Random crap

This is the last weekend that I can wear this shirt, and have it truly represent Carl Edwards.  Next year, Aflac is his new sponsor.  I just bought this shirt in April when we visited our awesome Texas friends to attend my first-ever Nascar race.  Carl won that day.  *sigh*  He is currently in second place in the points standings, and has a tiny chance at the championship.  He would have to lead the most laps, win the race, and Jimmy Johnson would have to finish worse than 36th.  Yeah, I know.  He's still my hometown Missouri boy, though. Go #99!

Monica took a pic of the front of the shirt too, but it blurred.  Oh well.  

Tonight is Natalie's first "dance."  It's called "activity night" since they are just in 5th and 6th grade, but there is a DJ and a place to dance.  I don't think anyone will dance, but that's OK.  There are other rooms.  There is food and games and other activities.  Monica's first activity night was a nightmare for her, so we're hoping that Natalie's goes better.

Monica got a digital camera for her birthday.  That's what she wanted more than anything, and there was NO way we could afford it.  We checked two large Wal-Mart super centers, and found nothing we could get.  Kevin made a last-ditch stop at a nearby, tiny supercenter, and found the mother-load!  All of last-year's cameras were on sale!  

She got a Nikon, and is more than thrilled with it.  Her first words, after I woke her up this morning, were "Thanks again for the camera, Mom."  Yeah, we did good, without breaking the bank.  Kevin even bought a 1 gig card for her, and got some new rechargeable batteries for the household, since there is a second digital camera here.  Still, he got out of there for a VERY reasonable price.

Tomorrow, Kevin and the girls will head to Carthage for the big birthday weekend.  Grammy had her birthday, and the dinner is tomorrow night.  My car is too crappy for all of us to go together, so the truck is the only option.  That means, 3 at a time is the limit.  It's also GG's birthday tomorrow.  GG is Kevin's grandma, and GG means "great grandma" to the grandkids.  She was born on November 15, just like Monica, but 75 years earlier.

Oh yeah, did I mention?  Monica is 13 tomorrow!  Yup, the big 1-3.  A teen.  It's the big one.  She is looking more grown up every day, and that makes me a bit sad.  This is my second chance at "my oldest."  Brett is my oldest, Jonathan is Kevin's oldest, but Monica is OUR oldest.  The boys have moved on in their lives, so now we have to survive the girls.  Trust me, boys are easier.

However, she is an amazing young woman, and is such a joy.  I remember when I found out I was pregnant with her.  I had no symptoms, so to speak, and by the time I realized something was up, I was told that I was WAY further along than I thought.  In this situation, to judge the age of the unborn, they measure a few things.  They measure the length of the femur and the size of the head.

Have you SEEN the heads on this family?  We have some BIG ol' beans.  Because of this, I think they induced me about 2 weeks early.  I think this is probably the reason that she had asthma as a baby.  Many trips to the ER and many illnesses.  She has since outgrown this, and is doing fine, thankyouverymuch.  She is a shining star around here.  I love you, Sissy Doll!  

OK, the final bit of randomness:  The Wizard of Oz is on tonight.  When I was a kid, my whole family hated this movie.  It was on once per year, and I REALLY wanted to watch, but the family did NOT care to join me.  My mom would let me take the little TV to my room so I could watch on my own.  That was the one time a year that I had a TV in my room.  It was the most wonderful thing EVER!  Sometimes, she'd even make some carmel corn or some other treat for me to enjoy during the show.

Have I mentioned lately how much my childhood rocked?  No?  Well, it did.  When I had sleep-overs, my friends would put in snack requests ahead of time, and Mom tried her best to accommodate. 

Wow, that was an additional bit of randomness, after I said I was done. Sorry.  Have a wonderful weekend!

CMAs

I found out tonight that Cheesy Enchilada Hamburger Helper (our favorite variety) CAN be eaten in moderation.  It may have even tasted better that way.

Monica got stuck with a 2-person project when her partner refused to help, so she worked for hours last night to complete it on her own.  Kevin took her to work to make sure that the teacher knew that she did it alone.  When she got to the class?  She couldn't find it.  She got a detention AND had to do it again.  *sigh*

Natalie and I are ready to settle in and watch the CMA awards, so I'm out!

Cold rain

I don't mind driving in the rain.  I don't mind driving in the dark.  I HATE driving in the rain in the dark.  Glaring headlights and stupid drivers.  Also, my car is old enough that it doesn't have intermittent wipers.  With as light as it was raining, I had to hit the button every 3-5 seconds...for the entire 1-hour drive.

OK, I'm over it.  I'm home now; inside out of the cold.  Kevin had stir fry done when I walked through the door, and the girls took care of laundry and dishes.  It is MORE than enough to make up for the crappy commute.

I am having too much fun on Facebook.  I am hooked on YoVille, myFarm, Kidnap, and others.  At times, there are three computers around here, all doing various activities on Facebook.  Sheesh.  At least the homework and chores are done first, right?  LOL

Oh yeah, sometimes I run into my MOTHER in YoVille!  ACK!  Add to that 3-4 coworkers, and it makes for some funny stuff.  I guess it's better than spending money we don't have to go to movies or anywhere else for entertainment.

Now, back to Facebook!

Back on track

Over half of the customer service reps at work have decided to go on a weight loss challenge.  I sort of started the idea, after coworker M started dieting.  I was amazed at how many folks jumped at the idea!  My plan was to start tomorrow.

After sitting around all morning, though, I realized that I was letting a nice, sunny day go by outside my window.  I asked Natalie if she wanted to go for a walk.  She did, and Kevin joined us (Monica is at a friend's house.)  We walked 2 miles, making Hawkeye one happy dog.

I came home and fired up my old Spark People account, and started logging calories and setting goals.  I even did the strength training that they suggested.  It's cool, because you tell it what equipment you have available, and it will make a routine around that, instead of telling you to go buy something.  All I have are some dumbbells (no comments about my family here, ok?) so it gave me crunches, squats, arm curls, etc.  Natalie and I both completed what was suggested.

I've done this so many times.  Then, one day, I always sabotage myself and never get back to it.  I am really determined, and it helps that we are challenging each other at work.  Each week, we report lbs lost, and put $1 in the pot.  On January 1, the person with the most lbs lost gets the pot.  Money is a great motivator.  So is not being fat, for that matter.

I'd like to be able to wear some cute clothes to conventions next year.  I'll not be blogging much about my efforts, because that would be boring.  Heck, by the time I get done logging everything on Spark People, I'm sick of thinking about it.

Now, to be disciplined enough to walk in the dark.  Whether I walk morning or night, it's going to be dark.  And cold.  Hawkeye will like it, though.  He's passed out in the floor right now from our walk today.  He's out of shape, too!

Pandora and a cold Saturday

So, it's a blustery and cold Saturday here in middle America.  I went to work early and taught a web class, using new software that we haven't tested enough, so there were a few issues.  We worked through them, though, and the overall result was quite positive.  I'd rather not drive 1 hour each way on a Saturday, but with the response being this positive, how can I not?  LOL

After work, I heard a rumor that there may or MAY NOT be hamburger stew at my Mom's house, so guess where I stopped on the way home?  It was awesome, as usual, and my family met me there.  Not long after eating, I headed home.  I need to be home on Saturday, I need to be home when it's cold, and I need to be home after working.  Yup, that's 3 good reasons to be HOME.

For over an hour, I've been listening too, and fine tuning, my pandora station.  If you haven't set up a pandora station yet, you're missing out.  Of course, some folks don't physically need music as much as I do.  I've ridden in cars with people who don't turn on the radio, and it's like an alien concept to me.  TURN ON THE MUSIC!  www.pandora.com

Through facebook, I've caught up with some long-lost friends.  Even a couple of adults that I babysat for when they were kids.  I miss them and it's great to catch up.  Facebook is a cool thing.  Forget my addiction to YoVille, there are good things happening there.  I like it way better than myspace.  Sorry, myspace.

OK, I'm out for now.  I hope you all have a warm and wonderful weekend (what's left of it.)  I wish you all the comforts that can be offered by hamburger stew.  Haven't had it?  Head on over to Mom's place and ask for the recipe, OK?  LOL, sorry Mom.  I hope you don't get trampled by the millions (or the three) readers of this drivel.

Oh yeah...about that day off...

When I posted that I needed a day off, and that Saturday was coming, I had a temporary memory lapse.  I have to work tomorrow.  *sigh*  I'll be done around noon, though, so it won't be too bad.  Coworker B and I have to teach a couple of web classes.  They usually fly by pretty quickly.

Now there is some mind-numbing nonsense that I need to attend to.  I hope you have a great weekend!

I need a day off

I guess Saturday is coming.  There's always Saturday, right?

I don't have a lot to say, and I'm not feeling very peppy or fun, so just let me quote my friend Amy:

Meh.