MDA Lock-up

Well, I survived my stint in the big house. I was "arrested" for Mucular Dystropy Association. I was picked up by a Huntsville Police Officer and escorted to Sci-Quest in Huntsville where I had to present my "bail" money to the "judge". I was very fortunate to have raised a good bit of money ahead of time. But I made a few calls and raised several more hundred. I am counting on the company I work for to match my first $1000, also. I enjoyed a good barbecue lunch (they ran out of banana pudding, though) and was escorted back home by limousine. I raised at least enough to send 3 children to MDA's summer camp. I am glad I participated in the fundraiser and am touched by the generosity of so many people. Several of my husbands colleagues came through as well as mine.

Jail Bird

Hey! Thursday is the day I am going to be locked-up in Jail for MDA. It's not too late to help me with your 100% tax deductible donation. Please!!! Any amount is appreciated.

Friday

Hello, everyone. Thanks for stopping by here and checking on me. I had a great two days off with my Mom. We shopped a little, went to lunch and saw The Nanny Diaries. We had our homemakers club's annual International Dinner Last night. So I've had a good week despite my blue mood on Tuesday. My SIL is coming for a vist today! With any luck Hubby and I will be able to go out to eat alone! I'm struggling with a couple of issues. If you are a Believer, I would appreciate your prayers. Tomorrow, I'll try to do a book update.

Monday

Even though today is a holiday I am working. That happens sometimes to those who do not have normal M-F, 8-5 jobs. My husband and kids are at home enjoying their day off. I wonder if they'll notice I am not there.

Yesterday morning I went out and walked before church and again this morning before work. I'm not becoming obsessed. I'm just trying to stave off the guilt of not exercising. Plus tomorrow I may not get the chance. I'm off tomorrow but going in for a few hours at the other job to help them out. The day after Labor Day is a busy day for pharmacies.

I'm going to the second meeting of my book club tomorrow. Our book this month was any title by Lillian Jackson Braun. I read the Cat Who Read Backwards.

Yesterday evening the kids and I did a little bicycling in the neighborhood. We're trying to build up our stamina for longer rides when the weather cools off.

Friday

I had a pretty productive day today. It was good to do something and not feel so lazy. I washed sheets and blankets, painted the mailbox, picked up some groceries and worked on some projects. This afternoon I made homemade strawberry ice cream. Tonight I'm cooking hamburgers on my indoor grill. I'm feeling so proud of myself I thought I would brag to you a little.

Still no rain and still hot! (You thought I had quit harping on the weather, didn't you?) I have a Dogwood tree that looks like it is dying. Next week we are supposed to have a high down in the 80's. It will be like a cold front!

Have a great weekend!

Monday

Nothing for you to see (read) here. An uneventful Sunday. I have no witty stories or frustrating tales to tell you. Church, swim lessons, supper - that was our day. I'm at work today hoping everyone else's blog will give me some food for blog posts.

Friday

I've been feeling a little down lately. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is a consequence of the kids going back to school. I thought I would be ecstatic about that. Indeed, I do enjoy the freedom. But maybe too much. I don't seem to know what to do with myself and have been kind of lazy. Although I have been walking in the morning little else has been accomplished. I was off the last two days and I'm thankful to be back at work today at least getting paid, if not exactly being busy. (I'm not going to say that the depression is due to the intense heat because I am going to try and not talk about the heat today.)

August is half over now and I can start looking forward to fall. Mother and I are going to the Deeper Still Conference in Nashville in early September. Auburn's first football game is September 1. I hope to be going to the beach in October. So I have a lot to look forward to, I just find myself in a bit of a funk lately. Maybe what I need is a good uplifting book to read. What I've reading lately has not fit that bill. My phone friend (with who I talk to at work because she isn't busy, either) has gone to Disney World. Mother is in Maryland visiting my brother and his family. Maybe I'm just a bit lonely today. If you're lurking there, leave me a comment. I promise I'll be over this pity party tomorrow.

Friday 13th

I just realized today was Friday the 13th, not that I am in the least bit superstitious (was that a black cat running by?). It's still raining here so I guess the drought is finally over. We're going out to run errands and to an ice skating birthday party later. Mother left this morning, our visit having been shortened by my having to work yesterday. She is visiting her sisters in Boaz and driving back to Memphis tomorrow. I hope it doesn't rain on her way home. She really doesn't like to drive in the rain.

Happy Friday the 13th!

The Ants Go Marching

I'm at work today. I was supposed to be off and go to a luncheon. I had even booked a baby-sitter for the few hours I would need to be away. But as plans sometimes do, things went amiss. My partner's little girl is sick and we swapped today and Friday. This means my son can go to an ice-skating birthday party on Friday, though. But my second day to spend with my mom is lost. She is leaving in the morning. I'm busy squashing ants right now, but later I'll try to do a Thursday Thirteen.

Edit: Although the ants are still coming in and marching across the floor, word must have gotten out about the massacre. They are staying away from me and my computer now.

Tuesday

It's raining now and it looks like a good steady rain that might last a while. We really need a good rain.

My mother is visiting and tomorrow we are going to have an entire day to ourselves. We will shop and eat lunch out and have a good time. Today she is spending with my kids while I am at work. They are going out to lunch and perhaps, bowling.

I am so tired today after working 13 hours yesterday almost entirely on my feet. After work (at 9pm) I bought groceries. I know it is foolish to do this when I can barely walk to my car but I have started hating going back to WM except on the days that I work there. It took me 25 minutes to check out and it was after 10:30pm when I arrived home. I would have like to sleep in today but I kwow that I have the next two days off now. Today I am happy to sit here at my regular job and catch up on my blog friends.

Saturday

I'm a little restless this morning. It could be from paying bills. That's always enought to rip the feeling of content right out from under you. It could be that it is Saturday and I am at work and as usual it is a dull, slow day. I've got to do the usual Saturday cleaning and I am totally unmotivated. It rained a little yesterday (Thank you, Lord!). But we could use more. Rain has left the forcast, however, and it is blue skies all the way. I know my friend AtHomeDaddy has complained about the amount of rain he has gotten in Austin, Tx. It's unfair really. I would gladly take some off his hands. Can you email it?

On the bright side (always, always look for the bright side), tonite I'm having Rosie's and watching qualifying for the French Grand Prix. So if I can entertain myself for the next 9 hours then I'll be home free and happy.

Presidential Visit

The President is visiting our lovely state today. He is flying in to Huntsville to visit the Browns Ferry Nuclear Facility. I'm not sure why. A reactor has been 'restarted' after a 22 year hiatus. Something about Bush promoting his stand on alternative fuels. The visit was only announced early in the week. He will not make a public appearance while in Huntsville. He is then scheduled to fly to Mobile for a political ($1000/plate) fundraiser for U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions. The President visits our fair state very seldom. In the past 30 years most presidential visits have been either hurricane related (touring the disaster area) or political (campaigning for himself and others). Our governor, Bob Riley, is out of the country and will miss the visit. Our mayor, Loretta Spencer, had to cancel a trip to be present. Some friends of mine last night mentioned trying to get near the airport for a view of Air Force One or the motorcade. I am sure the interstate and many secondary roads will be closed during the commute to the Nuclear Facility. (Which incidentally is in a remote, rural area of Limestone County.) I wouldn't hold much hope of getting a glimpse of the Chief but I wouldn't mind seeing the plane. I've always been fascinated by Air Force One. At any rate, I will be at work during the 2-3 hours of his visit and will not be inconvenienced by the traffic hold-ups. There will be protests held (with permits, of course) both in Huntsville and Mobile. Approval ratings here in Huntsville with our strong military presence is not high. We support our troops, but we are ready for them to come home.

Temporary Insanity

There was a short bout of insanity where I may have said yes when actually I didn't even hear the question. Last week my husband got a new vehicle that is older than either of our parents. I think I said something like, "only if you can get it in the garage without inconvienencing me too much. It is amazing how industrious a man can be with some encouragement. Now we have more vehicles to our name then we have people in our household (and two of them are not old enough to drive.) And yes they are all parked in a garage.

Edited to add: Actually, we have two garages - the one on the house and a detached garage. Since the GMC truck is diassembled it is actually divided between the two garages.

Nine Dangerous Words Women Use

I borrowed this from Old Horsetail Snake with his permission. I thought it really rang true.


1. Fine. This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.


2. Five Minutes. If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.


3. Nothing. This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin in Nothing usually end in Fine.


4. Go Ahead. This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it!!


5. Loud Sigh. This is not quite a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about Nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of Nothing.)


6. That's Okay. This is one of the most dangerous statements a woman can make to a man. That's Okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.


7. Thanks. Don't read anything into this. Do not question it. Do not faint. Just say, "You're welcome." Sometimes that works.


8. Whatever. V., meaning screw you!Don't Worry About It;


9. I Got It. This is something a woman has told a man to do several times but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response, refer to #3

Friday

My daughter's Kindergarten graduation was Tuesday night. I had planned to post a picture but none of them turned out real well. The graduation was fun and I didn't even cry. J's last day of school was yesterday. My kids are enrolled in a Summercare program and will attend that at least 3 days a week. They go on field trips and swim and do a little academic work. It's not school but it's not exactly summer vacation, either. They seem to have excepted the necessity of it, though. I am hoping on the two days a week I'm off work, we can do some fun stuff together. I envy SAHMs for getting to sleep late all summer, but how do you fill the time? We've got Vacation Bible School week after next. They start back to school on Aug 2, so it really is a short summer. I'm longing for a vacation.

Strange Minds?

I got this interesting tidbit from Old Horsetail Snake. I am not sure where he got it but I found it very itnernetsig.

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too:

I cdnulo't blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. Pniotnig to the phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to rsceearh at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are; the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteers be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

(Did you know that olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can raed taht?)

Spring Projects

1. Clean Out Garage - done
2. Clean Curtains - done
3. Clean Refrigerator -done
4. Clean off Porch/Furniture - done
5. Organize SS supplies/crafts - done

Tuesday

We had a really good restful weekend. Friday I cleaned off the porch and washed the outside furniture. I washed sheets and curtains. I am feeling really good about all that. Friday night we had Chinese because we recently learned there is a decent place that delivers to our door.

Saturday, B had a birthday party at Jump Zone. While she was at the party I went to pick up trash. My homemaker's club has adopted a mile of residential road on Eastview in Madison. I decided with the large hill I had to climb and the repeated bending over this would count as my exercise for the day. I walked the mile picking up trash in both directions. It was a good day for this, warm with a nice breeze. Near the end of my second mile a resident of the street came out and brought me a bottle of water and said, "Thanks". After my shower and nap I went out and bought 2 new sofas and got J's haircut.

Saturday night we went to dinner at Greenbriar Restaraunt (the original location next to the old gin) not to be confused with Greenbriar Barbecue. As a family we really like Greenbriar. The wait for a table is short, the service is quick, the food is good. It is a family, slightly rustic place and priced right. They have good barbecue and catfish. The hushpuppies are never-ending.

Sunday after church I did my workout and then took a nap. It was a good nap. Sunday evening I even cooked supper.

Monday I had to work at that other job of mine. It was a long day. I dreamed about it all night long. I am thankful to have a nice restful day at my regular job today to make up for it.

Of course, I got off my diet on the weekend. Friday morning, though I was weighing in at my alltime low of 14.8lbs net loss. I was feeling really good about that. This morning I snuck a peak at the scale and I had lost another 0.5lb. Feeling really great about that!

Mom is on her way to vist for a week or so and SIL will be spending Thurs & Fri at our house. Easter is coming up this weekend. Let the eating begin.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen random thoughts:
1. I am not having the best day.
2. Yesterday, I blew off my diet and went a little crazy. I drank a strawberry cream slushie, I ate a Reese's peanut butter egg, I ate french fries. It was all worth it.
3. Despite blowing off my diet yesterday, I am back on it today.
4. On Tuesday my daughter learned to ride her bike just like that. I took pictures. She smiled alot!
5. J's teacher called me from school a little while ago to tell me J had fallen and warped his glasses. Again. The spare pare he broke last Monday. Now I am going to have to go to WM after work and see if they can be fixed because he is taking SAT's this week.
6. It is amazing how quickly everything is blooming and turning green. Last week there were no leaves on our Japanese maple and this week you can no longer see the plastic eggs hanging there.
7. My neice's birthday is Sunday and my mother just reminded me this morning and I was lucky enough to have some greeting cards at work and my checkbook. I quickly dashed off a card and check to her.
8. Yesterday I drove to Albertville to visit my grandfather who is not doing well. He is bedridden and on Hospice. He called me by name.
9. I payed the bills this morning. We are still in the black.
10. Next week, my mother is coming for a visit.
11. Pilates is going well. I am almost ready to try the advanced workout. Almost.
12. Tomorrow I am going to clean off my porch, wash my car, and buy a sofa.
13. I am off the next three days!

Tuesday

Yesterday, at about 3pm I was reading my book and enjoying my lunch. I was thinking ahead to Tuesday, my day off. I was planning to exercise and then drive to Albertville to visit my ailing grandfather. I thought I would cook some chicken for supper. I was feeling pretty good about all that. Then I remembered! I had switched days off this week and I am scheduled to work on Tuesday. Had to shift gears. (Thank goodness I rememembered, though). Okay so now I am going to visit grandparents on Wednesday. Here I am at work again for which feels like the 5th day in a row.