Its Friday:-)

The past couple of days have been 'same old same old around' here. Otherwise known as boring;-)

I've started my early spring cleaning. I have been working in the den/guest room....going through the closet and throwing a bunch of stuff out. Unfortunately, all this damn cleaning/dusting has stirred up something in the air and my allergies are back in full force. My friggin eyes are so itchy. I have rubbed them until the eyelids are swollen and I look like I have 2 black eyes:/ Time for Claritin. I can't wear makeup when I have a flareup either.....so I really look scary;)

I need to clean the filter in the heat system. That will help big time.

I went to Kohls today......80% clearance prices. I picked up 3 sweaters for me, 2 shirts for Joseph and 2 bracelets, 2 pair of earrings and a lipgloss/nail polish kit for me. Grand total....$39 and change. Not bad. I need to go back over and pick up some jeans for both Chris and Joseph.

Tonight was pizza night. Chris met us at Round Table on his way home from work......he actually got there earlier than I though he would. He got off a bit earlier than he expected, and Friday traffic wasn't horrible.

Today started the big project out at work. He will not have a day off for close to 2 months now:/ He has his alarm set for 3:45 in the morning.......I hope he manages to get through this without getting sick.

A couple of things I found while forum reading....

(from http://forums.delphiforums.com/frugality/messages)


Psalms, chapter 23
Bush is my shepherd; I dwell in want.
He maketh logs to be cut down in national forests.
He leadeth trucks into the still wilderness.
He restoreth my fears.
He leadeth me in the paths of international disgrace for his ego's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of pollution and war, I will find no exit, for thou art in office.
Thy tax cuts for the rich and thy media control, they discomfort me.
Thou preparest an agenda of deception in the presence of thy religion.
Thou anointest my head with foreign oil.
My health insurance runneth out.
Surely megalomania and false patriotism shall follow me all the days of thy term,
And my jobless child shall dwell in my basement forever.





"I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the Corporate States of America
And to the Republicans, for which it stands,
One nation, under debt, easily divisible,
With liberty and justice for oil."

Is it Friday already?

Not much going on here today. I ran a few errands while Joseph was doing some schoolwork. I went to Target to pick up a 'couple' of things. $70 later, I walked out the door. I can not go into that store and spend less than $20. I don't know why.

Chris had another late night at work, so Joseph and I went to Round Table and got a pizza. We brought home leftovers for Chris' dinner.....but first made a stop at Big Lots. There went another $50. I can't help it....eveything is so cheap, lol. I got some Pebbles Flintstone and some Tom and Jerry underwear. So grown up, lol. I'm sure every 50 year old wears it;-) Who cares......its cute and I like it. Besides, no one but me sees it anyway.

The new season of Monk premiered tonight. I think I will like his new assistant:)

Chris has the weekend off.....probably the last one for a while. I think he wants to go to the sportsmens show in Sacramento tomorrow. I can usually find some fun brochures to read, anyway. ....and there are interesting vacation ideas.

Only The Beginning

Its going to be a LONG month and a half or so. There is a big project at work. Chris will be working long hours. He already is.

Unfortunately, he is also being a grumpy prick. Already.

He came home from work about 15 minutes ago.......and instead of eating the chili I had made, he poured a bowl of cereal. Why, I asked. Because the chili had been turned off 30 minutes before he got home, wasn't piping hot and had a 'crust' on it. Oh, but why not give it a stir and throw it in the microwave? Oh hell no, that would be too much trouble. "I worked 15 hours today and expect a decent meal when I get home, and not this disgusting mess" WTF????? He has never said shit like that in 30 years! He sounds like fucking Fred Flinstone with an attitude.

Since Joseph and I ate at 6, it is a little hard to keep food warm for another 2 hours.

I know he's tired.....but that is no reason to say shit like that. I am beyond pissed. Its going to be hard to be supportive if he keeps this crap up. I wish I was going somewhere this weekend. He can keep his shitty attitude to himself. If he doesn't like what I have for dinner, maybe he can fix his own damn meals after work, or eat dinner OUT THERE.



I have to remember that someone called me beautiful a few days ago...........

I Love Vancouver

I had the absolute best time last weekend. From the time Casey and I got on the plane in Sacramento on Thursday until the time we got off the plane in Sacramento Monday night. The drive from Seattle to Vancouver was fun. We both have such dirty minds that we would find ourselves giggling at names. Nooksack struck us as funny. There were more, but I can't remember them now. I guess you had to be there;) Roadtrips are wonderful!


Vancouver is a beautiful city. Just beautiful. The hotel I stayed at was superb. http://georgiancourt.com I was on the 11th floor, with a fantastic view of downtown Vancouver.

The hotel is directly across the street from BC Stadium, where the football team plays, and the hockey stadium was right around the corner. I was reading a bit about the next winter Olympics, which will be held in Vancouver, and the BC Stadium is where opening and closing ceremonies will be held. I will be able to say I've been there:-)

Anyway......the people are so nice. I had no fear at all of walking around alone during the day (Casey was nursing a sick boyfriend.....poor guy. The doctor came to the hotel on Sunday and gave him some throat spray.)

The shows were incredible, as always. I laugh though....since I have never seen a bad show;)
Joey told me on Friday after the show that it is so good to be able to look out in the audience and see family sitting there when they are far away from home. Aw :*)

I did a lot of eating while I was there;) I discovered that Canadian candy is to die for. Not only that, but the food that was backstage was first rate.....more like an upscale resturaunt food than backstage 'grub'. It was complete with desserts......lots and lots of desserts. Tarts and cream puffs and cheeseckake. A little bit of heaven. And now I diet;-)

Friday night we went out for 'after opening night', and Saturday night we all went out and celebrated both Casey's birthday and one of the Canadian crew members birthday. What fun!
There is a place round the corner from the hotel called the Shark Club. It was crowded and noisy, but lots of fun. I love watching the guys blow off steam.

I must say, Canadian men are such gentlemen! Every one of the crew was very nice and polite. And funny;) Not bad to look at either. (Hey, I may be married, but I'm not blind....or....I may have ordered, but still enjoy looking at the menu, LOL)

I was sad on Monday when it was time to leave. After hugs and kisses all round, and admonitions from Ralph & Joey to drive carefully, we headed back to Seattle for out flight at 6:30.

Now its back to the real world......

All my bags are packed....I'm ready to go.

I'm out of here today for a long weekend. I am so grateful that Joseph is old enough to be home alone for a few hours! I am also grateful that he is such a responsible kid. He has his schoolwork to do, then it is guitar all day;)

The neighbor is home in case of emergency, and Chris is a phone call away. He will be getting off early both today and tomorrow....and he has Monday off. I think they are planning on going to the RV show on Saturday. Chris wants to look at Airstreams. *Sigh*
We need to win the lottery to buy one of *those*, lol.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a grand weekend.

Vancouver, here I come!

Random Thoughts For Tuesday

It stopped raining today!

That is big news, believe me. I was beginning to think we should build an ark.
We have been pretty lucky around here, relatively. Our back yard is a bog, but that is the worst thing. My town was on the news today because the wind knocked over some fences and threw some patio furniture around. The people who were interviewed thought it was a tornado. Who knows? The weather has been so bizarre lately, anything is possible.

I finally remembered to make car rental reservations for Thursday. Gotta love Enterprise:)

We had CCD this afternoon. It was quite an improvement from last week. The kids all seemed receptive to the lesson, and I didn't hear one smart assed remark;)


A friend of mine is sick:( I am very worried about her. If you are a praying person, please say a prayer.


Tomorrow I have to pack. I still don't know what to take! So much for packing lists. All they are good for are the basics (undies, toiletries, makeup) I still have to decide what to wear.

One more prayer request.......not only for the victims of the tsunami, but for those in southern California.......especially those who live in the town where they had a horrible mudslide yesterday......

Roller Coaster Weekend

What a few days it has been.

I spent all Friday worried sick about brother Geoff. I thought for sure he was going to end it all. He is such a freaking baby. He actually sent me an apologetic email....to tell me goodbye, basically. Then he disappeared for a few hours. I finally got through to him, and 'talked him down' so to speak. He kept telling me that Sandra & the boys hate him and he has nothing to live for without them. What bullshit.

I tried a little tough love on him, and it seems to have worked. For one thing, I told him that his is not the first marriage to end. The end of a marriage does not mean the end of a life. When he started in about the boys, I reminded him that I have not spoken to MY older son in over 2 years.....and that yes, it hurts like hell, but that it is something you have to just deal with. Anyway, I don't know what I said that helped, but he seems to be better now. I'm glad, but I would like to kick his ass for the way he has been acting:
Saturday was a better day. First we undecorated the house. I took both trees down and took all the stuff down in the house, and Chris took down all the outside lights and decorations. My house looks so bare now.
We went up to Sacramento in the afternoon so I could go to the Scholastic Warehouse sale, then went to the Galleria so Joseph could go to Borders and use his gift cards. I ended up spending $40 myself.....mostly on magazines.

I got home Saturday night to an email from Casey telling me that the hotel everyone is staying at has been changed......so I spent time on the phone on Sunday changing my reservation. I actually like the hotel we will be staying at better than the first. www.georgiancourt.com

Sunday was youth group, choir practice for Joseph, then Mass. One of the Eucharistic Ministers didn't show up, and Kathy wanted me to EM......but I just didn't feel like it. I was still too stressed about all the crap with Geoff. At least she told me what to do next time if I am giving the wine, and I run out, like happened last weekend!

Today was errand day. I went to the grocery store, to pay a couple of bills, and to Target. I then spent the rest of the day cleaning. Now, I am tired and ready for bed.

It has been cold and foggy all day. There is supposed to be a huge rainstorm coming in late tonight/early tomorrow. Chris will probably take my car, just because he prefers it in the rain. The headlights in the 'tank' aren't as bright, and the wipers are slower. It works out ok. If I need to run to the store...(or to Kohls for their 70% off sale) I can take the tank.

Joseph still has that damn cold. Poor guy. He and Chris keep passing it back and forth. He's finally on the mend, but still has a cough at night & a bit of a stuffy nose. Luckily, no fever or anything. I don't know if it has anything to do with being a teenager, but he will NOT just rest and get over it:/

I made my room reservations for Vancouver :-D I am so excited about it. Of course, the shows will be great, but I am so looking forward to sightseeing. The guys will be busy most of the day, so Casey and I can explore. Its good having a shopping buddy;-) I hope Linda will be able to go.....I haven't heard anything though. I also wonder if Deborah and baby hubby will go.....and maybe Kim & Lori. It would be great if they all came up. We have so much fun together:) Of course, it could be really interesting if Deborah & baby hubby come;-) Why do I call him baby hubby? Well, Deborah is 49.....and he is either 28 or 29. I know he is younger than Jason (my older son). Hence....baby hubby, or as S calls him....junior hubby;-)

Well, time to check the meatloaf.....

UGH. It drives me crazy when Chris has a Monday off. Today has felt like Monday to me all day:/

Chris and I went down to see Geoff yesterday. He really is a mess. His BP is way up and they can't get it down. He just sits and cries. Part of me feels sorry for him, but a bigger part wants to tell him to grow the fuck up......that he is 47 years old and his is NOT the first marriage to fall apart. He found out where wifey went, and is trying to get in touch with her. She is no saint either. I think the way she left was shitty........sneaking away like nothing was wrong. She left that morning like she always did.....like she was going to work. Apparently, she had quit the day before though. From what he said, I have a feeling she met someone else. I don't know though. I do wish she would speak to him and tell him what is going on. He kept crying, saying he doesn't want to die alone. *Sigh* Unfortunately, they are both losers:/ I hate to say that about my own brother, but it is the truth.
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Like I said before, today feels like a Monday......I almost forgot I had CCD this afternoon!

I went and got my hair trimmed (so I can colour it tomorrow......damn grey roots are screaming at me)


I had to get the lesson plan together for this afternoon......it was about freedom, and lack of it.....and about justice. Trying to teach some of these kids about compassion is all but impossible. It is really sad. I asked them if any of them had ever stood up for someone who was being treated unjustly. They looked at me like I had 2 heads. I asked them if they thought there were people around the world who didn't have what they have.....they looked at me like I had 2 heads:/ *Sigh*

We talked about things that have happened lately....like the tsunami, and what we (they) can do to help. Most of them acted like they didn't even care about that:( They were too busy making fun of the one boy in class who is different. Some of these kids are so insulated. There were only a couple who mentioned sending money (or clothes) and only one who said to pray for the victims.

I guess I am feeling frustrated. I know these kids can't be as spoiled as they act......and as uncaring....

*Sigh*

Rainy Sunday

It is pouring today. I am glad I am snug in the house instead of on the road. I feel for anyone out driving this afternoon. The freeway is probably a mess with everyone coming back from Reno/Tahoe.

There are so many things I should be doing, but I am not. Instead, I am baking cookies. Why? No one in this house needs cookies. Well, not really, anyway. Even if they are chocolate chip;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2005. Wow. I hope it is a good year for everyone:)

Joseph played at the family Mass on Christmas Eve. They sounded really good. It is so much nicer to have music at Mass, and especially the teens. They really enjoy playing and singing. It brings a much needed shot in the arm to Mass.

Christmas was nice. It was great to go to Sheri's for dinner. It was especially nice not to have to cook Christmas dinner:-) Joseph freaked when he saw his guitar, LOL. I don't know if he really had any idea he was going to get it or not. He took it along to Sheri's and played for all:) His new amp is something else. 65 watts(?) I still don't know why we had to get such a big one;)

We rested the day after Christmas then went to R& E's on the 27th for Joseph's birthday. I can't believe my baby is 14. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday he was on my lap :*( I am so lucky. He is such a good boy, and still very loving. He kisses us hello/goodbye and goodnight. And gives hugs. Even in front of people.


Tuesday morning we got up early and headed to Disneyland. I am worse than any little kid there, I swear. I want to see and do everything! I told them it was Joseph's birthday, so he wore a birthday sticker all day Wednesday.......and I bought him a 'birthday bucket' that included a personal sized birthday cake and a small stuffed birthday Pooh. It was nice of him to indulge his Mom;)

New Years Eve was quiet. We drove home from Disneyland, and all of us have colds, so we were asleep by 11:30, lol. That's ok.....champagne keeps. We opened it for dinner tonight. We had our traditional New Year's dinner......ham, cabbage, potatoes and black eyed peas. Yum:-)

I have to email brother Geoff:/ He emailed while we were gone and asked if I want my mom's old secretaire. (since he is losing his house, etc) He has had it since Dad died....... I do want it. It dates from the 1930s, and I have always wanted it. I am not going to feel bad about taking it either. I feel sorry that he is going through so much crap, but he brought it on himself. Hopefully this is rock bottom, and things will look up for him. Maybe he will even get back together with his wife, if he gets the help he needs.

On a good note.....I made my plane reservations for later this month for Seattle. Casey and I are flying to Seattle then driving to Vancouver for the weekend of the 13th. It is her birthday, and we will be seeing the boys play in Vancouver. I am so looking forward to it! It will be my first trip to Canada:)

My New Years Wish

I wish for peace. I wish for health, laughter, love and happiness for all:-)

I wish you joy.