My Trip Home

Well, I made it safely to Grand Blanc, Michigan (home of the Buick Open).  After SEVERAL hours on the road, you’d think I’d made a trip around the world, however, I did pass through Miami, Lima, and Boston. 🙂 I really don’t know why I constantly complain about Ohio being the most boring state, I do more driving in Kentucky…wasn’t sure I was ever gonna get out of that state! The snow wasn’t really evident until the last quarter of Ohio, and then in MI, where there was a detour, and, for some reason, they can’t put the detour signs up properly in Detroit, so I was lost a good hour or so!   It’s been great thus far.  I got home, my mom made me some tomato soup and grilled cheese, and we just chatted.  Got to see my dogs, Champ and Casey, and man, they are getting so old!  The oldest, he’d be 12 in May, probably won’t make it until his next birthday, according to my mother, and even the youngest one, he’s 8, isn’t getting around that well either.  Casey, the youngest one, still thinks he’s a lap dog (he’s a 100 something pound dog), and came to wake me up this morning…in my bed!  Usually, I wouldn’t mind it, except, I’m on in inflatable mattress, and it apparently has a slight leak in it, and he put me closer to the ground lol.  He didn’t care though, he just wagged his tail, waiting for some attention!  Both dogs like to talk in their old age now, the oldest goes outside, and tells the world of his troubles with all his barking, the youngest one grunts and moans ALL the time, but it’s a good type my mom says.

I GOT A JOB!

You read correctly. I had been so excited, I guess I forgot to blog.  Just as almost all hope was lost, I snagged a job! It’s a temp job (6-8 wk assignment), but it’s something, and even though they couldn’t promise anything long term, I’m confident that as long as I show up ON TIME and do what I’m supposed to, and be my wonderful self, that it very well could get me a permanent job, and if nothing else, maybe the temp agency will be able to set me up on another position.  I’ll supposedly be taking orders for prescriptions.  I wasn’t interviewed by the company itself, just the temp agency, so I’m not too sure what I’ll really be doing, but it can’t be rocket science!

Calling ALL Moms

Does this offend you?

Apparently mothers have taken offense to this, in that, if they don’t wear the baby sling, that they are less of a mother.  I’m not a mother, so I can’t say I find it offensive, but quite a few have been offended.  Just curious.

Inquiring Minds Wanna Know… At Least I Do

Just some random questions to get to know you better.  I wanna hear from anyone and everyone!

• Your dream vacation?
• If you could have one luxury item, no matter the cost, what would it be?
• What’s one thing on your bucket list?
• Favorite comfort food?
• Favorite memory as a kid?
• Do you think you have a weird family?
• Most embarrassing thing your parents ever did to you?
• What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff!

I received this in my inbox today, and thought it was worth sharing:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER – by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would
Go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
Because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television
And more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical,

Wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment
Growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later.
Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’ More ‘I’m sorry’s.’

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . Live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Common Sense Rules For Holiday Eating

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they’re serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it’s rare. In fact, it’s even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can’t find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It’s not as if you’re going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or  something. It’s a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It’s later than you think. It’s Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That’s the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.   Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they’re made with skim milk or whole milk. If it’s skim, pass. Why bother? It’s like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people’s food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year’s. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long  naps, which you’ll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don’t budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They’re like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you’re never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don’t like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it’s loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don’t feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven’t been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by:
“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”

Have a great holiday season!

Mark Your Calendars – December

December is . . . . Hi Neighbor Month, National Stress Free Family Holiday Month, Bingo’s Birthday Month, and Read A New Book Month

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December 1 is . . . . . National Pie Day and Eat A Red Apple Day

December 2 is . . . . . National Fritters Day

December 3 is . . . . . National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day

December 4 is . . . . . Wear Brown Shoes Day

December 5 is . . . . . National Sacher Torte Day, and No Gays For A Day Day

December 6 is . . . . . National Gazpacho Day and Mitten Tree Day

December 7 is . . . . . National Cotton Candy Day

December 8 is . . . . . Take It In The Ear Day

December 9 is . . . . . National Pastry Day

December 10 is . . . . Festival For The Souls Of Dead Whales

December 11 is . . . . National Noodle Ring Day

December 12 is . . . . National Ding-A-Ling Day

December 13 is . . . . Ice Cream and Violins Day

December 14 is . . . . National Bouillabaisse Day

December 15 is . . . . National Lemon Cupcake Day

December 16 is . . . . National Chocolate Covered Anything Day 

December 17 is . . . . Underdog Day and National Maple Syrup Day

December 18 is . . . . National Roast Suckling Pig Day

December 19 is . . . . Oatmeal Muffin Day

December 20 is . . . . Games Day

December 21 is . . . . Look At The Bright Side Day, National Flashlight Day, National French Fried Shrimp Day, and Hamburger Day

December 22 is . . . . National Date-Nut Bread Day

December 23 is . . . . Roots Day

December 24 is . . . . National Egg Nog Day

December 25 is . . . . National Pumpkin Pie Day

December 26 is . . . . National Whiners Day

December 27 is . . . . National Fruitcake Day

December 28 is . . . . Card Playing Day and National Chocolate Day

December 29 is . . . . Pepper Pot Day

December 30 is . . . . Festival Of Enormous Changes At The Last Minute and National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day

December 31 is . . . . Unlucky Day

A Thanksgiving Like No Other

Well, I must say I’m pretty sure I had the most interesting Thanksgiving! How many of you can say their holiday involved flashing, displaced dentures, and overactive bladders!  What can be better than that…ANYTHING!!!!

I’m learning that not everyone is like me, and feels that bathroom breaks should be kept to a minimal during road trips.  I can’t stand having to stop constantly, especially on a 4 hour car ride!  We must’ve stopped 4 times on the way there, and three times on the way back…INSANE!!!!  When describing my situation to a friend, she says I’m more of a destination person, rather than a journey person…YUP!

Once in Woodlawn, I realize how small the town is when Sarah can point out where half of her teachers lived, and when the majority of out-of-towners are truckers!  We were at a truck stop (in Mt. Vernon, which is the big city compared to Woodlawn) where I was chatting with one of the cashiers, and she’d said she knew people from Woodlawn.  Sarah started asking who she knew, and they started rattling off names, and I can’t say I’ve ever been in such a small setting…not even while living in the small expat community we had in Thailand!

Thanksgiving dinner was good, it wasn’t quite what I was used to, but it was still good.  I tried Heavenly Hash, never had it, didn’t care for it much, but it was alright.  I have always loved mashed potatoes and gravy, and luckily, it’s one dish people can’t easily screw up :).  After thanksgiving, Sarah’s dad took falling asleep in front of the TV to the extreme:

Mind you, the TV wasn’t even on!  The TV they have doesn’t even work well, it starts out with a line horizontally across the screen, and with a good beating, the picture will enlarge.  Watching him beat the TV was FUNNY!  He probably spent a good hour and a half one night! I don’t think anyone even cared to watch the DVD of whatever musical it was…we ended up seeking refuge from her family by going to the “crazy lady’s” house.  That ought to tell you something!

Our quick drive to St. Louis on Thanksgiving…Did I mention there was nothing to do in Woodlawn, IL?!?!?!?!

We also did a drive-thru of Metropolis, Illinois, to see Superman on our way home!

I don’t know why this is a video, it’s the last time I give my camera to a man!

This was taken at the gas station in Metropolis, and if you notice, Sarah’s a little short:

Because we felt it would take all three of us to remember everything, we made a lovely little video clip for you explaining the weekend.  I usually wear make-up, but there wasn’t anyone to impress out in the country.