I Just Want a Hula Hoop

I got this from Annie's journal and, of course, I had to do it........

 

Which Holiday Cartoon Character Are You?

 

You are:
Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks

Like Alvin , you love Christmas for all the stuff it brings! You love getting all gussied up and being the center of attention. It's great that you're having such a great time, but remember, there's more to the holidays than getting gifts. There's a lot of joy to be found in the simple pleasures and thinking of others.

 

                                                 

 

(Rofl....yep that's me all right....just waiting to haul in all those holidays gifts.)

                                      nite all......chris

 

                                                  

Crud & Other Things

Hi Everyone!

I think I've got that creeping crud once again that just keeps spreading through my office.  It's comes on so fast.  I was super tired at work yesterday, which is pretty unusual for me, had a headache when I got home.  Now, I'm hacking, congested and "barfy".   Great!   I'm thinking this is illness #4 since Sept.  So much for the flu shot.....

I was running, literally, for my bus because I catch it across the street from my building and I have about a 3 min. time frame and my cell phone rang....sheesh.  I knew it had to be one of my kids.  It was Megan.  I hesitate to talk of Megan's crises on here because she is super sensitive at age 19 to what I say.  Suffice it to say that her boyfriend needs a "break."  Of course, Mama's first instinct was I need to "break" him....lol.  But seriously, it's part of life but I can't stand when my girls get their hearts broken.  And, Lord, finals are coming up.  The child needs that scholarship.  Why is it that the boys need these "breaks" around Christmas and Valentines Day?  Hmmmm......

Another blurp in my life....I think I'm going to kill this computer.  Or maybe it's just AOL.  I keep getting little messages that all this Microsoft crap isn't working right.  I had an error last night that I was supposed to forward to Microsoft.  It restarted my computer and said I had to sign on to AOL to send it.  Of course, when I signed on, the message was gone.

Blurp #2....my second car is in the shop.  Needs rear brakes and rotors and the muffler is falling off.  Actually, if I start it up and leave it running, I could asphyxiate my neighborhood.  And, of course, it's a dual exhaust that needs replaced to the catalytic converter.  But it's the original muffler...133,000 miles on it so who is complaining...Me.  Merry Christmas!

Blurp #3....my Christmas tree for the livingroom looks like crap.  It's dusty and those silly artifical branches just can't be bent anymore to even look half decent.  Tree shopping?  LOL...a little Alke-Seltzer Plus and off I'm going.

 

Blurp #4..........  Yep....snow again in western Pa.  Probably not until Thursday morning but this weather is too weird.  6 inches of snow...65 degrees again for two days....now it's cold and going to snow again.

Blurp #5....These ads above are really starting to annoy me for some reason. 

Blurp #6....I love all of you.  Your comments make my day and give me strength.  I thank the Lord every day that I started this journal.  He knows all and leads me to a place of sanity.  And, yeah, lol...I'm using the word Blurp instead of what I'm thinking in my head.  Lord, forgive me for my thoughts coz You can read my mind.  I'm calling it temporary insanity due to feeling like crap from the crud........

 

                       Love this little sign.  Thanks for visiting and your comments.  You all are definitely leaving footprints on my heart.  chris                                        

I really should be in bed by now but feel the need to add another entry.

I'm finding this journal to be a cleansing experience for both me and my two oldest children, Becky and Joey.  Megan is another story.  She seems quite horrified but will have to deal with it.

I found out this past weekend that Becky has been reading this journal since I told her I had started one.  She just had this goofy little smile on her face when I asked her if she had looked at it.  Joey has also been reading it.

I'm finding that it is a healing experience for all three of us.  I know they have suffered greatly but I'm not sure they realized the pain I carried for so long.  In fact, I don't think I realized the depth of the pain I felt until I started writing.  It seems now that little blips and memories are just rising to the surface.

I wasn't hurt by my marriage or divorce personally.  The love had died long before the marriage ended.  My pain has always evolved from the pain my two oldest suffered.  They are healing, slowly but definitely healing.  It takes a very long time to repair a shattered self esteem.  My regret is that I didn't have the strength to end their misery and stop the damage long before I did but that I cannot change that.

We forge ahead together with the strength of God and much love and laughter.  My prayer is and always has been that those two will learn to love themselves and realize that God doesn't create any mistakes.  Humans make the mistakes of tearing down the fragile psyche of a child, and a mother stood clueless to the fact that it was happening.

I think I need to accept the Lord's forgiveness for this instead of fighting it and dwelling on it.

Thank you for being there and for your love, support and comments.    Chris     

                                                     

A Christmas Story

He was a rough and tumble two year old boy.  It seemed liked everything he touched, he broke.  He loved his trucks and cars but was just so rough.  He broke his sister's toys; not on purpose.  That's just the way he was. 

Christmas was fast approaching.  The barrage of toy commercials was on every TV channel.  Then he saw it.  He ran to get his mommy.  He wanted her to see it.  She was very busy but he finally managed to drag her to the t.v.  She looked at the commercial.  He could tell by her expression that she was not going to get it for him.  He knew she thought he would not take care of it and break it like everything else.

He had to tell Santa; he just had to.  But he was terrified of Santa.  His mom made his sister and him get their pictures taken every year on Santa's lap at he mall.  Oh, how he hated that but he had to do it this year.  His mom had an odd, questioning expression on her face when he asked when they were going to the mall to see Santa.  She told him very soon.

He found a picture in the advertisement section of the paper and tore it out as gently as he could.  He put it under his pillow for safekeeping.  Santa had to see what he really, really wanted so he would get the little boy right thing.

The day came to see Santa.  Oh, how scared he was but he had to be brave to show Santa the picture.  He clutched the crumpled paper in his little hand.  His heart was pounding by the time it was their turn to talk to Santa.  His mother noticed a small piece of paper sticking out of his hand when the picture was developed that day.  What could it be?  Then she saw it after it had fallen out of his hand when he fell asleep in the car on the way home.  It was that toy again.  But it was very expensive and his dad wanted no part of it because he just knew that the little boy would only break it.  His dad said it was a waste of money.

But when asked what he wanted for Christmas, that was the one and only thing the little boy ever mentioned.  He prayed to Jesus for this toy.  Even as a little boy, he talked to Jesus all the time and surely Jesus would make sure he got it.

Christmas morning came.  He ran down the steps with his sister and looked at all the wrapped gifts.  He looked ever so hard to find a box the size of what he wanted.  His mom gave him some things but that wasn't it.  He could feel a tear forming.  Disappointment was no stranger to this little boy.  And then..there it was...the box.  He tore it open.  He couldn't believe his eyes.  There was his new best friend in the whole world...Teddy Ruxpin.

He ever so gently took the box and put it on the sofa.  His dad never drank on Christmas so he wasn't afraid to ask him to open the box and put the batteries in.  "My friend, my friend"...The ever gentle, kind, loving songs of Teddy Ruxpin.

Teddy stayed in his bed always.  He was gentle and loving to Teddy.  Teddy was special. When friends came to visit, he gave Teddy to his mom to put away for safekeeping.  Teddy sang him to sleep every night.  Teddy went to his Grandpa's with him.  His Grandpa also loved Teddy and they spent many happy hours listening to Teddy and looking at the books.  Grandpa loved the little boy beyond words and loved the fact that there was a bear who sang such sweet songs to his special little boy with so much strife in his life. 

Teddy's eye was fixed and his mouth was fixed until Teddy could be fixed no more.  By then the little boy was not so little but Teddy would always be one of the brightest spots of this little boy's broken childhood.  The little boy's name is Joey.  His mom is me, Chris.........

Memories

"Moose Deer"

This picture brought back some ancient Christmas memories when my children were small.  Most of my friends at the time were associated with our church.  All were having "Christmas Around the World" parties....the home-based Christmas decoration party thing.  Does that even still exist?

Anyway, I had been to my share of parties and, of course, was coerced into having one myself.  One of the freebies for having a party was a moose that played 36 different Christmas songs.  It would play 12; push the button on its hand, 12 more; push the button again, you got it, 12 more.  Of course, my ex thought it was stupid but I decided that it was perfect for Megan, who was 18 months old at the time.

Megan couldn't understand the moose concept so she called it "Moose Deer".  Moose Deer became her nighttime buddy.  It was so funny.  She would wake up in the middle of the night in her crib and all of a sudden you would hear Moose Dear playing away.  She had her favorites, even at that young age.  She would keep flipping that little button on the hand until she heard what she wanted to.

Actually, Moose Deer wasn't allowed to be put away after the holidays.  Moose Deer slept with Megan for many years all year long.  And every night, when she would wake up or every morning if she hadn't awakened during the night, Moose Deer would start singing away.......

I'm not sure what happened to Moose Deer.  The last time we saw it was shortly before we moved, and it still worked.  I may have to dig through my attic and see if I can find it.  Along with it, I'm sure will be Joey's favorite buddy, Teddy Ruxpin, who most definitely doesn't work anymore but was fixed many, many times.........Awwww the memories..........

 

    thanks for visiting..nite...chris                          

                                                           

Another Celebration

Another celebration in the Day of the Life.  Yesterday Becky arrived at my house with a stray cat in a carrier than an ex-boyfriend has given her to keep until she can find it a home.  For six weeks now, she has been trying to convince me that I need another sweet little animal...lol..NOT.

My dog is 9 and Mocha is 6.  They barely tolerate each other, let alone a hotshot little one coming into the midst.  Poor little Squeaks was traumatized.  Mocha evilly hissed at him.  Grizzly behaved but only because Joey and I were standing guard.  So much for my decorations and tree yesterday.  We barely made it to Walmart and back.  Poor Mama Becky was totaly distraught because her cat was in the carrier behind our bar in the familyroom for safety's sake.

She did stay long enough to discuss my tree dilemma.  My tree in the livingroom for the past couple of years has been one of those really skinny ones with the tree bark up the middle and thin branches.  It looks like I could have picked it out of the woods right behind us.  I have birds, snow and white lights on it.  That will go in the livingroom for one more year.  It's getting just a bit ratty but I should be able to ressurrect it one more time.  Besides that, my livingroom theme is country/eclectic with lots of cute and unique plush snowmen.  I buy a new, unique one every year.

I'm buying a new tree after Christmas.  This will go in my diningroom.  I'm planning on having a new patio door installed in the next few months.  My diningroom has a religious theme so that's what the tree will be.  It will look beautiful through the patio door, once I get one that is not totally fogged.

I'm waiting until Wed. when I'm off to do the livingroom.  I don't want to be rushed.  My live tree will be bought probably around the second week of December.  I'm a bit nervous about my keepsake ornaments in the attic because there was a critter up there this past spring.  But, if they are ruined, it's only material and can be replaced.  Of course....LOL...not without some OCD crying on my part but I'll get over it.

And, yes, there will be pictures.  Joey has a digital camera.  He needs a new battery for it.

So, off I go to give Miss Megan a shove to get her stuff for school packed before we go to my BF's for another feast.  BTW:  Jeff, he did invite me over yesterday evening to "help" him out.  Nice nite....he's the best BF!          

                                                            

Hoping you're all starting to feel the warmth of the season.....chris                                                           

Questions

The first of my "celebration" entries taken from Missy's journal.  (LOL...the little elf at the top is smiling...not gonna be me when half of the light strands don't work.)

 

1. Do you already have your Christmas tree up? If so when did you put it up? If not when will you put it up?

I absolutely love the Christmas season and Christmas decorations.  Such warmth it exudes in the house.  Actually, I put up three trees (would be four but the previous owner installed a humidified patio door in my diningroom.  As soon as I get a new door, this will be another place for a beautiful tree.)  At least two will go up this weekend.

2. Do you have any particular theme when it comes to decorating your tree? Maybe you do all Disney ornaments? Only blue lights?  Tell us how you decorate your tree. Kudos if you have a picture and post it.

 LOL..no life so I have themes for each room.  My sunporch has a small tree with blue and white lights with angels.  My livingroom previously was white lights with snowmen but may change this year.  My familyroom is a 10ft. live tree  with all our old favorite keepsakes and new favorites.  Sorry, no kudo's for me this year.   (Maybe Santa will finally buy me a digital camera and someone will teach this techno whiz how to use it.)

3.  What is your all time favorite ornament? Only one.  Kudos again if you have a picture and post it.

I'm not even sure there is a favorite.  I seem to have an attachment to all the one's that go in the familyroom.

4. How many stockings do you hang and are any of them for pets? And...where do you hang them?  (Not everyone has a fireplace)

We have six..handknitted by my aunt...one for me, three for each child...one for Grizzly, the dog; and one for Mocha, the cat.  But no mantle in this 90 year old house.  Can you imagine that?  So, they hang on the old woodwork stair railing.

5.  Tell us about one of your Christmas traditions.

Traditions have changed so much post divorce but my children still get to spend Christmas Eve with the in-laws, which is a beautiful family experience that I sorely miss.  There is a huge feast and much love and gifts.  I miss my in-laws more than I would have imagined.  I spend Christmas Eve now with my mother and brother and wife but I still go to the church service at our old church with my children.  I simply will not give that up.

                            

                      

 

chris....yeah...lol...I know this will be a download nightmare....but I'd love to see the rest of you do these questions...love those traditions!     

Redecorating

Plans changed tonight, and so did my journal..lol.  My BF has to pass on tonight because he is moving his son and family tomorrow and the truck has to be picked up at 9:00 tomorrow.  He then went out to get some things and his battery was dead so.....at home I have to be this weekend.  He is doing some of his cooking tomorrow night.

Since I have no decorations ready to be put up around the house, I decided my journal is the next best place to home (sometimes I think I spend more time here anyway).

Megan is spending the night at a friend's house and Joey is back in Pgh.  I best take advantage of the peace and quiet.  Becky will be up tomorrow.  I think I will find a tree for my livingroom and have her help me buy the decorations.  She is such an artist. I am hoping that she has time to create a "piece of art" tree for me.

                                 

I've taken my "fun stuff" down for the Christmas season but I will still have fun things in here.  I'm not totally serious. 

So...welcome all my J-Land friends to Chrissy's Christmas Celebrations.

                         

We survived another Thanksgiving.  It stopped snowing around noon and the sun came out so off to my brother's we went around 3:00.  It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Some years were rough.

Megan's turkey came out great; the stuffing was okay.  Gluten-free bread is very thick and heavy.  It was hard to get it dried out.  The next time I make it, it will turn out far better.  But it was still very good, and she enjoyed her meal.  She loved the pies her Grandma made her.

Our only problem were all my brother's animals....four dogs and three cats.  The one cat was sitting on the diningroom table on my plate when I got there...yuck.  I have a cat but it doesn't sit by the food.  The other cats were on the counters while my mother was running around shooing them off.  My sister-in-law was none too happy about it but oh well.

It was so great to see all three of my kids together.  They were having a ball laughing and joking and catching up on all the gossip with each other.  Their aunt said they were making the one cat "anxious" which is why it was on the table.  We just cracked up.

We ate and sat around for a little bit and had a good old time which isn't really permitted in that house but I say again, oh well.  My brother was actually on his good behavior but then again compared to his wife that's not a difficult task...LOL.  My mother just shakes her head at all this.

The deep freeze set in once the snow stopped.  It was 12 degrees when we left our house and 7 on our way home.  It went down to 1 last night....way too cold for my blood.  I had to work this morning.  My car ran for a half an hour, and I still ended up scraping.  The bright light in all of this is that by Monday it will be 65.  Crazy Pa. weather but I'm definitely looking forward to the warmth again.

So, I have to say I was very thankful for Thanksgiving and the chance to have all three musketeers together at once.  That doesn't happen a lot.  Lord, I love those children of mine.  And I got to spend time with my mother, although I would rather do it one on one.

LOL...tonite is date night.  My BF is having his mother and brother over for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday.  Megan, Joey and I are going.  I am really looking forward to this.  I just love my BF's mom.

And....finally, Joey got a job at Jiffy Lube.  He starts Tues.  It's not exactly the job he wanted but it's money in the pocket.  We keep counting our blessings.

            Later......chris

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

  

It appears that AOL may have taken the day off for Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping that this entry saves.  My file manager is not working.  I got a message that AOL journals is not available at this time....sheesh....AOL, puhlease...at least take care of those of us who have chosen to remain.  (Yeah, it took some effort but I managed to save it.)

Anyway, the intent of this post is to offer my Thanksgiving prayer to all.  Have a blessed day no matter what crises and dramas are present in our lives.  Count our blessing for what we have and have endured and that we are here today to do so.

Everyone be careful traveling especially if you are in the areas of the snow.

And just an aside:  Penny, my BF has a brother.  I wouldn't wish him on my worst enemy...LOL  Two brothers different as night and day.  He's 50 now but was married three times and divorced before he was 30.  Nope...Penny, he's not for my girl........

 

                                          

 

Love to all.......chris

The snow is falling fiercely here.  I'm not so sure that I'm quite so thankful as I was.  Megan is at work and doesn't get off until 10 but we are on top of the mountain so it's all level and flat for her drive home.

The terrain is western Pa. is billy goat terrain.  It is not conducive at all for driving.  There is really not many places to drive without a major mountain to ascend or descend.  It never bothered me at all until the last year or so.  I'm not sure why but I think it has to do with the fact that the county and state are getting stingy with the anti-skid stuff and let the roads get almost impassable.

I've come to the conclusion that what will be, will be.  The snow is supposed to fall off and on through early Saturday morning.  Not too thrilling for me as I have to work Friday and my mountain is hard to get off of when the salt trucks aren't running (and they won't be since most people have Friday off).

Anyway, Megan really would love to go to my brother's.  Her grandma, God Bless her, is baking two sets of desserts and Megan loves her sweets so we will do our best to get there.  I would love to see my mom also.

I have prayed to God to end this silly bitterness I feel.  I think it's working.

                       

And Penny, I am so disappointed with Walmart...LOL.  The trees were ugly and expensive.  We didn't get one.  My BF did stop to pick up stuffing I made for him.  He cooks for his mom and brother.  I just love his mom and will stop in to visit if we end up going. If it's really bad out, he's cancelling his Thanksgiving until Sunday because his family has to travel pretty far to his place. 

We (my BF and I)  went to K-Mart and I saw my tree....it's $99 but will be half off tomorrow from 7-9 pm.  He's going to get it for me since I may or may not be home.  I'm also going to get the ornaments for it that they have on it.  This is going to be the tree I've always wanted.  My kids get to do the real one in the family room and Mom gets to go fancy in the livingroom.  I'm sort of excited about this because I actually have some extra money this year for some reason.

LOL to the pie at the top....my mom makes the best pumpkin pie in the world....enough to brave the snow; maybe not, but I won't use the snow as an excuse.......

                          

                                 

 

                                         

 

What a difference a day can make!  I will never underestimate the power of prayer again....even the tiniest prayers for the smallest of things. 

A blurp just came on the tv this morning that we are expecting a blizzard in the "Burgh" tomorrow which translate to a huge amount of snow 50 miles north where I live. I'm on the edge of the lake effect thing that comes off of Lake Erie.  Translating that.....no Thanksgiving at my brother's...YEAH!!!!!!!!!

Now, I do pray for those that need to travel and be with their families and hope they get there before this evening.  I'm thinking there was a method to the madness of my sister-in-laws lack of enthusiasm in "accomodating" Megan which led me to buy a 13 lb. turkey.  I stopped at the store this morning and bought some potatoes, cauliflower and fresh green beans.  I'm all set for Thanksgiving at home.

Becky will be fine.  Her aunt, my ex's sister, is wonderful to my children.  She lives just a half a block from Becky and is cooking for the in-laws.  So...Becky will walk to her loving aunt's house (they hang out all the time).

I haven't called my mother yet but I know she would be heartsick if we all got in a car and tried to make it to my brother's house.  She would worry about us and would encourage us not to do it.  My brother and wife will be fuming but will get over it.  My brother is 20 miles from here and some treacherous driving in between.

So....Megan and I decided that we want a new tree for our livingroom.  We change every couple years and get a new tree and new decorations for that one.  When she gets home from work, we will hit Walmart and get it so we can put it up tomorrow while we're snowed in.  (My live tree goes in the familyroom and we use all our old keepsakes on that one...no deviation.)

I don't think this snow is going to blow over.  There is a huge blob of white heading this way....keeping my fingers crossed and hands folded. There is nothing more I would love to do than just spend a quiet Thanksgiving at home with at least two out of my three musketeers......

Praises to the Lord for one small prayer that He heard and answered!

Much love to all my friends in J-Land.  You are such blessings to me.  Travel safely and be careful if you are dealing with the elements.

             

Lots of love to all........chris

Just a quick one tonight.  Megan was downloading AIM when I got home so it cut into my computer time.  What fun sharing a computer is once again between the three of us.

It snowed today, not in Pgh, but I live 50 miles north so I got home to 2 inches on the ground.  It has stopped so my BF wants to go out for a little bit.  Of course, I can't turn that down.

I still have to drag some garbage bags out and get myself ready.

I did learn from my son that Megan searched and found my journal.  Hmmm....doesn't seem like she appreciated my entry about "Baby not being a baby" anymore.  LOL...She had to search pretty hard to find my journal.  I thought it was tasteful.

Anyway, by the time I got home, she had gotten over it but Joey said she was huffing and puffing and getting short of breath.

Gotta run because I have to get the old butterball out of the freezer.  Don't think there's any chance that one will be hiding under a lampshade.

 

                                                   chris

Mary Did You Know?

This will probably be one of my more serious posts.  Music can move me to tears; happy, inspirational tears.  Our local radio station is playing Christmas music non-stop.  I listen to it at work and find it so relaxing.

One of my most favorite moving songs is the title of this post.  I heard it today for the first time this year and got the old teary, goosebumps again.  I had only heard it for the first time a couple of Christmas' ago and was moved from the first time I heard it.

I was looking on websites at work during lunch for the words and came upon a site with the most beautiful graphics, the words, plus the version of the song by Kenny Rogers and Wynonna Judd, which is my favorite.  I'm putting the link up.  Let it download completely and once it's downloaded the music will begin.  Hope it works for you.  Don't open it unless you want to  hear and see a totally Christian song.

I also want to add that when I started this journal I had absolutely no idea why I did it.  I've come to learn that I've gained some of the most wonderful friends one could ever hope for.  Thank you all for that.  I feel there is a purpose for everything in my life and I was led to J-Land and intend to stay put.

Here's the link that opens my heart to the real meaning of Christmas and renews my Christianity:

~ Mary Did You Know? ~

                                                  

                                                         

                                                                    

Ok....so I'm a little bored and decided to add another entry plus I have so many Thanksgiving graphics that are just going to waste.  I decided to test Jeff's theory about eating a lot to stretch the stomach in preparation for that big Thanksgiving meal.

Since it's almost 60 in the Burgh today, I loaded the grill up with ribs and made a huge baking dish of cheesy baked potatoes.....think I have to go and eat some now.

I'm making all Megan's favorites since she lives on college food....I don't know, Jeff, I think my stomach may be stretched enough.

Later...lol...if I don't fall asleep from eating too much.

 

                                     

The Killer Cat

Yesterday, I picked Megan up at school and brought her home for Thanksgiving break.  She won a goldfish at our local fair two years ago, Goldie, isn't that an original name?  She had won a goldfish at the previous year's fair that died within a week.  Her main goal in life when she got this one was to have it survive a month or so....Goldie is still going strong almost two years later.

Well, Goldie is becoming a royal pain in the butt.  Goldie has to be taken to school, brought home on breaks, water splashes out of the bowl during transportation.  Goldie is getting on Megan's nerves.  And Goldie is becoming subhuman and surviving all odds...almost.

Mocha, Megan's cat, has always been extremely timid and afraid of her own shadow.  That is, until she killed the mouse a month ago.  She is definitely changing.  Mocha never batted an eye at Goldie.  Goldie lived on top of Megan's tv.  Mocha would also lay up there and the fish was just part of the environment.

Well.....yesterday, we were carrying in so many things and Goldie got left on the snack bar.  That is the only counter the cat is allowed on because we put no food over there.  She rarely goes on it anyway.  Megan went to work.  I went to sleep becoz I had worked all day.  My BF called around 8:00 to see if I wanted to go out.  Need he ask?  I went through the kitchen and there sat Mocha fishing in the fishbowl trying to snag Goldie.  It looked like something right out of a picture.

I was thinking, dayum, what turned this cat into a killer?  It started right after I used Frontline Flea and Tick stuff on her.  I had to use it on the dog because he had bitten a big patch of fur out of his butt area.  Didn't want nasty ticks or fleas in the house.  The vet said to treat the cat.  Maybe it's a coincidence but I don't know.  Mocha is definitely not the old Mocha she used to be.

Goldie has survived once again.  Megan has it on a high shelf in her room that Mocha can't get to and also has a renewed zest to continueto keep Goldie alive and thriving.  I guess it took an outside attack to put everything back in the proper perspective.

Have a great one.....it's in the 50's and sunny in Pa., but not for long.......chris

graphic by Anna

                                        

                                                                             

                                               

(Just a little joke from e-mail....lol...no offense meant to any blondes out there, including my daughter, Becky.......)

 

A brunette, a redhead and a blonde were camping when they ran out of food. The brunette went out hunting and came back the next morning with a deer.

How did you get that? asked the redhead. Well, said the brunette found the tracks, followed the tracks, shot the deer. The next night the redhead went out hunting. The next morning she came back with a bear.

How did you get that? asked the blonde. Found the tracks, followed the tracks, shot the bear, said the redhead. The third night the blonde went out and the next morning she came back brusied, bloody, and clothes torn. What happened said the brunette? The blonde replied, found the tracks, followed the tracks, got hit by the train.

Equal time for men (I don't want Jeff to feel outnumbered here).  Actually, if I really want to admit it, I think I fit into a few of these categories....LOL

 

The Real Rules of Women
as recorded by a man

-Women are rarely right the first time, but they excel at changing their minds.

-They are often quite opinionated, but they don't have a clue why.

-They seem to think that going to the bathroom is a social event, not a bodily function.

-Women spend more time doing useless things like fixing their hair than really important things like fixing dinner.

-Their attention spans can't handle talking about a single subject for more than 30 seconds.

-Women think the speed limit is a government-approved suggestion and that those double yellow lines are merely for decorating the road.

-They couldn't tell the difference between a sawsall and a fuel pump to save their lives.

-Women throw objects like baseballs just as well as men.  Arthritic quadriplegic men that is.

-The difference between a woman and an umbrella is that one of them shuts up.

-They cry when they are sad, angry, upset, happy, frustrated, or whenever else an opportunity is presented.

-They think the death of a pet hamster is one of the most traumatic events of their childhood.

-If you don't notice their new haircut, sweater, socks, nail polish, ect., you might as well kiss friendship goodbye.

-For women, chronic gullibility is not a disease, it is a way of life.

-They root for the football team with the prettiest uniforms.

-They ask questions that have absolutely no right answer.  "Do you think I'm gaining weight?"

-Among the things they think essential to sustain life, they list shopping malls

December 11th

It's 5:30 everyone and I'm getting to run out the door to work OT today.  My thankful thing today is my son.

He was hypnotized three months ago and quit smoking for two days until my puffing tempted him.  My son went with a guy he was working with.  This fellow hasn't touched a cigarette since then

It's guaranteed and is held at our local Radisson every three months.  $40 up front and you can keep going back for free until it works.  My family doctor and gyne have both highly reccommened this to me.

So.....December 11th is another session.  My son is going back and this time so am I.  Three months ago I had no desire to do it.  This time I'm determined.  And, I'm realizing that I'm one of those individuals who probably won't succeed cold turkey.

The session I'm attending at work also discussed the many options that help those who can't succeed cold turkey.  So, I am becoming armed and prepared and totally determined to kick this nasty habit.  I also want my money in my jar to increase beyond the $8.00 I've collected so far..........

chris

The Old Maid Society LOL

This entry came compliments of my BF....rofl....a friend of mine and I played a trick on him at work today.  Now we pulled of the nearly impossible because he never misses a beat.  He about died when he realized it was all a joke.  The killer is he sent me an old maid website.  My friend and I howled even louder because it was a "male" bashing site, so....here goes....

Rules for Women

• Don't imagine you can change a man--unless he's in diapers.

• What do you do if your husband walks out? Shut the door.

• If they put a man on the moon--they should be able to put them  all up there.

• Never let your man's mind wander--it's too little to be out alone.

• Go for younger men. You might as well--they never mature anyway.

• Men are all the same--they just have different faces, so that you can tell them apart.

• Definition of a bachelor: A man who has missed the opportunity to make some woman miserable.

• Women don't make fools of men--most of them are the do-it-yourself types.

• Best way to get a man to do something, is to suggest they are too old for it.

• Love is blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener.

• If he asks what sort of books you're interested in, tell him checkbooks.

• Remember, a sense of humor does not mean that you tell him jokes. It means that you laugh at his.

• If you want a committed man, look in a mental hospital.

• The children of Israel wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even in biblical times, men wouldn't ask for directions.

• Sadly, all men are created equal.

 

Of course, they did add a "flip-side" link for men....I just may put that up.

chris

A little bit of Thanksgiving and a little bit of Christmas....lol   I never saw Thanksgiving snowmen but it sure feels cold enough for some snow.  It's going down to 15 tonight in Pa.....brrrrrrrrr  Too cold for this old lady's blood.

Yep, Penny, I get up between 4:30 and 5:00 each morning.  I catch my bus at 6:00.  I need to "wake up gently"...lol   I just can't hop out of bed and get myself moving very fast.  I put on a pot of coffee and, of course, hit the computer right away.  I get annoyed if I sleep in and don't have time to at least check things out on the computer before I leave.

I get home between 6:30 and 7:00 at night because I work 10 hr days so I can have each Wednesday off.  I sleep on the bus both ways so I get some extra dozing time in.

Today was a bit rough this morning.  I still felt fragile and wasn't sure what my day would be like.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed because the medicine seems to be kicking in....slowly...but I can feel some improvement.

I did sort of feel some mood changes over the weekend so I had started my Prozac then so I've had a few days' worth.  It has been very humbling to say the least.  I thank you all for being there for me.

So, now I'm preparing for Thanksgiving.  I bought my Butterball tonight for Megan and her gluten free bread for the stuffing.

And I'm cheating on the cigarettes but am attending a smoke-free class at work.  I've learned it sometimes takes at least two to three attempts before success comes.  So....I'm not beating myself up over this right now.  It will happen...........

                                

Another Quiz

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Sanibel Island, Fla.

2. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING? my sweats

 3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?  My kids burn them for me so never

4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? 4:30-5:00

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN APPLIANCE? the microwave

6. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE? harmonica

7. FAVORITE COLOR? green and purple

 8. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV? sports car...I used to have a Mitsubishi Eclipse back in the day when I wasn't broke

9. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE? No doubt about it...YES

10. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK? Runaway Bunny

11. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON? Summer...I love heat.

12. IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Read minds

13. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT? 1...a rose

14. CAN YOU JUGGLE? I can but only two things..lol

 15. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK  AND TALK TO? One of my past boyfriends

16. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY? any day I have off of work

17. WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR/TRUCK? nothing, right now...

18. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER? hamburger

19. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?  wildflowers

20. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL? turkey and stuffing

21. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? 11-9-53

 22. SOUP OR SALAD? salad

23. MOUTH WASH OR BREATH MINTS? breath mints

 24. COMPUTER OR CELL PHONE? computer

 25. POPCORN OR PEANUT? popcorn

26. COKE, SPRITE, OR DP? coke

 27. CABLE OR SATELLITE TV ? cable

28. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?? whoever gets home first and reads it

 29. WHO'S LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? my ex coz I never e-mail him

 30. WHO DID YOUR Receive THIS FROM? Missy

                                 

A Little Off Color Humor

LOL....thought I would add another e-mail to cheer our buddy, Jeff up....seems he is still not able to add entries to his journal and it's driving him totally crazy.  Thought this would appeal to his whacky sense of humor..........

 20 ways to say "Your Fly Is Open"


20) The cucumber has left the salad.
19) I can see the gun of Navarone.
18) Someone tore down the wall, and your Pink Floyd is hanging out.
17) You've got Windows in your laptop.
16) Sailor Ned's trying to take a little shore leave.
15) Your soldier ain't so unknown now.
14) Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bell.
13) Paging Mr. Johnson.. Paging Mr. Johnson...
12) You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.
11) Your pod bay door is open, Hal.
10) Elvis Junior has LEFT the building!
9) Mini Me is making a break for the escape pod.
8) Ensign Hanes is reporting a hull breach on the lower deck, Sir!
7) The Buick is not all the way in the garage.
6) Dr. Kimble has escaped!
5) You've got your fly set for "Monica" instead of "Hillary."
4) Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction...
3) You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.
2) I'm talking about Shaft, can you dig it?

AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO TELL SOMEONE THEIR FLY IS UNZIPPED...

1) I thought you were crazy; now I see your nuts.  

nite, nite all........chris                   

I got this in an e-mail today.  Laughter is good medicine.  The funny thing is my son is always peeping over my shoulder when I'm online.  I thought this was a funny picture...sort of like my family's thanksgiving.  Then Joey came over and started cracking up and informed me that it is Big Bird on the table.....LOL...boy am I slow or what?

 

                             

I hesitated to put an entry in today.  I couldn't last night but have since been able to eliminate the problems with AOL that were preventing it.

I suffer from chronic depressive disorder plus a little side thing of panic disorder.  It's sort of like any chronic illness.  There's always a potential but it's not that often that I have any problems but occasionally it rears its ugly head.

Millions of Americans will suffer a bout of clinical depression and never have another.  Those that have relapses are then considered chronic.  I don't feel that it's fair for me to say I've conquered it because it really never goes away.  It just hides for the longest time and then pounces.

The fog has descended on me and I'm working my way through it.  I will make it through.  One problem, and it's a great problem, is that I do so well for so long that I can't take anti-depressants.  If I'm not depressed, Prozac will have me jumping out of my skin....sort of a counter reaction when you don't need it.  The bad thing is that if I'm starting to have another bout it takes the Prozac a while to kick in.

I don't particularly like these phases...who would?  But I hate to admit that it happens, rarely, but it does.  And for no particular reason.  I feel like a baby whining because so many have so much to deal with.

I have learned through my years of treatment that I have to just keep doing whatever I have to do each day no matter what.  That is the only way to control this thing.  Working is extremely difficult because half my mind is fighting my fog so I only have half my brain to function.  I can't stand mistakes and I'm prone to make them when I'm like this.  And never will I ever admit this to anyone I work with.  I've been ill lately so I can just blame it on that.

Please don't view this entry as a downer.  It's a testament to the fact that depression can be controlled for very long times and the fogs get so infrequent.  But, the reality of the disease is that it still exists.

So, I go into my diningroom and there on my wall is my framed "Footprints in the Sand."  I've had it for years.  I look at it very infrequently now.  But I find such serenity in the fact that when there is only one set of footprints, my Father up above is carrying me.  Aw, didn't I just say He watches over me and reels me in?  If I travel any distance from Him, he throws that loop.

LOL....yes, I can still laugh....please bear with me.  I think it may take a few days but I'll be bouncing back, as usual.

chris

(I want to give the maker of this beautiful graphic credit...didn't save it and it's not marked...so it may have come from Liz....sorry it I got it wrong.)

One Hot Mama LOL

Before I sign off and hit the sack, I had to share my picture of me....LOL...it looks just like me.  Well, the hair does anyway...hehehehe.  I love it, though.

I just had to comment on Katie Jane's and Penny's comments.  Katie, I know you would call them up and tell them off but I'm thinking in more devious ways.  Penny...LOL...you hit the nail on the head.  Something will be spilled or I will definitely come up with something just as devestating.  Yep, I am a Christian but I've said it before and I'll say it again, I struggle at it.

Now, my mood has lifted.  I will go and act outrageous because that freaks my sis-in-law out. She gets annoyed with laughter and fun.  That will only be the start of a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My son is loving this....my girls are more civilized.  Hey, I'm a total klutz so it wouldn't be unusual if something just happened to spill.

Anyway, all, good nite.....and thanks for your comments.  Made my night...........

 

graphic by Angela (isn't it just too cool)

More Tidbits

OK....back to some fun...

54.  I grew near a roller rink.  I won awards for roller dancing.

53.  I was a very good bowler before I hurt my shoulder and won many championships.

52.  I have the ugliest toes in the world (lol Penny) and absolutely will not wear sandals.

51.  I don't have a dishwasher in this house.

50.  I call off sick when I'm not.  I call them "mental health" days.

49.  My boyfriend was shot in the head at work 9 years ago by a disgruntled, 86 year old.

48.  My boyfriend has shingles now (an adult form of chickenpox which causes severe pain and viral symptoms; no cure; just has to go away).

47.  I can't wait to have grandchildren (but I have to be patient).

46.  I have a lab mix, Grizzly, who suffers from separation anxiety and poos on my livingroom floor once in a while when we leave him.

45.  I was diagnosed with high blood pressure two years ago.

44.  I went for my yearly eye check-up and have cataracts in each eye that weren't there a year ago.  Good news; bad news...when they are removed I will have 20/20 vision.  He said I'm his youngest patient with them and can't figure out how they appeared so fast.

43.  My son was severely injured in a car accident in 1991 when someone ran a light.  He was in the trauma unit for a week.

42.  I love the sun.  I had some pre-cancerous patches removed in August.  I have to reconsider this sun worshipping.

41.  I have a cute decorative pond in my front yard.

40.  I have ugly thumbs.  They are short and stubby.  The rest of my fingers are very long.  Never saw anyone with thumbs like these.  Weird.

39.  I would love to have a nose job done; liposuction next.

38.  I used to suffer from migraines but haven't had one since my hormones changed.

37.  Turning 50 didn't bother me a bit, which surprised me.

36.  I love to watch mindless sitcoms.

35.  I also love TLC and HGTV.

34.  I'm addicted to America's Top Models.

33.  My most dependable car is a 1996 Cutlass with 88,000 miles on it..rofl.

32.  I can't survive without my cell phone but I can't stand all the cell phone chatter on the bus when I'm trying to sleep.

31.  I just recently drove through the. EZ Pass on the Pa.turnpike.  They won't let you pay.  You have to appeal the violation...plead insanity. 

30.  I have a wild and crazy side which I'm always trying to restrain.

Gotta stop for now because I still haven't eaten dinner and it's almost 9:00.....can we say a total puter addict....hehehehe

chris

A little more venting and then I swear I will push this anger I'm feeling aside and get my mind into the true meaning of Thanksgiving.  My traditions for years were tied into my ex-inlaws' traditions.  Such a wonderful family with the exception of my ex.

Now, my traditions are tied into my brother, his wife, and my mother.  That's all that's left in my family.  I continue with this because of my mother.

I did not call my sister-in-law.  I called my mother this morning.  She said that L had checked out turkeys at Boston Market and they were totally wheat-free and I could stop and pick it up on the way to their house.  What was failed to be mentioned was that they are $7.49 a lb. and I was supposed to pay for this.  I called Boston Market myself to check into the cost.  My mother was not aware of this.  I was livid.  My brother buys two fresh 15 lb turkeys from a poultry place.  There will be 7 of us there (sounds like a turkey overkill...lol).  I could not understand why one can't be stuffed with Megan's stuffing since they are cooked separately.  Seems wife does not want to do that.  30 lbs of turkey and she can't stuff one for her niece......Lord my head hurts.

So, I called my brother while I was at work so I wouldn't have to talk to his wife. He is the lesser of two evils.  I told him what the cost was.  He said, "You know, Linda, she doesn't ever check prices."  She doesn't have to because they have more money than they need.  I just said I would buy a Butterball turkey breast and stuff it and cook it myself at home and bring it there.  My mother wanted to do it but she's 86 and doing all the baking....this year baking two of everything....gluten free for Megan and normal for the rest.  I didn't think she needed to bake a turkey on top of all that.  If they wanted a turkey from Boston Market, why didn't they order it, pay for it and pick it up themselves?  They've been at my house and hogged everything down in sight and taken food home with them.  I should have charged them.

This is the end of it.  I want to be thankful for all of the blessings bestowed upon me...not bitter about it.  But, it's gonna be super hard to do this as I carry my daughter's food into my brother's house.  Just who is "accomodating" who?

Folding my hands and praying for some peace to enter into me because I just hate feeling anger.......chris

More Tidbits

I think it's time to add a few more tidbits about me.  LOL...I forget which number I left off at so I may have to edit....

74.  My favorite color at the moment is sage green.

73.  Red Lobster is my favorite restaurant, love lobster, but really any restaurant will do.  I love to eat out.

72.  I hate liver. Never could even swallow it.  I don't think there is anything else I can't even try to eat.

71.  I put up three Christmas trees each year...an angel themed tree on my sunporch; snowmen in my livingroom, not just on the tree but all over the livingroom; and a 12 ft monster live tree in the family room with all the cute Hallmark and Hello Kitty, etc. ornaments that my kids love.

70.  I also have a mini Noah's Ark collection and a cow collection in the kitchen.

69.  I don't know how many couches I've bought since I've been married and divorced.  I do know I've had three different ones in six years since I've been in this house.  My tastes are always changing.

68.  I'm terrified of mice...are ya surprised by that one?  And also thunder and lightening.

67.  I don't own a digital camera.  I just recently got a flip phone, sans a camera in it.

66.  Let's see how awake Jeff is....I went into menopause two years ago...LOL

65.  I have one tattoo...a rose... on my left boob.  I got it right after my separation when my oldest was getting her naval pierced....a hint to my SN......

64.  I only have two piercings...one in each ear; although, I had several (like at least six in each ear) right after my divorce.  I've since let them grow shut.

63.  Two favorite movies:  The Devil's Advoate with Al Pacino and Keaneu Reeves, it totally fascinates me; Shawshank Redemption; and, I lied, there are three, a very old one, Breakfast at Tiffanny's with Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard.  I swear I was just a little kid when I saw this one but I still catch it on the old movie channels and cry like a baby.

62.  Favorite actor:  George Clooney only because he is just so darned good to look at.  All right, I have to say he looks just like younger pictures of my dad.  Man, my dad was handsome.

61.  Favorite song:  Do I have to pick one?  BB King, The Thrill is Gone...love the blues.  Marvin Gaye, What's Goin On?  and....Outkast, I Love the Way you Move...that's my song to dance to with my BF.

60.  I was once deeply in credit card debt, very deep, and cut most of my cards up.

59.  I love the heat and hate the cold.  I could very easily live in Fla.  I also hate snow.

58.  I cannot waterski.  I've tried but cannot get up on the skiis so I finally gave up.

57.  I have no idea what my natural color of hair is anymore; probably totally gray.  I get it foiled with all different chunks of color and a spiky little flippy do style.

56.  I wanted to name my Rebecca a different name....Jill.  Thank God I didn't because she doesn't look like a Jill to me.

55.  I intially wanted to name Megan...Brooke and the middle name Lynn after my sister-in-law but then she would be Brooklyn.  She is so mad that I didn't name her this because this is what she wants to name her girl when she has one.

I'm stopping for now because I have broccoli beef stir fry on the stove and it's calling me (Thanks, Kara)...........

graphic by angel

Tidbits About Me (25 maybe)

I've seen this in Katie and Penny's journal and decided to give it a shot.

100.  I once was tipsy when I was around 19 and pee'd in the woods (did that quite a bit).  I fell and it just so happened I fell in a patch of poison ivy....well I ended up with a severe case of poison ivy in my privates.  Try and explain that one to Mom since I had to go to the doctor's for treatment.

99.  My mother is 86; my dad would be 88.  Both were college graduates.  My mother was a wealthy wasp; my dad had a full academic scholarship to Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon) and was a Czech immigrant's son.

98.  My whole family are diehard Republicans, except for me.

97.  I would have loved to be a nurse.  I just didn't realize it until I had three young babies and an alocholic husband.

96.  I married my ex on the rebound...surprised????

95.  I sometimes like to drink a stout beer when I get up in the morning on my days off.  NO...I'm not even close to being an alcoholic...I just love dark beer.

94.  Most of my closest friend nowadays are my cyber friends.

93.  I collect angels...I believe in angels.

92.  I am not a born again Christian.  I have always been a Christian. I think I have God shaking his head sometimes.  He always manages to reel me in to let me know I can't do it on my own.

91.  I've always loved R&B.  Now, I'm into hip hop.  I can't understand the words and probably wouldn't be so into it if I could...LOL

90.  My kid friends all call me Mama B. I've "adopted" several as my own.  They come to my house to seek refuge from the storms in their lives.  I welcome them with open arms as long as they call their parentsand let them know where they are at.

89.  I am a sinner.  I've committed one sin that I struggle with and pray that God has forgiven me.

88.  I am disorganized.  My house is clean but sometimes cluttered.  I hate this.

87.  I turned 52 on Nov. 9.  Wow...sounds old but I feel so young.

86.  I'm still cheating with the smoking thing...but I know I will be smoke-free.

85.  My main goal in life when I was young was to be a mommy...that was it...no career aspirations.

84.  I suffered from severe clinical depression.  I was not the person I am today.  I owe my recovery to my faith in God and the direction I was led to the proper treatment.

83.  When my children were small, I was in a Bible study group.  This was the biggest step to my recovery from depression.

82.  I judge no one.  We all do things we are not proud of.

81.  I had all three of my children naturally.  No, I'm not a martyr...just had easy labors.  Also, I was not smoking when I had them.  I had quit...quit for 16 years.......

80.  My ex was drunk when #2 was born and was kicked out of the labor and delivery room.

79.  I love to cook.

78.  I love to read but don't have time anymore to even attempt to read any books.

77.  My mom is helping me with my mortgage right now since my child support was cut off last year.  I'm ashamed of this but grateful.

76.  I am a computer addict...lol...that's a shock.

75.  I'm 5'8" and wear a size 10 shoe...aka..boats....

Whoo, and that's that....chris

graphic by Anna