ll3y on the way home, and the breath-taking pix come mostly from there.

There were, of course, protests going on, so they couldn't get close to the Whlte H0u$e. :( They did visit most all the other monuments, Arling+o0n, the T0mB of the Unkn0wN, several of the $mii+h$oni@n museums. They really had a blast, and I think Mom and Dad really enjoyed the trip too. :) :) :)

They all agreed that they still only scratched the surface of all there is to see and do there. *sigh* Maybe one of these days before we die, Tommy and I will get to go. Maybe! ;)

I hope to have some pix for you soon as I can get Corey to burn a CD for me!

~hugs~

Posted by subject G~ at 01:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, this whole week-without-kids thing has been completely different than I had imagined it'd be.

We've been eating out a lot. That's o k a y, but not like wildly enjoyable. Mostly we've been eating out because we're both so pooped it's either starve or go get something. Sheesh!

You wanna know what we did Sunday? After they packed up and left us, left me bawling after the whole 3-minute crash course on what to do if they all die---then went speeding off down the road, waving happily?!?!?!?!

Well, it was close to 11am by then, but we both kinda needed a bit of a recoup period, so we just flopped in the living room and talked about what all we could do...or rather, Tommy talked about what we could do, and I'd then inform him of how I didn't feel like it. Guh.

We'd been rushing around like crazy since rolling out of bed about four hours earlier. I had splashed my face with water just to get my eyes open and merely dragged a brush through my hair and snapped a couple of barrettes into it to keep the bangs outta my face. I pulled on an old "work" t-shirt and a bleach-spotted pair of jeans. That was the extent of my attire. As for Tommy? I don't think he'd even combed his hair. He had on the shirt he'd worn when we took the boys out to eat the night before. Unbelievably, it didn't have food on it. He'd put on the same jeans, too, which wasn't a big deal considering he'd only had them on a little over an hour. Doing laundry is not my favorite thing, y'know. But it'd been nice if he had hung them up instead of just throwing them on the floor if he was going to wear them again. *sigh* He put on one of probably two pair of totally white socks then his paint-spotted light-camel colored suede boat shoes. The ones that all the boys grab anytime they need to run outside for a minute...in the mud, rain, snow, etc...

With this in mind..... we finally opted to just run over to Kay-Eff-See to pick up some chicken. Since we were doing the drive thru, nobody was going to doll-up, so we just jumped in the truck and left. Of course, as we pulled away, Tommy says, "You wanna go down to the lake and eat?"

Gah! It's quite a drive to the lake, first of all. Secondly, Karen was gonig to by coming by in a little while to discuss possible purchase of the Trep. Thirdly? WE LOOKED LIKE CRAP WITH A HEAPING SIDE OF CRAP!!!

Sheesh! So, I said how's about we just find somewhere closer with trees where we can hear birds?

Okay...so we drove to the other side of town to an area that's pretty wooded...it's near the County Extention Ofc...that's right across from the Eff-Bee-Eye Complex...which are both located behind the next couple of places I'll mention.

We pulled into the parking lot and Tommy says, "Duh! Why didn't we just go down to the pond at home?!?!" Sheesh! I agreed, so we drove on through the shopping center, where Tommy then says, "Heeeeeyyyyy, is Seers open today?!---I need to go in there..." I says fine, then I need to go in BeegLoots, which is right next door.

"Are you gonna go like that?" asks a very unwise Tommy. I say, "Why not? What are you trying to say? Besides, are YOU going to go like THAT?" To which he answers, "Well, I'm game if you are." And I reply, "Fine, but if we see anybody we know, I will slit your throat."

"Um, well, okay," says a nervous Tommy, "do you just wanna eat right here in the parking lot?!" Um....well, it's not like I haven't done that before...so.....we proceed to partake of our chicken dinner, FINALLY, in the parking lot at the shopping center.

Soon there's an old car that pulls into the space in front of us. And older man, probably close to 80, gets out. He's wearing a bright pink oxford shirt and slacks, a big watch and big rings. From the passenger side steps a woman close to the same age, probably a bit younger, wearing faded red peddal pushers that are a little too small, a sleeveless top with one of those metal-link belts at her waist, the ends of it hitting about her knees. Over that she has a sleeveless tunic. Her longish hair is tied back in a scarf. She has sparkly thongs on her feet (gasp! don't even GO there!!) She was quite thick in the middle and they were a funny site, so of course we began to analyze them.

I explained to Tommy that she was his mistress and was carrying his love child. You could tell he was a swinger by the pink shirt. Oh, and by those support undies wrapped around the car annena.

Um, yeah.

Anyhow...yes, we DID go into the stores all nasty and grody looking. Nobody knew us, thank the Lord. I bought a few goodies in BL, and Tommy bought NOTHING in Seers, PTL! ;) He did find out how to exchange a faulty tool, though.

So, that's how we spent that first evening, other than starting car-deal talk with Karen.

Which brings me to yesterday when WE SOLD THE TREP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO &-a HOO!!!!

Yep. Tommy checked on the damage to her other vehichle and it was beyond repair unless she wanted to sink about 2K into it. GAH! So, she paid half down and will make payments on the rest. Corey's thrilled.

The Dee-Cee Crew are having a great time, it seems. Corey lost his 'net access after that first night. But we've been talking by phone when "free minutes" begin. Heh! He says he has tons of pix and I can't even begin to take in all the info he tries to give me.

He said he'd written a post like that second day, so we'll have to see what that's like when he gets back. Casey and the Grands are doing great too. Sounds like they will start heading back soon. Dad's got so many calls for work...well, it's getting critical. *sigh*

Anyhow, they're planning to be back sometime Sunday evening, so the trip isn't gonna last as long as they'd hoped or planned. But I can't wait to hear all the poop!! ;Þ

Since we got the Trep sold and transferred yesterday, we are now concentrating on the Fast Horsey, here on out referred to as FH. *snicker* It is now paid off and we have the title in hand. Problem is it's a salvage title and we need to get it cleared, but that means fixin' which means buyin' parts and WORK!!!

They've had fits trying to find the wheels for this FH. They're kinda rare or something and Corey wants to put it back stock. They ARE really cool wheels. Anyhow, one is cracked, so we've been on the hunt for another (or two, since another one is damaged (but not dangerous to drive with). Tommy finally tracked down a place in TN that has at least one, plus the fender that's needed. And I THINK that'll be all the parts they need to get started working on this bay-bay. ;) After they get that stuff done, then they have to take it for inspection, pay a lofty fee so they can get the cleared title back in 2 days, instead of 2 weeks. Considering we'll be down to one vehicle til then, it's kinda important.

We've told Corey he can't use our vehicle to drive to Duh County anymore! That's when the check engine light started coming on.

Okay, okay...I'm kidding about the not driving to Duh County, but not about the light. However, if he breaks it driving to or from Duh County?--- then WE GET THE FAST HORSEY!!! WOOO! ROFL! He'll have to hoof it or pedal it back and forth to Duh from now on and get some sort of basket for The Girl. ROFLMBO!!!!!!!!! (now that would be worth hiding in wait with a camera, wouldn't it Girl's Mother?! LOL!)

Oh, well...anyhow, looks like we'll be heading to TN sometime tomorrow to get some parts. Tommy's hating to take more time off work (he had to take off most of the day yesterday to take care of the Trep stuff) but there's NO WAY I'm going down there on a Saturday. Traffic is HORRIBLE!!!!!

Alrighty then. I think that gets you all up to date. Other than telling you that I've got this horrible dry wheezy hacking cough that about kills me each night? Yeah, that's it. I'm tired. Very tired.

Have a wonderful weekend if I don't post before then!!!

Blessings!

Posted by subject G~ at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

...at least it sure is if you're homeschooling (or just like science?) ;) Go see anyhows.

Spunky is giving away a Benz Microscope and Apologia Biology Set this week. Click Here to get the details.

Posted by subject G~ at 03:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Linda made me do it!

Candy Cigarettes

You're a total bada$$, but you don't taste very good.

What Kind of Candy Are You?

What?!?! Sheesh! Um, well, I would never EVER descibe myself that way, or anything CLOSE to that way...but I used to love getting candy cigarettes!!! Maybe it was that pretending-to-be-oh-so-bad thing??? ROFLMBO!!!

Go figger?

Posted by subject G~ at 09:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm going to be "graduating" my first born this year. SOMEtime. Whenever he's finished with his courses. He says at the very latest it will be 12/31/06 12:59pm. If that is the case, then I guess the ceremony will have to wait til mid-January, but that's okay too.

I have a plan for what I'd like to do regarding a ceremony/celebration. I just think it'd be a shame to let such a momentous occasion pass without a real celebration or at least some formal recognition! Besides that? I really think that it would be a good thing for some naysayers in the family to see that Corey's turned out just fine. More than fine. Exceptional.

I'm not bragging. Really. Ask anyone who knows him. He's a really outstanding boy. Not like any other you're likely to meet. And I suspect he'd be that way no matter what, but I also suspect that had he gone to pub-a-lick sk-oo-l, he'd have been much less "deep", less thoughtful, less determined, less interested in so many different things.

And I think he'd have been lots more shallow or um...egotistical. He's always gotten the "Oh, he's gonna be a ladykiller" remarks, even when he was a baby! And I always hated that because I didn't want him to have that "Oh, I am gorgeous" mindset, ya know?

For the most part, he's a fairly humble guy....although he has his moments. Sheesh! ;) But mostly he's pretty tolerable. Of course, as his mother, I am completely within my rights to say...he IS a most handsome young man!

That aside, Corey is pretty uninterested in any graduation kinda thing. *sigh* I dunno what I'm gonna do with him. Well, besides just MAKE him do it! LOL!

I want to print up announcements, do some cap & gown pix to send along. I found some gorgeous paper that's perfect for a diploma and I think I can even get a seal put on it...I'll have to check back into that....

LOL....I even tried to hatch a plan with his girlfriend (who's also homeschooled, by the way.....) to take some prom pix of them!!! I told her we could go to the nearly new shops and find her a sparkly dress...find Corey a bow tie and cumberbund, and just snap away!! Corey said it was silly and people would know that they hadn't gone to any of the proms here. I told him to say when asked which prom, "It was at a private school." And to make it all proper like, he could get her some prettier-than-a -corsage fresh flowers from the store and I'd turn on the stereo and they could like dance on the patio with candles and chaperones and drink punch from plastic cups! LOL!

Well, I didn't tell them that last part, but I got to thinking just to make it like, you know, a REAL prom...LOL! I don't really think the whole prom thing bothers either one of them. But I thought a prom-ish pic would be sorta easy to pull off. Maybe I shoulda talked to the girlfriends mother? Um, hey....Girlfriend's mother?!?! You out there?!?! Any comments on this idea?!??! ;)

Oh, well....I'm biting off more than I can chew I guess....which means I must be feeling at least a little better. Praise the Lord for that!!

Ahhhh....thanks for letting me talk-blog through my bout of melancholy. You guys are the greatest! ;) Now I'm off to check the Dee-Cee weather!

~hugs & stuff~

Posted by subject G~ at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I have survived the first 3/4 day without my little childrens. *sigh* Okay, so they're not so little. I tend to wax nostalgic these days anyway and let them go 800 miles away? Well that just turns it on hot and heavy.

Lately, I walk by and see those big bottles of bubbles...y'know, the kind you blow through the long plastic wand? And my mind flies back to the days when I could buy one of those and we could spend hours in the yard just laughing....me blowing bubbles while the kids chased them and played with various pets. I see coloring books and think how I used to buy them and we'd color and cut out the pictures or stick them on the fridge. How we made homemade clay once, and it was a big flop, but we had a ball squishing it on the counter. Then we got some REAL clay, and the boys made beads (a future necklace project that never got finished) and little men with oversized smiles and eyes....

Lord, how I miss those days. *sniffle*

I guess I'm with Kym and a few others I've talked with and read lately. We have new and slightly-less-than-new teens and we don't know how they got that way. We're suffering from the Where Did My Baby Go syndrome. The symptoms are feeling as if you were just holding your wiggly giggly infant a few hours ago, your laughing toddler's chubby hand mere minutes ago, and snuggling your six-year-old under the covers while you giggled about how the flashlight made your faces look just a few seconds ago. You could just swear it was so!

And now? You're there looking at not so much children as young adults, who claim to be, are supposed to be your BABIES!!! WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?!?!?!?

I'm not through with my babies yet. *cry* How does a mother deal with the regret that she didn't spend enough time giggling and playing? That maybe she freaked about spilled juice a bit much? That she didn't take the children places because she felt so bad those days and couldn't? That maybe she wasted those fleeting, precious years?

CAN a mother deal with it? Obviously, most do since there are so many happy grammas out there. I just can't help feeling SOOOOO melancholy these days.

My little boys are gone!!! They are practically men now. (well, not Casey...he still has some pesky boy things going on....and lordy, how I'm struggling to "appreciate" them so I don't feel even worse when he's gone....)

....to be continued......

Posted by subject G~ at 08:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)