Ramblings of a Southern Goddess

Hello...

2010-12-29T12:45:00.000-08:00

Thinking that I might start blogging again....

Week 1--Core4

2009-09-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a quick post but I feel it is important to write about my experience on Core4. This morning I weighed 150.2. That's 5.2 pounds in one week. But the most important thing about this week is how good I have felt. I haven't been "high" or on a "buzz." I just feel like I should have been feeling all along. I feel energetic enough to get through my day and I'm becoming laser focused on getting finished with my college. But now, I have the energy to concentrate on my college classes after I've worked all day. I've had a few "PMS" days where I wanted to eat everything in sight but even so, I've done really good for the first week. I have drastically reduced the number of diet drinks I have consumed and now, I crave water. So stay tuned next week's update.

Marybeth

About to start Core4...

2009-08-30T15:39:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken on July 26 in Memphis. We were happy because we were on our way to the American Idols concert which was freaking AMAZING!!! But looking at these pictures, I realize something I really already know but you know how some things just have to slap you in the face. I'm wearing a loose fitting dress but I still look like a stuffed sausage. I look like I'm gasping for breath. I am forty and fat. But not for long....

Tonight, I am going to begin the Core4 program. It's a healthy weight loss program that sort of found me while I was looking for "the answer." I'll go into details more as I use the products and can tell you how they work. Check back here for regular posts as I begin and WIN my battle with my weight!

Weight: 155.4
Bust: 43 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 43 inches

I found out that I'm carrying about 60 pounds of fat to 95 pounds of lean body mass which sounds about right because I wanted to lose 30 pounds. My goal today is to lose 30 pounds but that may change as I progress through this program because the ultimate goal is to get in amazing shape and become fit, toned and healthy. I am excited about become more energetic and strong in the process.

Virtues, Laughter, Yoga, and Miracles...

2009-07-14T19:20:00.000-07:00

Not necessarily in that order...

I'm sitting here listening to Monkey play "music to relax to" on the guitar. Ava's cuddled up between me and Monkey---enjoying the peace. Ava asks her daddy to make her a CD of his relaxing guitar music so she can always listen to him play the guitar. I want to cry because it touches my heart. AnnaBanana is taking a bath. She never shuts up but even she is enjoying the calm. Sort of. When she gets too loud, we all holler "PEACE" to her and that makes her realize that the voices in her head are escaping and making noise on the outside.

It's been a good night. We have laughed and laughed. It feels good to be present in the moment. At the dinner table tonight, while we were laughing...I remember "feeling" the happiness and joy and I know I want more of that. I was just trying to remember what we were laughing at and it's crazy that I don't remember the details. Oh, yeah....one thing was when I did yoga with Anna...I've never done yoga but I'm feeling so good lately that I decided to try it. So we pop in the DVD and sit down and begin with breathing. Then we do---I think, it's called--the Downward Facing Dog---and I'm thinking it's feeling really good...but meditation is tough when all I hear is laughter from behind. I thought it was because Teki kept hopping on my back but come to find out, it was because I looked ridiculous! So I laughed it off...and said okay that's enough for tonight (because the purpose is meditation, right?) AnnaBanana said..."MooMoo, don't go. I'll stop laughing at you but I have to turn the other way because you just look so funny!" It is now 10:00 pm and we are still laughing. They HAVE to go to bed!

We been doing Vacation Bible School this week and have been having sooooo much fun! I'm teaching the "Faith" station and it's really been great! I'm learning as much as the kids. Yesterday, I went into the Catholic bookstore to find a "gift" for my kids because the theme for today's lesson was "The Mass is GIFT." When I walked into the store, there was a retired priest and the sales clerk in the store. I told the clerk that I was looking for a small gift that would represent Mary (our Saint for the day) and something not too expensive because I'd need 33 of them. So the sales clerk heads over to the Miraculous medals and begins counting them. In the meantime, the priest begins telling me how to present this "gift" to the kids. His first words were "First, you have to get a magnifying glass." Okay...I didn't mention that our whole theme of VBS this year is "The Marvelous Mystery--The Mass Comes Alive" and all of decorating, teaching props, and prizes are magnifying glasses! It was like the brush of angels wings when this old retired priest who didn't know me from Adam said these words to me. You better believe that I was listening to every word he said. Then he tells me to attach gold safety pins to the medals so I can tie in the scripture about "Silver and gold have I none, but I have a greater gift that is eternal life." (He quoted the scripture right...I paraphrased.) So freaking cool! I was pumped and excited to teach my lesson the next day. I thought then that I was experiencing a wonderful blessing from God. But it gets even better. So as the priest finishes teaching me my lesson, the sales clerk turns to me and says, "I only have 33." OMG! She has them in her hands and the priest takes her hands and mind and blesses them on the spot. I thank him and she takes them to the register, puts them in a bag, and hands them to me. I pull out my wallet to pay and she tells me, "The medals are yours as a gift. They are blessed. I won't charge you for a blessed item." I was shocked. I walked into that store looking for a gift to give and left having received a miraculous gift from God! It was an amazing experience to witness this type of miracle FIRSTHAND!
Again, it's being present in the moment and expecting wonderful things to happen. I never really said..."okay, now, I'm going to get 33 medals and a "lesson" for free when I go into this store" but I do say these words every day..."WONDERFUL THINGS JUST HAPPEN TO ME ALL THE TIME!!!!" And it's true they do. As I left the store, a young girl walked in the store...and the priest said, "Well, God is sending me all these angels today." I'm was thinking the same thing except I'm thinking the angel was old Father Ken Williams and the dear sweet sales lady who was a Saint...even when she lost her sale. Wow! Life is good!

This week, each day we have a "virtue" that we are teaching about. Patience, peace, unity, generosity, and faith. As I've written in previous posts, my life is moving in a new direction and each of these are virtues that I'm embracing...except the patience thing...I'm a firm believer of "never ask for patience because you might get it." Luckily, we had a church tour yesterday and I didn't have time to teach about patience. I wouldn't be too good at that virtue. I loved today...peace. Since I'm on my own "path to peace", it was a wonderful virtue to teach. I'm excited about the others because they are all virtues that mean so much to me.

Before I go to sleep tonight, I want to say to anyone who reads this blog: Life changes when your thoughts change. People, this is key. If you're happy where you are, keep doing the same things. Keep thinking the same thoughts. But if you aren't happy with your life, change your thoughts and you will change your life! I promise this is true. Live in the magic of your thoughts. Dwell on your life as you want it to be and it will be. I'm just beginning on this journey...but already, I see the magic and I'm beginning to live what I can only called a "charmed life." I'm so excited and passionate about this. For the first time in a very long time, I am excited about living life. And it will only get better. Of that I am sure.

Things that make me happy tonight: Teki, laughter, friendships-old and new, and my family, and the new-found joy that is in my heart.
Mama's little Tequila Rose Tassin (also known as Teki, Teki Bug, and Cheetah)

Oh, and this: Some people are born to do something special in life. Sometimes, it takes a little while to figure it out. Sometimes, not. This little girl was born to sing. I am Connie Talbot's biggest fan (except maybe her mama). Beautiful.

"I am healthy, wealthy, passionate, happy, wise, loving, warm, inspiring, beautiful and peaceful and WONDERFUL things just happen to me everyday!" I reserve the right to add to this list at any time!

On the "Path to Peace"

2009-07-09T16:21:00.000-07:00

I've got a lot on my mind right now. I'm on the verge of some big changes and my expectations are extremely positive. Within the last few days, God--the Universe--definitely Something or Someone bigger than me---has placed some amazing people in my path and at risk of being somewhat dramatic, they have honestly changed the course of my life. Rest assured that I will write more about this in the days, weeks, and months to come but right now, I'm still digesting how drastically my course has changed in just a few days.

This week, I've really been thinking about what it means to "live life on my own terms." How would I live my life if things like money, fear, and other people's expectations were not a part of the equation? I've been thinking about how life is always the same unless you change your way of thinking. I know I am going to face some opposition and I may disappoint some people but I've been thinking about taking a break from college. I could kill myself taking 18 hours for the next two semesters and possibly graduate but I just don't want to. So what is it exactly that I do want? I want to spend the next four years enjoying my daughter's high school years. I want to live in the moment and enjoy the last four years that my baby will be living at home full-time. The next four years will seem like fleeting moments and I want to savor each one. I want to read books for pleasure. I want to scrapbook until the wee hours of the morning without the least amount of guilt. I want to sip sweet tea on my front yard swing. I want to go shopping and have lunch with friends without one thought of writing papers and doing homework. I want to go and I want to stay--but completely at my own discretion. I want to give to others and take for myself---often and even more often than that. I want to be open to every opportunity that life may decide to present to me. I want to experience the magic of everyday moments as well as extraordinary moments that I may miss if I'm not looking for them.

"I am healthy, wealthy, passionate, happy, wise, loving, warm, inspiring, beautiful and peaceful." I reserve the right to add to this list at any time!

Thinking thoughts of health and wealth...

2009-07-08T08:46:00.001-07:00

I'm heading off for lunch with a friend then I'll be back to do some writing and blog, myspace and facebook editing. Got lots of things on my mind--lots of things to be said and done. If I told you I'd do it, I will do it. Please be patient with me.

Just a little example of how knowing The Secret works: Last night, I was under the weather but I fell asleep intentionally thinking thoughts of perfect health. Monkey just asked me how I felt this morning and I told him that I felt FABULOUS this morning. He reminded me that I wasn't feeling "FABULOUS" last night but this morning, I feel so good that I couldn't even remember feeling the least bit ill last night. Proof that you become your thoughts!

"I am healthy, wealthy, passionate, happy, and beautiful." I have the right to add to this list at any time!

Love ya! I'll be back soon!

Strange...

2009-06-29T11:32:00.000-07:00

I feel so strange. So out of place. So restless. Questioning. Not knowing but unsure of what I don't know. What's going on with me?

Crazy dream...

2009-06-21T14:51:00.000-07:00

Last night I dreamed that I took a road trip with a set of naked twins. They were young and good looking. It wasn't really sexual but then again if there's two good looking naked guys in it, then maybe it was. Who knows? What the heck does that mean? I'm thinking I want to go back to sleep now and pick up where I left off.

Universe, I'm putting it out there for ya....

2009-06-20T14:07:00.000-07:00

I want to go here and here. There is so much in life that I want to explore.

Today's ramblings...

2009-06-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

Well, here's what's on my mind today and you should be because it's good stuff...

1) Guiliana Rancic mentioned The Secret on Twitter the otherday and kind of nudged me to pull my copy of the book out. So I downloaded the documentary from iTunes and watched it. I am applying the principles because I believe them to lifechanging. I sent Guiliana a "tweet" yesterday thanking her for mentioning The Secret and she actually "tweeted" me back. Yes! I was so happy to hear from her. I had a positive attitude all day yesterday and it was like a shield from anything negative. I believe that The Secret is going to change my life.

2) My neighbors are lovely people. But I want them to bring their little dog inside in 100 degree heat. Of course, my dogs just make it worse. They bark and irritate her all day long (when they aren't being held and kissed or when they are napping). It's like they are bragging--"Ha ha, you have to stay outside in the heat and we're treated like royalty.". Little buttholes. But I love them.

3) I'm working on my vision journal. I want to visualize exactly what I want my life to be and what I want it to reflect. So I went through all my magazines and pulled out pictures, words, whatever I was drawn to. I think Someone bigger than me is telling me that I should be a vegetarian.

4) Yesterday, I had an amazing visit with a skin specialist who gave me some amazing advice that I'm so happy to pass along to you. Stop spending money on expensive lotions and creams! The best stuff on the market is at CVS or Walmart. It's ROC Deep Wrinkle Serum. Twenty bucks. Geesh. I brought a box of face stuff in to my appointment that probably totaled $300 or $400. Also, your skin is only microns thick so all you need is a good cleanser (she recommended Oil of Olay Pore Redefining Scrub), ROC and then a makeup with sunscreen. If you put more than that one your skin, it just slides off (which is probably why my makeup is always gone within minutes of putting it on). I'm on my way to beautiful skin!

5) I bought some Pantene Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask and let me tell you it is amazing. I'm growing my hair out and it was sooooooo dry that it was just falling out. I tried this stuff and my hair is so soft and silky. Beautiful. I am so pleased.

Well, I'm going to get dressed and get my room straightened up a bit. Then I have to take a Finite test. I'll catch yall up later. It's going to be a wonderful day!!!!!

Hello again...

2009-06-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

Trace is so hot. And what's so cool is that he's good without any help from anyone or any technical stuff. He's just wonderful!

Whooo Hooooo--Keith Urban and Brad Paisley! OMG! Does it get any better than that?

Yeah, you know...

2009-06-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

I love Taylor but I wanted Kelly Pickler to win something tonight. She's so cool.

I love Sugarland, too. Not crazy about their version...oh, now the B-52's are making it really hot! Now, it's so much better. Cool!

Commercials...ugh.

Oh, you know who it is...

2009-06-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

"Keith Urban is something else" is right.

Where is George Strait tonight? I miss him.

Have I mentioned how freaking wonderful Brad Paisley is?

Wouldn't it be cool to always have somewhere cool to go on Saturday night?

Commercials annoy me. A lot.

It's me again, Margaret...

2009-06-16T18:00:00.001-07:00

Whoever is doing the sound for the awards isn't really doing a good job.

Taylor Swift is really awesome. Really. Really. Awesome.

Well, the odds were for Rascal Flatts and they are good and deserving. But I do love Lady Antebellum and Chicken Fried.

It's me again...

2009-06-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so glad that Kid Rock won that award. I love "Sweet Home Alabama". Good song.

The CMT Awards...or life as it now...

2009-06-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Sitting here watching the CMT awards. Ava is acting like her normal old mean self. Can we go back to the baby days? Because these teen years suck.

I freaking love Brad Paisley.

I swear those teenage mood swings are the weirdest things.

Did I mention how much I love Brad Paisley?

Life as it is today...

2009-06-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

I've got to get some things done today.

1) My Finite Math professor added four assignments yesterday for a chapter that was due Sunday. So I've got to figure out the homework and take the quiz...and take the chapter test. Fun. Uh, no.

2) I've got a stack of paperwork that needs to be done. Bills, correspondence, stuff like that.

3) This year, I qualified for financial aid. Last year, I did not. Last fall, I paid for 18 hours out of my pocket. Then when hell broke loose in my life, I dropped down to three hours (which I passed with an A). Now, in order to get financial aid this upcoming year, I have to write an appeal letter. Why does that make sense? NSU got my money. Now they want to punish me for paying them? Doesn't make sense to me and actually it pisses me off royally. I don't have time for this.

4) Laundry--ugh. Then I've got to take it to Cloria Dell to iron. Which means I have to fix my hair and put some makeup on. Geesh.

5) CMT Awards tonight!!!!! Yeah!!!! Something to look forward to on television tonight. Doesn't happen to me a lot when American Idol is not on!

6) You know, Simon Cowell has been single for over a year now. I think he is uber-sexy.

7) I'm procrastinating. I must get to work. I promise to make this blog more exciting with pictures and stuff...but I don't know when I'll make good on that promise. My life is so boringly busy.

A Million Things Going Through My Mind...

2009-06-15T08:59:00.000-07:00

So I'll post a few of them just to clear my head...

1) I'm getting my carpet cleaned. Yeah! Then I've got everything else to clean once the carpet is done. Ugh.
2) I'm going to try to figure how to update this blog with all the new bells and whistles. Of course, when that is going to happen, I have no clue.
3) The last few years have been extremely tough for my family but things are getting better.
4) In the last few years, our house was robbed of a large amount of cash which began a downward spiral of our financial situation. We lost my mother-in-law to cancer. A family member has a horrible drug addiction. In and out of rehab but still addicted and using. AnnaBanana came to live with us for almost a year. We lost our business and our house.
5) In one week's time, these rumors circled my family: Monkey beat me and threw Ava and myself on the street. Monkey and I were getting divorced. Monkey had a $300a day cocaine habit. Monkey was arrested for abusing a five year old child. Oh, and the state of Louisiana was suing Monkey. NONE OF WHICH WERE TRUE IN THE SLIGHTEST. WHERE DO PEOPLE COME UP WITH THIS CRAP? I'm feeling for celebrities right about now.
6) But the sun is still shining...I kept my family together. Monkey had to regroup and start over in the business--on a smaller, more manageable scale. We have a new mobile home on a sweet little lot in a nice little trailer park. We downsized our home, our possessions, and our lives. Life is simpler but it is good. Monkey was able to keep his horses and now rents a pasture and a barn. I have one more year of college and I'll be a college graduate--then the TEACH program--then the Master's program. Ava hasn't missed out on one thing in her happy little life.
7) In July, Ava and I are going to Memphis to see the American Idols on tour. OMG!!!! I am so excited! We're going to spend four days there--doing some sightseeing and shopping and fun stuff. Then we're going to see Kris and Adam and Gokey....OMG!!!!! American Idols ROCK!
8) Generally, I'm pretty happy with my life but every now and then, I crave a little excitement. Not the kind of excitement that bad rumors and tough times cause. The kind of get dressed up and go somewhere and do something fun excitement. Maybe when we go to Memphis, I'll act like a movie star or a celebrity and maybe I'll be mistaken for one. How do you act like a celebrity anyway?
9) I have a Finite Math test today and I absolutely HAVE to get to work on my algebra class. Plus two English classes and a Louisiana History class. All to be completed this summer.
10) I haven't scrapbooked much lately. I've been playing on Twitter way too much. Twitter way too much. I would rather Twitter than do my homework. Probably not better than scrapbooking but I'm just not feeling too creative lately.
11) I've got a hankering for an iPhone. But I'm wondering if I can figure it out. I just want to Twitter when I'm not at home. Or should I get a Blackberry? Or can I Twitter on my old Pebble? I need some answers, People!

Well, that's just a little sampling of what's been keeping me from blogging. But if anyone is reading this, please check back regularly....as I hope to be a better blogger.

Does anyone blog anymore?

2009-06-15T08:35:00.000-07:00

I'm now addicted to Twitter but I can't always say what I'm thinking in 140 characters so I'm going to start blogging again. I missed you, my little bloggy poo.

Testing 1, 2, 3...

2009-01-16T14:48:00.001-08:00

Just testing the system...to see if I could still remember how to post. I will be back to post some scrapbook layouts soon.

After one year and two days...

2008-07-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

Gosh, I didn't realize how much I missed blogging until today. I was going through some old posts that I needed for an English assignment. I was so surprised at the memories that I had preserved. I have decided to start blogging again. I miss writing and I miss reading other blogs.

So I've made the decision to re-enter the blogging world and guess what. I can't think of anything really interesting to blog about. Funny, isn't it?

I've got to think about all the things that I've been doing in the last year and two days and I'll post tomorrow.

Later Gators!

I have two questions...

2007-07-27T15:28:00.000-07:00

How in the heck did four hours pass and my butt hasn't left this computer chair?

And

What's for supper?

P.S. I've added some new blogs to my list of favorites. If you would prefer not to be my favorite, just let me know.

Caption this...

2007-07-26T18:22:00.000-07:00

These pictures just kind of spoke to me tonight.

"Eat my dust!"

"Going for a joyride!"

"Now, Buck, you take care of my AnnaBanana. You hear me."

What doesn't rock....

2007-07-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

My Space. Why are people drawn to it? Why do I feel so compelled to figure it out? Ugh. I hate it. Hate it! Hate it! HATE IT!!! Sticking with Blogger. Blogger is my friend.

Later Dudettes!

Class of 87 Still Rocks!

2007-07-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

When I look at this picture, I see the passage of time. But I realize, too, that TIME is not always a bad thing.

It was so good to see old friends again. This picture is of Staci and Jo. Staci was voted "Most Changed." I was voted "Youngest Grandparent." Go figure.

This is the half that makes me whole. We had a really good time. It's nice to be happy again.

One day I'm gonna be HOT and stop procrastinating.

2007-07-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

1) I am one year older. Yes, it happened yesterday. The middle finger on the hand of time flipped off year #37.

2) Before I die, I'd like look and feel amazingly HOT. Not as in hot flash...hot. I already feel those. I mean like...HOT!

3) In honor of my 38th birthday and my desire to be HOT, I am going back to the gym. Seriously. And I'm actually going to work out. I am. I know you don't believe me but it's true.

4) My favorite way of procrastination is blogging. I have three freaking LONG chapters in my Sexuality Education (just think it's an easy class...and you'll be so wrong) class to read before Friday. One chapter is 38 pages, one is 39, and one is 41 pages. The one chapter that I finished was 49 pages long and it took me a week to get through it. My exam is Friday. As soon as I get finished procrastinating, I'm going to go read.

5) In addition to the Sex Ed stuff, I have two chapters to read in my Personal and Community Health class and a test on Thursday. That's really not bad...if I weren't procrastinating by blogging.

6) I made two cakes today for a couple of friends. I used a recipe from Paula Deen's (who is my very favorite celebrity cook) cookbook called "Better than Sex? Yes!" It's chocolate cake drizzled in sweetened condensed milk and caramel topping then chilled and topped with Cool Whip and Heath Bar brickle. If I weren't on a mission to look HOT, I'd make one more.

7) I'm taking 15 hours next semester and I'm actually looking forward to it. I am so ready to be a HOT looking college graduate.

8) This weekend, I'm going back to high school. I'm just not sure how I feel about this. I'll let you know when I get home. I always thought that when I left...I'd never go back. Funny...how life is. Huh?

9) What else? Did I tell you about my desire to be HOT? Oh, yeah. What about the fact that I'm procrastinating? Yeah, I did.

10) I must stop procrastinating. I must go deliver those cakes. Then I must read until my brain is crammed with so much crap that I hopefully will remember until I take my tests on Thursday and Friday.

Later Dudes and Dudettes!

Procrastination is my middle name...

2007-07-02T13:24:00.000-07:00

I have a ton of homework and reading to do for both of my classes to prepare for two exams on Friday. My house is a mess. Laundry is separated in little mountains all over the laundry room floor. My sheets are in a heap on my bed fresh out of the dryer. The floors need to be swept and mopped. It's about time to feed the horses. I have a Sex Ed Chat at 7:00 pm. My office is a disaster. I need to figure out what I'm going how I'm going to decorate my classroom next week. Paper is taking over this house. My husband is depressed. I'm not in the best spirits either. I haven't scrapbooked in what seems like forever.

Yet...I'm sitting here boring the hell out of you with this post. Why?

Monkey found me in my closet around midnight in the fetal position asleep on the floor. I swear I wasn't drinking or on drugs. I remember thinking how I needed to clean my closet before I went to sleep. I wonder if I sleep-walked to my closet because subconsciously I knew it needed to cleaned out...or something. I remember absolutely nothing about how I got there. Weird.

Later Dudettes.

Ten Random Things Floating Around In My Head Tonight...

2007-06-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

1. Monkey hugged me and said, "Are you losing weight? You aren't as chunky as you usually are." I chose to take it as a compliment. Slugging him (or worse) would have been the other option.

2. Seven cats from the cat explosion (that occurred at my house)have new homes as of this morning.

3. I will be 38 in a few weeks and I still don't have to wear glasses. I saw the eye doctor today and she said I'll probably make it to 45 without them. Last year, she said 42. This year she said 45. Next year, she'll say...48. When you look at it...this is majorly great news...because my eyes are not getting old! (At least that's a cool way of looking at it...and I'm all into cool ways of looking at things these days!)

4. Supper was chicken strips and tater tots and was shared with family. Simple food and good company.

5. Monkey is playing music tonight at a friend's church. I tried to get him to come home and drink beer on the porch with me. I must be the devil. But he resisted my charms tonight. But we made a date for tomorrow.

6. Ava, AnnaBanana, and Feebee are watching Chronicles of Narnia in the living room. Feebee is my new neice. She married BeeBee who is Monkey's nephew. I'm sure I'll write about them a lot because they have become so close to us in the last year. They bought a house down the road from us and they can smell the food when I'm cooking so they usually end up over here round about supper time...which is just fine with me.

7. I would love to have lots of money. Michigan Bulb and Springhill Nursery would LOVE me. And my passport would actually have a stamp or ten or twenty. And my clawfoot tub would be in my bathroom not my storage room.

8. Here's a horrible thought...I wonder if I'm allergic to beer. I drank one and a half (had to share the last one with FeeBee) Miller Lite Ponies...and my nose is all of a sudden stopped up. This is nothing new. It always happens like this. I just choose to ignore it.

9. I ordered my dress for the reunion last night. I hope it fits and I hope it's "right" for the occasion. We shall see. Staci said the other night...25 days...less than that now. I can't wait to see her. She's reason enough to go back to high school after 20 freaking years. Man...she ought to feel very special. Seriously.

10. I really need to be reading my Human Sexuality textbook. But it's so much more fun when Monkey's home and I can show him the pictures.

Later Dudettes!

One Word Meme...heh, yeah right.

2007-06-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

I stole this from Katya because I'm not ready to go to bed yet. Supposed to be one word answers. But how much you want to bet that ain't gonna happen?

1. Where is your mobile phone? on the bar
2. Relationship? fine
3. Your hair? un-hot
4. Work? yes
5. Your sister(s)? no
6. Your favourite thing? my dogs, pink roses, scrapbooking, tea cups (I would have bet against me if I were you.)
7. Your dream last night? un-rememberable
8. Your favourite drink? Diet Coke
9. Your dream car? Explorer Sports-Trac (today, anyway)
10. The room you're in? scrapbook room
11. Your shoes? brown Tommy Hilfiger flip flops
12. Your fears? the things I can't control
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? a college graduate...Bachelor's and Master's
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? family
15. What are you not good at? dieting
16. Muffin? blueberry
17. Wish list item? to look hot
18. Where you grew up? Bastrop
19. The last thing you did? posted on my blog
20. What are you wearing? gray t-shirt and jean shorts
21. What are you not wearing? makeup
22. Your pet? 4 dogs, beaucoup cats, 5 horses, 1 husband
23. Your computer? Dell
24. Your life? fine
25. Your mood? blah
26. Missing? Staci
27. What are you thinking about? happiness
28. Your car? a minivan (ugh)
29. Your kitchen? teacups, nostaglic, floral
30. Your summer? stress-filled
31. Your favourite colour? pink
32. Last time you laughed? tonight
33. Last time you cried? Less than two weeks
34. School? wonderful
35. Love? unconditional

One word is freaking impossible. You try it.

Later Dudettes. Again.

Godiva....Thanks, Michele!

2007-06-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Michele reminded me that I had a Godiva Dark Chocolate with Raspberry so right now, I'm indulging myself in pure-de-ole-dark-chocolate-heaven. Oh, my gosh...thank you, Michele. I needed that. I didn't mean to eat the whole dang thing though. But I did. And I not going to feel guilty. Nope. Not gonna. Even though I ate some Hershey's Cherry Kisses today already. Nope. Not gonna. Even though my 20th year class reunion is on July 21st and I really want to go back looking hot. Oh, crap.

Speaking of looking hot...I'm blonde again. And after 37 years of using a curling brush (I never got the hang of a curling iron), I bought a Chi. I still haven't recreated the hot hair I had when I left Tangles Saturday but I'm working on it. I should have taken a picture 'cause I'm just not sure my hair will ever look that good again in this lifetime or the next.

This is the dress I think I want for the reunion. Damn. That chocolate. But the truth be told...it ain't the chocolate's fault.

Later Dudettes!

Go Away, Bad Luck...Shoo!

2007-06-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

I'm doing a little voodoo dance because I've had it with the bad luck. No more! Go away! Shoo! Go the hell away!

The latest...we had another car stolen off the lot today. We got that call right after we got home from dividing up stuff at MawMaw's house (which was emotionally draining in itself). I'm not sure how much more Monkey can handle.

I can't understand this because I don't see where we're asking for this. We try to be positive and uplifting...and that's not easy with this year of bad luck that seems to keep on keeping on. I'm going to re-read The Secret. Maybe I missed something the first time.

Later Dudettes.

2007-06-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

Good morning, Everyone! Or no one as it may be. I know it's my fault. I don't post for months and months. What do I expect?

I finished my first term summer classes this morning. I actually got six hours in Term I. Never actually was able to accomplish that before. I took Psychology 1010 and an upper level Social Work class, Marriage and Family. I think I pulled A's in both of them. Now I'm free to relax until Monday when my Term II classes begin. That's when Sexuality Education and Personal and Community Health will be the forefront of my brain for the next six weeks.

Of course, as is typical with me, I finish one major project (Term I at NSU) and immediately feel the need to stick another project in before I start my next major project (Term II at NSU). Last night, I got an idea for a scrapbook called "My Beautiful Life." Now, to be honest with you, I'm having a hard time thinking about my life in those terms right now...because I did tell you that the last year has been HELL. Did I? Uh, yes. I did. Anyhoo, scrapbooking is therapy for me and just maybe, I can work myself out of this funk by squeezing in a scrapbook project. It would also be a good thing to have at the reunion when someone asks about my family and my life. Oh well...in a scrapbooker's mind...this is a good idea.

Well, I'm going to do a few chores around here and get to work on my new idea!

I just can't get into myspace...

2007-06-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

So many people I know have myspace sites but as hard as I try, I just can't get into it. I like some things about it but I just like my lil' ole site better. I haven't posted much at all but I am going to try get back to posting. Are there still people on Blogger or am I way behind the times? I just can't get into myspace.

This has been the year from hell, I tell you. Hell. Something has to give. A year ago this month when we were in Hot Springs on vacation is the last happy memory we have as a family. At the the very time that we were making a happy family memory, our life was changing drastically. (That was when are house was initially robbed.) Our home was robbed of a life changing amount of cash, I changed jobs and went back to college full-time, my mother-in-law found out she had cancer and three weeks later, she passed away, our nephew got married, business difficulties, grown kid difficulties, and Ava fell down Petit Jean Mountain and broke her collar bone this past weekend. She's out of commission for 6 to 8 weeks. Oh, and I've got my 20 year class reunion in July...and I feel like a fat cow. Like I said, something has to give. Life has got to get better.

Winning the lottery would be a good start.

A Scrapbooker's Nightmare!!!

2007-02-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, I took some very important pictures. With my "designer's eye," (okay..that was sarcasim but said with sincere honesty) I had created several pages that these pictures were going to star on. A few were of my mother in law and several of her very old and ill friends. I had dug up several old pictures of them together and was going to put them together on a page for MawMaw...in my scrapbook, of course, though. Then I'd taken beaucoup pictures at the Super Bowl party...one of Mr. K and Ava (one we have to take every year...Ava ages, Mr. K doesn't), one very good pictures of me and three of my long-time buddies...then I got some of my friend L's geriatric and arthritic dog who's been part of their family for 12 years...and so many others that were amazingly special to me. You would probably wonder why. But I didn't. Anyhoo...after a night of exciting fun watching the Super Bowl with friends and family....I'm going through my digital camera...and see a blurry picture...and decide to delete that one. Next thing I know, I'm crying because it deleted EVERYTHING. My heart is breaking.

So I decided today that I am going to Fake Super Bowl party page. I'm going tonight to take a picture of the friends that were there...plus one that wasn't...so that will be funny once I tell the story. Oh, I'm just plain sick.

Another scrapbooking nightmare...missing the photo of a great story. Yesterday, I'm at cheer practice...and the girls remind me of a promise I made them at the end of the season. I promised them that I'd be able to do the splits before the end of the year. (Yes, sometimes, I forget that I'm not 12 anymore.) Well, so we stretch out and they start with me...Ms. T...you got to try...yadyadda....so I slip right in the perfect split. Then I realize that I can't move my legs. The girls have to pull me up. Okay...yes, I'm embarrassed by now. I can't believe I'm retelling it. No picture but a really great story. I can do one perfect split. But I hurt like heck and no picture to prove it.

Thank heavens it's Friday...

2007-02-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad it's Friday. I'm sick again...can't seem to shake this stuff. But I wanted to post a few layouts before the Nyquil kicks in...

These are my favorite pages that I've done in a long time. My scrap buddy dreamed up the design on her way to work one morning and drew it out for me. It turned out to be one of my favorite layouts.

These pictures are of my girls and AnnaBanana and NannyNannyBohannie's cousin.

This is from AnnaBanana's birthday party at the place where a kid can be a kid. The Kid said it was the "best day of her life!" Such a cool memory.

I think the Nyquil is kicking in...gotta go for now.

My first pages of my 2007 scrapbook...

2007-02-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

These aren't the first pages I've completed this year...just the first of this year's scrapbook. They are of Monkey's nephew and his fiance (who by the way is the greatest!) and Ava and AnnaBanana. I'm not sure it's exactly like I wanted it but it's still special because of the pictures.

Currently working on the opening page of this scrapbook entitled..."Perhaps, today..." Will post when I finish it. I'm heading out to feed the horses in the freezing cold weather because my lovely husband won't be home til late and then to start some laundry and cook supper. My mind will be busy until I can get back to my scrap desk.

Later yall!

Really....how bout dem Saints???

2007-02-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Okay...I'm over my disappointment and very ashamed of myself. I am proud of the Saints. They've done a great job this year.

I'm going to post a scrapbook layout tonight. Also, I plan to update my bloglist tonight. If I put your blog on my list and you prefer not to be, please let me know and I'll remove it. I asked some of you but I've found quite a few good ones that I'd like to add.

Be back later, yall.

How Bout Dem Saints?

2007-01-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Oh, don't ask. All it takes for the Saints to lose the damned Super Bowl playoffs is for me to watch the damned game. To the Saints...I will never care again. Then maybe you will win. Sheesh. I thought I had some kind of divine intervention in church today. As Father was giving his homily, this weird thought popped into my head..."The Saints are Super Bowl Champions." It had to be divine. It had to be God. God must have been playing a cruel joke on me. Cause this ain't even funny. Did yall see the Bushman???? After that play, I popped a top in celebration. Shouldn't have done that. Screwed up the mojo. It's all my fault. I got all excited about the Saints in the Super Bowl. Now, hell...I just I'll just go to the Super Bowl party and drink beer til half time...just like always. I won't care who wins or what happens. Just like always. I was just hoping that this year, I could drink beer all the way through the fourth quarter and actually care about the actual game more than the halftime show and the commercials. Geesh...is that too much to ask? Guess so. 25 point loss. Oh, geesh.

Now, I have a vested interest in the Colts/Patriots game. I'll be back.

Gracious authors and a rite of passage...

2007-01-20T07:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I received the most gracious handwritten note from Kimberly Willis Holt. Back during the holidays, I sent her a note telling her how much I enjoyed meeting her and that I was writing again. Her note is now in a frame right here by the computer as I write. She's gracious and encouraging and ends her note..."And don't forget to invite me to your first book signing." How's that for encouragement!?!

Ava spent the night with a friend...and they ended up going to the skating rink with a few other friends. At first...it freaked me out. But then I decided that I am going to have to loosen the reins a little. We start out on a clean slate...and as long as she doesn't do anything to make me lose trust in her, then I have to allow her a little room to grow. Coming to this conclusion was a pretty tough one. A rite of passage of sorts. Growing up is hard on Mama and Daddy, too.

Well, I'll write again in a bit. I've got a few things to do around the house this morning. If Monkey would just go to work!

Later Dudettes!

You missed me, didn't you?

2007-01-18T16:26:00.001-08:00

Grilled cheese and tomato soup for supper.
Horses fed.
Wet and rainy. COLD!
Laundry to be put up all over bed.

Dang! My life is exciting! How did you live without me all these months?

I couldn't bear to watch AI last night. But I did see Jordan at the end. I say Top 10 for her, too.

That's it for tonight. Betcha can't wait til tomorrow!

Later Dudettes!

You missed me, didn't you?

2007-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

What's up, Dudettes?

2007-01-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

So much has happened since I last wrote back in August. It's nice to be back posting again. Sometimes, I think you have to step away from what you love to realize how much you love it.

August 2006:

*Pets Royale folded. I was upset and embarrassed.
*I got another job and gave my resignation after nine years at the deeply troubled liberal arts college. At this posting, the school is even more troubled than when I left even though that's not what they'd tell you if you asked.
*Our house was robbed of an extremely large amount of cash. This caused our family severe stress...financially and mentally. Admittedly, we probably made it somewhat easy for the thieves (of course, hindsight is 20/20)but still, I feel betrayed by a
very close family member even though this family member probably didn't realize what she was doing.
*Days later, I started my new job as library and computer lab clerk/data processor at Ava's middle school. A week before, it didn't matter that I was taking a huge cut in pay. But now, it did.

September 2006:

*Ava made the cheerleading squad.
*I was asked to coach the squad.
*Detectives arrested three males for stealing a large sum of cash from our house. One of the thieves was Choo Choo's boyfriend at the time. We got restitution from one of the thieves and they recovered a small amount from Choo Choo's boyfriend after he was arrested. Nothing near what was stolen.
*At this point, I wanted to sell everything and move away. I didn't want anything that those thieves had touched. I would sit up at night and wait for them to come back and plan their slow and painful deaths. I think I was going a little crazy.
I try not to think about it now because I hate to think I'm really still crazy.

October 2006:

*Cheerleading is fun and keeping us busy!
*I love my job! I got to take 40 kids to pizza in a Hummer Limo. Really so cool!
*Also went shopping at the dollar stores for Holly Days. Imagine someone saying, "Buy anything and everything you like" and they pay for it. Yes, I love my job.

November 2006:

*Basketball season is in full swing.
*Got to meet Kimberly Willis Holt who is the author of My Louisiana Sky among others. She's from around here and I've always wanted to meet her. Heck...I've always wanted to BE her! She has my dream job (even though
the one I have now is pretty amazing, the financial potential with hers is greater)and she's homegrown success. That's always cool. She was amazingly gracious and inspiring. Yes, I love my job.
*Thank heavens for the Thanksgiving holidays. But Monkey got sick. We found out it was a kidney stone on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. On the Monday after Thanksgiving, he had some kind of seizure, loss consciousness...and I stared death in the face. Luckily, he came through okay. After checking his brain and heart, doctors have come to the conclusion that he was passing the kidney stone.

December 2006:

*Basketball season ended.
*Christmas holidays. Yes, I love my job.
*Christmas was low-key this year. But I really liked it that way.
*I ended up babysitting the grand-kids the second week of our holidays. I see that happening a lot with this new job. I don't know why Trouble can't get her crap together and learn to take care of her business and her kids.

January 2007:

*I decided to finish my course on writing for children and teenagers at the Institute for Children's Literature. I started it in 2001 and paid for it but I never finished. I guess you could say...six years of writer's block. Good thing is...I can pick up where I left off. I'm waiting for my materials and assignments. I've always dreamed of writing but I don't think I'm that good but maybe with work and time and practice, I can get better.
*Trouble continues to cause her daddy more and more trouble. He's depressed and I'm worried about him. I can't say what I'd do to her if I had my chance.
*I'm working on Financial Peace.

I still love my dogs, horses, and scrapbooking. I still dream of being financially stable without my husband's income. I'm still a Southern Goddess who has to go do some laundry.

Later Dudettes.

I Can't Wait til Tuckerville Returns....

2007-01-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

It's 8:23 pm as I begin this post. So far, I can't count how many times I've groaned, "Oh, geesh" or screamed "SHUT-UP!!!!" at the television. Now I know it's just the first audition show. But don't they want us to watch the following shows? I can't believe I've left the television on this long. I've got an exciting book about financial planning to read tonight. Between the Jewel, Carrie, Katharine, and Bo wannabees...and the Urban Amish dude, Waterboy, Apollo Creed, Kooky Cowboy, The Lion, Scary Brenna, Dancing Queen Josh who was having a really "Bad Day," the "I want women not girls" girl and the bleeping people (which is something that I absolutely HATE on this show), this is just not fun. Oh, and I really hate it when people screw up "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing." That really irks my irker. I wanted Dayna Dooley to be good...but without her boss who looks eerily like a local preacher here in town, she can't sing a lick. With him, she sounded quite pleasant. Can you please tell me why they just let them go on and on and freaking on? Today at school, one of my students scratched her fingernail across the chalkboard. Tonight's AI is reminicent of my 6th hour experience.

But because I'm such a positive person, I have to point out that I do like the fact that the judges are not arguing about everything. It's a nice change from all the grouching and bickering. Ava pointed out that they aren't arguing because the auditions are either good or bad. There's nothing to argue about. She's a smart kid. I'm not sure how I feel about Jewel as a judge yet. I like her as a singer but I'm not sure what she'll bring to the table. But hey...if we're giving the singers a chance...Jewel deserves as much. Right?

Okay....they said 17 went through to Hollywood. Denise Jackson (crack baby) was the first one to sound even bearable. Strong voice...but I'm not sold yet. I liked the Columbian girl that sang Hips Don't Lie. But I agree that song choice is going to be hard for her. Jarrod and Rachael (military peeps) were decent. Michelle...who sang the Deanna Carter song may have a slight chance. I liked her. But my favorite of the night was Sarah Krugeur who sang "Over the Rainbow." I'd even venture to say Top 10.

It's 9:12 pm now...the show is over. I'm heading to bed to read that exciting book on financial planning until the news comes on. We got several calls tonight about no school tomorrow because of ice...and I just want to be sure that I didn't imagine them. If we're out of school tomorrow...and we have electricity, it will be a perfect time to catch up on yall's blogs!

By the way...especially after tonight, I'm so excited about the return of Tuckerville in April. I simply can't wait. I just love that Tanya.

YoooooHooooo....anyone out there?

2007-01-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

I don't know what it is about American Idol that brings out the blogger in me. But I feel the need to blog again. I've missed yall but my life has been crazy lately. I can't wait to spend some time catching up on everyone else...and I'll catch yall up on the craziness that is my life soon. (If there's anyone out there!) But right now, I've got to go stir my beans. I'll let you know what I think about tonight's AI (whether you want me to or not!)

Later dudettes!

The Winds of Change...

2006-08-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

The winds of change are really blowing this time. I turned in my resignation. August 25 is my last day. I'll post more later. But I am a happy girl right now.

Play That Funky Music....

2006-08-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Better than saying "I'm in a funk." But the truth is I kind of am. You know what I do when I'm in a funk. I take my funk shopping. Today, my funk and I went to Hobby Lobby. Which I have decided that I like better than Michael's for scrapbooking stuff. Oh, my gosh. My funk told me that it would be so cool to buy anything and everything I wanted because there were so many COOL things. And I'm in a funk and you know how retail therapy helps to make you feel better. And my scrapbook pages are pretty boring these days. I ignored my funk's excitement, only putting a few things in my basket...but when I got up to checkout line, my funk and I had to leave the basket and the stuff because there was only one cashier and a line with at least ten people in it. Funk and I had to go back to work.

Ava is lucky I am not within an arm's length of her sweet little smart mouth. Let me tell you what's "not fair." What's not fair is that I have to work all day and come home to a kid who's been bumming on her butt watching Disney Channel. I do not think it's "unfair" to ask her to straighten her room and fold some laundry. She's going to think "unfair" when get home if that blasted laundry isn't folded and put away.

On a happier note, I'm trying to come up with an idea for a scrapbook page on Monkey...and one for Ava (not a good time to try to be sentimental with her). I've got some pictures of each that I want to scrap but I want these pages to have some real meaningful journaling and a cool theme. I also have some pictures of my dogs...and I'm thinking about doing a page where the journaling is from their point of view and about their quirks because all of them have them. Then I've got art work from Art Camp that I want to scrapbook. That will make me current with this year's book and I can either move on to an older book or take some more pictures. I've been looking at other layouts that other scrapbookers have done and I've decided that I'm not that good. Ava and Monkey and anyone else that sees my books think I'm wonderful. I hope they never look at anyone else's.

Oh, and I've got this idea for a page about going back to school....something like...Why 6th Grade Rocks. I don't know...I'm working on it.

I'm still feeling zapped. But I'm fighting it.

Later Dudettes.

I don't have time to feel like this...

2006-08-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

I feel zapped today. I'm freezing. Chills, achey. Ugh. A fever blister decided to pop up on my cheek. I don't have time to be sick. School's fixing to start and I've got tons of work to do at the office. I've still got scrapbooking on my brain. There's all kind of new challenges on a scrapbook site that I hang out on and a new August sketch challenge as well. I just hope I feel well enough to do a little creating when I get home. Maybe with some comfortable clothes and snuggly socks, I'll feel more like it. But right now and right here, all I want is my bed, my quilt and my puppy dogs...and a scrapbook magazine.

Really, I'm not on drugs...

2006-07-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

This morning, there was a spider on my bathroom wall. So I flushed him down the toilet. Then I had this horrible thought. What if karma dealt me a cruel blow and a there was an even bigger one in there when I got home? A really big one with fangs! See I believe what you give you get in return and I respect life no matter (am I bad if I make exceptions for roaches and flies because they are just plain nasty...and spiders and snakes inside the house because they are dangerous?). BUT does it matter that spider could have bitten someone? Now if that spider had been outside, I'd have left him alone or walked around him. But he was in MY house. The toilet was as humane as I get with spiders inside my house. Do not ask me why I am writing about this because I can not answer you.

Today at lunch (when I wrote that...the though was in the tune of..."One time at band camp...")...okay, I'm warped in the head today...I can assure you that I'm not on mind-altering drugs...a fact that I'm sure you do not believe just by reading this post.) Anyway, I went to heat up my lunch (you know that one that I brought instead of buying fast food) and the microwave that was here Friday is not here today. I told you we lost our boss. Well, turns out that the microwave was his. Geesh.

I'm in a scrapbook frenzy state of mind these days. It's on my mind 24/7 these days. It's amazing how focused I can be on creating pages for my scrapbooks...and how loopy I can be otherwise. I am creating pages (in my head) all day long as I sit at the incredibly uninspiring desk doing the incredibly uninspiring paperwork at my incredibly uninspiring job. (They give me an incredibly uninspiring paycheck each month so I must continue being uninspired.) I've got three to finish up this evening...and that will put at 26 pages for the month of July. It's crazy...but with all the supplies that I have, I had to go to Michael's to buy something in particular for a page that I'm working on. I try to challenge myself to use only what I have. But when I get a design in my head, it has to be just so. Once I get supper cooked, served and the kitchen cleaned...I'm heading off to finish those three pages...and start on my next four pages. Ever see a bottle of Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Shampoo? That's where the inspiration for my next pages is coming from. Okay...this should tell you how bad my scrapbook fever is right now, I'm sitting in the bathtub and washing my hair...I see scrapbook pages rather than shampoo bottles.

Trouble is no longer sleeping on my couch. She disappeared last Thursday. We've not heard from her or seen her since. Her kids came to stay the weekend with us. Don't ask me what I'd do to her if I wouldn't go to hell or jail.

To all of those who visited this site during the Tour of Homes and left nice comments, thank you. I am so coming back to yall's site and leave comments soon! I loved seeing yall's homes.

Later Dudettes.

Bloggy Tour of Homes...Part II

2006-07-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

This is my very favorite space in my house. My scrapbook space. This is my room and I love it! This is what I refuse to give up. Current page in the works: The Top Ten Reasons to Vacation in Hot Springs.

Last but not least, this is my computer space. This is where I blog...sometimes. And where I check out my favorite blogs and scrapbook sites...sometimes. Most of the time, Monkey or Ava is sitting in the chair in front of the computer. I'm in the chair in the first picture...sometimes. A lot of the time, I use the chair as an extra scrap space and I stand to scrap. Oh, and the view out the window is amazing! The paper crap you see at the bottom of the window is one of three boxes of paper that I have to figure out what to do with. At least, it's contained in three boxes.

Well, that's the tour of my house. Hope you enjoyed yourself. Yall come on back when you can sit a spell.

Later Dudettes.

Yall come on in...Bloggy Tour of Homes...

2006-07-28T15:47:00.000-07:00

Yall come on in!
Keb, Pickalish, and Zephra did this Bloggy Tour of Homes thing. I think Boomama started it. Anyways, it's purty dang cool.

This is the front door. Lovely, isn't it? I didn't realized how my house is suffering from summer burn-out until I took this picture. I love it when fall rolls around. I always decorate the front porch. Looks much better in the fall.

As you step inside the front door, you are being greeted by Captain. Isn't he the cutest thing? I love my foyer. It's so me. Scrapbooks, books, magnolias...me.

As you walk out of the foyer, this is what you see. Quilt on the couch because Sam often sleeps there...books, family pictures, quilt collection...what makes our house feel like home.

Our dining room and kitchen. Can you see the shoe bug on the table? Ava made that for me years ago in Art Camp. I still love it. I like that homey, cozy look and feel. No, it's not like of taste or style. Really...I like it that way.

This is where...we sleep. I usually have a stack of scrapbooking magazines...or whatever I'm reading at the moment on my nightstand. The Bassett Hound on the bed...looks just my Sam when he was younger.

I think I have to finish this post in a separate post.

Weak Stomachs: BEWARE

2006-07-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

I grabbed a Lean Cuisine on my way out the door this morning to eat for lunch. You know...I'm trying to curb my fast food addiction. But as I'm driving to work, I remembered a news report that I saw just this morning about a woman finding parts of a mouse in her Lean Cuisine. This is the exact reason I can't eat chicken with bones in it. So, I'm thinking...should I eat this Lean Cuisine or do fast food? Which is safer? Hummm....I'm going with...neither. Next week, I'll be eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Yeah. I. Will. Geesh...I hope they don't find something gross in a jar of Jif or Knotts Berry Farm Strawberry Preserves which by the way, is the absolute best strawberry preserves every made. If the possibility of eating mouse isn't enough to get me to stop eating junky processed and fast food, I don't know what is. Is peanut butter and jelly junky processed food? I'm not sure about that. But I'm not real hungry right about now. Makes me want to grow everything I eat. But my garden is so hit and miss...there'd be times, I'd never eat.

Thursday 13...because I have a list in my head and it needs to come out.

2006-07-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things buzzing around Marybeth's brain

1. People with monster-sized feet should not wear dainty little red polka dot strappy slip-on sandals. I'm sorry but it just ain't right.
2. Please do not talk on your cell phone in a bathroom stall. The stall may be private but the restroom isn't. And I don't want to hear your business. Talking while you're on the toilet just ain't right.
3. Supper tonight: Salmon Croquettes, salad with home-grown tomatoes and cucumbers, and whatever other vegetable I can pull together.
4. I'm planning on some scrap time tonight. Definitely some reading...I'm reading Design Secrets. Scrapbooking book....and I love it.
5. I'm so sleepy. I think I could sleep for two days straight.
6. Only eating in between.
7. And scrapping.
8. Guess I wouldn't be sleeping for two days after all.
9. I only thought I had a list buzzing around in my head.
10. Would you rather be extremely rich, beautiful or smart?
11. I think I'd be extremely smart.
12. If I were extremely smart, I'd be able to figure out how to be extremely rich and beautiful.
13. Well, I haven't said it in a while....but I want to go home!!!

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I love looking out my window...

2006-07-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

As I sit here this evening I am looking out the window and I see the pasture surrounded by our white fence. The sky is a strange yet amazing purple color. No wind...no movement at all. The horses must be round back because I don't see them. I feel so much peace. I am not putting a curtain on this window because I really love looking outside.

It's been a nice evening. I fixed supper, fed the horses, and hung out some with T (Monkey's daughter...I've got to give her a name)some. It was peaceful. She even said so. I'm happy that she can find some peace with us.

I really wish I had something really cool and witty to say...but you get honesty instead. Maybe I'll think of something funny tomorrow. If you hold your breath, you might turn blue.

Later Dudettes.

Yes, I'm still here...

2006-07-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

As if it weren't obvious...I'm a bad blogger. Actually, I've thought about updating the blog but I keep finding things to distance myself from actually doing this. But I feel the need now to face the music with my viewing public...(which is so small and I think that those that still read love me anyway...so I should be okay with this but I'm not.)

Work: Things have changed drastically with the new administration. My office lost one main player but there are departments that lost everyone. I've been through some major emotions during this time but have come to the conclusion that I have a job to do and that I can't let personal feelings get in the way of that. I will continue to work hard in the position I have now until I have something else to do. There are possibilities for opportunities on the horizon and I am very open to them. I've been disappointed that nothing has happened at this point but I'm finding peace in the hope that God has a bigger plan for me...and when it's right it will happen.

Home: I refuse to give up my room. I refuse. So now, I have someone sleeping on my couch. Not Choo-Choo...Monkey's other daughter. So far, it has been peaceful as this daughter is not one big mouth. I am, for my husband's sake, trying to be supportive and quiet. But if Choo Choo moves back in, I'll be convinced that God hates me. An eerie sidenote to this story: This step-daughter evidently ended up on my couch in the wee hours of Sunday morning...because she was there when I woke up Sunday morning. It must have happened after I went to sleep and nobody woke me up. But anyway, she did get up and got dressed and went to church with us. As I knelt to pray before mass, I prayed that something in church today would touch her and bring her peace and back to a place that she needed to be with God. Well, the Bishop gave the homily and spoke on being a shepherd to those who needed us and to "welcome" the outcasts...and to be a living example of Jesus' love. I walked out of mass with such a peace. It was a slap in the face because I was (and I admit to some degree still am) uneasy with this situation. But I knew that God spoke to me through the Bishop's message.

Failure: Pets Royale is closed. I'm embarrassed and sad to even admit this. This is one of the big reasons I haven't posted. Sales have not been great and even though, webstore overhead is less than a brick and mortar store, the expenses were out weighing the sales drastically. I could not afford to keep the site up. I can't afford to invest any more money into the business...and when I got a tax bill for more than my total sales, it was time to make a decision. I had big dreams for this business but things didn't work out the way I hoped. Chalk it up to experience and loss and time to move on.

Lack of change: I'm still a Diet Coke and fast food addict. I've made a little progress on the fast food addiction...but not to the point I'd like to be. This is an issue of frustration for me.

Another birthday: I just turned another year older. I do not want to smell like an old lady. I do not want to look like an old lady. I do not want to think like an old lady. I do not want to be an old lady. I will never be an old lady.

My focus: I've been really working hard to eliminate the excess clutter in my house and I've made some major progress. I've also been doing as much scrapbooking therapy I can possibly do lately as well. I'm almost caught up with the current year's pictures. I have a huge stack of scrapbooking magazines by my bed so lately, I've either been scrapbooking or reading about scrapbooking. It's an addiction but I think this one is a good one.

My promise: I am going to catch up with all of my favorite blogs in the very near future. I also want to update my blog list with a few new blogs that I've come across. So yall come back soon...I promise it won't be so long before I write again.

Later Dudettes.

Doodle Bug Doodle Bug...

2006-07-13T08:41:00.000-07:00

Title of this post=my first thought as I began this post. Why?

You know...I do believe I'd have a hard time keeping a straight face if my boss was Russia's President Putin. We'd be sitting in his office having a meeting....and I'd be thinking..."You old fart." Everytime I hear the name, Putin...I thinking pooting. (I admit it takes very little to amuse me.)

Well, I came back to work to find out that there had been a mistake in what I'd been told as to how much vacation time I had. Now, before I scheduled my vacation, I went to Human Resources and had them check for me so that I wouldn't take anything I didn't have. I always take my vacation in June because I have to take any vacation I have before July 3 or I lose it. They gave me a little memo with what vacation I had left. I scheduled my time according to that memo. Long story short. A former employee screwed up everything (typical excuse, huh) and it started way back in 1998. Why this problem hasn't been found and corrected before now...especially since I checked on this several times a year...is beyond me. Ends up that I don't have any vacation time until July 3, 2007 and even then I'll be four hours short.

I'll be having a garage sale at my SIL's this weekend. Ava and I have been working like crazy pulling things out and now we're pricing everything. I haven't been able to scrapbook this week because the garage sale stuff is overtaking my room. I can't even get to my scrapbook table. By this weekend though, it should be clear again and I'll get some scrapping time in. I tell myself everytime I have a garage sale. If I would just price things as I decide to sell them...all through the year...and put them in a box in the attic...it would be so much less work. I'm doing that this time. All I'll have to do when we decide to do this again is pull the boxes out of the attic. At the rate I'm going now, I'll have another garage sale in the fall.

I've got a list a mile long of things I want to blog about but I'm going to save them for when I have a little more time to write.

Later Dudettes.

I just can't scrapbook by clicking...

2006-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

I've been scrapbooking again. It feels good. I guess it helps that I have my scrapbook room back. I've been reading about digital scrapbooking...even bought Photoshop Elements and some on-line videos to teach me the technology part of it. I gave it my best shot. But truth is...I hate digital scrapbooking. It just hasn't clicked for me. For me scrapbooking is a tactile art. I have to touch the papers and the photos and the embellishments. It's been therapy for me these last few weeks. I'm happy when I'm cutting and gluing and making my memories mean something. Even when I'm stressed about other things. I want to go home right now and scrapbook. I have things set up where I can scrapbook a little every night. But tonight, I have to get things ready for a pet boutique sale that I'm having tomorrow. I feel a little better today. Ready for the weekend.

Later Dudettes.

Bad Blogger...

2006-07-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

If there's still anyone out there reading this, I've been a really bad blogger. There's so much going on right now. So many changes. So many decisions to make. Sad decisions. Scary decisions. Just wanted yall to know. I'll write more when I can.

Later Dudettes.

Lightly Sweet and Nutty...

2006-06-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

That title came off of a Wheat Thins box. I am so original. I know.

Well, well...let's see.

I felt the need to buy a suit yesterday. Brown pants and a brown and white pinstripe jacket. So chic! And some heels. Brown crock and even though the heels are high, I can still walk in them. Amazing. And a matching purse. I need to polish my image a bit, I think. I haven't had nails in years...but I'm thinking it's time I get some. I'm trying to decide if Merle Norman or Clinique would make me more beautiful. (I know...I know...people are starving and I'm worrying about this crazy stuff. Forgive the superficiality.) I think Merle Norman for foundation and Miracol and Clinique for cleansing and glamour.

My garden is doing pretty good. I've got oodles of green tomatoes right now. I cooked squash last night from my garden. Of course, I was the only one to eat it because I grilled it. Ava likes it fried. And I don't what Monkey's problem was. My cucumbers and watermelons haven't done too great but I've got as many snap beans as eight plants can produce. Oh, and my cantaloupes are growing wild! I'm going to have cantaloupes to share soon! On the gardening front, I'm thinking it's time to do some more landscaping. I have a place by the back door that I want to plant a flower bed...and along one side of the house...and the front of the house. Yep. It's time for some gardening.

I've been trying to get all the loose ends tied up because I'm leaving at noon next Wednesday for vacation. We leave next Friday for Arkansas and I can't wait! Who knows what next week may bring? The possibilities are endless! (Don't you love my newly adopted positive attitude?)

Well, what else? It's been a while since my last post so you'd think I'd have something interesting to talk about. But no, not yet.

Later Dudettes.

Feng Shui or something like that...

2006-06-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

You couldn't convince me that Feng Shui doesn't work if you tried. Yall know that there's been some bad crappy emotional stuff that's been going on at work and at home these last few weeks. Even longer but who really cares. Anyway...I've been off of work since last Thursday. Ava and I went out of town part of that time....but the rest of the time, I've done some things around the house...Monkey had the living room painted while we were gone. So when we came home, I redecorated the living room and foyer. Then I got out on the porch and cleaned and got clipper happy on the plants....cleared a bunch of clutter away from the house. The whole time, I was saying...I'm clearing the crap out of my life. I'm looking for clarity. Positive chi coming my way. (Oh, I was reading my favorite feng shui book, Move Your Stuff and Change Your Life by Karen Rauch Carter. Amazing book! She's probably one of the best authors on the subject that I've ever read...and I've read a bunch! She makes feng shui fun and easy to read!) Anyway, I'm clearing and cleaning and clipping...with some major intentions. Then I go inside and clean out my closet (of course, I really moved a bunch of stuff to my office to go through...but hey, I was moving my stuff!)and then I cleaned out a shelf in the bathroom closet and cleaned my bathroom cabinet off. I was one busy little bee yesterday. But the important thing here is intention. I just felt that I could find an answer if I could clear the stuff. The whole time I was expecting good things to come from this.

And you know what? As I drove to work today, I felt so much clarity. That's it. Patience for what's going to come into my life. Because I know good things are coming. I feel at peace. A weird feeling because of all the ill feelings and anxiety that I've been feeling over the course of the last few months or more. I don't know what's in my future. But I know without a doubt, it's good. I'll just keep clearing with good intention...and we'll just have to see. Two other pretty interesting things happened today, too. All a result of my good intentions, I'm sure.

Okay...now that I've certified myself as a loon, I'll go for now. But really, if yall are looking for a change in your life....check out Karen's book. (Really, this book is the easiest and most fun to read.) Feng shui isn't a religion or against a religion, so don't be freaked out about that. To me, it just plain makes sense.

Later Dudettes.

Is it Friday yet?

2006-06-06T18:27:00.000-07:00

No? Well, tomorrow is for me. Thank the Good Lord. Because I really need to get away from my current place of employment.

If someone knows the answers to the following questions, I'd love some enlightenment.

1. If there is a basket of dirty laundry in the laundry room, why does Monkey have to throw his dirty clothes on the floor BESIDE the dirty laundry basket? Wouldn't it be just as easy to put the damn clothes IN the freaking basket?

2. Why can't Monkey just let me decide on the colors to paint the house? Why does he always have to help decide. He's such a pain in the butt. Because he's always off. Ugh.

3. Why does Monkey have to walk all the way back here to my room and say..."Don't you think "we" need to start another load of clothes?" Then he walks back to the kitchen which is right next to the laundry room. Yeah, why don't "we" do that? Of course, what do I do? I get up and start another freaking load of clothes.

Here's a promise for ya...one day, I'll get out of my crappy mood. I don't know when. But I will one day.

2006-06-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hi, yall. I got my room back. I got in here yesterday and worked my butt off. Cleaning like crazy to get that stale smoke smell out of here. It was weird but when Choo Choo moved her stuff out, the majority of the smell left, too. But I still cleaned and dusted and swept and mopped like a mad woman. Now, I'm sitting in my beautiful antique lady room once again. I have my scrapbook stuff on one side of the room. All neat and organized. Just ready and waiting for me to be inspired to sit down and scrapbook. Then I moved my computer and set it up in another corner. I set up an area where all my office supplies go and everything is neat and organized. I got rid of boo-coodles of stuff. I still have three boxes of stuff that I need to go through but I'll do that another day. Since I moved my computer into "my room," I only have a little end table by my bed. It's a feng shui thing...but I slept so much better last night without all that clutter by my head. I still have half of my closet that's overstuffed with clutter and a big table in my bedroom full of mostly Pets Royale stuff that I need to go through. My bathroom closet is overrun by clutter. It is my goal this summer to get every little nook and cranny in my house cleaned out and organized. I know it will make me feel better.

Getting my room back and getting the funky smell out of my house makes me feel a little better. (Dear God...help Choo Choo make it on her own...forever.) But I'm still majorly down about the work situation. Mostly, I try not to talk much about it. I seem to be able to control my tears and emotions when I'm at home and someone asks me how I'm doing. But when I'm at work and someone asks me how things are...it's a bit more difficult so I just try not to say much at all. Really, I'm a loose cannon these days. I'm just trying not to go off.

We're going to have a huge sale at Pets Royale very soon. It's going to be a major sale so if you've seen anything you might possibly want one day...it will probably slashed to bone next week.

Well, I'm fixing to go take a bath and climb into bed and do some reading before Honey We're Killing The Kids comes on.

Later Dudettes.

Life as it is...

2006-05-31T12:14:00.000-07:00

The climate at work is changing drastically. I am not at ease. Sad and scary days. At home, I'm overwhelmed by all the stuff and I need to clean in the worse way. I have so many things on my plate right now and I can't decide what to keep and what to let go. What to pursue and what to just forget about. I'm just a tad bit stressed right now. I hate to send this kind of vibe so that's why I haven't been writing. Hopefully, I'll get things under control soon.

Later Dudettes.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

2006-05-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

They are closing the campus this afternoon to fix the water. Whooo Hooooo!

I made reservations at a ranch in Arkansas for the end of June. Ava, Monkey and I are going horseback riding in the mountains. Oh, my gosh...oh my gosh!!! I guess it would be crazy for me to say I CAN'T WAIT!

Now...I'm trying to figure out how to spend my afternoon. Hummmm....

Good Morning, Sunshine!

2006-05-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Well, hi, yall. Weekend's over. Saw the DaVinci Code. Showed myself in public in a bathing suit. Not a the same time, mind you. Overall, it was an okay weekend with the exception of being seen in my bathing suit. That and Monkey's eternal bad mood. But I'm beginning to think it's just something that we're going to have to live with. I did try to talk to him about it yesterday without yelling and he didn't yell back so maybe, just maybe...something I said sunk in. He called earlier after mass this morning and was okay. He's going to a horse sale tonight and car auction tomorrow so Ava and I have a slight reprieve. I hate feeling that way. Really...I do.

Reading: The Change Your Life Challenge by Brook Noel
Writing: A press release for Pets Royale
Loving: The perfectly beautiful weather we've been having.
Growing: Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, snapbeans, gardenias, hydrangeas
Deciding: Where to go on vacation
Feeling: Weird...in the throes of change and frustration yet strangely calm and peaceful
Wishing: I was on vacation. All my work was done. My house was in order. Monkey would be in a good mood. And that I could actually relax and have some real fun.

Later Dudettes.

So I'm watching AI and...

2006-05-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Well, we'll know in a little bit who is in the finale. My hope is Taylor and Katherine. But Elliott should have been gone a long time ago and he's still in the game...so I can't predict. We'll see in a bit. I'll hang around til we know.

Okay...it's back on. Did you hear Ryan? He said..."Let's hope Elliott is your next American Idol..." or something like that. Was that a slip? Crap. Why does Paula act like he's just the best thing since sliced bread? If he goes home (like he should), she's going to cry. She makes me want to throw things.

Another break. So let me just mention, yall go see What's New at Pets Royale. I just listed THE cutest Cosmo-paw-litan and Muttini dog bowls. You just have to see how CUTE they are and they come with their own placemat napkin and stuff olive or lemon! REALLY HIP!

Another friggin break. Geesh. I guess I'll go put up the Cool Whip bowl up now. (My "I can't find anything to eat" snack.) I'm convinced we aren't going to see who goes home tonight.

Okay...it happened the way it should have. Oh, Paula, please. I mean...nobody really loses at this point. But at least I'll watch the finale.

Later Dudettes.

Whoa!

2006-05-17T09:02:00.000-07:00

I've been a really bad blogger. Bad, bad blogger. If there is anyone left that occasionally comes to this blog, here's an random list of things that's been going on in my life or in my head.

I made it through graduation without anything major happening. All in all, everything turned out okay, considering the level of perfection required.

I fell down the stairs yesterday and bruised my leg up really ugly. Skinny heels and me...we don't get along. Really...if my foot isn't flat on the floor, it's probably not a safe proposition any way you look at it.

I missed the best trail ride of the year Saturday because I had to work. Yall remember the pictures that I posted last year from the ride on the river? Well, it was that ride. The weather was perfect and I was just friggin sick that I didn't get to go. Woe is me. Get a grip, Marybeth.

Yesterday was Hatchett Day at work. The ax was a'swinging. Oh, the drama that I wish I could elaborate on...but that ax still works. So for now, I'll be a good little girl and keep my mouth shut.

Did I ever tell yall that Faith Ford is my neighbor? Well, sort of. She lives a few miles down road. But the other day, I saw her tooling around in her little "Look at Me" yellow sports car convertible. Actually, it was kind of cool to see her just acting like a normal person. I saw her in Walmart one time, too. I almost didn't recognize her. I think she likes to come home because we just let her be normal. Anyway, it was kind of cool.

I scheduled my vacation for the summer and I can't wait. Nuff said about that.

ChooChoo gave me a gift and a card for Mother's Day. First one in twelve years. The cool thing is that the card was so perfect for me which means she actually took some time to pick it out. It wasn't generic. Yall just don't know how out of the ordinary this is. But really cool.

My garden is looking really pretty. It's gett a bit more lush. I worked out there Saturday afternoon. I planted some more plants, mulched, weeded, fed and watered. I need to water tonight. Maybe I'll take some pictures. Cause I know yall are dying to see my garden.

On the American Idol front, I'm probably in the minority here but I'm more upset that Elliott is still on the show than that Chris is not. If Elliott doesn't go home tonight, I don't know if I'm going to even watch the finale.

I got on the scales and I've lost ten pounds. Very big surprise. Sweet. I don't know how it happened but I'm not arguing. I've been walking with Chante. I guess that helps...and gardening...and riding horses. As far as eating goes, I'm still addicted to fast food and Diet Coke. That's what they'd take away from me if "Honey, We're Killing The Kids" came to my house.

Yesterday, MawMaw was upset with me because I was five (seriously!) minutes late picking her up for her lab work. We got there at 8:05 am instead of 8:00 am. She had to wait and Esther doesn't like to wait. I figured that she'd never call me again to do anything for her. But she called me this morning to see if I'd take her to the doctor tomorrow. She pointedly asked me if I thought I could get her there on time. Old people. Geesh. I love her. And because I love her so much, I will do everything in my power to get her there early tomorrow.

I have a date with ChooChoo Saturday afternoon to go see The DaVinci Code. I could really get on my soap box about this...and the way organized religion is treating it...but that's a post of it's own. I'll get back to you on this.

I've got the coolest dog food and water bowls shaped like martini and cosmopolitan glasses that I've got to list on Pets Royale. I'm going to try to get them listed today. They are just the cutest things!

Hopefully, I'll be able to spend some time catching up on yall's blogs this week. I've been missing yall!

Later Dudettes.

How Fast Time Does Fly...

2006-05-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that it's Monday already. Where does the time go? It was a busy weekend for me. I worked on Pets Royale listing products and ordering more products for the store. I've got some really, really cute stuff coming in soon! Now that it's up and running, I'm having a blast! Thanks to all of yall who have visited the store and to anyone who sends customers my way! I can't wait to live my dream of running my pet boutique full-time! (Notice the positivity in my words...not "I wish" but "I can't wait!") I figured out some storage space for my pet stuff so tonight, I've got some rearranging and organizing to do. I've got a few more items to list. Oh, did yall see the little dog modeling the pearls? That's my Dai-Dai! Isn't she just the greatest little model?

Let's see what else...

This is my crazy week. But I psyched myself up all weekend so I'm ready for it.

I'm still sick. I'm on my second box of Kleenex already today. I think it's allergies. I don't have time to be sick.

Even though my allergies are crazy right now, I still need to get out in my garden very soon. I got out there yesterday and pulled some weeds out of the beds but I need to pull them out of the walking area. Last year, I mulched the walking area but I was afraid of termites this year (rumor I heard) so I haven't yet. But the weeds are going crazy...so I might anyway. You'd think any wood they use to make mulch would have to be treated for termites first. Anyway, I've got some green tomatoes and tons of squash and cucumber blooms. Watermelons...alive but not terribly big yet. I've never had luck with any kind of melon. My snap beans are looking good. A row and a half of snap beans didn't even come up so I think I'm going to plant some more tomatoes on the half row and some flowering shrubs on the long row. I'm going to stop by Fads and Frames on the way home to see what they had. I considered going to Lowe's at lunch but talked myself out of it. Now, I've talked myself into going by Fad's on the way home. I love gardening. I just wish I was better at it.

Who's going home this week on American Idol? Elliott should. But I think it's anyone's game at this point.

Oh, yall remember that stuff I put on my face that dried up and made me look like an old woman? Well, that was just until I washed it off. The stuff is called Miracol by Merle Norman...and let me just tell you that it's a MIRACLE! I've been using it for about a week now...and I think my skin looks so much better. Shoot...by the time I'm 40, I'll look 30! It's just that amazing!

Later Dudettes!

2006-05-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to the weekend. Yeah. I. Am. You can not imagine how bad I need a weekend.

Tonight, Ava has a swimming party. Of course, Monkey plans to bring some supper home and hang out around the house. He never wants to take advantage of it being just being the two of us. I'm thinking dinner in a real live restuarant and a movie in a real live theatre. But no. It's "I'll bring some ribs home...and we'll just hang around the house until it's time to go get Ava." So what will actually happen is...I'll go feed the animals. I'll take Ava to the party. He'll come home with supper. We'll eat. He'll go to the living room and watch tv. I'll go to my room and work on my website. Then at 8:45 pm, he'll say..."Are you going to get Ava or am I?" I love my husband. I really do. Sometimes though, he's so predictable.

I want to go home so bad. When I went out for lunch today, I almost drove home. I got confused. I thought it was 4:30 pm. It was weird.

Later Dudettes.

So how's your Thursday going???

2006-05-04T10:50:00.000-07:00

Mine's pretty good. I've got so much going on, it's not even funny but life is good.

If someone had to go home on American Idol, it should have been Paris. She deserved to be in the competition even up to this point. But it was time for her to go. Next week, it will between Elliott and Taylor. Taylor should stay. Elliott must go. If Elliott stays, it will just to cinch the top two spots for Katharine and Chris. I love Taylor so much that I would love to see him in the finale but I'm not sure that's going to happen. Of course, it may be Chris and Taylor. Who knows? At this point, it's anybody's ballgame.

Next week is my busiest time of the year at work. I'll be working non-stop crazy. I really don't like this time of year. Not that I mind the work, it's the nature of this particular time of the year. Registration is fun. Graduation is not. Actually, what must be done BEFORE graduation is not fun. Once we make it to the actual ceremony, it's fun. But we've got all the before stuff to do first and I'm not looking forward to it.

Now for some REALLY, REALLY GREAT news!!! Yall have read for months about this little website called Pets Royale. Remember? Well, Pets Royale is now open for business. Now, that said...when you go to the website now, it's just the bare bones. I don't have the majority of my products up yet and there are some things that I'm going to change but my baby has been birthed! I am on-line! I even hesitated announcing it because I don't want anyone to visit it today and never go back thinking that's all there is. But I'm busting at the seams and couldn't wait to tell yall! I'd sure love it if yall popped by to visit. But please check back often because I'm going to be adding lots and lots more stuff! I can't believe that I made it happen! Now, I've got to start selling some stuff! Oh, this is so much fun!

Okay...must go back to work. Lunch hour over.

Later Dudettes.

Let me go home....

2006-05-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

You know...I wonder if a song with lyrics about going home was a good song choice. Simon agrees. Even so, I'm having a hard time deciding who I like less...Elliott or Paris? Oh, heck...it's a toss up. I wouldn't be upset for either one. But make me choose...and I'd send Paris home first. Then Elliott.

Play That Funky Music White Boy...was perfect for Taylor. What the heck were the judges hearing anyway? I didn't get to hear his second song because Monkey called me from the driveway to ask me where to bury the kitten. (A really sad story...yall don't want to hear.) So I had to go outside during his Beatles song. I hate I missed it because Ava said it was good.

Oh, my freaking gosh! But is that the funniest Sonic commercial or what?

Wife: I can't think of anything I love more than Sonic's BLT sandwich.

Husband: Hey. Think about what you are saying. What does a sandwich have that I don't?

Wife: Uh, Bacon.

Geeze...that was funny! Maybe it's just me. I don't know. But I'm thinking it was funny. No matter who you are. (Okay...not too original but if Larry the Cable Guy has time to read this blog, I do hope he's flattered.)

Chris was Chris. I mean...he's good. Sexy as heck. But I lose interest. I forget to listen to him.

My new favorite song is Black Horse and The Cherry Tree. Dang! I didn't realize how good Katharine was until I listened to K.T. Tunstall's version. I'm buying the whole album!

Ava is so proud of me. I'm buying...Stickwitu, Dirty Little Secret, and My Humps. A tad more recent than oh, say...Air Supply. We've been playing on iTunes tonight. I think it's time for some new music.

I've got this stuff by Merle Norman on my face right now. It's called Miracol and it's like a mask that dries and then you wash it off with water. Well, I just looked in the mirror and saw what I'd look like if I was a shriveled up old wrinkly woman. This stuff must come off now!

Later Dudettes!

Maybe tomorrow...

2006-05-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

I didn't want to post again until I could announce the grand opening of Pets Royale but anyhoo, here I am. I just heard from my web designer and she should be able to finish my site by tomorrow. But I have lots more items to add to the site when she gets done with her part. So once she's done, she's going to teach me how to maintain it and I'll have to do the rest. I can do it. (I'm trying to convince myself.) I'm getting items in everyday and I can't wait to show yall! Everything is so cute! My house has become a pet boutique! There is so much more I want to carry! I really need to start selling so I can invest it all back into the boutique. I'd love to have a physical retail store because so much is display. If you see it in person, it's sold. Let me tell you...I am so passionate about this business. I so wish I could spend all my days doing this! Maybe one day! Oh, and I'm getting business cards this week!

Let's see if there's anything else to talk about:

I just got back from the campus' Catholic club luncheon here on campus. I felt bad because it's the last meeting and I haven't been to any all semester. But the sponsor asked me to come today for the luncheon. I told her I felt bad about busting up in on the meeting when there's food but she said that our group's numbers are so small and they students' would like to see me. It was nice. I like being with the students.

Sonic put vanilla in my Diet Coke this morning. You can not imagine how nasty that was. Ugh.

I have this weird red dot on the tip of my nose. I don't know what the heck it is. It just looks as if I've been blowing my nose like crazy. Which I have. But still I don't know why it won't go away.

Tonight is American Idol. I might watch. I might not. Depends on what I'm doing.

We've been getting some rain periodically these last few weeks. My garden is living. I wouldn't say it is lush but it's not dead. I'm going to work on the lush part. I went out there and pulled some weeds last night. I have some places that I need to plant something else because what I planted didn't come up. I thinned my snap bean plants last night. I've actually got two tomatoes already. This weekend, I'm going to get out there with some more garden soil to build up my beds some more. Maybe some plant food or something. Then I need to figure out something to put down in the walking areas so the weeds won't grow. Yep...it's time to spruce it up a little. I love my garden.

Oh, and did you know that my neighbors down the street copied my little garden? Yep. They sure did. See my garden is a tilled up square in my front yard. Pretty much in the middle of the yard. I bordered it off with bricks. Planted shrubs and flowers and veggies. Looks downright pretty. Now, the neighbors have a tilled up square in the middle of their big yard. They planted shrubs and flowers and bricked it off just like mine. I was quite flattered.

Ever wonder about someone from your past? Like how they are? Or if they are even still alive? I do. Sometimes, I think of trying to get in touch with this person. But I talk myself out of it every time. I don't think I really want a friendship like it was before...because I don't think it will ever be like it was before. But sometimes, I'd just like to know how she's doing, how her husband and daughter are doing, the cats and just how's she's coping with stuff. You know. Just because I care. Oh, well.

Well, yall...I'd really love to tell yall I'm off to work on pet boutique business. I can't wait to tell yall that. Maybe tomorrow!

Later Dudettes.

Shaken but not stirred...

2006-04-28T17:46:00.000-07:00

I don't know a thing about martinis. But it's kind of how I feel right now...in a nervous but excited kind of way.

First off...I've been home sick since Wednesday. Really sick because my computer is right here by my bed. Actually my on my bedside table. But this evening is the first I've actually felt like even turning it on or even sitting in the chair. But I am feeling a little better tonight. I promised myself I'm going to get dressed in real clothes tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere but I'm going to get out of my nightgown. I don't know what Sam is going to do Monday...he's getting quite accustomed to sleeping with me all day long.

Now, on to the good news. Pets Royale should be on-line early next week. I've seen it and I think it looks good. Monkey and ChooChoo didn't show any major excitement when they saw it. Ava did, though. She's my little cheerleader. It's not elaborate (which isn't a bad thing) but it looks good and functional. I'm excited beyond words but also a little nervous. (Shaken but not stirred.) I just want to be a success. I've made an investment in time and money...and in my dream. I've got to be a success. I want to do everything right. I've already made some mistakes...but so far, I've made them...corrected them...and moved on. But even so, it's not fun to make the wrong business decisions. That said, I've made a few good decisions, too. I'm pleased with my decision to work with my webstore designer and I like my logo. Business is fun...but it can be a source of worry as well. I'm already learning that.

I really need a place for all of my stuff. Yall remember I lost "my" room when ChooChoo moved in. She was talking tonight about moving in with her best friend. Of course, I don't think it's a good idea because I don't think she's mature enough and I don't think they have room for her (and her stuff!) but I'm not arguing at this point. Anybody know how to get the nasty butt smoke smell out of a room?

Well, I'm going to be working on Pets Royale this weekend. It's supposed to rain 100% tomorrow which is good for my garden. But I've got some photo work and text writing that needs to be done. Some inventory work. Some financial work. Then I'm going to get outside and pull some weeds and do some gardening Sunday afternoon. I've got to get out of this house! I've had too much house and daytime TV this week.

Later Dudettes.

So perfect...but...

2006-04-23T14:30:00.000-07:00

There is always a "but."

So I see this ad in the Classifieds today:

Animal Lover
Guest Care & Customer Relations
Full Time/Permanent
Starting Salary DOE...

It goes on. The starting salary is about $1.15 less that I make now but with 20 years of working experience, I may not have to start at the beginning. It's with a pet resort in town. A very nice, expensive, and fancy pet resort. I know the place well.

Sounds perfect for me. Don't you think? Okay...so why then does it sound perfect to me and to you but not Monkey? Because Monkey says that with 20 years of experience I should be stuck in a stupid butt boring office for 40 hours a week. (Okay...he didn't say those exact words...but he just doesn't get WHY I was looking in the classifieds in the first freaking place.) Yes, I'm smart and I'm efficient and I'm good at organizing and details...and I know I have 20 years of office experience. But it could be that the idea of working with animals excites me because sitting behind a boring desk shuffling paper under artificial lighting doesn't. We'll see...maybe I'll happen upon the most exciting office position. Maybe. Just maybe.

Well, I'm going to change clothes and go for a walk. The first step in my own "Get Healthy" lifestyle changes. I'm going to document every step because if I can succeed, then anyone can. Maybe I'll write a book. Not that I'm this great writer or anything but I'm all for inspiring and motivating people. I could use a good motivating book like that. I think I'm going to read Fit From Within by Victoria Moran (one of my favorite authors in the whole world) again. Yep...that book will motivate me!

Later Dudettes. Off with Chante for a walk.

Whoops...

2006-04-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

I forgot to watch AI last night. Did anyone show any star quality last night?

I just lost a post because Blogger didn't save the draft like I wanted it to. Don't ya hate that?

Katya! Please email me or send me a message on the Stonecutter board with your email. I've got to talk to you! It's important! Really.

Geez...man...I lost everything I wrote about...and can't remember anything. I'll write again later. Maybe I can come up with something interesting. Maybe. Maybe not. But I'll write again anyway.

Later Dudettes.

Long time...no see...

2006-04-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

It's been a while. I'm pretty positive that my readership has dwindled down to one or two if I'm lucky. But really...I've got excuses.

I got a personal email from someone who read my blog several posts back...and it kind of freaked me out that this particular person was reading my blog. I'm not real comfortable with the idea of being stalked. What I wrote was true as the day is long and I'd say it again in a heartbeat but I've let it go and moved on. I'm not sure that this person isn't still blog-stalking me but hey...if you are, it would be nice if you went away. Oh, and by the way...the new design team is doing a wonderful job! The logo is coming along nicely. I should have a finished logo this week.

The little problem with the previous blog-stalker (Oh...strike through that...I mean former graphic designer) and the Easter holiday caused a delay in my launch date for Pets Royale. Now, I'm hoping for a week from today to launch the site. That will depend on how the completion of the logo goes and then how long it will take the website designer to finish up...and then how long it takes me to learn how to maintain the site myself. The website designer is just waiting on me to get her the logo. I wish I was like Samantha on Bewitched...and could just wiggle my nose and things be done pefectly immediately. But oh, well.

I've been dealing with some issues at work that I want so freaking bad to discuss but it's probably not a good idea at this point in time. I will as soon as it is safe to talk about. I don't want any more blog-stalkers so I am keeping quiet for now. But yall know how I feel about people who do and say things because "God" told them to. I know God speaks to people but I really don't think He's demoninational. Really...that's a human thing. Not a God thing. Of course, I'm a mere mortal and not a power that be down the hall. So what the heck do I know?

Easter was nice. I hope yall had a good one, too. We were busy with church and family and all the regular Easter traditions that I love so dearly. It was a nice break. Ava's out this week. Unfortunately, I'm not. What I could do if I were off this week!

American Idol tonight. I'm really got a "who gives a whoop" attitude. I started reading Blue Dahlia by Nora Roberts this weekend and would rather curl up and read. Usually, I'm not into series books but my co-worker gave me this book and said that I had to read it. I've had it for several months and finally opened it this weekend. Now if she'd told me there was a ghost story involved, I'd already read the darned thing! She's knows my passion for ghost stories! Anyway, the ghost story is only part of the storyline...but I'm really enjoying this book. There are two others in this trilogy and I'm already looking forward to reading them! All that said to say...I really don't give a flip about AI tonight. It will be on just in case somebody might possibily act like they deserve to be on that stage...but it hasn't happened yet and I'm not expecting much tonight. I hope to eat my words.

I started a Z-pak last night...and I'm so not feeling good today. I've got a yucky sinus infection...and I've been sneezing...and blowing...and coughing...and aching and the pressure around my eyes and head and the bells ringing in my ears is making me feel like going home and going to bed...for a very long time. Probably not a good time to start a new healthy lifestyle...but I don't know. I probably could find an excuse for never starting a healthy lifestyle. Today, I'm going to go for a walk after work. I am. Really. I. Am. I've got to get healthy. We've been watching Honey We're Killing Our Kids...and it's got me wanting to really change my lifestyle (and my family's...but let it begin with me). I'm real good at wanting to make a change in this area of my life...but not real good at doing it. Which is crazy because in every other area of life, I am an action kind of girl.

Well, what I can talk about in my life isn't too exciting. Maybe one day soon I can write about the stuff I can't write about now.

Later Dudettes.

What is today???

2006-04-12T19:21:00.000-07:00

Oh, yeah...Wednesday. American Idol is on. Why did I just almost enjoy Elliott's song? I'm so stressed out right now. That must be it. Ava says once you attach a family to them, you don't want any of them to go home. Man...I must be losing it because Elliott was better than Ace tonight. I think Bucky should have gone home before now. But as crazy as my ears are tonight...he is better than Ace tonight. I'll be surprised if it isn't Ace's last night. See...I can say that. Ace didn't hear me. Gosh, Simon is harsh. Okay...we can say I'm a bit surprised. I think I'm a bit too emotional right about now. Not about Bucky or Ace or Elliott. I'm going now.

Later Dudettes.

And so a new week begins...

2006-04-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy week. I've been dealing with a crappy graphic designer who turned out to not only horribly untalented but also unethical. I could go on and on but really, I just want to get past this ordeal and move on. Note to self: Let it go. I've got a new graphic design team and hopefully, they will "get" what I want my image to say. I was very careful to explain what I wanted to this team. Of course, Crappy Graphic Designer and I talked at length about what I wanted. I so freaking don't get how she could miss my message. But dear God...she did.

Chante is working again. Listening to Aerosmith now...I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. Oh, I've missed Chante. (For those just tuning in, Chante is my iPod. And I love her.) Heh...Poppy...Lost in Love. (For those just tuning in, Poppy loves Air Supply. Okay...that was a joke. Poppy, you can stop gagging now.) I'm changing it, too. I'm not in an Air Supply mood. I do need some new music.

Okay...what else?

Monkey and I rode horses today. We stopped to chat with some friends and Monkey told an off color story and I was the main character. And it pissed me off. Embarrassed me crap out of me. I get pissed off every time I think about it. Ugh. Why can't men be more like dogs and horses? I like them so much better. I can't remember the last time I called one of my dogs or horses an asshole. Nope. I don't think it's ever happened. If I got a nickel every time I called Monkey an asshole, I'd be one rich woman. Let me tell you that's for sure. Ugh. Note to self: Let it go.

I gave the little dogs baths yesterday. Big whoop? Well, actually it was because I used some of the spa treatments that I'll be selling. Well, I had to try them out so that I could honestly recommend them. I can honestly say...my spa products are wonderful! My Gracie looks like a dream!! Well, all of them do but Gracie has long white hair and now, she looks like a queen! Captain's thing is clothes. Yall...I've got to post some pictures. Yall just have to see him in his tuxedo. I've got to where I get him dressed every day. I've got to find him some pajamas because he doesn't like it when I take his clothes off. Hey, one of the apparel lines that I carry say..."Stop Dog Nudity!" I've got a mission now!

I sure have missed my Chante.

I'm thinking about coloring my hair. I colored my hair for the first time when I was in the 10th grade. Up until about two years ago, it has been just about every shade of blonde there is...with a couple shades of red thrown in for good measure. But about two years ago, I let it get back to my natural color. At the time, I had one gray hair. I noticed this morning that there is considerably more gray up there. So that got me to thinking that I ought to go blonde again. That...and Ava was watching The Parent Trap yesterday...and told me that I reminded her of Natasha Richardson if my hair was a little blonder. Yep...that's enough to get me to the magician. I'll be looking more like Natasha Richardson as soon as my magician can squeeze me in.

Good Easter song...Because He Lives by Kristin Chenoweth. I'm such a musical hodge-podge.

A friend from work has lost 32 pounds. She looks great but more than that, she says that she's got her head thinking "healthy lifestyle." She did it by going to LA Weight Loss and working out. I did LA Weight Loss before. Of course, I've done EVERY diet plan out there. I really don't care about losing tons of weight. Maybe a few pounds. But I want to get my head straight when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. I'm very active. I have to be. Taking care of six horses...it's a requirement. But I eat like crap. I drink very little water...and way too many Diet Cokes and Diet Pepsis. I'd like to go back to the gym on my lunch hour. It would be a way to spend more time with Chante anyway. I don't think my skin is as healthy as it could be. I just want to look and feel my best. I don't want to look, feel or act like an old woman. I don't mind my age...but I don't want to look old. I mean...look at Faith Hill, Sara Evans...Natasha Richardson. They are my age or even older...I'm thinking that I'm looking older than them now.

Sara Evans' song Cheatin' is so cool.

I've got to get a pedicure this week. I mean...I've got to have pretty feet for Easter. Is that just a Southern thing or is it just a girl thing? I haven't had nails in several years...but I'm thinking that I might get some. Maybe a little self care will help me feel better about how I'm looking.

Oh, Tuckerville is back! Yes, I admit it. I like Tuckerville. Oh, and Ava got me to watch Hannah Montana today. It was nice to see Billy Ray Cyrus again...and his real-life daughter, Miley plays Hannah Montana. It's funny to think that he could have a teenage daughter. But yeah, I guess he could. It's been a few years since he was Mr. Achey Breaky Heart. Cute show. I liked it. Almost better than American Idol. Oh, God...did I just say that? Geez. I think I did. I mean...I still like AI okay. It's just a little boring this year. I can't freaking believe that Mandisa went home before oh, Bucky, Elliott, Ace, and Paris. Is America really voting? If they are, I don't think they are using their ears to make their decisions. The producers have their hands in so much about this show...they need to cut the drama and let the contestants do their own thing...so we could have some exciting performances. But those dang producers never listen to me. Maybe that's why I enjoy Tuckerville and Hannah Montana better than American Idol these days.

Oh, have I told yall how absolutely beautiful my garden is? I need to show yall how pretty it before hurricane season starts.

Well, next week is Holy Week and I'm praying it won't be another week from hell. We're off Friday and the Monday after Easter so that helps the mindset going in. We'll be in pre-registration Monday through Wednesday so we won't be in the office which gives us a little break. Hopefully, it will make for a short work week.

Later Dudettes.

What I don't know...and what I know for sure...

2006-04-05T14:04:00.000-07:00

I don't think it will Ace or Bucky going home tonight. I'm not sure why. Intuition. Maybe. Maybe it's the screwy way things have been this year. I don't know.

I got a draft of my logo back today...and I'm not feeling it. It's not all wrong. But it's not all right either. I've emailed my designer a million times today with my thoughts on it. I haven't heard from her so I may not even have a designer any more. I don't know.

I got my garden planted yesterday. I now have squash, tomatoes, banana peppers, cucumbers, watermelons, and snapbeans...and I have all kinds of pretty shrubs and flowers. I put my birdhouse bench back out there and my little birdbath out there. I also have dirt stained fingernails. I love it! Not the stained fingernails...the garden. That's about the only thing I know right now.

That and I want to get this logo done so I can get my store up and running. And that I need a manicure. And that I really want to go the heck out of here. But that's about all.

Later Dudettes.

Thank God, it's Friday...

2006-03-31T13:03:00.000-08:00

I know...it's a boring title. Very unoriginal. But you know what...it's Friday...and I'm too blasted tired to think about another title. I know you really don't give a flip about it...so why am I writing about it? I don't have a clue.

I started my Thursday Thirteen yesterday cause yall know I love lists. But I never got around to finishing it because sometimes, I have to work. I hate it when that happens. But now and again, it happens.

I am giving up fast food today with Kara. Sounds easy to you. But you are wrong. According to her rules, "sammich" places don't count as fast food. According to my rules, fish places don't count. Have you ever been in Louisiana during Lent? Cajun Catfish on Fridays is a must.

I've been struggling with getting my webstore up and running...but finally, yesterday, I found the answer. I should make my mid-April goal for opening after all. I can't wait! I'm a nervous wreck because I really want to be really successful. But I'm one determined soul! I'm expecting three rather large merchandise orders today and another one on Monday and one in two weeks. This is the part of the business that I love. I love the financial end of it. I love the merchandising end. I'm going to love filling orders and promotion. But I didn't like the initial setup of the website. I'm glad I found the answer to that. I'm learning that in business...you do what you do well and let the experts do what you don't do well. It may cost a little money but it's worth it in the long run.

My to-do list for this weekend is a mile long. Monkey is going on a trail ride that Ava and I were supposed to go on but because of everything I have to do...just Monkey is going. Monkey told me today that we really need to find someone to come and clean our house...because he would like me to go on more rides with him. I agree. 100 percent. I guess I could leave the house dirty and laundry on the floor in the laundry room....and the garden unplanted and no groceries in the house...and so on and so on...but I just can't do that. Even though I'd rather ride than do chores....but sometimes, you just gotta work.

I went to Lowe's at lunch and I bought a van load of flowers, shrubs and veggies to plant this weekend. Yall remember my pretty garden last year? The one that Rita destroyed. I'm ready to replant and get it pretty again. Heavens...I hope we're done with hurricanes. I bought tomatoes, bush beans, bush peas, bush cucumbers (did you know there was a such a thing?), squash, spinach and watermelons to plant. Last year, the watermelons didn't do a thing. But AnnaBanana has to plant watermelons every year. I'm going to try them in a different spot this year. Maybe we'll do better. I'm anxious to get out there and get things planted again!

It was no surprise to me that Lisa went home this week on American Idol. But having Katharine in the bottom three was a crock of crap. Proof votes don't really count. They put whoever they want to in the bottom three...for drama, for shock value...whatever. There is no way Katharine got fewer votes than Bucky. No way on this earth. I have so cooled down about this because I was ready to give AI up forever Wednesday night. Bucky should have gone home before Lisa...but once again, they keep who they want to...all for their own purposes.]

I am so ready to get this weekend started. Even if I'm spending it doing chores. At least it will be doing things that make me happy.

Later Dudettes.

Update on Staci's Daddy...

2006-03-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

I got an email from Staci this morning about her daddy, Mr. E.. Thanks for your prayers but please keep 'em coming.

UPDATE ON DADDY:

The blockage had not moved as of yesterday. They are going to do one more CAT scan this morning to see if it has moved any which is unlikely. If it is still there, they will do surgery. He still has had nothing by mouth since Sunday and has such a good outlook. He's such a good little patient. Please pray hard that it has moved and no surgery will be required.

Again, thanks for your prayers and good wishes. I know they mean the world to Staci and her family.

So how's your hump?

2006-03-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

Hump day...that is.

Me...I'm freezing and my co-worker is hot. So I just sit here one of those awful ugly college sweaters that we keep here at the office. God forbid, someone else be uncomfortable. I'll just look ugly so you can be comfortable.

About last night's American Idol, I was not impressed by any of the contestants last night. I guess Bucky made the best song choice. Even though it was like watching him trying to imitate Tim McGraw. It was closer to his roots and the style was closer to his. Simon didn't understand a word he said. Why did I understand every word? Southern thang, I guess. Simon didn't get Mandisa' song. I got the song. I got why she wanted to do it. I just didn't think she sang it very good. I'm a bit surprised at all of the song choices except Bucky's. It could have been an exciting show. But it wasn't at all. And you know...Simon doesn't "get" alot of songs. He doesn't understand the lyrics. I think there's a culture block or something. That annoys me a lot. If you don't understand something, then don't knock it. Jerk. Oh, and what the heck do people see in Elliott? I'm dumbfounded. What is it? I wanted to puke when he was singing last night. I mean...how the crap can even think about walking on the stage and do "I Don't Wanna Be?" Seriously. Geeze. You've got to be freaking kidding. I'd send him home tonight just pulling a stupid stunt like that...and because he nauseates me...but I'm pretty sure it won't be him. My guess for bottom three is Bucky, Lisa, and Kelly. For some reason, I think it will be Lisa or Kelly that will go home. I don't know why.

I'm in the mood to drag a dumpster into my closet and empty it (the closet) and start over. Ugh. It's horrible in there. I can't walk into the closet because of stuff on the floor. Nothing fits. Ugh. We're in between seasons right now. One day it's cold. One day it's hot. Who knows what to wear. Geeze.

I have a million things to do away from here. Why is it that I'm pretty organized at the office but things fall apart at home?

If I could spend an uninterrupted day working on my website, I think that I could get it finished and published. I think. Maybe it will rain Saturday. Oh, and by the way...I hate canned responses from places that I am supposed to get 24 hour technical support from. I swear I do everything that I can possibly do not to email technical support because they are generally a bunch a hot air. Next time I have to email them, I'm going to start my email..."Don't even send me a canned response to this question."

I have to go find a recipe for Cowboy Soup.

Staci is getting conflicting responses from her daddy's doctors but he seems to be doing okay. It's tough for her because she has to be at work and is not able to talk to the doctors herself. Please keep her in your prayers.

Later Dudettes.

Today is "Let's Just Irk The Crap Out Of Marybeth Day"

2006-03-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

I feel really guilty about letting little things bother me today because Staci's daddy is in the hospital. There are more important things to worry about. But I swear...the world is on a mission to annoy the crap out of me today. And because Staci knows me and loves me anyway...I will go ahead and gripe. Maybe it will put a little normalcy in her life right about now.

Things that irk me today: (If it were Thursday, I'd think of 13 things just for the heck of it.)

Stepchildren...ugh. Why do I try to be a good stepmother? Why?

I paid .30 for one little cheese shred. It really irks me when you order a chili and extra cheese on the side. Then when you get it...there's one little shred already sitting on top of the chili.

I ordered a Diet Coke. But I got a nasty butt Coke instead. What part of Diet do they not understand? Did they think I wouldn't notice?

Oh, and I said...Diet Coke with extra ice. I got nasty butt Coke with one cube of ice. If I'd left off the extra ice part...I would have just got nasty butt Coke.

It's raining like crazy today...and I can't go home.

Creating a webstore is tough. But it's something I'd rather be doing than what I have to be doing right now. (I bought a book called Create Your Own Website by Scott Mitchell today. It's all cool and has colorful pictures and looks very reader friendly. I'm a very visual learner so this is what attracted me to the book. Rest assured, I'll let you know.) Oh, but I'm irked because I can't curl up and read it. But then I wonder if it will even work with Yahoo! Small Business. Ugh.

Okay...enough of the irkiness. I am a very pleasant person. Really I am.

On the business front, I'm ready to get things up and running. Right now, as I've mentioned I'm building the website and store. I'm getting merchandise in and cataloging it. That part is a lot of fun! My logo should be ready next week. I'm just ready to get on-line and start doing business. My goal for being open for business is the week of April 12. We'll see how that works out.

Oh, I just want to go home. I sure hope American Idol doesn't give me anything else to gripe about tonight.

Staci...tell Mr. E and Ms. Betty and your sisters I'm praying for yall. If you need me, holler! Love yall!

Later Dudettes.

If you pray...

2006-03-28T05:55:00.000-08:00

Please add Staci and her family to your prayers. She called me yesterday evening to tell me that Mr. E was back in the hospital. He's made of the best stock I've ever seen and I just know that he'll recover. But I know Staci needs our prayers. Thanks, yall.

No cold feet for me!!!

2006-03-27T17:27:00.000-08:00

Socks for me!
Originally uploaded by ladybellagrace.

Thanks to Christy my feet will not be cold while I am driving myself insane designing my own webstore! I love it...I just wish I was good at it. Just think how smart I'm going to be once I figure it all out! And about the socks, they are honestly the most comfortable socks that I own and I love them! Thank you, Christy! They are really wonderful!

Geeze...Louise...

2006-03-27T13:50:00.000-08:00

I guess anything is hard when you don't know what the heck you are doing. I am designing my own website...and it ain't easy. Maybe I'm just making a mountain out of a molehill. I don't know.

Things are going good. I'm just terribly swamped. I'll write again shortly!

Later Dudettes.

If it's Thursday...

2006-03-23T10:33:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Things I Bought At Wally-World Today

1. An extra memory card for my camera (I'm doing the photography for a wedding Saturday and I wanted an extra one just to be prepared.)
2. The new Oprah magazine (It was hot pink and I was captured by the article..."What would it take to make you feel beautiful?")
3. A pink sweater (I didn't try it on so it may be going back to the store once I do.)
4. Some Earth Shoes (I put them on and didn't want to take them off. But they don't go with my "Jackie O" suit.)
5. White poster board
6. Display board (I'm going to use as a backdrop for some pictures that I'm working on.)
7. Fabric (White, black, and remnants...for that photography project)
8. Orange Tic-Tacs (I'm addicted.)
9. Clear mascara for Ava
10. Foil
11. Batteries for my camera
12. Great Lash for me
13. I forgot straightening cream. Dang it.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. Better Safe Than Sorry
2. Plumbkrazzee

Chicken Little Goes Home...

2006-03-23T07:20:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking that they actually used Kevin as a model when they created Chicken Little. Kevin should go to work for Disney now...or whatever animation company that will hire him.

I'm really surprised that he went before Bucky...not that I really think either of them are in the same league as Chris or Katharine or Taylor or Mandisa. Next to go, Bucky...then Lisa. Elliott and Kelly and Ace will go after that. Top five: Katharine, Chris, Mandisa, Taylor, and Paris. When it's just Chris, Mandisa, Katharine, and Taylor...then we will have a real competition. Time to kick it in overdrive if you ask me. Which you didn't. But you should.

About Kelly...she really can't be that dingy. Really...she has to be creating herself as a cartoon character. When she asked "what's a ballsy?" I thought Chris was going to lose it. Oh, geez. Can anyone really that innocent and naive?

Later Dudettes.

Looking for a stupid stick...

2006-03-23T06:57:00.000-08:00

Plum, can I borrow your stupid stick? There's this one particular stupid little ditz that I'd like to bong over the head.

My iPod isn't taking the charge. I just got it for Christmas. It should freaking work. So yesterday after work, I took it in to the exact same Radio Shack that I bought it on November 23, 2005. I stood and waited to have the following brilliant conversation with a stupid little ditz who obviously doesn't know her head from her freaking butt.

Me: My iPod freezes up every time I put it on the computer to charge. It says "Do not disconnect" and won't go off. It's not working.

SLD: Well, you can't get another one. Because it's been over 30 days.

(Like how the heck did she know that? I didn't tell her that yet. Actually, I could have bought it yesterday but she didn't know that. Stupid little ditz.)

Me: Well, I bought a service warranty.

SLD: Do you have the receipt? Because it would be so much easier if you had the receipt than for me to look it up for you.

(Isn't customer service in your job description? Well, maybe your boss needs to get you the dictionary and define those words.)

Me: Yes, I can bring in the receipt. I know exactly where it is. But could you get someone to look at it just in case I'm doing something wrong?

(You know it could be possible. I was taking the responsibility for doing something wrong...even though I really didn't think I was.)

SLD: I'll take it to my manager and let him look at it.

(At this point, she disappears with Chante (my iPod) into the back.)

SLD: I'm going to put it on our computer and see if it works here.

Me: Okay.

SLD: Well, it needs charging.

(Uh, I think I told her that the problem happens when it needs charging...like when I walked in the store. Duh.)

Me: Yes, I know that. If you leave on the computer for a little longer, it will say "Do not disconnect" and freeze up.

SLD: Well, I think you need a $29.99 home charger.

Me: Why? Why won't it charge on the computer?

SLD: Well, it just don't like your computer.

I didn't buy a charger. I couldn't wait to get out of that store fast enough. Instead I came home and found the receipt of when I bought the iPod and the 36 month warranty. I will be back. I may have to invent my own stupid stick because I just don't think I can handle such stupidity today. I swear Plum, you should sell stupid sticks that we can carry in our purse. I would have clobbered her with it.

Creative Visualization...

2006-03-22T13:14:00.000-08:00

Today is today as usual. I got up and went to work. I did the work they pay me to do.

A nice distraction was that I went to lunch with Christy who's here from Florida. That was really nice. I'm really lucky to have to such a great friend. And I will be posting pictures of the most perfectly wonderful socks that she knitted for me. They feel so great and will be gracing my tootsies often! Thank you so much, Christy!

When I get through this day, I'll go home and do the things that keep my head above water. You know, cleaning and laundry and stuff. Then I'll run Ava to and from church and take care of the animals and get supper on table....and watch American Idol. (Really, yall...if Bucky doesn't go home tonight, I'm going to start hollering about it being rigged. And I know yall don't want to hear that bolonga.)

But all day long, I've had this dream life running in my head. Before I go any further, I have to say: I love my life. Even with it's craziness and even though I feel like I haven't achieved what I'm destined to...and even though my life isn't perfect, it's a dang good life. It's wonderful. That said...I have a dream. And here it is.

I open my eyes in the morning and look around the lovely surroundings that is my bedroom. I snuggle just a little deeper under the warm covers as Gracie and Daisy give me my morning sugar. Monkey tells me good morning. It's time to get Ava up for school. Once Ava is up, I take my regular morning bubble bath. I walk into my simplified and perfectly cleaned out and organized closet to find great-fitting, comfortable jeans and a great looking and comfortable shirt with Pets Royale embroidered on it. I put on my favorite cowboy boots and finish up my hair and makeup. My bathroom counter is free of stuff I don't use everyday and very neat and organized. (FYI: This is a theme that will run all the way through this dream.) By the way, I look and feel FABULOUS! I don't have to fuss with lots of hair stuff or makeup. I just look glowing and wonderful naturally. (Hey...it's my dream.)

There is a peacefulnuess to my morning routine. I put a pretty collar or harness or outfit on either Gracie or Daisy and put them in one of the stylish pet carriers that I sell and off we go to the bus stop to see Ava off. Then I head off to my warehouse/office with either Gracie or Daisy in tow.

Today is one of the days that I'm at the warehouse/office before 8:00 am. On certain days, I do my housework before leaving for the office but I'm always there by 9:30 am. (I can clean my house in an hour and a half. Like I said...it's my dream and I'm doing it up big!) I like having routine days that I run errands and do housework. I feel like it keeps me sane.

My office is really part-climate controlled warehouse and an office combination. I'm not sure where it is exactly. I don't know if it is a building in my back yard or if it is somewhere else. That's about the only thing that's unclear to me in my dream. But what it looks like and how it's set up is extremely clear.

One section of the building is where my inventory is kept. Items are neatly and orderly stacked on the shelves so that it is easy to pull inventory from the shelves. Everything is labeled and I can reach it easily. I've got all my shipping supplies within easy reach. My shipping table and supplies make easy to package and ship my many orders.

When coming into my office area, it looks so pretty and welcoming. It's beautiful and comfortable. It's colorful and cheerful and it just plain makes me smile when I walk through the door. The office area is set up with my desk and workspace. It has some chairs for visitors. The girls (Gracie and Daisy) have a little bed that they love to lounge in while Mama works. I have a computer and printer that is faster than the speed of light. Geez...that's important to me. I have everything neat and organized files set up. Everything is at my finger tips. The walls are decorated with paintings of pets.

I come into the office and flip on the radio. I check my website and my emails. I print the tons of orders that came in overnight. Man, I get excited with each one. I package each each order and get them ready to take to the post office. I'll have a time each day to run to the post office. I respond to each customer that their item has been shipped. Then I research new items to carry and re-order what stock has been depleted. I update the website to keep it fresh and fun. I work on ideas. I love what I do. I love building my business and building business relationships. I take it seriously but I'm having a blast.

I'm relaxed. The business is busy and thriving. It's fun and challenging. The environment that I've created is exactly where I want to be. I don't watch the clock. I am not bored stiff. I have a routine. On certain days, I do financials, on certain days, I do banking and errands. There is routine but no boredom. I love my life. I have the freedom to go to school programs and go to lunch with friends without worrying about a boss because I am the boss.

Not only is my business organized by routine. Working for myself allows me to organize my personal and home life as well. I can schedule weekly days to do my housework and on banking and errands days, I can do my own shopping and errands. Things are finally being taken care of in a timely manner. I am not stressed. I am for once, organized. I actually cook at home. My house is clean. My laundry is done. Things don't fall out on my head when I open my cabinets or closets or drawers. I feel peaceful in my work and in my home. My family is happy.

I hang out with my dogs each day. My friends and family drop by to see how I'm doing and to see if I need help with the packing and shipping because I do get very busy pretty often. I'm happy. I'm living the life I've always dreamed of.

Okay...back to reality here. I've always been a believer in visualization. So I share my dream in writing so that the little dreammakers can read it and go to work. I know that there's a Higher Power out there watching over me. I believe that by verbalizing what I dream of...I have a better chance of making my dreams come true.

Later Dudettes.

Zoom...Zoom...Zoom...

2006-03-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

The days of the week are just zooming by. I realized at 7:05 pm that it was Tuesday night and time for American Idol. It's weird though because when I'm at work, the minutes just poke on by. Anyway, on to the show...

Mandisa: Can it get any better than this? I don't think so.

Bucky: I hope Bucky doesn't read this...cause you know I don't want to hurt his feelings but it's time for him to go bye bye. Of all the contestants, he is the weakest link. I'm sure he's a sweet guy but he needs to head on back home now.

Paris: She did okay but tonight, she's got Mandisa to contend with. I like Paris and I think that she's going to have a steady career in music. But I'm not feeling like she's really competing in the same league with Mandisa and Katharine...or even Kelly when she picks the right song.

Chris: I wasn't too excited about Walk the Line but once again, Chris proved that he is an amazing talent. Geeze...that man...oh, for love of all that is good and wonderful....oh, I wouldn't care if the sound went out as long as the picture didn't. Chris is eye candy. Oh, and he rocks my world!

Katharine: Pure class. Nothing else needs to be said. Remember when I said that Katharine was going to be one of the last two standing? Well, I'm going to be right. I know I am.

Taylor: The song wasn't right for him. I think tonight was an off night vocally but he still put all of his energy into the performance. I love watching him...and I was be-bopping right along with the rest of America. His passion for music is obvious and makes whatever he does on stage fun and exciting. Tonight, his song choice was a bit boring...but watching him was fun.

Lisa: I don't like the arrangement of this song. I didn't think it was a knock-out performance. I love her poise and her energetic youthfullness and I think she'll be a big star one day. But there are better singers and performers competing in this competition now.

Kevin: Now, yall don't have a stroke. But Chicken Little chose the perfect song for him and did a pretty good job singing it. I am not a Kevin fan. I don't like his style. I was really dreading hearing him tonight because he annoys the poop out of me. But tonight, he sang a song that he connected with and didn't try to be someone he wasn't. Good job, Chicken Little. He will stay one more week but just because Bucky had a worse night and because Kevin gets the cute Chicken Little vote. Not mine, mind you. But somebody's, I'm sure.

Elliott: I am not a big fan of Elliott but I think that this was probably one of his best performances. But coming from me...that's not saying much. For some reason, I just don't connect with this guy. I can't for the life of me figure out the what the judge see in him. Like Bucky, I don't know why he made it this far.

Kelly: Oh, my Kelly is back! Perfect! I can't wait to buy her CD!

Ace: Dear God...you know he was making those sultry eyes at me, don't you? Well, he was. They came right through my TV into my bedroom. Yeah, they did. I forgot to listen to him cause I was watching so hard. Did he sound good?

Bottom three: Bucky, Lisa, Kevin
And Bucky goes home.

Night Dudettes.

Hi, yall!

2006-03-21T07:04:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say that things are fine in my little corner of the world. I hate it when work gets in the way of my blogging. But it's got to get done.

Pets Royale is moving along just fine. I'm so excited about it that it's always running in my mind and I'm not sleeping because I stay up working on stuff and reading books that will help me in business. I'm nervous because I want to do everything right. But it's all good. Right now, we're developing the website and logo and I'm trying to decide on merchandise. I'm hoping to be open for business by the first part of May. I had hoped for April but there's a lot more involved in this than I first realized. Like I said...it's all good.

Ava's cat, Sweetie, had babies yesterday. I know she'll be thinking about Sweetie and those babies all day long. She has I-LEAP this week...so I hope she can concentrate. When we have kittens (and it's not unusual around here), it's like a major thing!

Well, I guess I better get some work done. My hands will be doing the work I'm getting paid for but my heart will be at Pets Royale.

Later Dudettes.

Fruit Loops and Fur People...

2006-03-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hi, yall! It's a good feeling when you can sit here on a Sunday afternoon...and not worry about writing papers or studying or whatever. I know...I'm supposed to be regretting dropping that class by now. But if we're completely honest here, I'm not. Nope...not in the very least. I'm loving the feeling of sitting here at the computer...eating dry Fruit Loops out of the box without anything absolutely pressing to do. (Of course, I get one Fruit Loop for every four that come out of the box. It's one for Gracie, one for Dai-Dai, one for Captain, one for Sam...then I get one. Then repeat and repeat again.) Yeah, I've got laundry and some picking up around the house to do but that's not on top of studying. I'm just saying I feel better.

Staci and her girls came to visit this weekend and it was just the greatest thing to see them. We stayed up late...went shopping...went to lunch...barbequed...just hung out together. It was great! I hated to see them go. You don't know how bad I wish they lived right down the road so I could see them all the time. I miss them so bad already. How about next weekend yall? Okay...okay...but soon. Okay? I can't write about this anymore. It's making me sad.

We had to go to the wedding of a couple in their 70's today. I'm happy for them. I am. But...Geeze,Louise. I'm trying not to think about the things that usually happen on a wedding night (or afternoon as it is when your wedding is at noon). Geeze, Louise. See if you have a wedding...people KNOW what you are doing when it's over. (Of course, in this case, maybe not.) I'm all about just go on with life without making people stop to think about what you are doing in your private places. I can't write about this anymore. It's making me...oh, I don't know...not wanting to think about this anymore.

New Business update: Things are moving along nicely. More details to follow. Really I can't wait to tell yall about it but right now...I just don't have a lot to tell because I'm still pulling everything together.

I got Teeth In A Pickle Jar yesterday. That's the book that I've been talking about written by Helena Bachmann Milligan. As soon as I finish this post, I'm going to reboot the laundry and change the sheets on my bed...and crawl in it and read. Don't ya just love sheets when they are fresh out of the dryer? I'm going to actually read a book for the sheer pleasure of it. What a concept! I've glanced through it and it looks good. I can't wait to get started! Yeah, I am so not regretting dropping this class yet.

Later Dudettes!

Thursday Thirteen Already??

2006-03-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Things On Marybeth's Mind

1. I am so excited about my business. It's driving me crazy that I can't devote 100% of my time to it.
2. I am taking the day off tomorrow. It's going to be a busy day. I've got to clean my house. Do the laundry. Go to the grocery store. Vacuum and wash my van. Business meeting at 1:30 pm. Go to the bank and the tax offices.
3. But it's all good. Cause Staci is coming to visit this weekend! WhoooHooooo!
4. Christy is coming home next week, too. Yeah, it's all really good.
5. Monkey hasn't been feeling good these last few days. His eye looks pretty crappy to me. I told him that he still looked like he had been beat up. I am worried because he doesn't seem to be bouncing back very quickly. He insists that he's fine.
6. I could have handled few more weeks of Melissa rather than Kevin. Where in the heck did this sex symbol stuff come from? Kevin is so not a sex symbol even in the weirdest sense of the word? Now that's just plain icky.
7. Somebody just called me about giving me a business grant. For the record, I know you are not supposed to pay for somebody to guarantee to give you a grant. That phone conversation was cut short. You've got some gall wasting my minutes for something like that? I do wish I could hit a windfall though. I need to talk to Monkey about making an investment. He can be my suga daddy or I'll have to move on to Plan B.
8. What Plan B is I have no clue. Or maybe Monkey investing is Plan B. And what I'm doing now is Plan A.
9. I need to pull my plans and goals into some kind of written form tonight. It may be helpful at my meeting tomorrow.
10. We are expecting rain and hail today. The sun is shining. Sorta anyway.
11. Business stuff is everywhere. I need to set up a little office before it gets out of control.
12. Oh, I made Nate laugh this week when I commented here. He doesn't know that when in the unlikely event that I make somebody laugh...it just down-right makes my freaking week!
13. I made Friendship bread last night. It's pretty decent. Not like thrilling the taste buds...but decent. I wish I could share it with yall. Then yall's taste buds could feel decent, too. Yall have a great weekend!!!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

As if you needed a replay of my week...

2006-03-14T20:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon: I sat at my computer surrounded by research books, Internet sites, and my research notes...and just cried. I tried to write. I've been working on the research end of this all semester. I know my stuff. I know what message I wanted to convey. But I still cried. Then I told Monkey that I was going to Walmart to pray. Uh, yeah. I just had to get away. I made a phone call. I walked aimlessly around Wally World. And yes, I prayed. When I came home, I had a true sense of what I really needed to do...what was right for me at this particular time. Even though...it wasn't the popular choice.

Sunday evening: I emailed my professor and told her how upset I was and that I didn't want to disappoint her...blah, blah, blah. She emailed me back that deadlines could be negotiated...she hated to lose me in class...yada yada yada...but she understood the demands of work, family, school. She's been there. Done that.

Monday: I did nothing about dropping my class. I'm still thinking about this. Even though I never picked up my literature book and didn't write the paper that's due on Thursday if I stayed in the class.

Tuesday: At 8:00 am (class time), I was sitting at my desk at work. But I did nothing to drop the class today either. Someone told me that I was going to regret this decision big time. And so it goes.

I guess tomorrow I'm take some action. This is a decision that's right for me right now. I may regret it later. But right now...and I'm living in the right now...dropping this class is the right decision for me.

Now that I got that off my head...

American Idol: Actually, I don't hate anyone right now. I don't like Elliott. He has yet to impress me. But obviously, he's impressed the judges. So he won't be going yet. I think the bottom three will be Bucky, Melissa, and Kelly or Kevin. I think Kelly just had an off week. I think Kevin gets the "you're so dorky-sweet...I have to vote for you" vote. I hate it when they start the theme weeks. My hope is that Bucky will go home tomorrow. Bless his heart. Monkey says if you put a wig on Chris, he'd be Paula's twin. I say he's got the sexiest bald head I've ever seen. Yall know Bo started that microphone stand dance thing...yeah, yall know that. Well, if it works, it works. I just don't want to see Kevin try that stunt. No. I don't.

My new business: I'm opening a store. On-line for now. I'd love to just quit my job and open a retail store but that's not feasible right now. So for now The Pet Palace (where we make your pet look and feel like royalty) will be on-line. I'll be selling fancy smancy pet stuff...like jeweled collars, clothes, gourmet treats, luxury dog beds, classy dog carriers, doggie spa stuff, etc. I am working on getting a great website up and running. That takes more time than I realized. I've got some great ideas for a fun website that hopefully people will come back to visit often. This has really consumed me with passion! I love the creativity! Anyone who reads this blog knows how I feel about my dogs (cats and horses, too) and anyone who knows me knows that I am one of those crazy people who treat their dogs like children. That's my target market and I know I'm not the only person out there like this. When I do get a retail store, I'll add a grooming salon and possibly, a pet hotel at The Pet Palace. I have a huge vision for this. More details to come.

Let's see. What else?

Oh, I saw a book called Blogging for Dummies. Man...there are books for everything...and everyone.

I guess that's it for now. Later Dudettes.

Oh, yall...I just don't care...

2006-03-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

About the pagan influence on Christianity...or the paper I have to write TODAY on the subject.

About the extremely long pieces of British literature written by Pope and Swift...that I have to read by Tuesday morning at 8:00 am.

About Shelley's Frankenstein...or the long paper that I have to write on it.

Or about anything else related to school right now. Yes, I am going through my regular weekly "I want to quit" phase again. But unless some amazing words start flowing from my fingers within the next couple of minutes, it might happen this time.

What I do care about right now is my new business. I'm designing the website now. Once I get things up and running, I'll unveil my new baby. It's quite exciting and it's what I want to be doing. Not struggling with HAVING to do something that's just not in my heart or my head right now.

Thursday Thirteen Time Again!!!

2006-03-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Thirteen Things about Marybeth's Day...Week...Life...Whatever

1. There's a terrible storm right now. It's flooding. The wind is blowing. Seems like a hurricane. But it's not June yet. We're in a tornado watch. I hate tornadoes worse than I hate hurricanes. With hurricanes, you have some time to prepare but tornadoes can pop up "when conditions are favorable." Well, conditions are favorable.
2. You never know who reads your blog. A while I posted about a book called Teeth in a Pickle Jar and this morning, I get an email (actually a comment)from the author of the book. She was as sweet as she could be. She assured me that the book was delightful but with the style and grace of a true Southern belle. I know she went to school in New York and has spent some time overseas and Florida's not really the South (I don't understand that...but that's what Christy says)...but I am making her an honorary Southern belle 'cause she deserves it. Helena (yes, we are friends now and I can call her by her first name. Right, Ms. Milligan?)...you are now an honorary Southern belle. 'Cause I'm The Southern Goddess, I can do that.
3. Christy, Helena could be your next door neighbor.
4. Monkey is on his way back from Houston. He had his first check-up since his second surgery. He went with his brother-in-law. He said he's doing fine. The doctor was happy with his progress. Somehow, I knew he was going to say that.
5. I have put legs my dreams. This means I am actually working on making them come true. Details to follow.
6. Who goes home tonight? I wish Kinnick, Ayla, Will and Elliott would. That's not the way it will happen, though. I'm pretty sure it's the end of the road for Kinnick and Will. But Kevin and Melissa will go before Ayla and Elliott...even though that really stinks.
7. Ava says Taylor looks like he's having a seizure when he sings. I say he's got so much passion in his music and he's a white man. If he was a black man with that kind of passion, he wouldn't look like he's having a seizure.
8. I still love Taylor...and Chris. Oh, I never knew a bald head could be so danged sexy. Or gray for that matter. Yes, Taylor is sexy. In a Michael McDonald sort of way.
9. I miss my dogs. One of these days, I'll be able to take my dogs to work.
10. Oh, that reminds me. Dai-Dai is at the vet getting her teeth cleaned. Oh, that dog has butt breath. I need to call to check on my baby.
11. Dai-Dai is fine.
12. I can't put off finishing my paper any longer. This weekend is it. I also have to read something by Pope and something by Swift. And whatever it is, it's long. So I can't wait til Monday night to start reading. I'd rather be reading and writing other things.
13. I am so not doing homework tonight.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

2006-03-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

If someone (okay...really a fortune cookie) told you "if you want to succeed in business, avoid business as usual," what things would you avoid? What direction would you take things? I really want to hear from yall on this. Really. I do.

Praying for a Little AI Excitement...

2006-03-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping for some good music tonight because I have to tell you...American Idol has been boring the poo out of me this season. I had high hopes but the season hasn't really met my expectations. Yet. I still have hope.

Paris Bennett...Oh, it's okay. That's all.
Lisa Tucker...Better than Paris. That's all.
Melissa McGhee...Now, see...I like her. Strong, sultry vocals. Unique in this competition. Simon stinks. I just hate it because most of the time, he's the predictor.

That's the biggest chicken I've ever seen. Oh, it's not real. How stupid is that commercial?

Kinnick Sky...Oh, dear God.
Katharine McPhee...I love that she's showing a little more energy and star quality tonight. She's a star and a half. Good job tonight!
Ayla...I'm not wowed by this girl. She sings okay. That's all for me.
Mandisa...This girl brings "IT" to the stage every week.
Kelly...Rockin it out tonight! I'm with Simon on this one...I like her (Ava can't read this part) better than Carrie. She's got so much more personality and she just puts it out there every week. She's so precious!

I believe Simon has already told us who's going home this week. I wonder if there's any need for Ava to be dialing and redialing and redialing to vote for Kelly. Oh, well...she's doing it anyway.

Later Dudettes.

I Feel Pretty...So Very, Very Pretty...

2006-03-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Yes, I do and it's all Ginger's fault. She's been hard at work at Baby Jane Blogs and once again, she's proved that she's the master of the blog design universe! If yall want to be as pretty as me, talk to Ginger. She's a miracle worker! Thanks, Girl...you're the best!

Surgery was no holiday...

2006-03-06T11:00:00.000-08:00

Monkey did have to have the second eye surgery as was pretty much expected. We got to Houston Wednesday evening, saw the doctor on Thursday, and it was determined that Monkey would have the surgery Friday morning. This was not an easy surgery...but he did fine. When the doctor took the patch off, I had to leave the room. He looked like someone had taken a baseball bat to his head. Horrible. The surgery took over two hours and he had some pain afterwards which he didn't have after the first surgery. There is still a chance for retinal detachment but if he takes care of himself, they're expecting 100% recovery. I'm feeding and watering (which I really don't mind at all)...and I won't let him lift a finger. Once he gets well, I'll make up for all of this. Don't worry. Ava and I call him "Bug" because he has to wear those big bug sunglasses. He doesn't appreciate us. But that's okay, he needs us.

Since I didn't get to study for my exam that's tomorrow and write my paper that's due next week, I've really been flipping back and forth on the dropping my class thing again. But I think I've decided to stick it out once again. (I'm thinking that I'll be going through this all semester.) I'll just study for my test tonight. God help me. And write the paper this weekend. God help me more.

I didn't have much of a spring break...but I did get to put AnnaBanana's little baby saddle on my baby, Trash. I'm so proud of him. He just stood there and let me put it on his back...and didn't even move. I was able to cinch it up and he just stood there like the good boy he is. Of course, he's too young to try to ride but I wanted him to get comfortable being saddled up with a little bitty saddle. As he gets older, I'll keep working with him and getting him comfortable with stuff...but nobody will be plopping their butt on my baby until he's turned two years old. Even then...it's not going to be a fat butt.

I've got a big surprise but you'll just have to come back to find out what it is. I can't wait to share! Shoot! I have to, though.

Later Dudettes!