Be thankful life isn't fair

I think he was around 5 years old the first time my son said, "It isn't fair!" That day and any day since I have told him that we should thank God every day that life isn't fair.

When he was much younger I told him he should be thankful life isn't fair because tonight some child doesn't have a bed to sleep in. Some child has no toys to play with. Some child didn't have a good dinner like he did. I wanted him to really understand that "fair" means we all have the same things, the same life and that there are plenty of people out there much worse off than he could even imagine.

As he got older I got more harsh about it I guess you could say. And believe me, he rarely ever insinuated that life wasn't fair because he knew what was coming from me. I told him, "Today someone's mom died. Today someone no longer has a mom that they get to see or talk to or hug." I said that to him more than once. He remembers it well as do I. Perhaps it's needless to say that my son hasn't uttered the words, "It isn't fair!" in so long I can't even remember the last instance.

But you see, today someone's mom did die and I happen to know that "someone".

My friend N lost her mother today. She asked for prayers for her dad but I know she can use her share as well. My friend N is a very strong woman. Stronger than she thinks. She has a wicked sense of humor and has brightened my day on more occasions than I could possibly count. She gives and gives and somehow seems to have endless energy. Of course she has her own problems that she doesn't shy from talking about. I think that is a huge reason why I believe she is so strong. The weak hold back. The weak are afraid to let people know they are real. They are human. They have problems. They need help. N is real and she is amazing.

My heart goes out to N, her dad, her children and family tonight. I know they can use all the thoughts and prayers they can get. I wish them peace and comfort, today and always. I wish her extra strength to help her dad get through this and I wish her someone close to her who can help her get through it as well.

Thank you N for being you. I know you will scoff at this, but you really do inspire people to do more and be more.

Headphone replacement

Finally picked up a new set of headphones with mic to replace the ones the cat did in the other day. Found these at Target for $16.99 and I luff them! <3 They seem to be louder than the ones from Apple which came with my iPhone so it's easier to hear with them (yay) and they are much more comfy. Plus they're $14 less than Apple's. It's kind of a win/win ~ even so I am not thanking my cat just yet for eating my last headset.

It's not my year for headphones, apparently.

So about a week ago I woke up in the morning to find the headphones for my iPhone on the floor of my bedroom. Sans glasses I thought the cat had found a string to play with. With glasses I was pissed!

I know I should have been happy that the cat didn’t end up doing damage to herself as I’d be out a lot more than $30+ tax… however, I wasn't feeling super charitable at that moment. Good news is my co-worker said she got a pair for $15 at Radio Shack so I'm going to hit them up and see what they've got.



But it gets better!

When I got my 160GB iPod Classic a couple years back for Christmas I quickly realized that the headphone ear buds were big to the point of hurting my ears after 10 minutes of use. Less than a week later I ordered a smaller set from Apple.com which proved to be pretty darn awesome for me. One day ago I pulled my iPod and headphones out of my purse and um. This can't be good....



I think the moral of the story is, when it comes to headphones or headset's for Apple products go cheap because apparently they are the one thing I'm going to go through quickly! That or, don't have a pet cat and get a case to carry your iPod headphones in for protection.

Grammys commentary

My random thoughts as I watched the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards tonight. For those fortunate enough (ha and a ha) they saw me Tweet my snark live via Twitter. I had been in an especially bad mood all day for no apparent reason and I admit that I did kind of take it out on the Grammys and those who were there.

Beyonce is fierce but I'm not really getting why she needed all those G.I. Joe's up there with her.

Also, Beyonce needs a better wig ~ one that doesn't get all staticy and stick to her face. Not like she can't afford it.

Dear Nicole Kidman, For gawd's sake PLEASE leave your face alone. You're freaking scaring me. Those lips! *shudder*

Was it just me or did it look like P!NK was peeing on the audience?

Ok, why does Snora Jones get to present with a Beatle?! Lucky bish!

WTF Jamie Foxx?

Who is the chick ruining Bon Jovi's performance and whose idea was she?

I have tried to like Dave Matthews Band and I just can't.

Yes, because when I think music / Grammys I think Adam Sandler. NOT!

Honestly, I would just as soon choose to listen to a toddler whine as listen to Dave Matthews Band. Is it just me?

OMG. You mean Ricky Martin is alive? I had no idea.... *sarcasm*

Holy boobies Beyonce! Looks like her people fixed her weave, too. Good! Girl has it, that's for sure.

OMG! Oh look! It's Elivs! What? Oh, never mind.... it's Quentin Tarantino.... and he's trying to not be white....

No offense to John Legend, but why isn't Rob Thomas presenting with Carlos Santana?

Album of the year goes to Taylor Swift. Really? Yeah, Taylor, we were all just as shocked as you were. WTH Grammys?!

Yeah, I had no snark for the Michael Jackson tribute. I enjoyed that except for the whole 3-D thing that made my headache worse (I wasn't wearing 3-D glasses). MJ's kids are adorable and sweet and I'll never have an unkind word for them. <3

I just don't get it

What is wrong with people... in general, I guess?

I go back to a site I used to be very active on and am accused of fraud (pretty much) within seconds. Not to my face, mind you, but hello? Like I'd go back to a site I have 100% positive feedback on only to ruin it? (no, not talking about eBay) Why do people think they're such an expert on things? Are they that self absorbed? Please. Just because something looks a little off to you in a photo doesn't mean it's a fake. It can mean the lighting in my place isn't great. It can mean my camera is only 4.2 MP and is 2 years old... it can mean the angle at which I took the photo isn't one you're accustomed too... it can mean many things... but mostly it means you're got real issues that you felt the need to make a big post about it like you're so smart. You were wrong and it's not even worth my telling you that. Grow up, get over it. You obviously don't know your product as well as you think you do.

Blah.

Yeah, not in a good frame of mind tonight.

I was quickly reminded why I left site mentioned above in the first place. It's a sign. I was right to move the heck on.

I love this

What possess people to think having orange colored skin means they're more attractive? I don't get it. Like "Orange is the new tan"? Check it out!

I seriously have the sweetest co-worker ever

She is such a doll. She gave me these after I told her my 10th anniversary was coming up (on the 18th):

she also gave me a print out of Dermot Mulroney with him saying "Have a great day!"

New photos of moi. Thrilling, I know. Try to contain yourself.

More flowers

I've only ever had this many flowers once before and that was when I had the kid!

My mom gave me some yellow mums for Mother's Day. Awwww....

Mother's Day Goodies

My sister-in-law gave me the most amazing gifts for Mother's Day. A lovely candle/glass plate set and a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

I'm taking a blog break.

dunno for how long but I think it's for the best.

Why is getting ready for a vacation so exhausting?

We're going on vacation. We're leaving Wednesday and driving down to L.A. While down there we'll be hitting three major theme parks: Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios. We'll be driving home on Sunday the 9th. And we're going with my in laws.

So today I've started to really get ready to pack. That entailed going to Target and the grocery store. It also entailed doing 7 loads of laundry in addition to making dinner (pancakes and sausage) and cleaning up after that.

Next I need to tackle the bathroom which is not clean. Tomorrow I plan to dust, vacuum and start putting things into our duffel bags to take with us. By the time we leave on Wednesday I'm going to need a vacation!

"I'm a leaf in the wind"

LOL That was a phrase in the movie Serenity that we watched this weekend in the theater. Only funny if you saw it? (the dude kept saying that as he slid the air craft to a halt destroying the craft and everything else. LOL anyway, that is me to a "T").



Last night I totally dumped my Diet Coke into my plate tonight at Olive Garden. Oh yeah, go me. Woot. Woot. They were really great about it. I said I was fine and not to worry about bringing me more food (honestly, I was fine) but they did anyway. So now I've got Chicken Parmigiana and spaghetti up the ying-yang in the fridge. The kid will snarf it down today. No doubt. So yeah, I'm totally a leaf in the wind. *snort* I kept saying that tonight to my husband and he said, "More like an acorn hitting every branch of the tree on the way down."



Tonight my sister-in-law had Brandon snap some photos of her opening her gifts with her digital camera. She's trying to tell him what to do and said, "Look at the window" and he turned around and looked at the windows of the house. LOL Hilarious! Hubby said, "He's too smart for that.... You have to get technical and tell him to look at the screen." LOL The kid actually already knew how to take the photos, but that didn't stop hubby's mom from looking 100% horrified at her daughter handing over her digital to a 7 year old. LOL

Extremely late last night I had another leaf moment... I sewed some buttons back on some capri's and tried to fix a belt loop on hubby's pants. I ended up stabbing myself in the thumb with the dull side of the needle. Nice.

ohhhhhhhh $hhhhhhhhhit!

"Oooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$hhhhhhhhhhhit!"

That's what I was saying as I ran into Kiddo's room this morning at 7:25 a.m. Me, the lightest sleeper on the planet. The anal one who always sets her THREE alarms every evening (and did, in fact set them last night) somehow over slept this morning. I still have no idea what happened. All I can come up with is somehow they did not go off.

Miraculously, despite being awaked 40 min. Later than usual, Kiddo made it to school on time and I, super mom (snort) was amazing. Oh yes, I was perky for the first morning of my life. I had to be. He kept crying, poor thing. Between being rushed like a maniac and having not read his Monarch Butterfly book to more than 3 people he was a wreck. Cried a total of 3 times. Crying before school is a first for him.

The good news is, today is the last day of school. After today we've got 2 weeks of Fall Break coming our way. Yahhhhhoooooooooooooooo!

Another day in the life of....

Kiddo got up around 1 a.m. to pee. He calls out, "Mom! I need you!" very urgently. I was on my computer but got right up and ran in there. What I found was a lake forming upon what was once my bathroom floor. I jump right in the lake and make for the valve to turn the water off since the toilet doesn't plan to stop pouring out water any time soon. By the time the water valve is shut off the lake has made its way out to the carpeting. All the while I'm yelling for my husband to get his butt off his computer and get in there to help me out. Does he? Nope. He says he'll be there in a moment and yes, at that point he knew what was up. Niiiiiiiiiice.

So hubby mopped up the floor and plunged the toilet (my hero). I finished sopping up the lake and then got to disinfect everything. The icing on the cake was, I had just finished cleaning the bathroom prior to this whole fiasco. Ain't life grand?

I want to go away from the world and be alone for awhile. I swear, if I was a drinking woman I'd have had me a tall glass of something strong tonight!

Tomorrow I'll deal with the nasty soaking wet towels and bathroom mats which are currently sitting outside in a trash bag. Lord help me.

Happy 7th Birthday Google

I dunno.... those slices of cake are lookin' good to me. I should probably go to bed now.

Key issues

Yeah... so it wasn't that long ago that my house key/key to the laundry facilities broke off in the laundry room door. I went the next day and got a duplicate made from my husband's key.

I already had to make another replacement. What is the deal?! The new one I'd had made, it freakin' bent. How on earth does a key get bent. I went to use it one morning after taking Kiddo to school and the stupid key was bent and thus, would not slide into the lock and unlock the door.

Bah.

Thankfully my husband was at home, though sound alseep in bed. Yes, the lucky duck sleeps in a lot later than I get to on school days. I pounded on the door for a few minutes and then started yelling. Once he realized it was me he opened the door. I was lucky. He can usually sleep through anything.

I figure I really ought to have made more than one copy this time around since this whole key thing is just bizarre. Never had issues with keys before... of course I didn't get an extra made. I just love going to the shop and asking the dude to make me another key. Not.

Stay away from the following:

1) Total Raisin Bran. I like Raisin Bran. I like Wheat Chex. I like lots of very healthy, loaded with fiber cereals. Total Raisin Bran is like eating cardboard flakes with raisins. Gak.

2) Kroger Frozen Chicken Tenders (that are breaded and cooked). These are beyond gross. They taste like very bland meat loaded with artificial smoke flavoring. Terrible.

3) Dial anti-bacterial foaming hand soap. Just bought it today, just used it. $1.85 at Target, what a deal. But now I smell like a man. It's not a bad smell, I just don't personally want to smell manly.

I got tagged again!

Uh.... thanks Charity... :)

Here goes nothin'.

Ten years ago: I was 20. I had met my husband just a few weeks prior and we were busy getting to know each other; spend almost any waking hour together that we weren't working. I worked all hours of the day and night (and lots of them) at a residential care facility for the elderly and was trying to take a few classes on top of all that. I had no time for anything else but it didn't matter because I was young and happy.

Five years ago: I had a two year old. I was learning more and more about web design, HTML and making my own graphics. Things weren't super easy for us financially, but we were doing ok.

One year ago: I was crazy busy helping out in Kiddo's school. I was there at least 3 days a week working. I was also very sick. I was so worn down and not sleeping much that I was really ill for 3 months.

Yesterday: I slept in really late, it was lovely. I watched the movie In Good Company and really enjoyed it and I also caught E-Ring on USA. I was surprised at how much I liked it, I hope to keep watching it. I also read some of Once a Thief by Kay Hooper, I did two loads of laundry, made Creamy Chicken and Cheese enchiladas for the family's dinner and made one trip to the grocery store. I also installed a few things onto my new computer. There may have been more but that's about all I recall. Nothing overly thrilled. Basically a typical day in my life.

Five songs I know all the words to: This will be easy - I know the words to 100's of songs.....
Since you been gone - Kelly Clarkson
Going Under - Evanescence
Special - Garbage
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
I'm a believer - Smashmouth

Five snacks:
Doritos (they're evil and addicting, stay away!)
Peanut Butter Twix
raw veggies with my low fat ranch dip
fresh pineapple
an english muffin with light Laughing Cow Cheese spread onto it


Five things I would do with $100 million:
Invest it
Buy a home locally (on the beach - WOO!)
Go back to school
Buy a new car so I could go back to school (no school's here have the major I want)
Travel
and number 6 - never worry about money again. Ever.

Five places I'd run away to:
Malibu
Santa Barbara
Catalina Island
any nice hotel on the beach
a lovely, quaint cottage somewhere in New England

Five things I'd never wear:
a bikini
leg warmers (been there done that in 2nd grade)
super low rise pants (with my build even mild low rise pants look horrid)
bell bottoms (lord help me)
Birkenstocks

Five favorite TV shows:
Lost
Alias
Nip/Tuck
The Shield
Rescue Me
... and a ton others, but it said only 5

Five greatest joys:
My son
Taking a bubble bath when it's quiet and no one around to bug me
doing something nice for someone else
the ocean and beach
music

Five favorite toys:
my new Dell computer
my MP3 player
my digital camera
Star Wars Galactic Heroes Han Solo and Princess Leia
my new printer


Five to tag:
Michelle
Juls
Stacy
Chris
Tammy

Books read 2005

While browsing the other day I saw someone who had a "Books read" list going on their blog. I thought it was a good idea, to keep track/see the books I've read over the year. So here's mine.... I started reading again as a hobby in June, since then I've read:

One for the Money (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Two for the Dough (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Three To Get Deadly : A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
Four to Score (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
High Five (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Hot Six (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Watermelon by Marian Keyes
Seven Up (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Hard Eight (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Visions of Sugar Plums (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
To the Nines (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Sense of Evil by Kay Hooper
Ten Big Ones: A Stephanie Plum Novel by Janet Evanovich
I Don't Know How She Does It : The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother by Allison Pearson
Derailed by James Siegel
Touching Evil by Kay Hooper
Whisper of Evil by Kay Hooper
Postmortem by Patricia Cornwell
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Body of Evidence by Patricia Cornwell
Hunting Fear by Kay Hooper
Hiding in the Shadows (Shadows Trilogy) by Kay Hooper
Stealing Shadows (Shadows Trilogy) by Kay Hooper
Out of the Shadows (Shadows Trilogy) by Kay Hooper
ALL THAT REMAINS by Patricia Cornwell
Cruel & Unusual (Kay Scarpetta Mysteries) by Patricia D. Cornwell
Chill of Fear by Kay Hooper
Eleven on Top (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
Once a Thief by Kay Hooper
Always a Thief by Kay Hooper


Currently reading (or currently sitting on my nightstand for me to read):

Don't Kiss Them Good-bye by Allison DuBois
Must Love Dogs: A Novel by Claire Cook