Minnie, You Wicked, Wicked Temptress.....

We did it. We finally took our little guy (okay, not so little) to Disney. AND we survived!! He had a great time. I will post more pictures later. I don't care that it's the Mecca of Merchandising, we can't wait to go back.

As you can probably guess, this was after the "Pirates of the Caribbean". ARRRRRGGH!!

Thank you, Sh&%$ Bag!

So, yesterday I innocently went in to take my son into his classroom and amidst the chaos of Monday morning drop-off a mom came over and asked me, "Is that your blue Ford Escape?" To which I reply, "yes, it is" thinking I'd left my lights on and she says, "Your window's busted out." Pardonmesaywhat??

In the 5 minutes I was in his classroom someone busted my front passenger window and stole my purse. D'OH!!! They got me and another car. The worst part was that I was parked in the front-most space at the school, right front and center. The one you'd think would be the MOST safe. The other car was parked up next to the school. I feel all icky knowing that someone was watching me and my son, waiting for us to go in so they could break into my car. The kicker is that 90% of the time I put my purse on the floorboard or under my jacket or in the back seat for EXACTLY this reason. The other mom had her driver's side window busted. At least they were kind enough to bust my passenger window.


D-man was on the scene and helped by calling the bank first and getting our accounts shut down. We talked to insurance and will be getting it fixed with a minimal charge. I was on the phone all morning cancelling credit cards, getting new medical insurance cards, registering fraud protection with the various credit protection companies and all of the other fun things that go along with getting your ID, credit cards, etc stolen. They got no cash from my wallet(haha, joke's on them!), but they did get some gift cards :-( Our insurance rep said that our homeowner's insurance might cover the reimbursement on the cards, but we'll see. Don't know that I'm that concerned about it at the moment. I'm mostly just thankful that neither the boy nor I were hurt. They just wanted the stuff. (Heck, just ask. I'll give you my purse....don't have to break my window!)




We found out around 3pm that they somehow managed to cash checks for two of our accounts totalling $600!! (bastards!) But since it was AFTER we'd put a hold on our accounts the bank is responsible. BUT I have to sign affidavits and all that crap b/c someone is too lazy to work for their own money. UGH!!


Things they did not take: CVS cranberry pills, hair clip, cell phone, blue tooth, lunch box (complete w/ breakfast AND lunch!) water bottle, make-up bag..... However, they did get my FAVORITE hair clip in my purse. Oh well... Like I said, at least the boy and I were not hurt.



My state of mind is this...someone out there has my ID....CREEPY!!

Bastards!


Hope you guys are all having a happy and safe day.

Happy New Year....now that it's February.

So much has happened since we last saw each other. We've gone to New York (Western New York, that is) to visit the in-laws. Had a great visit and got to see LOTS of snow. We had Christmas and New Years, replaced the water main to our house, I gave blood and they butchered up my arm, and I spent a fun week in Salt Lake City, Utah for work. I saw even more snow there. (actually, it was unreal how much snow...) Park City is gorgeous! I can see why Robert Redford likes it there.

However, my hands were raw, dry and cracked by the time we got home. Nothing says dehydration like your sad, pained hands. This is why I love the ocean. Give me the beach over the cold any day of the year!! However, the mountains were absolutely fabulous to look at and think about. Good thing I spent most of my time in-doors with a frosty beverage.

It's been great. Now, back to the grind.

Almost forgot...

I almost forgot to mention. It was The Boy's birthday last week. Never in my 34 years did I think I would make a Diego birthday cake, but I did. Just ignore the fact that Diego is two and a half times the size of the elephant. You work with what you got. Okay, so it's not the train cake

(or the the train of terror cake for Auntie L), but at least it's not the shamrock cake that decided to fall appart after the car ride!!

So this is Christmas....

I think I've mentioned this before.

I love Christmas! It makes me happy. Two of my CDs in my car are Christmas CDs. "Relaxing Christmas" and "Barenaked for the Holidays" (nothing perverted, just BNL's holiday CD). Seriously, I loves me some Christmas. I'm not a religious person per se, but I love this holiday just the same.

To completely change the subject, sort of... I just finished a great book called "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal" by Christopher Moore. It's a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to those of you with a good sense of humor with regards to religion. It's a "comedy" about the years of Jesus' life that the bible doesn't cover, ages 13 through 30. How he learned to multiply food, walk on water, heal the sick. It's really funny and it's a great story. I love the way Moore writes. He tells a great story. Next on my list is, "You Suck: A love story". Can't wait.

Also, I am re-reading the Dark Tower/Gunslinger series by Stephen King. I have read all 7 books and when I finished I knew I had to re-read everything again. I read all the books when they originally came out (yes, I waited the 6 years in between "The Waste Lands" and "Wizard and Glass"...damn near killed me!!) and then waited again for the final 3. Brilliant, brilliant story telling. Each book is better than the last (I think "Waste Lands" is my least favorite, but still a good story). By the end you're so exhausted, but still hungry for more.

Speaking of hungry...I gotta run and eat breakfast. This may or may not be my last post of the year. Just depends on how work and everything else goes. If I don't talk to you, have a wonderful holiday, whichever holiday you celebrate.

Happy Holidays!!

Sad news.

I received some very sad news this morning. A friend from high school passed away unexpectedly (as if there's really any other way at the age of 32?) on Friday. I am so very sad. I haven't seen him in about 12 years, but he's a person you don't forget.

Seems cheesy and insincere to say anything here except his name. Jonathan Katz.

The world is a little smaller today.

Ho Ho Ho...what did you call me?

Just kidding. I've been away a long time, I know. Don't be sad, just be happy for me. I've been so very busy lately. Work has been busy, home has been busy. The holidays are chalking up to be busy, too. So, I've been loyaly-ish reading your blogs, but really just unable to write anything of any interest to anyone but me.

I'll hopefully be a little more visible in the next couple weeks. If we don't talk, just know that I'm not thinking about you!!

There's something about Leona...

Okay. So, I've gone to NYC (for work) and returned. Same as last May I managed to get "pink eye"...But this time it was WAAAAAY worse. I looked like I'd been punched in my left eye. It was awful. It's almost a full week later and I'm still battling the red.

We stayed at the Helmsley Medical Tower and it just didn't feel clean. I mean, it's nice enough except that the carpet never really seemed dry. It was hot and humid in the room b/c the AC didn't really go down to the frosty temp I like my hotel rooms. Thank goodness I took my handy travel fan or I would have never slept. (That bad boy goes with me everywhere for the "white noise".)

I swear it's the hotel's fault. What are the odds?? The last time I got "pink eye" was when I stayed there last May. It cannot be just a coincidence? Can it? I blame Leona.

The work trip itself was good. The flight home...well, at least I finally GOT home. LaGuardia is a horrible airport. I've never gotten a flight out of there on time. This time my 7pm flight didn't arrive to ATL until about 1:45 in the morning. So, I didn't get home until 2:45. To top it off the train was down and we had to walk the whole way back and my feet were on fire. I'd been in heels and hose since 5:30am. Thank goodness we were only on the B terminal. Every single step was agony AND I had to pee!! Yeah, there are no bathrooms down there once you leave the terminal. Or if there are I couldn't see them b/c I was too busy looking down to see if my feet had fallen off. So, after finally getting my bag, which really didn't take long, and paying for parking (by the way...the machines inside the airport don't work after a certain hour...yeah, THAT makes sense!) I started on my merry way home, exhausted and blind as a bat. I finally crawled into bed at about 3am. I woke up long enough to send D-man and the Boy off and I went back to sleep.

When I finally crawled out of bed it was almost 11am and I had to make a doctor's appointment for my disfigured eyeball. I picked up my son from daycare and went to the doc who told me (after saying, "oooh, yeah, that's bad") that I had Conjunctivitis Belpharitis-sorry if I misspelled that- probably caused by either Staph or Strep (great, I have "strep eye"??) and essentially "here's an ophthalmic antibiotic and do some warm compresses...bye!" Have you ever felt like the doctor was grossed out and just wanted to get out of the office you are in and go boil himself?? That's how he made me feel. Maybe it was just that it was 3:00 on a Friday or that I'd brought my 3 1/2 year old with me. Either way, great bedside manner!

Anyway, I went on my merry way and I'm on the mend. That was last Friday and it's now Thursday. I actually woke up without my eye being glued shut this morning. It was great. I'm goop-free, but they are still a bit on red/pink side.

Medical Maladies and Muggle Reform

Ever had your ear irrigated? Funky stuff! Seems like the month of medical maladies. It's crazy, but my son had strep 2 weeks ago. I had to get my ear irrigated b/c well, I panicked and thought I had punctured my ear-drum (thankfully, I hadn't.), I just had an abundance of ear wax (ewww!). I'm all clear now. Then, I get another problem that I won't go into, my right leg went out on me and my son fell and got a whopper of a "boo boo" on his knee. This falls shortly after my son gets poison ivy at the beach and a doozy of a sinus infection.

We should be sent to St. Mungo's b/c I think someone put a jinx on us.

Yes, I'm one of those "Harry Potter freaks" as a girl in my office so kindly puts it. I'm excited to read the book. My copy came in on Saturday...the day of my Affliction-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named .... and I've not done much else since.

My dear hubby, D-man, has never gotten into it. Which is kind of funny b/c his mother introduced us to the series back in 1999. However, after seeing the last movie (about which I will keep my opinion to myself) he was actually stoked to read the books. However, I couldn't get him to start at the beginning. I got him to start on book 6. Oh well, we do what we can. He's not a big reader anyway, so this is a start.

Please, oh please, no one ruin the book for me. I've done so well to avoid all media pertaining to the book and I tell anyone who starts to talk about it not to ruin it for me. It's one of the small joys I get. I'm very sad that this is the last book, but I'm hoping the last 2 movies will make up for it. Soon enough life will be Potterless and then I will be truly sad.

I have to say. I think that J.K. Rowling is amazing. She really has created such a phenomenon. I think that if anyone can get kids to read 700+page books, she should be commended. And for all of her detractors...get a grip. You didn't see kids wandering off into the wilderness to return the "one ring" or if you did, Holy Cow!! They were using their imaginations! So What! Didn't we all play pretend games as kids? Get over yourself and the hippogriff you rode in on...(sorry, couldn't resist.) LOL!!

Yeah, I'm a dork. I know.

Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love

Don't know why, but I've had that song stuck in my head ALL DAY! I'm not a huge Elvis fan, by any means, but I woke up with that in my head and it just won't leave..

Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature risin'....

I have no idea...

Happy Friday!

Thanks, Galarza!

I stole this item from Galarza b/c I love me some Zombie movies!! ($haun of the Dead!!) However, I'm still blog-tarded and can't figure out how to link stuff. So, this is the best I can do.

42%

"Somebody's got a case of the 'Mondays'!"

Nothing much to say just wanted to get that other blog off the first thing I see when I log on.

The D-man works for the company that sold the phones that people were camping out on street corners for. A type of phone that I shall refer to as the hphone. I think I could live the rest of my days and not hear about a "hphone" and be perfectly happy.

Yes, I think they're cool and the next best thing and all that. But SHEESH!! People! It's a PHONE!! I guess, I'm just jaded. I would never spend THAT much money on something that you could drop in a toilet and bust.

However, if someone were to give me one for free...Hells, yes! I'll take it. But sleep out in the streets for one...I think not.

The Pokey, The Big House, The Slammer, Hoosegow...

Who's with me? Pari$ Hil+on in jail...as it should be. I'm not a "hater", but I could not be happier than Paris Hilton going to jail. If it was anyone else wouldn't they have to serve time for the same offense?

I'm not sayin' I'm just sayin'.

Don't Blog Angry.

So, well, yesterday I was a little peeved. I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm sorry. (P.S. I use emoticons EVERY day at least 50 times per day...)

On with a new day. We finally got a much needed, albiet short-lived, rainfall. I am blogging about the friggin' weather...I'm old.

Let's see....

Hmmmm....

Yep, that's right. I have nothing of any real interest to say at the moment. I started out wanting to say something. Now, I have no idea. Oh well....hopefully I will feel more blog-worthy tomorrow.

We are going to Jacksonville in two weeks for my Great Aunt & Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration and renewal of vows. This is my paternal Grandfather's half-sister. 50 years is a LONG time to spend with someone. I hope to be so lucky in life. I'm going to see relatives I haven't seen in MANY years and some I've never met. People are coming from all over, as far away as Boston and even Taiwan. Pretty cool.

Th-th-th-That's all folks!

I wanted to put something on here that made me smile when I looked at it. Here's my son's first smile captured on cell phone cam. (Hard to believe this was 3 years ago...)

Things that suck and/or piss me off.

1) Women who use their husband's e-mail address, rather than getting their own.
2) People who cut me off in traffic (while on their cell phones).
3) Parents who allow their children to throw fits in public and do NOTHING about it.
4) My child throwing a fit in public. (at least we remove ourselves...)
5) Car repairs.
6) Home repairs.
7) People who make lists about things that piss them off. :-P
8) Emoticons. :-) :-( :-P
9) The end of the weekend....i e. the beginning of the week.
10) Monday.

Life in the Fast Lane...

My weekend.

I met a friend for girl's night out for dinner and a movie ("Mr. Brooks") and ended up playing the roll of Detective at Phipps Plaza when I witnessed a car hit a parked car in the parking deck and then do nothing. He parked his car and went in to the mall (right after checking out what damage was done to HIS car...not the car he hit mind you) and came back about 10 minutes later and left. There wasn't much damage to the other car, but the guy should at least have left a note. The guy's bumper could fall off when he drives out of the parking deck. So, I got the license plate and gave my "statement" to mall security. Security was extra interested when I told them he was on his cell phone. I hope I've hopped on the Karma train.

Finally got to the movie (what is UP with paying $9.25 for 15 foot images on a screen???) and was somewhat surprised at a semi-interesting movie. It was kind of sloppy b/c there are a couple of things WAY wrong with it, but it was definitely entertaining. Dane Cook was pretty good too for his first real time in a drama. You could tell he REALLY wanted to be funny but pulled back for the drama. Kevin Coster was great as a bad guy, William Hurt, I just can't say enough good things about him. Demi Moore was pretty good, too. (Man, if I could only look that good at her age!!) All in all, fairly entertaining, but with a few glaring flaws. I didn't hate paying that much money for it.

We put our son in a "big boy" bed. There has been no sleep to be had in our house for a couple of days now. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Last but not least, came to work with my hair wet for the first time in 10+ years. (Yes, you DO care.) It's one thing in or right after college, but once your IN the workforce.... Yeah, I have my "flafro" going on... (that's my term for my hair...flat but fro) I just ran out of time this morning. I figure I'll pull it up by 10 am anyway...

I know I've bored the piss out of anyone who cares enough to read this with 3 boring things and one "what the hell?" statement, but rock on!! But at least you've learned a new word "flafro". That's mine, but you can use it.

Have a great Tuesday!

Pics I just know you've been DYING to see from our vacation:

the view from our "hotel" room.

Isn't it sad that someone this cute should get poison ivy on vacation??

Daddy is such a good sport!!

Our setup on Anna Maria Island. It was a little breezy.

Season Enders...

Okay, it's THAT time of year. My shows are coming to an end...for the season.

1) LOST : Who IS Ben?? What will happen to Jack, Kate, Sawyer/James, Locke? Will Charlie die? Will Sun survive her pregnancy? Will the black smoke come back? Was Locke's dad right? Is this hell? If Hell's that pretty, sign me up. Except for the getting buried alive part. Yik!

2) Heroes: Will Sylar or Peter blow up NY? Will Hiro get his sword fixed? Will Micah get away from SCARY Candace? Will Niki or Jessica win? UGH!! too much

3) "24" (this has not been the best season. I've missed 2 episodes and didn't really cry that much) Will Grandpa Bauer get away to China with Jack's love child? Will Morris and Chloe make up? Will Audrey stay coo coo for Cocopuffs? Will the hot terrorist dude kill Marilyn so she can go full time on Heroes?

4) "The Office" Will Jim and Pam finally get together? Will Jan and Michael get married? Will Dwight and Angela finally admit to their love? Will the warehouse guys finally kill Michael and be done with it?

5) "Scrubs" will J.D. storm Elliot's wedding? Will Janitor finally kill J.D.? Will Ted finally kill Dr. Kelso? (yeah, I really got nothin' except the wedding thing...)

And finally "The Sopranos", yes, I know it's THE END. Will A.J. follow in dear old dad's footsteps or will he end up like Jackie Jr.? Will Christopher go to the Feds or will the Feds come to him for killing J.T. and then he'll flip? Will Phil end up whacking Paulie? Will Carm realize that Tony had Adriana offed? Will we ever see what Silvio looks like in the morning before he does his hair??

Heading down to the sunny shores of Florida next week. Hopefully, I'll post some pics when I return.

Holy CRAP!

It's been a LONG time since I blogged.

What's happening??

1) Going to Florida on vacation in 20 days. Not too soon either... C'mon sandy beaches....
2) My son is having surgery in 8 days. Nothing big, just ANOTHER set of ear tubes. Poor baby. But he will be SOOOOO much happier.
3) We stole our neighbors front door (with his permission) and are using it for our own. Yeah, we're trashy like that. I hate our door. The genius who lived there before us (actually, he WAS a rocket scientist) painted the door dark green (so green it's almost black). Well...this door gets direct sunlight for about 3-4 hours EVERY DAY. So, the wood molding around the pretty glass window at the top is cracked and it cries glue drips all over the place. Our neighbor was having all of his windows and doors replaced on his house. There's absolutely nothing wrong with his door, but he's having the entire doorway replaced and the old door doesn't fit. So, he gave it to us. It's white and will REFLECT sunlight, not suck it up. Whoo Hoo....
4) Tons of house projects...blah, blah, blah.
5) Daycare issues I care NOT to go into.
6) oh, Yeah. Work.

Gotta go do some #6.

We Want YOU!

I heard a commercial this morning for joining the CIA. It was so very weird. It sounded very interesting. Talking about gathering intelligence, travel and working for your country...blah blah...

I thought, hey, I could be the next Jack(ie) Bauer... It sounds so cool. I don't think I could kill anyone, but they didn't advertise that so there must not be any of that in the CIA. Right? (yes, the colors ARE prettier where I live.) Although, if there's enough training...I'm pretty good with a gun. Okay, so they're paint guns and bb guns...whatever...

Who's with me?! There are travel opportunities...

Denny, Denny, Denny!! or VD recap

Whoo hoo. Okay, so Meredith might be dead...so what. She bugs me anyway. However, we get a view of Denny...Whoo Whoo. I'm sorry, I know I'm a sap, but he was just the best character. So, damned loveable. You couldn't help but love him. (D-man didn't get it, but he also didn't get Ewan McGregor in "Moulin Rouge" either...) I think the idea of Denny was what was so appealing about him. He knew what he wanted and he made sure that the woman he loved knew it. I think that's what men miss most of the time is that women want to feel wanted. At least, I know I do.

That said, on the heels of a great Valentine's day for me, I just wanted to let you know how much I love my D-man. Sometimes, often, it's the little things that count. He brought roses to my office. He could have sent them, but he brought them himself. That was the best part. He brought them himself. Then, when we get home from work that day he presents me with a charm bracelet from Jame$ Avery (that I wanted) with two charms; a bride and groom and baby shoes. It's my new favorite item in the whole world. He listened. He heard. If you listen to people and really hear them you can make them happy. If you want to, that is. It's not the fact that he bought me things (although, that WAS a nice touch), but that he listens. Did I mention he brought the roses to me himself. He took time out of his day to make mine happier.

Now, it's my turn to try to be a good listener, because I don't think I've been that good lately.