I Have A Cold and She's In "Love"

Well, the title about sums it up. I caught a horrendous cold on Christmas Day... a special gift for me :-)

The awful coughing part hasn't started yet, but it's coming... I feel it. I sound like I am wearing one of those doggy cones. You know what I mean.

Who is in love? Oh, yeah, Miss Priss. But, this time, she's "taking it slow." This might mean she'll wait 48 hours before being truly, madly, deeply sunk in love.

Sunshine and flowers follow her every footstep. But they don't pick up her dirty clothes or dirty dishes. The wicked mommy has to remind Cinderella to do her chores.

Sigh. Cough. Sneeze!

The Day After

Ah, Christmas... still pretty magical, isn't it?

We had a really nice Christmas this year. On Christmas Eve, my dad, his wife, and my brother and his family came over for a gift exchange and a small feast. And when I say "feast" that is exactly what I mean. It was supposed to be snacky stuff, but one thing led to another. Jerry made a huge pot of chicken and sausage gumbo, dad brought a homemade honey-glazed ham, there was a yule log (Mmmmm), fudge, peppermint bark, chips, dips, a huge salad, chicken salad, an assortment of cookies....I forget what else.

After everyone left, Jerry, Nicole and I opened our gifts to one another - lovely, thoughtful items to and from each.

THEN...over to my brother's the following day. This one had my mom and her husband, my sister and her family, and a friend + child of my brother and his wife. More food (multiply the above X 20) including some family favorites courtesy of Mom. After the feast, more gifts!

That I can actually sit upright at this point is amazing to me. And, to top it off, I am a WORK. Nobody ELSE is at work, but I am.

I don't care. I am away from feasty foods and if the Colonel doesn't come in, I am taking a nap on the couch in his office.

Life is good.

Christmas Day is Almost Here & I Am Still Sick of Teenagers

I guess the title about sums it up for me.

This kid is wearing us out. Jerry has her at the doctor's office right now - they are doing an ultrasound to see if she has a gallbladder issue or not. She seems to have an upset stomach (in the gallbladder area) that won't go away. In my opinion, she's way too young for that, but what do I know?

Then, yesterday, she woke up with tonsil issues again. Made another appointment at 11:45am (different doctor, of course). She informed me this morning that she didn't need to go to the second doctor - she just has a cold.

It's the attitude. The superior intellect - she knows EVERYTHING about everything and is the ultimate determiner of what is right or wrong.

Ugh.

Merry Christmas.

Good Morning!

I am up and supposed to be getting ready for work, but I am just dilly-dallying around right now.

School is out which means traffic is GREATLY improved, so the 12 miles to work might just take 20 minutes rather than an hour.

Ah, the joys of a big city.

Will probably write more when I get to the office and (hopefully) have some free time. It's so at the end of the year, but you never know what the day may bring.

So, for now, good morning, friends!

SSS Photos

I found my camera (miracle!) and though I am late posting, I wanted to share what my Secret Santa sent me:






Now, the secret isn't a secret anymore... I know who my SSS buddy is - Wheezer! Didn't she do a nice job? Look at that glass. Did you paint this, Wheezer? I haven't heard yet.

Thank you again for being so thoughtful. It was big fun receiving this wonderful gift in the mail.

Happy Holidays, friends!

Feeds?

What is Blogger doing? I go to click on my regular reads and I am getting "feeds" rather than the plain, old blog.

Is it me?

Is it Blogger?

A bad elf?

Wonder and Tell

There are some things I have been wondering about. I'd like your input:

First of all, when did all wedding dresses become sleeveless? Most are strapless as well. Now, I know most women get married at that perfect time of life when arms can be seen without being encased in fabric, but some don't. And some, even at those ages, shouldn't. I like sleeves on a wedding dress. They don't have to be long sleeves, just sleeves. Some people should never, ever, ever wear a strapless, sleeveless dress.

Secondly, have you ever reached a point where there really is NOTHING you want for a gift? My family keeps asking me, "What would you like for Christmas?" and I just don't have an answer other than some calendars which I replace each year. I just want my kid to go to school, my husband to do some honey-do chores around the house, etc... but that's not a good answer for them. I can't think of a darned thing. I think it might be that I don't want to think it up - surprise me!

And finally, this is just for fun... what is your all-time favorite song and why? I mean that song that you know was written for you - the one that is so woven into the fabric of who you are, you can't imagine it not being a part of your life?

He's Smokin'

Yep. The Colonel. You know the Colonel - the bane of my work existence. The one who makes coffee from bathroom water and can't sell to save his life, but is the "senior" sales rep for our company.

He recently had a series of strokes and was in ICU. By the grace of God, he survived without paralysis, and even made it back to work.

Well, Mr. Smarty Pants told us he was required by the doctors to quit smoking. He did okay for a while, but yesterday he was back to old ways.

I busted him and he confessed. Said he would talk to the cardiologist he was seeing yesterday to prescribe him that patch. We informed him he didn't need a prescription - he needed to walk into Walgreen's.

Well, we don't know the status yet. He called in sick today.

More as we learn it.

Where's My Camera?

I took the thing to work a while ago and now I can't find it.

I know it's here. I put it somewhere "safe."

I am starting to feel like my dad. It's been a running joke in our family that Dad can never find his keys. Back in the "olden days" when having words put on t-shirts was unusual, we had a shirt made for Dad that said, "Where are my keys?" And he wore it.

That was over 30 years ago. He still can't find his keys.

And his daughter can't find her camera.

Sorry SSS angel... I am still looking and promise to show everyone how wonderful your gifts are as soon as it turns up.

Secret Santa Struck!

Today, my gift from the Secret Santa Soiree arrived. People, let me tell you... I have one clever secret Santa. Don't worry - I will take a photo as soon as I can find the camera, but I wanted to share right away.

My SS (that's code for Secret Santa) must be a very talented artist or has a good friend who is - I have a beautiful hand-painted wine glass that says, "Fabulous 50" - because as SS, I have aged well.

She also included a Livestrong bracelet and a military angel pin.

Now, that's plenty right there, but that's not all - she also incuded a nice set of shiny Burt's Bees. Very nice! I love the Burt's Bees products!

Now, calm down people. I know you're all jealous. Unfortunately, you didn't get MY secret Santa. Oh, but don't let me forget this further item... the card! My SS attached a cute little card that explained each item and why she chose it - and it was in a poem!

Sorry, friends, I got the best SS. I hope you guys get next-best!

Thank you SS - I will post photos as soon as that camera surfaces.

Fifty Things

I opened this over at Lizzy's and now I am obligated... as are you!

50 random things about you! If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you!

1. Do you like cheese? Yes

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? No, but my husband does.

4. Do you like listening to Christmas music? Love it!

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I love them. I don't want to read ingredients. Hebrew National may be the fav.

7. Favorite Christmas song for all time? Yikes! Either, "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear," or "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas." But there are too many more.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee

9. Can you do push ups? From Dairy Queen? Or in a gym? - in that order: yes/no

10. Who is your favorite Grey's Anatomy Character? George.

11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My James Avery anchor bracelet.

12. Favorite hobby? Drawing or Painting

13. Do you eat "exotic" foods? I am not sure what "exotic" means to the questioner, but if it containes eyeballs or feet, my answer would have to be NO.

14. Do you have A.D.D.? Nooooooooooooooooooooooo

15. What one trait do you hate about yourself? Procrastination

16. Middle Name? Gay (never would know I was from the south, would ya?)

17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? It's chilly in here, I need stamps, and why won't The Colonel be quiet?

18. Name 3 things you bought yesterday? Turkey cutlets, veggies, watermelon water

19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Diet Big Red, Diet Pepsi, Watermelon Water

20. Current worry right now? Keeping my daughter motivated to go to school (see below)

21. Current hate? Thieves

22. Favorite place to be? Grand Cayman Island

23. How did you bring in the New Year? Stayed home/watched fireworks

24. Where would you like to go? Iceland

25. Name three people who will complete this? You, you and you

26. Do you own flip flops? No - there is a teenager in my house...ugh! Glad that fad is fading.

27. What shirt are you wearing? A grey hoodie

28. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Too slippery

29. Can you whistle? Yes indeedy

30. Favorite color? Blue & Green together (or yellow)

31. Would you be a pirate? No

32. What songs do you sing in the shower? Ticket to Ride/Sleigh Ride/Can't Find My Way Home

33. Favorite girl's name? Mary

34. Favorite boy's name? Tim

35. What's in your pocket right now? A paperclip and a dime

36. Last thing that made you laugh? My daughter - a silly joke

37. Best bed sheets as a child? Wow - don't remember any in particular

38. Worst injury you've ever had? A fall - I hurt my knee fairly badly

39. Do you love where you live? Are you kidding? I live in Texas, I am a native Texan, let's see....um, YES!

40. How many TVs do you have in your house? 3

41. Who is your loudest friend? Janette

42. How many dogs do you have? Two

43. Does someone have a crush on you? I hope Jerry does ;-).

44. Do you get embarrassed easily? Not really

45. What is your favorite book? This is so difficult - I love, love, love books...I think "A Christmas Carol," by Charles Dickens may be the perfect story. I also love, "To Kill A Mockingbird," and so many, many more.

46. What is your favorite candy? Regular, old-fashioned Reese's.

47. Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince theme song? It has a theme song? I've never seen one episode of this show.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I'd like some James Taylor - maybe, "The Secret of Life," and "Something In The Way She Moves," along with Mercy Me's, "I Can Only Imagine."

49. What were you doing 12 AM last night? Turning off lights and crawling in bed

50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up? Hope my daughter gets up and goes to school!

Parent/Teacher Meeting

Well, it went great. Quite frankly, we were surprised to find out EVERY SINGLE ONE of our daughter's teachers thought she was kind, polite, respectful, engaging, participatory, and, well, delightful. Her only problem is not showing up.

They all call her a leader in the class, helpful to other students, and an all-around good kid.

So, now we work on getting her lazy rear in gear.

Yesterday was probably pure torture - she didn't go ANYWHERE and no one came over. She was having major car-withdrawals, so she got right up and went to school today.

I'm praying that this becomes the routine now.

One day at a time. It's more than twelve steps, that's for sure.

Get A Fork

I'm done. Today my child informed me she was "too tired" to go to school.

Jerry and I are scheduled for a parent/teacher meeting today after school to address getting her back on track, which is where she is SUPPOSED to be.

I had to contact her counselor this morning and tell her that Nicole chose to skip school and we cannot make her go. Doesn't this look good?

So, we told her EARLY this morning that she had to get up and go to first period. If she couldn't make it to first period, she was not going to school at all - no waiting till halfway through the school day and amazingly feel better, hoping this will allow her to have driving privileges. If she didn't get to school by first period, no going anywhere, no one coming over, no driving. She just mumbled, "Okay," and rolled over.

We are seriously considering wilderness camp. Friends, we are both at our wits' ends. I'm exhausted and lost.

Hope the teachers, counselor, or principal can give us some productive guidance.

I Woke Up In Love

Oh yeah, I had pictures of David Cassidy ALL over my room....sigh

Napping time

I want a nap.

I want to be by myself.

I want to take deep breaths that aren't worry-filled.

I never want to see another teenager again. I mean it.

Me. Books. Maybe my doggies. It would be okay if Jerry was there, too, but he'd have to be quiet.

It's one of those days. My mom didn't tell me about these.

Taking a Breather Today

Well, I have completed some chores over the weekend. The tree is up and decorated. Quite a bit of purchasing has been done. I mailed my "Secret Santa" gift today - good thing, too, because those gals start collecting before you're past due! As someone who used to work in collections (and even repo'd cars), I know a "strong arm" when I see one.

Okay, girls, if you're reading this, know I am just joking! The cut-off to ship your secret gift is December 10th, so I was waiting as long as possible so it would be closer to Christmas. But, no worries, it's in the mail!

Let's see what else...beats me. The tree thing always wears me out, but I love doing it. I love having it up and how it looks.

There's still more shopping to do, but I am going to take a breather today.

breathhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhe

whew! I feel better now.

On The Limb For A While

Yep, it's Art On A Limb... I don't have anything new. Since we adopted Nicole, life has slowed me down a bit, but I thought I'd share a couple of my works "just because" and I rarely do. No reason, really. So, here you go:

REM

Maggie
(I had just read The DaVinci Code when I did this one... A little Holy Grail moment)

She Began to Rise
(the Talking Heads part II)

And She Was
(the Talking Heads part I)

Approval

(Seal Of, of course)

And there it is :-)

Colonel Returns

Well, friends, the Colonel came back today.

Not much to say except he's really not "right" yet and somebody should've made sure he wasn't driving a car. Hopefully he'll get home before school lets out.

My daughter is still in love. They only see each other about an hour or so a day. I like that part of the relationship. So far, no school-skipping or other drama going on.

Miss Priss wants a Touch iPod and a new bed for Christmas. Of course, she picked out a bed from Pottery Barn Teens. She won't be getting $1200.00 double bed. She IS getting the iPod and, due to a short comment she made the other night, a guitar and all the "fixins" that come with it - pick, tuner, gig bag (what the heck is that?), a strap and a stand.

She mentioned she's always wanted to take guitar or piano lessons. We went for the guitar. I hope it's a surprise.

Her uncle (my sister's husband) is going to make her that Pottery Barn bed she wanted, but she'll get it for her birthday in March.

Now, I just have to figure out what to get Jerry. I'm stumped.

Pop'rs Rule!

It's the busy time at my office again. The phone is going bonkers, but I guess we should be grateful - we're busy in the midst of s recession and that's good for us.

Oh, Veggie Mom sent me my Pop'rs! They arrived yesterday. We haven't had a chance to use them yet as we ate dinner before going to the mailbox, but we'll be trying those out soon. I love the idea of this product. Go on over and check out her site!

The Colonel was supposed to come back to work today, but his wife called and said he was still apprehensive about driving. I think that's wise.

We haven't had any bathroom water coffee in about a month now, so that's a good thing.

I plan on trying to be a little more "connected" to my blog tomorrow. I see now it should be the FIRST thing I do when I get here.

Happy Wedsnesday, friends!

Oh, Joy!

My child is in "love" again with a boy that broke her heart one year ago. In her words, she "loves him and never stopped loving him." You know, you "never stop loving someone." And, she made him promise to "never hurt her," because she "always gets hurt."

I asked her what fits into the category of "hurts" and she didn't have an exact answer. I tried telling her that when you hold people to a vague expectation, they can never meet it. Any time her feelings get hurt, he'll have "hurt" her and there you go. She's conjuring up her own disappointments.

The boy? Strictly a ne'er-do-well. Not a bad kid, but no real ambition. He graduated last year. College? Uh, no. He's working in a warehouse at his dad's company. He said he is saving up to go to trade school to be a mechanic or, get this, an auto "detailist." Wow, apply stick-on pin-striping? Every parent's dream.

Good points? No driver's license. We like that. Plus, his work keeps him busy all day and sleepy at night.

This kid is wearing me out. If I point out anything that is not sunshine and flowers, she gets angry.

So, my daughter is "in love" with Mr. Wonderful (who just happened to have broken her heart previously, but he'll never hurt her or leave her again... and we know this because he "said so.")

Life is an adventure.

Over The Hill

Yep, I went right over the hill on Saturday and didn't feel a thing.

My "surprise" party was so nice - friends from high school came along with our current-day friends. My parents were both there (I am so fortunate to still have them both!) and my siblings, nieces, nephews, and a host of cousins.

I didn't get a bunch of joke gifts and teasing about turning 50, so that was nice, too. I could've taken it - even expected it - but it didn't happen and I am good with that!

The Colonel called in to work this morning to let us know he drove for the first time since his stroke today. He had to take his wife for cataract surgery. For those of you who know about the Colonel, you might recall that his mission in life has been to smoke cigarettes and drink coffee. Seems those days are over. Doctor's orders. Being a colonel and all, he has to obey.

He wants to come back to work this week because he's bored. I think he should stay out for the rest of the month.

I'm not in charge of that.