Not for the squeamish

Jason and I ate at a HORRIBLE Chinese buffet the other day....and on the salad bar was this baby squid salad......*BARF*....so knowing Shayla and Jasmine and Aaron, we took three of these nasty pieces home.....and said...who ever eats it gets $5.
Well we figured Julie (Shayla and Jasmine's mom) would not let them have it, and we thought Aaron would pass.....boy were we wrong...and we had to cough up $15. Shayla loved them, said they tasted like chicken and that she wanted more. She at them by plucking each leg off and then popping the head in her mouth like it was candy.....Aaron gagged it down, and at first said it was ok...but as the day progressed he swore it was nasty and he thought he was going to throw up. I think he said it was ok to save face in front of his cousins...Jasmine she ate herself a leg or two, then Shayla finished it off for her. Jasmine kept saying it was spicy, and that is only because it was in a salad with peppers and such.....all in all, they are some brave kids!

(Sorry for the graphics...I am documenting this for posterity sake....ha ha ha)

Hates to Love

My phone is back again...a momentary lapse in funds has ended. yay! I can communicate with the rest of the world.

I am thinking that maybe I should be in search of a live in nanny job, for no other reason than...the STUPID GAS PRICES!!!! HOLY COW!

Since I hate the gas prices...here are a few things that I love

Layla *hearts*

1) Texas Roadhouse Kabobs and salad.
2) Sonic's happy hour
3) Hanging with Julie (Jason's sister) at lunch time
4) Music
5) Mario Brother games
6) my handwritting when my hands don't hurt
7) Accomplishing a whole to do list
8) The feeling when all the laundry is done, even if it only lasts a few hours.
9) being warm and cuddly in the bed with the air in the room is super cold
10) Sleeping in

This concludes today's blog...see you soon!
4)

Ack!

I am babysitting right now, and too tired to concentrate on explaining these questions...but if you would, enlighten me on what you think.....

1) Have you ever came to a place where it seems everything you ever thought was good and right all of a sudden appears crazy and messed up.....like pluto....it isn't a planet anymore....just a moon.....what the heck!

2) How do you get yourself out of a slowly self distructive rut?

Strangers and friends the same.......enlighten me on your thoughts.

Quirks with Food....

Quirk # 1

I peel off most of my tortilla when eating a burrito, I don't like it...especially from taco bell....aka toxic hell....

Quirk #2

I have to eat the ketchup that comes from the restaurant that I bought my fries....i.e I can not eat McDonald's fries with Wendy's Ketchup...BARF.....and my fav out to eat ketchup is Whataburger!

Quirk #3

I have to eat popcorn with something else......pickles....cheese....chocolate.....it has to be one of those three, but not all of them together!

Hungry.....even at midnight.

When Aunt Flow is here.....

I have a few things that happen. but mostly.....I feel hungry more......and tonight is no different. I wanted pancakes.....so I gave myself....pancakes.....
Above - This is what happens when I get too anxious for the pancake.....hey, it doesn't matter what it looks like, as long as it tastes good!! Above - Here are some that I have made and then put in the freezer for Aaron....I feel bad that he is in bed and Jason and I are getting the yummy pancakes...he can have them in the morning.
Above - Gotta have lots and lots of this.....my grandma used to tell me when I was little that I liked syrup on my pancakes and waffles just like my grandpa used to...that is the only connection she ever gave us, and since he passed before I was born, I cherished that...and think of it everytime I eat syrup. Ablove - Some people think I am weird for this, but gotta have the pb on the waffles and pancakes....
Above - Even Taiko likes the pancakes.....




Okay so I know I said earlier, that it doesn't matter what they look like, as long as they taste good......well thats good and all for midnight, but I do want to know how to make the round cute pancakes everyone else does.......any pancake tips?

Center of Attention

I wish she knew how much I love her....I can't believe it has been 15 years since she has graced the world with her existence! She is so beautiful, talented and special.....I love my Shayda Denice!

Shayda has millions and millions of friends....she sings in the choir....and acts in community theater.....she loves music.....friends and movies....has already had her heart broken.....but has also learned to be resilient.....she thrives at things people doubt her in.....and she can make friends with the most difficult of people.....Where ever she goes, without even trying she is The Center of Attention! And that my friends, is where she should be!

 

Some things to say........and some things to do...

Veida is planning her wedding, and I am doing my duty as Maid of Honor to help....we went to a flowershop a week or so ago to look at options for the big day.....There were many pretty flowers, but she couldn't find the right kind....she is looking to say simple, sweet, and classy...without saying cheap and cheesey......with all the available flowers, we loved the Gerber Daisies.....they had all sorts of spring time colors with all the different styles....she wanted to do pink and green for her colors, but she is now leaning towards spring time colors.....but this bouqet i am holding in the picture is what she bought.....and she is thinking that is how she wants her bouqet to look......fun fun.


This past weekend, I went to Corsicana back to my aunt in law's spa, for round two of laser hair removal....it hurt worse this time because Denice upped the laser strength.....ack....but....this time she got laser happy and started to remove the sun spots on my chest and shoulders....from all the years of carefree, babyoil and sun-in at poolside. Only if the laser worked on my fat, we would be in business! lol.

Has anyone been watching the tlc program "I can make you thin" if so, what are your thoughts on it? Have you tried the techniques? Does it work? Is it only mindcontrol? Do you feel brainwashed? lol......let me know.

Okay well Easter, I just got Aaron a basket of candy, we colored eggs the day before at his cousins house...so I didn't have to deal with the Bunny or any of his shinanogins......we had lunch at Veida's and dinner at Grandma's..........I love my little cousins!!! So freakin cute!

Today I had a lot to do....long to do list......but because of monthly abdominal cramping, I choose to say no.....stay curled up and whine to myself......I did get a few things done, and I have to babysit tonight, so I can get more done then........

I have a job interview tomorrow......at an eye clinic....I am trying to get back into the medical feild...I loved loved loved loved my job at Alliance Ambulatory Infusion Center.....I don't know if it was the small company feel, the working with family, or the authority I held, I just loved loved loved that job......and now I think I am subconsciously trying to get that feeling back....ok it isn't in my subconscious....lol I wouldn't be looking for a job really if I had constant daily babysitting gigs....but I guess there is no health insurance, 401K, or pto to be had with it.......so off to full time I go.....ha ha.

I am thinking about joining a swap, it is a apron swap......but I have to make an apron, and I don't have a sewing machine, nor the know-how.........I bought some fabric off ebay, for what reason.......who know, to start a collection, to add to my already abundant clutter........I am still thinking......anyone know where to get a cheap sewing machine??

Okay, so I think that is enough rambling for now.....time to get off of the couch (ugh) and in to the kitchen (ugh ugh) and cook some dinner......(Ugh Ugh Ugh)

Easter Question

Aaron does not believe in the Easter Bunny, ToothFairy, Santa....etc...... So how am I supposed to handle the upcoming Easter Sunday, as far as dying eggs, and baskets are concerned.... I figured that I will dye the eggs anyways, so I can have deviled eggs for lunch as my own personal tradition has developed, but do I fill his basket as a sweet suprise, do I still have him hunt for the eggs for sport......what do you think? He is 11 years old, but is still young at heart.....help!

Laser Day

Laser Hair Removal.....

Not what I expected!!! Not in the least.

I didn't get pictures for a few reasons.....

1) I am vain....and can't stand to let anyone see my ridiculous goatee....and mustache....

2) I forgot

3) I was going on two and a half hours sleep....

4) I was too excited about my pedicure.....

I got to the spa that is owned by my Aunt in Law...ha ha...and my Aunt Denice was all geared up ready to zap my four day chin growth....(The night before the lasers, I had dinner with Jason's brother and sis n law, I was mortified about the sight of my chin!!) I got rubbed down with numbing cream, my aunt decided that she wanted to zap my ever growing moley/freckles and sunspots as well as heavy hair growth close to what would be a guys sideburns....I laid down...and it happens. She put tape over my eyes, and you hear a loud noise, then a zap, a bright light and pain....I couldn't feel myself smile, I couldn't feel the cold of the goop she put on my face right before the laser.....but Idid feel the lasers.....in the places she got really numb with the cream, it didn't hurt as much as it was just uncomfortable......like acupuncture gone wrong.....but....the places that were not as numb.....it felt like she was holding a lighter to my face....it wasn't nice. She had to do some spots over again, because she is new, and I am the guinea pig, her "teacher" supervised and showed her where she didn't zap long or hot enough....And, not that I really ever had this or knew what to expect...I didn't think about the smell.....I don't know if it is because I am fat, or this is how everyone's skin smells like when there are hot "lazerbeams" on their face, but it smelt like overcooked almost burnt bacon...

Well, despite my wishes, the lasers don't burn off the hairs right away.....it sngines them enough to easily fall off as their growth ends.....blah...I want immediate results! ha....and the freckles.....well they will "flake" off within a weeks time, so they say.....

Today has been exactly a week.....

I have noticed that my chin does not have as much hair as it did, I am keeping them groomed, but there are not so many trying to grow back.....(My aunt has said that there will have to be about three more treatments...to get all the growth cycles) I still see the freckles as dark scabby kind of things, but i have seen one or two of them change into a light sunkissed look.

I will gladly go back, and go through that again.....it will be worth it to feel like a complete woman, and not have a manly chin...

 

My week thus far.

Sunday

Went to get Jason a sports coat and slacks...he looks handsome. I will post pictures soon!
I have been going to church with Jason....and their service is oh so totally different than that of what I am used to. I had an experience at his church that has left me feeling confused, and delighted all at the same time. Basically, I asked for understanding (while I prayed) and I think I got it....it is hard to describe and I am not sure how to put it in words...but I am glad that no matter where I am, if I ask Heavenly Father, he will be sure to help me out!

Monday

This is the day we started Aaron's "Roll of Quarters" Here is the deal....Aaron is getting to the age where he is wanting to act grown up, but not face the piper when he doesn't pay attention! He seriously could not pay attention to save his life most the time! I can't tell you how many times I have to repeat myself with this kid! His problem is so bad that he is constantly getting in trouble at school for not paying attention! (I personally think he has ADD but I am not a doctor!)
Anyways, I am tired of repeating myself, Jason is tired of repeating himself, and we both are sick and tired of him getting in trouble at school! So Jason decided that we are going to pay Aaron $10 each week, BUT every time we have to repeat ourselves, or he gets in trouble for not following directions, he will owe us a quarter. So if he was really good, he gets ten dollars at the end of the week........yeah....first day, he paid me a dollar!
We went to dinner with our friend Whit. I met her years ago at a party, and Jason had known her too, she has recently been coming around and hanging out...it has been fun! We went to Razoos.....yummo!
Jon and Kate plus 8....thats what I watched...is it sad that I can't remember much else...ha. I think this is the day it got super cold. Was it.....I can't remember!

Tuesday

Aaron came home from school early because of what he said was a stomach issue....he was acting just fine when he got home! Veida and I went to breakfast together, then we ran an errand....after that I hung out with Jason while he was working from home. I cooked hamburger helper for dinner, and Jason's brother came over to look at a car we are going to be buying from him..fun.
Biggest Loser! Love it...Watched it....and I am sad that Bernie went home.... I wish Kelly would go already! She is so whiney! ACK

Wednesday

I traveled to Nacogdoches with my grandma to hang out with my little sister while my dad went to Alaska. She is 14 (soon to be 15 and is proud of it, so if you call her 14 she will argue that in a few days she will be 15 so she might as well be called 15) and is spoiled rotten! I love her with every fiber of my being...and I am sure I am a part of the reason she is spoiled, but I have learned that I am no longer her influence. She used to look up to me and Veida for our music taste, our clothing style (or what we thought she would be cute in), our attitudes, our people loving personalities.....but now....she lives miles and miles away, she is treated like the only child. She has freedoms I didn't dare ask for at her age. When I was 14 (almost 15) I did nothing but go to Seminary, School, Yearbook, Church, or Work (Mr. Jim's Pizza on the weekend for extra cash). She has a boyfriend, who is almost 3 years older than her....I don't like him. She comes and goes as she pleases for the most part....she wears cool clothes....she sings like and angel.....she has the skinny figure I wanted at her age....she is popular.....and cute....but, she has quickly become more like a spoiled teenager than not...I miss the sweet thoughtful Shayda, not the one who answers my grandmother with "whats up" instead of a "yes ma'am".....but she is the baby, my dad I guess is understandably trying to prolong her growing up....

Thrusday

Spent the day with Grandma, we hung out at the house and I did the laundry I brought with me..we drove around Nacogdoches, picked Shayda up from school, went to WalMart, I cooked Strogenoff(Sp?) and watched Shayda at a school choir preformance....it rained and rained and rained here, and got super cold....I was stupid and wore flipflops, then stepped in a puddle....a big one that could be mistaken for a small pool. I am smart! I think I heard rumors that it snowed in the DFW area.....ha ha

Friday

It snowed here in Nacogdoches, but by the time I woke up it all had melted...I didn't mind, I slept pretty good! Shayda woke me up at 6am telling me she couldn't go to school today, because of a headache, I let her stay home, but I think it was all a sham!
I finished up laundry, watched Little Women with my grandma (she loves this story and has used the characters of the movie/book to name her dogs, she had a beth, amy and jo.....) I took a shower and went to dinner with Jason's brother and sister in law, they are fun....we went to a Chinese restaurant and it was yummy, then we spent the next two hours in their suburban chit chatting about the world. They enlightened me on the subject of my boyfriend and the rest of their family! Good times! Now I am sitting here blogging and I should be in bed! I actually still have a to do list to complete! ACK!

Tomorrow, I am going to my aunt's sister's (I call my Aunt in Law)spa to be a guinea pig for laser hair removal..I have a horrid case of chin hair, it is so bad that I have to shave....I used to pluck but it grew uncontrollable. It makes me feel like a freaky fat bearded lady.....at least after it is all done, I can just be a fat lady. ha. I am going to be the person my aunt "trains" on. My aunt is a nurse, and she helps my Aunt in law out at the spa.....but for insurance purposes, my aunt has to "train" on the lasers even though she has done it before and is quite experienced. I may be a guinea pig of other things as well, I was hoping for micradermabrasian (sp?) and maybe removal of a few moles......but we will see. Tomorrow, I will have my aunt take pictures of my beard, then take after shots of my new smooth face.....I am so excited! I have had to let this crappy hair grow out...and I feel self conscious about it! Come on 9am!!!!! I also have to go babysit for a lady I met of craigslist....we have a meeting and "trial run" for a babysitting gig.....she has twin one year olds.....we will see how it goes

Anyways, off to go back to my to do list.....pack my stuff, pack the car, wash the dishes, go to sleep. I will post more tomorrow!

OHHHHH and if you got all the way down here and really care to help...I am curious on how many people view this mundane blog thingy I have....so leave a comment even if it is just to say hi.....but if you need a reason....what are your suggestions on getting an 11 year old boy to listen to you.......

Letters

A few letters I thought about writing tonight~

Dear Wal-Mart -

I think you need to do a bit more research on the books that you have (or don't have) on your shelves...I watch Oprah, but I don't think she has the best taste in books. I enjoy some of the books she suggests, but not all of them, so be choosey when putting her book club books on your shelf....
Did you know that not everyone that shops at Wal-Mart is white trash? I may appear to be when I shop late at night...I have seen prettier days....but, I am not there to purchase the soft pornographic harlequin "novels" that you so abundantly over stocked.
If you need to know what should be on your shelves, review some of the awesome blogs I have that give critiques on great books....and leave the cheap trashy novels to that of library sales and old lady days at half priced books.....at least put something of quality and newness on your shelves (We have all already read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns).

Thank You For Your Time.
An empty handed former walmart book buyer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Stationary and School Supply makers-

I hate you....only because I love you so dearly. You and only you have been the reason I get excited to go to school.....ever. I knew that if I had a new pen that wrote with dark almost bleeding ink, a new set of fun post-it notes, a brand new box of pencils and a sharpener....I would automatically get straight A's in all of my classes, even gym!
Tonight, for the lack of finding a decent book, I spent the money I wanted to get a book with on random supplies. I have decided that I will carry a mini stationary desk in my purse, tote or whatever you call it (Veida calls it a Mary Poppins Bag). You have supplied me with a pink supply holder, a new pair of small scissors, new post it notes, a small notebook with three sections, eraser set, multi colored variaty pens, pencils, glue stick, and two fine pointed sharpies. I don't really NEED any of this, but I walked by the aisle, and there your stuff was.
Could you possibly put a disclaimer on your packages, not gaurtneeing straight A's or sanity when it comes to the combination of your items.....A new notebook makes me think I could be the next Jane Austen or Stephen King....It gives me false hope (as in my childhood) that because I have a pen and a stack of papers in a planner disguise, that I will automatically be organized and put together....this is all wrong. I still have to accountable for my actions with your supplies, so please stop implying such nonesense.
If I don't see such warnings, I will be forced to buy your items from Target, because there they care enough for their customers mental stability, and close at night, helping reduce the spontaneou purchases of your evil and overwhelmingly not needed but desired products!

Waiting for prompt action!

The owner of a million pens, and 99% do not write like I like.

Emailed Questions

I got this email from Ashley Allen, a friend of mine who I used to babysit for years ago....I got really talented.....I could bathe her 7 kids in under 30 minutes, with a total "get ready for bed time" at 45 mins start to finish.....I am still impressed with myself!!! Anyways, she sent info on herself, and I sent it back, but I thought I would share with you guys as well! Enjoy!




Now, here's what you're supposed to do... And please do not spoil the fun. Hit forward, delete my answers and type in your answers. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you. Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you.

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Movie Theater Assistant Manager (that was fun...seriously...lots of great memories!)
2. Intake Supervisor for an Ambulatory Infusion Center (I want this job back, as crazy as it may seem)
3. Day Care Assistant (ha, fun days!)
4. Glorified data entry for BNSF, aka: Price Management (looking back, I should have stayed! grrr)

B) Four movies I would watch over and over: (there are more than four, but I will limit it for you)
1. My Best Friends Wedding (I saw it 20 times at the theater...no joke, I worked there, it was free and I loved it!)
2. Stella (Gotta love Bette Midler!)
3. Juno (Just saw it yesterday, but I will go with anyone at any time LOVE IT~)
4. The Story of Us ("I am saying Chow Funs because I love you!)

C) Four places I have lived:
1. Arlington, Texas (Current)
2. Quincy, Illinois (early 2000's as a nanny)
3. Fort Worth, Texas (Almost my whole life)
4. Nacogdoches, Texas (Right before, and right after I was a nanny in Illinois)

D) Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Jon and Kate plus 8 (Mondays...love it!)
2. Biggest Loser (shameless addiction to other people's weight loss....I have blogged about it!)
3. Super Nanny (We have similar styles, but she is so much cooler than me!)
4. Wife Swap (This is a hoot and hollar!)

E) Four places I have been:
1. Cozumel, Mexico (with Shayda while on a cruise!)
2. Salt Lake City, Utah ( A few times to visit friends...)
3. Chicago, Illinois (Labor Day weekend in 2001)
4. St. Louis, Missouri (4th of July 2001)

F) People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. American Airlines Credit Union (every morning at 5:30am)
2. Ebay (win or lose, they email)
3. Stephanie Spratt (usually a cute fun email!)
4. Aaron's teachers at school (maybe once a week)

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Middle Eastern (Go figure)
2. Just about anything from Texas Roadhouse (But typically the kaboob with extra veggies and loaded tatters)
3. Trying new recipes.....I know it isn't a particular kind of food, but i love it, it's my favorite!
4. Nachos (I love the crappy sporting event style...but I will eat them anywhere, lol)

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. At a scrapbook event (I have to catch up on mine and Aaron's...)
2. At the movies, watching Juno again
3. In a Marriot hotel, their bedding is so soft and squishy comfy!
4. In dreamland...I am sorta sleepy

I) Four friends I think will respond:
1. Stephanie
2. Angel
3. Karen
4. Jennie

J) Things I am looking forward to this year:
1. Getting my car up and running (I am pretty close to that, it may be at the end of this week...everyone pray!)
2. Reading some good books (I am up for suggestions...I am reading "The Other Boleyn Girl"" right now)
3. Simply Sweet Gourmet Creations and it's development
4. My daycare invention and it's development