Disasters Abound

I spent all day Saturday cleaning like a woman posessed. Most of the cleaning I did was outside. Our yard was in desperate need of weeding, mowing, sweeping, etc....As I mentioned in my meme on Friday, one way I am wierd is that I have never mowed a lawn. Scratch that off of my wierd things list because Saturday, I mowed our lawn. I weeded our garden. I swept up old, dusty musty leaves that were clumped up along side the house and the fence. I vacuumed, I dusted and did countless loads of dishes.

Yesterday afternoon, I was in the process of doing a load of laundry. Minutes after I started the washer, I walked past the laundry room and water was creeping out from under the door and when I opened the door it was like a flood gate had opened and water poured out of the laundry room and into the entry way of the house. I screamed for my husband who was asleep on the couch and we both reverted into panic mode. The water was going into the hall closet, in the bathroom, all over the clothes that were waiting to be washed in the laundry room (which was quite a large amount.) There were shoes sitting on the floor that were starting to get soaked. And the girls just thought it was a whole lot of fun to have a huge puddle of water in our house. (Luckily, the entry way is all tile, however it was starting to creep towards the carpet towards the downstairs family room). We grabbed mops, buckets, any towels we could find (clean or dirty) to get control of the situation. We finally got most of it soaked up, however my nicely cleaned yard was now cluttered with shoes, clothes, dirty, wet towels and anything and everything that had become a victim of the flood.

Once the situation was "under control" (or as under control as we could get it) I took the girls up to my sister-in-laws apartment to go swimming which we had already promised them before the big mess. Mike stayed back to continue working on the mess. While he was out and about picking up a squeegie (sp?) and some other things to finish cleaning up the mess, he was driving down one of the main roads in town which is a mere mile from our home. He noticed cop cars everywhere, news vans, yellow police tape and people everywhere around one of the local liquor stores and bars. He parked the truck and went over to where all the action was happening to try to find out what was going on. He talked to one of the news camera men and found out that some kids had been riding their bikes in the fields behind the liquor store and had come across a dead body laying in the irrigation ditch. Now, we live in a town of about 65,000-70,000. Not a huge town, but definitely not Mayberry R.F.D. Murders and bodies being found simply do not happen around here.....which is a good thing. Apparently the body had been there for awhile and was just happened upon by these poor kids. Not much is known about the situation at this point, but while Mike was hanging around, the news people asked if he would like to be interviewed for the news to speak as a member of the community. So, my husband was on the news last night. The article is here, however there is no clip of hubs on the news. Bummer.

After he did the whole news thing, he went over to his friends' house who is out of town to check on his house (which he asked him to do while he was gone). When he was over there, he heard what sounded like a cat in pain. He looked around and eventually found a cat by the wheel of a car whose leg was swollen up to twice its size and had a hole in his leg that was oozing blood. He wasn't quite sure what he should do so he knocked on neighbors' doors and finally found someone who knew the cat and left the cat in the neighbor's care to get to the vet.

Today, I am dealing with the aftermath of the flood, hauling load after load after load of laundry down to my parents' house to get cleaned, and trying to locate my landlord on Memorial Day to come deal with my massive plumbing issues (because our toilets keep backing up and our downstairs shower is regurgitating nasty looking brown water....). All the while trying to play soccer, ponies, Care Bears or whatever else my little girls' hearts desire on Mommy's day off of work.

Fun times, I tell you. Memorial Day 2007 rocks!!

Seven Strange Things About Me Meme

Do you have any idea how long it has been since I have done a meme? I don't even know if I remember how to do a meme. I have been tagged for a few in the past few months, but kept forgetting to do them. But for this one, I've been tagged twice. Once by Lei (quite awhile ago actually) and then again this week by Sherry. Everyone is on the bandwagon for this one, so I'll go ahead and do it.

Seven Strange Things About Me!

1. I'm a girl. No....that is not the strange thing. But I am girl who does not like to shop. I know. Close those jaws. Maybe it's not that I don't like to shop.....I just never have the money to enjoy shopping and I'm not one of those who likes to wander through the mall looking at things that I wish I could afford. Call me crazy.

2. I'm a girl. I'm a very low maintenance girl. I have my ears pierces, but rarely wear earrings (that could possibly be because I consistently lose my earrings). I rarely wear necklaces. I don't own a watch. Never wear rings....a majority of the time I don't even wear my wedding ring. I don't polish my nails. I don't wear toe rings. I wear make up, though. If I have the time.

3. I have a wierd issue with losing socks. Half the time, if I know that it's not a possibility that people will be seeing my socks, I will just grab two socks whether they match or not and put them on. Hey.....if no one can see them......

4. I'm a girl. I'm a girl who is not a fan of the "chick flicks". Give me an action/adventure; horror; drama; suspense movie anytime. Rarely will you see me spending money on a comedy or a chick flick. Unless it's a movie I'm buying for my kids.

5. I'm a girl. I'm a girl who hates to talk on the phone. I avoid it at all costs. I spend eight hours a day at work talking on the phone, but even before I had this job I didn't really like it. I did when I was in high school, but somehow that whole thing changed after I graduated. I don't know why.

6. I have never in my life mowed a lawn. Never my parents, and never my own. I think I should probably learn. I'm allergic to grass, though, so it could be a miserable experience for me.

7. This might not be considered wierd, but I'm stretching here to think of any more. I hate seafood. Anything that comes from the water and lands on a plate will not enter this mouth. Ever. Never not in a million years. I think I'd rather starve.

And that's it. My first meme in months. I haven't seen a single person out there who has not done this meme, so I'm not even going to try to tag anyone. But if you haven't done it, consider yourself tagged and let me know you did it so I can go read yours! Happy Friday and happy long weekend! (If you get one!)

Massive Amounts of Randomness

I simply can not focus on one topic today. I have had so many things rambling around in my head over the past couple of weeks to write about so I just need to get them out. So, bear with me today.
************************
Thanks, first of all, for all off the nice comments you guys had on my new 'do. I really like it, although it does require more maintenance. Bad hair days can no longer be solved by just throwing it up in a pony tail and calling it good. I actually have to use product. People....do you have any earthly clue how long it has been since I have used any type of product in my hair?? I can't remember the last time I purchased gel, mousse, hair spray or the like. This hairstyle requires the use of any or all of the above. And I don't own any. So I have had the pleasure of using hubby's rock solid gel and hairspray over the past few days. (Yes, my husband is high maintenance as far as his hair goes....). Oh, and a hair dryer. I have to use a hair dryer. I don't know how old my hair dryers are, but when the smell emitted from my hair dryer causes me to fear for my health, I should probably think about investing in a new one. Ya think?
*************************
Week two of my new full time schedule is coming to an end. The adjustment from working 20 hours a week to 40 hours hasn't been as difficult as I envisioned. I miss my children terribly in the mornings when I would normally be at home with them, but we're all surviving. And the paycheck at the end of the month will help ease the pain a little. I talk to my kids multiple times a day on the phone and hearing their sweet little voices over the phone cheers me up. I have quite a bit of annual leave built up so I do intend on taking some days off this summer to take them to the pool, the park, or whatever their little hearts desire. I just play with them a lot more in the evenings now.
***************************
Care Bear's last day of pre-school is today. The other day in the mail I received something from the Elementary school. Usually when we get something from them it is regarding Anakin. This time is said "To the parents of: Care Bear P". What?! She really is going to kindergarten in August. Where is my baby? She's not anymore. I have determined, however, that within mere days of her kindergarten teacher witnessing Care Bear's brilliance that she will be bumped up to fourth grade along side her brother. Every day she does or says something to convince me of this and last night was no different. Witness this conversation:

Care Bear: "Mommy? How many days are left in May?"
Me: "There are eight days left." (Now, keep in mind, she didn't ask what
the date was, just how many days were left in May)
Care Bear: (with no hesitation whatsoever) "That means that four days ago
it was the 19th."

What?!?!?! People...that's like basic algebra. She's four. She freaks me out. Now I'm being an obnoxious mother and I will stop. I can't help it if my child is a genius.
**********************************
American Idol. Jordin won. I knew she would. That's OK. Blake will get a record deal, too. Loved Gwen. She rocks. Her new song is awesome! (Playing in my sidebar). The other guest singers I could have done without. Where was Fantasia? Kelly, Ruben, Carrie and Taylor were all there. The silly crying girl made a goof of herself again when Sanjaya sang. Her fifteen minutes will soon end. That's all I have to say about last night. Pretty predictable. A little boring. I thought Melinda getting to sing with BeBe and CeCe Winans was pretty awesome, though.
**********************************
I really need the next Harry Potter book to come out. Like now. I think I'm going to re-read The Order of The Phoenix before the movie comes out. Just for something to do.
**********************************
And now, since I am supposed to be working, I suppose I'll go ahead and do something about it. I know I had other random tidbits but they are escaping me right now. I haven't had enough caffeine yet. Have a Happy Thursday!

American Idol Finale--Part 1

Blake The Man!!

VS. Jordin the Diva!!

Well, it's all said and done. The final performances completed, voting ceased, and now we must wait with bated breath through a two hour show filled with pointless red carpet interviews, former wanna be idols who didn't get a record contract and are now serving as AI correspondents, millions of performances by A-lister celebrities who (during AIs earlier years) made fun of AI and refused to acknowledge its existence until we get to be given our results. The finale shows have become more entertaining as the years go by and it is fun to watch, but two hours?? Is two hours really necessary? I suppose it is when we're reaching the climatic conclusion to a five month run.

So, what is the result going to be? Is the beat-boxing, ultimate entertainer going to take it? Or the 17 year old with a voice bigger than all her years going to walk away with the crown? Anyone who has been following my reviews throughout this season knows that Blake is my man. What he lacks in strong vocals, he makes up for in sheer entertainment. However, I have to say, however much it hurts that I think Jordin is going to take the title. She far outshone Blake last night in vocal superiority and my guess is that votes that were formerly going to Melinda are probably now being thrown Jordin's way. I could be surprised. I could actually get my way for the first time in reality TV history and have my first choice win, but I somehow doubt it. And really, if Blake doesn't win, I'll be.....OK. I like Jordin, too. And truthfully, this finale is a little anti-climatic for me. I was really hoping to see Melinda and Blake in the finals, so this is kinda----bleh.

The high point of last night's show for me?????

I just wish they would have saved him for tonight. Why have him singing "Home" on a night when no one's going home?? How much sense does that make? Oh, well. Just glad I got to see him. But I do need to ask him, "What is with all that eye liner, dude?!!"

Wow. Now that AI is at the end, and I've finished all the Harry Potter books and movies, I seriously do not have a single clue what I'm going to do to entertain myself from here on out. Angst.

Chop Job!

Almost a year ago, I was debating whether or not I should cut my hair. I asked for opinions, and they were split about down the middle. In the long run, I ended up keeping my hair long. And then shortly after Christmas, I discussed the fact that my mom had gotten me a gift card for Christmas to get my hair cut. At which time I still refused to do much to it other than get bangs. Big mistake. The bangs drive me crazy.

Well, not it's almost summer. The bangs are growing to a point where there isn't a whole lot I can do with my hair at all. Every day I end up putting in a tight pony tail and putting the bangs back in a barrette. It's getting to be rather a boring look. I decided, "Today is the day." I tend to be spur of the moment sometimes on those types of things and once I decide to do it, I just have to do it right then and there.


The amount cut? 10 inches. I wasn't planning on going quite so short, but the hairstylist told me that if I went just another inch, I could donate my hair to "Love Locks". So I did it. For a worthy cause.

Hair Cut--$20
Inches lost--10
Donating my hair to someone who needs it more than I do--Priceless!

Debuting the new look:

Before:

After:

So, what do you think? And be honest. Don't be nice just to spare my feelings. ;-)

Celebrity News--American Idol Edition #6

If you have not yet watched the results show from the final 3.....click away now because major spoilers are ahead.

I realize that I have been remiss in delivering celebrity news lately. And for that I apologize. As if you care. ;-) But after watching tonights results, a post immediately started forming in my head and I had to do it right away lest I lose it before tomorrow morning. I work full time now, you know. Not as much time for fun anymore. I digress.....

I GIVE YOU.....

Yes, ladies and gentlemen....the pictures you see above you represent the final two of the 6th season of American Idol!! To say that I'm more than a little thrilled that my favorite is in the final two is an understatement. See, what you don't realize is that every single reality show I have ever watched....my favorite has always come in second. Tonight, when they announced Jordin safe first, I knew Blake was done for. I had never doubted for a single, solitary moment that Melinda would be in the finals. I think the whole of America believed that. Which is probably where the problem lies. They thought she was safe.....they didn't vote. The outcome? She's gone. And I am sad about that. I was really looking forward to a Blake/Melinda showdown. I knew that if it came down to those two that Melinda would probably take the crown...and I was OK with that. But now?? Now, I think my favorite may have a real shot at the whole ball of wax. I'm not going to get too excited though. I made that mistake during the Clay/Ruben season....which by the way (for the record), I still believe Clay was robbed....seriously robbed. But I digress again.

I think all of the final four (Lakisha included) deserve big things. I was really torn last week when I saw all of them huddled together before the results were revealed. They are all extremely talented and all deserve the best. I love them all. I have no doubt Melinda will get a record contract probably in the next 30 seconds. She's fabulous and so sweet and humble. She deserves everything she has worked for.

But....Blake's my man. I've said it from day 1. Lucky for AI, he made it to the finals, because I swore that once he was gone (after Gina left), I would quit watching. You all know AI would suffer without my votes (that I just started doing last night.....).

Faithful readers of my blog.....do me a favor. If your not truly invested in either Jordin or Blake....vote for Blake....for me?? Pretty please? Let me just for once have the person I want to win actually win!!

Please....and thank you. And count on a big, and final AI post next week....after the finale.

Until then.....think good thoughts for Blake. There's a poll on the sidebar. Vote. (If you're going to vote for Blake....uh....just kidding.) ;-)

Feisty's Birthday

Well, what a weekend. As you know, Feisty's 3rd Birthday was on Saturday. The big three. Numero tres. However, since for the past few months she has already been saying she is three, she started off the day convinced that she was four. I finally convinced her otherwise and she finally started telling people the truth of her age. I told her that in about 20 years, she won't be wanting to go forward in age, she'll want to be going backwards. She got a wierd look on her face when I told her that and went on with her three year old business.

I started out the day by making all the kids a breakfast of pancakes and cinnamon rolls. There was shopping to do, cakes to pick up, baths to give, and the regular household duties that somehow always get put on the back burner because of something else of more importance happening (like say, reading a Harry Potter book.....or a birthday party, or such....)

She had been fighting a little cold all week. Mainly just a runny nose, but she hasn't quite been her typical "feisty" self. But by the big day, she was really feeling run down. Being who she is, though, she refused to admit it. After all, it was 85 degrees outside, the whole neighborhood was outside and there was no way in the world she was going to sit inside and be left out of the fun. I tried to hold her down; tried to use the logic that if she rests now she'll feel better for her big party. That logic failed to pass with her. She lives in the here and now, and the here and now included lots of fun in the front yard with water, friends and bathing suits:

"Hold on a second now....I need to wipe my nose with my ridiculously long tongue..."

"See, Mommy?!?! I'm not sick!!"

Feisty did retreat inside for a little while; meanwhile Care Bear continued being the ring leader for all of the fun....

As the day wore on, Feisty seemed to get more tired and it looked like she just didn't feel well at all. My Mom and I both tried to convince her to hold off on her party until early this week so that she would be able to enjoy it more, but she would hear nothing of it. All attempts at getting her to slow down and rest were for naught. I did manage to get her to get in the bath and get cleaned up so that she didn't look like a greasy rugrat at her party. I also even managed to get Care Bear to get in the bath and let me wash her hair. Despite the fact that my girls love to dress up lately in the frilliest dresses they own, at the same time they have a great aversion to having their hair or faces washed......the two don't add up. But I insisted. Here they are with Blondie 2 right after the bath, but pre-hair styling.

Both of the "blondies" detest wearing dresses and love playing with bugs. They both informed my girls when getting ready in their dresses that they looked like they were going to be in a wedding. Hey....if my girls want to look like they belong in a wedding every day of their lives, that's fine by me. I'm not sure what I would do with a tomboy. Seeing's how I hate and fear most living creatures that have more than four legs.

AND PRESENTING.....THE BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY GIRL....

(She was looking down because the sun was in her eyes. Notice the pretty purple flowers right behind her. That bush looks so massive with her standing next to it!!)

You would think by what they chose to wear that we were heading to the White House for her party or something. But we weren't. Just heading to about the germiest place in the world. The almighty Chuck E. Cheese's. Didn't matter, though. That's what they wanted to wear, so wear them they did.

Feisty perked up considerably once we arrived at Mr. Cheese's place. The first order of business on Ms. Feisty's agenda was not to eat or to play, but to open presents. She got quite a bit of assistance and looks of envy from her big sister....and I daresay she got quite spoiled. There are only a few pics here of her opening her presents:

Following the opening of presents and approximately one and a half bites of pizza she proceeded to party hard for two more hours. She was beat by the time we got home and for punishment for me not just stepping up and saying, "We're postponing the party", I got four hours of sleep. Mother's Day was not much of a treat. But I'll discuss that later. I need some more pictures for that one.

She had a great birthday, though and got treated like the princess she is. Feisty would like to thank everyone who wished her a happy birthday. She sends her regards. :-)