A joke from the inbox:

A popular bar had a new robotic bartender installed. A guy comes in for a drink and the robot asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The guy answers, "150."

So the robot proceeds to make conversation about quantum physics, string theory, atomic chemistry, and so on. The man listens intently and thinks, "This is really cool." He decides to test the robot. He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink.

Again, the robot asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The man responds, "100."

So the robot starts talking about football, baseball, cars, and so on. The man thinks to himself, "Wow, this is really amazing." So he goes out again and comes back a third time.

As before, the robot asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The man replies, "50."

The robot then says, "So, you gonna vote for Bush again?"



Not much going on today at all. SSDD:-) I did make a run to Trader Joes to stock up on 2 buck Chuck & to pick up some other stuff I needed. I also went to Le Gourmet Chef to see if that's where we got the good sugar free syrup for Chris. It wasn't:/ I have no freaking idea where I got it, and its driving me crazy.

I finally went to the post office to get my swap package out. It never takes me this long to get my swap out. I feel bad not having mailed it before now.

I have to take the car in tomorrow morning......I think we need brakes. Shit.

I love the smell of lemon verbena. Really. I bought one last year for the perennial garden in the front yard, and I bought another one today to put in my herb garden in the back. The smell takes me back to my childhood. I loved getting lemon verbena lotion...

I also love the smell of cocoa mulch. I bought 3 bags today and spread it on the garden. Not only does it help with weeds, but it smells like a Hershey bar;) It smells like the cocoa butter I used to slather on my body before I went in the sun. How stupid was that. We didn't know any better then. Now its SPF 30+

I do still use cocoa butter though. It is great for my dry feet and heels:)

I'm on a good smells kick.....I usually am in the summer. I like floral scents then. When we were in Vegas, I went to Hilo Hatties and bought some perfume. Besides the Wicked Wahine, I bought small bottles of pikake, plumeria and Hawaiian white ginger. Now, if I could just bottle all the good smells of summer.....the beach, freshly washed hair....clean sheets.....actually, I probably can get all those smells in a bottle, lol. I'm sure Restoration Hardware has them;-)

I hear The Mamas and Papas singing......."Monday, Monday"

Today was for errands and house cleaning. I got the stupid jury snafu taken care of. They had me on the rolls twice. That's government for you.

I got some laundry done, and finally finished unpacking from the camping trip.

Camping was awesome. There were hardly any people at the campground.....it was so relaxing. I love waking up to the smell of outdoors. One night a fox came right up to our table while we were sitting around the fire. The next evening a deer walked though the campground. There were bald eagles and ospreys in the trees.

I realized we do need to get either a small utility trailer or a roof carrier though....especially if we want to take Adam with us later this summer. The Volvo is stuffed to the gills, lol.

I went up to Roseville last night to see the guys play at the Placer Co. Fair. One lady got highly irritated that Casey and I won't take checks (or credit cards) for the tee shirts, etc. Sorry. We're not set up for that, lol. I also can't believe that the fair takes 20% of what the guys sell. That's the first time I have run into that. Oh well.
Speaking of surprises....Robert (Randy's stepson) is married! I haven't seen him in a couple of years. He is married to a really sweet girl named Bethany. He will be 21 next month (too young to get married, says the old woman) He reminded me he will be 21, and wants to go drinking. Um, I don't think so, sweetie;)

Father Ralph gave me crap, just like usual. Joey was in one of his "I don't want to talk to anyone" moods. Musicians:/ Steve is the only non moody one of the bunch,lol.

It is good to be home....at least for a few days. Chris really has vacation this week, so we are going camping tomorrow for a few days......up where his pager doesn't work;)

Illinois was fun, even though we only had one car. I got up every morning at 5 to take Chris to work so Joseph & I could use the car. We explored the surrounding towns.....I went antiquing again in Alton, and also went to a great antique mall in Fairview Heights. I ended up with 3 vintage tablecloths and 4 aprons, among other things. I also found another beaded sweater.....at the Goodwill there. Score!!

We went to the movies one night to see Harry Potter. Good flick:) Those kids are growing up. We took a ride one evening up the river road to Grafton. What a cool town!

There is so much history around there. It still amazes me that I saw the place where Lewis & Clark started their journey.....and where Lincoln & Douglas had one of their debates.

Even with all that, the highlight of our trip was seeing Rupert from Survivor! The minor league baseball team had a Survivor night and Rupert was the guest of honor. There were 300 people standing in line to meet him....but damned if I was going to do that. No matter how much I like him, lol. Joseph did manage to sneak around and take a couple of pictures of him though, and he waved at Joseph. Tijuana from Pearl Islands was there too. I guess she lives in St Louis.

The day after that, Joseph & I went into St Louis for the day. We went to the Arch again, and to the museum there. I got some great books for school this fall. The best thing about that day was seeing the Olympic torch relay. We were right in front when the runner went by. Joseph took pictures and I cried;) It was awesome.....again....what history.

One thing I realized......I had forgotten how humid it is in the midwest, lol. The last time I was in the midwest in the summer was when I was 11 years old. I didn't give a shit how my hair looked then;) I finally gave up trying to 'style' it. It was just curly.

We got home late Friday night....then got up early on Saturday to go to the Giants game. That was fun! There were about 20 people from work there. One guy was a Red Sox fan, and we gave him crap through the whole game;) After the game, we came home, then Joseph & I drove up to Placerville to see the guys play at the fair. Chris stayed home to rest. Yesterday I did laundry & caught up with my forum reading.....holy shit, what a story about Chard. (or Chamie) How fucking wierd is that??

We grilled steaks & corn for dinner and I made a Caprese salad. I think Chris had a good, relaxing Fathers day:)

Today has been spent cleaning and repacking for the camping trip.......a few days by the lake will be a good thing:)

I hope everyone has a good week:-)

Well, the camping trip is off. Actually, this week's vacation is off. Chris got a call yesterday from R. Seems Mr. Z (president of refining) told MK to "Get Chris back to Hartford and get that phucking coker running right" Sigh

I mean, I'm really glad they think Chris is so good at what he does (as well he should be, he's done it for long enough) I am glad because there are a lot of people they could have called, and they think Chris is the best of all. I just wish it had been after he had a week off.

At least its only for a week......and they are flying Joseph and me back there too!


So.......its off to Illinois we go tomorrow. (Lots of notice, huh) I need to pack!

I'll be back home next Thursday.....

Success!

The camping retreat went amazingly well. The kids all bonded and learned lots I think. During their *free time* we went to the rec center at the resort. Most of the girls swam, and the guys played pool or ping pong.

The girls I was in charge of behaved. That's a good thing, lol. No one tried to sneak out of their tents or anything. It might have had something to do with the fact that I set my tent up directly between my girls tent and the tent with all the boys;) They did ask me if they could go to the boy's tent because Joseph was telling jokes and they wanted to listen. Oops, sorry girls.....everyone inside their respective tents at 11:00.....and no fraternizing;)

The kids got up at 6:30 this morning and cooked breakfast for the adults at 8. Cold pancakes and overcooked eggs. Yummy!

Ok, there was one problem. I got stung. Friggin bee;/ It flew into the waistband of my jeans and stung my lower back. It raised a humongous welt. Josephine had some bee sting stuff to kill the pain, so it wasn't too bad. I'm just glad the bee didn't get any farther. It really would have sucked to get stung on the ass.

So, the kids were giggling in their tents til almost 2......I didn't get a lot of sleep......but the kids all had fun:)


Now.....Chris is off for a week (and he really gets to take the time off!) Guess what he wants to do?

Camp.


I unpacked the car this afternoon and repacked it tonight. We're leaving in the morning for Southern Oregon for a couple of days, then back down 101 to Richardson's Grove:) We should be back Thursday or Friday.

Ya'll have a good week:D

Ok, tomorrow is the day. I am going to help chaperone 24 jr high and high school kids on a campout/retreat. I have 4 girls in my charge....2 tenth graders, one 9th grader and 1 8th grader. I know 2 of them.....Theresa lives down the street and Heidi is Joseph's crush (aw, how sweet). I don't know the other 2 at all. Jo said she needs to talk to me about one of them.....someone who is *adventurous* Adventurous? I hope that doesn't mean she is going to sneak out of the tent after hours;/

This is an email from E about one perverted bastard....who was our priest when we first got married. He will be spending the next 6 years in prison. I only hope the other inmates take care of him:/

"I'll start with the end. He was sentenced to six years incarceration and
three years probation for lewd and lascivious behavior.


The maximum sentence would have been eight years. Only the one count
could be considered in the sentence.

HOWEVER, the judge started by relating his opinion of the case based on
piles of letters he has received representing former victims, and
extensive police reports from Fremont and Pinole. He said his opinion is
that this man should never be paroled, and would always be a danger to
society. The last say about parole is not up to him. The judge was
wonderful.

He let one family member speak for the record. They chose the mother of
the recent victim to talk for them. She is the sister of the woman Steve
married. In a tremendously strong statement she outlined the
devastation to her daughter and to herself, and the deep split in the
family which destroys all possibility of having family gatherings. When
she gave the statement, she was seated to the left of Steve, and he
turned in his chair to look right at her during the statement.

He was brought into the courtroom in his orange jumpsuit and in chains.
He looks the personification of a sex predator.

The couple I drove up with and sat next to from Pinole have a son who was
sexually abused more overtly than this present girl. They cried during
the whole proceedings. They also have had family gatherings interrupted
for decades now because their son cannot forgive them for not protecting
him from Steve.

The law has not begun to address sexual crimes on a realistic level.
Lewd and luscivious behavior is a felony, but now that we know these
predators cannot be rehabilitated, some place should be provided for them
to live out their lives after sentence apart from society. Unless other
inmates manage to kill them, they will be back out, and six years is very
soon.

There were psychiatric reports presented that recommended him for parole
on the basis (categorically opposite the truth) that he had one case
thirty years ago, was rehabilitated, and just had this one relapse. They
base this on the two incidents that were taken to court. Not reporting
offenses has drastic consequences in favor of the perpetrator.

Another case that did not get presented was the daughter of Steve's wife.
She has complained to her mother continuously of being groped. Her
mother sided with Steve. This girl had a nervous breakdown last year,
and was not able to file charges along with her cousin, but she has been
of moral support, and was present for the hearing in March and the
sentencing.

Channel 4 covered both events. They helped the truth get out. One of
the sentences in their report was something like this: "Today Mr. Kiesle
was sentenced to six years, even though his history of molestation has
covered the last 30 years."

It was a gruelling experience, most particularly hearing the defense
attorney explain very cogently why Steve merited every consideration of
the court, and would never be a danger to society. I don't know how they
sleep at night."

Bastard.




I am seriously sick of the holier than thou attitude displayed on a certain forum. If you read the certain forum, you will know exactly what I am talking about.
'I am so disappointed in what regular posters are saying' or some such bullshit. Give me a freaking break. I'm with R. I am tired of walking on eggshells because someone might get their panties in a twist. I'd like to tell a whole lot of them to grow the fuck up.

Well, I took the Rum & Monkey test(sorry, I'm a dumb shit....I don't know how to link)

Anyway, here's my results

a generally unfuckwitted, liberal, not-too-generous, not-too-selfish, relatively well adjusted human being.
Which makes you 70% compatible with katiefleck@hotmail.com.
*Grin*

I've changed the template again;) I have a feeling I am going to change it more....I can't decide on my favorite.


Summer is definitely coming.....it was 94 today, and its still warm.....70* at 9:30. I need to dig out some summer dresses......

I picked up another tent for the retreat this weekend. Its 10x8....and the girls can sleep in that one while I use the small one for myself. I still can't believe that the chaperones are supposed to supply all the tents. Luckily this tent was on sale for $44....and it is big enough to stand up in. I think I am going to put it up in the backyard when we're finished with it....I will have it as a 'guest house' or 'retreat' lol. Its a whole hell of a lot cheaper than the tents I saw at Pottery Barn that I wanted for the back yard;) I can put it in the corner among the trees. I have a cool old cot I can put in it(and some old quilts & blankets) along with a chair & a table with a light on it. Add some flowers and a basket for books/magazines, and I will call it good. It will be very Martha Stewart;P


My summer project will be to get this classroom cleaned out, books sorted and boxed, and the small school desk taken out. Its too small for Joseph now anyway, even though it is so cool. Its a vintage school desk...I don't want to get rid of it though, so I will have to think of a place to display it. Joseph can use the other desk next year. I am here at the computer desk anyway.

Ok, I've rested now;)

Las Vegas was fun. We left Thursday afternoon and drove to beautiful downtown Mojave for the night. Gotta love Motel 6;-) Hey, it was a place to sleep.

We got up at the butt crack of dawn to finish the drive to Vegas. We stopped at Primm....home of a couple of casinos and a factory outlet mall. I wish I had more room in the car.....there is a Williams Sonoma outlet there.....and I could have done some serious damage there. As it was, I just bought some cool soap for the kitchen and a new chopper thingy. I also got 2 new pair of flip flops at Old Navy. $2 each....one yellow pair and one green pair.

We stayed at the Palace Station in Vegas. Nice hotel. Not spectacular, but nice. The guys played at the Suncoast. Now thatis a nice place. If they play there again, I am going to get a room there. Just couldn't afford it on a holiday weekend. Hoo boy do they jack the prices up on a holiday:/

Anyway, the shows were all great...and they sold out all three nights. Thank goodness for comp tickets;) If I had to pay the $35 a night for tickets, I doubt I'd be going much. I am so glad Steve takes care of my tickets, lol.......even when Casey can't make it. She is in rehearsals for the big play, so she couldn't come.

It was so good to see Cathy, Pat, Mary & all the kids. Cathy makes me laugh so much my sides ache. Monika was there with Joe. What a couple......if ever there were two people made for each other. Its nice to see that true love can win out in the end.

Chris & Joseph were busy all three nights. They saw 2 movies and a baseball game. I didn't feel so bad then.....they didn't sit in the hotel.

Saturday we shopped and swam........and Sunday we shopped (and swam). We went to another outlet mall, and we picked up a new pair of Vans for Joseph. $20.....you can't beat that! When we went to the Strip on Sunday, we went into the shopping mall area at the Aladdin. It is fabulous! I like the Forum shops at Caesars, but the Aladdin shops rock. There is a Hilo Hatties there.....and they had Wicked Wahine! Funny that my absolute favorite perfume is the hardest to find , unless you're in Hawaii. I have bottles of expensive perfume...I love Opium....but I get more compliments when I wear Wicked Wahine. 12 buck. I only wish I had bought 2 or 3 bottles, lol. Definitely next time

Tonight was the meeting for the camping retreat this weekend. It looks like I will have 3 or 4 girls in my charge. Theresa and Heidi are 2 of them though, so it shouldn't be too bad. Josephine isn't the most organized leader I'm discovering. She tells us tonight that she needs tents. She doesn't say a word to the kids:/ I have a humongous tent that sleeps something like 10 people.....but it is a pain in the ass to put up, so I am just bringing the small 3 man tent. I guess I will pick up another small one tomorrow......I have to make sure the girls have a tent to sleep in:/

Its off to bed for me now.....I am trying to get to bed at a decent hour.