Saturday, May 31, 2008

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Grrr. Gimme.

I know you remember me telling you about the tornadoes in my home town. I realized my first post was incomplete, I was so overwhelmed by the news of it all and trying to stay in touch with my family to be sure they were alright, that I never posted a complete post about it.

Physically, they are all safe. My parents lost all the tall trees in their yard, but were so fortunate that none of them caused significant damage to their house. My Nana is safe, but she had a couple of trees come through her roof and damage her attic. The back bedroom has damage, but structurally, the house is salvageable. She also lost most of the trees in her yard, which I'm sad about, since she has been in that house for 55 years and the yard holds as many memories for me as the house does. But, she is safe also.

Why the "Grrr" title, you may ask. Well, I'll tell you why. My parents and Nana both have insurance. They pay for insurance on their property. Each month. Like good citizens. There are people out there grumbling for handouts because they "deserve it" and people like my 83 year old grandmother pay their taxes, pay their insurance premiums and are still waiting on insurance to do their part. Nana is on a fixed income, social security comes each month, she can't afford to pay a contractor to put a new roof on her house all on her own. That is why she pays for insurance. That is her money that the insurance company has not felt the need to come out and give her yet.

So yes. I'll admit it. It upsets me when I see & hear people complaining about the federal government not helping. I know not everyone can afford insurance. I realize that is a fact of life. So I don't think that people with no insurance are not as important as people without insurance. And I don't think that they are more important than the people with insurance. Obviously we are all people and we are all important.

But back to my 83 year old grandmother who has homeowners insurance. Why is she waiting on her insurance company to give her money that is due her? She has done her part. She had tree companies come out to give her quotes on cutting limbs and trees. She had contractors come out and give her quotes on fixing her roof and house. She saved them a step. She is waiting around patiently, while the housing project down the road from her is already being repaired.

That makes me angry. She's elderly, loves her home and still loves her neighborhood. It's also a safety issue at this point, because she can barely see the street anymore from her front window. Thank God my parents are in town to check on her.

She is very independent and has always been such a positive person with tremendous faith. When I spoke to her yesterday she was so down and sounded so sad. She actually said she thought it might be better for everyone if she moved into an assisted living facility. That made me more angry. Simply because the handouts are being addressed before the issues of people who have paid for their insurance companies to take care of them.

After I hung up the phone with her I started noticing that there are some people in our country who just have a handout mentality. Give it to me because I deserve it. Why do you deserve it? Why does anyone deserve it? I pay taxes, I am a good citizen, I have homeowners insurance, car insurance and health insurance. I do my part. Nobody gives me anything for free. Why don't I deserve it?

We celebrated Memorial Day yesterday. We celebrated the sacrifices others made for our freedom. Yes, this is a free country; free meaning we have rights and liberties that other countries do not. It does not mean everything comes at no monetary cost. We must work for what we have. If after working hard and trying to provide for our families we still need help, ok, lets see if we can get some help. But not because we simply deserve it.

(Just for the record, I am not anti-welfare or anti-aid of any kind. I am anti-handout for handout sake. Let's get it straight.)

I am now stepping down off my soapbox, and I am going to call my Nana and see how she is doing today.

Monday, May 26, 2008

She's All Growed Up

DH's sister Peanut graduated from high school this weekend. I can't believe it. She was 4 when I first met her and she was a small almost-6 year old when she was a flower girl in mine & DH's wedding 12 years ago.

She was beautiful and we are so proud of her. She is going to my alma mater in the fall, so I'm a bit proud of that too.

Way to go, Peanut!!!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Indiana Jones - I Saw It.

Don't worry. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone else, either. But we saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull tonight. And we liked it. A lot.

Number One Son wore his authentic Indiana Jones hat (courtesy of DH) and gave the movie "Two Thumbs Up."

Do This or Else!

I have posted about annoying emails in the past. I know you have all gotten your share of emails like these. You know, the ones that say "Do this or your big toe will fall off."

This particular one I received last week sums up the frustration and humor at taking these just a bit too seriously! Enjoy!


I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.

Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.

I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the last
person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.

I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has
happened on it since it was last washed.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the
number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose. (Although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)

Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.

I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom. Yuck!

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown)
who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the
$15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant
freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water
buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward
an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car
so a serial killer won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a cup of water in the microwave
anymore because it will blow up in my face...disfiguring me for life. (I actually saw this on a news program, boil your water with your tea bag or mix in it)

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked
with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume
sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al
Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don't support our
American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number
for which I will get a phone bill with calls to
Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore and Uzbekistan .

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their
recipe.

Thanks to you, I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big brown
African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the
parking lot because it probably was placed there by a molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can't buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at
5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day....

Oh, by the way......

A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study, has discovered
that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.

Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Love is in the Air

We went to a wedding this past weekend. We all went, the bride was a family friend. DH & I are friends with her parents and she lived with us for a brief time when Queenie was a baby.

So it was good to see them - the beautiful bride, her brother and her parents. I miss seeing them and hanging out.

Congratulations and best wishes K & N!

I've Gotta Go - We've Got Cows!

Hoping you recognize the quote from Twister. Ok, so there were no cows, but there are a lot of trees.

My hometown was hit by tornadoes early in the morning on Mother's Day. The worst tornadoes to hit the area in about 50 years from what I understand.
My dad sent me some crazy pictures of their yard after the storms. They lost all the really tall trees in their yard. And. The tree house tree.
But all are safe. I will post more pictures when I get them. My Nana's house got hit hard, I really want to see pictures of that.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

More Storms

We had more storms in Atlanta tonight. We spent some time in the basement and our area was very fortunate. Areas north of us were hit really hard.
But here is a photo taken just a couple of miles from the Bossy residence. Yikes.

Ugh.

*update on most recent job interview*

I had taken my resume somewhere and had 2 phone interviews. I had an on site interview 2 weeks ago. I found out today I didn't get that job.

I'm bummed. I hate my job. I cry every night. I feel stressed and sick all the time. And that would be alright if I got paid more than dirt.

Oh well. I'll still be on the lookout. At least I have a job.

Thoughts and prayers to those out there who don't.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Indiana Jones - Don't Spoil It!

Gentle Readers,

Please don't spoil Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. And what I mean by that is: If you've seen it, don't spoil it for me! We are taking the kids to see it this weekend, and I don't want to know ANY secrets!

I am a rabid Indiana Jones fan and have been since I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark as a kid and I am having fun introducing the franchise to my children. The Flying Monkey already gets excited to see "Indy Andy Jones" commercials on television.

So, don't email me or call me with secrets, and please put SPOILER in your title if you want to blog about it!

Good day. I said good day!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Why I Love Being a Mom

Being a Mom is a wonderful thing. It's one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs in the world. And it is a job. But I LOVE it. There are so many reasons I love being a mom. I wanted to share some of them with you.

* I love being the parent my children ask to kill the bugs.

* I love having to leave 30 minutes early to get anywhere 10 minutes late.

* I love having dirt stains on left front thigh and left butt cheek all during sports season from the monkey on my hip.

* I love being called "Mrs. [child's name]'s Mom."

* I'm proud that I don't have stretch marks.

* It makes me smile when my sister in law (Marvelous Marie) tells me she loves my "relaxed parenting style" and wishes she could do the same.

* I love slobbery kisses.

* I love giving spit baths.

* I love having to listen carefully to my four year old's word to understand. It has helped me become a better listener.

* I love being able to stomach Chicken McNuggets & pizza on a regular basis.

* I love that when I get in my minivan after my husband drives it the Hannah Montana CD is cranked up too loud.

* I love that when I go to bed at night I am so tired I can hardly move.

* I love that my son is still excited to tell me about his day.

* I love that my daughter will still hug & kiss me in public.

* I love having 3 little people look up to me like I can do no wrong and like I am their biggest hero in the world.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, Grandmas, Mothers To Be & Moms at Heart. Have a wonderful day dedicated just to you.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Steal My What??

Ok, so I'm tired. And hungry. And I'm driving home. And I'm tired. And hungry. So I'm REALLY grumpy. Then this song comes on the radio. It's a good song, I like it. But the words were hacking me off. Because I was tired. And hungry. And grumpy.

Steal my kisses? I beg your pardon? Let me tell you something Mr. Man. If you think you need to be stealing anything, you don't have any business messing with it. Those are not your kisses to steal.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

It's Getting Old.


Gas prices are making me angry. As they are everyone else. Milk prices are upsetting me a bit too. Food prices are going up and it's hurts our wallets.

But this is the last straw.

What is the world coming to? Goldfish at $7.50 a box??

Yes, it's the big box, but give me a break!

Friday, May 2, 2008

One Monkey's Adventures

The Flying Monkey has a special little monkey friend whom he loves dearly and takes everywhere. He is wonderful stuffed monkey with a long tail that makes him extra fun to twirl around.

Cooper is also the very special name that The Flying Monkey himself chose for his very special friend. It is challenging for my 4 year old monkey with speech and language delays to form that "K" sound, among others. So Cooper is a name that this mommy loves to hear over and over. And it makes me smile when Monkey touches his neck while he says Cooper. He says he's "doing his homework."

But we do have to be sure that Cooper stays at home while The Flying Monkey is at school. He might get lost or torn up. Monkey thinks Cooper is sad or bored without him there, but I told him he is fine. Cooper went to work with me one day and I took some photos to prove to Monkey that Cooper is not sad or bored.

So here are the photos I took for T.F. Monkey of Cooper's special adventures with The Boss Lady:

"That's my boy right there. I might miss him today."
"I guess I'll listen to a little music and dance."
"It's time for a little playtime! Wee!""Can I help you do anything? I'm a big kid!""What a busy day, are we on our way home?""I'll help with a little housework too.""Finally, quiet time with my favorite boy in the world."
T.F. Monkey loved the pictures of this day & thought they were so fun. But he still thinks Cooper is sad and bored without him. He's probably right.