Southern By Grace

SPF--Shaun Style

Alrighty folks, this week, the lovely Kristine is away doing wedding stuff with her mom and sister, and she left her "baby" in the oh-so-competant hands of her betrothed, Shaun. So, this weeks SPF is Shaun's brainchild, and what follows is my attempt at putting my version together! First, we were to give ya a picture with a story behind it, and well, this one is the story of the "Rice Krispie Treat Bandit". This here picture is representing what happens when Mom makes Rice Krispie Treats (loved by all who call this place home) and then goes out to the prarie to battle the drought (water her plants) armed only with a green hose. While the said treats were cooling on the table, this here lil bandit snuck stealthily past my trusty security force (his father and brothers), managed to pull a chair away from the table, climb on TOP of the table, and yank practically the entire batch from its cooling chamber (baking dish)! This is what happens when Mom walks in, spies the goings on in the kitchen, grabs her camera, and screeches, "AHA!" He ducked. LOL (He was about 1.5 yrs old.) Now, for this one, I'm cheating a bit (okay, a LOT). We have been instructed to select a "random" shot and something "borrowed", well this one fits the bill in both instances. It's definitely random and I definitely borrowed (stole) it from someone else. *grin* So, okay, y'all write the caption on THIS! Hehehe Didja play? I wanna see! :)

posted by Gracie @ 6/29/2006 09:26:00 PM 16 comments

Friendship

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one!'" C.S. Lewis

posted by Gracie @ 6/29/2006 09:11:00 PM 2 comments

Huh???

Can I just say WTF is up with this layout???? And can it be fixed????? Any ideas?? Crap.

posted by Gracie @ 6/29/2006 08:31:00 AM 4 comments

Thoughts n Things

First, let me just say how incredible you are. Thank you. Sometimes, we do just feel so alone, and it was refreshing to realize that I'm not. I may not be surrounded by people in my immediate world who understand, but there IS someone (lots of someones) who understands. Now, all we have to do is work on bridging the miles. :) Next, I'll leave you with these thoughts, as the things that are flitting 'round my head are so scattered, I'm not sure I could coherently put them into words. ************************************************************************** This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day. You may not realize it's 100% true. 1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for. 2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. 3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. 4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. 5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. 6. You mean the world to someone. 7. You are special and unique. 8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. 9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it. 10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look. 11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks. Last, but not least-- When life hands you lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over ;-) *hugs*

posted by Gracie @ 6/28/2006 10:22:00 PM 3 comments

I do it to myself...

All I have to do is take one pill a day--one little white pill. That's it. And I am more uncrazy than I am without the pill. And do I do it? No. Why don't I just take the damn pill and be done with it? I don't like it when I feel like this. I can stop myself from feeling like this. And yet, I DO IT TO MYSELF! WTF It's because when I'm feeling good, I just don't remember. (Remember the whole "I forget stuff a lot; all the time" rant?) And when I start feeling badly, it's already too late and it will take at least 3 days to get the levels back up to where they need to be for sanity's sake. I hate having to take pills to make me feel "normal" for the rest of my life. I'm from the school where ya only took pills as recreation--not because ya HAD to or else. *eye roll* Okay, so here's the deal: I'm laying low for a day or two until I come up with something really cool to talk about. LOL Something other than the fact I am FINALLY getting the new fax/printer/scanner at work. How dull is my life when that's the highlight? Shoot me. Please. Ciao*

posted by Gracie @ 6/27/2006 08:34:00 PM 9 comments

Insensitivity Training

I need it. I need to quit being so dang sensitive. I hate the trait. I hate feeling snubbed or dissed or whatever by someone I know. (Not sure why, but it's much easier to "retaliate" to a stranger.) I think the reason it bothers me so much is because I know it's a weakness in my make up. I try blowing them off; ignoring them; making excuses in my head for their actions/words. In fact (laughing here) one of the things that "some people" say they love about me is the fact that I'm able to "analyze" others actions and "see them". Well that's just dandy. It still freakin' hurts, though, whether I know why they did it or not. I guess, truthfully, being able to understand it makes it easier to accept. Still. Doesn't make it right. *********************************** Have you ever realized that the root word of analyze is anal? LMAO Yup, that's me! Miss Anal! *eye roll* Type A; OCD; First-Class-Worrier. I try to fight my tendencies, I do. I've tried to "make over" myself. And oh, I'm pretty successful at times. It's because of those successes that some people have the wrong impression of me. It's because of those successes at overthrowing my natural tendencies that some people think I'm a little bipolar. It's because of those successes that I think I'm nuts (most days). I get so incredibly tired of picking up and straightening other people's messes that sometimes I just think I'm just being too picky and I need to relax--so I do. But then no one else picks up the slack and then I totally freak out because everything is mess, and the clothes hasn't been folded correctly, and the chair is not at the right angle, and the table needs to be wiped off, and the dishes aren't in the dishwasher properly, and the cushions on the couch need straightening, and the doors to the laundry area aren't closed and...and...and...I become Psycho Woman. And then I get overwhelmed and want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head. For. The. Rest. Of. My. Life. But I can't. I have kids, yanno? I try. Really. I do. ***************************************** I read an article this morning about a "new" realization: Blogging has become the new journaling! Wow. Really? No way. Why is it that by the time the experts get around to officializing something, everyone else already realizes it? Wait. That's not true. There are two ends of the spectrum here. The "experts" are either stating the obvious or making a mountain out of a molehill. And to think? They get paid BIG BUCKS for doing that! Man, I wish I was an "expert"! LOL Or at least recognized as one!! So, back to the beginning: When others are brusque, rude or just plain nasty to you, what do you do?

posted by Gracie @ 6/26/2006 07:40:00 AM 11 comments

Ewwwwwwwwwww

*begin rant* I really haven't been following the World Cup like I should, for as big of a soccer fan as I am, but I've been busy. I wanted to read the update on AOL a minute ago and clicked on the link for the article. Imagine my disgust when, while flipping thru the slide show, I saw this. Really. I could've lived a full and complete life without seeing it. I mean, sheesh. Doesn't the news have anything better to do? Have we gotten to a point in our society that we're not satisfied with simply READING about things like this? Ugh. *eye roll* *end rant*

posted by Gracie @ 6/25/2006 09:26:00 PM 0 comments

Why I'm Broke

This is a picture of just one of my pantrys. I have another one, too. It's also full. These two things and the overflowing freezer are why we are broke. Or maybe it's the fact we have three growing boys. Two teenagers and one high-metabolism 4 year old. *shakes my head* Y'all... I know there are lots of people out there with more children. I know there are lots of people out there who live in more expensive areas of the country. But y'all! I went to the grocery store this morning (with the MawMaws cuz I hate Hate HATE grocery shopping in a store full of people!) and spent $220! And that's a cheap week! What the hell? I used to spend $200 for a MONTH'S groceries when the big boys were little. Sheesh. I don't buy a bunch of junk food either (as you can see). Yes, there are some staple junk items in there, but c'mon--one can only get away with giving their kid so many carrots and grapes for snacks! Anyway... You can also see I cheap shop, ie: I don't always buy "brand name" products. Jeepers! Can you imagine how much I'd be spending if I did that?? Argh. Y'all please tell me I'm not nuts. Let me know that I'm not the only one who thinks food is outrageously priced, that my children eat entirely too much, and that the price of gas is affecting us all the way to the grocery store... Other than bitching about the price of food and people at the store, my day is going well. How's yours?

posted by Gracie @ 6/24/2006 01:06:00 PM 9 comments

SPF

Continuing with the theme of her wedding, the lovely Kristine has chosen the subjects our drinking glasses, our address book, and something new for this weeks Stuff Portrait Friday. So, here are my glasses. Nothing fancy, but they work! I'm a little embarrassed to show you my address book (but I will) because it is proof of my OCD. I couldn't find the "perfect" book, so I kinda created my own using a Monet calendar. I hated the boring dividers in the type of book I wanted, so I chopped up an old calendar and pasted the pictures I wanted onto the dividers so that it was esthetically pleasing! So now, I DO have the "perfect" addy book for me! :) How does one make a picture of a camera look interesting? LOL No clue! But here is my something new. :) I'm still getting used to it, so I'm not sure I like it any better than my old one, yet, though I'm told I'm supposed to be totally impressed with it. We'll see. lol Didja play? I wanna see! Y'all have a GREAT day!!!

posted by Gracie @ 6/23/2006 07:09:00 AM 22 comments

Thursday Thirteen

There's supposed to be a link here that will connect you with other "Thursday Thirteeners" but, I can't find it right now, so just pretend, k? Good.

This week's Thursday Thirteen is brought to you by the word "happy."

I am happy when I think about my babies smiling at me and meaning it (not a gas bubble smile).

I am happy when I receive flowers.

I am happy when I cook an entire meal from scratch and people love it.

I am happy when I can sit and read a good book--uninterrupted.

I am happy when my house is clean (to my standards).

I am happy when I come home and it is obvious someone TRIED to clean the house(to my standards).

I am happy when I'm wrapping presents.

I am happy when I wake up and the sun is shining and I feel rested.

I am happy when I'm doing my Christmas baking.

I am happy when I am on my "Mom's Day/Weekend Out."

I am happy when I come home from my "Mom's Day/Weekend Out."

I am happy when I get shiny, sparkly things in little boxes. *grin*

I am really happy when I'm getting hugs good night from my kids...(even the 16 yr old still hugs me good night).

And tha-tha-tha-that's all folks!

posted by Gracie @ 6/21/2006 09:12:00 PM 5 comments

Waiter

I don't know if or how many of you have ever heard of "Waiter", but he's over there on waiterrant.net and y'all need to read his latest post. I enjoy him cuz he's humorous and real, and he makes me think. He writes like he's "so old and wise" when in fact, he's younger than I (for the record, I'm not old either!). He's just an old soul. He's seen a lot in his business. Maybe he's just seen a lot in general. So, when and if you have time, go check him out. And if you really have some time, read through some of his archives. I guarantee you'll smile at some point. You might even guffaw. And you'll definitely think. :) Enjoy!

posted by Gracie @ 6/21/2006 06:34:00 PM 0 comments

Way Back Wednesday!

Happy Summer Solstice!! To celebrate the first official day of summer let's see some summery things... bathing suits, beaches, BBQs, water balloon fights, wet t-shirt contests... you name it! I always forget about this, but I'm on top of things this week! LOL ************************************** No future Hollywood star is completely dressed without her shades! Of course, I'm still waiting on the "Hollywood star" bit... (and that's a flaw in the picture, not a booger!) *************************************

One of my favorite pictures EVER!

He was watching the helicopters over the water--

not checkin out babes! LOL

*************************************

Can ya see my lil sand friend?

I sat there with my camera ready for like 20 min waiting to get a picture of this thing.

Everytime I'd lean forward to snap the picture, he'd scoot back into his hole.

Finally! I got him!

And no summer, in my book, was ever complete without the annual trip to Ohio to spend a month or so on my grandparent's farm. You can see a pic of us there if ya click this!

posted by Gracie @ 6/20/2006 05:39:00 PM 6 comments

Hey!

...so y'all like the new pad? It's a kinda groovy lay out and feels nice and summery. :) Soooo... Miss me? :) We had an absolutely wonderful time on our little trip to Mobile. I tooka crapload of pics. LOL The weather was perfect. I seriously couldn't have ordered better weather. Being near the shore just reminds me all over again why I love it so much. It doesn't matter how blisteringly hot and disgustingly humid it is--there is ALWAYS a breeze! And I LOVE IT! We did so much in such a short period of time, it feels like we were gone longer. The boys loved swimming at the pool. We all enjoyed being at the USS Alabama and the USS Drum (see Flickr for pics>>>). While being on a WW2 era ship and sub are awe inspiring, it was standing on the beach at Ocean Springs that truly blew me away. We drove down there on our way home because I hadn't been there since Katrina. The closer we got to the shore, the more you could tell how affected the area was. There is still trash in treetops. Huge trees uprooted. Blue tarps on roofs. FEMA campers in driveways or worse--on foundations. We got out of the car at the beach and just stood there...taking it all in. The erosion is unbelievable. A house that was built in the Southern Gothic style with pillars has only its foundation and the pillars standing. There is an empty lot with a great view...and a concrete slab and small child's bicycle in what used to be the driveway for sale. The creek that runs alongside a piece of property is littered with trash and broken limbs. And it all stinks. Still. We tried to follow Hwy 90 to Biloxi and Gulfport back to Louisiana, but the bridge is still out at Biloxi, so all traffic is rerouted to the interstate. We didn't try to get back down there. It was depressing enough just seeing what we did. I didn't need to gawk at anything else. As I was taking pictures, it occured to me how sick this all was--me out there with the kids "siteseeing" other people's destroyed lives. I quit taking pictures after that realization. It just felt too weird. But I did want them to see it. To experience it as much as possible. I wanted their hearts to break for what other people had lost and to realize that it could easily have happened to us. If Katrina would've come in few hundred miles to the west and that would've been our home, possibly, or our friends and family's homes... It was quite sobering. But let me end this on a happy note: We had a GREAT time! Y'all seriously need to get away for a few days. Just kick back, relax, order in, or eat out. Take a break from reality, if only for 24 hours. It is SO worth it!

posted by Gracie @ 6/20/2006 03:34:00 PM 3 comments

Daddy

This is my daddy. I could, and would love to wax poetic about him, but I can't. I can't get emotional right now, and that's what would happen if I tried to tell y'all much about him. I can say this...

• It's been 5 years (on the 19th) since he's been gone, but I still miss him like it was yesterday.
• He was a hard-ass as a father, and I was really afraid of him when I was young.
• After he and my mom got divorced (I was 15), he got much softer.
• He and I became very good friends after I was an adult.
• He was an awesome grandfather.
• He loved me.
• He loved my children.
• I miss him.

Now, I'm going to share a few pics...because I'm out of words.

posted by Gracie @ 6/18/2006 07:47:00 AM 6 comments

I Forget

I forget stuff--A LOT. All the time. Everyday. It used to be that I'd forget things occasionally. After I had my first child, my older (wiser) friends told me to prepare myself for losing my mind. If only I'd have taken them serious, I'd have been more prepared, I think. It used to be that I'd forget the occasional thing. You know, I'd forget to write something on the grocery list, or forget to mail that package, or pay that bill *(eye roll)*. Then it started getting a little worse. I'd walk with purpose into a room and promptly forget what I'd gone to do/retrieve. I've heard and read things about forgetfulness getting worse with menopause, but lately it's just become ridiculous. I forget where I'm going while driving!! *forcryingoutloud* I'll be toodling down the road and look around and have no clue as to why I'm where I am or where I'm supposed to be going. OR I'll be driving and take a turn and then realize I just turned the wrong direction. ugh. Last week, I was driving #1Son to school and he was looking for something in his booksack, when he picked up his head and said, "Mom? Where we going?" I looked around and said, "I dunno. Where we supposed to be going?" Today, I went to the store and pulled into the parking space and couldn't remember why I'd gone. So I went shoe shopping instead. (Didn't find anything cute...and that's beside the point.) I still can't remember why I went to the store! I'm sure people at work think I'm totally efficient. I walk around with a little notepad and pen. If I don't write it down, it doesn't get done. (I crack myself up because I imagine me as one of those ubercool secretaries from the 50s! Now all I need to do is learn shorthand!) It's bad, y'all. LOL I think I'll call the doc next week and make an appt. I need to call him anyway and check with him about these headaches, too. I just hope I'm not getting Alzheimer's! That would bite. Bigtime. Because so many of y'all enjoyed the "old" pic from SPF, I'm including this pic of Daddy and the tennis team he was on at Clark AFB. I love my old pics...and am thankful I have them. Cheerio!

posted by Gracie @ 6/16/2006 06:03:00 PM 7 comments

Stuff Portrait Friday!

It's time for another round of Stuff Portrait Friday brought to us by the "lady of the house" over at Random and Odd. She wants to see "my puzzle, my best, and something old" (ahhh, a twist on the wedding!). So, without further ado, here are my offerings... (Keystone Cops Pose For A Picture) I'm cheating a little bit by using one picture for two... My puzzle: How in the world do I get more than one person into place at the same time? My best: My family. :) Something Old: A picture of Daddy and a friend posing at Clark AFB, Phillipines. This was taken during the Korean Conflict, 1951. Didja play? I wanna see!! :)

posted by Gracie @ 6/16/2006 05:58:00 AM 15 comments

Humpday Happenings

Wednesday is my favorite day of the week. It has been as long as I can remember--even before I heard it referred to as "humpday." It truly is the ha'f way point, well, except for now. LOL I only work 4 days during the summer, so in today's case, it means tomorrow is the last day of the week! Wow. Now that's a cool perspective! I am actually enjoying myself so far. Just acclimating myself to the placement of things and moving a few things around slowly, but surely. I mentioned that it "sure would be nice" if we got WindowsXP for my computer, and a scanner, and a new mouse and Norton and today I was told to do some price shopping for everything but Norton. (I'd already done my homework on that and put it in the right box!) Yay! I may get Christmas in June! Heh. I can definitely handle that!! Owait. I won't be there Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday. Okay, well, I might go back Wednesday. I just remembered we're leaving Sunday afternoon to go on our "little" vacation. Hmmph. Well, I guess IF they get anything cool, it'll still be there when I go back. :) So yes, we're going on our trip. It's nothing far or fancy, but the boys will love it. We're driving over to Mobile to tour the USS Alabama and USS Drum. I saw it years ago once when we stopped on our way to Florida. We're not gonna go to FL though. The place we loved is gone--Perdido. Well, I suppose it's still THERE, just not like we last saw it. We were there 3 years ago just before Ivan came through and flattened it. I spent lots of great summers in Perdido...It'll come back, I'm sure. Anyway, we're gonna tour the Alabama and the big mega complex they've built up now and then drive back along Hwy 90 (as much as possible) to get a real-life view of what Katrina did. I'm sure that will be depressing, but I think it's something the kids need to see. We had so many evacuees here and where we are was damaged so little, I want them to have a real understanding of what CAN happen. We're not going to do as much as I'd originally planned because we're leaving #1Son behind to continue with summer school. He knew missing vacation was going to be a consequence if he didn't pass Algebra...Now he gets to see what it's like to have real responsibilities and live up to them. I sure hope your week is going well and that you're not suffering too much from this incredible Southern heat. Ugh. TTFN* :)

posted by Gracie @ 6/14/2006 09:07:00 PM 3 comments

Today...

isn't one of those stellar days, but it was better than yesterday. At least everyone is still alive. It was questionable for a bit there last night. You ever hear of the defense, "He just needed killin'."? That would've been mine. I think I may have honed in on a possible cause of my headaches--high bloodpressure. I had HBP before my surgery last November and had to be on meds before they'd operate, but while in the hospital, it bottomed out and the doctor recommended I quit the meds. I was supposed to get it rechecked after I got home, but because of LIFE, I never did. Evidently, murderous headaches is a side effect of HBP...Go figure. So, I'll be making an appt to have that checked out again...soon. Work is fine. Uneventful. Except for the fact they're running Windows 2000 and have no firewall or antiviral protection. Argh. I ran updates on my computer and cleaned the disk and defragged and d/l Ad-aware anti-spy program today. Like I said, uneventful. Hope y'all have a GREAT night :)

posted by Gracie @ 6/13/2006 07:33:00 PM 2 comments

And that's all I have to say about that.

posted by Gracie @ 6/12/2006 09:25:00 PM 4 comments

The TAGGED Results

Okay, because it's Monday morning, I just woke up, and coffee hasn't kicked in yet, ie: brain's not functioning fully, I'm gonna fill in the blanks to the tag I got from Cheeky last week! ("Finally!" she says.) I am going to be on a deserted island and I have to pick my favorites to bring along with me. My 3 favorite:

• To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• The Bible
• The Five Complete Novels of Agatha Christie's Murder and Mysteries book (Hah! I knew there was a way to get more books in!!)

Movies: Hmmm. Another hard one.

• The Godfather (first installment)
• Gone With The Wind (I can never watch the part where Scarlett is in her bedroom the morning after Rhett has "taken" her and she pulls out a picture of Ashley and he catches her mooning over him. TURNS MY STOMACH. I just wanna bitch slap her.)
• My Fair Lady

Music: Good Grief! How's a girl who lives with a song in her head supposed to choose ONLY three???

• LeRoux--I've compiled a CD of LeRoux songs and I am always hearing one of them in my head, so I think I'd need this, for sure.
• Styx--The "Best of" CD will do.
• I NEED one of my homemade CDs with favorite singles on it--The Mamas and the Papas, Journey, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, Nelly, Pussycat Dolls, Blackeyed Peas, Audioslave, DJ Trashy, etc. You get the picture. LOL

People: Like Ms. Cheeky assumed, I'm listing three people who I'm not related to.

• I dunno why, but I used to assume I was the only woman in the world with a HUGE crush on this guy--Matthew McConaughey. Imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered otherwise! Sorry girls, he's gonna be busy for a bit. He's gonna be on my deserted island. Heh. Playing my bongos. Double heh.
• Wendy--we've been friends since Jr. High and still love to spend time with one another. We've been through thick and thin and back again...Time, distance and families don't allow us to spend enough time together, so yeah, she's comin with me, for sure!
• Angelina--we've had some great experiences together and she can always make me laugh. And I have a feeling if I were "trapped" on this island, I'd need to be laughing an awful lot!

Oy Vey! Now comes the part where I'm supposed to tag three people. LOL I have no idea!

How bout I leave this open? If ya feel like doing this, then go for it! LOL I'm so lazy, I know!!

I'll leave y'all with this "Thought For The Day."

Hope y'all have a GREAT one!!

posted by Gracie @ 6/12/2006 05:59:00 AM 3 comments

Stupidity Rant

"It's so amazing to me how blind some people can be; they close their eyes complaining they can't see..." Carrie's Gone by LeRoux What struck me this morning was the stupidity of some parents. I don't know if you've paid any attention to the story about the sixteen year old who conned her mother into getting her a passport so she could go "on a trip to Canada with friends" or not, but let me just say--O MY GOD! What kind of woman is this? I don't consider myself to be an over protective parent, but neither am I terribly lenient either. I think I do a pretty good job of loosening the apron strings at a progressive clip. But let me just say: IF my child, no matter if he was an honor student or had never given me a lick of trouble in his life or not, came to me and asked me to get him a passport so he could LEAVE THE COUNTRY with other KIDS, I would be in communication with the other parents to firm up plans on where they'd be staying, who all was going, etc. Also, I would KNOW these other kids--not just know their names, I would personally KNOW them. My child (juvenile/minor) will not be leaving the country with "some friends"; ever. And I dont' think that I'm overreacting or being overprotective, either. I just don't "get" where this mother is coming from. I am extremely thankful her daughter was found prior to meeting with the 24 yr old man she flew ha'f way around the world to meet. (Who knows if she'd have ever been seen or heard from again if she had.) I am extremely thankful she has returned safely. And yanno, I'm not sure, if it were my child, what I'd do now. That decision would come after I'd calmed down enough to be in the same room with her.

posted by Gracie @ 6/11/2006 01:02:00 PM 3 comments

SPF

Okay, so here's the deal. This week, the lovely Kristine has given us interesting guidelines (to say the least). But, because I'm SUCH a good girl (in the BEST definition of the word), I will use the purest sense of the meanings for this week's SPF (um, yeah.). Oh yeah, just cuz I'm nice n stuff, you get bonus pics. (again, yeah, right. I just couldn't make up my mind.) Without further ado: SPF ASSIGNMENT: 1. A wide open space. 2. Brightness 3. In the dark My wide open spaces consist of: The Seattle skyline (taken from the Bremerton ferry). And here's the view from one of those "on the side of the road" places in the Tennessee part of Smoky Mountain Nat'l Park. For something bright, I thought this pic of some friends' paintball field fit the bill. The boys had a BLAST! Hey! How'd this picture get in here? *snicker* He's got such a bright smile. Ya just gotta love it! *Ignore the not-yet-fully-decorated tree* Ahhhh, yes. In the dark. Well, this picture of the Vegas strip was definitely taken "in the dark." This is taken from the top of the "Eiffel Tower" at the Paris Hotel (which was directly across from our hotel). *sigh* Can I go back NOW? Pretty please? Okiedokie. Assignment complete! And it's still Thursday night! OMG How freakin' efficient am I? Um. Hah! I just know I'll be busy tomorrow, and I wanted to play, so I did my homework tonight! *wink* Y'all have great Fridays and let me know if ya played. I'll stop by. :)

posted by Gracie @ 6/08/2006 09:19:00 PM 30 comments

Gah! FINALLY!

Has blogger been down ALL afternoon? Forcryinoutloud! So, I came home from work, wrote out my post, and couldn't get connected. Came back an hour later--same story. Forgot about it, came back a minute ago, and STILL DOWN. Sheesh. So what you get below, is my post I wrote this afternoon at 3pm. And wtf? Today is Thursday? Owell. No Thursday Thirteen from me. Have to go work on SPF for tomorrow... PS: Have I mentioned that I'm allergic to work??? I sneeze like a fool while I'm there. LMAO Gotta love it!

posted by Gracie @ 6/08/2006 08:20:00 PM 1 comments

Alrighty, then

Well, with me doing something else besides being home with my chitlens er...children all day every day, I'm gonna have GREAT stories. :) For instance... There's the one about the irate mother who came in to "talk" to the headmaster about WHY NO ONE INFORMED HER that her daughter was failing four classes. Oops. Did you miss the PROGRESS REPORT that was sent home mid-quarter? Did you miss the tests that were sent home FOR YOU TO SIGN? And so yeah, maybe your daughter did what thousands of other children through the years have done and simply did not show you the progress report and had her friends sign the test papers, BUT...you're her parent; you have a school calendar that tells you when progress reports are sent home; you are supposed to notice when things THAT CONCERN YOUR CHILD happen, and IF you don't see a progress report, give us a call. We'd be happy to put one in the mail for ya or even fax it over to your office. Just thought I'd let you know. :) Oh yeah. There's gonna be lots of fodder. ***************************** Life on the homefront (all two days) since I've been working has been great. I come home and still have enough energy to feel like cooking, so that keeps the hubby happy. There'll be days, though, when he will do the cooking. Thank goodness he likes to cook. Albeit, his list of meals is limited, he CAN cook when necessary (or when I'm hungry for something he does particularly well). ***************************** #1Son "says" that summer school is going well. They took 2 tests yesterday. I'll get a progress report tomorrow. He "says" he's getting the hang of things. He "says" this teacher has explained things every time in a manner he is able to "get." Jury is still out on this one, yet. We'll see. Tha-tha-tha-that's all (for now) folks! O

posted by Gracie @ 6/08/2006 02:42:00 PM 1 comments

Day One: check.

Eh, it's over. A very uneventful day. I didn't expect it to be filled with angst or turmoil. There just isn't much going on during the summer at school. The next few weeks will be spent acclimating myself to the surroundings and reorganizing things to my style. The previous secretary was a lefty, so there are a lot of things that are backwards to me. I am ambidextrous, but still primarily a righty. Nothing major will get changed, just the placement of a few things and well, I probably will re-do the files. They're all backwards! LOL Just one of those things you don't think about much, but makes a world of difference when it comes to efficiency. ******************** I don't know why, but I've been spending a lot of time going through old photos. I have this desire to sort through all of my family photos, scan and burn CDs for myself, my brother, and my mom. In the process of finding and sorting, I've found the tapes from when the boys were babies. I really want to get the VCR tapes converted to DVD. Eventually I will sort, scan and burn the pics of this family too. The problem is we keep taking pictures! The best I can do is just keep a backup file of photos for now. At some point, I'll get the hard copy pics done... LOL More projects to put on my plate. It's amazing. I purposefully get busier (go to work) and for whatever reason, I'm making more work for myself at home. *shaking head* Clueless. I'm braindead. Kids are in bed. I'm outta here. Ciao*

posted by Gracie @ 6/07/2006 09:07:00 PM 3 comments

First Day

Her legs dangle from the chair. She eats each cornflake, taking her time. She pulls down her red dress As she reluctantly hops to the floor. Her golden curls bounce,though she's walking slow. Her mother's hand grasps her tiny one. As they walk, she notices her mother's feet. For the first time, the sun bounces off Her shiny black shoes. Her eyes widen as the big building stares down at her. She is being brave, but one tear cheats-- After all, it's only her first day. Hope y'all have an AWESOME day!

posted by Gracie @ 6/07/2006 06:27:00 AM 1 comments

How CUTE is THIS?

I came across this pic when I was looking for something else. He started walking when he was NINE MONTHS OLD. Argh. OMG He's so freakin' cute. I can't stand it. *random gush over*

posted by Gracie @ 6/06/2006 10:57:00 PM 3 comments

Long story, short...

Yeah right. Okay, I'll try. I was supposed to start work Monday, but didn't. I was supposed to start work today, but didn't. I am supposed to start work tomorrow. The End. Heh. Want some details, now? Okay, okay, but I will try to keep this condensed, cuz, well, supper is almost ready and I can't be keepin' the fam waiting (neglecting) supper just cuz I'm working online (blogging). So okay... After several conversations Sunday and Monday, it was determined that I would begin work today. But, after waiting for 6 weeks for an appt for my Lil Guy to be "screened" for speech therapy, I got the call yesterday afternoon telling me he had an appt THIS MORNING at 8:15 am. I was supposed to be at work for 9 am. Time conflict. Ugh. I called my friend and told her the situation and she was totally cool with it and told me to just come in tomorrow rather than stressing about having to be there today. Awesome! Speech assessment went well; and as expected. I swear, though, those people must be used to dealing with cretins. One of my biggest pet peeves is to be "talked down to" and while the ladies there (therapists and director) were kind and friendly, they acted like I had "IDIOT" tattooed on my forehead. They repeated things several different ways, even after I'd affirmed I understood what they were saying. And man, oh man, when the one gave me a sheet with websites on it and started with, "Now, all you need to do is type in these letters in the little bar at the top of the page..." I just let the glazed look wash over my face. It just didn't matter how many times I told her I understood what she was talking about, and if I'd have told her at that point that I knew how to get to a website and work the computer, it would've been a waste of my breath. She was nice, poor dear. I feel so incredibly sorry for her because she has to deal with people who need to be told, "Now, all you need to do is type in these letters in the little bar at the top of the page..." *clapping hands and jumping up and down excitedly* Now I get to wait some more and fill out more papers after they are sent to my home and then wait some more til his name comes up in the system again! WEEEEEEE! *wiping sarcastic drool from my chin*

And OH YES! I got the official letter from the insurance company today, putting all of the blame for the mixup with insurance coverage (for speech) onto the therapist. Isn't that just dandy?

• Therapist says insurance misrepresented coverage, and darnit, that automated system has some kinks in it. (But we signed that nifty lil piece of paper that says we're responsible for all charges incurred regardless of insurance coverage, so pay up.)
• Insurance says therapist should've known better and pushed to get through to a real person. (Too bad we signed that piece of paper agreeing to be responsible for charges incurred. We should've checked things out ourselves.)
• We get stuck with $2100 bill. (I wonder how much I'd get for body parts.)

posted by Gracie @ 6/06/2006 04:53:00 PM 3 comments

Relax

I got this in my email the other day and came across it this morning when I was cleaning out my box. I just had to share it with y'all! Relax..... Just in case you've had a rough day, here's a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological texts. The funny thing is that it really works. 1. Picture yourself near a stream. 2. Birds are softly chirping in the cool mountain air. 3. No one but you knows your secret place. 4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called "the world," 5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. 6. The water is crystal clear. 7. You can easily make out the face of the person you're holding underwater. 8. See! You're smiling already!

posted by Gracie @ 6/05/2006 08:16:00 AM 5 comments

Y'all HAVE to read this!

http://scarbiedoll.blogspot.com/2006/05/blogging-is-not-cool-anymore.html This gave me a chuckle!

posted by Gracie @ 6/04/2006 08:47:00 PM 2 comments

Weekend Odds n Ends

**sung to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me"**

Goodwill loves me; yes it's true They make loads on what I bring thru. I support them every year Need some boy clothes? Never fear!

Well, my charitable contribution for the next several months is done.

I really prefer just writing checks, but I also think that my expending my blood, sweat, and tears (okay, no blood or tears) for a charitable purpose is worthy too. :)

Honestly, I'm quite happy to give the clothes to a place that will be beneficial for more than just one person. When the boys were little, a couple of my friends and I used to do a clothes exchange. Lil Guy is still small enough (read: outgrows it before he outwears it) to do that with some things, but for the most part, the kids would really rather pick out their own clothes rather than have hand-me-downs.

I'm so tired--all the time. I think my hormones need to be tweaked, but I hate having to call the doctor again. I used to be tired all the time before my surgery and just chalked it up to bleeding so much (all.the.time). Since my surgery, though, I've had periods (no pun intended) where I have all this great energy and am "happy" and then I have other times where I'm just exhausted. Every time we've switched my hormones, I've always had an "up" period. I've been taking these now, for a couple of months and that's about the extent that I've been able to take a new one before it peters out.

(Oy. I just re-read what I wrote and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Ugh. Hopefully you'll get the jist of it.)

Heard from my "boss" today. Okay, she's not really my boss. She and her husband own the school where I'll be working, but they'll not be directly over me. She is just basically my friend. LOL Regardless, she called me today to tell me they'll have a formal meeting with administration tomorrow and tell them that I've been hired, and set up a time for me to come in and meet with my immediate "boss" (the principal) and the current secretary. At that time we'll arrange a date for me to start. It will be sometime later this week. That's all I know.

Summer school begins tomorrow for #1Son. He's not looking forward to it. The paperwork we received Friday said they cover the equivalent of one week + one day per day during summer school. OMG. He had issues keeping up with the class when they were doing one lesson per day. How in the world is he gonna do this??? I don't know. I DO know he needs to pass. Please, please God...jump in his brain and help him figure things out. I'll do what I can, but passing this class is totally up to him. (and Him.)

I realized over the weekend that I will need to get up at 5:30 am once school begins (in August). Ew. That translates to being asleep by 10 pm. In what parallell universe is that gonna happen??? I'm either gonna have to figure out a way to do some power napping when I get home from school or a way to crunch some serious restful sleep into those 7.5 (or less) hours. When LilGuy was a baby and I was working, I somehow survived on about 5 hours of sleep. Survive is maybe too loose a term. I existed. LOL Anyway...I'll figure it all out, eh?

Oh the drama! I just had to take a 10 min break in this blogging to deal with "neighborhood drama." After I became a grown-up, the thing that most disappointed me was that sooooo many adults still act exactly the same way as they did in junior high. *sigh* And unfortunately some of them live right on my street. My son came in blabbing about one of the neighbors down the street hollering at another neighbor down the street (who'd already gone inside their house) and something about the cops. Just as I went to the door to peep down the street, sure enough, here come the cops. I have no idea what happened, but these two neighbors are always having some fracas. I'm sure it's something uber important like their dog crapping on the other's yard or something similar. You know--something that will legitimize my tax dollars working efficiently. In the meantime, I overhear the neighbor on the other side of me bitching at her hubby about "always stickin' his nose in other people's business and how it doesn't concern him so why doesn't he just get back in the damn house..." They're funny, actually. They're both nosey, but she's the one who will peep out the curtains and glean what she can by simply watching and then make up the rest, and he is the type who will show up in the yard and ask ya point blank what's going on and get the straight dope. LOL

Welcome to my little world. Blah.

I'm done, I think. My head hurts now. LOL Too much drama, I'm sure.

posted by Gracie @ 6/04/2006 07:47:00 PM 1 comments

I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy...

Why do I have this "joy?" Because I'm home (almost) alone!!!! Yes!! Woot! Woot! The Lil Guy is here with me, but he doesn't really count cuz when he's by himself he is SOOOOO GOOOOOODDDDD! *big ole grin* How did I get to be in this state, you ask? Welp, let me tell ya... The requisite (because every good Southern family has one) "little old lady" called Hubby up during the week and said she had a couple-a trees down on her property (she's got like, her own forest n stuff) that were blown over last year (Thank you, Rita) and she's worried about them becoming projectiles should we get "big wind" this year, so could he come help her out by cutting them up and makin' a big ole bonfire pile outta them, and oh, by the way, once the bonfire pile is finished, we can all go over there and have an old-fashioned weenie/marshmallow roast. How fun is that? Soooo he went over there Thursday and scoped out the situation and her "couple-a" trees winds up being about 16 that need attention! Yikes! So he and SweetSon went out there this morning to S T A R T on them. He says there's no way he'll be done today...maybe in a couple of weekends of full days out there, but not today. Owell. Maybe we'll be able to have our weenie roast for 4th of July. LOL She's paying them, too, so it's not all chivalry n shit that is driving him to do this. ;) #1Son spent the night at a friend's house and conveniently didn't mention a time he wanted/needed to be picked up today. Hmmmm...*raises eye brows here* I'll give him til noonish to call me and if I don't hear from him by then, I'll have to give him a ringyding to see how things are going. LOL I know they didn't even bother to think about sleeping til 3am or so...so I'll be sorta nice. Heh. He starts summer school on Monday at 7:30 (wtf--that's cruel and unusual punishment for parents), so he's gotta have a lil bit of fun this weekend. (yeah, right, whatever) So, you wonder how I'll be enjoying all my peace and quiet? Wonder not! *drumroll* I will be cleaning out closets! Yes, that's right! Taking outgrown clothes and sorting and bagging and assessing what is good enough to donate and what will simply be trashed. Woohooo! Sounds like my kinda fun! NOT. Unfortunately, someone has to do it and since they're all gone, I may as well bite the bullet. I will, however, have MY music up to the level at which I like to hear it and not have anyone gripe or moan! So there. *sticks out tongue at closed door* Take that! Loses it's effect somehow when there's no one here to see it. LOL May you all have awesome Saturdays! *pretend I've inserted a really cool pic here* Unfortunately, I can't. Blogger is being a butthole. Ugh. Still...I want you to have a really great day!

posted by Gracie @ 6/03/2006 08:46:00 AM 4 comments

First SPF in "not May"

SPF is the brainchild of the lovely Kristine over at Random and Odd.

This week's assignment is:

1. Something ‘Sparkly’ 2. Something ‘Dull’ 3. Something ‘Colorful’

Sparkly: Marbles are kinda sparkly when the light hits 'em. ;)

Dull: I love the story of Les Mis, but Hugo's writing is incredibly dull, to me.

I've seen it twice and only gotten ha'f way through the book once! LOL

Colorful: The ceiling in the foyer at Bellagio has this incredible artwork

by Dale Chihuly.

Have an AWESOME day!

posted by Gracie @ 6/02/2006 07:47:00 AM 15 comments