Anotherbug

Sad. Just Sad.

2007-06-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you find out that your BFF needs to leave her husband and she lives 2 states away?

I hate more than anything to take sides as there are always 2 sides to every story, but in this situation the lines are drawn.

My heart is broken, I can only imagine how she is feeling.

Please send good vibes her way if you don't mind, she is going to need them.

Update

2007-05-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

Casa de Bug will no longer be ours come June 28th. Our humble little home packed to the brink with all of my favorite memories, will be just that, a memory. The house sold rather quickly considering the market we are in. There was a small bit of concern over the last few days if the buyers were actually going to follow through but everything worked out and I think everyone is happy again!

We found out that our new build will be done sooner than we thought (which is great news) and looks like we will only have to rent a house for 3 months and not live with anyone else in the time bewteen renting and ours being finished. That in itself is a huge weight off of our shoulders.

The family reunion has come and gone. It seems like it was so long ago already when it was only last weekend. It was such a whirlwind of a trip we really didn't get to visit much with everyone we wanted to but we did get to see them and I will be back in a few weeks so maybe then.

It seems that the girl is having a great time. She hasn't called and I am going to let her call us first. I did call my aunt to see how she was and just as I suspected she is just busy.busy.busy. All those cousins to play with, who can blame her for not wanting to miss out on that fun by calling home.

Everyone wants to know do we miss her? Sure we do, but not like I really thought I would to tell you the truth. Before we left she was still in school so I only saw her about an hour in the morning and about 2 hours in the evening. I am sure as time goes by it will get worse. But on the other foot as time goes by it just means that she is that much closer to coming home. 13 days will fly by with everything else we have going on. It has actually worked out "nice" for me as I can pack boxes without her "helping" and asking a billion questions about everything.

I think that is as much as an update that I can muster up at this point. I have a list of calls a mile long and that isn't getting any shorter with me updating here. More again as soon as I can spare a few mins.

Empty Promises

2007-05-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

Seems as if I mentioned I was going to be better about blogging. Guess I was a big-o-fat liar on that one. I can barely remember to brush my teeth most of the time these days let alone remember to blog about all the little things.

We have been busy little bees around the ol' bug shack. The lovely bug shack that we are hoping won't be ours much longer. There is a pretty,flashy, sparkling sign in the front yard trying to tempt the fates that be to stop in and have a look around the joint. We put money down on a new build so, as much as we would like to think we can make 2 payments we can't, we must part ways with the our humble little home.

I have been overwhelmed with making sure that every bed is made, every toilet flushed, every dirty spoon is in the dishwasher before we run out the door in the mornings. It is lovely to come home to a clean house every night don't get me wrong, but man there are days that I am almost at the point of passing out worrying if I picked my dirty underwear up off the bathroom floor.

School will be out soon so that will allow for a few extra minutes to perform previous mentioned tasks. Speaking of school being out, we will be pulling the girl out early the last day to race to the airport to attend a family reunion. We will come home late Sunday night leaving our most precious possession behind until I return for a wedding 3 weeks later. I had to make an appointment this morning to go over some new house stuff and I was trying to figure out where the girl would go while we went. No worries she will be living the good life hanging out in Podunk still. I think just about the time I get used to being "kid free" again, it will be time for her to come home.

Nothing Is Ever Easy

2007-04-18T13:51:00.000-07:00

Don't ya just hate it when you can't think of anything exciting to blog about? Yeah, me too. That seems to me lately. Nothing to talk about, which really isn't me as I could talk your socks off on any given day.

How about a funny story. It much funnier now than when it happened but you know how it is, if you don't laugh about it you would probably cry.

This past weekend the hubs was touching up paint in our bathroom. He climbed up on the edge of the tub holding a quart size can of paint. As he reached over his head he lost his balance. As he fell backwards he grabbed the towel bar yanking it out of the wall and fell onto the toilet knocking it about 6" off its base. Awesome! Paint was everywhere.

He (I was out of town so this is all secondhard info) had to throw away the bathroom rugs, the shower curtain and liner, a few towels, and 3! YES I SAID 3 pairs of my shoes. The paint flew all the way across the bathroom and into my closet. As he was a one man show at that point I guess he had to pick and choose what to clean up first. The shoes were not real high on his priority list I guess.

I am going to keep this in my pocket until the next time I go shopping and he wants to know why I need so many new pairs of shoes.

Happy Birthday!

2007-04-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday! I can't believe its been a year since you came into our lives. I miss you and Little Mister and Mama and Daddy too. I can't wait to see you this weekend!
Love, Auntie Mar

Rambling....

2007-04-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

If its not one things its another. We've been trying to get our house ready to put in on the market and buy a bigger one! Its funny all the little things we have been doing and fixing up were fine for the last 8 years, but now! Must.fix.everything.

The small little pettiness at school continues with the girl and the turd as she has come to been known at our house. I saw the turd this morning and said to her "Lets all work on being nice to each other today". She looked at me like yeah screw you and said "What have I done?".

Then their is all the little "doctor" stuff that has been going on. Everything is fine, but a pain in the arse nonetheless.

The fine establishment that gives me a big o chunk of change 2 times a month has called in a missing persons report on me, given I haven't been here much. I think I may have used all my vacation days up into the year 2115.

It will all get better. It will all get better. It will all get better.

I will try to be better (I just typed more better, great now my mind is going to pot as well) about posting.

Got Milk?

2007-03-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

Why is it if I buy a half gallon of milk it seems like we are always running out. But if I buy a gallon I always end up dumping half of it down the drain because it goes bad before we use it.

(If only this were the biggest worry in my life right?)

Me Worry? No, Never!

2007-03-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Last night after my nap on the couch and the hubs woke me up to go to bed, I couldn't get back to sleep. I tossed and turned for what seemed like a long time. I had myself all worked up and in quite the tizzy.

What was bothering me you ask? I was worried about what we would eat for dinner on our lay over at the airport. Yeah, we will be at the airport May 25th. Nothing like putting the cart before the horse hu?

I think it all started with dinner last night. We were having a gourmet meal of grilled cheese sandwiches. Hubs said he wanted 2 and the girl was eating her first one and asked for another. I told her as long as she would eat it, I would make it for her but if not that was the last of the bread and if you only thought she wanted it, I would eat it. The look she gave me was one of great concern. She wanted to know what I was going to eat if she had the last sandwich. I told her that I would find something else but that is just what Moms do, give up things for their kids without thinking twice. (I think she may have decided to become a nun right then and there, she is a bean pole but the thought of giving up food for someone else made her stop and think).

This got me to thinking about the time we went to PoDunk and flew in late and stayed in a hotel before driving to our home town. It was late and there was nothing close to our hotel to eat and was too late to order pizza (we were picking up our rental car the next morning). We were all pretty hungry and all I had in our carry-on was half a bag of beef jerky. I remember letting Hubs and K have it all knowing we would just get up early and have breakfast.

All of this in turn had my mind spinning. If we leave here at 2 its really 4 there, so that makes it 7 when we get there which is only 5 here yadda yadda yadda. So logically at 7 pm there will be plenty of things still open in the airport so we won't wither away to nothing in the 2 hours we are in the land of 10,000 Lakes.

I am off to eat an ice cream sandwich and start building up extra body fat between now and then, just in case ya know.

Don't Mess With My Kid...

2007-03-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

I will admit, I am very over protective of my child. The way I see it? She is the only one I have and it is my job.

Now, I do think I know when to step in and when to let her fight her own battles. Today though, what she told me sent me through the roof.

A day last week, Katie told another little girl at school she like her folder. D said thank you and told Katie where she got it. Lo and behold, the next day D is missing the folder. She of course accuses Katie of taking it because she had said she liked it. This morning, the folder mysteriously turned up on Katie's desk. When it turned up, Katie had not been in the classroom yet today.

First of all, Katie knows that if she wants something all she has to do is ask and if it is within reason, chances are she will get it. Second of all, she knows that if she ever did something like this, she would be up a creek without a paddle.

This little girl comes from a rather unstable background, and is very starved for attention. Regardless of this, it upsets me that she is accusing my child of something she says she did not do. I am not saying my child is an angel or 100% perfect but I believe her this time. There are too many things in the story that just don't quite add up. As little girls do they have drawn battle lines and brought several friends into the situation. So not only is D calling names and being hurtful so are some others. My first reaction was I can't wait until I get to school tomorrow so I can talk to D.

I asked Katie at dinner tonight if she wanted me to talk to D. She wanted to know what I was going to say, I told her I wasn't sure yet. She told me she wanted to think about it and she would let me know after she got out of the shower.

My gut says talk to the little girl, my brains says stay out of it and let little girls be little girls.

What would you do?

????

2007-03-18T18:56:00.000-07:00

This how they ended a very busy day..Magoo being her ever diligent shadow, I was out front so she felt the need to watch the Hubs.
Hubs climbed up into the attic and look what he found...
So is funnier that we saved these or that she still fits?
I thought we had rid ourselves of all things baby a long time ago. I wonder what else we will find!

Movin On Up

2007-03-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Well its happened. We have outgrown our humble beginnings. We thought it would have happened sooner, and we may have just chosen to ignore the fact that we were splitting at the seams, rather than later. We are beginning to scratch our heads and wonder where we go from here.

First it seems, we must part ways with Casa de Bug. She has been a happy little home over the past 8 years, but for some strange reason we can not afford to have two house payments. I will be very sad to pack up our junk and leave her behind. I am sure that she will make another family just as happy as she made us.

Houses in our neck of the woods, as I hear it to be the same most places, aren't selling very quickly. With that in mind, our plan is to spiff up the place, and put her on the market. We are just concerned that we will find something we love more than her, she will have her feelings hurt and refuse to sell and we will be disappointed. We do have a "Just In Case" plan in place, on the off chance she does sell right away (When we bought the Bug Shack, I sat at the end of our street with our realtor and watched them put the For Sale sign in the yard and made an offer before anyone else had seen the house). I wonder if we jinxed ourselves trying to be the smart ones. We will see...

Second? We have to find a new place that we will all be happy in. When we bought Casa de Bug we had very little money and were just ready to get our of our crappy apartment. Not that we settled for what we have now, but we really didn't have high expectations. Now? We want a new house that we can pick and choose the things we really want. Of course we both seem to know what we want, and as you may have guessed we don't both want the same things. We have agreed that we will have to "give and get" a little but we are both very stubborn and that may be easier said than done. Why should he care what kitchen cabinets I pick out if he will be spending much of his time in his 3 car garage.

I do think that we may have found a house that we can all agree on. It has meet almost all of our preset standards. My biggest thing was a decent sized bedroom for the girl. As she pointed out last night at dinner she will be going to college in 7 years, but it will be a much more enjoyable 7 years for all of us if she has some room to grow. Hubs was trying for Daddy of the Year by insisting she also have her own large, preferably a walk in, closet. I was indifferent to a one or two story but wanted the laundry room on which ever floor the bedrooms were on. We saw so many houses where you would have had to carry your clothes down stairs and through the kitchen to the washer and dryer. No thanks. The house we are seriously considering is a 2 story with the master bedroom downstairs, the 5 other bedrooms upstairs, and the laundry downstairs. (What we are going to do with 4 empty bedrooms I don't really know). I wasn't to keen on the idea at first but then Hubs pointed out we would not have to carry our dirty duds up and down the stairs, it would only be the girl doing the climbing with the laundry basket. And because I am always looking for one more reason to say "Because I said so", I caved on that point.

The one thing that the hubs is sticking on is he wants a huge lot. The lots that are available now are decent sized but just not quite what he wants. They will be releasing more lots in the next couple of weeks, but the houses will have a price increase right before they open up the new lots. So, did I whine and get him to give in and quite possibly never hear the end of it, or do we wait for the larger lot and the larger price tag?

I am going to call our realtor next week and make an appointment with him to come over and tell us what he thinks needs to be done before we throw caution to the wind and put the house on the market.

I guess we will see what happens.

A Meeting Of The Minds

2007-03-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

Monday started off as a great day. Katie didn't have school and I didn't have to work so we didn't have to get up before the birds (A big shout out to Magoo who felt the need to stand in the backyard and bark for 20 minuets, thanks for letting Mama catch an extra few winks, dumb dog), and could just kind of go at our own pace. We were up and out of the house about 10:30. Our destination? To find some plain old boring denim shorts for the girl that her cute little tooshy wouldn't hang out of.

All was good in the world until I had to nerve to tell her no to something. Right then and there it went to hell in a handbag. We looked at several stores and hit the mall, nothing I suggested was what she wanted. (Had she not been being a boob, she would have loved 95% of it) Fine, but when its 115 out, you might be rethinking the whole shorts situation.

After our lovely pouting episode we ran a few more errands and headed home. It was about 5:00 and she told me she HAD to get on the computer to work on her science project. (Now, she was off Fri, Sat, Sun and now Mon from school). I asked her when it was due. Um, Wednesday. I pretty much lost it right there and screamed and yelled and wanted to know why she waited until the last minute to do things. It was not pretty. She was upset, I was upset, and Hubs was upset that 1) I was yelling at her and 2) she waited until the last minute to do her work. Had this been a regular assignment it would not have been a huge issue but it was a rather large project, worth lots and lots of points. She wanted to know why I always expected her to be perfect (Ouch) and get all the points all of the time. I simply told her because I know that you can do it. We ended up having a pow-wow and working it all out. We came to the conclusion she would not wait until the last minute to do things, and I would try not to get so upset with her. Once again all was good in our little piece of the universe.

Fast foward to yesterday. I reminded her when I dropped her off at school for about the 900th time to make sure she brought home her science folder so we could go over everything one.more.time (you know we have to get all the points all the time). When she got to the shop after school I asked her if she had her folder. That would be a big fat NO! I'll tell you what, she was lucky we were at the shop and that we had customers or she may have been buried in the back lot and never been seen or heard from again. I asked her why. Well, because the teacher was making them hurry and well she didn't have time to get it. When we got in the truck to come home, I told her, in a very calm voice that Hubs would be getting alot of playing time on her Nintendo DS as it was now mine. Of course she burst into tears (told ya she was like me) and tried to argue her point. I wasn't having any bit of it. Then she said I thought we had a deal. I asked her just what the deal was? Well she was going to be more responsible and I was going to try not to yell so much. Well because you need some help remembering to be responsible, the DS is mine until you get your grade on your project and then we will go from there.

I feel bad that I took it away, but I do think it will help her remember her work the next time. (She does have a notebook that she writes her daily homework in and she very well could have slipped another little note in it to remind herself).

4:02 Wednesday afternoon; Katie just got to the shop and I asked her how school was. She said we didn't have science, but I brought my folder home so we could go over my project one more time! Yippee! I don't feel so bad any more and she seems to have learned her lesson.

Who Doesn't Love An Instant Message

2007-03-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

Me: I have to pee really bad and Bossman is at the bank. I hope the line isn't too long.

( 10 mins. later)

Her: I hope Bossman got back in time so you didn't pee your pants.

Me: I didn't pee my pants but did manage to spill an entire cup of water on myself so it looks like I did.

I am such a dork sometimes.

What Do You Remember?

2007-03-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

I called M yesterday to tell her that I had gotten our plane tickets for this summer. She asked me how old Katie was, I said she just turned 11. Then she said you do know we were only a year older that summer....

That summer. It was 1989. It seems like a long time ago. M and E, were 12, I was much older at 14 (Ha!). We spent our usual week at the lake house. It was there that an uncle asked us if we wanted a beer. The only rule was we had to finish it if we wanted it. I think we each had 3 and he cut us off after that.

That summer. It was also the summer we snuck out of g-ma's house and ran the streets of PoDunk. That was back in the day when pop still came in glass bottles. They worked great for spin the bottle.

It is really weird for me to think this way, that I can think back to when I was her age and remember some of the things I was doing. My best girl from college always says I can't wait to tell her the things we used to do. Um, stop the truck right there sister friend, I am so not ready for her to hear "some" of those things yet, and some day you will have kids and turn about is fair play.

I hope that K has some of these same moments, times she can think back to, and remember the things she did as a kid, when she was just a kid herself.

Anna Nicole's Funeral

2007-03-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

Trip Wrap Up Part 2

2007-03-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

This is going to much quicker than version 1, promise.

Lots and lots of sitting on the beach and by the pools. Lots and lots of alcohol. (All inclusive is definitely the way to go).

Eat lots and lots of yummy food.

Hang out with friends.

A few nights we shut down the piano bar.

One night we hung out at the disco! (The alcohol helped with this I am sure).

Throw in some shopping, some snorkeling, and some sleeping and that pretty much sums it up.

We did go to Anna Nicole's house one day. We went on a rather disappointing tour and decided to take a taxi back to the resort rather than wait for the bus. The driver told us he would take us by her house for another $20.00. We figured what the heck, why not. It was a zoo there. This was Tuesday afternoon, before anyone knew her funeral would be Friday. When we left of Friday the only way to get to the airport was to drive by the cemetery, again what a zoo. Some of our group who got in late stayed a few extra days and went to the cemetery and took some great pictures. I will add them soon.

The biggest complaint? These. I was eaten alive and my poor legs are covered in itchy red bites. All in all, it was a great time, with great friends. I am not sure it would be my first choice to go to again, but it is one more place to add to our "Been There Done That List". Next years trip? Panama. Now that is one place I am excited to go to.

A Little Look At Me

2007-03-10T06:39:00.000-08:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Trip Wrap-Up

2007-03-08T13:39:00.000-08:00

I know, we have been home almost a week and I am just now getting around to this.

So, this is where we went. Now we didn't get there without a few hangs up....

We were scheduled to leave Phoenix Sunday morning at 6:30 a.m. which meant we got up at 3:00, to leave the house by 4:00. By the time we dropped off the truck and got in line it was about 5:15 a.m. The line at the ticket counter was about 200 people long. There are never long lines at our airport, especially so early in the morning. It should have been our first clue. We drug our suitcases to the end of the long-o-line only to have the guy in front of us say something about our flight being cancelled. Right after that we heard our friends name being paged to pick up a white paging phone. I told Hubs to hang tight I was going to find out what was going on. I worked my way to the front of the line to see our friends next up to the counter. I very nicely pushed my way in to find out what was up. Seems the bad weather in Texas the day before grounded a bunch of flights and there were no planes. I quick called the Hubs and told him to drap our crap to the front of the line NOW! because M was working with the agent to keep 6 of us together. (Hubs told the guy who had told him about the flight being cancelled we were line at the wrong airline and I was calling to let him know).

Our original flight had us going from PHX to DFW to Nassau. The agent was able to get us on a later flight Sunday morning, we would then stay the night in DFW then get to Nassau a day later than we had planned. We did a quick group huddle and after listening to others try and work out flights we went with it. We should have been a group of 24, we turned out to be a group of 6. The rest of our group didn't make it out until Tuesday.

Once we were through security we jumped on our cell phones trying to locate a hotel room once we got to Dallas. We were lucky enough to find ONE room. 6 adults one hotel room. We were off to a great start.

Let the fun times begin. We got to Dallas, claimed our bags and worked our way out to the curb to wait for the shuttle from the hotel. Now, I told them we had 6 adults. Ready for this? They picked us ALL up in one Explorer. The driver was not happy, nor was I. I explained several times I told them we had 6 people. The driver not so nicely told me we had more bags than 6 people should have. Now, who is he to tell us how many bags we could have. The airlines allow 2 per person so he should have assumed that we would have at least that. We had 13 bewteen the six of us. In we all piled, then the drive proceeded to pile different suitcases on our laps, between our legs, under our feet and anyplace else he could find to stick them. Good thing is was only about a 10 minute ride.

So when we get to the hotel guess what? Exactly. Our room wasn't ready. We were surrounded by an industrial area. We noticed a hotel bar at the end of a hall. The desk clerk told us it wasn't open yet, but they could take us to a neighboring hotel that had a restaurant and sports bar in it that were open. We checked our bags and piled back into the Explorer. After about 4 hours and $400.00 later we were ready to head back to our hotel.

Upon arrival at our home away from home for the evening, that really wasn't quite the same as being in the Bahama's, we were told that their bar was CLOSED on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I think they are a bit backasswards in good ol' DFW. To make it better we were also in a dry county. I had no idea they even HAD dry counties anymore. Now what were we going to do? The boys went off to befriend the shuttle driver ,slip him a few greenbacks, and have him take them to the next county to pick up some boos. Guess what? Yeah, in Texas you can only buy beer on Sundays. We are much more mixed drink and shots types of people, but in a pinch I guess the beer would have to do. While they were out they picked up a delicious dinner of bean dip and pork rinds.

Gosh, we aren't even there yet and I am tired of typing about it. If you are so inclined, click on the flickr badge to see some of our pictures.

I'll be back later with more, which I promise is more fun than bean dip and beer.

Easy Come, Easier Go..

2007-03-08T13:01:00.000-08:00

I just finished buying airline tickets for our next adventures. I had 3 windows open and one very nice man on the phone from the airline. See, the 3 of us will all leave together to go to a family reunion in May. Then the hubs and I will return home 2 days later and leave behind our offspring. I will then return 3 weeks later for a wedding and retreve said child of ours. But, when I return I will fly into another state, well for some reason I was unable to book her "multi-destination" flight online. I was afraid to book ours without being able to book hers, because I do not want her flying alone.

It took me several hours researching flights and several phone calls back home to work it all out to make sure the girl's extended stay would not be a burden to those she would be with, and then match up flight numbers, buy 4 plane tickets, via 3 different airports, for 3 people.

It is a good thing that nice man Unlce Sam just gave me back my money so I could buy the above mentioned tickets. Too bad he wasn't about 2 weeks earlier. Last time I looked, tickets could be had all day long for right around $200.00. Last night they were $269.00. This morning $310. and going up every time I opened a new window. The part that gets me the most is that the tickets for the hubs and I to go for 2 days cost more money than the ticket for her to be gone 3 1/2 weeks, jumping from airport to airport.

Dirty Dog

2007-03-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Dear Future Family Member,

You should be thankful that your fiance chose to call me rather than anyone else in our family this morning when you had her in tears, ready to call off the wedding.

Lucky for you though, I took it all in, told her I would support her what ever decision she made, even though I really did want to tell her to kick your sorry ass to the curb, and let her sob to me on the phone.

I assured her, that if she did keep you around , I would not hold it against you, (not in public anyway) and continue to welcome you into our family.

You are treading on thin, thin ice Buster. I was not sure you are good enough for her in the first place, but now this? We have a kick-ass family who would all kick your ass in a heartbeat, if we find out that you are what you said you are not.

XOXO,
Not your biggest fan right now

(I would so love to "out" this jerk and tell everyone what he did, but sometimes you just have to hold back and wait for things to unfold in their own time and way. Believe you me though, if it turns out to be true I will shout his story from every roof top bewteen here and Timbucktoo).

Oh No

2007-03-05T17:04:00.001-08:00

Oh No
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

Because today hasn't been shiity enough. I am so glad and thankful the neighbor was home and saw my girls out walking the 'hood.

No, they don't wear their collars, but they do have the microchips if someone took them in to get scanned.

My heart sank when I saw the note. I don't think I took a breath again until I was in the house and saw both of them with my own two eyes. Who says dogs are "just" dogs. They are our other kids. Our other kids who are grounded for trying to run away from home.

Speaking of dogs, I will be back later with the rest of my shitty day, and the scoop on the dirtiest one of all.

We're Off

2007-02-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

All that is left to do is go to bed and get right back up, throw our toothbrushes in the suitcase and head for the airport.

It was either one more pair of shoes or the laptop, guess we will check in when we get back.

See y'all on the flip side!!

XOXO,
Mar

Souvenir For You

2007-02-24T10:48:00.000-08:00

The Hubs and I are leaving in the morning for a week long business trip. The girl hates it when we go away. I would really like it if we could take her with us, but we can't so it is what it is.

It is not the leaving her that bothers me, it is the being away from her that kills me if you know what I mean. We will be very very far away, and it won't be real easy , if something happened, to just jump on a plane and be home in a reasonable amount of time. She will be in excellent hands, so that provides some comfort.

I will meet the hubs and the girl after work to do the hand off to Grams and Boppa. She will cry and it will break my heart. Then before the tears have time to dry she will make her request of what she would like for us to bring her back. I hope its not alcohol, we can each only bring back 2 bottles and I already know what I want :).

I Should Have Just Done It Myself

2007-02-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

So, we are leaving tomorrow morning at the unimaginable hour of 4:30 a.m. I, being the control freak that I am have done everything to get ready for this trip, except for one thing. I asked the hubs to take one little piece of paper to work with him over a week ago to have it notarized. When he came home last night I asked him about it. Oh, the notary wasn't there today he told me. I asked him what about Monday-Thursday? By the way he looked at me you would have thought I was speaking in a foreign language. I got the typical I dunno answer. I went through the roof.

The piece of paper? Yeah, that would be the Power of Attorney for our dear sweet girl who will be spending the week with Grams and Boppa. Since we will be 3000 miles away, I am thinking it is just a wee bit important. And he wonders why I stress out and do everything myself.

I was looking forward to sleeping in just a tad bit this morning since I am guessing the few hours, if that, we get tonight just aren't going to cut it. Anyway, so we were up at our usual weekday time so we could be at the bank when it opened so I could still be to work on time. (Yeah I am an idiot for working the day before we leave with a million things still to do). Guess what? At the first place we stopped the notary wasn't going to be there until 11. Not gonna work for us. The next was not open. By this point Hubs knew he was in the dog house and trying to figure out how to fix our little problem. Thankfully the third place was open and we were in and out in about 3 mins. They were even nice enough not to charge us.

When we were leaving I told hubs I will probably call 16 times today will last minute things for you to do. He said well then I will probably ignore my phone 17 times. SO.NOT.THE.RIGHT.THING.TO.SAY.

I will be meeting hubs and the girl after work to hand her off to Grams and Boppa. I have 95% of her bag packed and a very detailed list with what else needed to go in her bag once the clothes in the dryer were dry. Can't wait to see how that works out.

Out of The Mouths of Babes..

2007-02-23T09:06:00.000-08:00

This morning I took a note into K's teacher to let her know we would be gone next week. Later in the day K's teacher asked her where we were going. When K told her she wanted know what we were going to do there. K's response? "Well, they are going to sit in the bar!".

Thanks babe.

Good thing it wasn't one of the nuns that asked her.

I asked her why she said that, she said well isn't that what you do? Well, when we aren't laying on the beach drinking, why yes, I do believe that is where we will be.

Alot About Little

2007-02-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

It is 2:30 in the afternoon. In the last 4 1/2 hours I have had 3 different people tell me/ ask me if I knew I had "dirt" on my forehead.

I am so going to get a shirt for next year that says "It's Ash Wednesday".

_________________________________________________________________

Last night the girl and I stopped at the drug store on the way home to get a gallon of milk and a piece of poster board she needed for school today. The lady in front of us in line was a very, very, very large person. She was pulling an oxygen tank behind her and buying a pack of cigarettes. She paid with all dimes. 10 cents at a time she counted it all out. (I'm thinking if you need oxygen and robbed your piggy bank to support your habit its time to stop). Then, she dropped a dime and penny on the ground.

Me: K, why don't you pick those up for her. ( I will give the woman the benefit of the doubt that she didn't hear me)

Woman: HEY! THOSE ARE MINE! (Yes, she was yelling)

Me: I asked her to pick them up for you, she wasn't going to keep them.

Woman: GIVE THEM TO ME! (Still yelling)

Me: (Absolutely stunned beyond belief at this point), K, put them back (on the ground)

Woman: Hey wait! I can't bend over and pick them up.

Me: I guess you should have thought of that before. She was only trying to be helpful.

Woman: I didn't know, I thought she was trying to steal from me.

Me: Thinking, WTF? 11 cents, call the cops, quick!

K: (Stuttering in a small voice) "I am sorry"

Me: Oh no sweetie, you have no reason to be sorry. You did nothing wrong. Thank you for trying to help.

We then proceded to check out, as the woman was still standing there guarding her life savings laying on the floor.

As we walked out I heard her ask the clerk if he would pick the money up for her.

I hope more than anything he told her "No".

________________________________________________________________

We leave Sunday, before the sun comes up to a very tropical destination, for a week long business trip. We received the hotel and resturant information for the resort we are staying at (I will tell you where it was when we get back) last night. In great big letters it said "No opened toed shoes in resturants". Well thanks for the heads up. Who doesn't take sandles and flip flops to a place like this? So, sometime bewteen now and Sunday at 3:30 a.m. I have to find the time to go and find shoes to go with the "casual evening attire" we have wear to be worthy to eat.

Fat Tuesday

2007-02-21T13:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I celebrated Fat Tuesday by getting fat. I started the day off with an.entire.box. of girl scout cookies thankyouverymuch. Damn you Thin Mints. When you are in my midst I have no will power what so ever. And when you have spent a lenghty amount of time in the freezer. Oh.My.God. I just can't stop. They are like crack.

Next, the girl's class at school had a lunch time party, for a little Mardi Gras fun of their own. Once again, I ate like there was no tomorrow (Surprise! Tomorrow is today, and there was one!), and washed it all down with about 3 gallons of pop, as my beloved Pepsi is what I am giving up for lent. Only 46 1/2 days to go.

Last night for dinner we ordered pizza and wings because other than a bag of oreos left over from camping last weekend, the Bug Shack cupboards are pretty empty, and you guessed it, I may have eaten more than my fair share. Eee gads! After all of that I may just look like a beached whale next week on vacation.

I Miss You

2007-02-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Twelve years ago today I lost the first man I ever loved. I can count on one hand the number of times I have given my heart away, and since the day I lost him it has never felt whole again.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was at work when the call came in. I knew in an instant that something was wrong and it was him. They wanted me to come home before they told me what had happened. I screamed into the phone "Tell Me Now". They didn't want me to drive home but I insisted. Still to this day when I hear the song on the radio that was playing that night it sucks the breath right out of me. I didn't make it all the way home. I had to stop and call and have someone come and get me.

The next day we flew to attend the funeral. When we got off the plane it was cold, dark and dreary. The complete opposite of this great man. I wasn't sure how life would go on without him. It has gone on because there has been no greater goal that making him proud and carring on his legacy. For as long as I can remember I hoped for a son to be his name sake, I have learned, in time, a name isn't what makes a man. My daughter has the same twinkle in her eye that he did, and it warms me to my soul every time I see it. Not only does she have that sparkle in her eye, but when she looks at my dad, your son, I see myself looking at you. With all the love and adoration in the world.

Grandpa, I miss you more every day. I know that Grandma will join you sooner rather than later now and that in itself makes me happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because you will be together again. Sad because the final chapter of that great book will be closed.

Not only was he the first man I ever loved, he was the first person I ever lost. The love was the greatest feeling I have ever felt, the loss the worst.

I hope that the fish have been biting, the beer has been cold, and the popcorn is just the way you used to make it.

Rambling

2007-02-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

I just spend the afternoon with 30, 10 year olds. I do not know how teachers do it. I am glad it is them and not me. I know the kids were wound up because of Valentine's and they were having a party and lots and lots and lots and lots of sugar, but still I just don't think its in me.

I need a nap. I would like to say I could just go to bed early but doesn't look like that is in the cards either. After our marathon ski weekend, we are going from one extreme to the next. This weekend we are hitting the dunes to ride the quads. Which means, laundry, packing again, 4 more hours in the truck in the exact opposite direction. Little Mister and his fine family will be joining us though so that makes it all worth it.

Tonight, besides the afore mentioned laundry we will be saying I love you with a trip to the grocery store. Because really what is more romantic than asking someone to run back over to the produce aisle and grab you some bananas. On the upside, everyone else *should* be eating out and making goo goo eyes at each other so we should have the store pretty much to ourselves. I will let you know.

*Ski pictures are uploaded to Flickr if you care to check out my cute little snow bunny.

Hitting The Slopes

2007-02-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

We are going skiing this weekend. I am not sure if I am excited about it or not. I haven't even started a list yet and we are leaving tomorrow!

We are going with friends, who are more of the Hubs friends than they are my friends if you know what I mean. I like to know every detail of something before I do it. They are way go with the flow type of people. I am sure everything will be fine, I will just bring 2 bottles of tequilla rather than the one I planned on to help me loosen up if need be.

Ha- I so suck at balance in my tennis shoes, lets add skis and alcohol to the mix and see what happens. That would bite the big one to have to lay on the beach in a body cast in a`few weeks. Maybe one bottle will be enough after all.

Another thing about skiing? In case you aren't a rocket scientist like I am, it is going to be cold. With snow. Two of my least favorite things. Which means layers and layers of clothes. Which in turn means piles and piles of laundry. Laundry which I hate more than the cold and snow combined.

I am looking foward to watching Katie having fun, sitting by a warm fire and of course the tequilla.

Ollie Ollie Oxen Free

2007-02-08T11:42:00.000-08:00

We should have known 11 years ago today what it was we were in for in this parenting thing. Today was the the girl's due date. But oh no, the girl decided she was oh so nice and cozy and wasn't coming out for the love of all things holy.

Had I been able to think of anything other than when and how this thing going to come out of me, I would have realized right then and there that she inherited my stubborn streak and wasn't going to do a damn thing until she was good and ready.

We waited another 9 very, very, very long days to meet her. And worth the wait she was.

FOUND

2007-02-08T11:02:00.000-08:00

This stocking cap was found in my sweet darling daughters dirty clothes hamper.*

If this belongs to you young man, be afraid, be very afraid. Remember, she is our only child, the apple of our eye. She is also the only grandchild on both sides and she happens to rock her Boppa's socks.

Heed this as a fair warning, one of these men is a proud member of the N*R*A and the other would squish you like a bug.

Now, anyone want to claim it?

* I really have no idea whose it is or how it ended up in her clothes hamper. She has either started sneaking out of the house , or which is most likely closer to the truth - she must have somehow picked it up at school with her sweatshirt or something like that.

She Fell Off The Wagon

2007-02-08T10:53:00.000-08:00

Magoo must have decided that the diet she was on was for the birds. Photographic evidence:

Exhibit 1- The remains of a bag of Valentine Conversation Hearts laying in the back yard.

(I can't really blame her, I enjoy them myself as well).

This must have happened Tuesday, we were late coming home and she must have had some spare time on her hands. I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't eat her dinner that night and was acting a bit wound up. I found this is morning in the back yard. When I called the hubs to tell him he said that when he got home last night there was another bag in the middle of the family room floor. I don't know if she remembered that she didn't feel so hot after the last pound she ate or if she heard the hubs coming home and thought he wouldn't notice random bags of candy laying around the house. My guess would be she heard the garage door open and stopped dead in her tracks.

(I had bought 3 bags of hearts for the girl to take to school next week for a project they are doing. So much for being ahead of the game).

Pictures

2007-02-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Goodies from the Cl0set Swap.

Because I have no time, nor the patience to screw with the HTML captions are as follows:

The hubs truck was full of bags, bags and more bags!

Jorden making sure we were trying to sneak anything in on her.

And then there is Magoo, who is just always right there, unless you want her to be.

RSVP

2007-02-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight there is rather important hush hush meeting occurring. No one knows exactly who is on the guest list, but as the head cheese said it is "The Cream of the Crop". Now, I am not one of those, I am one that HAD to be invited, regardless of how creamy or or not I was thought to be. There has been talk among the troops as to who may or not be in attendance. Of course, the rumor train has to run on some fine tracks as to not alert those who were not invited and must.not.find.out!

The funny thing is, I am sure the Bigger Big Wigs than I, we are meeting with know that each and every attendee was hand picked as we must smile nicely, say wonderful things and join hands and sing Kumbaya.

An uninvited, who knows about the secret society meeting and I were talking, wondering what the evening will hold. No one really cares about what the events of the meeting will be as much as who indeed is the.cream.of.the.crop. Layoffs? Who cares. Salary adjustments? Who needs money. Transfers? Everyone likes to travel. Its the Guest list! I wouldn't be surprised if the Mob Bosses in Vegas were laying odds on it. (Maybe I stretched the truth a wee bit on the last one).

If I were the big cheese I would have asked the Had to be Invited ones, who the invitees should be as we deal with them more on a daily basis and know the mix of personalities a little better. Especially if you are counting on them to be nice little boys and girls.

It should be a very interesting meeting.

She's Been A Good Ride

2007-02-07T14:50:00.001-08:00

0206071713.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

The ol' girl has been around the block a few times. It is probably about time to put her out to pasture to live out the rest of her days. I just hate to see her go. She is the first brand spankin new vehicle either of us owned.

I tried to get a picture as soon as it said 130,000 but I was trying to wait until I got to a red light, as luck would have it, I was hitting every one of them green.

And on a side note, because my mother thinks it 100% inappropriate to at the very least talk on a cell phone while you are driving, lets not tell her I was trying to take a picture to have something to blog about while I was cruising along, with her lovely little grandchild in the back seat.

All Swaped Out

2007-02-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

The Closet swap was a good time had by all. No new purses to take home and love this year but there were lots of other goodies. We filled the back seat of the hubs truck with our finds and noticed lots of other people taking gobs of junk as well.

3 new, as in the tags still on them, pairs of jeans, 2 pairs of shoes, and a sweater for me. The girl scored some new to her duds, as well as a pair of gloves that she needed for skiing this weekend!

It really is a fun thing and easy to do. Invite all your friends and just go for it. If you are worried about having a bunch of stuff left over just call ahead and arrange for a local charity to come a few days later and pick up the left overs. If you want to know what works for us when we do it and have any questions I will be happy to answer them!!

I will add pictures later. Darn work for getting in the way of blogging.

Its Like Christmas In February

2007-02-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow a friend is holding her annual Cl0set Swap!

This is how it works:

You must bring at least one item, on a hanger ( I will bring more than that)

You must also bring an "entry fee";

This year the "fee" is something to send to the troops from home. I bought a bunch of different kinds of candy at C0stco and some Beef Jer*key to send. I didn't want to send anything that would melt or go bad by the time they get it. The last couple years entry fees were also something easy to pick up, and something someone else could use or appriciate.

Once you are there, you hang your stuff up and then you start "shopping"!

You take what you want and leave what you don't.

Last year I ended up with quite a bit of stuff, some great purses (one of these, and even one of these), and I still love them just like they were my very own!

I will try to remember to take a picture of my loot tomorrow when I get home. Or maybe even snap a few with my phone while I am there.

The only thing better than shopping is free shopping!

Sometimes Being A Grown Up Just Isn't Fun

2007-02-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I felt the need to confront someone who did something that I thought was very inappropriate and not handled in a manner that was fair to anyone involved.

This is a person I deal with on a regular basis and just felt the need to clear the air. It was something that had to be dealt with now rather than later for the point to be made.

In the past when a situation like this has come up with this person, they usually just ignore who ever it was that questioned them.

And because some days I have the maturity of a 4 year old, I decided it was now or never and I to could hold a grudge and just not speak to them just as easily as they could do to me. In all honesty, they would have a reason to talk to me long before I would have to approach them.

Any hoo, I composed an email that was short sweet and right to the point. I hit send and sat and waited. (I know for a fact that this person checks their mail on an extremely persistant schedule). Nothing. As of last night at 10:30 p.m., still nothing. Fine, let the silent treatment begin.

This morning said person was my new best friend and spoke to me more than they have in months and was as pleasant as could be. I think the point hit home and things will be handled in a different matter next time.

And again because I am the bigger person, I waited until they turned their back before I stuck my tongue out at them

Speedy and Tiny

2007-02-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

I am thinking they are going to need a bigger wagon. And soon.

(That is a desert tortoise in the front and a St. Bernard puppy in the back)

Ut Oh

2007-02-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

In case you are wondering, it is never a good thing when the Fire Inspector comes into your store with a digital camera and clipboard.

Eee Gads....

She Is Killing Me

2007-01-28T06:52:00.000-08:00

My girl has been in rare form lately. Yesterday my MIL had a yard sale and we stopped over. ( To set the story up : We live in Arizona and have a large population of Hispanics). K was standing on the driveway and a little girl was standing beside her and was speaking to her mother. The little girl said "Dos". My girl looked dead on at the mom without missing a beat and said "Um, she said Two".

It. was. hysterical.

I just stood there laughing like a goon. I am not sure that the woman could scoop her kid up and get out of there fast enough.

I guess the good thing is that Spanish class is paying off.

The Doctor Is In

2007-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

As we were eating dinner tonight;

Girl says to us: I have a problem.

Hubs: What's that?

Girl: Three boys at school like me

Me: That's a problem?

Girl: Well, one is Joey and he takes his socks off in class. One is Billy and he is mean. The other is Mikey and he has no ball control.

The hubs spit his drink out his nose. It was all I could do not to laugh out loud. When we regained our composure I had to ask her what she meant.

Girl: You know when he plays soccer, he can't control his balls.

Mikey could be in big trouble if he doesn't learn to control his balls before he gets much older.

My girl, has set her standards high it seems.

*I am so going straight to He*ll for thinking this was funny.

Help Wanted

2007-01-25T15:32:00.000-08:00

I am sitting at work trying to decide if I asked for the entire month of Feburary off, if I would still have a job. My guess is a great big no.

I don't need the entire month off, it just feels that way. We will be gone every weekend in February (don't worry, someone will be staying at the bug shack and have I ever mentioned my great big scary guard dogs?) and in addition to the weekends the hubs and I will be gone an entire week of the month as well. To enjoy these weekends to the fullest, some will require a Friday exit. I am tired just typing it, I am not sure how I will keep up with it all. I didn't even mention the meetings and all things kiddo.

Somewhere in there some family is coming to town. We will unfortunately miss them this time. Good thing we will see them in May (and looks like June) when we head back to our roots for a rip roarin' family reunion.

Back to the matter at hand. I think I just asked for 9 days off, in a 28 day month. In a month where I only work 20 days. Math never was my strong point, but I don't think this is going to add up to much.

We also need to plan a birthday bash for the girl who will be double "ones" this year. Lets just not talk about that yet though K?

He's Back....

2007-01-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

Remember Bud? Today he was back. He was looking in his pockets and through his wallet looking for his debit card. After a few minuets he said "Oh Betty, you make my chickens want to lay eggs"!

Darn it Betty, now don't go making his chickens lay eggs...

Sisters, Gotta Love Um

2007-01-24T10:56:00.000-08:00

The girl's best friend is the oldest of 3 girls. M1 is 10, M2 is 7, and M3 is 5. Another friend of both of our families just got engaged and wanted M3 to be her flower girl.

Friend: M3, would you like to be the flower girl at my wedding? You will walk down the aisle with S, and carry a basket with flowers in it.

M3: I don't know....

Friend: You will get a pretty new dress to wear to the wedding

M3: Ok, I want to do it. I am sure M1 and M2 already have something in their closets they can wear.

She is too cute. Nothing like looking out for your sisters. Atta girl M3.

Worn Out

2007-01-20T14:59:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those days where all your customers drove you ape shit and caused you to want to start drinking before lunch and not stopping until you just passed out?

Yeah, me either.

(I will be in the back room with the secret stash of vodka if anyone is looking for me, and I don't even like vodka!).

Trying To Do The Right Thing

2007-01-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

Our girl plays an after school sport at school. I have to say although it wasn't what she or I really expected, I don't feel I have much room to complain as I didn't volunteer to help with it and it is always easy for us on the side lines to judge.

The coach does definately have his favorites and all the girls know if they are a favorite and if they are not. I believe he is truly in it to win, so those who have played before seem to be higher on his list. My child has never played this sport before and in turn has done a great job warming the bench.

She is less than thrilled and wants to quit. I won't let her. I say she made the commitment, she must follow through with it.

They have a tournament this weekend and she is not happy. There is a rip roarin' sleep over birthday party tomorrow night that I told her she could go to for awhile and then I would come and pick her up so she could get some sleep. (She and J who's party it is have been known to stay up all night long on more than one sleep over). Had they not had a game she would have been able to stay for the entire party.

A few other parents are letting their kids stay over night and I know of at least one other bench warmer who will not be at the tournament at all because her mother thinks its a waste of time.

Its hard for me to make my child understand why it is important (at least to us) that when you make a commitment that you follow through, especially when she sees that her friends parents view things differently than I do. Its a life lesson that sometimes isn't always fun to learn.

Beth Rocks!

2007-01-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

Apparently Beth woke up on a much better side of the bed than I did. I was ready to blog and bitch and moan and maybe even complain a bit. Before I made it over here, I stopped here.

I read what Beth is trying to do and right away my mood improved. It really is much easier to smile and be happy than it is to be pissy.

Please go and see what it is you can do to help. I just realized, if I skip St*rbucks the rest of the week, that is close to $20.00 I can use to make a difference and it won't hurt me one little bit, it may even help keep the smile on my face.

Sad.

2007-01-08T18:35:00.000-08:00

The hubs just told me that someone we knew died this morning. He was someone who the hubs was associated with through work. We have been on a few of our rewards trips with him and his wife. They were a fun, loving, party til the wee hours of the morning couple. Although I only see them once a year I still feel this emptiness. This sadness. We have a trip coming up. I was looking foward to it. Until now. It won't be the same. They are in all of our group photos. This years picture will not be complete, and it breaks my heart.

Gone in the blink of an eye. Please keep he and your family in your thoughts and prayers.

Figures

2007-01-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

We have been seriously talking about relocating Casa De Bug as we seem to be outgrowing our humble little shack. We decided that we should start getting rid of stuff we no longer, want, need or use. (This is extremely difficult for moi as I am quite the packrat). Being the nice person that I am I decide I would start my quest for de-cluttering with the girls room and her playroom / computer room. There are 10! Yes, 10 big garbage bags full of clothes in the garage to be donated / given away/ sold at a yard sale type thing. After I tackled her dresser and closet I was feeling especially brave and decided I was going in the for the kill and cleaning out her desk. The desk has 9 drawers which were all packed full of absolute crap. I threw away every marker, pen and little scrap of paper. I also threw away every last crayon I could find. I decided buying a new box would just be easier. Famous last words.

Guess who needed crayons tonight to do her homework? Please excuse me now while I run to the store and eat a little crow.

Wasted Day

2007-01-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

I am sitting here at work, wondering why it is I am sitting here. We are a small mom and pop (or pop and pop in our case) shop. Our little square mile-or-so area consists of only businesses that are just like us. Today we should be busier that all get out. The kind of day where you don't even have time to think about eating or going to the bathroom let alone actually getting to do it. Right now it is 2:10 and we have had less than a handful of customers and our total sales are not even near $100.00. Whats the problem? Its THIS!

Because of THIS! and with the crowds they are expecting they have shut down the entire area. I had to beg someone to move a baracade this morning so I could get to work. (I also had to cut through a parking lot, an alley way and drive over one curb to get "close" to the shop). All of the streets are blocked off and if I was someone coming to shop down here I would have turned around and went home and come back another time.

I understand the city wanting to have a big party but Hello what about all us little people who have stores here and are here the other 364 days a year?

On average we should have sales in the $3000. -$5000. range on a day like today. Today I am not sure we will make enough money to pay for lunch.

The only good thing about today? At 3:00 I will be the first in line to get some of this.

Dial A Ride, I Am Not

2007-01-05T13:52:00.000-08:00

In early December we starting carpooling. Well I am not sure you call it carpooling, as I am the only one who picks up and drives. In early December we started picking up Annie who goes to the same school as our girl.

Annie's parents just went through a divorce and mom moved farther away from school and needed help getting Annie to school on the days she was with her and not with her dad. So, Annie's mom went through the school address book to find someone who lived close to where she was moving. Dang my luck, we are about 5 mins away from them. She called and talked to the hubs one night (any other time I can't get him to answer the phone wouldn't ya know) explained the situation and he told her I would call her back.

When I first agreed to this, with much hesitation, the deal was she would drop Annie off at our house by 7:00 and we would be on our way. Well before the first time I picked her up she changed her mind and wanted to know if we could meet her in the parking lot across the street from her work (we do go right by here on our way), that way *she* wouldn't have to go out of her way. GAW! I was hesitant to agree to this but decided I could live on the edge and break out of my habitual ways and make 2 extra left hand turns in the morning.

In the 3 weeks before the kids got out for break, there was only one morning that they got to the parking lot before us. So Wednesday when I should have been at work, but decided to play hookie and take my kid to the mall we saw Annie's mom. She asked "Are we on for the morning??" I said "Sure, see you then".

That brings us to Thursday morning. We are supposed to meet at 7:10. At 7:16 my cell phone rang and lets guess who it was. Annie's mom was calling to tell me that they were just leaving their house and would be at least 5 more mins. (My guess would have been closer to 10 with traffic and where they actually live) so if we wanted we could go ahead and she would just take Annie to school. I was a little miffed to say the least. I hung up the phone on her. (It was not the nicest thing to do, but had I stayed on the phone who knows what would have come out of my smart mouth). You didn't know at say 7:00 or even 7:10 when you were supposed to be there that you were running late?

So this morning, I was running around like chicken with my head cut off and yelling at the girl to move it, move it, move it so we wouldn't be late. We were there at 7:10 on the dot. At 7:15 they pulled up. Annie's mom said "Have you been waiting long?". I said "Only since 7:10". She started in with how sorry she was, I said "Save it", helped Annie in the truck and off we went.

Most of the time I am more than willing to help someone out, because you never know when you will need someone to help you. But this? I.just.don't.want.to.do.it.anymore. I can walk the walk, but sometimes I just can't talk the talk. Anyone going Annie's way in the mornings?

Pictures

2007-01-03T14:04:00.001-08:00

Um....
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

Couldn't get them to upload using Blogger so we will use the old standby Flickr!! Click on the photo to see more.

Home Again

2007-01-03T12:57:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in the Lone Star State! I think surrounded by the friends we were with we could have had fun in a cardboard box though.

Here is a recap...

The lines at the airport we CRAZY! It was a good thing we left when the hubs wanted to and not when I thought we should. We barely made our flight (and we short cut in line, shhh) and we were there 2 hours before.
Little Mister was waiting for us at the airport and yelled "Auntie Mar" at the top of his lungs when he saw me!
Little Mister's daddy learned the difference bewteen a "cargo" and a "passenger" van.
With all of us piled into the van all weekend we felt just like this family. We called each other So and So Duggar all weekend.
The big boys were like kids on Christmas morning when they found out they could buy fireworks. (They are illegal here). Wanna guess how long it takes to light and shoot off $350.00 worth of fireworks?
Before the kids exchanged gifts Little Mister and Katie were playing on the floor and LM started to spill the beans. I quickly clapped my hand over his mouth so he wouldn't tell. When I pulled my hand away he said "I was just going to tell you that I loved you".
Baby Brother wasn't feeling well and was having a hard time sleeping through the night. Once when I got up with him and brought him back to the pull out sofa where hubs and I were sleeping. I kinda dozed off and when I looked over Baby Brother was rubbing hubs head over and over. It melted my heart.
It didn't snow while were there, but boy was it cold! We are such wimps.
Lesson learned: We should have taken the bump at the airport coming home and had free tickets to go back again. Next time, next time!

All in all, it was a great time had by all. We sure do miss our friends and can't wait to see them again.

Pictures are coming!

Farewell

2006-12-30T05:02:00.000-08:00

We are leaving in just a few mins. to go to the airport to go and ring in the New Year with Little Mister and all those who live with him to be at his beck and call.

Wish us luck, everyone there has the flu and the forecast is calling for that fluffy white stuff we never see.

Until next year.....

XOXO

Casa De Bug

Memories

2006-12-25T18:17:00.000-08:00

My favorite Chirstmas memory this year?

The girl laying with her head in my lap almost asleep waiting for Midnight Mass to start while the choir sang Christmas hymns.

This is the very reason that Christmas is what it is at our house. The twinkle in her eye, the love in her smile, and the giggles, oh those little giggles, I think they start at her toes and slowly work their way out.

Merry Chirstmas Sweetheart. Thank you for the memories. We l ove you more than you know!

The Gift That Keeps Giving

2006-12-25T12:59:00.000-08:00

This is what my brother got me. Can you read the fine print though? This is not just any Chia it is the special 25th Anniversary Chia that is also an alarm clock.

I am not sure how I will ever be able to thank him.

Christmas Eve

2006-12-24T09:02:00.000-08:00

Just in case you were looking for that last minute gift, I just left the Target by my house and there were hardly any people in the store! I even found everything I was loooking for!

I still have about 30 things to wrap and now I just need to figure out when I can do it without the girl seeing me. We are going to Midnight Mass so I am thinking around 2:00 am will have to do. I think I should have bought more tape while I was at the store.

All I Want For Christmas...

2006-12-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

Is for my laundry to be done! No really, we are knee deep in dirty socks and damp towels around the bug shack. See the ol' washing machine has decided that it doesn't have to rinse or drain on the first, or second or third, cycle for that matter for the last 2 weeks or so.

I tried everything I could think of to take mercy on the big box that we depend so much on and don't realize just how much we need it until its not working. I tried switching to liquid soap instead of powder, washing everything on the same cycle, extra small loads (cause this helps get it done). Nothing was working.

We were ready to just go out and buy a new washer. (It being Christmas time and all we have all kinds of extra money laying around you know). Then hubs decided to try and take the washer apart and see if it was something he could fix himself. Turns out that yes indeed, he could fix the beast!! I never thought I would be happy to send $100 on something that looks like some funky happy meal toy.

At last report the washer was rinsing and draining like a charm. Now if I could just put a call into Santa and ask him to send a little elf over to help me get caught I would be a happy girl!

The Straw That Broke The Camels Back...

2006-12-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

If it weren't for bad luck I don't think I would have any at all. Yup, its trivial and stupid but I just feel like its just one more thing that didn't work out. I called and scheduled a hair appointment for Saturday afternoon a day last week. Then I worked it all out to arrange for someone to watch the girl and drop her off at play practice in the middle of the day. (Because isn't play practice for 3 hours in the middle of the afternoon on one of the last Saturdays before Chirstmas convient for everyone?) Hubs had a day trip out of town for work so he couldn't do it.

Oh Lordy do I ever need to go and see the magical hands of Mary. I think if you held my picture next to one of Cousin It you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

My phone rang today and they wanted to confirm my appointment for tomorrow! Good Golly I made it for Saturday not Friday. I have never made a hair appointment on a Friday in my life. Um, not according to them. Just my dang luck. I talked to the lovely Miss Mary and there is no fitting me in Saturday*. Uugh.

I just may be toasting in the New Year with roots down to my ears because I have no idea when I can schedule another appointment.

An Apple A Day

2006-12-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

We have been to the doctor everyday this week so far. Monday was my first physical therapy. My appointment was at 10:30, they called me back at 12:00. I was not a happy camper. I realized afterwards that I should have not taken it out on the therapist who had my poor achy back in her hands.

Tuesday was Katie's turn. She has had the same cough for over 2 weeks now. My mom took her to the doctor a week ago and she just hasn't been able to kick it with what he gave her so back we went. We are trying a different antibotic this time and will put a humidifier in her room and see if that helps. The only good news about this is that just as the pharmacist promised, you can now get Zithromax in generic!! Woo hoo! Praise be to the founder of generic drugs. I really don't know how people with no or crappy insurance make it.

Today, it was back to PT for me. Today I got in 10 mins BEFORE my scheduled time! I should have stopped and bought a lottery ticket I was feeling so lucky.

I am hoping that no one requires a visit to the ol' doc tomorrow. I am back Friday for PT again.

To celebrate all of our visits this week we will be eating the Blue Box tonight, as with all the co-pays that we have forked out this week we are lucky we have the 69 cents to buy the mac and crack and the butter and milk to go with it!

Time to go and get the girl from softball practice. Any takers on a bet that she is probably wearing shorts and a t-shirt and her teeth are chattering out of her little pea pickin head. And she wonders why she has to go to the doctor.

What's In A Name

2006-12-13T15:05:00.000-08:00

An old man was just in the store and on his way out this conversation happened.

BossMan: Thanks Bud! Come back again.

Old Man: My name is George.

BossMan: Bye George.

Old Man: Bye Bud.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

2006-12-10T07:25:00.000-08:00

See the hand on her hip? We are in so much trouble in a few more years..

The cuteness, I can hardly stand it.

A lot about little

2006-12-09T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well here we are again. I have been consumed with doctors visits, talking to insurance adjusters, and those little copper coins with Honest Abe on them.

As the little copper coins go- the girl's school, MHD, does a coin drive every Christmas season for the needy families in the area of the school. Because it tis the season we take the coins to a machine that counts them for us and turns them into cash dollars and in turn, those lovely cash dollars are turned into gift certificates to our local grocery stores. Any hoo, do you know how heavy $2000.00 worth of pennies are? Even more so with a screwy back. Its nice to have friends in the right places sometimes. Regardless, it teaches the kids about giving and doing for others. If we can teach them this, they are ahead of the game in my book.

The good hands people are my new best friends. They have been very helpful to us trying to work out everything from the little accident on Monday. I went this morning to have the truck looked at and now have a lovely check to get the ball rolling to get the truck returned to its former glory. I am so very thankful that I was in my big girl truck and not a little tin can car. It could have been so much worse.

Doctors, doctors and more doctors. Monday after the accident I was already feeling pretty stiff so we went to Ur*gent Care. I was given the nector of the gods as far as pain medicine and muslce relaxers go and sent on my way to have x-rays taken. Of course every thing was closed. Well by luck of the draw, I was already going to the x-ray lab Tuesday morning. I figured I would kill 2 birds with one stone! Ha those birds say to me as they poop on those plans. I was there 4 hours! Good thing boss man is so understanding. Yesterday I was off to my primary care doc to get the x-ray results. Long story short, soft tissue damage, muscle something or other, Monday we will start some physical therapy to see if we can at least get the muscles to relax a little better. There is more doctor stuff to talk about but maybe later. I just don't want to think about that right now as well.

I have lots of new pictures to add to Flickr. I brought the cord with me to work but not the camera. (My mind is a busy place these days) It may take me awhile to get them uploaded at that point! I promise you, you have never see a cuter little sassy pants in go-go boots than you will see here once I get the pictures up. She is the silver lining in the gray cloud I seem to have floating over my head these days.

Cursed

2006-12-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

1204061455.jpg
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

This is the 3rd time in a month that "something" has happened to my truck. If you look closely you can see the first boo boo just under the tail light. That doosie was the result of me trying to pull a trailer and it not backing up when I thought it did and turning into it.

The second time was the day after Thanksgiving. You can read about it right here.

The third was yesterday afternoon. I stopped. The guy behind me, as you can tell did not. Nor did he have insurance. Heck, it wasn't even his car. Can it get any worse??

The Great Smoosh

2006-12-05T17:36:00.000-08:00

Today was my mammogram. I have dreaded it since the day I scheduled it. It wasn't as bad as I remember the last one being but still not something I would want to do again say, ever. But we all know I can't be that lucky.

They also did an ultrasound. The tech found at least one more lump, possibly two. Of course the tech can't tell you anything so you have to wait for the doctor to tell you what the tech tells him.

So we wait again. Waiting is not my strong point.

A few interesting things I learned today.
1 in 2,500 2o year olds get breast cancer
1 in 250 30 year olds get breast cancer
80% of lumps are benign

The biggest kicker of all?? Caffeine is known to cause these lumps. Uugh!! So this weekend I will live it up with my beloved Pep*si and bid it farewell come Sunday evening.

Shop Talk

2006-11-29T10:28:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was quite busy here at work. Listening to people talk, its almost as fun as watching people at the airport. Here are a few of my favorite things overheard.
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Christmas music was playing on the radio, the song Feliz Navidad came on. This woman starting singing along. Instead of Navidad she was singing Da Di Da. Feliz Da Di Da. Her son (who was probably 30sih) tried to correct her. It was pretty funny listening to them argue over the words.
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An older gentleman came in with his wife and he was trying to remember if our store was a jewelry store at one time. I said that it was and pointed in the direction that the big safe used to be. He looked at his wife, and then looked at me and told me that the jewelry store was where he bought her wedding ring 47 years ago. Good stuff.

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A young couple was in with their 2 or 3 year old daughter. As they were paying they were trying to decide if they should use cash or a credit card. The wife said keep your money , I will put it on my card but then you have to buy me a corn dog. (There were lots of different food venders set up for an occasion they have every year here). When they finished up the mom said to the little girl "Lets go and get a corn dog". The little girl said "I don't really want a corn dog, do they have a casserole?". Does it get any cuter? My child would not eat a corn dog either but hell if she would ever ask for a casserole!
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No Kidding

2006-11-27T13:58:00.000-08:00

I was just sitting here reading some of my favorite blogs thinking that this is turning out to be a boring day. Next thing I know I hear "Hands on your head". I look (ok, I go) outside and I count 10 police cars and an officer is yelling at a small group of people walking on the sidewalk to "Get into that (my) store". I kid you not. They had their guns drawn! I counted 3 shot guns and several pistols. (I stood in the breezeway watching not quite following directions). They got two men out of a truck and put them in handcuffs. They then surrounded the truck guns fully drawn still and pulled a baby in a car seat out. (I could not make this stuff if I tried, promise!). The baby was screaming like I have never heard a baby scream before. Poor little thing was soooo upset. Next thing we see one of the officers pick the baby up and let one of the men talk to the baby and give him a kiss. WTF?!?!?

As I stood there talking to one of the people from the sidewalk about all different scenarios we could think of they take the handcuffs off of the men???? Next thing I know they are shaking hands with the men and slapping them on the back. Again, WTF?? The guy I was talking to said he wished he was a lawyer at that point. A police officer walked over to tell us what happened. One of the guys owned the truck and at one point it was stolen and the DMV failed to fix it in the system when it was recovered. So, the plate came up as stolen, long story short.

After it was all said and done I thought that was alot of hype for it being nothing. Now that said, I am thankful they were doing their jobs and being safe rather than sorry . Why not try and pull them over and see what happens from there? (The police station is less than a half a block away and I am sure backups could have been there ASAP). I am sure they would have been happy to put their hands on the steering wheel and explained the situation. A little excitement to help pass the afternoon I guess.

The baby was happily toddling around the parking lot when it was all said and done. Can you imagine going home and someone asking you how your day was if you were one of those guys? Or the story to put in the baby book?

Not A Nice Way To Wake Up

2006-11-27T08:03:00.000-08:00

This morning I had to use Strawberry Shortcake toothpaste. Seems the tube that hubby used up was the very. last. bit. of toothpaste we had in the house other than the stuff the girl uses. I dug through every drawer and cabinet, every little bag we have ever taken on a trip hoping there was a travel tube I could squeeze a dab out of. No such luck.

I can't believe they sell that nasty stuff or that any little kid would like to use it. GAH! I wish I would have remembered then I could have used baking soda. Although that may not have been any better than the other stuff... Guess its time for a Target trip this morning.

Why We Don't Go Shopping The Day After

2006-11-25T10:50:00.001-08:00

My main reason I don't go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, is I am way to lazy to get out of my nice warm bed. I also don't enjoy pushing my way through the hoards of people. There is not a single thing out there that I think we "need" badly enough to wait in line for hours on end and fight with people to get. I will wait the extra couple of days and just pay a little more.

This year all the grandmas were out of town and we needed a back up to watch the girl since the hubs and I were both working the day after this year. A friend said she would watch her for us, but... (oh that dreaded but) she was getting up early to go shopping. Since we were kinda going up stream without a paddle I told her I would call her when I was leaving the house, find out where it was she shopping and come and drop the girl off to her as to not change her plans.

I called and she was heading to a store by the mall, I said I thought it would take us about the same amount of time to get there so I would call her when I got there and maybe I could just drop the girl off without having to park the truck and fight for a parking place. Ahh! What a great plan! I pulled into the parking lot and was heading to where my friend was standing. That is when it happened. Confirmation to yet again why we don't go shopping on Black Friday. I was waiting patiently to pull foward, apparently another person was out of patience tried to make a left turn down an aisle and side swipped me. I yelled some naughty words and got out of the truck. The other guy jumped out of his truck said doesn't look like any damage! I said I was going to move my truck and then we would look. Yeah, he drove off, or so I thought. (My friend did get his plate number thankfully). I drove up and down a few aisles and didn't see him. By this time my blood pressure was through the roof. As I was pulling out of the parking I saw him.

I rolled down the window and asked him what it was he was doing. I am sure it didn't sound very nice and he tells me "Don't be mad at me". Hello dude. It was your fault who should I be mad at??? I moved my truck to block him in so he would have to talk to me. Turns he cracked my tail light but did quite a bit of damage to his truck. My bumper was a little stronger than the side of his truck. Ouch! I told him I knew the police wouldn't come (private property) but if he would just give me his phone number I would find out how much a new tail light cost and we wouldn't have to go through his insurance (I thought that was very nice on me considering).

A new tail light is $138.00. It is $138.00 if you don't have an in with the car dealership. With the discount we will come away with about $50-$60 in our pocket. I am taking that money and going shopping. I guess its kind of a vicious circle isn't it??

Breaking News!!

2006-11-25T10:50:00.000-08:00

MEAG IS GETTING MARRIED!! WOOT WOOT! He popped the question on Turkey Day at the dinner table with lots of our family sitting right there! Brave man :). I couldn't be happier for them and can't wait for their big day.

What We Did

2006-11-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

We did the dishes.

We did the laundry.

We fought over toys.

We showed Flat Stanley a fabulous time.

And best of all, the gang was all together again!

Just Us.

2006-11-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

14 years. That is how long it has been that we have had double duty for Thanksgiving. But this year? All of the grandma's and grandpa's are out of town. I am not sure we will know what to do with ourselves!

The girl wanted to know if we could go to Taco Bell to eat. Smart kid that girl of mine.

We will miss our family.

We are thankful though that we will be spending the day as a family of 3. One of us eating nachos, one of us spending all day long in pajamas and one of us putting the Christmas light on the house.

Second Verse Same As The First

2006-11-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

I just finished a post that has taken me almost all day to write. Not because it was well written or full of charm. Its these darn customers who want help and don't understand the importance of said blogging....

So, we will try again. The weekend away was a great time had by all. Well everyone who was away that is. The girl was sick all weekend and hubs spent several hours cleaning up puke late into the night and into the wee hours of the morning. Why is it when they get sick its always the middle of the night??

I called Saturday morning to check on the happenings at Casa de Bug and worried the rest of the time about the girl. See, she is just a little whipper snapper of a thing and really can't afford to be sick in a way that causes her not to eat. Last month we hit the mile stone of 70 pounds! Yes, 70 pounds. Her doctor and I gave each other a high five and did a little happy dance. My guess is she probably lost 2-3 pounds while she was sick. Hopefully all the holiday goodies will help gain some of the weight back. I wish I had the same problem :).

Is There An Echo In Here?

2006-11-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

Why is it when you have someplace you really really really want to go the clock moves soooo slowly. I can hear my mother now "Mar, a watched pot never boils". Uugh!!

The girl was being a real pickle head this morning. This is what she does when I go away. I think it is her own little silent revenge. I know you are wondering where she got this nice little stubborn streak. I can hear my mother now "Mar, the apple doesn't fall from the tree". Uugh!!

The dogs saw the suitcase this morning (Yeah, so what I am now taking a suitcase rather than a carry on) and gave me the cold shoulder. They glared at me like they were angry with me. I can hear my mother now "Mar, dogs get mad, people get angry". Uugh!!

An hour to go. I think I can make it. I am off for a last check of my favorite blogs and email. They don't have high speed internet in the armpit of the world I am visiting. Boss man's friend asked where I was going and when he told her she said "Who would want to go there?". I do dammit and I want to go NOW!!!

Its Not The Destination Its Who Is There Waiting When You Get Off The Plane

2006-11-16T12:42:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night I am hopping a plane to go and visit Little Mister. It will be a short trip, but a trip to see him and his fine family none the less. They moved the first part of October and boy does it seem like it has been a lifetime ago. I tried several times to post about them moving and I just couldn't find the right words. Lets just say there were lots of tears from Little Mister's Momma and I the day that they moved. He was quite proud of himself that he was not crying and pronounced himself a "Big Boy". When I bought my tickets about a month ago I called to tell momma I was coming. Little Mister was nice enough to talk to me on the phone that day. I said "I am going to come to your new house and see you". He said "Your not going to be a cry baby again are you?". 3 is such a cute age.

Baby brother is growing by leaps and bounds from what I hear from his momma and in the pictures she sends. He is crawling and pulling himself up on furniture. Stop I say. Just stop. I am going to be brokenhearted if he plays shy and doesn't remember me.

We have a fun filled function at school this evening so I packed my bag last night. I started with the few things I have gotten for the boys. Here a pile, there a pile. The suitcase was full before I ever even got anything of mine in it. Maybe just a carry-on isn't going to work so well for me. I told the hubs, you know its love when I made sure all their stuff was in the suitcase before I ever even considered where the shoes would go. The weekend is going to fly by. To bad tomorrow is going to drag on like you wouldn't believe. I will be back Sunday night with more pictures than my 512MB memory card can hold and enough hugs and kisses from Little Mister and baby brother to get me to New Year's when we will see them again.

That's Alota Crap

2006-11-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

Katie
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

Lap top is still dead. Snapped this on the way out the door this morning. I asked her if she was moving out or just going to school. Free dress day so no uniform today!!

It Only Takes A Minute

2006-11-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Its been a long hard week. I wasn't sure that this was really something I wanted to share but the more I thought about it, I think it is something I need to share because it could happen to someone else and if I can help get the word out then this is where we start.

I am not a shy person, but a modest person to some extent, so this isn't exactly easy for me to share. About three weeks ago I had my anual "girly" check up. I got felt up by a 60 year old grandma and got to "spread um wide". Fun times. I got the low down on monthly self breast exams. I assured her that indeed I am very faithful about these. See, back when I was pregnant with the kiddo I developed 3 lumps in my boobs. ( I should say breast, but boob just lightens the mood a tidge). I was told not to breast feed so that everything would dry up and they could remove the lumps as soon as possible. I remember the doctor telling me "20 year olds don't get breast cancer". Turns out that everything was fine. They were some big long name that means lump in non doctor talk.

Fast foward to 2 years ago. Another lump. Another doctor telling me "people in their 20's don't get breast cancer". Yippee! More mammograms and another nice scar to add to the collection.
Once again, very thankfully, it was the great big long name that means lump.

Jump ahead again. 3 weeks ago to the annual "girly" exam. Nothing. Natta. Zilch. A week after that I find another lump. Back to the doctor I go. She is concerned at the rate it is growing. This time I didn't hear my comfort line about 20 year olds. I guess I am a big 30ish year old now. This time I hear "You just won a ticket for an ultrasound and mammogram, you need to go as soon as they can get you in". (Oh please can they smoosh the shit out of both of them while I am there because it is so much fun).

I come from a long line of lumpy,bumpy, boobies. My mom, my grandma, and my great grandma have all had lumps removed. This actually helps my odds. I still can't help but to worry. Its what I do best.

I called my best friend to tell her. She was shocked and wanted to know why the doctor didn't find it. I told her I didn't know. It was talking to her that got me to thinking. She said that she would have never checked herself that close to going to the doctor and hearing everything was ok. I am glad that I checked. And you should too.

Please Don't Ask, The Answer Is No.

2006-11-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

MVC-835F
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

This is the sign hanging up in the window as you come into the shop.

A couple of days ago a woman comes in looking a bit frantic.

Woman: Do you have bathroom?

Me: No, I am sorry we don't.

Woman: I guess I should have used the one at the police station then.

Some days it a pure comedy act around this place.

Good Intentions

2006-11-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

I had the best intentions to do a few other blog entries this week. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. If that truly is the case I have a first class ticket with my name on it.

November 6th was the anniversary of my grandpa's death. I was finally ready to talk about it.

Then the laptop died. Actually it was the hard drive. Can you see where this is going? That would be the hard drive with the last 6 months of my pictures on it. That would be the same hard drive that we haven't backed up for at least the last oh say 7 months or so. I was pretty much heartbroken. Some pictures I had burned to CD's for people, a few are still on a memory card, some more are on Flickr and the IPod but the majority of them gone. G.O.N.E. But who needs pictures of the first day of school, or last summers vacation, that camping trip with the gang, your best friend moving away Apparently its not me. The icing on my cake. At least it could have been chocolate.

Halloween pictures

2006-11-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

Don't all fairies have blue hair?

Ironic that the devil dog is the only one who would wear the wings...

I think Jorden is 100% sure that the cookie she got in return for the halo just wasn't worth it.

Halloween

2006-10-31T20:07:00.000-08:00

Guess what I was for Halloween? According to the 10ish year old that came knocking on my door, I was a fucking bitch.

We turned our porch light off at 8:00. Overall we didn't have many trick or treaters and it was time for the girl to start winding down before bed. As I said the porch light was off but the front door was open with just the screen door closed. At about 8:15 I hear Trick or Treat! The girl gets to the front door before I do and there are 3 boys (in the 10 - 12 age group standing there) they see her with the bowl of candy and one says "Just give me all you have left". This is about the time I get there and take the bowl away from the girl. As I open the door one of the boys says "Its about time". I didn't say a word. I simply dropped a single box of nerds in the first pillow case. The owner of the pillow case looks at me and says "Thats a rip off". So I nicely inform the little shit that if he hadn't been rude, he quite possibly could have had the entire bowl of candy. I then procede to give the next pillow case toting turd 3-4 pieces of candy. The first boy then says "I toldyou this was a rip off". At this point I was M.A.D. Mad! I said "Then just go and don't come back". Just as I get my door shut one of the boys turns and yells "Your a fucking bitch". I threw down the bowl of candy and ran out the door. The neighbor across the street came out when he heard the boys yell, that is how loud they were. I watched them run across the street so I walked to the corner and stood with my arms crossed watching them. As they turned away from the house they were at and saw me one started yelling "Run Jeffrey, Run!". They ran about 3-4 houses down and got into a car that was waiting for them.

I stood and watched a few more minutes. The car finally pulled away. I was absolutely livid. I didn't really care about the name calling it was the pure rudeness of it all. No, I don't know all of the neighborhood kids, but I am assuming because they got into the car and drove away someone dropped them off in our neighborhood for who knows what reason. Maybe we have better candy. Maybe their parents thought we have a safer neighborhood. Regardless, the way these kids acted blew my mind.

When I came back in and told Hubs about it he said "Don't worry, they will be in jail in a few years anyway at the rate they are going".

I understand that kids will be kids, and I know that mine is not perfect either, but come on now. It makes you wonder what kind of home life they must have to be like that.

I always tell the girl everything you do is a reflection upon us and shows others what kind of parents we are. I hope that Jeffrey and his friends were just showing off for each other and don't have the kind of parents who would think this was ok.

Thankful...

2006-10-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Thankful...
Originally uploaded by Marlee Magoo.

I am thankful that I didn't drop the F bomb today when I burned my finger with the glue gun helping Katers class put together these turkeys.

Suggestions?

2006-10-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

Oh great internet. How I need your help. The girl is having her fall party at school on Friday and I need to bring food for 30 ten year olds. Here's the situation. IT HAS TO BE HEALTHY! As in, No Sugar! No cookies, no cupcakes, no candy! I have a list of suggestions, such as cabbage wedges and asparagas spears- I don't know about you, but that screams PAR-TAY to me if anything does.

Not only does it have to be healthy, but I do have an image among the troops to maintain! We can't have them thinking that Katers mom is a big ol dweeb. (Chances are they already think this, but lets not give them a chance to add any fuel to the fire). ;).

So with that be said what are some snacks that you consider healthy that your kids love? Keep in mind we are fairly limited as it can not be prepared at home (store bought only) and it can't be too messy. (Parent teacher conferences that afternoon). Please, please, please let me know what you think, I need all the help I can get! By the way, any one know of 100% juice that comes in kid size packaging that doesn't taste like dishwater?

Halloween Fun

2006-10-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

How did you do??

One of Those Days

2006-10-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Today is one of those days where there just isn't quite enough time to get it all done. The hubs is on vacation all this week so you would think that would help. For some reason it has done nothing but hinder the well organized schedule we usually run on. It is nice that he is home so he can get some of things done that can usually only be done Monday-Friday in the 8 - 5 span, you know when most people are working!

Anyway back to today. I *thought* Katers had a dentist appointment this afternoon, because I *thought* I could just remember rather than write it down, turns out her appointment is tomorrow. (I am glad they called to confirm). This puts a great big monkey wrench in today and tomorrow. I have a meeting tonight, Hubs has to be on the other side of town and neither situation allows for a cute little tag along. (Good thing Grandma isn't doing anything tonight and can come over and hang with the girl until one of us can get home). Because I *thought* the dentist was today I scheduled the guys to come out tomorrow and evict our unwanted house guest. Hopefully they will be done in time for Hubs to run to school, pick the girl up early, run all the way back up by the house to get to the dentist on time.

On the up side if I get hungry at my meeting tonight I dropped strawberry jelly all down the front of my shirt this morning so that is there if I need it. GAW!!!

Oh No

2006-10-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

We have a small issue here at Casa de Bug. The bug shack? Has bugs! Not just any bugs at that. We got us some termites. What. A. Bummer. Not a cheap bummer at that either. We may be on the PB and J diet next week, and just maybe the week after that as well!

Leaving on a jet plane

2006-10-10T21:01:00.000-07:00

Two years ago tomorrow we set off on an adventure of a lifetime. We were off to Brazil. That is why I am so excited about this! I remember Hubs coming home and telling me about the trip and that. we. were. going! It was part of a rewards package that he got from work.

I was excitited and nervous. I was sarced to death to be so far away from the girl. I was giddy with the thought of sleeping in everyday we were gone (not having the girl and all).

Let me say, the girl she was in great hands. I really didn't have a problem leaving her, (I knew that we wouldn't be able to call and I wasn't sure how internet access would be), it was the being SO far away from her. On the off chance that something did happen, it would not be easy to get right on a plane and hurry home.

Anyway- when I saw that the Discovery Channel was doing a special on Brazil I was excited. (I really also enjoyed watching the one on China). I looked last night and part of the special was filmed in Salvador. We took a day trip to Salvador and we were just in awe. I can't wait to watch it and see if we recognize any of the buildings or churches. Chances are we may have taken a few pictures while we were there ( I went through one CD last night to make the slide show in the post below and had to weed through over 300 pictures just to pick a few of my favorites) and have some of the places they will show.

Sunday evening you will know where to find me :).

Brazil

2006-10-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Create Your Own!

Winter Grass Time

2006-10-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

See this? That is a whole lotta poop my friends. Its time for winter grass out in the Wild West. In exchange for no fluffy white stuff, we opt for the fluffy green stuff.

Hubs and Boppa were up early to plant the new grass seed and spread the manure. Along with the poop fest 2006 come Flies! Oh the flies, they are everywhere.

Of course today was beautiful day out and would have been the first day we could have turned off the air and opened the house up.

Hopefully next weekend it will still be nice. By then the smell should be gone.

Can You Feel The Love?

2006-10-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Hubs: Would you like an ice cream sandwich?

Me: No thanks.

Hubs: I would offer you a Dilly Bar but.....

Me: But there is only one left and you want it?

Hubs: Yeah, something like that.

Silly Girl

2006-10-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

Am I or Aren't I?

2006-10-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after a day out and about I decided to stop and indulge in a big-o-bucket of pop. I went right over to the fountains of bliss filled my cup up to the brim with ice and tried to add my beloved pepsi. All that came out was soda water. Fine, I will just tell the nice people who work here. There were 3 people working, 2 behind the counter and one manager was standing in the doorway of a office. I stood patiently waiting my turn to let them know and wait for them to replace the syrup. I must have been using my magical powers and rendered myself invisible without remembering it, because none of the 3 of them seemed to notice I was there.

On to plan B.

I not so nicely set my cup down and decided a bottle of water would have to do. As I waited for them to notice me so I could give them my hard earned money in return for a beverage to wet my whistle, the two people behind the counter start bickering. (Lady=60ish, Boy=17ish). Boy comes up to lady and snaps his fingers in her ear and she screams, yes screams at him "I could just kill you". About this time the manager yells across the store "Don't forget, the mystery shoppers are still out and I know they are on the Westside". Boy says to Lady "Did you hear that" Lady says "No", so manager tells them again. The look on her face was priceless.

Lady asks Boy "When?". Boy says "Right now". Lady looks at me with a questioning look... I say "Well I guess you will never know, will you?". She immediately changed her attitude towards me and becomes my new best friend. Then she says to me "Please have mercy on me" (thinking that I am indeed a mystery shopper). I just smiled and again said I am sorry I can't tell you if its me or not, because then it wouldn't be a mystery.

Was it nice of me? Probably not exactly. Will it make them maybe be nicer to the next customer? Maybe not. Did it make me feel better about not getting my pepsi? You betcha.

English 101

2006-10-05T13:28:00.000-07:00

"What year are he from?"

Words spoken from the lips of a grown man, asking about a vintage stuffed animal at the shop.

Goes well with " I just brang those in".

All Things Food

2006-10-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

We are a pretty laid back group of people at work and are as about as casual as they come. Every time a regular customer comes in they seem to catch us eating. I like to think its because they always come at lunch time, the truth is, we do tend to eat all day long. What to have for lunch usually turns into the Great Debate on almost a daily basis.

Today I was going to get lunch (Chinese if you were wondering), Bossman 2 left at the same time I did. As I was leaving I noticed a sign for a new resturant at the end of our street. I dialed my cell phone with glee as fast as I could to call Bossman 1 and tell him about it, as the phone was ringing Bossman 2 pulled over to the side of the road and waved me to pull up beside him. He wanted to make sure I saw the sign for the new resturant.

You would think that we would all be bigger than a house and not be able to fit through the front door at the shop. I sure hope the food at the new place is good :).

I Love It When He Goes To The Track..

2006-10-04T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Hubs is at the track tonight with the race car for practice. I don't like it that it cuts into the little time that the 3 of us have together during the week or that I am on my own to check homework (Hubs is the math/science guru, I am better at all the other subjects). But, as selfish as it sounds I love the fact that it means that:

The girl and I can eat noodles and butter for dinner
I get to watch a weeks worth of Young and the Restless all at once (gotta love Tivo)
I can spend a bunch of time catching up on blogs without feeling guilty
I get the bed to myself until he gets home

So, off I go to catch up on some trash t.v. and enjoy a few extra hours of slumber.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

2006-10-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am the first to admit that the school the girl goes to isn't in the "best" neighborhood, but sometimes you have to give and take. Anyway, with that said here goes...

Monday morning after school had started I was standing in the parking lot talking to a friend for a few minuets before we went on our way. As we were standing there talking we noticed that a very expensive SUV of another parent off to the side of the parking lot, pointed in the direction that you would exit the lot. I said to friend that it sounded like the SUV was running. She walked over towards the SUV and noticed that not only was it running but the families 3 year old was still inside. I was dumbfounded. The mom was nowhere to be seen. We just stood there looking at each other not knowing what to say. The mom came out, came over and talked to us (It took all I had in me not to say anything) and then went over and jumped in the SUV and drove off. The door wasn't even locked! We could not believe it.

I would not leave my girl in the car now (at 10.5 years old) in a good neighborhood, let alone one that is kinda ghetto...

There was no way that had someone came and jumped in the bling bling SUV and took off that there would have been a darn thing that we could have done about it. Sure, we could have tried to get in our cars and follow them but by then they would have a jump start on us, and my guess is if they were stealing a vehicle- they probably aren't going to be following all the traffic rules.

I guess it goes to show you that we all do things differently and don't all make the same decisions in a given situation. I would hope that if I ever was that stupid kharma would come and bite me in the ass HARD!

No Words

2006-10-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday morning there was an accident that closed the freeway down. I watched it on the news as I got ready for work.

Thursday morning Bossman and his mother were on their way to the airport to go to a wedding, of their niece and granddaughter. On the way to the airport they had to exit the freeway because of the accident.

The accident took the life of their nephew and grandson.

He was 18.

Happy Birthday

2006-09-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today my cousin is 16. H used to get so mad at M and I that she would yell at us "I NOT SASSY!", and the best was when she would tell us, "Well, your not coming to my birthday". Ah, how when you are 3 that seems like the end of the world.

I love you Helga and wish that we could have come to your birthday party this year. Sassy or not, you will always be my girl. I don't have the words to let you know what it would have done to me not to have you here.

I am sure there is a brand new car on the driveway with your name on it!