Friday, February 28, 2003

Prayers Please

My sister just found out that her husband has cancer. Not sure to what extent, just that it's cancer. More tests next week, maybe even surgery.

Please take a moment to keep him in your prayers, he's a great guy and he's very young - my age! (31) so this is a huge shock.
PETA SUCKS!
This story pissed me off. Compairisons like this are appaling. And the most revolting and ironic part is that the person responsible for the Holocaust (Hitler) was a vegitarian. Extremists... sheesh
Not Frozen, but Still Not Warm!

Well the ice has melted, the roads are open (been open) but it's still to damn cold! 39 right now. I need to go to the store, would love to take a nice long walk to the store, but it's to damn cold to drag the kids out. *sigh* Damn that guy for hitting my car. grrr.....
Is This My Child?



The other night my husband said something that had me laughing so hard. Super Girl was in the kitchen helping him warm up the soup. So she was standing on a stool stiring the soup. Hubby starts laughing and I ask him what's so funny, he says "Ya know somedays this reminds me of that scene in LOTR where Gollum and is watching Samwise cook and says "Me no like po-tay-toes." Super Girl had asked her daddy what we were having for dinner and when told it was chicken soup, she said "I don't like chicken soup." and made a face. Since she said that I can't make dinner without having visions of my child as Gollum. (I know that's just demented.)

Thursday, February 27, 2003

The Best Laid Plans...



Never survive implementation. I had planned to take the little people out to the park today to feed the ducks. I figured that since we had been literally trapped in our house due to the ice, we could all use a bit of fresh air and change of scenery. What the hell was I thinking???? A toddler and a preschooler on a short walk to the lake on a day that was 36 degrees and had melting slush on the grass. It sure did look pretty, but it was an abysmal failure. The ducks were no where to be found (although there were duck tracks in the show!)

, so the little people fed the 'virtual' ducks (threw the bread in the water). By then it was getting to be a bit to cold, the wind wasn't blowing hard, but enough to make it a bit cold on exposed skin. Cabbage Patch baby kept pulling her hat off, Super Girl kept stomping in patches of slush, mommy kept telling them to come on... *sigh* So back home we go, Super Girl starts whineing... the whole way home, lagging behind, telling me she was cold, whine, whine, whine... Oh well... I tried... Maybe next week it will be dry and the DUCKS will be back.
No, I'm GODZILLA!

L, that was so funny... made me think back to my days of underappreciated administrative worker. I once had a boss who refused to read directions on ANYTHING. If he needed to microwave his frozen dinner, he either asked someone to tell him for how long or he just randomly set the time. Another boss had NO freaking clue how to send a fax. One day he came into my office (where the fax machine was) and stood there stareing at the fax machine for a few minutes before I realized he was trying to figure out how to do it. I tried to show him how, but I was far to amused by his ineptitude to do it effectivly and end it with "This is why I work here, just let me do it." One did NOT understand the intercom - I would buzz him and announce that he had a call, if he said anything I could hear him since the line was open, but he didn't understand that. If he had anything to ask, he'd come all the way to my desk to ask me. I tried to explain, but he didn't get it. Or how to transfer a call either... again he'd come down the hall and tell me that line 3 needed to be transfered to whome ever. But the copier thing today in your work place, that's a classic. hehehehe... Someone said "People always rise to their level of incompetance." I guess that's true in their case.
Can Someone Get Me A Drink To Wash Down This Foot?

L, hehehehe... one of my amazing super powers - the ability to say things to offend with out even trying. ;o) (ask my in-laws about that one). I'm quite certain that if you did call in because you didn't feel up to work, you would not have made it public that it was because you started your period. And... you didn't call in, because you have WORK to do, and know that this is just a temporary state of being. My reference are to the women who feel that their menstrual cycle should be public knowledge and that should give them a certain amount of perks and leeway in life. I worked at H&RBlock with a woman who called in EVERY month. Used to piss me off, I wanted to tell her to take a Midol and get her lazy ass into work. (granted, I do know of people who had horrible horrible cycles, but the vast majority of women don't.) I know I sound like a total bitch, and maybe a bit misogynistic myself, I just hate women who use excuses and play stupid or play the victim to get special treatment.
Good Bye To My Neighbor...

Mr. Rogers dies at the age of 74. I'm very sad by this. I loved Mr. Rogers when I was a wee child. I used to get up early on the weekends to watch his show and Captain Kangaroo when I was 11. He was an icon of children's entertainment. *sigh* Although my children have never seen his show (I'm not sure how long it's been off the air), and I've not watched the show in 20 years, I'm deeply saddened by the loss. I always want to really live next door to him, to REALLY be his neighbor. I had little tennis shoes like his and a little blue cardigan (although I never understood why he changed from his jacket to his sweater when he got home... was his house drafty?). I wanted to take a ride on the little train to visit the king and queen. I wanted to sit in his livingroom and listen to stories and sing with him. He was the father I wanted to have (my parents divorced when I was 6), the uncle I wanted to go to the park with. He was a friend (if only through the magic of television), he was family, he was my neighbor. Good bye Mr. Rogers... the neighborhood will never be the same without you.
Word for the day: misogynistic
(m-sj-nstk) also mi·sog·y·nous (-sj-ns)
adj.
Of or characterized by a hatred of women.


Ahhhh L, you always challenge my intelect with your writing. I like that. I had to look up that word, although I had a pretty good idea what it meant from your writing. Well you, A & D all use big words *snicker* in your writing that sound so lofty and elegant, I generally don't because I have atrocious spelling and I'd mangle the spelling so bad no one would know what the hell I was trying to say. Anyway... on to the real subject - I don't watch 7th heaven (I generally don't watch many series shows) I think that many shows portray women in a negative manner, especially soap operas. It confuses me that such negative sterotypes are continually perpetuated day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year. Strong independent women are depicted as bitches or unattractive or both. The 'nice' women are weak, overly emotional, codependent and thankful for the 'big strong smart man' who helps them solve their little problems. Sadly, I have worked with several women who fall into that catagory - the helpless, weepy, 'in-need-of-a-man' woman - these women would cry at the drop of a hat and ask for days off because they were 'cramping'. The really sad part is that most men bought this whole act, and yes it was infact an act. All of these women I speak of were in no way helpless or 'in-need-of-a-man' to solve their problems, they just used that act to manipulate people around them. Pathetic. The worst I've ever done was move my car so that it was obvious that I had a flat tire so someone would come along and help me change it - and I only did that because I wasn't sure where to put the jack (my real intention was to get this guy to show me and let me change the tire myself - be he didn't do that, he just changed it). I worked with a woman who called into work because she had a flat tire (she had a spare in the trunk), she waited for 3 hours for Triple A to come change her tire - I lived in the same apartments she did - I moved my car and someone helped me within 3 minutes of me moving my car and getting things out of my trunk to change the tire myself - yes I was prepared to do it myself. Another woman I worked with would cry every time she got negative feedback from her boss. She would go to the bathroom and boo-hoo for 20 or 30 minutes. Everyone just got the impression that she was weak and unreliable and could not handle stress - so she never got a promotion (well that and the fact that she had a bad attitude). Granted, I've known women who played the victim card to get ahead in their careers (totally pathetic) and actually heard bosses give justification for giving these people preferencial treatment because "She's having a hard time since she's a single parent, etc., etc." that made me want to vomit. Anyway... this has really gotten off on a tangent now... Um... I prefer to watch true crime shows and things on the history channel, TLC or Discovery. he he...

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Rocky Racoon



I looked out the window earlier this evening and saw a big ass racoon. I ran to get my camera and by the time I got back to the window the fucker was gone. DAMN IT! I've been leary of racoons since the whole dieing rabid coon on my porch incident. The last racoon I saw was this past weekend on my way to work, but that one was in no condition to be photographed... if you get my meaning.

Speaking of that coon, I can't belive I forgot to mention that Sunday was dead stuff on the highway day. On my way to work I saw 2 deceased creatures - one an oposum and the other the above mentioned coon - then I saw two other awful sights, 2 sofa coushins! Just awful - one was a maroon with black and white stripes and some sort of yellow design on it, the other was worse, light brown plaid! Obviously thoes two were mercy killings.
Interesting Ways To Get Here

I checked my site meter, someone found this site by looking for terroist survival gear. Hehehehehe... someone would be interested in what my terrorist survival gear would be. Well mine would include a nice pair of fashionable, yet comfortable shoes, probably something in a low heel incase I need to run, and something that would not stain eaisly - so no suede... I think it would probably be a loafer of some sort. I'd have to go with a nice suit combo - pants of course. something I could layer a nice silk shirt under neith a jacket - definaitly something that dark and machine washable - eaiser to get blood or other chemicals off. Probably a natural fabric that is breathable but warm. I'd like to go with rayon pants, they just fall right every time, but they aren't very warm, and since they are made from wood fibers they are quite flamable and they do shrink, so a nice linen would be my choice - black of course - hides anykind of terrorist stains that might happen. I'd go for a casual yet business like look, not to feminine - don't want to piss off the already pissed terrorist. And that would be my terrorist gear. ;o)
Beginning to Thaw!

The temp is up to 36 now, the ice is becoming slush. Hubby will be back to work tomorrow - THANK THE LORD for that. :o) The little people have had cabin fever today. Sheesh... I've had cabin fever today!

Oh well, enough bitching, It will be over soon enough.
Day 3 of Being Frozen...

A peek out the window reveals only bleak desolate landscape. Everything covered in sparkling white ice. Hopeing this clears up soon. Provisions are running out (almost out of hot chocolate!), food supplies are getting low (no more frozen pizza!). Things are getting tense around here - the natives are getting restless (the kids are needing naps!). Praying for a break in this abominable situation soon (temp is at 31 now, hoping the roads start clearing soon) so I can send a scout (hubby) out to secure provisions (popcorn, pizza and movie rentals) to last us until the end of this crisis (tonight). If the weather doesn't clear soon, I shudder to think of what our fate will be (think of 'Ravenous')... I promise you, I won't be the first to go. Situation getting desperate (severely bored). Maybe we can contact someone in the outside world to send help (call out for pizza). Will update later. Must go try to warm self before hypothermia sets in (gotta go dry my hair).

Respectfully Signed,
General Judy Henri of The Little Fort North of Dallas



Tuesday, February 25, 2003

Iced In Texas

Damn it. We are STILL iced over. Very uncool. I prefer my ice in a glass, surrounded by tea or Jack & coke, not on the ground. Anyway, it's sleeting/raining again, the temps are in the 20's and not going to warm up above freezing before tomorrow - if they warm up at all tomorrow. It's been in the 20's all day so not a damn thing has melted here at all, the roads are a complete mess. People who were crazy enough to go out have had a rough go of it. There was a traffic back up that lasted for 6 hours early today - 6 hours! That HAD to suck. I can't belive we are going to have yet another ice day. We generally have AN ice day, not multiple. I'm tired of this. I can't go outside for a walk. Getting cabin fever. And the worst part... hubby will be home from work another day!!!! DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!! That totally screws up MY schedule. If things don't warm up tomorrow, I may be out with a blow dryer and an extra extra long extension cord making a safe path for him to get to work. Sheesh...
Proud Of Our Military Family

My sister sent this to me, I found it very touching. (D - I hope you don't mind me putting this up - let me know if you do)

Defenders of Our Country
By D.

I once asked my mother how she felt about her career in the military. She is a doctor, and her job is fixing people up when they get hurt in her branch of the military. She has been at this job, her career for well over 20 years.

Her reply was that not only are persons in the military participating in battles all over the world, they are defenders of the very things that we hold near and dear to us. For those that do not support the position that whatever President and whatever Political Party may be in office at that time, she as a military career woman is to do whatever she can to safeguard the rights of those people in this country to live in Freedom. Whether you love the actions that we are engaged in, or hate them, her job and that of countless others is to protect and defend that right you have to express yourself freely.

Her job and that of countless others is to jealously guard the United States against all enemies, known and unknown. To guarantee that you have safety and security from those who would cause harm to the United States.

When I was growing up, it was a big joke at my High School to say to me "Your Momma wears combat boots". I had only lived with my mother a short time, she was my aunt that adopted me, but those words cut through me and stung me like freezing rain, she was my Momma! They pierced my soul, and made me ashamed. Why could my Momma not do like other doctors and have a private practice and a large home in a swanky part of town? Why could we not live in one place all of my life?

Why was it that she had to go and run, no matter what the weather may be like, so that she could pass her annual physical? Why was it, that in the middle of the night, when she would get paged, that we would have to drop all of our plans for the following day?

Because, instead of truckloads of money and swanky houses with good addresses, my mother has chosen the life of a US Soldier. Yes, the money that she earns is good, but at what cost? For over 20 years, being bounced from one post to the next? For over 20 years having to continually forward your mail over and over and over? For over 20 years, having to pack and unpack like a bad rerun?

Yes, the Armed Forces do have a lot of perks, too. My mother has been to some of the most beautiful places in the world. The mountains that lie near Fort Huachuca. The rice paddies in Vietnam. The wondrous beauties of Seoul. The culture and learning in Washington, DC. The beauty of the rolling hills in San Antonio. Many more posts than that, too. Alaska. El Salvador (I think it was El Salvador. Maybe it was somewhere else) Where I have a picture of my mother and father (Who, by the way is a retired member of the Armed forces, and well decorated in his own right) manning a booth. Both of them wearing hats and grins. My father has been to Saudi Arabia and many more places, where he tells the best story about being served rattlesnake, or something equally un-American, and having to eat it as not to offend the host.

Perks like waking up and seeing rabbits run across your yard because you are not in a big city. Perks like driving up and then down a fire break (rocks used on mountains, so that, in case of forest fires, the rocks will stop the fire from going any farther) in a new Isuzu Trooper, just to see if the Isuzu can do it.

Perks like commissaries, or PX's, where there are some discounts to be had. So many perks.

Years have gone by, many in fact, since I lived at home with my Dr. Mom, and still worry about my mother. She is still in the service, still a defender of our great nation.

Now, the boots have been passed, as my son prepares to make his way into the Army. I have all of the emotions of a nervous hen. I want so badly for this to go well, but I also want to protect him.
My mother gave me a piece of very sage advice. She told me "He is the protector of the breach between freedom and evil. Between anarchy and order. Don't hold him back from his task."

So, now, I ask you to hold in your prayers my mother and my son as we are preparing to possibly go to war.

If you see me on the road, just honk your horn and yell "Your Momma wears combat boots!" and I will smile and wave back. Because you know what? She does, and my son does, too!

Hugs

D


That said, let's all keep our military in our prayers - regardless of your political afiliation or feelings concerning the posibility of war.
Winter Fun

Super Girl convinced her daddy to take her out in the ice. He was dieing to do it as well. So my two oldest kids are out freezing. *sigh* I didn't want to go, it's ice no snow, so it's NO FUN. But they couldn't wait to get out there. I'm sure they'll have fun. I worry though. Neither of them are very graceful. They are accident prone. In the ice.... *sigh* I think I'll go make sure I can find the insurance cards.
Boooo! Do you belive in Ghosts?

I do. I've had incidents of hauntings and contact with spirits/ghosts/whatever. My cat that I had for 8 years (who died about 8 years ago) stayed with me until about 7 months ago, when all the turmoil got really awful in my life, I told my husband about that, I was truly disturbed that she was gone, and he told me that maybe she was with the people who needed her more. That made me feel better, thinking that she might just be watching over someone. I know, sounds freaky and weird and your probably wondering why I'm bringing this up. Well my oldest, Super Girl, came into my room this morning as she always does, she got in bed with me and talked, part way through she looked at my open door and said "there's a ghost in here." I asked her where, she pointed to the open door, so I asked who it was, she said she didn't know, asked if it was a boy or girl, then she said it was 2 ghosts, a man and a woman. By this time her gaze was at the end of my bed as if they had walked into my room. I asked if they were kids, she said no. I asked if they were young or old, she said no, they were grandpa and grandma. So told her to talk to them, ask them why they were here. She did, then said they were looking for their baby. I asked what was the baby's name, she asked then told me the baby's name was Cirrus. A very odd name for a child to just pluck from the air - she generally names her dolls Sally or Chuckie (that's what we started calling one of her babies - creepy doll) - so I asked her to repeat herself, she said Cirrus very adamantly. Then hubby came down stairs with the baby, Cabbage Patch and Super Girl ran out to see them, so that was the end of it. Weird though.
Making Excuses For Life

My sister and I were talking the other day, she was frustrated because with a friend of hers. This is someone I know as well. D and Genna had an arguement... again... Genna is an abrasive, negative, depressive person. The specifics of the arguement are totally unimportant, what was is that Genna has a habbit of being a bitch and later explaining her actions by saying she was having a bad day, tired, stressed, worried, etc. but never really appologizing for her actions. Never taking responsibility for what she said or did. This type of behavior seems to be rampant. I know of several people who do this to excuse their bad behavior. I don't know where these people get that having a bad day, being tired, stressed, hungry, worried, etc., is an acceptable and excuseable reason for bad and abusive behavior. There are no excuses for taking things out on other people. I do realize that these type of things can make one more sensitive and more irritable thereby making it more likely that an arguement will happen. Still... not a good reason for acting badly. People know when they are having a bad day, are tired, stressed, hungry, worried, etc., and therefore should say so right away so that thoes around you are aware and will maybe take more care with their own actions as to not piss you off or you should watch your reactions very closely. I'm sure people are thinking, "Yeah right, eaiser said than done." Well, it is possible and I've done it. I've had probably the worst year and a half that I've ever had in my entire life, the last 7 months being the absolute worst ever. And I've been under an enormous amount of stress. I've had months and months of 'bad days' and I've had months of depression and worries. I did not take it out on other people, I did not sit around and feel sorry for myself, I did not continually complain about my sad, sad life. I did get help, I did talk to a counselor, I did talk to my dr. and get on anti-anxiety/depression medication, I did look for solutions and I did work hard to focus on how things would get better and what I could do to make my life better until my situation came to an end. Most people had no idea that I was going through anything, my hubby didn't even realize I was having such a bad time with anxiety attacks and depression. No I wasn't a saint during this time, and I didnt' always act nice, but when I was a bitch, I just said I was sorry and would work hard to NOT do it again, I didn't use my situation or mood as my excuse.

Someone said on another site I frequent, that the world could use a lot more kindness - I do agree with that, but I think the world needs a lot more common sense and a lot more people to take responsibility for their actions.

Ok, enough. I gotta go make lunch. ;o)
Frustrating things....

Grrr... I'm sick of the ice. Practically everything in the Dallas area is shut down today - the roads are bad - including hubby's work. I knew that he would be home today since he got off work early yesterday and the sleet continued to fall all night long - but I was somehow deluding myself that by him being home I would be able to get a few projects finished. Not happening. Hubby stayed down here in the living room with me until about 9:30 am (he got up at 8 am) - and he's been up in his room fooling with his computers the rest of the time. Grrr..... I just wanted a few hours to do some things. Me things. I know he works 40 hours a week, but I work at least double that - I take care of the kids M-F from the time they get up until the time they go to bed, and I clean house and cook for the family as well as do laundry. Then Sat & Sun I work at the hospitals... and get to come home take care of the kids most times. Don't get me wrong, I love my life. I love my jobs - being a mom is the most fulfilling thing I've ever done in my life, and being a photographer brings me so much joy and satisfaction. I do need some time off sometimes. I guess I just assumed that hubby would be more participatory around the house... my fault for making an assumption. *sigh* I feel better now. Really, I do. Just helps to vent a little. :o)

Monday, February 24, 2003

It's Raining! It's Pouring! It's SLEETING! YUCK!

Damn... the weather is still cold. 26 today and getting sleet right now. I'm tired of that. This is Texas! I should be wearing shorts by now. *pout* *pout* *pout*

OK, I'm done whining. ;o)
Awwww.... what a ... um.... UGLY baby!

Generally speaking babies are not ugly, some are funny looking and some are down right adorable, but most fall into the typical baby look, which is kind of cute and drooly. Premie babies look kind of funny for the first couple of months or so, but not generally ugly either. So anyway, towards the end of the day on Saturday, I took a picture of a baby boy that was a very unattractive baby... tiny and skinny, bald, wrinkley and a long pointy nose! YIKES! I take his picture (never mention that he's ugly...) and they come out good. Move on to the next person, then I'm done . I take my cart to the nursery to put it away, and while I'm transmitting the pictures for the day, a Dr. comes in to the nursery to do a circumcision. A nurse brings the victim - I mean patient - a few minutes later. Then I hear the Dr. & nurse talking about what an ugly baby this is. hehehehe... it was THAT baby.
Busy Ass Weekend!

Whew - work kept me busy this weekend. I worked from 9 am to 5 pm at one hospital on Saturday (I don't get breaks or luch - just on my feet pushing a cart the whole time - from room to room, taking pictures - it's a great job) and I busted my ass on Sunday so I could get done by 2:30 pm - I did - barely. It was a profitable day - I made almost $200 in commision. I can't wait for that check!

Friday was busy for the hospital in the manner of births, that's why I was so busy on Saturday. Lots of c-sections (which boggles my mind). Anyway - I love my job.