Serendipity and Rain

I Hate Bureaucrats

2008-09-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

You guys are NOT going to believe the next (and last) chapter of the library saga.I found out I got the job on Wednesday afternoon. I was so happy - whooping and hollering and telling everyone I knew. The very nice man from the library district employment office said I needed to come down the next morning and get my intake paperwork and then go do a drug test. No problem.My family and I

Better Days

2008-08-30T21:29:00.001-07:00

This has been a good week. The kids are both back in school again - and although we had a little kerfuffle (I really love that word) with Katie's schedule, that problem has been fixed and she'll have the classes she wanted as of next week. Payton really likes his new teacher, and seems to like third grade also. I got really great news too. I finally got a call back from the library. I'm sure the

Is It Just Me?

2008-08-06T21:17:00.001-07:00

Has anyone else noticed the change in the Blog-O-Sphere?Two blogs I read often - one of them religiously - have gone and shut down on me. Three more have posted "hiatus" notices.It's helped me to thin out my "Favorites" list but I'm sad to see them go. I understand that real life gets in the way, and that sometimes you just need a break from blogging. But, honestly? I'm feeling a little selfishly

Reading and Writing Fool

2008-07-19T17:39:00.000-07:00

Did you think I fell off the face of the Earth again?I am happy to report that I have been absent because I've been reading and writing like crazy.I've been reading books and then writing reviews for Bookstrumpet! Yay, me!My first review was for "Twilight" - not a bad review for my first one, but I'm getting better. I've just finished reading "The Painter From Shanghai" by Jennifer Cody Epstein.

Happy Birthday, Pay-Pay

2008-07-08T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today, July 8th is my son's eighth birthday. This is, as he learned from his sister's tenth birthday a few years ago, his golden birthday. That's the one where you turn the same age as the date of your birth. I think he's had a pretty good day for an eight year old. He got to sleep in a bit, got cinnamon and sugar toast and a big glass of orange juice for breakfast, got an early birthday call

Words

2008-07-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'll admit it. Letters, words, punctuation, grammar, all that ... makes me High with a capital H. Reading, writing, thinking about writing and reading - it's all so good and sweet. I've had the house to myself for the past several hours and I've done nothing but write and plot and think about what I'll write next. And it's so ... delicious. The first review I wrote for Charlotte was O.K. Nothing

Frickin' Field Trip

2008-07-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

What is it about the month of July that makes the teachers of the Clark County School District - or more specifically, the teachers at my kids' school - decide it's a great frickin' time for a field trip? Last year I was a newly-freed parolee from the prison of an multi-doctor ophthalmology practice (read: had just quit job and 18 year career to stay at home) and all that freedom went to my head.

New Gig

2008-07-03T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hey, all. Guess what? I was meandering my way around Charlotte's WordStrumpet site and found a nifty little item from her - asking for people that would like to write book reviews. Ahem ... yes, please ?!?!? My blog bluddy / neighbor Anne volunteered as well, and our first reviews have already been put up on the site. Anne chose the newest book in a favorite series of hers to review, and

Goodbye, George

2008-06-23T01:54:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite books have been and will be - for the rest of my life - "Napalm and Silly Putty" and "Brain Droppings".I was having trouble sleeping, so I was channel surfing a few minutes ago. Then I saw the news ticker on the bottom of the screen announce George's passing.I feel heartsick.He was one of the few comedians who possess a sharp wit and a sharper mind. Yes, he could be crude to

Ha Ha Ha

2008-06-21T02:04:00.000-07:00

The funniest thing I've heard in a week:The kids were staying over at Hubby's parents house while we went to work the taverns last weekend. I sent our daughter a text message at 11:30 - knowing she'd still be up - to remind her that Steve Carrell was on Saturday Night Live. She answered me back, and then she called me. We chatted about what she and her brother had been doing, and then her

Talent Show

2008-06-21T00:57:00.000-07:00

Here's the sweetest talent show performance you will ever see. Unfortunately, I goofed up and hit the "off" button instead of the shutter / start button and so the first portion is missing. The first few (missing) seconds are highlighted by the entire audience saying, "Awwwwww" in unison. If my fingers cooperated more often I would have tapped the correct button and you'd get the whole

Random Blips

2008-06-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

It's me again.Just thought I'd share a few random tidbits and maybe make you laugh a little.#1: My husband has been kidnapped by Pirates. Seriously.He's been held captive by the online Pirates of the Caribbean game. He loved the free trial portion and then some well-meaning relative sealed the deal by purchasing the whole shebang for him as a birthday present. I've never been a football widow, '

Hello Again

2008-06-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

Here I am, peeking my head up out of my burrow, sharing a rare daylight post. You see, in months past most of the blog post ideas seemed to magically appear in my brain long past sunset - closer to the witching hour. Actually, the majority of all my best writing ideas usually show up late at night. But right now - right this minute seemed a good time to check in and let you all know I'm alive and

Happy Birthday, Honey

2008-06-02T14:22:00.000-07:00

I know I've been gone from the blog for a while, but I've got a really good reason for reappearing today. But first - the lame excuses for not blogging for over a week. The whole family has had a full calender lately, and time has been flying by. Katie has been getting ready for the end of her sixth grade school year. She's had her plate full with her choir concert, getting her yearbook,

Cheap Therapy

2008-05-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a non-narcotic treatment for the blahs.Interested? Thought you might be ...This astounding discovery is very simple, as most truly good things are.No trip to the doctor's office to try to explain your need for meds without a suspicious, eye-brow-raised look from the professional care-giver in the white coat. (Who you always secretly suspect of self-medicating with copious

Oddly disappointing but not surprising ...

2008-05-21T21:39:00.000-07:00

OnePlusYou Quizzes and WidgetsThe only "bad" word this blog-rater could find was "crack." Really? That's it? I mean, I know I reign in my inner-foulmouthed-sailor-self because my parents, in-laws and one of my kids reads this ... but seriously? It's not as if my fam is so super-straight laced. My maternal grandmother's term of endearment for any of us 8 grand kids was "you little shit-heels."

As if there was one shred of doubt ...

2008-05-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature NerdDoes sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry

Breathing Again

2008-05-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

The fluttery, nervous anticipation has ceased. The sour bile of regret has relinquished it's perch at top of my throat. The self-doubt is no longer coloring my every waking moment.I had finally reached a point where I could honestly let go of the gnawing, consuming distraction.And just when it was nestled in the back of my mind - I got an email from Charlotte.Her critique of the first 22 pages of

Click, click, whirr ...

2008-05-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hear that sound? That's the sound of the gears and wheels and levers of change.Just when you think Karma has nothing better to do with her time than to poop on your parade; just when you think things aren't ever going to get better - you bear your heart and soul, wounds and scars and idiosyncrasy for the world to see ...... and slowly but surely, things start to get better.Things have changed

The Day

2008-05-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

My birthday was a really good day. We met with our clients, and they were really happy with the work Kirk and I had done last weekend. In fact, they hired us to visit another one of their locations this weekend. And my dad got calls from three other owners the same day who had apparently talked with our current clients, liked what they heard and wanted to hire us also. Whoo-Hoo!!I prefer low-key

Momo!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

HI peoples!!!! This is Lori's WONDERFUL, innocent, kids! Kaitlin,11 and Payton, 7 1/2. Ha-ha just kidding on the whole innocent part. Today is our beautiful momo's birthday. Oh and just to warn you ahead of time momo is my (katie's) word for her. Today momo was happy about her birthday being today. We have a amazing momo. She makes sure we get to school on time and that we're fed and taken care

May Eighth

2008-05-07T23:35:00.000-07:00

Were you all wondering about the major significance of May 8th? I thought you might be. So, here I am, sharing all this wonderful (useless bar-trivia) knowledge with you all.That's what kind of friend I am.On May 8th, over the recorded history of time (listed on Wikipedia) the following events took place ...589 - Reccared summons the Third Council of Toledo1450 - Jack Cade's Rebellion: Kentishmen

Waiting ...

2008-05-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

Remember a few weeks back when I was whooping and hollering about winning that contest on Charlotte's (WordStrumpet) blog? And I had my choice of a coaching session or manuscript critique? Well, in our first few emails to each other I told her I would like the coaching session. I wanted her to help me to structure my freelance writing schedule and still fit some novel-writing time in too. She was

Characters

2008-05-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

The hubby and I had an interesting couple of days.... I mean nights. We did the mystery shop at a neighborhood tavern Friday and Saturday night. The kids were at the grandparents' houses for the weekend so we didn't have to worry about having a curfew - which was really nice.But it's been quite a while since we've gone out TWO nights in a row and not returned home before 3 a.m. In fact, I am very

New Adventure

2008-05-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

Want to hear something really cool? My dad is a private investigator. Seriously. He has been for the last 30+ years. And yes, it did make dating very interesting after a prospective suitor found out his occupation. Over the years, he's taken many different types of cases. He's done the insurance scam stuff - documenting proof that someone that was "disabled" could change his own tire when no one

One Word Answers

2008-04-30T23:31:00.000-07:00

This is courtesy of Momma at Poetic License. It's really hard for me to limit these to one word answers. I have a tendency to embellish and ramble on and on and usually get caught up in the need to explain all my answers ... oh wait. There I go again.Read on!Your mobile phone? CloseYour significant other? WittyYour hair? ThickYour mother? CleverYour father? SupportiveYour favorite thing?

Six Quirky Things About Me

2008-04-30T23:30:00.000-07:00

OK. Here goes. Just so you know - I had to get help on this from Katie and Kirk. There were just too many to choose from. Thank you and multiple hugs and kisses to Cissa for tagging me.Enjoy!1. I love chocolate donuts and orange juice. This grosses my family out to no end. I looooove milk too, but sometimes I just get a craving for chocolate milk and o.j. I've been this way since I was little so

Time To Lighten Up

2008-04-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

Today I received the enormous thrill of getting tagged - by name - for the first time.(Gasp!)For those of you nonbloggers, or newbies like me, that means that another blogger has done a meme or list and is passing it along to other bloggers to do as well. The meme I did a while back was from Heather at Coal Miner's Granddaughter, and it was awesome (I had much, too much fun doing it) but it was

A Little Slap of Awareness ...

2008-04-30T00:21:00.000-07:00

I know that by now you've noticed the tendency of my emotions to yo-yo all over the frickin' place. I ripped open an artery a few days ago and exposed my inner self in a way that is completely and totally foreign and very unlike me.I rebounded to post the birthday tribute to my mom - and even that wasn't as sentimental as it might have been, were I in a more "happy place." Of course I meant every

Happy Birthday Mom !

2008-04-29T08:29:00.000-07:00

Time for another family post! Today is my Mom's birthday and I thought she should get her own tribute. Of course, I had to share some pictures to go along with this. You'll have to forgive the slightly blurred quality of the photos - my scanner is uncooperative so I took a picture of each picture. (Ahem, coincidentally with my mom's camera.) That picture up above is her with her dad - I told you

Screaming My Heart Out

2008-04-26T18:23:00.000-07:00

Time to rip off the layer of self-protection and expose myself. I usually try to keep my posts funny and light-hearted to avoid dwelling on my personal stresses. You've heard me reference the stress and depression and money woes - but I've only skimmed the surface. As of today - I've reached the point of no return. This is a huge - angst-filled, ranting, raving, whiney, angry, revealing post. You

Power Trip

2008-04-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

I sincerely hope you all aren't getting tired of my recurrent ramblings and grousing about my laptop adventures. You all stood by me when I first got Internet access on the laptop (thank you Wayne!) and the subsequent blogging addiction that bloomed like a poisonous flower, and the recent saga of the AC adapter search. If you are tired of this subject, you may as well click on one of the more

Laptop = Crack

2008-04-22T23:22:00.001-07:00

See that little innocuous looking thing right up there? That there is my crack. Want to know why I should say such a thing? Sit down and get comfy, I've got a story to tell you. This morning started off like all the others. Got Katie off to school, returned home and planned to work on the research and maybe get a few articles done before Payton and Hubby woke. Of course, I had to start off my

Just a Quick Pic to Burn Your Retinas

2008-04-22T08:19:00.000-07:00

I think I've neglected to share that I've finished and submitted the first 25 articles for my freelance client.Whoo-Hoo!Now, I am up to my elbows in the next 25. One of the first topics I'm currently researching is the trend of women wearing pasties in place of a bikini top at beaches and pools.Yes, you read that correctly.Now, I am a Vegas native, so I'm not bothered by - hell, I hardly notice -

Time Out

2008-04-21T21:33:00.000-07:00

Have I told you about what a simple girl I am? Well, no. Not simple. Hubby would beg to differ. (Complicated and difficult would be his adjectives of choice, I suspect.) Let me rephrase that. I am a girl who is made happy with extraordinarily simple things. I escaped the house tonite, running out the door before anyone registered the sentence, "Going-to-the-store-be-right-back" ... to avoid the

My New Friend

2008-04-18T22:14:00.000-07:00

Mr. BlueI made a new friend this week.In fact, I may have a little crush on this guy. Hubby knows and is totally fine with it, by the way.Picture this:I'm walking home from Anne's house after an afternoon spent sitting in lawn chairs in her driveway, watching the boys fly (mostly nose-dive crash) Anne's son's new RC plane. It was a beautiful afternoon, high 70's with a light spring breeze. I even

And finally, some good news ...

2008-04-18T13:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.klyque.com/See that logo up there? That logo belongs to my client - my freelance article client. Once I get the I-don't-know-what-the-frick-I'm-doing-but-I-really-want-to-advertise issue sorted out with my blog I hope Klyque will be the first ad. Why?Well, one reason could be because it's a great new women's website with lingerie, sexy costumes, and accessories, and lots of other

Breaking News

2008-04-15T20:52:00.000-07:00

Yep.That picture up there?That's me right now.I didn't get the library job.That sound you're hearing?That's the rattle of the ice cubes in the very large cocktail I'm holding.I haven't stripped all my clothes off.Yet.I haven't started screaming at the top of my lungs.Yet.Frick.

Red Paint or Fresh Blood?

2008-04-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

Damn.I love my friends.Yesterday I was on the teetering on the edge of a total meltdown, over-stressed from a thousand different things, which manifested itself in the blog post of me whining about the library job, my small visitor count, my lack of money, and my frustrating stupidity when it comes to Adsense.And guess what happened?My blog friends responded with support, advice, compliments, and

Me Me Me Me Me

2008-04-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

OK. Enough of posting about the girl-kid's birthday and how insanely crazy the boy-kid is.Time to talk about me.I have not heard from the HR people from the library about the page job. The ladies at the interview said it would be "the end of this week or beginning of next." Well, damnit, we are now officially in the "beginning of next" and my frickin' phone ought to be ringing!Kirk tried to calm

Birthday Bleariness

2008-04-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

You're going to have to excuse me if this post rambles incoherently. We're nearing the end of the Great Twelfth Birthday Weekend and I'm a bit ... punchy.Friday night was Kaitlin's "Family Birthday Dinner Party." She chose Red Lobster, which was quite fine with her lobster and shrimp-loving mother, once I got over the flash-panic thought of paying the bill. And yes, that drool-worthy picture

Sweet Pea

2008-04-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

Twelve years ago today this little girl came into our lives, and changed us forever.I'm not going to complain about the fact that she finally made her appearance 5 days after her due date, and had to be coaxed out. I'm not going to whine about the itchy, ugly rash I got over my entire body because of her tardiness, explained by my clever OB as my body basically becoming allergic to the little

I Did It

2008-04-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it's done. I went to the interview for the page job at my library. I think it went really well. The two ladies that conducted the interview were friendly and seemed to like me. They asked me a series of 10 questions and I think they liked my answers. I talked a lot with each of my answers (as I am wont to do) but they laughed in all the right places and nodded their heads quite often. Now

Late night post

2008-04-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

I had to check in with one of my favorite blogs "Life According To ... " (that I have shamefully neglected to list in my "Blogs I Love" column there on your left. I swear, I'll update it ASAP. )Anyhoo - I found a fun (and psychotically dark and haunting) little test that I just had to try out. (Hubby, kids and pets are all asleep and I'm not. What else is a girl to do?)Here ya go ...Created by

Knock Wood

2008-04-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

I think that Karma has finally either figured out the hubby and I have had all the stress, depression and aggravation that we can handle, or else she's found some other poor suckers to pick on. While I certainly hope it is for the former reason - because I would never wish our crappy situation to be visited on someone else (and therefore putting us right back in that Karmic merry-go-round) I'm

So, yeah. I'm insane.

2008-04-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've been having a weird day or two lately. (What else is new, huh?) I am therefore accepting no responsibility for the content of this post. There will be random and disjointed thought processes, bad-mommy comments, disgusting bodily function descriptions, and probably a little swearing. (Mom, Dad, In-Laws and Kids - look away. Quick.)Funny thing I heard from an 8 year old boy (Anne's) and 7

2008-04-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a meme - my first - courtesy of Coal Miner's Granddaughter. This was so much fun!If you would like to do this meme on your blog, just do the following:1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/.2. Type in your answer to the questions below in the "search"box.3. Use only the first page.4. Insert the picture into your blog.(O.K. I cheated. I didn't use just the first page every time. And I used

When the parents are away ...

2008-04-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

This is what my husband thinks our dog would do ... IF she weighed about 50 pounds less and IF we had a pool and IF the pool had a slide. I, on the other hand, think she'd be laying in one of the lounge chairs sunning herself. 'Cause she is my dog, ya know. She thinks like me!

Yay! ... and whoops...

2008-03-31T16:52:00.000-07:00

I've told you about the numerous blogs I read on a daily basis. One of my favorites is Word Strumpet. Her link is over there on your left in the column of "Blogs I Love." Take a few minutes to stop by and you'll see why I love her, even if you aren't a writer.This morning I was drinking my coffee and reading the blogs when I found a contest she was running. The first three people to respond with

One more

2008-03-31T00:02:00.000-07:00

So, yeah. I'm posting again.Almost a solid week of nothing but the echoing sound of crickets when you come over to visit my lil' ole' blog and now this.Two in one day.I know. Try to contain your shock.I just had to come back and share this little thought about why I am so addicted to blogging. In the last week I haven't felt like writing, had nothing to say, and basically couldn't get those

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

2008-03-30T20:43:00.001-07:00

It's true.I actually feel like writing again, which is always a good sign. I haven't had much time or energy to post anything until today.I was your basic "bump on a log" for most of the week. I didn't feel like doing anything productive at all. Even the bare minimum was draining, and I was an enormous grouch.But I'm back now, and have a long post to catch you up. The highlight of my week was the

Easter Update

2008-03-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

So, how was your Easter holiday?Mine was (insert sarcastic tone) super special.Why?Because I tripped over a kitchen chair yesterday, and in my effort to not step or fall on my dog, who outweighs me by at least 30 pounds, (I hope) I fell and twisted my back. Therefore, I subsequently spent the afternoon and evening laying flat on my back on the family room floor - with occasional transfer to the

Glove Feet

2008-03-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

As long as I'm sharing pictures ... I just thought I'd show you what my creative (insane) 7 year old son did today. Yes, those are his feet. Wearing rubber gloves.He thought it was a good idea until his 11 year old sister decided to pull on the fingers (toes) of the gloves and snap them. Man, I lead an interesting life, huh?

More Jealousy

2008-03-22T15:33:00.000-07:00

My Dad, sacked out on the beach. He says it's his favorite place to relax and people-watch ... if he can stay awake. They're coming home today so I won't have any more envy-inducing photos to post.These are hard enough for me to see because I'm up to my elbows in this stupid cleaning crap we've got to do. But at least we've got gorgeous 80' weather outside, so I can step out onto the front porch

The Cobwebs

2008-03-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did continue the Great Cleaning Mission today.I cleaned the master bathroom to within an inch of it's (and my) life.My sinus passages are cleared out, man - after the Pine Sol and Windex fumes. Whew...But I did get cooperation from the kids. They actually worked together to clean their bathroom, with only a few arguments. Honestly, I expected worse - making those two work together in one

Sheer Laziness

2008-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

There is so much I should be doing.We've got people coming in just a few days to inspect the house so we can refinance it and get out of this freakin' ARM. (I know, stupid move. But what's done is done, right? No need to beat oneself up about it now ... not repetitively and obsessively with all the other mental self-flagellation I do and especially not at 3 a.m. when I can't sleep. That would be

I admit it ...

2008-03-20T00:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Barb at http://www.sothethingisblog.blogspot.com/, I am now officially aware of and take full credit for my sickness.I am addicted to blogging.I am addicted to reading them.... And I am most certainly addicted to writing them.So be it!Check out new my badge of honor over there on the left.By the way - if you have a few minutes, go visit Barb. It will be so very worth your while.She is

Heroes

2008-03-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

Two of the greatest guys in the whole world live 4 houses away from each other ... on my street ... one of them lives in my house and one of them lives in my friend Anne's house.Let me tell you why these guys are so incredible.Anne's husband Wayne has spent hours, on three different nights trying to get wireless Internet access my laptop. He even made a special 40 foot cable last night so I could

The Ongoing Saga of the Wireless Laptop

2008-03-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was given my sweet little laptop, and it's a wonderful thing. (Actually Mom loaned it to me and I just sorta kept it. She's devoted to her ergonomic keyboard anyway...) I am truly very grateful for it. It's right up there with my iPod on the list of favorite gadgets. It holds all of my rough drafts, story ideas and plot outline, as well as the current incarnation of my book. I wasn't much

Jealousy ...

2008-03-17T13:57:00.001-07:00

This is a picture of my Dad in Kona, Hawaii a day or so ago. They are still there ... lucky, lucky ducks!!!

Changes of Template and Mind

2008-03-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, I changed my template. Again.No, I didn't try a spiffy new one from Pyzam. Much as I'd like to, considering the many favorites I selected - I'm just a little wary from that recent disaster. I'll give it a few days or weeks and try again, I'm sure.I like this one better because of (1) the wider frame - I tend to ramble and hated having to scroll down for 5 minutes just to read one post in

Morning Heart Attack

2008-03-14T10:02:00.001-07:00

So, the kids left for school, hubby is off to a meeting and I am left alone in the house. The t.v.'s are off, the windows are open and there is a light cool March breeze bumping the mini-blinds. I can hear some wind chimes a short distance away.Bliss.I'm going to sit at the computer for a little (ha!) bit, check my email, read some blogs and simultaneously i.m. with my neighbor and fellow blogger

Doors Opening

2008-03-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

I have discovered a secret that may have been obvious to the rest of the human race, but sometimes I'm a bit slow or a bit bull-headed. (Yes, I'm a Taurus)Closing oneself off from the world does not a happy camper make.I've been in a bit of a self-imposed shell for the last few months. Thought it would make me happy, make me feel safer in this big, bad, scary world. Didn't leave the house, or my

Wednesday Night Update

2008-03-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

First the only "bad" news - can't get my Shelfari bookshelf to display on my blog. Can't quite figure out why yet. Yes, I tried the Blogger Help - followed the instructions and emptied my cookies - or tossed my cookies ... whatever it's called (kidding) ... and still no luck. Oh well.Try again later or chuck the whole deal, right?Good news - am very happy with the overall look of the "new"

Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn!

2008-03-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

The above quote was courtesy of Stewie from Family Guy - who borrowed it from Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady.I am so pissed off I can't see straight !!I was trying to change my blog template and screwed it up BIG TIME!!So, bear with me while I set things to right.Give me a few hours and then check back later.Damn!<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>O.K. - it wasn't as hard to fix as I

Ahhhhh ....

2008-03-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

Remember how I was raving about the coffee my cousins sent? (Shameless plug ... http://www.sloroasted.com/) Well, guess how Karma, or the Universe, or the Fates decided to mess with me? The carafe on our coffeemaker broke! By the way - a hot coffee carafe does NOT like to be rinsed with cold tap water. And no, I am not the one that broke it. It was all Kaitlin's fault! (I broke the last one. And

P.S.

2008-03-11T22:19:00.001-07:00

I got an email today from a good friend that I used to work with and guess what? She's preggers !! Yay Kathy !! (and hubby, I know you had a part in that too) Congrats !!

Crazy Find

2008-03-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

So, this afternoon I was doing web research for the freelance article job I have (yay!) and came across this on Google: A sexy hamburger dress. It was just too tempting - I had to look at it. Turns out, it's crochet! Hey Mom, Robin, Rhonda, Linda or any of you crafty ladies ... who's going to be the first one to make this for Halloween? And no, if you make it - I will NOT wear it !! This is the

Cranky

2008-03-11T04:20:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't read the post below, stop and go do that now. This one won't make much sense or be nearly as funny otherwise.Go ahead ... I'll wait.... You back?O.K.It's 4:20 a.m. and let me just say INSOMNIA SUCKS !!That's all.I'm going back to bed now and try to wrestle the Sandman for a few measly teaspoons before the alarm clock goes off in ... one hour and thirty-eight minutes.Cross your

Monday

2008-03-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

Nice day today, considering the beastly insomnia I had last night. I deal with it a few times a week anyway but the time change didn't help. I was seriously considering getting up and writing a blog titled "Insomnia Sucks" at 4 a.m. but knew that would chase away the few crumbs of drowsiness I had left and thought better of it. Luckily for me - Karma has a sense of humor. Just as I was dropping

Pet Pics

2008-03-09T19:30:00.000-07:00

Not much going on around here lately - just a quiet Sunday at home, lounging on the bed. Thought I'd share a picture of two of our furry kids. It cracked me up because Tommy (Mr. Attitude) had been flipping his tail and hitting Shelby (Ms. Passive) on the face for a few minutes ... and then she got tired of it. She raised her head up at just the right moment and laid it back down, effectively

Comments

2008-03-05T23:48:00.000-08:00

I just got an lovely email from a super sweet pal of mine who reads the blog regularly. (Thank you!) She sends her frequent comments in her emails directly to me instead of posting them on the blog itself. When I asked her why she does that she said "I didn't want to mess with your blog." I'm going to tell all of you the same thing I told her ... PLEASE post any and all comments you want !!!

Weekend of the Aunts

2008-03-03T16:24:00.001-08:00

Have you ever had weekend that was like a roller coaster? We just had one of those. It started out great ... and then came to an end with an unpleasant, abrupt stop.My Aunt Gail came to town for the NASCAR races - she looks fantastic and all of us - especially the kids - were tickled to see her again. This is the first time we've gotten to see her since we were in California last February. We'd

Funny Funny

2008-02-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law just sent me this email and it was so funny it made me laugh out loud ... for quite a while. I just had to share it! How To Shower Like a Woman:Take off clothing and place it in sectioned laundry hamper according to lights and darks.Walk to bathroom wearing long dressing gown.If you see husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas.Look at your womanly physique in the mirror

Coffee Talk

2008-02-27T09:40:00.000-08:00

I can't seem to get my eyes open today. I think I'm going to have to do something about that. I've got a few articles I've got to work on and time's-a-wastin'. Now that I am legitimately allowed to call myself a writer ... by legend that means my beverages of choice are coffee or whiskey, right? I'm not a big fan of whiskey, that would make me barf and then I'd just crawl back in bed. Coffee it

Oscar Night

2008-02-24T21:13:00.001-08:00

Tonight was one of the most fun family evenings we've had. Kirk, Katie, Payton and I spent most of the evening eating, playing cards and watching the Oscar broadcast. We rarely watch the entire show - we just tune in for the last half hour or so for the best actress, actor, director and movie awards ... if we watch it at all. This year was different because Kirk's sister Kelly got to attend! She

Saturday Outing

2008-02-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

We drove out to Henderson yesterday to see the da Vinci Experience. It was absolutely amazing! The kids (Kaitlin, Payton and Andrew) had as much fun as the grown-ups (my mom, Kirk, Anne and I).Seeing the reproductions of his drawings and mechanical creations, pages from his journals, and especially his paintings was fantastic. I think I could have spent hours and hours wandering and studying

Update

2008-02-21T22:02:00.001-08:00

Good evening all -Today is my (newly engaged) sister-in-law Kelly's birthday ...Happy Birthday !!!... when I posted the news about her engagement I didn't want to post the picture of her engagement ring until I asked her permission first. Happily, we talked to her tonight and she was kind enough to give me the O.K.I know, posting a picture of someone's hand may not seem like publishing state

Shelby and Annabelle

2008-02-21T09:55:00.000-08:00

We found one more picture I just had to share. This is a picture of two of our three furry kids... Annabelle and Shelby. Awwwww!

2008-02-20T17:17:00.001-08:00

Our black lab Shelby, who happens to weigh a good 200 pounds but thinks that she's a lapdog. The sweetest dog you will ever meet ... and if you're thinking I'm kidding about the lapdog comment just give her half a chance and she'll prove it.I know the picture is blurred but you have no idea what we went through just to get this one!Things You Can Learn From Your Dog- When loved ones come home,

New Look

2008-02-20T16:55:00.000-08:00

Hey hey hey !!!Whatcha think about the new layout and colors for my blog?Pretty sweet, right?It's all Anne's fault, of course. She went and updated her blog and it looks awesome ... which made me realize that I've never customized my template much. So, I started perusing the choices and came up with this ...I think I like it !!Cheers!

Honor Roll

2008-02-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Payton made the "A" Honor Roll !!We got to go to the school for the awards assembly and I thought I'd post the pictures so everyone could see our smart little man! The guy in the brown shirt with the stripe across the chest is Payton's friend Andrew ... he and Payt hang out together nearly every day. His mom Anne is my FlyLady buddy.Ms. Stone is the kids' fantastic teacher. She is awesome -

Happy News

2008-02-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my sister-in-law Kelly and her longtime boyfriend Matt got ENGAGED !!Yipee !!!He did it in such a sweet, romantic and classy way also - just perfect. He proposed to her exactly 6 years after they met ... almost to the exact minute. Isn't that just too much?The kids are overjoyed ... they've been calling him Uncle Matt forever anyway. It's nice that it's finally "official."Kudos and

Frustration !!!

2008-02-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

O.K. ... deep breath ...There is nothing like spending the last hour trying to get something as simple as Google AdSense set up with my blog/website and realizing that time after time, screen after screen, I've failed miserably. What a freakin' waste of time!!!I've got my Google and Adsense account registered - but do you think I can finish the set up? NOOOOOO !!! This is only about the fourth

2008-02-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

I admit it.I am seriously addicted to the gossip websites.Most mornings, after I send the kids off to school, you would find me parked in front of the computer reading TMZ, X17, Dlisted, SeriouslyOMG and HolyMoly.I can't explain this attachment I have. Maybe it started with my age-old guilty pleasure of reading The Enquirer during my lunch breaks from work. It just adds a touch of insane

Dad and Harley

2008-02-08T21:06:00.000-08:00

My Dad just sent me this picture of himself and Harley. She just invited herself up onto his lap and laid across his newspaper to get some attention. Classic!

2008-02-08T09:37:00.000-08:00

TWENTY NINE LINES TO MAKE YOU SMILE1.. My husband and I have religious differences. He thinks he's God and I don't.2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke .5.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.6.. You're just jealous because the voices only

Monday

2008-02-04T18:29:00.000-08:00

So, today was one of the more positive and productive Mondays I have had in a long time. I've partnered up with my friend and neighbor (who is also the mom of my son Payton's best bud) to dive back in to the FlyLady life.For those of you who have never visited the website ... try it out. If you would like to get more control over the chaos of your home - this is the place to

Best News

2008-01-27T19:02:00.001-08:00

I had to save this little tidbit for it's very own post ... it's so exciting I'm just about to burst.I got a freelance job!!I get to write 50 articles (500 words each) for a website ... and I'm actually getting paid!Life is sweet, isn't it?Cheers!

Weekend

2008-01-27T18:10:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I have very eclectic taste in music. For instance ... my iPod has Billie Holiday, Led Zeppelin, Pink, Hothouse Flowers, Joss Stone, Linkin Park and Rachmaninoff... just to name a few. I'm aware of this quirky part of myself and am very O.K. with it.This weekend my Hubby and I watched two concerts on t.v. (We don't go to concerts because we have children that have grown

Proud Bragging

2008-01-25T14:33:00.001-08:00

I know ... so many posts from me in one day. Try to contain your shock!I just had to post this link. It's an article from the San Luis Obispo Heart Walk with a picture of MY Auntie Gail cutting the ribbon. We are all soooo proud of her !!!And if you would like to make a donation there is a link on their website. Empty your pockets!!!http://www.sloheartwalk.com/I usually end my posts with "Cheers!

Look out!

2008-01-25T13:00:00.000-08:00

O.k. My heart is all atwitter. (Is that even a word?)It really worked!So now there is no stopping me ... and no excuse for me to not keep upwith my posts. If the kids or my hubby are on the house computer I canjust grab my phone ... which is never farther than a foot away from memost days.As Ren and Stimpy would say ... Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy !--Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

Testing

2008-01-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

This is me testing my new mobile blogging.If this works as I hope ... I can easily post a blog from my phone direct to my lovely serendipity and rain blog that I am ridiculously proud of.Cross your fingers!--Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

My Freelance Profile

2008-01-25T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hello again world !I know, I know ... my blogs are few and far in between. But my post-New Year's Resolution is to write more often - here, there and everywhere.I've registered for a freelance website to hopefully make a little extra money to keep myself home and working on the book instead of going back to the life and job I used to have. No thank you!Here's the link in case anyone would like to

Post-Thanksgiving

2007-11-27T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hello again !As usual, it's been much too long since my last post. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the turkey-coma is starting to wear off. We went to my husband's cousin's house for T-Day and had a lot of fun. It was a nice day ... I enjoy hanging out and laughing with people that I'd love even if they weren't family!I finished my writing workshop a couple of weeks ago. It was money well

Workshop

2007-10-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hello again - I know it's been weeks since my last post. No long, drawn out explanations this time - just many apologies!I've just started a workshop for writers and thought I'd post my first submission here as well. Our subject for this was fears and phobias.I admit it. I'm unusually afraid. Of lots of things. Call me a scaredy-cat if you like - I prefer to think of myself as cautious. And even

Howdy

2007-09-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

I really like being a stay-at-home-mom - but I've started to notice little things about my day that are just plain weird. New little "quirks" that I've become aware of, you see.For instance - I think I spend the majority of my day walking around the house turning off lights and electrical gadgets that "someone" wandered off and forgot about. It's the strangest thing. Yes, I know it's good for

Here I Am ...

2007-08-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. The last few weeks have just flown by so fast I got lazy and stopped blogging.The kids both had end-of-the-school-year awards assemblies in which each of them got multiple awards (yes, I am bragging) as well as the usual class parties, sleepovers and fun stuff like that.The good news is that even though I let the blogging slide a lot over the last

What a week ...

2007-07-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

Last week was a roller coaster of happy and sad days. I got to go with my daughter's fifth grade class on a field trip to the Hoover Dam. (Boulder Dam for us natives) It was tons of fun, except for the heatstroke. Kidding ... but only slightly. July is not the ideal time of year to drive 45 minutes (each way) in a school bus with iffy air conditioning and crammed chock-full of sweaty kids and a

2007-07-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

I didn't write one dang word this past weekend. But that's OK, because my son's 7th birthday trumps that easily. Besides, even though I wasn't actually sitting at the computer and typing doesn't mean I wasn't still writing in my head. In fact, I got two good ideas from random comments somebody made - so good I had to dash off and find my scribble notebook and jot them down before I forgot them