I've always loved The Bangles song of the above title. It sums up exactly how I usually feel on a Monday morning: I have to drag my self away from my dreams (although I've never kissed Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream), then I struggle to wake up enough to get ready for work, then I rush to get to work and only barely make it on time (and I only live 5 minutes away!)
But I figured I better post something, lest I be accused of having, like another Blogger who shall remain nameless (but his name begins with "E") a "case of the Mondays". But I don't have much time, as this is a busy day for me (last day of the month = payroll reports, end-of-month financial reports, mileage logs to be updated and turned in, etc), plus the usual work of making sure everything in the office runs smoothly. So... here's a brief update on Life with Stinkbumps.
Jamie is at Papaw's this week. It almost didn't happen that way, though. On Saturday evening, Jamie and I went for a bike ride. When we came back in, Jamie went to the refrigerator to get a drink. Dad has a rule that Jamie has to ask before he can get in the refrigerator (otherwise Jamie winds up with about 5 drinks open all over the house at the same time). Well, Jamie forgot to ask first. Dad pipes up with "Weren't you supposed to ask first? Go put it back." Which I'm fine with. But then, Jamie put it back, waited a few minutes and then asked if he could get a drink. Dad said "No." Well, I'm sorry, but we'd just been riding bikes out in 100-degree weather, and we were both hot and thirsty. So then I told Jamie he could have my drink. Dad had already made his point by making Jamie put the drink back in the first place. I thought Dad was taking it too far.
So, typical of my father, he gets all mad and says pack up your $h#t and get out. I looked at Dad and said "How typical of you", calmly got all our stuff together, packed up the car and dog and started to leave. All the while Dad's grumbling about how it was his d@mn house and his f---ing rules. I told Dad he had already made his point by making Jamie put the drink back the first time, and that carrying it further was merely being childish. Then I told him to have a good week, and Jamie and I went out and got in the car and started backing out. Dad came running out and said "come back in". I told him he had told us to leave. Then he apologised and asked us to please come back in. So we did.
Poor Jamie though started crying then, because he had wanted to leave all along. It ripped my heart out, but I had no babysitter for today. And I've asked Jamie over and over again why he doesn't want to stay with Papaw, and his answer is always that he's bored. Well, sorry baby, but you can't always get what you want in life. If Dad was harming Jamie, then of course he wouldn't have to stay. But just because Jamie is bored - well, tough cookies. I can't afford to pay a babysitter all the time. Jamie just has to tough it out for now. But I did concede that if things got too bad, I'd come down and get him one day after work this week. But he had to have a really, REALLY good reason for it. I don't want to ask him point-blank if Papaw's done anything to hurt him, because then he'll get the idea that he can lie about it and I'll take him home. But I've also made it clear that he can tell me ANYTHING. So, we're now at an impasse.
Got to get back to work now. I'm done rambling on about Jamie. Ya'll probably get tired of me writing about our little dramas and such.
Everett - I hope you had fun with the church group this past weekend. Tooz - I hope your knee is feeling better. Ann - Good luck with your new job! Lydia - PYFU and don't forget to drink plenty of water! Tara - I hope Aidan is going to bed when he's supposed to. Becca - I hope you aren't being driven crazy by your job (it's hard when you first come back from vacation!). Julie - I'm sorry you and your kitty had a bad weekend. Suze - I'm glad you're enjoying your parents' visit! Joel - Love you, Bubby! I hope you're having a good day. I'll try to call you sometime this week on my lunch break.
Stinkbumps the Wonder Boy: The rants, ravings and ramblings of a lunatic, overachieving single mom.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
And Now We Come to #33
Well, I'm amazed that I've reached an item number 33 on my list of things about Hacker Haus. So, I'll jump right into it...
33. Somewhere in the world I have a half-sister named Natasha Josepha Natalya something-or-other (or is it Natalya Josepha Natasha? I can't remember). Apparently, my dad had a relationship (or was it a marriage?) before he met Mom and they had a little girl. When Mom and Dad got together, the woman sent Dad some papers to sign to allow the woman's new husband to adopt the little girl. I still have a baby ring that purportedly belonged to her.
34. Even though Dad once acknowledged that this story is true, he now swears that it was a lie fabricated by my mother.
35. Dad has been telling people down here that he is a widower and that he and Mom were married 31 years before she died. This makes me very angry, even though it isn't really hurting Mom any. It just bothers me that he's using this to play on other womens' sympathy. They assume he's a really sweet guy and that he's hurting and they want to comfort him. HA! Mom's the one who needed comforting because of the horrid way he treated her (and us)!
36. Okay, as evidenced above, I still have some residual childhood issues to work through! LOL!
37. I have new respect for my mother since having a child of my own. It took enormous strength for her to keep putting one foot in front of the other day by day. She lost two of her children. I love Jamie so much, it would kill me if he died. I don't see how Mom found the strength to go on after so much heartache.
38. Little boys apparently have hollow legs which must be filled hourly with copious amounts of food (of course, with Jamie this begins at about 7:30 p.m. because that's when his medicine wears off).
39. Jamie's favorite Disney movie is Treasure Planet. I think he identifies with the fatherless boy, Jim, in the movie. But that could be too much amateur psychology on my part.
40. Those sappy Hallmark commercials make me cry.
41. I'll be 30 in less than three months.
42. I'm an excellent cook - but only when I don't let having company over make me a nervous wreck in the kitchen. Then I'm a complete dunce. But if I'm comfortable enough around you, and not determined that I HAVE to make everything perfect, I make REALLY GOOD stuff.
43. I'm terrified of the dark. I keep a nightlight on in my room and the bathroom adjoining my bedroom.
44. I have no night vision what-so-ever. It's gotten so bad that I don't often drive after dark. This bad night vision may be part of the reason for #43.
45. Once I get to know you, I'm very outgoing and gregarious. But when I first am getting to know you, I'm very shy. For this reason, I hate large crowds. I feel like I'm going to smother in them.
46. At my sister's funeral, the person giving the eulogy kept saying our last name as "Hatcher". My mother had to practically sit on me to keep me from getting up and yelling at the preacher to get our name right. I guess I've always been pretty outspoken, even at the age of nine!
47. I haven't seen my brother in several years. He sent me a picture recently. I was so happy to get it! We're going to see him in March! YAY!!!!!
48. I don't like small, enclosed spaces. I once got stuck in an elevator at EKU when I was in middle school band camp. We were in there for what seemed like hours. I don't remember how long we were really in there, but I do know by the time we got out of there, I was alternating between laughing hysterically and crying.
50. Jamie's feet look just like his grandma's.
Now that I've reached 50, it will be a while before I can think of anything else to write.
33. Somewhere in the world I have a half-sister named Natasha Josepha Natalya something-or-other (or is it Natalya Josepha Natasha? I can't remember). Apparently, my dad had a relationship (or was it a marriage?) before he met Mom and they had a little girl. When Mom and Dad got together, the woman sent Dad some papers to sign to allow the woman's new husband to adopt the little girl. I still have a baby ring that purportedly belonged to her.
34. Even though Dad once acknowledged that this story is true, he now swears that it was a lie fabricated by my mother.
35. Dad has been telling people down here that he is a widower and that he and Mom were married 31 years before she died. This makes me very angry, even though it isn't really hurting Mom any. It just bothers me that he's using this to play on other womens' sympathy. They assume he's a really sweet guy and that he's hurting and they want to comfort him. HA! Mom's the one who needed comforting because of the horrid way he treated her (and us)!
36. Okay, as evidenced above, I still have some residual childhood issues to work through! LOL!
37. I have new respect for my mother since having a child of my own. It took enormous strength for her to keep putting one foot in front of the other day by day. She lost two of her children. I love Jamie so much, it would kill me if he died. I don't see how Mom found the strength to go on after so much heartache.
38. Little boys apparently have hollow legs which must be filled hourly with copious amounts of food (of course, with Jamie this begins at about 7:30 p.m. because that's when his medicine wears off).
39. Jamie's favorite Disney movie is Treasure Planet. I think he identifies with the fatherless boy, Jim, in the movie. But that could be too much amateur psychology on my part.
40. Those sappy Hallmark commercials make me cry.
41. I'll be 30 in less than three months.
42. I'm an excellent cook - but only when I don't let having company over make me a nervous wreck in the kitchen. Then I'm a complete dunce. But if I'm comfortable enough around you, and not determined that I HAVE to make everything perfect, I make REALLY GOOD stuff.
43. I'm terrified of the dark. I keep a nightlight on in my room and the bathroom adjoining my bedroom.
44. I have no night vision what-so-ever. It's gotten so bad that I don't often drive after dark. This bad night vision may be part of the reason for #43.
45. Once I get to know you, I'm very outgoing and gregarious. But when I first am getting to know you, I'm very shy. For this reason, I hate large crowds. I feel like I'm going to smother in them.
46. At my sister's funeral, the person giving the eulogy kept saying our last name as "Hatcher". My mother had to practically sit on me to keep me from getting up and yelling at the preacher to get our name right. I guess I've always been pretty outspoken, even at the age of nine!
47. I haven't seen my brother in several years. He sent me a picture recently. I was so happy to get it! We're going to see him in March! YAY!!!!!
48. I don't like small, enclosed spaces. I once got stuck in an elevator at EKU when I was in middle school band camp. We were in there for what seemed like hours. I don't remember how long we were really in there, but I do know by the time we got out of there, I was alternating between laughing hysterically and crying.
50. Jamie's feet look just like his grandma's.
Now that I've reached 50, it will be a while before I can think of anything else to write.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
I Want to Be a Clone
Well, not really. But I just had to use that song title. I love Steve Taylor! I grew up listening to his stuff - my sister was a big fan. I recently downloaded a whole bunch of his stuff off i-Tunes, and it's funny how you remember song lyrics long (at least a decade) after you last heard them. Or maybe I'm just a music geek. :-)
I may not want to be a clone (at least, not of anyone else), but I would like to have a clone or two. I'd let them work on this nasty, complicated report. I thought I was done with it yesterday. But then my boss complained that he didn't like the way the pictures turned out. He was nice about it, but I still wanted to wring his neck. He doesn't understand that in a report as large as this, you must decrease the file size of pictures, or else it will make my computer keep crashing (oh, how I long for a Mac!). So, since my boss insists the pictures in the report must be 3.5" x 5.25", I had to decrease the pixels-per-inch to around 125, otherwise the pictures were going to be about 2 MG each. When you have 10 pictures at 2 MG each, then you have another larger picture that is about 3 MG due to the intricate detail and photo-illustration, plus five pictures that are 1 MG each, plus several imported documents, then you wind up with a report that is so big that, even when it's PDF'd, it's more than 10 MG, and most e-mail programs won't accept a file that large. So I was trying to reduce the file size. So, I've spent all morning working on these photos - trying to keep the file size down, but still highlight flaws on certain areas (we're talking infinitessimal cracking). I've been "unsharp mask"ing, deepening shadows, oblique lighting and increasing contrast all morning. I wish I had a clone to do this for me, I'm getting a headache! Whew!
Speaking of headaches, the engineer with whom I don't get along is still being a butt-munch. However, I've been covering my tookus on-the-job. Every time he leaves a sample on my desk for me to ship, I take a picture of it with my camera phone. Then, when I get done packaging it, I take another picture. That way, he can't claim I didn't do it right or that he put it on my desk in one condition when I know darn good and well that he didn't! I'm a little bitter about this still - guess I need to keep praying for God to help me get rid of this anger and resentment. One thing that puts it in perspective for me. One of the techs told me to just ignore the engineer when he's being ridiculous, as he isn't the one who signs my paychecks! That's some pretty good advice.
So, now it's lunch time. I'm going to go home and eat left-over meat loaf from supper last night. If I have time later today, I'll post the recipe for it on R.O.U.S.
I may not want to be a clone (at least, not of anyone else), but I would like to have a clone or two. I'd let them work on this nasty, complicated report. I thought I was done with it yesterday. But then my boss complained that he didn't like the way the pictures turned out. He was nice about it, but I still wanted to wring his neck. He doesn't understand that in a report as large as this, you must decrease the file size of pictures, or else it will make my computer keep crashing (oh, how I long for a Mac!). So, since my boss insists the pictures in the report must be 3.5" x 5.25", I had to decrease the pixels-per-inch to around 125, otherwise the pictures were going to be about 2 MG each. When you have 10 pictures at 2 MG each, then you have another larger picture that is about 3 MG due to the intricate detail and photo-illustration, plus five pictures that are 1 MG each, plus several imported documents, then you wind up with a report that is so big that, even when it's PDF'd, it's more than 10 MG, and most e-mail programs won't accept a file that large. So I was trying to reduce the file size. So, I've spent all morning working on these photos - trying to keep the file size down, but still highlight flaws on certain areas (we're talking infinitessimal cracking). I've been "unsharp mask"ing, deepening shadows, oblique lighting and increasing contrast all morning. I wish I had a clone to do this for me, I'm getting a headache! Whew!
Speaking of headaches, the engineer with whom I don't get along is still being a butt-munch. However, I've been covering my tookus on-the-job. Every time he leaves a sample on my desk for me to ship, I take a picture of it with my camera phone. Then, when I get done packaging it, I take another picture. That way, he can't claim I didn't do it right or that he put it on my desk in one condition when I know darn good and well that he didn't! I'm a little bitter about this still - guess I need to keep praying for God to help me get rid of this anger and resentment. One thing that puts it in perspective for me. One of the techs told me to just ignore the engineer when he's being ridiculous, as he isn't the one who signs my paychecks! That's some pretty good advice.
So, now it's lunch time. I'm going to go home and eat left-over meat loaf from supper last night. If I have time later today, I'll post the recipe for it on R.O.U.S.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
In Absentia
I am not updating due to a large (50+ page) report I'm compiling for my boss to present to a client on Thursday. Much intricate details, much photo illustrating, much headache!
Hugs to you all!
Hugs to you all!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
More Items Regarding Hacker Haus
Well, I don't have much to blog about, other than that school is rapidly approaching for both Jamie and myself. Thank you, Jesus! I long for school to start so I can get Jamie back into a routine where he isn't driving me so nuts. I know it isn't totally his fault, but he is driving me absolutely insane. The child does not do well without a routine, and unfortunately, there has been neither a routine nor any hope of one due to the childcare situation. August 14 can't get here fast enough! August 28 is when I start back to school, as well. That should be interesting!
Anyhoo, for lack of anything better to write about, I shall continue the 100 things list I started. However, I doubt I will get to #100.
14. Incompetent people in positions of power make me twitchy. (Maybe that's why I get a tic in my left eye anytime the name "George W. Bush" is mentioned.)
15. When I was a teenager, I swore I would never have children. Now I wish I had several more than just the one!
16. I was a bone marrow donor for my sister when it was still an experimental procedure.
17. My favorite dessert in the whole wide world is cheesecake. Better yet if it has chocolate on it. I could live off chocolate and never tire of it.
18. I will gladly stay up all night to finish a book. No matter how tired I am, I cannot put it down until I know what has happened.
19. There are several books I consider to be "old friends" which I re-read just about every year. These titles include: The Harry Potter series, the Anne of Green Gables books, Little Women, LOTR (although it's been a couple of years since I delved into that one), the J.D. Robb ...in Death series, most anything by Nora Roberts (yes, I know she and J.D. Robb are the same person, but the tones of the books are different. And yes, I realize these are romance novels. I'm a softie at heart, okay?), Sue Grafton's Alphabet mysteries, Lillian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who... series, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover novels, Piers Anthony's Xanth novels and his Incarnations of Immortality Series, and that's all I can think of right now. Books are friends in my world.
20. I love to read/watch/listen to/absorb anything by Shakespeare and even like some of the recent movies inspired by Shakespeare.
21. I enjoy mythology and lore from all over the world.
22. The name "Jennifer" is a derivative of "Gwynhaefar", the original Celtic version of "Guinevere". It means "the white one".
23. If you took Jamie's real name and divided it into its two root words, his name means "Strong Supplanter".
24. Zig Zag Scalawag was so named because he never walks straight and he's so mischievious.
25. I miss my Sunday night telephone conversations.
26. I love my father, but I don't like him at all, at all.
27. My bubby e-mailed me a picture of himself, as I haven't seen him in several years. We're going to see him in March during Jamie's spring break.
28. If I had my druthers, I'd spend the rest of my life in school learning everything about everything.
29. I dream of one day going on an archeological dig.
30. Jamie's favorite color for right now is green. A few weeks ago it was blue. No telling what it will be next week.
31. Jamie's foot is already almost as big as mine. He has a pair of sandals I can actually wear. My toes hang over the edge, but the fact that I can actually fit my foot in them is scary!
32. My heart breaks every time I see my boy stare wistfully at a father and son when we're out in public.
Anyhoo, for lack of anything better to write about, I shall continue the 100 things list I started. However, I doubt I will get to #100.
14. Incompetent people in positions of power make me twitchy. (Maybe that's why I get a tic in my left eye anytime the name "George W. Bush" is mentioned.)
15. When I was a teenager, I swore I would never have children. Now I wish I had several more than just the one!
16. I was a bone marrow donor for my sister when it was still an experimental procedure.
17. My favorite dessert in the whole wide world is cheesecake. Better yet if it has chocolate on it. I could live off chocolate and never tire of it.
18. I will gladly stay up all night to finish a book. No matter how tired I am, I cannot put it down until I know what has happened.
19. There are several books I consider to be "old friends" which I re-read just about every year. These titles include: The Harry Potter series, the Anne of Green Gables books, Little Women, LOTR (although it's been a couple of years since I delved into that one), the J.D. Robb ...in Death series, most anything by Nora Roberts (yes, I know she and J.D. Robb are the same person, but the tones of the books are different. And yes, I realize these are romance novels. I'm a softie at heart, okay?), Sue Grafton's Alphabet mysteries, Lillian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who... series, Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover novels, Piers Anthony's Xanth novels and his Incarnations of Immortality Series, and that's all I can think of right now. Books are friends in my world.
20. I love to read/watch/listen to/absorb anything by Shakespeare and even like some of the recent movies inspired by Shakespeare.
21. I enjoy mythology and lore from all over the world.
22. The name "Jennifer" is a derivative of "Gwynhaefar", the original Celtic version of "Guinevere". It means "the white one".
23. If you took Jamie's real name and divided it into its two root words, his name means "Strong Supplanter".
24. Zig Zag Scalawag was so named because he never walks straight and he's so mischievious.
25. I miss my Sunday night telephone conversations.
26. I love my father, but I don't like him at all, at all.
27. My bubby e-mailed me a picture of himself, as I haven't seen him in several years. We're going to see him in March during Jamie's spring break.
28. If I had my druthers, I'd spend the rest of my life in school learning everything about everything.
29. I dream of one day going on an archeological dig.
30. Jamie's favorite color for right now is green. A few weeks ago it was blue. No telling what it will be next week.
31. Jamie's foot is already almost as big as mine. He has a pair of sandals I can actually wear. My toes hang over the edge, but the fact that I can actually fit my foot in them is scary!
32. My heart breaks every time I see my boy stare wistfully at a father and son when we're out in public.
Friday, July 21, 2006
I'm Finally Giving in to Peer Pressure
Suze has informed me (several times, I think) that it was my turn to do a "100 Things-About-Jenn" or something similar post. Since my blog is about me and my family (which includes my son and my dog), this list would have to include tidbits of information about them, as well. I'm finally giving in to the peer pressure and doing such a post. I don't know if I have enough data to create a full 100-item list, but here's items 1-13, anyway. Please don't snore so loud you wake the other bloggers.
1. I am a slightly neurotic sole parental unit to a similarly slightly neurotic 8 year old boy who also happens to have ADHD.
2. My son and I are so much alike that I sometimes think I would make more progress if I merely beat my head against the wall, as arguing with my son is like having an argument with myself. Nobody wins!
3. I also have a "four-legged son", Zig Zag Scalawag. His call-name is Ziggy, but he actually knows his full name. He thinks (and so do we) that he's human.
4. Our city of residence is San Antonio, TX. One of its nicknames is "The River City". It should have been nicknamed "The Cesspool City" as the river is filthy and people think nothing of throwing litter on the ground, in the water, etc.
5. I'm going back to school this fall over the Internet to get my bachelor's degree in General Studies. Once I get that, I'm getting the heck out of Texas (well, I have to get a job out of Texas first. Which means I have to decide where I want to live). Then I'm going to pursue my Master's of Library Science over the Internet.
6. I'm the youngest of four children. Only my brother, Joel, and myself are still living.
7. My son was almost named Jareth after the Goblin King in my favorite movie of all time, Labyrinth.
8. His middle name is Lowell after my favorite uncle on my dad's side of the family.
9. My eyes change color based on what mood I'm in. Jamie's eyes do the same thing.
10. I was born a blonde, but my hair darkened over the years so now it's a medium reddish-brown. Jamie was born with coal black hair that all fell out when he was a couple of weeks old and grew in white blonde. His hair has darkened to a dirty-dishwater blonde shade slightly lighter than mine was as a baby. However, his hair is lighter than mine was at his age. I'm thinking his hair will stay fair longer than mine did.
11. Jamie's top pinkie joints are each crooked. They point in toward his other fingers at almost exactly 45-degree angles. I think they make him very unique, but he's embarrassed by them when other people notice them.
12. Jamie looks almost just like a very young version of my brother. On a recent trip to Georgetown, an old high school friend of Joel's and mine saw Jamie and said "It's Joel!!!" My brother looks just like my mom's side of the family. Jamie does, too. Thank God Jamie apparently inherited nothing from his biological father. (Is it possible his genes were only so much genetic "filler" in Jamie's DNA code?)
13. When I was two years old, I shocked my Granny into near-apoplexy. My granny came to stay with us when my mom had to stay in the hospital for surgery. I calmly announced to my grandmother - a devout "old-school" fundamentalist-type Christian - that I was going to be a stripper when I grew up. I had heard the word somewhere a few weeks earlier and asked Mom what it was. She said it was a dancer. I loved (and still do love) to dance, so I decided I would be a stripper when I grew up!
1. I am a slightly neurotic sole parental unit to a similarly slightly neurotic 8 year old boy who also happens to have ADHD.
2. My son and I are so much alike that I sometimes think I would make more progress if I merely beat my head against the wall, as arguing with my son is like having an argument with myself. Nobody wins!
3. I also have a "four-legged son", Zig Zag Scalawag. His call-name is Ziggy, but he actually knows his full name. He thinks (and so do we) that he's human.
4. Our city of residence is San Antonio, TX. One of its nicknames is "The River City". It should have been nicknamed "The Cesspool City" as the river is filthy and people think nothing of throwing litter on the ground, in the water, etc.
5. I'm going back to school this fall over the Internet to get my bachelor's degree in General Studies. Once I get that, I'm getting the heck out of Texas (well, I have to get a job out of Texas first. Which means I have to decide where I want to live). Then I'm going to pursue my Master's of Library Science over the Internet.
6. I'm the youngest of four children. Only my brother, Joel, and myself are still living.
7. My son was almost named Jareth after the Goblin King in my favorite movie of all time, Labyrinth.
8. His middle name is Lowell after my favorite uncle on my dad's side of the family.
9. My eyes change color based on what mood I'm in. Jamie's eyes do the same thing.
10. I was born a blonde, but my hair darkened over the years so now it's a medium reddish-brown. Jamie was born with coal black hair that all fell out when he was a couple of weeks old and grew in white blonde. His hair has darkened to a dirty-dishwater blonde shade slightly lighter than mine was as a baby. However, his hair is lighter than mine was at his age. I'm thinking his hair will stay fair longer than mine did.
11. Jamie's top pinkie joints are each crooked. They point in toward his other fingers at almost exactly 45-degree angles. I think they make him very unique, but he's embarrassed by them when other people notice them.
12. Jamie looks almost just like a very young version of my brother. On a recent trip to Georgetown, an old high school friend of Joel's and mine saw Jamie and said "It's Joel!!!" My brother looks just like my mom's side of the family. Jamie does, too. Thank God Jamie apparently inherited nothing from his biological father. (Is it possible his genes were only so much genetic "filler" in Jamie's DNA code?)
13. When I was two years old, I shocked my Granny into near-apoplexy. My granny came to stay with us when my mom had to stay in the hospital for surgery. I calmly announced to my grandmother - a devout "old-school" fundamentalist-type Christian - that I was going to be a stripper when I grew up. I had heard the word somewhere a few weeks earlier and asked Mom what it was. She said it was a dancer. I loved (and still do love) to dance, so I decided I would be a stripper when I grew up!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Utopia
Based on my experiences just since I moved to Texas, I'm beginning to see why some people are attracted to a hermitic lifestyle. I'm realizing that, although I've always professed to be a "people person", I'm really not. I'm more of a "people on my own terms" person. If you add to that all the questions and controversies going on about how commercial food is hormonalized, pesticized and super-sized, my idea of Utopia has changed a bit.
One day, I would like to have my own bit of land. I'm not looking for "40 acres and a mule" (I refuse to have any donkeys - one Jenny on my property is enough!); I merely want enough to provide for me and my family. Five acres would do nicely. Even 2.5 would be enough for self-sufficiency. Then I would be able to have a garden (and why not a greenhouse for the winter months while I'm dreaming?) where I could grow vegetables and such without pesticides or hormones. I'd also like some apple, pear and plum trees so we could have fresh fruit.
The more I think about it, the more my childhood home in Nowata, Oklahoma, comes to mind. We actually had about 20 acres. We had a large garden where Mom grew vegetables and gourds. One of my earliest memories of that place is squatting down and using my pudgy little fingers to push the seeds down in the soil. Then I vaguely think I remember Joel coming behind me to cover the seeds with dirt (I think he wound up playing with the worms more than anything), then Jodi came along behind us - supposedly to water the seeds, but really to make sure we had done it right. More often than not, we hadn't.
We also had a minature orchard of apple and pear trees. I think we even had some plum trees, too. We'd climb up in the trees, pick apples and peep out at our kingdom through the boughs. We'd try to hide up there, but it seemed Mom always knew where to find us no matter how dense the foliage. More often than not, between kids and birds, there wasn't much fruit left on the trees but Mom always managed to find enough to make yummy pies, cakes and cobblers. We always loved helping her out in the kitchen, then we'd fight over who got to lick the mixing spoon, who got to lick the beaters and who got to lick the bowl. The bowl always had more batter in it, but it was more fun to try to lick the beaters before the batter dripped all over you!
The majority of our property was a pasture. We raised our own cows for meat. Some of our friends (the ones my mom called "poor underpriviledged city kids") were horrified when they found out we raised the cows from calves, named them and petted them, then ate them when they grew up! I'll admit, sometimes I'd get upset. We'd have steak or hamburger for supper, and I'd ask "Is that Buster? Is that Butcher?" Mom would reassure me that it wasn't, but I'd still go out to the pasture the next day just to make sure all the cows were still there.
Our house on Sooner Drive was our playground. We only were allowed to watch Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street and The Muppet Show - or at least I was only allowed those shows. Jodi and Joel got to watch other things because they were older. But for the most part, Mom told us to go outside and play. We had an Irish Setter named Chevis and a kitten named Smokey. Chevis was the best dog in the world. I believe I've heard Mom tell a story that I learned how to walk by holding on to Chevis' tail. I don't know if it's true or not, but I can believe it. I climbed all over that dog and he never once complained. He'd merely let out a really big sigh, look at Mom, then go crawl behind the couch where I couldn't get to him. Later on he'd come back out and I'd crawl on him some more. He patrolled our bedrooms at night, too. He'd lay down on the floor between my and Jodi's beds (we shared a room), then he'd get up and lay down in Joel's room, then he'd get up and lay outside Mom's bedroom door. He'd do this all night, guarding his people, making sure we were safe. He even saved us from a Cottonmouth Water Moccasin once.
Enough rambling. The point is, that is my idea of Utopia. A veritable world of my own for me and my family. Food I personally grew and/or tended on the table. Of course, with today's sky-high prices, I'd have to add solar panels to provide electricity and our own well to provide water. Maybe even some windmills to help draw up water (and because I think they're pretty). I'd also have to have a job to pay for all this stuff - telecommuting would be nice! LOL!
However, I wouldn't want to isolate myself completely. My Utopia would have to be within an hour's drive of a city - a real city. I want museums, theatres, stores, good schools, etc. I want to be around other people sometimes, but as I said, I want it on my own terms! It will be a long time before I could do all this anyway. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll get to do this when I'm a grandmother.
One day, I would like to have my own bit of land. I'm not looking for "40 acres and a mule" (I refuse to have any donkeys - one Jenny on my property is enough!); I merely want enough to provide for me and my family. Five acres would do nicely. Even 2.5 would be enough for self-sufficiency. Then I would be able to have a garden (and why not a greenhouse for the winter months while I'm dreaming?) where I could grow vegetables and such without pesticides or hormones. I'd also like some apple, pear and plum trees so we could have fresh fruit.
The more I think about it, the more my childhood home in Nowata, Oklahoma, comes to mind. We actually had about 20 acres. We had a large garden where Mom grew vegetables and gourds. One of my earliest memories of that place is squatting down and using my pudgy little fingers to push the seeds down in the soil. Then I vaguely think I remember Joel coming behind me to cover the seeds with dirt (I think he wound up playing with the worms more than anything), then Jodi came along behind us - supposedly to water the seeds, but really to make sure we had done it right. More often than not, we hadn't.
We also had a minature orchard of apple and pear trees. I think we even had some plum trees, too. We'd climb up in the trees, pick apples and peep out at our kingdom through the boughs. We'd try to hide up there, but it seemed Mom always knew where to find us no matter how dense the foliage. More often than not, between kids and birds, there wasn't much fruit left on the trees but Mom always managed to find enough to make yummy pies, cakes and cobblers. We always loved helping her out in the kitchen, then we'd fight over who got to lick the mixing spoon, who got to lick the beaters and who got to lick the bowl. The bowl always had more batter in it, but it was more fun to try to lick the beaters before the batter dripped all over you!
The majority of our property was a pasture. We raised our own cows for meat. Some of our friends (the ones my mom called "poor underpriviledged city kids") were horrified when they found out we raised the cows from calves, named them and petted them, then ate them when they grew up! I'll admit, sometimes I'd get upset. We'd have steak or hamburger for supper, and I'd ask "Is that Buster? Is that Butcher?" Mom would reassure me that it wasn't, but I'd still go out to the pasture the next day just to make sure all the cows were still there.
Our house on Sooner Drive was our playground. We only were allowed to watch Mr. Rogers, Sesame Street and The Muppet Show - or at least I was only allowed those shows. Jodi and Joel got to watch other things because they were older. But for the most part, Mom told us to go outside and play. We had an Irish Setter named Chevis and a kitten named Smokey. Chevis was the best dog in the world. I believe I've heard Mom tell a story that I learned how to walk by holding on to Chevis' tail. I don't know if it's true or not, but I can believe it. I climbed all over that dog and he never once complained. He'd merely let out a really big sigh, look at Mom, then go crawl behind the couch where I couldn't get to him. Later on he'd come back out and I'd crawl on him some more. He patrolled our bedrooms at night, too. He'd lay down on the floor between my and Jodi's beds (we shared a room), then he'd get up and lay down in Joel's room, then he'd get up and lay outside Mom's bedroom door. He'd do this all night, guarding his people, making sure we were safe. He even saved us from a Cottonmouth Water Moccasin once.
Enough rambling. The point is, that is my idea of Utopia. A veritable world of my own for me and my family. Food I personally grew and/or tended on the table. Of course, with today's sky-high prices, I'd have to add solar panels to provide electricity and our own well to provide water. Maybe even some windmills to help draw up water (and because I think they're pretty). I'd also have to have a job to pay for all this stuff - telecommuting would be nice! LOL!
However, I wouldn't want to isolate myself completely. My Utopia would have to be within an hour's drive of a city - a real city. I want museums, theatres, stores, good schools, etc. I want to be around other people sometimes, but as I said, I want it on my own terms! It will be a long time before I could do all this anyway. If I'm lucky, maybe I'll get to do this when I'm a grandmother.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Texas Summers
Okay, folks. It's hot! I mean, it's REALLY HOT! If Satan lived in Texas, he'd have to go to Hell in the summer time just to cool off. We officially hit three-digit temperatures yesterday, and the weather man this morning said we can count on being in the 100's and 110's for the foreseeable future. When it "cools off" after the sun goes down, it's still in the high 80's and low 90's!
This means I am now even more grateful for Druscilla, and that we don't venture out of doors unless we absolutely have too. I sat down in my car yesterday to go home for lunch, and the sunlight coming through the windshield had heated up my seat so much, that I got a butt-burn through my pants! Now, THAT's hot!
Poor Ziggy growls at us every time we try to take him outside for a walk, because the ground is so hot and dry the little pads of his feet get burned - even on the grass. So he walks really wierd pulling his feet up really high as he steps. He reminds me of the famous Austrian military high-stepping horses when he does that!
So, we're all just kind of laying around and being slugs this week. It's too hot to even eat! (But I still haven't lost any more weight. Seems like if I'm not eating and it's really hot out, I should have pounds melting off. But I don't.)
So, for those of you living farther north, be very grateful!
This means I am now even more grateful for Druscilla, and that we don't venture out of doors unless we absolutely have too. I sat down in my car yesterday to go home for lunch, and the sunlight coming through the windshield had heated up my seat so much, that I got a butt-burn through my pants! Now, THAT's hot!
Poor Ziggy growls at us every time we try to take him outside for a walk, because the ground is so hot and dry the little pads of his feet get burned - even on the grass. So he walks really wierd pulling his feet up really high as he steps. He reminds me of the famous Austrian military high-stepping horses when he does that!
So, we're all just kind of laying around and being slugs this week. It's too hot to even eat! (But I still haven't lost any more weight. Seems like if I'm not eating and it's really hot out, I should have pounds melting off. But I don't.)
So, for those of you living farther north, be very grateful!
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Water Boy
Jamie and I went swimming today. The weather was hovering near three digit temperatures, so the water felt really good! Jamie has learned how to doggie paddle quite well, so I stole his boogie board as used it to help me float around the pool quite contentedly. We were in the water so long we both had wrinkly fingers! A fun time was had by all. Here's a picture of Jamie enjoying the water. I wouldn't let him take a picture of me. :-)
And now I have to go. I'm going to try Ann's recipe for spinach curry, but I'll make some substitutions in order to use what we have. Like, we have ground ginger, and ground cumin, and ground chili powder, and garlic powder and dehydrated onions. And we don't have any tomatoes, but I'm going to try to see what happens when I use carrots instead. We have some old one that need to be used before they go to waste. I may have to call Ann and ask for her help as I'm cooking though!
Friday, July 14, 2006
HOORAYYYY!
JAMIE'S COMING HOME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mentally, I'm doing cartwheels. I used to be able to do them physically, but I think I would tie myself up like a pretzel if I tried to do one now. My baby's coming back today! I'm so excited! But now I have to endure the hours until work is over and I can go get him!
YIPPEEEEEEEEE!
Oh, and this is a picture I took of Jamie last weekend when we were putting UV film on all the windows of Dad's house. Don't you just "love" the headband he's wearing to keep the sweat out of his eyes? Should I call it "The Next (Next) Karate Kid"?
Mentally, I'm doing cartwheels. I used to be able to do them physically, but I think I would tie myself up like a pretzel if I tried to do one now. My baby's coming back today! I'm so excited! But now I have to endure the hours until work is over and I can go get him!
YIPPEEEEEEEEE!
Oh, and this is a picture I took of Jamie last weekend when we were putting UV film on all the windows of Dad's house. Don't you just "love" the headband he's wearing to keep the sweat out of his eyes? Should I call it "The Next (Next) Karate Kid"?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Chronicles of Illness: The Woman, the Soup and the Ice Cream!
Last night I was feeling a mite peak'ed (as my Granny used to say), so I curled up on the couch and watched The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on Pay-Per-View with a large bowl of chicken noodle soup - Jamie calls it Chicken Doodle soup. After the soup was gone, my throat still hurt, so I chased the soup with some Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide ice cream. I'd never had it before, but was sure that anything that combined coffee, Irish Creme liqueur, chocolate chip cookies and gooey fudge HAD to be delicious. I was right!
Anywhoo, back to the movie. I have always justly stated that movies cannot do justice to the books they are attempting to "bring to life". As if your imagination can't do that when you read! However, I also try to enjoy the movies on their own merit and try not to compare the two. That being said, I wonder why so many people (and apparently the movie studios) completely skip over the first book The Magician's Nephew. Well, regardless, Chronicles was greatly enjoyed by me last night. In fact, I think the movie brought home to me more the symbolism deeply entrenched in the book. And yet, my fingers were itching to find my set of the books to go back and read them. However, they are still in a box somewhere, I was feeling bad, and knew I would only feel worse if I stayed up all night reading. So I left the books in the box. But somehow I still didn't make it to bed until almost midnight.
Sorry this one is so short, folks. Today is the day I have to turn in all the payroll stuff, so I have to concentrate lest I mess up anybody's paycheck. I'll be around throughout the day, though!
Anywhoo, back to the movie. I have always justly stated that movies cannot do justice to the books they are attempting to "bring to life". As if your imagination can't do that when you read! However, I also try to enjoy the movies on their own merit and try not to compare the two. That being said, I wonder why so many people (and apparently the movie studios) completely skip over the first book The Magician's Nephew. Well, regardless, Chronicles was greatly enjoyed by me last night. In fact, I think the movie brought home to me more the symbolism deeply entrenched in the book. And yet, my fingers were itching to find my set of the books to go back and read them. However, they are still in a box somewhere, I was feeling bad, and knew I would only feel worse if I stayed up all night reading. So I left the books in the box. But somehow I still didn't make it to bed until almost midnight.
Sorry this one is so short, folks. Today is the day I have to turn in all the payroll stuff, so I have to concentrate lest I mess up anybody's paycheck. I'll be around throughout the day, though!
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Calling All Chefs!
Okay, so I've neglected this blog today. I was busy working on getting the recipe blog up and haven't had time to do much with this one. Believe it or not (despite all my commenting and posting on various blogs today) I've been quite busy at work. I'm just getting really good at making my blogging breaks miniscule and my typing supersonic!
I don't have much to report today, other than that those who have been M.I.A. here lately need to let us know what's going on in their lives...nag nag nag! I'm taking a CLEP math test tomorrow in hopes I will get a high enough score to get 3 credit hours and not have to take an actual math course. Math and I are bitter enemies, and the less I have to deal with Math, the better!
So, since I have a BIG test to study for, I bid you adieu!
I don't have much to report today, other than that those who have been M.I.A. here lately need to let us know what's going on in their lives...nag nag nag! I'm taking a CLEP math test tomorrow in hopes I will get a high enough score to get 3 credit hours and not have to take an actual math course. Math and I are bitter enemies, and the less I have to deal with Math, the better!
So, since I have a BIG test to study for, I bid you adieu!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Random Observations
1. There are some people in this world who absolutely refuse to entertain the notion that they could be wrong, no matter how clear the evidence to the contrary.
2. Based on how people drive, there MUST be driver's licenses given away in cereal boxes.
3. Watching World Cup soccer is entertaining; it's even better when you're watching it with someone who actually knows the rules (even if they're on the telephone with you, and have to squelch their own reactions due to a 4-second feed delay)
4. There are still people in this world who assume you don't know what you're talking about just because you're a female
5. Doggies (and little boys) give great comfort when you've had your feelings badly hurt
6. Blogging is much more entertaining than my job
7. Two days off work generates two weeks of playing catch-up
8. Watching a strange little cartoon boy talk about poot is vastly cheering
9. A swimming pool on a 100-degree-plus day feels like heaven
10. I'm out of Texas the second I get my bachelor's. I'll worry about the Masters once I'm out of here
11. Families of the heart are priceless
12. There needs to be more love in the world (which is why I haven't ripped the face off the person to whom I refer in numbers 1 and 4! LOL!)
2. Based on how people drive, there MUST be driver's licenses given away in cereal boxes.
3. Watching World Cup soccer is entertaining; it's even better when you're watching it with someone who actually knows the rules (even if they're on the telephone with you, and have to squelch their own reactions due to a 4-second feed delay)
4. There are still people in this world who assume you don't know what you're talking about just because you're a female
5. Doggies (and little boys) give great comfort when you've had your feelings badly hurt
6. Blogging is much more entertaining than my job
7. Two days off work generates two weeks of playing catch-up
8. Watching a strange little cartoon boy talk about poot is vastly cheering
9. A swimming pool on a 100-degree-plus day feels like heaven
10. I'm out of Texas the second I get my bachelor's. I'll worry about the Masters once I'm out of here
11. Families of the heart are priceless
12. There needs to be more love in the world (which is why I haven't ripped the face off the person to whom I refer in numbers 1 and 4! LOL!)
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Zig Zag Scalawag
Here are some more current pictures of Ziggy I just took tonight with my new camera phone (best thing about it was, it was free when I switched networks! 
Ziggy is laying on Jamie's "blankie" pouting that Jamie isn't home right now to play with him.
Ziggy's still pouting, but now he's wondering why I'm sticking my new phone in his face. He doesn't like things to be pointed at him!
Ziggy's guarding the door so I can't go anywhere and leave him home by himself!
Ziggy is laying on Jamie's "blankie" pouting that Jamie isn't home right now to play with him.
Ziggy's still pouting, but now he's wondering why I'm sticking my new phone in his face. He doesn't like things to be pointed at him!
Ziggy's guarding the door so I can't go anywhere and leave him home by himself!
Very, very, VERY FUNNY link!
If you want to see something incredibly funny, especially to those of us who have children, please click on this link! The longer version is a lot funnier, but they don't have it on the website yet. And yes, this is "clean". No dirty words or visions here! But you have to have speakers so you can hear it!!!
So, to see something very funny, click here.
OH! I just found another portion of that link. It used to all run in one piece, but they split it up into two parts. Find the rest of it here!
So, to see something very funny, click here.
OH! I just found another portion of that link. It used to all run in one piece, but they split it up into two parts. Find the rest of it here!
Shiny, Happy People!
Thought you might care to know that - thanks to lots of good sleeping last night - I'm in a much better mood today. So Jennifer the Grouch is gone now. Yay! I don't like it when she comes over to play.
I was e-mailing with Lydia about hope and praying for God's guidance in our desires, so I thought I would add this verse about it:
So, if what I'm hoping for isn't meant to be, I'll always have Him!
Some random thoughts:
I'm also happy because I get my baby back tomorrow night! Yippee!
And on a side note... Julie, I sincerely apologize for putting your name wrong on my blog links! I changed it today. I don't know what I was a thinkin'!
Anyway, have a great day everybody!
I was e-mailing with Lydia about hope and praying for God's guidance in our desires, so I thought I would add this verse about it:
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
- Lamentations 3:21-24 (ESV)
So, if what I'm hoping for isn't meant to be, I'll always have Him!
Some random thoughts:
I'm also happy because I get my baby back tomorrow night! Yippee!
And on a side note... Julie, I sincerely apologize for putting your name wrong on my blog links! I changed it today. I don't know what I was a thinkin'!
Anyway, have a great day everybody!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Meet a New Sesame Street Character: Jennifer the Grouch!
Okay, folks. Holiday weekends are nice. They really are. But they really bite when you come back to work to find that a certain engineer with whom you clash to begin with decided to do a lot of overtime over the weekend, and dumped a whole lot of projects on YOUR DESK to be done IMMEDIATELY (his instructions) when you get in. Then you have the fact that the boss man decided to switch out two office computers, expecting you to rehook them to the network and do all those nice little things that makes the new computer have all the old computer's files on it, ready to go and work just as the previous computer did. Except, gee, I'm sorry David. But I'm not trained on that aspect of computers. No where, anywhere did my job description say anything about networking, importing/exporting files, etc. etc. So I can't help you with this one!
Add to that the fact that Jamie spent the night at Papaw's last night, which meant I couldn't sleep. I remember falling asleep somewhere around 3:48. Then I had to get up at 7. Lack of sleep doesn't make my brain work any better here, people! And then to have all that stuff that needed to be done immediately on my desk, well, let's just say I had to put myself in time-out lest I explode. I like my job, I really do, but sometimes I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. Then other times, I feel like my job is way too easy. Guess I should make up my mind, huh?
Maybe I should look for a new job. I know! Maybe I could be the new character on Sesame Street. I'd be Jennifer the Grouch or something like that! I could be Oscar's love interest - but then he'd decide that I was trying to take Slimy the Snake away from him, and he'd get all jealous and we'd argue, then I'd leave the show. Seriously, though. I am looking into other jobs and places to work. It's still in the future (after I get at least my bachelor's), but I figure I need to start exploring other cities now. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I want out of San Antonio!
Anywhoo, I just had to vent before I exploded. I'm supposed to be working on a report right now, but I just had to blow off some steam before my heart galloped out of my chest. So thanks for letting me vent! I know it's just lack of sleep that's making me so cranky. I mean, really, I should be really stoked! New car, going out with my friend R- tomorrow night to see X-3 (I'm not using her name because I keep forgetting to ask her if I can use her name on here, or if she'd be more comfortable with just the initial). We're both childless tomorrow night, and figured it would be a good opportunity to have a girl's night out.
Add to that the fact that Jamie spent the night at Papaw's last night, which meant I couldn't sleep. I remember falling asleep somewhere around 3:48. Then I had to get up at 7. Lack of sleep doesn't make my brain work any better here, people! And then to have all that stuff that needed to be done immediately on my desk, well, let's just say I had to put myself in time-out lest I explode. I like my job, I really do, but sometimes I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. Then other times, I feel like my job is way too easy. Guess I should make up my mind, huh?
Maybe I should look for a new job. I know! Maybe I could be the new character on Sesame Street. I'd be Jennifer the Grouch or something like that! I could be Oscar's love interest - but then he'd decide that I was trying to take Slimy the Snake away from him, and he'd get all jealous and we'd argue, then I'd leave the show. Seriously, though. I am looking into other jobs and places to work. It's still in the future (after I get at least my bachelor's), but I figure I need to start exploring other cities now. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I want out of San Antonio!
Anywhoo, I just had to vent before I exploded. I'm supposed to be working on a report right now, but I just had to blow off some steam before my heart galloped out of my chest. So thanks for letting me vent! I know it's just lack of sleep that's making me so cranky. I mean, really, I should be really stoked! New car, going out with my friend R- tomorrow night to see X-3 (I'm not using her name because I keep forgetting to ask her if I can use her name on here, or if she'd be more comfortable with just the initial). We're both childless tomorrow night, and figured it would be a good opportunity to have a girl's night out.
Monday, July 03, 2006
It's a Girl!!!
Okay, finally picked up the new car today. I'm absolutely stoked about my new car. At first, I didn't know if it was a boy or a girl, but then when I was playing with the back seat to figure out all the ways you can configure it, I found a cool rearview mirror ornament. It was a picture of a vampish, blue fairy. This told me "Duh, it's a girl!" So, the car is officially Druscilla now. I'll blog more about her Wednesday. Right now, I'm at Dad's and have to spend time with Jamie. He's spending the week with Papaw, so I need to squeeze in some quality time before I go back tomorrow night. That's why I'll be mainly absent from Bloggerdom.
Hope all the traveling Meadors (sounds like a circus act, doesn't it?) had safe, fun trips. I WANT TO READ ALL ABOUT THEM ON BLOGGER WHEN I GET BACK!!!!!
Much love to all.
Hope all the traveling Meadors (sounds like a circus act, doesn't it?) had safe, fun trips. I WANT TO READ ALL ABOUT THEM ON BLOGGER WHEN I GET BACK!!!!!
Much love to all.
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