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

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)

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.

Important Things...

OK, my family is going through a lot of stress right now, if anyone reading could spare some prayers and possitive thoughts I know everyone would appreciate them.

First - My brother in law is very ill and the Dr.s don't know what it is, but one of the things it could be is colon cancer. Brother in law is young - just a few months younger than me (31). He's been going for test for quite a while and next week he goes for a really big one, hopefully the ONE that will diagnose him. So please pray that it isn't cancer and that it will clear up quickly.

Second - My husband get's laid off on March 7th. Pleas pray for the obvious, that he finds a good job soon that has good benefits.

Third - my nephew is about to graduate from High School (early) and will be joining the army. I'm excedingly proud of him and nervous for him as well.

Forth - a good friend of mine is having some major financial issues.

Fifth - I need some excitement in my life! I need a new, fabulous boyfriend! OK, I probably don't NEED one, but it would be nice. If you don't want to pray for that.... I'll understand. :o)

Need A New Subject...

Yeah I know, I've been talking about my kids to damn much lately, I'm sure that's not very interesting to ya'll.

On to another subject. Hubby saw an article about a bill that's been introduced to the house legistature. It's a bill to ban gays and lesbians from adopting in Texas. What next? A bill to take children from GLB parents? Sheesh. Texas law makers are so backwards.

I urge anyone who lives in Texas to take a few moments to write your congress person.

Funny Kid

the littlest, Cabbage Patch, was funny yesterday. She fell down, started crying, I picked her up and she said "Po baby!" hehehehe I have a habit of saying "Poor baby!" when she hurts her self. She's so cute.

Well At Least It Was Something Different!

Yesterday the toilet, today the carpet. The morning Super Girl (that's what the oldest has dubbed herself) poured BLUE nail polish on the stairs. Uggh... I got the little blue hand print cleaned off the wall, and the blue smears off the rail, and much of the spot up from the carpet but not all of it. *sigh* have to get more nail polish remover and try again.

What a Way To Start Day!

As usual the little people come into my room and bounce on the bed telling me they want breakfast. *sheesh* you'd think I was their mother or something.... oh, I am... never mind. So anyway - I get out of bed and go to the bathroom... the toilet over flows... everywhere (hmmmm I bet it had something to do with the little people flushing half a roll of tp down the toilet the night before - no that wasn't on the roll - they were kind enough to remove it from the roll first). Damn... so I send the oldest little person upstairs to get the plunger out of daddy's bathroom and throw towels down to soak up the mess. She comes back with plunger, I send her off for more towels... then more towels... and more... *sigh* so I had this icky wet mess to clean up. the upside to all of this? My bathroom is now super spiffy clean and all of my towels are too! hehe

I Am An Artist!!! (of bread)




This is a snow man - at least thats what the little person who made it said it was. ;o)


This is all of them, along the bottom row it's a turtle, a bunny and a cat. :o)

I had fun making this, the little people are having fun eating them.

Be Careful What You Say...

The oldest of the little people is very funny. She's at the stage that she takes things very literally and repeats things that are said to her. And often at inopertune moments. The other day she was being a brat (actually that's quite frequent at this age), throwing a fit in the car, saying "I want candy!" (she saw that we bought some at the store and wanted it NOW.) me being the good mommy that I am, didn't want her to have it at that very moment. She continued to say "I want candy!" so I started saying "I want a million dollars!" Eventually that amused her and she stoped bitching. Just a few minutes ago she said "Momma, give me million dollars." To which I replied "I don't have a million dollars." then she asked "why?" hehehehe... good question... why don't I have a million dollars? I think I deserve it. I'm totally worth a million dollars - at the VERY least. ;o)

Didn't Happen After All...

I went to the ortho to get debanded this morning, but it didn't happen, the orthodontist wants to do a little more work, he says that it will take about 2 months. He's being cool about things, not charging me - which is good, because I've been the worlds worst patient. I was embarassed that he made such a fuss that I came in. *sigh* Well I have to go back at 5 pm to get the top wire put back on and the bridge - they are doing adjustments right now.

Can People Really Change That Much?...

Something strange happened this weekend. We had a game... no that's not the strange part, that is normal, we have games twice a month... anyway, we had some new players... no, that's not the strange thing either, we have new players a lot... anyway one new guy was will and he brough his little boy with him - the little boy is about 3 months younger than my oldest, and they played together. The little boy is really smart also, he can spell and count already, he was way beyond my little one. He was a sweet little boy too. Anyway after everyone left, hubby and I were talking about the game and the new people. Hubby said "and you even got along with Jesse." I looked at him like he was crazy. Then he says "Wil? Jesse? You got along with him." I was shocked! I didn't realize Wil and Jesse were the same person. Let me explain. Before we got married, hubby had some friends who he gamed with, well our gaming groups merged. One of the people from his group was Jesse. I could not stand Jesse. He was a moron. One time he got a ride to come to a game, then at the end of the game he says "I don't have a ride home. Can somebody give me a ride?" Sheesh.... One of our friends who is to nice for his own good drove dumbass home. Anyway, Jesse was just plain stupid, the kind of stupid that would make me nervous that he was out crossing the street by himself. Hubby told me a month or so ago that Pete still talked to Jesse and that Jesse now went by Wil and that he was married, yadda, yadda, yadda. I didn't care. I never liked Jesse and didn't want shit to do with him. Anyway, the person who was here on Saturday night was nothing like that other person. This guy didn't even look like Jesse (he had gained about 50 lbs) and he didn't seem so damn stupid either. How is that possible? I mean how is it possible for someone's IQ to increase this late in life? To gain basic common sense? I'm confused and not completly sure it wasn't the work of aliens.

Take the test, by Emily.

Food, Food, Food

I love to cook, I've been in a cooking mood lately. Yesterday I cooked pasta sauce with meat balls for todays dinner, chicken and vegetable soup for another night and smothered chicken breasts with mashed taters, salad and artichokes for latst nights dinner.

Yesterday's Adventures With The Little People

Ahhhh yesterday...... a day that was as trying as it was entertaining.

Here is how it went:

The kids sleep untill 8 am - which is rare - I make them a scrumptious breakfast of breakfast tacos - they both love tortillas. About 10 am my best friend from high school calls, we talk for about 5 minutes, during this time the little people go upstairs to play in their room (so they say), about half way through my phone call the oldest comes down and gets the broom. I tell her to leave the broom in the kitchen, she says she needs to sweep, I ask what, get a vague answer (should have been my clue that something was wrong), I tell her again to put the broom away, she continues up the stairs, pretending not to hear me. I get off the phone and head up stairs - I know that having the broom upstairs is not a good idea. As I reach the top of the stairs I see that she and her little cohort (sister) have poured the brand new container of cat litter all over the landing. Grrrr.... I tell them both to go sit on their bed so I can clean this up. 10 minutes of cleaning and funneling the cat litter back into the container later, I take both children downstairs for a much needed bath. I hope in and get bathed with them (ah such is the life of a busy mom, never a private bath). The kids get water all over the floor so I get out, wrap in a towel, throw down the other towels to dry the floor and go to the laundry room to get a couple more towels. On my return I see the oldest standing in the bath tub pouring something. I ask her what she's doing - no answer. I get closer. I see what it is. The brand new bottle of baby shampoo. AAAAAAAA!!! Mommy is angry now... or should I say AGAIN. Get the kids out of the tub, dried off and dressed. I tell the oldest that mommy is angry that she poured out that bottle of shampoo and not to do that again. Lunch then nap time. the littlest of the little people always goes down half an hour before the big one as the big one invariably wakes the little one and plays for a couple of hours. So I put the big one to bed 30 minutes later, in her daddy's room. Tell her to STAY in bed and GO to sleep. About 1:30 pm I hear her messing around with stuff, and the baby making noise... so up I go.... She's in her and her sisters room, she's poured the cat litter out on the floor AGAIN. AND she messed up her daddy's room. I clean up the cat litter... again. Close daddy's door. Put her in her bed - theaten her life ;o) and take the baby down stairs. She sleeps finally.

Later, daddy comes home. I tell him that the big one messed up his room. he goes up to change and comes down VERY angry. Seems the little one did more than just take the sheets and blankets off his bed. She poured out the new bottle of TUMS, poured out all the carpet fresh and ALL of his lube... all together. He was quite pissed.

Today, she's not getting to go upstairs with out momma. *sigh*

Cold Ducks Went Hungry.

The Duck Feeding Party that was planned for my oldest's birthday didn't happen. I had been a little worried about the weather as a cold front had moved in. The begining of last week (when I started planning the lake party) the forcast said it would be cloudy and 54. Well as it got closer to Sunday the temperature started to drop. Sunday morning I left the house at 8 am to go to work - as usual - well it was snowing! ICK! Nothing was sticking to the roads, but there was snow in the bushes and grass - and MY CAR. Grrr... so I had to clean off my car before I left. The wind kept blowing all day and the temperatures didn't get out of the low 40's. The party was moved into our town house. Which worked out just fine, 2 of the kids who were supposed to come were sick, so it was just my little people and their cousin. The little people had fun, grandma and grandpa came as well as an Aunt. My poor little one, it sucks to have a February birthday here in Texas - you NEVER know what the weather will be like. Her first b-day it was WARM, the second it turned COLD that very day, her third she was EVIL hehehe and this one it was COLD and WINDY.

Well I need to go now, gotta head off to the store before naps, have just been waiting for it to warm up a bit.

Why? Why? Why?

Why do kids work so hard to piss off their siblings? I ask this because my oldest seems to take great pride in this ability, which always causes the little one to shriek and cry, and for me to have to interven. But inevitably just a few minutes after such an incident, the little one is right back with the big one. It's a never ending cycle.

L - I love the apartment! That is soooo beautiful. And your flowers are quite pretty as well. And a note on the flowers... Just because there are red roses in the arangement does not mean there are any implied romantic/sexual intentions from the boss. Now if he gave you just red roses... well then I'd question him. Just accept them as what they are, a blatant suck up from the boss. :o) I used to have a boss who would get all the girls in the office a box of chocolates and take us all out for lunch on V-day. I personal would have rather had flowers as the chocolates were generally gone in a matter of minutes (it was a small box), but I still appreciated the thought. Anyway - sounds like your boss can be thoughtful from time to time. btw - is this the 'pale suede cowboy'?

Which of Henry VIII's wives are you?

this quiz was made by the changelings at Spookbot

hehehe... very funny.

Feeding the Ducks!

I have thrown together an impromptu b-day party for my oldest daughter. It's a duck feeding party at the lake near us. It will only be a couple of kids who can come, but they will love feeding the ducks. QUACK!!! Just hope the ducks don't scare the kids - they are big fuckers!

Emergency Survival Kit

Hubby and I were talking the other night about how the media is play up the terorist threat and advising that people put together a Terrorist Attack Emergency Survival Kit. Hmmm... that's kind of extreme to me... BUT since I do live in Texas and the tornado season will be here before we know it. Here is the list of things that are suggested for a Emergency Survival Kit.

Judy's Terroist & Natural Disaster Emergency Survival Kit

Battery-powered radio, flashlights, batteries
Got that flashlight and radio, need more batteries. Also need to add several CD's to listen to.

Whistle
Got it in the kids musical toys. I'll just pack them all in, it would be cool to be signalling for help with a tamborine and moraccas!

First aid kit and manual
Got to replenish the first aid kit, what do I need the manual for? I know how to put on a band aid! (actually I have taken CPR classes and First Aid classes)

Hard hats, dust masks and eye goggles
Hard hats? Can you get a 'family' set of hard hats? Dust mask? Can I just put a bandana over my face? How bout just sunglasses?
Duct tape
Where would be be with Duct Tape!!!

Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas
Um... ok.... where would I find that in Home Depot?

Water
Got that. And Dr. Pepper

Food (canned, no-cook, packaged snacks)
Prepackaged snacks.... Twinkies!

Manual can opener
for twinkies?

Cash and credit cards
hmmm... ok, if I go somewhere that accepts credit cards, why wouldn't they accept checks?

Change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes
can they be pretty shoes?

Blankets or sleeping bags
got that

Fire extinguisher (A-B-C) type
got that

Infant and feminine hygiene supplies
mmmm... no comment.... no one wants to discuss that

Essential medicines and eyeglasses
Note to self, pack crazy pills.

Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and pharmacist
That will be on the crazy pills bottle

Food and water for pets
What? They can't eat twinkies and DP?

Large plastic bags for trash, waste, water protection
Protection? someone explain that to me.

Toilet paper and paper towels
Hmmmm.... this list is getting pretty long, I guess I'm supposed to have a big area for us to hole up in....

Charcoal grill or camp stove for outdoor cooking
Ummmm.... then why do I have to buy the supply of things that don't need to be cooked?

Scary Shit...

Texas bill aims to ban gay foster parents

Hubby and I have been following this for a while, waiting to see what the extremely conservative, homophobic Texas law makers will decide. It boggles my mind how they can make the judgement that being gay/lesbian/bisexual makes you unfit to be a foster parent (and in Florida - makes you unfit to be an adoptive parent). I fear this bill passing. Fear what will come next if this does pass - banning gays/lesbians/bisexuals from adopting. Then what? Making it possible for the state to take children from parents who are not straight? Make it illegal to be anything other than 'straight'?

I don't think the lawmakers are considering the impact of this bill very well. The Texas foster system is extremely over loaded at the moment. By making it illegal to foster if your GLB that would take several foster families out of the pool and would eliminate many other potential foster families. This is a potentially dangerous situation. Over crowding in Foster Homes just leaves the door open to abuse and neglect - for children who are already being removed from their home environment due to alleged abuse and neglect. Though there would be relatively few foster families affected by this bill passing, any number of foster homes being affected is too many.

For an agency who is supposed to be so 'concerned for child welfare' they aren't thinking this through very well. If you are in Texas, take the time to write your state representative about this.

Texas Government Online and Texas Legislature Online

Hmmm.. is it obvious that I have a very dim view of Child Protective Services? ;o)

Judy's Answered to 3XThursday 2/13/2k3 : World Class Thanks to Jake for the questions. ;o)

1. What is the one country on the planet that you would like to visit but have never been to?
Well I haven't been to many places so just about anywhere would be cool for me. I would love to see Italy - all the regions - and to experience the food and culture.

2. If you had to pick another country to be born and raised in besides your native one what one would it be?
Hmmm... I think New Zeland.

3. What country actually really scares the hell out of you?
Hmmmm... North Korea...

Bonus Question for comments: What do you think is the sexiest accent know to human kind?
Hmmm.. I really like the different accents from around the US... But I do think I do love the European accents.

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO MY OLDEST DAUGHTER!!!

Scott Baio!!! *ahhhh*


Scott Baio Bio

Ever wonder what happend to the 'critically aclaimed' actor Scott Baio? No? Me either... But I was watching TV and channel surfing - looking for something for back ground noise - and guess what was coming on? that awful show Charles In Charge! I'm sure that's probably one of the more embarassing moments in Mr. Baio's career. But I remember a time he was SOOOOOO popular. In fact he was one of the FIRST actors I had a major crush on. HAHAHAHA! I even had a poster of him. *snicker*

So I look on the internet for info on him. hehehehe...

Read this for a laugh - especially the last sentence. Where could he be?


One of the funniest things I found was this:
List of Scott Baio Movies On VHS
Clearance! BWHAHAHAHAHA!!

This particular article will give one a good laugh:
Scott Baio
I like the part about the Playboy Mansion! hehehehehehe... neighborhood bicycle... hehehehehe...

Apparently there was a rumor that Scott Baio was dead that was circulating around the same time that Chris Farley died... I never heard about that though... Scott Baio that is, I did hear about Farley... so... I doubt it was much of a concern to the masses... it was however enough of a concern to Mr. Baio himself for him to issue a statement "I'm not dead."
Scott Baio Lives

Such a popular actor as he is, it is hard to imagine that there are thoes who dislike him and even revel in his misfortune (not being able to get an acting part... could it be his lack of talent hindering him?), and I'm not just talking about Conan O'Brien! This guy put up a page to him. LOL

Unemployed Actor Of The Month

and to finish off this post... a religious piece on him *snicker*

Hmmmm....

Hmmmm.... that confuses me... I thought it was.... eh... never mind...

Actually this page Baio Bio has the best line to end a post about Mr. Baio - I wish I had written it! Read the last paragraph. ;o)

WallyWorld Has It All!

except the one I went to today... So after I left the orthodontist I went to WalMart, I needed some things and wanted to walk around to calm myself down. So I go to one that I rarely ever go to, it was all big and new on the outside so I'm having visions of a lot of new stuff to choose through - thinking craft section really. And I needed to get some things for the birthday party for the oldest little person. Well the store isn't full of new stuff, it's kind of half full, they are in the process of the remodel and don't have everything on the shelves, and don't have everything in the right place. *sigh* So I go to the craft/fabric section to look for some material to make some curtains for the little peoples' room and some more to make dress up clothes for them. I can't find exactly what I want, but I find some stuff that will do fine. Then I look for the food section to get cake mixes. Well that's one of the sections that's only half done. *sigh* I can't even find the cleaning products section so i can get some more dish washing powder. So I leave.

Why does WalMart Suck? And WHY do I keep going there? Oh yeah... because they are cheap... 'nuf said.

Fuck....

Well I didn't get my braces off today. *sigh* I had my husband come home early to watch the little people so I could go. I get there at 3:20 for my 3:45 appointment and am told my appointment was at 2 pm. DAMN! And they are booked solid today so they can't fit me in. SHIT! I'm scheduled for next week - Wednesday at 11:30 am. I will be there this time. I didn't realize how very much I was looking forward to NOT having braces until I was told I'd have to wait. I almost cried. Life sucks some times.

Something Shocking and Important...

Someone sent me this link, Proof Of The Anti-Christ!!. I generally do not discuss religion in forums like this, but I have to on this issue. Just read the article. It will shock and horrify you also.

Bracing For The Big Day!!

Tomorrow I get my braces off! YAY! I'm so excite - seems like I've had these damn things on forever!

Judy's Answers to the Monday Mission 3.06

1. In the states, every citizen is expected to perform their civic duty and serve on a jury at some point. This week, I am on jury duty. Have you ever had to serve on a jury?
I've been called for jury duty 4 or 5 times, but never had to serve. Been a student a couple of times, one time got the notice the day before I gave birth, another time got the notice a week after I was supposed to show up and couldn't get day care another time.

2. If you were to ever serve on a jury, would you be able to give someone the death penalty?
Oh hell yes, I might even volunteer to do it for the state depending on how heinous the crime was.

3. One thing that concerns me about jury duty is what my life would be like if I had to convict someone. I'd always be worried about some sort of retaliation from the convict, or their family. Has fear of negative consequences ever kept you from reporting a crime or voicing your opinion?
nope, not afraid of that. I've never been a witness to a crime or anything but I doubt I'd feel fear from that. As far as voicing my opinion, I do that all the time with little or no concern for the negative consequences... I'm very outspoken.

4. When it comes to convictions, I've never even been convicted of speeding (accued yes, but heh, never convicted). Have you ever been accused of or convicted for breaking any laws? What's the real story there?
got a speeding ticket a couple of weeks ago - but will take defensive driving so that will be removed from my record. had a ticket for no insurance and one for no valid inspection and that's it. Never been to jail or anything ;o)

5. It looks like I will have a lot of time on my hands this week in the jury pool. I may get called, I may not. If not, I go back tomorrow. Rinse, wash, repeat. How would you pass the time if you had to sit and wait around from 8am-5pm for 5 days?
I've had to do that before, sit and wait around all damn day. I generally try to bring a book or sketch pad and pencils, maybe knitting. Sometimes a notebook or journal so I can write things - mostly odd observations of people around me.

6. One thing I do like about this "civic duty" is that it will be at the downtown courthouse. I LOVE downtown. There is just so much life there. What part of your town is your favorite to visit? Why? What makes it so special?
My particular town has a beautiful historic downtown area, I love all the antique shops there. My favorite place to go in the Dallas area is a wholesale shopping district off Harry Hines - best deals for great stuff - also Little Vietnam (aka central Garland) where all the cool oriental stores are and a huge dollar store. D and I love to take the little people there.

7. I'm not that outgoing around strangers, so I doubt I will be meeting many new people this week. Do you have any problems striking up a conversation with someone you don't know? Have chance encounters with strangers ever led to interesting new relationships or opportunities?
I'm not really shy. I love to meet new people. I've met plenty of people in chance encounters and had plenty of interesting relationships due to it (and I'm not strictly talking romantic/sexual - friends mostly). Life is all about chance encounters and opportinities, you just have to be open to it.

BONUS: So if I tell you that you're really something baby, will you stay or will you go away ?
Hmmm... depends on if your going to wear that in public...

Today's Comment Question: What toppings do you like on your pizza?
I prefer to make my own pizza - I like artichoke hearts, olives, mushrooms, broccoli, lots of sauce, basil, tomatoes, peperoni and lots of cheese. I really love pizza so I like most pizza that doesn't have bell peppers or onions on it.

How evil are you?

Is anyone suprised? ...Anyone? ... Anyone?

Cooking Shows

L - I'm totally with you, I absolutly love watching cooking shows - even if it's food I would never put in my mouth! I have never heard of the one you mentioned, I will have to look for it. I love watching shows like that. I did know a lot of thoes things, but I'm a total foodie - I love to cook and I love to eat (my wide hips are proof). One of my favorite shows to watch - but had some of the most vile food was Two Fat Ladies. One item I vividly remember was called a Scotch Egg - and it's pub food. It's a boiled egg, covered in sausage then breaded and deep fried! When all is said and done, it's about the size of a softball. I'm sure that consumeing just ONE of these would be enough to give one a corinary, but I'm damn'd curious if it tastes good! I used to watch this one show that came on PBS on Sundays, it was a chef who went to rural places in Louisana (where I was born) and shows how to make some of the old local dishes - he also does a little history into the food and the particular city or town it's native to. I love that show.

Saturday Night Movie

We watched Signs and Rush Hour 2 tonight. Here's my thoughts on it.

SIGNS
I was thorougly disapointed with this movie. It wasn't even half as scary as I was expecting. (although hubby was scared. hehehehehe) It was slow starting, and Mel Gibson, who I do consider to be a pretty good actor, was just stiff in this movie! I liked Joaquine Phoenix in the movie - although his part was very limited. I was disapointed that the movie was less about alien invasion and more about this former reverend's loss of faith and the things he goes through that bring it back. By the time that they were hiding in the cellar I was having visions of Return Of The Living Dead - and regretting not actually watching that movie instead. Predictable... Not scary... Sloppy story... Fell short.

Rush Hour 2

If you've seen the first one, you've seen this one. But I liked it. It was funny. Jackie Chan kicks ass, Chris Tucker is a riot - I loved the Michael Jackson impression. I know I'll see a 3rd movie if the make it, no matter how predictable it may be, it's just funny.

Well I should go to bed, I'm tired. I had a long day at work - got off at 4:30 pm and I know that I have at least 5 babies to take pics of before 11 am. Busy, busy...

Brrrrrr!!! It's cold here!

It's 31 this morning... I'm cold. I know for most of you who live north of me - anywhere north of me - that's not that big of a deal, but I don't like it when it gets cold like that. Looks like that damn Ground Hog was right about the weather... little fat bastard! My oldest will be 4 this Thursday, I was hopeing we could have a little get together at the lake that is near us, but the weather is going to be crappy for this whole week. *sigh* I want to go out for a walk, but it's too cold to take the little people out...

Better go get ready for work.

EBAY!!!

E-Bay... gotta love it. The Worlds Largest Online Garage Sales! I listed more stuff on there. Gosh that's addicting... I think I'll be selling more stuff... lots more stuff... clothes my kids have out grown, clothes I've gotten too small for (yay!), clothes hubby has gotten to ...er... 'big' for, toys I hate having around the house, stuff I don't need anymore... I might get carried away and end up with 3 outfits left and the computer and chair! - hell I might even list hubby! hehehe just kidding - can't sell live things. ;o)

My sister and I were looking at auction places... there are a bunch and some cater to *ahem* naughty things you can't sell on e-bay. Freaky what people will buy!

Something else stupid and amusing (to me)

You are a Bavarian.


What's your Inner European?
brought to you by Quizilla

hehehehe. Bavarian... makes me think of pasteries...

Stupid... but amuseing...

Tramp Bear


Which Dysfunctional Care Bear Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Now... is anyone surprised? Anyone?... Anyone?... ;o)

Funny Kids

Today the little people found their toy stethescope so they decided that they were doctors. Actually they were 'Good Doctors' according to the oldest. I was informed that I was sick and needed to sit down. Upon wedging my plus sized adult mommy butt into the child sized tiny chair in their room, the oldest handed me a Little Mermaid figurine (medicine) and poked me with a fork (a shot) then asked me if I felt better. I chuckled and said I did, then asked about her credentials. She said she had been a 'Good Doctor' for a while. I asked about her past clients and was informed that she had taken care of me and daddy and cats and dogs. A veterinarian and an MD, very impressive. I inquired if it took a long time to go to school for that, she told me it did (not exactly sure how long it would be since she is just 4). Her collegue - the smaller of the little people had a much nicer bedside manner than she did though. No forkes were involved. Just lots of fish faced kisses while I lay on the sofa, every so often the smallest of the 'Good Doctors' would kiss me then climb up next to me and pull the covers up, kiss me again then pat my face. Apparently she has a more hands on approach and relies less on the tools of her trade. The doctors didn't do much consulting with each other, they tended to go about their own prescribed course of treatment with little or no concern for overlapping treatments. Eventually I told the oldest of the 'Good Doctors' that if she gave me another shot (poke with a fork) she'd get a time out, and my house call was over. Ya know, I do feel better now. ;o) Hope this was covered by my insurance.

this was funny... D had it on her page...


Exhibitionist movie! You'd get off on letting
ANYONE and EVERYONE watch you have sex...even
small children, you sick sonofabitch! Kinky is
your middle name.


What kind of porno would you star in?
brought to you by Quizilla

hehehehe... no comment on how accurate the test results are though. ;o)

Sick but Funny

I check my site meter fairly regularly. This is so bizarre, the one search that keeps bringing up my site is "pictures of hemroids", "hemroid surgery" and "hemroids". This never fails to amuse me. Make one comment about your brother inlaw being a hemroid and see what happens... either that or the sarcastic comment compairing spending time with someone to having hemroid surgery.

Now I have to wonder.... why would someone want a PICTURE of a hemroid? It's not like you need a picture to identify if you have one seeing as you can't exactly see your own ass! So why the hell would you want to look at someone elses? SICK!!!!

*note to all seeking hemroid pictures* Seek psychological help.

3XThursday 2/6/2k3 : I love C8 H10 N4 O2

1. What is your favorite caffeinated beverage?
I love Dr. Pepper

2. Do you know of any unique caffeine drink that have yet to be exploited and mass marketed by Starbucks?
hmmm... I don't really drink much in the way of coffee stuff

3. What are some of the other nifty legal drugs that make your daily existence a little better?
Hmmm... nothing really... Chocolate I guess...

Thursday Things To Read

I came across this article yesterday Girls Who Dine Alone May Pay a High Price, I found it interesting and disturbing. My sister and I both had eating disorders when we were younger. I was bulimic in college, she was bulimic and then anorexic in her early 20's. I don't dispute any of the findings, but I found it curious that girls who dine alone or lived in a single parent home had a higher risk of having an eating disorder. I mean I guess it makes sense if you think about it, girls who dine alone don't have any role models pressent to model proper eating habits, and single parent homes, well a girls in that situation end up with kids eating alone out of necessity. I was surprised that there was no mention of crazy relatives always telling a girl she was fat. That was my deal, my family was obsessed with my weight and my sisters. I was always to fat and she always had the pressure of being the 'thin' one. We were ALWAYS being compaired. I think this study is discounting the parents role in this. I've talked to a lot of other women who were bulimic or anorexic or both when they were younger, and MOST of them cited an overly critical parent or family member and their wish to please them as the reason for their eating disorder. *sigh* who knows.... I spent enough time in counseling to wish there was some easy answer and quick cure for this, but I know there isn't. Although I haven't been bulimic in years, I still have to deal with the urge and the emotional link between food and body image.

Later...

Shit... i have another sinus headache. I'm just waiting for my medicine to kick in. Uggh.

Today went spectacularly. Everything went off without a hitch. Jake and Pete - thanks for the lovely day dreams I had while waiting for what seemed an eternity in the court house just waiting to stand infront of the judge. ;o)

Well.. I do have more to write... but not now... I need sleep... I need relief from pain...

Tuesday

Well today is the big day... I'm soooooooo nervous. I shouldn't be. It's a sure thing, just have to sign the papers and stand infront of the judge, then it's done. It's over. Life is normal again. But I'm still nervous... I know it's going to happen, and it's all ready to happen, but there is still a little part of me that is nervous that something, anything, will go wrong. I'm just being silly.

I had to do something to calm my nerves... been looking at pictures of hot men. ;o) Jake, Jake, Jake... mmmm... mmmm... good. Had to go look at Pete's page also... that picture of him painting that shows a glimpse of his bare chest. Yummy... A few other random annonomous hot men pictures... now I'm writing... still nervous... Maybe I should make breakfast...

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year celebration was awsome. Hubby was away most of the day, so it was just me and the little people getting ready for the celebration. I made a Barbie Cake - in red - for the celebration.

Barbie Cake

It looks kind of funny, but I didn't do it right, my first attempt before making one for a certain 4 year olds b-day.

I cooked a duck - basted with honey, basil and orange - slow cooked. Duck because duck rhymes with Luck and ... well never mind there... And I made Pot Stickers - stuffed dumplings - they were soooo good, and so easy to make (yes I made them from scratch). Red potatoes, long noodles and tomatoes finished out the meal (red because it's means luck, long uncut noodles for long life, tomatoes because they are red and tasty).

Hubby didn't get home until 8:30 pm so we didn't get to dinner until about 9:30 pm. The littleset of the little people fell asleep in his arms. The bigger of the little people liked the duck and noodles, but was dieing for cake. hehehehe... iit tasted very good. (although it was disturbing to see all the bright colored crumbs all over the floor). It was a good start to the Chinese New year.

My New Craft Projects!

I started doing decoupage! I started just on a whim - I was clearing up all the decorations from Chinese New Year and it seemed a shame to just throw them away. So... here's what I made!

This was my first attempt.



And this was my second - it's so pretty.

I don't think I'm doing it exactly like i'm supposed to. I think your supposed to use glue, but I'm using varnish - it dries so nice and shiny!!

Taking Care Of Business

Ahhhh... I got my ticket taken care of. I dropped off the little people this morning, then headed off to get the registration on my car, took 5 minutes. Then off to get the inspection on my car - I waited an HOUR. Then it took them 15 minutes to inspect the car and tell me it failed. *sigh* oh well, off to the court house. Wait in line 20 minutes, pay lots of money, get two part of the ticket dismissed, pay the last. So it's done. My speeding ticket will be removed (when I take drivers ed) and the no registration is dismissed. But it took all freaking day to take care of all this.

Judy's Monday Mission 3.05

1. Do you remember the first LP, 45, CD or CD single that you bought? Recreate the scene for me.
Hmmm... the first one I bought... Let's see... the first LP I bought for my self was a Doken record when I was in High School (previously other people had purchased LP, etc for me so I'm not counting them). I bought it at Christmas - my best friend and I went to the mall and bought each other records for Christmas - she got Bon Jovi, I got Doken. hehehehe.. I wore that record out.

2. What was the last CD or song that you actually paid money for?
Hmmmm.... I think it was Lenny Kravitz Greatest hits... or Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits lol.

3. It is my personal opinion that "Munchos" and "Funions" are the most perfect snack food ever. What do you think is the best snack food ever?
Mmmmm... Munchos... good...but too damn salty... Fuck, just eating a bag of thoes will raise your blood pressure to stroke level. Whoopers are the most perfect snack food ever...

4. Comedian George Carlin once pointed we consider the things we like to keep around us to be our "stuff," whereas other people's stuff is just junk to us (ok, he used more colorful language, but you get the idea). What "stuff" do you have that someone else might just throw away if they were cleaning out your house?
Hell most of my 'stuff' would be junk to others. My doll collection, crafts, paints, art stuff, small box collection, comic books, tarot cards... you name it.. one mans treasure is another mans trash.

5. Do you think it is wrong for people to rush to e-Bay and start selling Space Shuttle Columbia collectibles?
tasteless

6. Does it bother you when President Bush speaks about God and invokes scripture quotations from the Bible during his speeches?
Hmmm.. I guess it would if I listened to the speeches...

7. I have a friend who think's she's being photographed in public restrooms. What paranoid delusion do you have?
just one? That people are going through my trash to steal my identity.

Monday... Busy Ass Monday...

Whew... I've been taking care of my ticket today... sheesh... no fun. The weekend was fabulous... and busy... the Chinese New year celebration was sooooo nice... Duck... mmmmmm... I have pictures and tales to tell..

I started doing a whole new craft... it kicks ass.. I'll have pictures of that later...

Anyway.. I've got much to do right now... will write more later... much more... Tomorrow something wonderful will happen for me... I'm almost afraid to even mention it (fear it won't happen if I do... I know, stupid, but I'm a bit superstisious)....

Hubby bought me some cool tarot cards... *sigh* much to do.... can't make coherent thoughts at the moment...

L - an earthquake? DAMN! I don't know if that would scare me or excite me!

A - Need to call you - much to talk about. Sucks about the morning sickness... I remember that. At least your not throwing up all the time. (small comfort I know). I'm excited about your baby, can't wait to see the first sono picture.

D - You willey wench you!(need to put a pic of you in your wench wear on here) I have a few business propositions to discuss with you. Need insight and all.

Off to do things...

Ready For The New Year

Well I'm all done getting my house ready for the Chinese New Year. It's all clean and I have pretty decorations up. I have a Jackie Chan movie to watch tomorrow. I bought some food earlier today and am just waiting for it to turn midnight. My sister is going to call me. We talked about it earlier today, even agreed what to say to each other. hehehehe... I know it sounds silly for us to be doing this, but it's fun and hell, I'll use any excuse for a party.

Sex Education Taboo in School...

Teacher fired after condom demonstration

Lately there have been several stories in the news that have really apalled me - one about a child chained to his bed by his foster mother, another about a child abandoned in a store, then there is the woman who is sueing for being sent the leg of her dead father, and many more, but this one takes the cake. A teacher fired for showing kids how a condom goes on (as demonstrated on a bananna) during a sex education class. What? Why is it that schools are expected to educate children on sex but not to discuss 'naughty' things like masturbation or condoms - much less any kind of birth control. And let's not even mention oral sex. Yet some schools are teaching about 'alternative lifestyles' (i.e. homosexuality) - which is fine, but why is abstinance the ONLY birth control the vast majority of schools are teaching? No wonder so many teenaged girls get pregnant every year, and the rates of teenagers infected with stds (including HIV) is steadily climbing each year. I remember being in high school, I would have loved to have had some kind of demonstration and frank discussion on condom use and other birth control methods... and yes discussing masturbation would have been useful as well. I'm sure most high schoolers would laugh and make jokes, but they would still get the information and some would actually learn something from it. I have a teenage nephew - who is sexually active (very much so from my understanding...) and I have asked him if he uses condoms, he assured me he does (and God I hope he really does), I know my sister has probably already had the big 'sex' talk with him, but I wanted to make sure, because I know that my mother and my aunts never ever discussed sex or birth control and definatly not masturbation (I actually checked out a book in the library to learn about these things). I know I would so much rather tell my daughters the straight truth about sex, birth control and alternatives to sex (masturbation) than have them find out the way most kids do.

This is the one quote that got me the most: "It's those kinds of demonstrations that we don't want in our schools," school superintendent Dan White said. Well what kind of demonstrations do they want in school?

L - I guess I am still having anxiety dreams. I am under a lot of stress currently, but that should be over soon... hopefully the anxiety dreams will be also. Last night I had a bought of insomnia... something I rarely ever have. I really do need a drink... or a vacation. Maybe both.

My Adventures With D and The Masked Banditos!

Thursday started out much as any other Thursday. I was tired didn’t want to get out of bed. After smacking the snooze button for the 20th time, I stumbled out of bed and rushed to get ready. The shower was cold… cold as day old coffee left in the cup, but a real eye opener none the less. Damn that husband of mine for taking his shower first. After testing the waters I opted not to wash my hair, it wasn’t going to make much difference today what with the humidity so damn high, I was going to look like a poodle with it’s tail caught in an electric outlet. We rushed out of here a little early, but still got held up in traffic – why are there only accidents on Thursdays. We made it to our appointment right on time and everything went as usual. Same time next week. Hubby and I parted ways as I met up with D and the little people… that’s were normal became abnormal.

D took us on a winding adventure at high speeds to a little known location to get the obscure papers I needed for tomorrow nights activities. Upon arriving at the location, we stopped in a little eatery for some of the local cuisine. It was the same place we dined last time so I ordered the same thing I had before – Chow Fun Combination.


Here is a picture of me, D and the little people*

Before lunch arrived, we snapped a few other pictures to document our time there.


Here are pictures of me and D, trying to look all GQ.

When our food arrived I discovered that this was not what I had ordered before. Apparently I had only thought I had FUN the time before, but in fact I had not. Though a surprise for me, it was quite tasty.

Off we went in search of the items I needed. We passed a food stand with local delicacies on display… I’m sure they are tasty, but I just can’t bring myself to eat anything that is still able to look at me.



Another interesting item we saw was this:


Ahhh… a roasted pig with everything still there – hooves and all! What more could one want for a fancy dinner party… or for the Chinese New Year… which after all was why we were out shopping… supplies for the festivities. (no I did not purchase the pig. I am cooking a duck)

After the purchase of many festive and colorful decorations and some yummy noodles, D surprised me by shuttling myself and the little people over to another store.

Part way through our pursuing the store, I turned to see this:


The little people had apparently decided to turn to a life a crime! I was in utter shock and dismay! It was absolute pandemonium in the store! People were shocked and appalled that two people, who were so little would go bad. We rushed out of the store after narrowly escaping the manager. We decided to keep things on the low-low until things cooled off. (what really happened: D put the ski mask on the little people, which amused us way to much, we got hassled by the manager of the dollar store for taking pictures in there {eyes rolling up in head}, we left and the little people got naps. ;)

There it is… my excitement.

3XThursday 1/30/2k3 : A Real Fixer Upper Thanks to jake for the questions.

Judy's answers:

1. Do you have anything that you need to fix or replace?
Oh yeah... Plenty with the car. Need to get a new watch or get my watch band fixed, my steam cleaner needs to be fixed or replaced, the CATS need to be fixed. ;o)

2. What about Automotive matters? Is there anything on a car in your life that needs some mechanical loving? When was the last time you checked your oil?
My car needs some mechanical loving period. I need to get some work done, but it's damn expensive. I checked the oil (and other fluids) last Sunday.

3. How is your computer doing? How are things digital? So what OS are you using?
Computer is doing good - hubby keeps that up. Things digital are great also. OS - microsoft 2000 (yuck - but hubby takes care of the computers).

Bonus Question for comments: If you could guest star on any animated TV show what show would you crash.
The Fairly Odd Parents or South Park.

Gung Hey Fat Choy
"Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth"

The Chinese New Year is February 1! I didn't realize it was that soon. I'll be going to Chinese market tomorrow with my sister to get some nummy morsels for a New Years celebration and some decorations. I love to do this kind of stuff! I just wish I had realized when it was sooner! I have to get the house cleaned and all this other stuff done tomorrow.

FREE FISH!

My hubby just told me that his brother is looking to get rid of two of his fish! So Spike will have tank mates soon!

Moments That Define Life

The other day I was thinking about how some events really define one's life. I've found those moments to not be the huge events but the small ones. Ones that are often over looked. Things that pass by in the blink of an eye, things you don't realize are important and significant until later... when it's long past... and you wish that somehow you could go back to that event and record it in great detail so you can relive the sweetness of it over and over. Here are some of mine (be warned - there are lots of MOM moments)

The first time my hubby (then boyfriend) brought me a present just because. It was just a stuffed kangaroo he got as a promo from work, but I loved it.

My first car - driving just because there was gas in the tank.

My first sonogram for my first child.

Flying a kite for the first time (at 24) and laughing uncontrolably.

Exploring LA with my sister. (too bad more pictures didn't turn out!)

Watching my children fall asleep in my arms when they were babies.

Being told "Mamma, you're just like Wonder Woman!".

Feeling the warm breath of a child on my cheek as they nap snuggled up next to me.

When everyone tells me how good the dinner I slaved over is.

Taking the perfect picture at work.

Taking my children home from the hospital when they were just born.

Thoes are just some of them... there are hundreds more. For me these are moments that define my life, who I am, and color everything that happens after. Moments I sometimes forget. Sweet moments that make me smile just remembering. *sigh* I sound all sappy...

More Weird Dreams...

I had this bizarre dream a few days ago, but it was so odd I haven't forgotten it.

I was with some of my relatives and some other people, it was some kind of big weekend get together. Someone there had these pets, they kind of looked like rats, but not exactly, and they were trained, they were kind of like itty bitty dogs. Anyway, I find out about some weird plott by this guy. He's planning to detonate a bomb that will kill people, but not damage structures or cars or anything..... just disentigrate people. So next thing I know I'm on a train tracking this guy. I catch up to him and he's detonated the bomb - the timer is going - and they guy jumps off the train (I had the cute little rat/dogs with me), I stay on the train with the bomb - it detonates and I'm disentigrated. Then I wake up.

Flashback to the 70's

Looking at the furniture on that sight (and laughing) brought back nostalgic memories from growing up. The big ugly brown and black plaid sofa with wood accents and the matching table/bench, the lovely formica table with vinyl chairs for the kitchen, the shades of brown and orange everyone decorated in. And our very favorite... the flocked wallpaper! Yes, really that was our favorite of all. The tacky wallpaper with the fuzzy designs, that felt kind of velvety. All older people seemed to have at least a room or a hall done in that wallpaper (always in an beige or gold color). I was probably one of the tackiest things you could put in your home, but as I child - I loved that! I loved to touch it! I could stand in one place and pet the wall for an hour if they would let me... which they never did... adults always got pissed about kids touching the fuzzy wallpaper. Something about grubby little fingers leaving marks and rubbing the fuzz off in places... Whatever! If they didn't want us to TOUCH it then they should not have put it up! I'm going to have to look for some of that wallpaper... maybe cover a box with it for hubby for his birthday. hehehe...

Retro Furniture Channeling

My hubby went to a political party meeting on Monday night (he wants to be more politically active, poor man), and one of the people there gave him their card. Their business is furniture - 'Classic Modern Furnishings' as they say on their card. It's furniture mostly form the 50's, 60's and 70's, that has been refinished and refurbished and is being sold for big bucks. I guess this is trendy now, to have furniture from this era - not my style (I perfer French Provencial). So we are looking at this stuff and I start telling hubby "Oh I can see that table, with a bong on it right there, ashtrays there, there, there and there... 4 or 5 hippies sitting around it discussing politics and how to save the earth, but no one with remember it later..... oh and this one, I see nice earthy coasters on the table, with matching coffee cups on them, a small floral center piece in the middle, 4 or 5 earthy-tree-huggers sitting around discussing how to save the enviroment." Hubby starts laughing, saying I'm furniture channeling! I should do that at psychic shows!

Tuesday? Wednesday? What the hell day is it?..

Well I'm back, I'm feeling much better. Sinus headache is gone (Thank you OTC mecidations!). I've taken some sinus medication this morning and now I'm buzzing on it - this stuff really gives me the zips, but it's the only thing that takes care of my pain and doesn't knock me out - I took the knock out stuff last night ;o).

Today - I went to the post office again. Had more items to mail out - just waiting on two people to pay for their items and I'll be done with this batch of Ebay things. I went to the post office sans the little people today - ahhhhh that was nice, and so much eaiser not having to shove 60 lbs of little people in a stroller as well as the packages all the way to the post office. On the way back I had to get cat food, so I got to replace my pervious cargo that had been mailed with a large bag of cat food. At least the cat's will stop bitching and I can stop feeding them cans of tuna (which for some damn reason they are being picky about - I would think they would be estatic to be getting tuna everyday for the past 3 days, but NOOOOOOO.)

Fish Story

I am soon to get a larger fish tank to acomodate Spike my evil goldfish. My sister is giving me her old tank. I plan to aquire some more gold fish - I think 7 gold fish and one black fish... and hope that Spike will not have anymore homicidal urges to kill his tank mates. I'm sure the little people will be delighted to have more fish to over feed.

Braceing Myself For Unbracing
Well my ortho called today, and he wants to schedule to take my braces off. YAY! I'm the worst patient - I haven't been in to have them tightened in forever... but I was almost done with everything.. I was just being lazy. So I told them I needed to talk to my dentist so I could get the bridge work coordinated. I'm so excited!!! I can't wait to be braceless! I'm just waiting for my dentist to call me back.

Damn... I have a sinus headache. I have had it most of today. Uggh... I had all this cool stuff to write about... but I just want to go to bed now.

My Excitement For Monday!

I had to mail some of the items that I've sold on Ebay, so I packed up the items, told the little people to put on their socks and shoes about 50 times (finally had to do it myself), packed all of that into the big ol' double stroller (this thing is big and has thes big all terrain wheels on it - it's slick) and off we went. OK, that made me realize I need to get my flabby ass back into the gym. Whew... what a work out. It's about 6 or 10 blocks to the post office, but it's uphill to get there and parts of the way does not have sidewalks, and pushing that semi of strollers on the grass is damn hard!! But we got there. And of course, the little people had been relatively good all the way there, so now they had to start WHINEING as we wait in line. Sheesh... NOW I remember why I like to do this sans the little people!

Anyway the walk back was much eaiser, less stuff in the stroller and all down hill. whew...

Monday Morning Mission (judys answers)

1. Do you care for poetry? Do you have a favorite poem? Care to share some of it?
Poetry is not my favorite type of literature. I do like poetry by Edgar Allen Poe, Shakespear and some by Lord Byron. My favorite poem is She Walks In Beauty by Byron
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
so soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

2. What does it take to "rock your world?"
Depends on what exactly you mean by "rock your world"... I mean a fifth of Tequila will rock my world, really great sex will rock my world, lots of money will rock my world.... question is to damn vague...

3. Have you ever done anything that landed you in financial trouble? Has somebody else's action ever caused you financial ruin? What happened?

Yes and yes... and it put me in debt, that's what happened!

4. Take a stroll down memory lane. There is a song, that every time you hear it, you think of this one person. What's the song, who is the person, and what memories does it conjure up?

Yeah... Stairway To Heaven reminds me of the idiot boyfriend I had when I was 16... the memories are of what an idiot he turned out to be ... and oh yeah and how he also decided to come out of the closet after I dumped him.If I had $1000000 always makes me think of my husband when we were dating. That old Carpenters song that goes "On the day that you were born the angels got together...." always makes me think of locust - and my sister (no not together - she just loves that song) and her singing that to me on my birthday every year.

5. I've never cared for football, it was never on in the house growing up and I never developed a "taste" for it. But I've always felt like I "should" enjoy it, that I was deficient in some way because I never get excited about things like the Super Bowl (except for the commercials). Are there any occasions when you feel like you are missing out on something that everyone else seems to enjoy?
Ummm yeah.

6. A few of the phrases that get under my skin are "take it to the next level" (which was used when I was told why I was being replaced at Fox by someone who could do that) and "you just don't get it" (always popular in relationship fights). What phrases "push your buttons" and why?
'Huh?' is one that makes me want to scream, 'irregardles' is another one... there are more... can't think of them now.

7. Do you believe in life after death? What do you believe happens when our time is up?

Hmmm.. I belive there is something after death... I do belive in the concept of heaven, but I also belive in ghosts... but I really don't know what happens after death. I guess I'll find out for myself some day.

Saturday!

Today I go off to work, I headed straight to the new hospital - per my boss's order. It was a really really busy day there (good sales though!) and I didn't get out until 3:30 PM - so I didn't get to my usual first hospital until 4 PM. I had missed 2 people who were going home today. My boss is an idiot. I took 3 pictures at that hospital and skipped the last hospital. I got home at 5 PM. Whew - a long day. So I was totally exhausted when I got home, I had to take a nap after dinner. Maybe not the smartest thing to do... now I'm wide awake. I've cleaned my living room and kitchen, got the televison on to Court TV (love thoes crime shows!) and I know that I have to get up early tomorrow, because my busy hospital is going to be VERY busy tomorrow - I left the hospital knowing there were 9 babies on the list for tomorrow. Uggh!

What a pisser... I wrote a couple of things last night, but apparently they got lost somewhere in cyber space....

OK, here's a quick recap...

Stink Be Gone!
My bathroom no longer smells like ASS! YAY! The blue drop in thingie worked!

Feral Children
Yesterday I was doing a search and ended up on a page that had a bunch of links to information on various subjects. I honestly do not remember what I was searching for, but I saw this link for Feral Children, I thought it was a joke and clicked on it. Nope it's for real. Children who were some how separated from their families (ran away or abandoned or just lost) and survived in the wilderness by being 'adopted' or befriending animals. It doesn't happen very often but there was one child found last year in Romaina and two children found the year before (can't remember exatly where). It was interesting and bizarre.

L & A - ahhhh the baby name game. People name children horrible names. Since I'm a baby photographer I get first hand experience hearing horid names for babies. I have come across a baby girl named Genisus. Today's winner baby name was Stetson Colby for a boy. Common names are Colby, Coby, Reece, Bryce, Rylee & Avery for boys and girls. I really don't like unisex names. Last year a lot of people were naming babies after places (i.e. Dakota, Brooklyn, Asia, Irelyn, Dallas, Austin, Paris...) - Ick. I think the trend is going away from naming babies really bizarre names, and more towards traditional names. I'm starting to hear a lot of 'older' names - Sophie, Olivia, Emma, Grace... I kind of like that. Boy names stay pretty constant, Michael, Jacob, Mathew, Joseph, Christopher. Zachary, Xavier, Dylan were popular last year... and I still hear them a lot, but not as much. I like how many of the immigrats name their children - they generally name them names that mean things. Anyway - I'm just babbling... ;o)

Abstract Art...

The little people got a special treat today - they got to PAINT!



This is a view of all of the paintings (yes they are painted on styrofoam plates...).


A's Blue and gold vision


B's Blue


B's Red and Gold

These are my favorites that they did. My little budding artists! (they looked so cute with little trash bag paint smocks!)

A Trip To WallyWorld

Thursdays seem to be my days to go shopping lately. Today it was a trip to WalMart - not just any WalMart, but the Big Super WalMart. Ohhhhhhh..... the excitement was hardly containable....

The little people do not appreciate shopping very much. It brings about much whineing and begging. But eventually I shut up and just shop. ;o)

One of the things I needed to get was something to freshen up my bathroom. By that I mean that my bathroom stinks. For some reason it always had a lingering stink - kind of like a lingering fart. I clean it every week - even the comode - but it still stinks - some days it really STANKS (sic)! I generally keep the door closed because otherwise the odor encroches on my bedroom and I really don't like my bedroom smelling like ASS! So anyway, I got these blue tablet things that you drop in the tank and they are supposed to keep the bowl clean and take care of the ass smell. They came two to a pack, one for my bathroom and one for hubby's bathroom. Hopeing this will work, and not poison my cats.

Sheesh... I'm tired... Off to bed... More about the EXCITING trip to WallyWorld tomorrow. ;o) just kidding.

A Special First For Judy Today



Behold! My VERY first speeding ticket! Hopefully my last also. I'm just surprised I got it, I rarely ever speed (a fact that drives my sister nuts when I'm the one driving). My sister got stopped at the SAME time I did (I was following her - kind of trying to catch up to her, thats why I was speeding - she always speeds), but she did NOT get a ticket! Damn her! Oh well, I can get mine dismissed with defensive driving. I'm not really upset about it at all, I just wish I had gotten a picture of the officer who gave me the ticket. :o)

Wooohooo! EBay Rocks!!!

My auctions just ended - $211 in profit! My sister and I will split this, but that's a good $105 each! That should be enough to pay for part of my ticket.... (read next post)

3XThursday 1/23/2k3 : Based on a True Story Thank youJake for the great questions!!!

1. If there was going to be a movie made about your life what would it be like? Who would play you and who would direct it. What style of movie would it be?
It would probably be a disturbing diary type thing. I'd like Winonna Rider to play me... She'd have to gain some weight and dye her hair red, but I think she'd be the one - if not her then Riki Lake. I think they guy who directed Hair Spray would be good, but I think he's dead. It would be a comedy horror movie.

2. If a music album was going to be made about your life who would make it?
Everclear

3. If your life was going to be made into a book who would you choose to write it?
Stephen King

Bonus Question for comments: What popular actor or actress would make you retch if they were picked for a role to play you?
Drew Barrymore... the Olson Twins.... lol.... Sandra Bulock

French Men...

OK, I'm laughing.... and maybe that's mean... I have a friend who is French, lives in Morocco and we have been e-mail friends for a little over 2 years. At one time he expressed his undieing love to me and I wouldn't talk to him for about 4 months. After his expression of love and me not talking ot him for a bit, once we started e-mailing again it's always been completly nice and never anything other than platonic. Well tonight I got an e-mail from him and it said:

Thank you to be for me to take time always there to listen to me, to speak to me and to help themselves.... Thank you for your support, your encouraging words, your soft smile and your tender gestures.
Thank you for the pleasure of learning how to tame you. Thanks for allowing me to say to you what I feel between our two glances.
You are so very very beauty
Thanks for letting me dream, and carry out our projects. Thank you to divide without waiting, giving without beginning again. I can only thank you for liking me and to accept me such as I am with my defects and my requirement
I wish to look into each other eyes
To see your eyes
Your smile
To touch your skin
To touch your lovely lips
You are my moon
You are my sun
You are eyes are like two diamonds in the sky
They are like two jewels in the sky shining for me and show me the way to the paradise.
Thanks for making in kind maintain the desire by recognizing my preferences and my differences and by accepting my states hearts.... Thank you to make so that the seduction keeps the spark, the butterflies in the belly, the shiver of uncertainty.

hehehehe... if nothing else, those French guys sure have a way with words, my eyes "are like two jewels in the sky shining for me and show me the way to the paradise." :o)

Something Funny
Dear Abby:

I am a crack dealer in New Jersey who has recently been diagnosed as a carrier of the HIV virus. My parents live in a suburb of Philadelphia and one of my sisters, who lives in Bensenville, is married to a transvestite.

My father and mother have recently been arrested for growing and selling marijuana and are currently dependent on my other two sisters who are prostitutes in Jersey City. I have two brothers. One is currently serving a non-parole life sentence in Attica for murder of a teenage boy in 1994.

The other brother is currently being held in the Wellington Remand Center on charges of neglecting his three children. I have recently become engaged to marry a former Thai prostitute who lives in the Bronx and, indeed, is still a part-time "working girl" in a brothel. Her time there is limited, however, as we hope to open our own brothel with her as the working manager. I am hoping my two sisters would be interested in joining our team.

Although I would prefer them not to prostitute themselves, it would get them off the street, and, hopefully, the heroin.

My problem is this: I love my fiancée and look forward to bringing her into the family, and of course, I want to be totally honest with her.

Should I tell her about my cousin who voted for Gore...?

Signed,
Worried About My Reputation

A friend of mine sent that to me...

Cult Leader In My Area?

Last night I was watching Unsolved Mysteries, they did a segment on a 'New Age Guru' in the Dallas area and how 10 people associated with her have died in suspisious circumstances - either suicide or weird accidents - after making huge donations to her organization or after changing their wills/insurance benefits to name her and/or her organization as the beneficiary.

New Age Beliefs Lead to Death
Investigations Reveal New Age Mind Control
Prosecutor Considers "Mind Control"

The above links are pretty straight forward about the case and they all say pretty much the same thing, but the link below is much more indepth - there are lots of typos in it, but I liked it best because it has so much information.
article on Terri Hoffman

And here is the link to the segment I saw on Unsolved Mysteries
Unsolved Mysteries

The thing that is most irritating is that I can not find any follow up articles on these cases. I know that there were cases pending against Terri Hoffman as of 1997 but I can not find anything on her or her organization that dates more recently than 1997. I want to know what happened in the cases... and if Ms. Hoffman is still playing the 'guru' role.

Weak Wednesday....

uggh... not feeling so hot today... it's nothing really, just tired.

I made the best damn dinner last night. Shepherd's Pie. It was awsome. And hubby brought home a French silk pie for desert. So I guess it was Pie Night around here. "Damit Kitty! That's my pie!" (South Park reference) Luckily theres plenty left over so I don't have to cook tonight... I really don't feel like it.

So I haven't done much today... my biggest acomplishment has been painting my toe nails blue.



OH yeah, and I put some laundry in the dryer.

ANOTHER MOVIE REVIEW!!! Catch Me If You Can rated PG13

I am surprised to say that I liked this movie. I generally avoid movies that star DiCaprio because I think he sucks as an actor. BUT, my nephew talked me into going. He assured me it was a really good movie. With much skepticism I agreed to go to the 8:30 pm showing Sunday night. And I liked the movie... I really liked it. It moved along smoothly and was very entertaining - DiCaprio played his part very well and very convincingly. I kept expecting to come to a place in the movie that sucked or that DiCaprio did a crappy unconvincing job acting, but it didn't happen. Tom Hanks was great in the movie as always, as was Christopher Walken. Martin Sheen was pretty damn funny. I'm not going to talk about any of the plot, it's best if you have NO clue at all what's going to happen next. Well worth seeing in the theater.

MOVIE REVIEW!!! The Wild Thornberrys Movie rated PG

I really loved this movie - but I really really love this show (it comes on Nickelodeon). I don't know why... could be because the main character is a little redheaded girl with glasses and braces who adores animals and I'm a big redheaded girl with glasses and braces who adores animals... Anyway - it was rated PG for some dumb reason, but I'll never understand why, there was no violence, swearing or sex in it... not even an 'adult situation'. I think it's more of a 'girl' movie, but my 17 year old nephew said that he enjoyed the movie (he might have just been saying that to be nice though).

As I Was Saying...

Sooooo... Friday I worked, then cleaned, then picked up my nephew and the little people, then picked up hubby and headed home.

Saturday - I went to work at my first hospital and started having back spasms, so I headed home, took some sleep inducing medication and slept for several hours. (my boss was none to pleased with me for that... oh well). Got up, got ready for the game - nephew played and had a great time (he was a riot). Took humiliating picture of cat and friend.

Sunday - back to work, busy but productive day. Came home, took nephew, little people and hubby to movies (Wild Thornberrys). Went to WalMart, returned movies to Blockbuster, went to movie with nephew (Catch Me If You Can).

Monday - Went to work at new hospital. Met my boss up there. She told me that whoever has been doing that hospital has had a lot of declines, so she wanted me to work it then call her before I left. Had a VERY busy day - Took 10 pictures, 5 sales right on the spot (3 more will call in). I totally do not know what the regular person is doing. I only had 2 people tell me flat out that they did not want pictures - I had 14 people on the list - 2 declines and two reschedules. My boss was pissed that the regular person is being a screw off, and I can't blame her. Why go into work if your not going to do the work? Especially a job like this where you make MORE money if you make sales. And this is a fairly easy, but busy hospital to work - the picture taking part is so easy. *sheesh* Anyway, got home at 5 pm, layed on couch and watched The Fairly Odd parents for a couple of hours. Hubby made dinner. Nephew and the little people had gone about noon - I missed saying bye to them. Had such a nice time with them.

that's my weekend in summary... ;o)

Soooooo Tired....

Gosh I'm tired. I have been so damn busy... All weekend... will write more tomorrow... All about work... two movies... more work... fucking morons at work.... ahhhh... such fun...

The Game Tonight...

Tonight was our game night, we had a great time as usual. My nephew joined in the game and I think he really enjoyed it, he said he might come back for the next game... depending on what he has going on at that time. I hope he does, he was a riot. We all spent a lot of time just laughing (as usual). Here is a picture of Peter getting into character (woman character):


I think he looks fabulous in my white lacy apron. ;o)

As you all know, my cats often have to suffer some indignity at my whim when I have guests over... the last time it was frilly collars.. this time it's a little red cape... Dusty really didn't mind though.