Thank You... Thank You Very Much

Here they are... Elvis & Sleeping Beauty

Whenever someone gave Essie candy she would do her lip curl and say "Thank you... thank you very much" in a VERY spot on Elvis accent... she made a LOT of people laugh. (And yes - the Amazing Julie made these costumes as well)

The Ladies - Halloween Edition

Essie's first Halloween... yes, she was a duck

The Halloween she was one she was sick... no pics.

First Grandma Made costume - the Cheerleader. Somewhere I have better pics but... this will have to do for now.

Another gap - the next year she was an Amphibian, and I've spent the last 2 hours looking for the picture which I know I JUST saw, but I can't put my hands on it..... when I do.... you'll see it.

Then came Monkestrap from CATS:
Which of course was accompanied by her sister the mouse, on her first Halloween. She didn't like the costume though....


And she didn't like it the following year any better. She was scared of the tail:

So instead she was Jessie the Cowgirl - and her Essie was Ariel:

The following year the girls BOTH wanted to be Shamu... someone asked if they were trout....

Then came the start of Gert's Princess run... Essie joined her this year:

Last year Essie was a Koala and Gert was Jasmine:

Stay tuned for pictures from this years Royalty Fest....

(and just FYI - all costumes - other than the first duck, were made by my Julie)

It's Time to Celebrate

It's my 164th post!!!!! I know people like to do things for 100 & 200 and such but would you REALLY expect me to follow the crowd like that? I think not.

Now... I won't be doing a giveaway for my special blog. I'm really bad at getting things in the mail.

So... I'm going to do "the list"... 164 things about... Moi. (Deep Breath)

1. My mom's due date was January 1, 1972.


2. My birthday is February 5, 1972.


3. I have no full siblings.


4. #1 & #2 may explain why.


5. In my baby book there is a card that came with flowers my dad bought my mom and I when I was born. It says "For my beautiful wife and baby Jane."


6. My name isn't Jane.


7. My mom wanted to name me Essie (no, not really Essie - but Essie's real name).


8. My dad wanted to name me Jane.


9. My name is Elizabeth.


10. I was 10 lbs, 5 oz and 23.5 inches long when I was born.


11. The town I was born in was the subject of the movie "The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" Can you guess the name of the town where I was born?


12. The hospital I was born in has been torn down.


13. This is where I went to nursery school. It's at the local Methodist church.


14. I went there a few years ago for a wedding.


15. It smelled exactly the same.


16. When I was in Kindergarten my mom taught 1st grade.


17. When I was in 1st she taught 2nd.


18. When I was in 2nd she taught 3rd.


19. When I was in 3rd & 4th she taught 5th.


20. In 5th & 6th grade she was my Principal.


21. I was a ghost for Halloween when I was 3.


22. I always had my hair in pig-tails so my mom cut holes out of the sheet for my pig-tails. I think I might be able to find a picture of that.


23. I always wanted a Kooky Spooks costume. Anyone else remember those?


24. David Moen was my boyfriend in 2nd grade.


25. We played "the Dukes of Hazzard" on the playground


26. He kissed me in the lunch line.


27. That was the end of our relationship


28. I once disappeared from my daycare mom's house when I was about 2.


29. They found me in the garden eating tomatoes straight from the plant.


30. I spent my summers growing up on an island on Lake of the Woods.


31. The hospital, pizza hut, laundry mat & grocery stores in the closest town all had boat docks.


32. Whenever I smell brown paper bags, I'm immediately taken back to the nose cabin of my grandpa's boat. That's where all the groceries would be put when we would head back to the island and I liked to sit up there on the trips.


33. This guy is on the way from town to the island. When we went by him, we'd always stick out our tongues at him.


34. When we would go to town, Grandpa would go to the bank to do his business. (banking business, not other kind of business - get your minds out of the gutter)... my cousins and I would steal all the deposit slips and other pieces of paper and play bank when we got home.


35. Right past devils rock was a huge house that Ronald Reagan and John Wayne had vacationed at.


36. My grandpa bought a new boat when he found out I was on the way... he didn't want his grandchild to not be safe... awwww...


37. I went to summer camp at Trout Lake Camp in Pine River, MN.


38. In the old cabins we could write on the walls.


39. In 3rd grade one of the evening activities was to dress our counselor as a character from the Bible. Every else did Jesus & Mary & Noah. We took the green gingham curtains from our window and fashioned a bikini top and bottom with them, slapped some leaves on and made our counselor "Eve".... we won.


40. I talked to the devil once.


41. About every 3-4 nights or so I will have a dream that seems completely plausible, expect that there will be a giraffe somewhere in it.


42. I have been arrested.


43. I went through a unicorn phase in junior high.


44. My mom bought me a comforter for my bed in 1984.


45. That following fall Natalie on The Facts of Life had the SAME comforter.


46. The comforter currently resides on Essie's bed and it's in VERY good shape.


47. This book was written by the director of the nursery school I went to. It's a collection of funny things kids have said over the years.


48. I did not live in Minnesota when Jesse Ventura was elected governor.


49. Growing up I got to have 3 boxes of sugared cereal a year. That was because if you brought three box tops to Valley Fair a kid got in for free. My favorites were Lucky Charms, Apple Jacks & Boo-Berry Cereal.


50. My favorite dessert when I was little was "a hot fudge sundae with a cherry on the top"


51. As a kid I called ham "good meat."


52. I also said "I can't like that."


53. My favorite thing that Essie said wrong was "Cause-be" for because.


54. I was Mary Ingalls for Halloween one year.


55. Another year I was a gypsy


56. Another year a pickle


57. A witch


58. A rainbow


59. A cowgirl


60. My favorite number is 5


61. I took piano lessons for 9 years.


62. Tap lessons for 7


63. Jazz lessons for 5


64. French horn lessons for 9


65. Acting lessons for... a few weeks.


66. Tennis lessons... for a couple months?


67. Ice Skating lessons for... 2 weeks.


68. Gymnastics lessons for 3 years.


69. I had a huge Matchbox Car collection.


70. As well as a huge Barbie collection.


71. I loved the old school Fisher Price little people


72. This set was my favorite:It had real working sliding "glass" doors.


73. My best friend in preschool was Tonya.


74. I was the Donkey in the Sunday School Christmas program in 2nd grade. My part of the song was.... "I said the donkey, shaggy and brown, I carried His mother to Bethlehem town. I carried his mother uphill and down. I said the donkey, shaggy and brown."


75. I was the Christmas Kitten another year. I had a lot of lines.


76. I don't remember any.


77. I would guess one might have been "Meow"


78. I was an Angel one year... actually several.


79. Some people might snort when they read I was an angel.


80. If I had been a boy I would have been named Timothy.


81. If my sister had been a boy should would have been named Timothy.


82. Our brother's name is John.


83. My 2nd grade teacher's father started the Minnesota Timberwolves.


84. My kindergarten teacher hit me on the head.


85. I love my birthstone.


86. I've never been proposed to.


87. Every house I lived in my mom painted blue at some point.


88. My hair was curly when I was little and has turned curly again.


89. My 11-great grandmother & grandfather came over on the Mayflower.


90. My grandma's cousin found the planet (or then planet) Pluto.


91. FDR & the Bush family both descended from the same people on the Mayflower.


92. Cousin George has never invited me to come to the White House.


93. I used to save my allowance to buy my Barbie's blow up furniture.


94. I had a cat named Flower.


95. I had a dog named Sugar.


96. We had a dog named Juice Box.


97. We had a dog named Gracie. She was a schnoodle. I wanted to name her Schnitzle. Then when she did stupid things I could say "Get over here you little Schnit"


98. My mom's half brothers were both killed in WWII.


99. I have very inconsistent handwriting.


100. I watch the old 90210 every day.


101. I had a crush on Almanzo from Little House on the Prairie for years.


102. And Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables


103. And Jake from 16 Candles


104. And Mr. Darcey from Pride & Prejudice (the long A&E version)


105. Mr. B made me cry last night, but in a REALLY good way.


106. I love water slides


107. I miss watching The Price is Right with my Grandma.


108. My mom bought a car in 1983, I asked the guy to show us the California Emissions.


109. My best friend in elementary school was Kristen. Her parents had a microwave, computer, Atari & VCR before ANYONE else.


110. She killed her sisters hamster when she threw it against the wall.


111. In college I was punched by a guy in a Wendy's


112. I gave tours of the campus to prospective students. I loved doing that.


113. I buy razors on a very regular basis.


114. I use foundation, blush, 3 colors of eye shadow, eye liner, mascara and lip gloss.


115. A year ago I used nothing.


116. I have to wear socks to bed in the winter


117. My dad doesn't have a middle name.


118. I need to call my mom more often


119. I've had a "girls gone wild" moment.


120. It was not captured on film.


121. I won $100 on a scratch off lottery ticket once.


122. My hair is longer now that it has been in... ages.


123. Mr. B likes it this way


124. I always said I would never pick my hairstyle based on what a guy wanted.


125. Never say never.


126. Essie's middle name is a combination of both my Grandmother's names.


127. I can turn my tongue upside down.


128. I haven't read Twilight


129. I don't Twitter


130. I have read Wicked


131. I want to see the musical badly, because judging by the soundtrack it must be quite different from the book.


132. If I had spare $$ I would take The Ladies to musicals and plays and orchestra performances.


133. I prefer store brand toilet paper.


134. I have polar dipped.


135. I have seen a crowned aurora


136. I always sit on my leg.


137. I listen to the music in my car VERY LOUD when I'm alone.


138. I sing along.


139. Very loudly


140. I'm starting to cave about not meeting everyone on Saturday.


141. I LOVE napping on winter afternoons.


142. I used to play The Sims... I used it as therapy. People I didn't like I would create a person who looked like them in the game and then make their life hell. It was way cheaper than a therapist.


143. My Sims broke.


144. I have some pent up aggression now.


145. I need a new iron.


146. I love peanut butter & banana sandwiches


147. I'm glad Cloris went home.


148. I wish Vickie would... she's evil.


149. One Christmas eve I gave all my tips to a homeless guy with a sign asking for money.


150. I hate Calliou


151. The new Super Wal-M*rt opened by us yesterday. We drove by and stuck our tongues out at it.


152. I do a MEAN Jimmy Durante impersonation.


153. Usually it's better if I've had a little alcohol.


154. I lived 12 miles from the world largest ball of twine.


155. The town I went to high school in is where they put all the sticky on Scotch Tape.


156. My favorite drink is a Long Island Ice Tea.


157. I've blacked out two times in my life from drinking.


158. I have driven 5 hours for a milkshake.


159. I could probably eat pizza every night for supper... just because it's easy.


160. I have a birthmark on my calf


161. I want a tattoo


162. I REALLY have to go to the bathroom.


163. This list has taken me 4 hours to type.
164. If you read this whole thing then God bless you.

If One is Good, Two is Better

32 years ago this Christmas my Dad introduced me to a lovely lady named Julie. At the time she was a "friend" of his from grad school. 4 days later he moved out of our house to move in with her. 6 months later my parents divorce was finalized. 7 days later he & Julie got married in South Dakota... because back then in Minnesota you had to wait 6 weeks after a divorce to get married, and they didn't want to wait.

Not the most auspicious of beginnings hunh?

Julie was different from my mom. She had traveled and taught school in Europe. She had a bit of a hippie vein to her. She was IKEA long before IKEA ever hit the states. She was a kindergarten teacher... I was in kindergarten. So we had that going for us.

I liked her. What wasn't to like? I went to be with them for 6 weeks in the summer - they were both teachers so it was party time/vacation the whole time. She really did a good job as a step-mom... didn't push... didn't try to be my MOM, but didn't let me get away with a whole lot (not that I tried a whole lot... I was a good kid).

Then she got pregnant and had my brother... followed 15 months later by my sister. I thought maybe I'd be pushed aside.. unnecessary. Nope... Julie let me help her and be a big sister. She encouraged me and loved me. When people asked her how many kids she had, she always said 3. That meant more to me than she will ever know.

She once made a whole wardrobe of clothing for my Barbies. She let us make graham cracker houses every Christmas. She makes my girls Halloween costumes every year.

As a teen, as I learned more about how she came into my life and what happened to my parents, I went through a period of resenting her. I saw HER as the reason they split up. I wrote her a long letter asking how she could get involved with a married man. More importantly with a man who was a Daddy. She wrote me back... a very long letter... never making excuses or shifting blame, but apologizing and explaining.

As I got older I started to understand that the split was NOT her fault. She was a symptom. My mom & dad messed up their marriage... both of them.

Looking back... my parents weren't right for each other. Julie is right for my dad. She's what he needs. They are wonderful parents, fabulous grandparents and so totally in love with each other still to this day.

People look at pictures and point at her and ask who she is. To make it easy, I tell them she's my step-mom. But she's not... she's my Julie. Hank is my dad, Carol is my mom, and Julie is my julie.

I love the relationship I have with her now. There isn't the pressure that there is on my relationship with my mom. Julie is a listening ear and a kind voice. And over the past couple years, I have started to truly understand how a marriage can fall apart. And how you can find the love you didn't know you were looking for. And I've seen her with different eyes... understanding eyes.

There's a distinct possibility that in the next year or so I may end up being someones step-mom. I'm COMPLETELY grateful to Julie for the example she's been to me over the years. I hope that I can do half the job as a step-mom as she has done. I hope that my step-kids (which I WON'T call them) will see me as their Lizzy... not their "step-mom".

So... Happy Birthday Julie. Thank you for the wonderful example of being a step-mom, wife, friend and daughter of God that you are. Thank you for being my Julie.

It's Not that Easy Not Having Green

First off - my latest interview with The Scholastic Scribe is up. Go see pictures of my "other" wedding!!!

If you've read my blog for a while, you know that money isn't something that's growing on trees around here. In fact quite the opposite. And this month I made a major boo-boo with my rent check and there is pretty much...well... none money.

A friend asked me to go to Atlanta this weekend to have lunch and (I'm guessing) meet up with some other bloggers. I was totally excited to go, but then started calculating the cost... and... it just didn't add up okay. I realized how many times I tell The Ladies no to small toys or things like that, and even at the moment have some issues with being able to afford some necessities, so doing something "not necessary" started to look quite irresponsible.

I told Mr. B that I wasn't going to be able to go, and I know that he was figuring out a way to fund my trip. But I pointed out to him that I need to show The Ladies that even Mommies have to forgo the fun sometimes, because there have to be priorities, and there have to be times when we have to say we just can't. I'm bummed... I'm super bummed. The Ladies will be bummed. But I'm hoping the greater lesson will be learned by all of us.

SO... to those ladies whom I was supposed to meet this weekend (I'm just assuming there are others cause it was kinda hinted at) I'm really sorry I can't be there. Cross an eye or two for me!

Pictures as asked for...

Click here for a slideshow of the pics I took when we got lost....

The Trials of the Road Trip

My dad & step-mom lived in North Dakota when I was younger. Her parents lived not far from where I did, in Minnesota, and so my the NoDak's would come and visit and I would hang with them at Grandma Gen's house. It was a long (10+ hour) drive from Minnesota back to NoDak. My brother was probably about 3, and they had traveled the long, flat and pretty boring road, finally pulling into the driveway about 11 pm. My sweet little, home-body brother looked at the house, sighed, and said "We FOUND it!"


Yesterday, October's bright blue weather called to me, so I grabbed the girls and we hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. Apparently the bright blue weather also called to about 30 billion other people, thus the parkway was BUSY. We decided to take a different road OFF the parkway and head around home "the long way". About 3 miles down that winding road, there was a small road with a sign that said "One lane bridge ahead" ... well, I'm all about roads with one lane bridges, so we took a left and headed on our way. The pavement quickly turned into gray gravel, and the one lane bridge was perhaps called that because it was a one lane road. But it was BEAUTIFUL - red & yellow & orange and peach(!) colored leaves, forests and streams, waterfalls and birds. We drove and drove, around curves and along stream beds... seeing a car every great once-in-a-while... we drove and drove, in the majestic chapel that is a forest in the fall. (Gert exclaimed that she finally understood why they call it "fall" as she and her sister were shouting at the leaves to fall through our open sunroof.) We drove and drove... Essie starting to get nervous that perhaps we had found the road with no end. We drove and drove... 2 hours we drove.. stopping for pictures here and there. (Gert - "Mommy! I see a photo opportunity!!!!") I had no idea where we were, but I knew at some point something would look like something I knew - or at least point me in the direction of something I knew (who NEEDS a stinkin GPS!!!). Finally the gravel turned back into pavement, and soon a yellow line divided that pavement into two lanes. Soon then a house, and another... and another... then a small development... then a cell tower. A familiar looking one. And then it dawned on me that I knew exactly where we were, and we were about a block from our church! I was quite proud of myself and shared my victory with Essie, who was riding in the seat next to me. Gert was happily looking out the window from the backseat. We headed down the road, past the church, past the Fed-Ex building, past the fair-grounds, over the interstate...

MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (that was Gert screaming - and pointing at the Target sign)

MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE IN NORTH CAROLINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now for this years version....

A New Day

So to just get my mind on something else, here's my all time favorite pumpkin to get us all in the spirit..... And Yeah, I know, it's a little schizophrenic... half fall, half winter... what can I say, I like snowmen...

Just Cause

11 years ago today this was me....

I'm not really sad. Just wish this day didn't stick in my head.

Just some funny for the Weekend....

This Girl Has Got It Going ON!!!

Miss Sassy Stephanie has a SUPER DUPER blog today... go read it... do what she does... change the world!!!

Daddy to Daughter *possible tissue warning*

I have this picture hanging in my hallway, my dad took it at Disneyland when I was 6. On the back of the picture he wrote this:

Dear Beth:
This picture will travel with you on life's journey my daughter, and in it I see the wish-upon-a-star that I make now for you:

"...Just A Spoonful of Sugar Helps the Medicine Go Down..." I wish for you the willingness to find the special blessing in all that happens - whether good or bad - realizing that in every person and situation good can be found and that with each ending comes the promise of a new beginning.

"...Cinderella Had No Time To Get Ready For the Ball As She Was Too Busy Helping Her Sisters..." I wish for you the discovery of the joy and contentment found in giving to others - placing them first before yourself - realizing that all we really have to give is ourselves.

"...And Tinkerbell Sprinkled Fairydust On The Children And Together They Flew Into A World Of Makebelieve" I wish for you the willingness to dream, and for the courage to live a life which will bring to reality that which you hope and believe.

"...And Beauty Kissed the Beast and Immediately He Turned into a Handsome Prince..." I wish for you the desire and the ability to enable those around you to become all they possibly can thorough your belief in them - allowing them to come way from you impressed with themselves rather than with you.

"...And With A Kiss, The Charming Prince Awoke Sleeping Beauty..." I wish for you the selfless love of a sincere man - a love which will set you free to fully attain the beauty of which you are capable.

"... And they Lived Happily Everafter..." I wish for you true happiness - found not in things, but rather in relationships.

May the cement post onto which you are holding represent the solid foundation in your life which God can provide if you will allow Him.

May the castle represent the accomplishment of those good works of which you are uniquely capable

And may you always view life through those same smiling, expectant eyes which show such happiness as you have found this day.

All My Love - Dad (Christmas 1978)

I Don't Got Much

My brain is fried...

I've turned off the sound of Fox News at work. I don't want to hear anything, from anyone. I'm tired of the same speeches and the same holier-than-thou and the same he-said-he-said-he-said-she-said crap.

The Ladies are going to be Angels in our church's production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever"... yeah... I'm TOTALLY excited.

Do you watch The Biggest Loser? Vicky needs to go and she needs to go now. I want to smack her royal smugness.

How about Dancing With the Stars?

Anyone watching Mad Men? I got a little lost last week...

Why does it take 5+ days for a piece of mail to get from North Carolina to Georgia??

Is there anything better than a 5-year-old & 9-year-old who still want to snuggle with you on the couch?

Should I be glad that the threat of NOT going to church makes The Ladies do what I want them to do?

Where do I buy clothes for a little girl who doesn't fit little girls clothes anymore, but doesn't yet have hips, but has a belly..?

Is this red nail polish TOO red?? (Sorry - use your imagination... I don't have pictures)

Should I take a nap for the rest of my lunch hour?

Of Little/Great Importance

Check out The Scholastic Scribe - she's go the latest Lizzy interview - and you'll want to read it because it makes a VERY important announcement.

I don't often say much about my STBX around here... I'm trying really hard to be civil with him for the good of the girls. But I've been pushed to my ever lovin' edge. First, as I was driving Saturday morning to take the girls to him, I called to tell him I'd be a little late. He said he had just been talking to his friend, and I ask what Friend was up to today. "Oh, he's out hunting... where I'm supposed to be today. But it's okay, I need to do this." OH I AM SO SORRY!!! Did seeing your CHILDREN for the first time in almost a MONTH mean that you had to miss HUNTING which you can do EVERY SINGLE MOTHER LOVING DAY?????????

Then

Last night I pick them up. The girls were in my car and he and I were talking. He said that he and Essie got into it a few times, and finally told her "Look your mom and I aren't divorced yet, only separated. I'm not sure what's going on (meaning I haven't filed for divorce yet because I'm trying to do it for free through legal aid and I'm on a waiting list) but maybe she's waiting for you and I to get along and then we can all be back together." EXCUSE ME???? WE ARE NOT getting back together, and NOW you have just put 6 tons of EXPECTATION on a 9-year-old for something that IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THEN

He said that he had taken them by his work. Gert walks right up to one of his co-workers and says "Hi, my name is Gert, what's your name." Essie hangs back... doesn't really say much. SO AW (Butt Wipe) says "This one (pointing to Gert) would make friends with a lamp post. That one (pointing at Essie) has a hard time making friends." YES SHE DOES AND SHE'S UPSET ABOUT THAT CONSTANTLY BUT THANK YOU FOR ADVERTISING IT FOR HER YOU FS.

THEN

This morning Essie informs me that her Dad said that every time he sees me, I have new clothes, but Essie is dressed in old stuff... "basically rags" were her words. I DO NOT HAVE NEW CLOTHES. The clothes I have were bought for me BY MY mom & step mom and RIGHT NOW I don't even have enough professional clothes to get me through a WEEK of WORK. I have bought Essie NUMEROUS articles of clothing that she WILL NOT WEAR because she has extremely sensitive skin and pretty much can't stand the feel of anything on her, PLUS she's now out grown kids sizes and it is REALLY hard to find anything in misses sizes that she will wear.

SO.... I'm calling Legal Aid today, and if I'm not on the top of their waiting list, I'm calling a lawyer. I don't know how in the skee-doodle I'll afford it, but this has got to be done. NOW.

And my dad e-mailed... My Aunt Mary fell and broke her hip. She has Parkinson's... it's not good.

I think I'll move to Australia.

My turn

I know a great many of you have read Kat & Kori's versions of our day together... and honestly, I don't have a whole lot to add. The only thing was I thought it was neat how the three of us just totally gelled. You know how sometimes with 3 people you start to get an odd man out, and though I am undoubtedly odd, I am neither a man, nor was I out. We laughed and laughed and suffered through horrendous waitressing (I never DID get offered more french fries... humph). And then spent a lot of time at Kat's with more laughter....

After leaving Kat's I went to see Mr. B. We were supposed to go to a haunted house, but ended up having a very deep heart-to-heart conversation. I know that it was a night I will treasure for... well... the rest of my life. I've never been loved like this before... ever.

Sunday I headed home, and the leaves were SO beautiful! I ended up taking the VERY long way home and honestly... my camera just can NOT do justice to what I saw... but here's some attempts:

There IS Such a Thing as Taking it TOO Far...

But do they use the Bible, or Twilight????

R Days

My dad invented the celebration of "R" days. He determined there are 3 days of the week that have the letter "R" in them... Thursday, Friday & Saturday. And he also determined they are the best days of the week. Thursday, becuase it's so close to Friday. Friday, because the weekend is close at hand. Saturday because... well DUH... it's the weekend. So my dad will quite often call me up and wish me a happy "R" day.

SO, on THIS "R" day, I'm going to wish you all a Happy "R" Day and hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Tonight The Ladies and I are going to go to Sonic for supper (and see if they have Egg Nog milkshakes yet) and then head over to the mall to hang out, cause that's what girls do on a Friday night. Tomorrow I take them to their dads, and then I'm heading to see Mr. B, whith a stop to see Madame Kat on the way. Sunday I'll come back home and clean and then Monday night get The Ladies back from their dad...

It might go without saying, but I can't WAIT to see Mr. B.....

(eta - before you get yourselves in a tizzy, that pic is of my DAD... NOT Mr. B)

Fx4 special edition

Roses are Red
I'd like a snack
This beautiful woman
Puts Jesus in a Pack


Roses are Red
Flags come unfurled
Thanks to her I've now been
All around the World


Roses are Red
Twilight is hip
Our friendship all started
With artichoke dip


Roses are Red
I'd like to win a Webby
But TODAY you must go say happy birthday
To my lovely friend Debbie!!!

October (Tissue Warning)

My Grandma loved poetry. So often something she would see would remind her of a line from a poem she had memorized, so she would share a line or two from the verse... sometimes the whole thing. The one I remember best is "October's bright blue weather" but that's all I ever really knew of the poem.

Driving home the other day, the sky was cloudless and a brilliant blue. I was talking with Mr. B on the phone at the time, and told him about Grandma, and her bright blue October skies and her love for poetry.

Yesterday, he sent me a text, asking if he could call me at work. I replied sure. He called back and said, "Can I read something to you?" "Of course," I replied.

He began...
O Suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather;

When loud the bumble-bee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless vagrant,
And Golden-Rod is dying fast,
And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

When Gentians roll their fringes tight
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields, still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October's bright blue weather.

O suns and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.

He found it... and read it to me... and instantly two people who are among the most dear to me, and will never get to know one another, are forever linked, by October's bright blue weather.

Is it Wednesday Yet?

Hey - go check out The Scholastic Scribe - she's got the most recent Lizzy for President interview up - and I KNOW you're dying to know what all I had to say, especially regarding the food we'll be serving at the state dinners!

I came to a realization yesterday... and I think maybe it's my dark side... there is a VERY popular blogger out there that I... well... I know this is so un-Christian of me.. .but she drives me BONKERS! B-O-N-K-E-R-S I tell you. I tried to like her but... there's just something about her that rubs me the wrong way. But you know what else I realized? It's okay. I don't have to like everyone, and not everyone has to like me. The world is too full of different people for us all to like everyone. So it's okay... right?

Is there someone like that in your life? Someone that everyone else just adores but you just ain't feelin' it?

(ETA - this person is DEFINITELY NOT someone on my blog roll, nor is she a regular commenter, so don't worry - it's NOT YOU!!!!)

(ETA part dux - Check out Lizzy for President - now with Official Polling!!!

They Say It's Your........

Roses are Red
Rudolph was clay
A little bird told me
It's someones special day

Roses are Red
Feet on the floor
The total number of her children
Is said to be 4

Roses are Red
Honey's from bees
By the time she's 80
She expects her boobs to be knees.

Roses are Red
Mr. Franklin was Ben
Happiest of Birthday's to you
My lovely friend Jen!!!

SITS Day!!!!!

Roses are Red
Stinky are Pits
Today I'm gonna tell you
All about SITS

Roses are Red
Mommy's the Boss
SITS, you know, stands for
The Secret is In The Sauce

Roses are Red
Bugs don't like Foggers
SITS is a great way
To meet other Bloggers!

Roses are Red
Scars on my Knee
Through learning to blog
I've learned about me.

Roses are Red
Moo says a calf
My favorite blogs
Are ones that make me laugh.

Roses are Red
Wine can be Dry
My favorite blogs
Are the ones that make me cry

Roses are Red
Seymor's a seal
My favorite Blogs really are
The ones that are REAL

Roses are Red
Sometimes I drink Beer
Would you like to join SITS?
Click on this little button here


Roses are Red
The country's in debt
Let me introduce you
to some ladies I've met:

Roses are Red
Nemo met Dori
One of my favorite SITSa's
Is the beautiful Kori!

Roses are Red
I need to do Wahsa
Another faulous crafty lady
Is a cutie named Tausha!

Roses are Red
I don't have a Lawn
Most days I get up
At the butt-crack of Dawn!

Roses are Red
Grouse can be Gamey
I LOVE the Quirky world of
Oh.. I think her name is a secret.....

Roses are Red
In a pond you find Coi
My new friend Melisa
is having a BOY!!!!!

Roses are Red
Sesame seeds on a bun
Go check out SITS
but for now, I am done!!!

Essie & Gert's School Pics!!!

Ponderings...

Traditional - Woman meets man, woman falls in love with man, woman tells man she loves him, women tells man the best day in her life was the day they met, woman tells man he means everything to her, woman tells man he has her whole heart, woman tells man she loves him more than anything in the world, woman marries man, woman and man have children, woman loves man and children all in different but equal ways.

Non-Traditional (ie - 2nd marriage/relationship) woman meets man, woman falls in love with man, woman tells man she loves him, woman wants to tell man the the day they met was the best day of her life - but feels guilty about what that says about the days her children were born, woman wants to tell man he means everything to her - but what does that say about her children, woman wants to tell man he has her whole heart - but what part of her heart do her children have, woman want to tell man she loves him more than anything in the world - but feels she needs to add the caveat "other than my kids", woman marries man (or at least hopes to)

This is HARD y'all. Feeling like a traitor to your kids when you try to express to someone what they mean to you. My head knows that we're talking 2 very different kinds of love, 2 very different types of relationships...

How does this work in a second relationship? How do we express the deapth of our emotion without betraying our kids (or at least FEELING like we are, because we know we're not)?

Anyone been down this road before and have some sage advice?

Squeek Squeek Squeek

Alright all you lovelies who threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't send my e-mail to the county commissioners... I want you to rest assured that I did, Tuesday afternoon. It was LONG, detailed, factual and just the right amount of emotional.

Yesterday afternoon, my phone rang. I answered. It was... the Program Administrator of the Department of Social Services of the county I live in. He was calling on behalf of the county commissioners, who all had read my e-mail and discussed it in their conference call that morning! First, he wanted to make sure that everything HAD been taken care of finally. I assured him that yes, in the end, it had been. Then he wanted to let me know that my experience was not a typical one. (Upon thinking about that further, I really wonder though. Because how many people HAVE experiences like mine, but don't say anything? I don't mean this to sound stereotypical, but your "stereotypical" food stamp user may not be someone who is going to sit down and write a letter of complaint to the county commissioners.. but anyway)... He said that he and the director of the Food Stamp Program were sitting and discussing my letter are were both just shocked, because it seemed whatever could go wrong, did.

He told me that one of the big problems is that there's no way, once a persons case has been flagged to bypass the face-to-face interview, to indicate that in the computer system. So every time I talked to a new person, they didn't know that had been waived. He said that he was going to be meeting with their software programmer today to get that taken care of. He also said that they would be looking at the chain of command and how things go up it, and also looking at figuring out why it's taking people so long to return phone calls and failing to return them.

In the end, he gave me his direct number as well as the Director of the food stamp group. If I need anything, I'm to call them. If when I need to renew my stamps I have ANY trouble at all, I am to call them.

So... it pays to pipe up hunh?

Woof Woof

Heather over at Mindless Junque is talking flatulence today. It reminded me of an Essie story so I had to share...

In our house we call farts, "Barking Spiders".

The other night Essie was having a bit of an... intestinal issue (and while we're on the topic can someone please tell me why all 3 of us have experienced increased Spider Barking since moving to North Carolina???) At any rate, her spiders were barking and I was kind of laughing (don't worry, she was too) and finally she looks at me and says "I think these spiders need a muzzle"

And now Back to your Regularly Scheduled Blog...

This should almost go on the Lizzy for President site, but I'm just annoyed so, I'm climbing on my soapbox here.

Please go check out this article: Lawmakers steamed over ritzy AIG retreat after bailout
I'll basically sum it up for you. Just mere DAYS after the government spent $85 billion dollars to bail out AIG, the company spent $440,000 for a "retreat" for it's executives. Golf... spa... banquets... posh rooms... Get that.. $440,000.

Now - even MORE crazy than that, is THIS guy:

But Eric Dinallo, superintendent of the New York State Insurance Department, said he could see the value of such a retreat under the circumstances.
"Having been at large global companies and knowing what condition AIG was in ... the absolute worst thing that could have happened" would have been for employees and underwriters in its life insurance subsidiary to flee the company.

"I do agree there is some profligate spending there, but the concept of bringing all the major employees together ... to ensure that the $85 billion could be as greatly as possible paid back would have been not a crazy corporate decision," Dinallo told the House committee.

EXCUSE ME??? Ok, I can see circling the wagons and figuring out how to manage this, but maybe this would have been a good time to put all the executives in a log cabin with no electricity and an outhouse. There was NO NEED for golfing and spaing (is that a word) and the like.

THIS is exactly why people were (and are) freaking out about the bailout. Because companies are so entirely out-of-touch with reality that there's a fear more will show this tremendous amount of stupidity. If my hard-earned tax money is going to refund the pension of some guy who worked in the mailroom of a bank for 40 years, I'm all for it. If my hard-earned tax money is going for a $350 a plate luncheon for mucky mucks to discuss their golden parachutes, then someone better make sure not to give me any sharp objects and the address of their corporate offices.

Ok... I'm done now... for now....

Actually - I know I'm not because I have another post dwelling within me but... I'll get to that later.

PS - Obama said that AIG should have to pay $440,000.00 back to the government. I agree.

..........................

I'M HOMELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(for those of you joining the game late - being homeless is a GOOD thing.. my house in Minnesota has been on the market for over a year, and we were less that 2 weeks away from forclosure, but we closed today at 10 am. So, in this case, being homeless is VERY VERY good!)

T- 75 minutes

Okay, this won't be my only post for the day, but I just wanted to ask for uber-prayers and what-not... the closing on our house is in 75 minutes... PLEASE pray/what-not that everything goes smoothly.

And just to be a comment whore - if you could PLEASE leave a comment if you read this... just.. cause it'll make me feel better....

Lizzy's Leanings...

FIRST of all - PLEASE go check out my latest interview the The Scholastic Scribe, and leave her some comment lovin'!!!!!! I'm having a complete blast with her focus on my candidacy for President!

SECOND of all - just an update on the Food Stamps. No, I never got a phone call Monday morning. I called them in the afternoon, raised quite a bit of holy cane, was told the gentleman I talked to on Friday was out of the office, but finally got connected with my case worker and got everything straightened out. So... the good news is my benefits will start again today. The bad news is that this is a ridiculous system that needs help. I have an e-mail drafted to the County Commissioners... still trying to decide if I'm going to send it.

THIRD of all - who's watching Dancing with the Stars? Who will join me in some Warren Sapp lovin'?? Great smile and lighter on his feet than a defensive tackle should be.

Anyone watching Biggest Looser?? I'm SO rooting for the brown team to GO HOME!!! UGH!!! That wife is one bi.........tter lady.

Okay... gotta work. Lovin' hugs to you all!!!!!

Gert the Great

Miss Gert is in her second month of Kindergarten. She's just a sponge and constantly asking what words start with what letters. And she LOVES to draw.

Tonight I came home from work and she got out paper and pen and asked me what she should draw. I suggested a Giraffe. She said okay, and then headed off to draw.

A few minutes later, she brought me this:

And said "Mommy, is that how you spell Giraffe?" Now, we all know that's not the correct way. But I think we can all agree that that's a DANG good guess for a Kindergartner! (It's GRIF in case you can't read it)

I'm proud of my Gert.

Mama always said if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.....

Okay - I left this blank for a minute and that's not fair... plus I HATE negative people (is that like an oxymoron statement) so I'm not going to be one so I'm gonna do what I do when I'm being negative and I don't like it... start listing the good things.

#1 - I have the paperwork in my posession that will allow us to sell our house. The closing is set for WEdnesday at 10 am. PLEASE PLEASE do whatever you do (pray, chant, meditate, whatever) that everything goes smoothly.
#2 - The girls get to see their dad today, and it will be a surprise. They're going to like that.
#3 - I heard a new word this weekend that totally describes me - Adorkable.
#4 - Things are hopefully in place for my relationship with Mr. B to take some major steps forward.
#5 - I work for a really nice lady who is also a notary which will come in really handy in relation to item #1.
#6 - I have ears that can hear.
#7 - Some gas stations have gas.
#8 - My girls love me
#9 - My bed is super comfortable
#10 - There is hot water in my shower.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like.....

Ok... so I realize there are a few holidays between now and Christmas, but I just wanted to share these ideas with you guys.
Each year at Christmas the ladies in my mom's church do a Christmas Candlelight Dinner. Ladies sign up to decorate & hostess a table. So, I thought I would share some of the pics from last year....

The first two are my mom's table... you may notice some plaid... it's inherited.