And you are?

Well apparently I took some time off.

I'm here... now... with a whole new set of Sharpies, envisioning American Idol recaps.

December's been crazy. I started my new position with my company. It's a bit of a new position and so I'm having to kind of make it up as I go along. Which is fun, but the constant fear of disappointing people or forgetting to do something important scares me!!

December's also been hell for Essie. She's failing math, and pretty much her school is being a giant bunch of dicks about it. I don't even have the energy to go into it all, but her vice principal called me, bitched about Essie and what a slacker she is for about 45 minutes, THEN revealed that Essie had been sitting in her office the whole time, listening. Bitch. I spent the 45 minutes trying to tell her that I think Essie has a learning disability in Math, and I want her tested, and she spent the 45 minutes trying to talk me out of it.... it was OBVIOUS that her ONLY concern was her schools' test scores, not Essie. She better not meet me in a dark alley.

Christmas was lovely. We went to Kat's church for a lovely service, and then to her house for baked ziti and lots of fun. It was a WONDERFUL way to spend Christmas Eve. Not our "usual" but I think probably even better.

Then we came home and Mr. B came over the gift opening. We all were spoiled. I got a new Snuggie from my mom, which was hysterical because she had JUST opened up the snuggie I gave HER. That was a great laugh. Mr. B totally spoiled me with a new laptop, a Wii Fit, and Margarita glasses that have cactus' for the stems, which the girls have been DYING to have.

My mom is here. It's nice to have her here, but this is a one bedroom apartment with 4 people in it at the moment. It's just too much. And she's been living on her own for 20 years, and just.. honestly she's not good at living with people anymore. So I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow.

Today is DEFINITELY that "blah" holiday day. So much I just want to snap my fingers and be able to change. Damn, being powerless sucks doesn't it.

I hope you all had wonderful Christmases!

Mi Casa es Su Casa.....

Well friends, I wasn't saying a whole lot, cause of the fiasco of house #1, but Mr. B and I found another house last weekend that we both fell in love with. We put an offer in and just found out that it was accepted!!!

Here's a link to my pictures of it.

It's probably the nicest foreclosure I've ever been in. Unlike the other house, it doesn't need new siding, a new roof, or a driveway. It doesn't have leaking sky lights or broken tile or missing kitchen cabinet doors. There are no broken windows that need to be repaired. There's an actual backyard. All wall sconces face up. It's PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT!!!!!!

We'll be doing a little work on it - updating and such, and looking at all those pictures in a clump I realize it's in desperate need of some COLOR!!!!

So that's the big news for the day.

Oh... and I PROMISE to get my EE post done this weekend. I had to clean the house for Essie's party tonight, so I'll have some time this weekend to get it done.

Oh... and Mike of Mike's Hard Lemonade fame is making a Hard Cider. Does that not sound DEVINE - and they're showing it warmed up. MMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh.... and I'm having lunch with Mr. B this afternoon. That makes me happy.

OH..... and Kat's girls are coming over for Essie's birthday party tonight. Just a small payment on the total amount of child care I owe her :) And if you click on that link and go look at her site, tell her it's time for a new blog post. I mean... really.....

Oh.... and ... IT'S THE WEEKEND!!! Make it a good one!!!!

December 2

Happy Birthday Beautiful Essie. These 11 years have flown, and yet I don't really remember life without you. Your beautiful spirit and loving nature, along with your AMAZING sense of humor and wit make you such a great person to call my daughter. Not that you don't challenge me.... A LOT.
But I wouldn't trade a minute of it if I had to trade you.
Happy Birthday Baby. Thanks for making me a Mommy.

BEST VIDEO EVER

Yeah yeah yeah I'm working on my EE post - my kids stole my sharpies. IN the mean time... BEST VIDEO EVER

Filler

Ok... I PROMISE I'm working on my EE post...

but I just couldn't let this milestone go buy unrecognized.

Miss Gert lost her first tooth yesterday

All kinds of excited are we!!!!!!!

You've Reached The Messaging Service of Lizzy-Beth

Thank you for your call. Lizzy-Beth* is not available right now because she's here:

Most likely sitting in this:


With a bunch of REALLY COOL Ladies!!!!

Please leave a message and she'll get back to you when she returns.

(*Lizzy is Lizzy's web name... Beth is Lizzy's real name.... some of the people on this trip call her Lizzy... some call her Beth. She's decided to Waltonize herself and change her name to Lizzy-Beth)

I've Become An Old Lady

First of all, I want to thank those who have and who are serving our country for fighting for my freedoms. I love this country and I am so grateful for those who have laid down their lives so that I can sit here and say almost anything I want. There are millions of people in the world who do not have that freedom.

Now a smallish rant.

I'm a pretty patriotic person. My grandpa was in WWII and really instilled a sense of patriotism in all his kids and grandkids. I especially remember helping him raise and lower the flag at his island every morning and evening. The care he took, the way he followed the flag code. He taught me respect for our flag, and respect for our country, and respect for those who serve it.

Last night I was watching tv, and a Macy's ad came on. It said something to the effect of "This Veteran's Day, we want to salute low prices."

Wow. Did that ever hit me WRONG.

SERIOUSLY??? The day we set aside to salute those who have gone through LIVING HELL to protect our freedoms, we're going to say "Nah.... forget the veterans... let's salute low prices"

Am I an 80-year-old crabby lady, or do I have a point? Does that rub anyone else the wrong way?????

(Sorry about the cheesy music, but despite it's corniness, i do love this song)