"Mom, why did you do that?"

Well, it's 2008 Woo Hoo!

Earlier tonight, we went to a child friendly block party. Every year we go to the same block party and we have a blast. The kids run wild, and the adults have fun.

Well tonight, there were a lot less people there than usual, so my attention was fixated on my daughter (10yrs old) and her friends, who are starting to become 'boy crazy'. They were all chasing the boys around in the dark, as usual for New Year's Eve. There I am trying to monitor where each girl was located in comparison to every boy! What an outrageous task! I made quite a few busts, and I know that my mission was accomplished...because my daughter complained, "Mom, why did you do that?"

Awesome role models...NOT!!!

My daughter is a tween. She watches the Disney channel & Nickelodeon . I have always believed that those are the channels that she can watch without restriction. The programing is tween friendly. Then I hear about nude pictures of Vanessa from "High School Musical" on the internet. After that, I hear that Jamie Lynn Spears, the star of "Zoey 101", at age 16, which is a show that my girl loves to watch, is pregnant. OKAY! Awesome role models...NOT!!!


It's scary now-a-days having a young daughter, whom I know that no matter how much I tell her to be good, careful & watch out for the "Big Bad Wolf", will exert her independence, which is one of the personality traits she inherited from me. I have to make sure that she is careful & watches her actions.


First it was nude photos of Vanessa, then it was Hannah Montana concert tickets at no less than $200 a pop, and now Jamie Lynn Spears, 'Zoey 101', is pregnant???


Welcome to the Magic Kingdom of W-T-F!

Holi-days are melancholy-days...

At least that is what they should be called, and for a good reason. It is a time for love, peace & joy. A time to remember all of your loved ones; your family & friends. And I do remember...Courtney, for example. She would be 23 this year.

As a child, I remember waking up early on Christmas morning...seeing the tree with presents under it. I remember the excitement of ripping open the paper and getting the one doll or toy that I really wanted. Then the other present was always pajamas or some other clothing. There were usually 2 gifts each, most of the time, not including the stuffed animals, and the gifts were cherished!

This is the time of year that I miss my parents the most!

I love you & miss you Mom & Dad!

...and so this is Christmas...

"...So this is Christmas, and what have you done, another year over, and a new one just begun... And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun, the near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas, and a happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one without any fear."

John Lennon was cool. He always openly professed his beliefs to the world and used his celebrity to help broadcast his messages of peace and love. Besides that, he was my favorite Beatle...

During the holidays, please remember to be kind, patient & courteous.

His message was LOVE!

Let It Snow!

"The competition is on!"; that should be the motto where I work. We are competitive when it comes to obtaining clients, and even more competitive when it comes to internal contests.

Now, this year my department "Rocked" the Halloween decorating contest, we ruled (No-one else even came close), so I figured, we proved our point, we never have to compete again. But no!! 'Tis the season', which means, of course, that there is a contest at work, the "Best Holiday Decoration Contest". I work in corporate accounting. My department is full of analitical people. We think. We have ideas. We obsess. We are perfectionists. So, obviously, as always, we will overcome (when will they learn?)

"WWWHHHHHAATTTT?"

A typical answer to an ordinary question on any given day..."WWWHHHAAATTT?", "WWWHHHYYY?" or...silence...

She is 10. She hears what she wants to & ignores everything else. She says she is a tween. She watches the Disney channel & is influenced by some of their programs, I am not.

If she is on the phone with a friend, & I interrupt to tell her to do something else, she whines, "OOOKKKAAAYYY".

I can't stand the attitude, I don't want the tween, but I love the daughter, to death.

God Bless Jan

On 11/29/00, my remarkable mother passed away. I was there by her side, with both of my sisters, one of our brothers & our sister-in-law.

There are so many reasons why my Mom was remarkable and I want to share a few with you. Not only did Mom work full-time, but she also managed to dedicate a great deal of her time assisting, organizing & planning events for Girl Scouts & Catholic Daughters. She was very dedicated to service. She was very involved in numerous church activities. She was liked & respected by a wide spectrum of individuals.

For me, the best thing about my mom was that she was always there. I might not like what she had to say all of the time, but she was dependable, my go-to person, loving & supportive. She wasn't a "saint", trust me, we were so much alike it was scary; but she was without a doubt an awesome person. (I still miss her so, sob...)

God Bless Jan

Procrastinator...Sometimes!

I am an organizer, a planner, a go-getter; I like to be in charge. I thrive on a challenge. If I am told it is impossible; I embrace the opportunity to find a way to make it happen. That is the synopsis of the way I handle my work life on a daily basis.

So, why oh why would I choose something different now? Well, truth be told, it is always easier to put off to tomorrow what you do not want to do today! I am definitely down with it!

Hello, my name is Flleenie and I'm a Procrastinator...Sometimes!

Time Marches On

"Time marches on"...as the saying goes...although only a saying, it is true. Time is the one thing that we can not control in our lives. Yet time is so important.



I have to be "on time" when I go to work. I have to be "on time" when I bring Ry to school. I have to be "on time" for everything no matter what. I have to be on time, no excuses! No matter who I am going to see or where I'm going to go!



Time is my best friend but it is also my worst enemy...



So to be on time, I need a schedule!

Shopaholic

I have to admit, that for the last 7 years, I was one of those idiots that got up at 3:30am the day after Thanksgiving to go shopping. I thrived on the 'power shopping' & the 'money saving' aspects of the experience. I bought items just because they were on sale.

This year, I hit all of the pre-pre-holiday sales with specific gifts in mind. I am almost completely finished with my Christmas shopping...only 3 more people to go. But, I still can't wait to see the ads for the day after Thanksgiving. The 3 items I want will probably be on sale somewhere, & I will be up at 3:30am that day to go shopping!! okay..."Hello, my name is Flleenie and I'm a 'Day after Thanksgiving' Shopaholic"

Can I have a refund...please?

Right now, it is way too cold, at least it is where I live, in west central Florida. OMG...bbbuuuhhhrrr...

We aren't even through hurricane season yet! Not that I am complaining, but hurricanes thrive on warm temperatures, right? Well, I think the season is over...cool, literally!!!

Now, may I please have a refund on my Homeowner's Insurance? HA, HA, HA...Good joke, huh?...(but honestly, can I have a refund...please?)

PATRIOTS RULE!!!

The game against Indy last Sunday was hard for me to watch...The Patriots were down most of the game. They got a butt load of penalties, over 144 yards, I think. Every time I started watching, the Colts had done something good! Then late in the 4th quarter, the Patriots showed their true colors. They scored 14 unanswered points to win the game.

Go Pats!!! PATRIOTS RULE!!!

Time, is it on my side?

When I was a child it seemed like it took forever to go through a year. Every year felt like a decade. Time dragged on & on. There was always time.

Now, as I get older, I know, there is never enough time. There have been too many happenings in my life to believe otherwise.

I mean, I feel like, I just bought Christmas gifts(for '06), yet they already have some ('07) black Friday ads online. And, actually, this evening I went to a Toys R Us sale with "Door buster" items, though I was disappointed as they were out of some of the items I wanted even though I got there 1hr & 10 minutes into the sale.

So, do I think time is on my side?

The Devil Made Me do It

Today at work my department won the 'Halloween theme' contest. We rocked!!!

Usually, our department never participates in these things. We are corporate, a non-income earning department, that the company obviously feels can accurately function, keep the auditors happy, send out wires (payoffs), balance all of the MANY accounts, & handle every/all other banking/accounting issues... with only 4 Indians & 2 Chiefs...

When the email came out about the Halloween contest, one person in my department said, "I want to do it. Let's dress-up as something scary" So I answered, "Well, if we're going to do it, let's do it to win, and we did! Our theme was "Accounting Hell".

Everyone in my department went 'Balls to the wall'. I work at a title company in the corporate accounting department...funny thing...all of the other departments were amazed at our creativity & attention to detail. We weren't. We work in the ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT ...ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS OUR MAIN CONCERN. When wiring funds, our hands hover over thousands & thousands of dollars...one wrong click & poof...money's gone!!

Anyhow, we won the contest. First time competing...and a win!! Then my 'Big' boss said, "Now I expect you to win every year."

I replied, "No, we already won. We don't have to prove anything. Haven't you ever heard of quitting while you're ahead?"

How could I get mad?

I know I have posted before about my daughter's homework; which means I have to do HOMEWORK! I hate having to do 5th grade homework. I already went to school & graduated. My parents NEVER helped me with my homework. They never even asked about it, because when I was growing up, it was a well known fact, that every day you do your homework without questions.

The subject my girl always asks for help on is Math. Now I am a math geek. It was always my best subject & even now I work in an accounting department. Even though math is my subject, I have found that the powers that be have decided to change the names of different mathematical components and calculating methods, though the calculations remain the same. Sometimes, it becomes such a challenge!

I have a friend who went to college to become a teacher. We met when our daughters went to the same pre-school. Last Wednesday afternoon, my friend spent 2 hours tutoring my girl focussing on Math. The over-all evaluation said that my girl was proficient in math & had a good grasp of mathematical concepts. So...

I was pissed. I told 'my girl' that I knew she was not being honest & that I wanted the truth about her homework!!. She admitted to me that she was pretending to need help with her math homework because she wanted to spend more time with me (ouch!)!!

How cute is that? And, now, after knowing the truth, how could I get mad?

IT'S NOT MY JOB

Creativity. That isn't a big word, but it has a big meaning. I have always thought of myself as creative, not crafty or artistic, but creative. This week was definitely an exception to my belief.

Every day at work we "huddle", which is a daily department gathering, that reinforces company policies, customer service and/or work ethics. The corporation sends out 'scripted' huddles every Thursday for the following week & we pick the one we want to lead. When I get my 'huddle', I start to 'Google' or 'Ask Jeeves' to get ideas on ways to spice up my meeting. I like to incorporate activities that are fun but will also reinforce the main subject. I always have found something, until this week.

Now the subjects of our huddles are repeated over and over & there are quite a few of them. This week my subject was about the do's & the don'ts of verbal & non-verbal communication. The no-no's of verbal for example, is saying, "It's not my department", "It's not my job"... the no-no's of body language, well, I think we all know what a huff, a puff & a storm away while stomping the feet means!!! I scoured & searched all over the net, but could not find anything that was interesting. Then I found this picture with the caption, "It's Not My Job"

Image courtesy Zilla the Younger

The picture is funny & great. The caption is right on the money. I think, how stupid is the person painting the white line on the road, move the damn branch, I would move the stupid branch. Everyone I work with thought the same thing. But in real life, people don't think that way. Most people would say, "It's not my job".

Where ever this picture came from, I guess they should be grateful that the white lines were painted on the roads at all, cause where I live, that branch would have caused the whole process to come to a screeching halt. The people painting would have to call their dispatcher, who would have to call the city, who would have to call the arborist department, who would have to go out there and move the tree limb... then, they would have to call back the people who paint the white line on the road...It would take a long time... AND IT'S NOT MY JOB

I am dramatic...

I can not draw. I actually flunked coloring within the lines in Kindergarden. My sis rocks at art. She can sketch, draw, outline, sculpt or mold. She is a great artist.

I rock performing art. I can dead-pan, to the max; ask anyone. I can cry on a whim. I can be demure or bubble with enthusiasm.

I am dramatic...

Destiny is destiny, right?

I know that things happen for a reason. I understand that... do I? Destiny is destiny, right? Pain & sorrow in this life is meant to be...right? What happens, happens, and what doesn't, doesn't...right?


In the middle of the night the phone rings...there's been a car accident...can't tell you the details...she's been bayflighted...come now. Everything happens for a reason. Yes, that's right!!

After the fog has lifted, there is a new beginning, a new day. A beautiful young girl with dark blonde hair and deep brown eyes. She will journey on a road that another has traveled before, walking with the same love & support as her big sister, Courtney. She embarks on a new adventure, she giggles as she skips along the sidewalk, she got the message, at least for now, thank the Lord....

Surfing The Net

I enjoy surfing the internet. I love to search & receive all of the info I ask for, and then some! It is amazing the amount of information you can attain on-line. Boy I love surfing the net!


"Google" is my life-line! I can Google anything, and get an awesome response. For instance, my company is having a contest for the best team Halloween costume/theme. So I Googled, 'Group Halloween Costume Themes". I found some really funny & creative ideas! I absolutely loved two of the ideas. I'm not sure if we will use them, but if not, the ideas I found are definitely inspiring & will help us create our own ideas for Halloween. Boy, I love surfing the net!

Maybe I'll try ASK.com

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?

I really like that show, 'Are you Smarter Than A Fifth Grader'. I think Jeff Foxworthy is funny. When the show first aired I thought, "My God, this game is easy", until I watched it the 3rd night. Contestants were dropping like flies. All of the questions are familiar because, I once was in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th grade. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean I actually remember every single thing I learned back then.

Now, my daughter is in 5th grade. Helping her with homework, other than math, usually requires me to scour her school books or search for the information on the internet.

It pains me to reveal...I am not always smarter than a fifth grader.

no file number, no water...No Deal!!

This week at work was pretty much crappy. In the morning everything was okay. Then for some reason, in the afternoon, all heck would break loose. There was always some cr*p going on... Like today, the airconditioner brokedown & there wasn't any water, only hot air was blowing through the vents. It had to have been well over 120 degrees on the 3rd floor. For 3 hours, there wasn't any running water in the building, which meant no sinks or toilets.

Take A Free Ride On the Reading Railroad!

Ever feel like life is a game? Sometimes it's funny, then sometimes it's cruel. When I was younger I used to love playing games. Board games like Monopoly, LIFE, backgammon or chess, then Nintendo! I thrived on that stuff, I was addicted!

Lately, my life has been playing out like a game, very surreal but not fun. I feel like every move I make, I get trumped! I'm not referring to any particular aspect of my life, but my life in general.

I live to play and I play to live!!!

Lately, I haven't felt like playing...that sucks...

Ry's poem!

The following is a poem my daughter (9 yrs old) wrote about her sister.

Courtney

I look

up at the

star struck sky.

I wonder

which

one you're on.

The brightest star

by the Big Dipper

or the smallest star

by the moon.

Watch me,

play games.

Somethings you

can't do forever.

But you can

always be my

sister.

And see me

in my dreams.

You smile.

You matter.

I miss you.

~Author~Ryann Wallace Duff~

She's Back!

The 'puter is fixed and she's back. I know it, I just know it!! Thank you to the Big Guy!

I am so happy that you are back. I missed you..

Love you....

Now I Know 25 Is Not Ancient

When I was 16 years old, I thought 25 was ancient. I thought I would be dead by the time I was 25. When my 25th birthday came around, I hid and stayed home in bed, it was my scariest birthday.

I was so surprised to live passed that day, that now every year I relish my birthday. I actually start talking about my birthday at least 30 days prior. In any random conversation, I will announce there are only so many days until my birthday. I'm not selfish or stuck up, I just think that everyone deserves to have their day & my day is April 17th! And I don't want to share my day, with anyone! (The president of the company I work for has the same birthday, but I don't care, I'm not budging!)

Now I am way over 25 years old but I don't feel ancient. Yes, there are some aches & pains, but even though that is my reality, mentally I think of myself as young. I guess the older I get, the younger every else becomes...

Update on the "Property tax" Idiocy

FYI: I received my new property tax bill in the mail the other day.

If the proposed Florida property tax referandum, that is supposed to greatly decrease my property tax goes through...my property tax bill will decrease by $68.00 a year. Isn't that wonderful? $68.00 whole dollars!! WOO!! HOO!!

Even better, our sales tax will increase 2 cents on the dollar, which affects everyone. And we hope it will pay for all of the schools & public work projects. Then as a bonus thousands of government/state employees (maybe even my husband) lose their jobs! Which in turn will increase the unemployment & home foreclosure rate...Awesome!!

I love politics! (Dumb*ss motherf*ckers!!)

On Angel's wings

A gentle wind blew across the land
reaching out to take a hand
for on the winds the angels came
calling out our daughter's name.

Left behind, are many tears
loving memories of the years
of joy and love, a life ne'er spent
and now to God our daughter's sent.

On angel's wings, a heavenly flight
the journey home towards the light
to us who weep, a life is gone
but in God's love, 'tis but the dawn...

We miss you, Courtney!!!

Think About It

Question 1:
If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already, three who were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she had syphilis, would you recommend that she have an abortion?

Question 2:
It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three candidates. Who would you vote for?

Candidate A: Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologist. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B: He was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

Candidate C: He is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and never cheated on his wife.


Which of these candidates would be your choice?



Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Candidate B is Winston Churchill.
Candidate C is Adolf Hitler.

And, by the way, on your answer to the abortion question:
If you said YES, you just killed Beethoven.

Pretty interesting isn't it? Makes a person think before judging someone.

Remember amateurs...built the ark. Professionals...built the Titanic

Mid-Life Crisis?

Monday thru Friday...get up, get the kid up, make breakfast, drop the kid off at school, go to work, work, go home, cook dinner, clean up, go to bed. Get up, get the kid up, make breakfast... Robotic, same routine, different day.

This must be my mid-life crisis, has to be!! I feel like everyday is repeating itself, almost a carbon copy.

Saturday, try to sleep in, get woken up, avoid chores, embrace shopping & fun with friends...Sunday, try to sleep in, get woken up, avoid chores, embrace shopping... Robotic, same routine, different day.

Guess not!!

In My Neighborhood

I love my home town. I moved here 14 years ago & will never move any where else!

We bought our house 7 years ago. It needed a lot of work, and still does, but we love our neighborhood. Our street is very quiet, not a dead end, but close to it. Usually the only people who drive down it, either live here or are visiting. My daughter is 10, she enjoys riding her bike. We live about 2 blocks from her elementary school, 1 block from the Catholic church and since the end of last week diagonally across from a convicted sexual predator, who by the way, was convicted of molesting a minor under the age of 12, although we don't know the sex of the victim.

I have always been told, that if they do the time...then all is fine...

He was not just a convicted sexual 'offender' but a convicted sexual 'predator'! (there is a difference) Public records show he was 22 when convicted of sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 12.

So much for our quiet neighborhood! And so much for my daughter out riding her bike or anything else, without supervision!

I already went to school

Well, school this year begins next Tuesday, August 21st. We got a letter today because, this year, our daughter was selected for 'Safety Patrol'. This evening, I found out there was a mandatory meeting Monday morning @ 9am. Kind of irritated me, getting a letter from school on Thursday for a mandatory Monday morning meeting... Luckily, 2 weeks ago, I asked for Monday off, because it was the last day of summer vacation, & I wanted to spend it with Ry having fun.

My BFF has a daughter going to a private school, they started yesterday, & had some homework today. Her kid liked the school yesterday, but today we're not sure.

I don't want to do 5th grade homework! I don't want to do any homework! When I was in school, I did not get help with my homework, not at all!

Today, as parents, we are expected & required to assist with homework assignments for our children, not that I don't want to help. I just don't like being told I have to to the work. I mean how does my child learn if I do & suggest everything & she does not think, visualize or imagine other possibilities?

(sometimes it hurts...)

I am always reflective, this time of year. Can't be helped. She was only 19. Her birthday was July 25th, her passing was August 25th, I am always thinking of her, and I am especially sad & sensitive this time of year.

You know what I think is f'ed up? I posted a blog on July 12th ("That thing on my window") Not 1 person commented or emailed me. I didn't expect much response, but I did at least expect some comments from my family members who visit my sites regularly. I know they all didn't get a chance to know Courtney very well, but she was my family & very much a part of my life. I am not begging for sympathy or empathy, & I never will, but still, it hurts a little that my family did not even take the time to acknowledge the post or even ask how we're doing.

I know this blog will probably piss off some people, but being my true self, I don't care, I'd rather be honest with my feelings than worry about getting flack from anyone.

I am who I am. Take it or leave it. Love me or hate me.

(sometimes it hurts...)

as my sis says

Okay, here is something I don't like to admit, but it must be true as my sister & BFF constantly say it is so...I'm very particular & controlling about the way everything is done regarding every aspect of my life. In other words, I'm anal.
Personally, I don't see it that way, I just think I am meticulous when it comes to details. I have my own ideas on the way things should be accomplished & I want my projects done my way.
So, what's wrong with that? I guess it does sound obsessive...

Say "NO" to the "No Property Tax Referandum"

VOTING IN FLORIDA: I think it sucks that the new property tax referendum is going to be enacted. I didn't vote for it. I don't think all of the homeowner's in Florida really read and understood the proposal before voting. Alot of residents only listened to & heard, "no property tax", especially the elderly, who encompass at least 60% of our voting population.

It actually isn't a "no property tax at all", but could be a less property tax for "some" people and definitely more sales tax for 'everyone'. It might save a couple of hundred dollars a year for some homeowners, but that is not guaranteed. We are going to lose alot of government sponsored programs. First & foremost is the public school programs that will be eliminated!!! There is already a list of schools in our county that will be closing. Funding for any extracurricular activities will be axed, and forget any other federally funded activities or services.

All I know is that a butt load of government programs are getting axed and people are losing their jobs. How is THAT beneficial to our community? Writing my local congressman, obviously doesn't help, since I already have & it didn't do any good! ***So I need assistance with this one.***

My husband is employed by the county, because of this b*ll sh*t, he may lose his job. If he loses his job, I lose my home, because we are & have to be a 2 income family. The community loses necessary services & thousands of residents lose their jobs. This is not priceless, this is real life, not a mastercard comercial!


it is my life

Rain, rain go away

Rain, rain go away...come again another day...rain, rain go away, come again another day...

I know we are in a drought situation, but come on, it's Florida!!!

It's been non-stop for 2 days!!

HELLO? Is there anybody out there?

WWWOOOO!!! HHHOOOOO!!!

Is there anybody out there? Just holler if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?? (Pink Floyd, The Wall)

Okay, I guess I should just continue to write for me, myself & I, but about what?

In My Bathroom

Well, we finally did it. We had our bathroom remodeled. Completely gutted and revamped. No more 60's blue toilet & tub, no more yellow tile 4 foot high on every wall.

Everyone who really knows me, knows that I am not a decorator, but I figured since the bathroom hadn't been updated since 1960 & we were spending a butt load of money that I would make an effort. I went with bone fixtures, not white! In the shower/tub area there is a glossy tile with light beige & gray accents and on the floor a rough tile that is gray with some beige throughout. My toilet, tub and vanity counter top all match perfectly! I had to special order the vanity,which cost a lot, but the one I received was not the one I ordered! My vanity had to be 54" wide & only 18" deep. I wanted drawers on both sides and doors in the center. I was told "NO CAN DO" Only 1 drawer on each side and then the rest cabinets. But when I got home Friday evening & vanity was installed, I saw that the wood was WAY darker than 'honey oak', but there WERE DRAWERS ON BOTH SIDES!!! (exactly what I wanted to begin with even though, not what I ordered) I would have complained & returned the vanity, but the darker wood does work and I got my drawers! WOO HOO!!

The bathroom is usable but not finished (almost).

When it is complete, I will have to entertain people...in my bathroom!!!

You know what sucks?

You know what sucks? My sis is the only one who takes the time to read my ramblings and right now her computer is on the outs...So my ramblings are JUST ramblings, without an audience... Okay, (inhale, exhale) WHATEVER!!!!

Our Fun Outing

Well, the big bus trip outing to the baseball game was not that bad.

We went up an escalator instead of trudging up the big long-ass ramp. Drinks were expensive, but I could get an Absolute for almost the same price as draft bud.

The Devil Rays were winning until about the 5th inning. After we saw the Yankees go ahead with 2 home runs, we left. We went to a place called Ferg's which is across from the stadium. At that point, my buzz was gone, so I did 3 shots of Cuervo Gold chilled and ordered a Stoli & diet coke. ten minutes later I had another shot of Cuervo Gold; then I started dancing. Boy I had fun. After a few hours we got back on the bus and went back to the bar, then Pete & I left and went home.

Boy, I'm getting old, the next day I was so hung over that it took me all day to eat my breakfast! Which I finally finished at 5:00pm. Sh*t, I used to go to all day/night at outdoor concerts and be fine for 2 days! (remember Foghat, Molly Hatchet or Blue Oyster Cult?)Anyway, I made Shepard's pie and Pete said he had an awesome birthday!!

Kill-The-Keg, or my headache...

Pete's birthday is this Sunday, July 15th. He won't tell me what he wants for a present, so, SURPRISE! I'm his present (and he WILL like me, whether he wants to or not!!!)

Tomorrow, we're going on a party bus trip to a baseball game with the crew from the pub where he hangs out. I really didn't want to go, but he kept asking me & asking me, so I finally broke down & agreed. It's a kill-the-keg trip. (Yuck, draft beer, hang-over city!) also we have to hike way the heck up to the top of he stadium (nose bleed seats) then pay $9 for draft beer, because we're thirsty from the long hike.

The Devil Rays are playing the Yankees & at least I can have fun razzing all of the Yankee fans!!! (especially Big Bad)

Pete just traded his boat for a motorcycle, sight unseen, been talking about it for 2 years. I told him he had to have better life insurance first, which of course, not. But not to worry, I heard the motorcycle was more of a piece of crap than his boat was...so no worries there for quite sometime!Gotta love them

That thing on my window

Well, anyone who knows me, knows that our/pete's daughter, Courtney, passed away in a car accident in 2003. Well, our daughter, Mallorie, had decals made for our cars..."In loving memory of Courtney..." which I love! Last week, someone at work asked, "The red jeep is your car, right? The one with that thing on your window...

"The saddest thing is that, this is someone who has worked in my office with me since I started over 2 years ago. Now there are only 5 of us in my department, besides management Although I appreciate that no-one wants to gossip about my family, I am astonished. (NOT, I'm sure they talk when I'm not there). We talk about everyone else. Noone ever asks.

I remember about 2 months after I started working there, one girl went off about cremation, about how she thought it was so wrong and who would ever do such a thing...needless to say, she was young (twenties); we had Courtney cremated (Lord knows, when I pass I want to be cremated too!!) I bit my tongue & didn't say a word, which was very hard, 'cause I didn't want to be pegged as "the bitchy woman", which is how it would have come across, so I smiled & sucked it up. (cried inside a little).

Well, not now!!! F*CK that!! cremation, whatever, our souls all end up where they are supposed to. There is a greater purpose. Death comes to us all!

Other people know about that thing on my window, my real friends....and they remember & I remember & we always will...

remember when?

I think it sucks that I have to admit to remembering this far back...but I remember when...

• My allowance was a quarter and I would go to the corner store and get a weeks worth of candy for just 25 cents.
• penny candy was a penny
• a pack of smokes was 25 cents
• at 6 years old, you could leave the house and didn't have to be home until dark.
• we used to thumb everywhere and we were never worried about crazies & sickos.

Now I think it sucks that I have to know that...

• it is common practice to give an allowance to a child for absolutely nothing; and it has to be a minimum of $3
• penny candy - no such animal
• smokes? over 4 bucks!!!
• there is no leaving the house alone, well maybe when she is 10 I will let her out, with maximum supervision.
• thumbing? What's thumbing...(that's my story & I'm sticking to it!!!)

older is better

Getting old sucks, but it is better than the alternative.

I guess I am what most people would call "Middle Aged". Even though I think I am young, I'm not...

Over the last 7 years I managed to ignore or explain-away any and all ailments & medical issues that I have experienced. Well this year, I said, "this is the year I get healthy". I finally went to the doctor and let them take blood and do tests... It hasn't been fun, not at all. You know the saying, "Ignore it and it will go away?" Well, that doesn't work especially after you reach 40!! What a wake up call. (knock, knock, is anyone home? Luckily, I answered the call!)

(You're born, life sucks, then you die...) NOT!!! At least not me! Life is an awesome experience and I plan on living mine to the fullest.

HELLO WORLD, I AM EILEEN!!!!

High Speed Internet

WWOOO HHHOOO! I finally have high-speed internet! Okay, most people would think that is a wierd celebration, but not me. over the last 10 years, I have been been working the dial-up; sure it sucks but enough is enpough

Worry Wart

I worry. It's a well know fact about me. I worry about all kinds of stuff. I worry about making ends meet. I worry about what Lady-Lick-alot does when I'm not home. I worry that there won't be enough food at Thanksgiving dinner or our anual 4th of July barbeque. I worry that Ryann won't like her birthday presents. (which is silly, because she likes everything that's a present)

I also worry about significant things like...I worry about doing the "right thing". I worry about the war in Iraq and all of our troops over there.

Mostly, I worry about my family.

The last thing I worry about is me. Found out recently, that's not smart.

FYI: Always take care of yourself, because if anything happens to you, then who would take care of your family?

American Pride

Tonight I watched the movie 'United 93" I cried through almost the whole thing. The movie re-enacted that fateful morning. The film not only focused on United flight 93, but on the personnel tracking all of the highjacked flights, etc...

I remember that morning watching on TV when the news was reporting that there was a fire in one of the World Trade center towers. I was watching when the second plane crash into the other tower. I cried when the tower collapsed. All I could think was about how many people just died. then the second tower! I had just recently lost my mom, but that was nothing compared to all of the lives that were lost and the lives that were forever changed...I cried then, I cry now and I pray...

What a senseless waste of God's greatest gift...life!

this is the way I am

I am a very blunt, straight forward type of person. I don't take crap and I never have taken crap. If I were a man, I would be respected, but since I am a woman, I am considered a bitch. Fair??? NOT!!!

Growing up, my family constantly teased and made fun of each other. Every sibling's birthday, I always felt there was a competition to find the most insulting card (without being too cruel), and if you were the one to give that card then you won. Won what? I honestly don't know.

Anyone that knows my family, knows Wallace's are jokers. We kid around a lot. My dad was the best kidder of them all. He really knew how to joke around with everyone. No matter the age of the recipient, they always laughed. God bless Red!

Unfortunately, when my siblings and I joke with people, it does not end with the same result. (I guess we are probably lucky that we haven't been sued.) We are usually taken seriously and considered mean!!! Imagine that!!

I am so tired of having to explain myself...So here I go...Okay World, I'm joking...lighten-up...don't be so serious...it's funny...I'm sorry...

Having a baby, ouch!

I just spoke with my niece, who is desperately awaiting the birth of her second child. She is nine months pregnant, and anyone of you who has ever been pregnant should understand what that means comfort wise; NOTHING IS COMFORTABLE!! No such animal! End of story!

She wants to have the baby so bad. To help induce labor, I told her to have sex, she said she did. I told her significant other to have sex with her again, and to give her spicy foods... he said, tell her that...which I did before she handed him the phone. Any who...

I remember my ninth month as if it were yesterday. 'Any which way you turn', is not a Clint Eastwood movie! It isn't fictional, it is reality and it really sucks when a baby is pressing up against your bladder and every other internal organ you have!! I mean WHOLLY CRAP!!! The little kicks or hiccups here and there are endearing, to a point.

Anyway, labor sucked the big one and when she popped out? There was no popping, there was tearing. Not tearing but, RIPPING! Wholly OUCH!!! And my kid was only 6lb 13oz! Predictions for the size of the new kid on the block? Well, he was estimated at over 5lb at 32 weeks (I think?) So I'm predicting about 8lb 12oz at birth, which I already told my niece. Unless she keeps him in the oven another week. Then the numbers would change; but knowing her, another week is not an option.

Welcome to the world nephew! Auntie loves you! (4/27 4:27; hopefully not until 5/7)

Out of the Loop

Okay, I know I have been silent for quite a while, but I really didn't understand what that meant in blogger time. From what I have gathered, I have been away so long that I am no longer a "blog to note" or a "blog to visit". Yet my neice, who stated she only used blogger so she could comment on her cousins' blogs, is.

Okay, I started calling people instead of blogging...I guess that was a mistake. You can say more to a person in a call, but inform less people about your news. Anyway, I guess writing is the best way for me to communicate.

so...what do I say???

Well, I'm Back... After a long absence, I finally have found my will to write again. But...it is so hard to pick just one subject to focus on since so much sh*t has been happening in the world these days. So maybe I'll just let my mind wander...

Okay...yesterday was my birthday. It is the only day of the year that I can do exactly what I want to do, only because I say so!!! It was okay. I mean it was a Tuesday and I had to work. Then Bill, Carol & I had king crab at my house, which was nice, but I wasn't supposed to help...Well, anyone who knows me at all, knows that watching them in my kitchen cooking & cleaning pretty much drove me up a wall . But, you would be proud of me; I didn't flip out, but I did have to rearrange the dishwasher this morning!!! (It was way too messy!) Like Carol always tells me...I'm anal; like Bill tells me...I'm bitchy.

So, I guess that leads me to a totally different subject; am I becoming my parents? My first reaction is, "Holy crap! I am!" But when I step back and take a breather, I realize, yes I am anal, (thank goodness) and yes, I am bitchy (I'm a woman going through the change; feel lucky that is all I am!!) I am also, caring, loving, trustworthy, brutally honest and one of the most faithful friends a friend could ever hope for...for any friend or loved one this applies.

Others beware...