Today was a gloriusly beautiful day.....perfect for a trip to the ocean. Too bad we didn't go to the ocean;-) Chris wanted to go out for breakfast this morning....he got no argument from me. I think breakfast out is almost as nice as dinner out. I love to have the server refill my coffee......

I still didn't get the coffee pot we wanted, but I will keep looking for the right one. I did go back to Target though.....I ended up with a new sweater, and a few tee shirts. 75% off sales rock. We went to the factory outlets in the afternoon.....Joseph found a pair of Vans for 19.99. The boy wears a size 10 now! Holy guacamole.....his dad only wears a 9. Deal of the day though, was at the Guess outlet. They had mens polo shirts for FIVE dollars! I bought 4 for Chris. They will be great for work. I do so love a deal:)


I am tired tonight......I think I'll go to bed early.

Candy sales are a major pain;)

A wonderful benefit of homeschooling is that I haven't had to deal with candy sales, except for buying from other kids. Enter youth group. Joseph brought home a brochure Sunday....for Sees candy. Well hell, you know I can't resist See's. Thing is, they only give them one week for selling....not nearly long enough IMO. Luckily we have chocoholics living next door, lol. Ben & company bought a lot! Chris took it to work but only got a few sales. I think the kids are supposed to sell a minimum of 10 boxes.....Joseph has sold 30, so he's done his part.


Chris has decided he wants a new Melitta coffee maker. He got one for the office, and says it makes the best coffee. Off to Target we go, but they only have black ones, and I want white. Oh well....we'll have to look somewhere else tomorrow. Target *was* having a great clearance sale.......I bought another set of flannel sheets for $17. They're cream color, so I can use them past winter. There are also racks and racks of clothes for 50 and 75% off.....I need to go back tomorrow without a husband and teenager in tow;)

Customer service rave!! I got an email from the Sunbeam Company regarding my POS iron from last week. They are sending me a new iron! I didn't expect that at all.....I expected an apology *maybe* or a coupon for a future purchase.
I already replaced the iron, but I will put it away as a backup.....or will use it on vacation for places without irons:)

Its excited I am! I booked my flight to Seattle to see the guys play. I will be staying with Deborah.....no need to rent a car or make hotel reservations. That is a relief.....Chris can't get too pissed, cause I'm only paying for the flight. And if he does get pissed....too bad. I know that's not nice, but I NEED a night away. I haven't seen Deborah in a couple of years, either. We just keep missing each other. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous. Since she divorced Marc, she has quite a different lifestyle. Hopefully I can talk her into a quiet night at her house after the concert. A slumber party, if you will:) If I feel uncomfortable at all, I will call Steve and Casey.

I haven't flown in a long time, either. I am nervous about that as well.


I wish I was going to be able to meet Denine though. They are leaving that day for their vacation....so I will miss her this time. Bummer:(

In My Life
(Lennon-McCartney)

Lead vocal: John Lennon
There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone and some remain.

All these places had their moments,
With lovers and friends I still can recall.
Some are dead and some are living,
In my life I've loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers
There is no-one compares with you.
And these mem'ries lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new.

Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them,
In my life I'll love you more.


Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before,
I know I'll often stop and think about them,
In my life I'll love you more.

In my life I'll love you more.



There are songs that hit me in the gut. This one is one that does. It can make me laugh, or make me cry, depending on my mood. (its a make me cry mood tonight)....but it always affects me.

I'd better update so Katie doesn't stick her tongue out at me anymore;-)

I heard from both Steve and Casey about the Seattle gig. They both want me to go up for it. If I can swing it, I will. I could use a couple of days away......and a little harmless flirting will be good for the soul ;) I can't say as I would mind having someone tell me I look nice......and the hugs are worth the trip all by themselves. Geeze....I sound like a pathetic middle aged woman:/ Oh wait!! I am!!

Joseph has already finished the world history book I got him at the beginning of the school year. It was supposed to last til June. He likes it so much, he keeps working! I won't complain though. I'm glad he likes learning...and can do it at his own pace. He's getting a lot better on the guitar already too. It doesn't hurt my ears to listen to him practice.

Oops....Chris just pulled in from work....better go:)

Holy crap Batman! I went to Michaels to pick up a *few* things for scrapbooking.....and spent $50! I am going to have to be more careful, LOL. I could have bought more, too.......

Hmmm...shall I critique the Golden Globes? I didn't see all of it, so I can't comment on a lot. Sharon Stone's hair looked like mine does when I wake up in the morning. I wonder how much she pays for THAT hairdo.;) Nicole Kidman's dress was pretty, but it lacked something.....she needed more color. Renee Zellwieger (I know I butchered that spelling) looks good. Its nice to see someone who doesn't look anorexic. I just caught a glimpse of the Will & Grace cast....but they all looked good as far as I could see.

Friday night was pizza and beer. It is nice not to worry about what I eat for at least ONE meal a week:-)

Yesterday we went to IKEA. I can spend hours in there....and a ton of money if I had it. I did pick up some bins and some slipcovers for the dining room chairs......$2.99 each! I was stoked. I have never seen them that cheap. I bought the cream coloured ones, but might go back and get the blue as well. They would look good for spring. We found the loft bed Joseph wants. As soon as either the bonus or the tax refund gets here, we're going to go get it. It will SO open up his room.

Today was quiet. Chris pruned roses, Joseph went to youth group and I worked on some scrapbooking. I am such a baby at it....but love it already. I aspire someday to be as good as Katie and Kim at scrapbooking;-) When we picked up Joseph and A from youth group and brought them home, A gets ou tof the car and asked what smelled so good. I had a roast in the oven. Its too bad he was going home tonight, I would have invited him for dinner. I don't think his mom cooks at all.....and I KNOW L doesn't. They go out for fast food every night. Poor kid.....had never had a hamburger that wasn't from BK or Mickey Ds until we fixed him one:(

I've got a new book to read. Its a Nora Roberts. I hope its as good as her others. I guess I'll take it in to bed and do a little reading:)

I had to replace my iron today. I was pissed. We bought that damn iron last month....and it up and quit. What a POS. I didn't save my stupid receipt either, so I couldn't take it back. I DID send a complaint to Sunbeam, maker of said piece of shit iron. I bought a GE iron....looks like a much better one. It has vertical steam (woo hoo!) Lord, it doesn't take much to make me happy....an iron with vertical steam. Pathetic;)

I've been taking all the tests on line the past few days.....what presidential candidate most reflects my views.....what kind of thinker I am.....

The thinker one surprised me. According to that test, I am a musical thinker. Its true that music is very much tied to my emotions.

I've been thinking a lot about Jimmy lately. I can't believe he's been gone for 5 years.......it seems like yesterday. I miss him. He was one of the good guys:( I guess me thinking about him is why I have had that dream the past few nights. Weird.

Chris wants to go to the Sports & Boat Show at the Cow Palace this weekend.....I want to go to the Home Decorating Expo in Sacramento. Wonder where we'll end up going.

I was good for dinner. I grilled some pork chops, made a side of pasta w/garlic & olive oil, and had green beans with it. My big downfall is snacking at night. If I can knock THAT off I will be ok. I need to drink more water too......which I will do right now:-)

What is that strange yellow ball in the sky? OMG its the sun! We haven't seen it in two weeks. I may actually hang clothes outside on the line instead of throwing them in the dryer.

Its still wet outside though. The backyard needs to be mowed....but that ain't happening today.....too mucky. Maybe I'll sweep the patio and front porch though.

I'm going to put a pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove soon......I forgot to buy french bread yesterday, so I'll have Chris pick some up on the way home. I got this really good olive oil for dipping.....yum:-)

Well....off do do more laundry......

It feels like a Monday;)

I've been cleaning today....and I got the car registration paid, then went grocery shopping. I love my club card, lol. With the club card and the 10% discount certificate......groceries that cost $165 ended up costing $120. Good deal for almost 2 weeks:)

We went thrift shopping yesterday.......I got 2 good deals. One was a brand new (tags attatched) skirt for $1.99....and the best deal was a cashmere COAT for $4.99. OMG it is the softest thing I have ever felt. Its a burgundy swing coat. Very cool:)

I tossed it in the dryer with the Dryel thing.....its perfect.

Tonight is CCD....I've GOT to get those kids ready for the test next week. They have to pass, or Karla won't let them be Confirmed. *I* think its a load of shit......if they have been coming to class every week, going to youth group and doing their volunteer work, missing a question on a freaking test shouldn't preclude them from Confirmation. No wonder kids have been abandoning our program and going to St Josephs. Not so much bs to deal with there.

Today would have been a day to stay in bed. I have been in a foul mood ALL day. I know its hormones/crappy weather related.

Chris sent me to Big 5 this morning.....the boots I have been wanting were in the Sunday ad. Guess he thought they would cheer me. I love them...they're warm and comfy, but *things* aren't going to make it better. He told me this afternoon to go to Wilson's Leather Outlet tomorrow and see if the shearling /suede jackets that are on clearance come in my size. $39.99 is a terrific price....but, again, its not another *thing* that will put me in a better mood. Right now, I don't know what will :*(

I think I will go to bed early....maybe sleep will help.

I wish it would rain....at least the freaking FOG would go away for a while. I just don't want to do anything. Chris would say I don't GAF (Give a f*ck). He'd be right:/

Chris went to the Sportsmens Show at Cal Expo......Joseph & I dropped him off and went to the Guitar Center then to Arden Mall. It just wasn't worth spending $30 for the 3 of us to go to that thing, expecially when neither Joseph nor I wanted to go. He did pick up a few brochures I might want to look at.....later.

The mall had a few deals though......went into Rave and picked up 2 chenille sweaters for $10 total.....and got a new Mickey Mouse sweatshirt for $5.99...and a Grumpy one for Chris for $9.50 at the Disney Store. Gotta love 75% off sales;) Joseph found a tee at Zumiez....the Leningrad Peace Concert or something like that. Its very cool.

On the way home, Chris wanted to stop at the factory outlets......I finally picked up Fast Food Nation at the Book Warehouse. They had it for $5. I think we'll ALL read that one. Igot Joyce Maynard's autobiography.....looks interesting. Joseph picked out a couple of books too....one about Tony Hawk,one on the Beatles (yep...that's my boy, lol) and one about the Montgomery marches from the 60s.

I fixed some fried brown rice with pork for dinner....and picked up chow mein & pot stickers to go with. Not very original, but again...who cares;)

And now....its a hot Saturday night. I almost said that with a straight face;) The boys are watching a movie (no idea what..some kung fu one I think) and I'm in front of the keyboard. WOW. Hows that for boring?

This is the song that doesn't end...yes it goes on and on my friend.....some people started singing it not knowing what it was....and they'll continue singing if forever just because....this is the song that doesn't end.......

That popped into my mind as I was doing endless laundry today. I can't get it out of my head now, Grrr.

I took Joseph for a haircut. I'm glad he is old enough to tell the barber/stylist what he wants....AND that he wants a normal haircut;) He is embracing his curls again....after a few months of putting so much crap on his hair to try and make it look straight. Poor kid....he figured out it aiin't gonna happen. His curls are here to stay, unless he wears a buzz cut.

We'll be going out for pizza tonight....Fridays are pizza & beer night...and hang the diet;/ We 'are' getting veggie pizza, so it's healthier, right?

New Monk is on at 10....I can't wait!

I am SO glad I don't live on the east coast right now. BRRRRR. I'm cold enough with my 50* temps and fog we have. I'll bet big bro is freezing his ass off. I'll have to email him and tease him about Boston's weather.....because I'm the little sister, and its my job;)

Joseph took out the garbage, fed all the animals and swept the sidewalk without being told to. Will wonders ever cease?? Its not that he doesn't do his chores, its just that he usually has to be *reminded*

This has been the longest week.....it has been dragging! I guess its this damn cold I have. I hate being all stuffy:/ I got some bills paid today. I think I'll fix lentils for dinner. Joseph can make some cornbread and I'll go out and snip some lettuce for a salad. Chris will most likely be laste, so he can heat it up when he gets home..tomorrow night is pizza night....and the new Monk is on too. Yay! I love Monk;)

I ran into Goodwill while I was running errands this afternoon.

Deal of the day: Brand new down vest for $1.99!

Why do I have this compulsive need to be nice?

Got the video and CD returned to the library....and dropped off the insurance payment. I hated going out today...its cold wet and yucky. I had better not complain too much about the weather though, or someone might cyber smack me. At least we don't have below freezing temps and too much snow.

I am seriously having to sit om my fingers after some of the stuff I've read today. K is just where I was a year or so ago...'oh she's trying to improve herself' or some such crap. I'll just keep my mouth shut.

Dr Phil has clueless dads on it looks like. I need to go see what he says. I do love Dr Phil;)

He would have a field day with ......

I have to get to the library to drop off the video. I didn't renew it online.
I also have to drop off insurance pmt. I would really like to do nothing, but that isn't going to happen.

My head feels like it is going to explode.

Off for Sudafed......Sudafed is my friend.

The nasty cold is a little better today.....at least I'm upright;-)

I've got the laundry going....one load in the dryer and one ready to go in....I ran the dishwasher and vacuumed the living room (how's THAT for boring, Katie)

I am going to have some chicken soup and watch Days then I have to go to Staples to make copies of tonight's test.

Joseph has finished his schoolwork and is in his room practicing the guitar. He doesn't sound horrible;)

I hate Monday:-)

I have a ton of stuff to do, bills to pay....but I feel so rotten I am going to spend the day wrapped in a soft blanket, drinking tea. I have books due at the library, but I'm gonna renew them online so I don't have to go out today.

Joseph is doing a project about the Montgomery bus boycott as part of his MLK studies. I'm having him make a poster about the boycott. Luckily he's pretty self directed and can do the assignments with no help from me. I'd be worthless today. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow......for CCD. I've got to get the kids ready for their test.....a must pass w/100%.

I'm still pissed about the loss of access thing. Someone thinks someone else *might* be taking something private and spreading it around. BS. My integrity is something I am very proud of.....and if I'm not trusted, I sure don't want to post anything there:/

The whole 'you shouldn't hang around with *those* people' crap chaps my hide. I've never been one to not be friends with someone because someone *else* doesn't like them. Not even in elementary school;)

Enough complaining for a bit;-)

Time for more tea & honey........I guess its chicken soup for lunch:-)

I've finally caught the nasty cold. I'm all stuffed up, and I don't like it;/ I've been sneezing my fool head off. I'm taking echinecea (sp?) to hopefully get rid of it sooner.

Well, I guess I'm persona non grata at kats forum now. Looks like D has managed to get her pissed off at me....I noticed tonight I have no access to the private folder. Oh fucking well. I am finally seeing the light that everyone has been talking about these past few years. I have been very stuid, believing all the bullshit. No more......and I hope everyone who thinks D is poor little D will find out the truth as well:/

My head hurts and I need to have a cup of tea now.......

Chris is acting all pissy because I'm not giving him any sympathy for his episode yesterday. Too friggin bad. I told him he knows better, and should have had at least a protein bar. At the very least he should have told R & E that he needed to eat. He starts with the 'well, if you had it you'd understand'. Bullshit. If I was a diabetic I would damn skippy take care of myself:/

Well, Roy is out of the hospital and safely at home.

We went down to Santa Cruz last night & got a room at the Comfort Inn.....I just didn't want to bother Eleanor with staying there, and I didn't want to have to leave our house at 6 or 7 a.m.
The room had a spa bathtub. I decided it would be nice to take a bubble bath....since I only take showers at home. NOT a good idea, LOL. I squeezed a generous dollop of body wash into the water when I turned it on. No problem.....until I turned the jets on;-)

I almost had an I Love Lucy scene.....the bubbles kept growing and growing and growing......I was trying to knock them down.....I finally called to Chris to turn off the jets. I finished my bath......and no bubbles made it to the floor. I was afraid it was going to run over. When I told Chris and Joseph, they both got a giggle out of it. WTF was I thinking? Live and learn;-)

We dropped Chris off at the hospital and Joseph & I went downtown for a couple of hours. I found a couple of great books at Bookshop Santa Cruz & Borders. We had lunch at Zoccoli's OMG I had the best French onion soup....Joseph had beef stew....then I got a cannoli for dessert. OOPS Not low cal at all, but it was so worth it;)

Chris, the dumb shit...didn't eat lunch when he should have. He waited too long because he didn't want to bother R & E....so he ended up going low and getting sick:/ I could smack him. He knows he has to eat, and he knows he can get very sick if he doesn't. But he has to be a freaking hero. He had nothing in his pockets...no M&Ms, no glucose tablets....nothing:/ I ended up giving him TWO spoonfuls of sugar at Eleanors house. He is just now (at 10:30 at night) feeling better. I guess I am a bitch, because he gets no sympathy from me when he does that. He knows better. He's 48 years old for Gods sake, he's diabetic and he KNOWS he has to eat. Low blood sugar can KILL him. Stupid fuck. He will feel like crap all day tomorrow. He aches like he has the flu when this happens. I hope he will learn from this, but he is stubborn....it will happen again.

I'm a childish siggy user, LOL. At least thats what a forum trollwench told me. *Grin*


I guess we're going back down to Santa Cruz this evening. Roy gets out of the hospital in the morning and Eleanor wants Chris to help with him.

Sigh

I'd better go pack.

Need......to........get......motivated.

Serious case of the blahs this morning. I was really good for breakfast....a Special K bar and coffee. It satisfied me, so maybe the stomach is shrinking;)

I've got so much to do, and I just don't feel like it. Joseph is watching the MLK video and I'm sitting on my ass.....

Made a library run this afternoon. After I paid the fines ($1.40....bad me) I got a MLK biography video and book for Social Studies for Joseph , along with a cool math book and a science book that covers earth science and environmental science. They should complement the workbooks this month. I also picked up a Harry Connick CD. Nothin like Harry to mellow me out....and its legal;)

Still don't know when we're going back to Santa Cruz. Apparently Roy will be in the hospital a couple more days. They may send him to the rehab center if he's still having trouble walking. (and they say he didn't have another stroke???) It worries me. Eleanor can't handle him at home if he's ill.....WTF will they do? I can't spend all my time down there....I have too much going on here, and its not my responsibility (bitchy, I know.) I'm tired of being the good girl and always doing the right thing:/

BAD blogger;-)

Here's an update:

Friday ~ I got the trees undecorated and all the living room and family room decorations down and boxed. I took the Christmas tablecloth off the dining room table and found a cute blue winter looking one to put on.

When I started to make dinner that night, I noticed the burners wouldn't heat on the stove.....Chris fiddled around with it. The stove is officially dead....so we had to go buy a new one. I was pissed about having to spend much money right after Christmas! We went to look at Lowes. Eureka! They had one on clearance.....$215. I was stoked. It was just what I wanted, accessory wise. Its self cleaning, has 2 big/2 small burners, and storage. Chris asked the salesman if there were any in stock. NOPE....just the floor model, but he would talk to the mgr and see if we could get a discount on it because it didn't have a box. We got another $50 off the price, and the kid threw in the cord for us. We got out of there paying $177 including tax for a brand new stove. Yay us;)

Saturday~ Chris got the outside lights down and decorations put away.

We decided we needed a break (and the weather was beautiful) so we went to Petaluma to poke around the antique shops and thrift stores. We ran into Laura and Isabella in one of the shops. Joseph bought a ukelele at Jungle Vibes.

Sunday ~ We were going to just veg & read the Sunday paper. Joseph wanted to go to youth group. We got an e mail from E saying that R was in the hospital again, and needed a pacemaker. Chris decided we should go down to be with her, because she freaks so easily, so after we picked Joseph up from youth group, we headed down to SC. I wanted to get a motel room though.....so we stayed at the Ramada.

Monday~ We spent most of the day at the hospital. We took Joseph's books, so he did his classwork in the waiting room. The pacemaker was supposed to be installed at 10:30.....the doc called in sick (he had to have his gallbladder removed) so it was postponed til 3:30. E went home for a nap, and we went shopping. Got back to the hospital and the procedure was postponed again.....finally they started, but had to stop. R had a seizure when they started to put him under. I guess it scared the shit out of the docs. Anyway, they decided to postpone again, they said for probably a couple of days. They ran a bunch of tests to make sure he didn't have another stroke. We came home late Monday night.

Tuesday~ Chris went in to work late (about 7:30 as opposed to leaving before 6 a.m.) Joseph got his schoolwork done quickly....and started practicing guitar. I laugh at him......he loves science but hates math.

I got most of the bills paid yesterday that needed to be. Today I will send out the rest.


I've got a big pot of beans simmering on the stove. I added the ham bone from the New Years ham....it smells so good. It will be low fat too......just the beans and a salad. I'll make some sour dough bread to go with too.

I'm off to go get a bottle of water......

I can't believe it is 2004. Wow.

I have decided to join the weight losers list. I hate the way I look. It just compounds everything else. Its just one more thing to dislike about myself. People who look at me don't think I'm heavy....I can carry it well, but I know I am:( I really want to get back into a size 10. Its only one size but it means a lot.

Today wasn't a good day to start the diet/lifestyle change/whatever it is. Holiday dinners are NOT low cal. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. My biggest thing is snacking at night. That will have to change.

Tomorrow is the undecorating...at least the beginning. I have a lot to undecorate, lol. I found a cool set of candleholders and candles at Mervyns today....there are 5 or 6 of them, and they look antique. I think I will put them on the mantle when I take the Christmas stuff off there. The ruby glassware can go somewhere else. I need a change:)

I put the new flannel sheet set on the bed....and I am ready to crawl in. I think I'll turn on the telly in there and watch more Monk:-)