I have several emails to keep up with. Two business emails, the email I use to communicate on my blog, one totally personal that only family and the kids teachers have, and the one I use when I register for things online.
For several years my personal email was my 4 initials on my internet provider email. After 3 years of no spam one day I opened to no less than 15 messages for Alyssa. They were for some dieting, health, and vacation sites. Hmm, personalized spam? I am not Alyssa but my 1st initial is A. Someone must have used the same letters as a fake email. What can you do? From time to time Alyssa found a new dieting site or online mag subscription.
Shortly afterward we changed providers and I realized I would lose the account and created an internet email for personal use and decided to use the new provider email for registrations. I used my initials again.
Imagine my surprise the first time I went to the provider email and found.... Alyssa had already been there. Never before used by me it was full of registrations to useful sites, all for Alyssa.
Me and Alyssa seem to have been through some ups and downs. For awhile I was getting worried about her. First there was the obvious low self esteem and bad body image. Our email began to be full of free credit reporting, getting out of debt, and loan modification messages. But things seem to be looking up because now we are learning about new ways to earn cash and getting some credit card offers. Why Alyssa can make money with the google bail out plan or earn $242.00 dollars a day or more. I'm so relieved! She is thinking about going back to school to increase our chances of a better career. Looking into some Direct TV, won a cruise, got a free visitor pass to Direct Buy and Oh boy, a new subscription to an online Luxury Living Magazine!
So Thank You Alyssa!
For helping me learn to lose weight, do some shopping, go into debt, get out of debt, get an education, and live a luxurious lifestyle. I do not thank you for the adult dating sites, that is uncool and just trashy! What were you thinking?
Oh and Alyssa, wherever you are, Good News!
You are being considered for inclusion onto the 2009-2010 Princeton Premier Business Leaders and Professionals Honors Edition section of the registry!!!! It will include biographies of the worlds most accomplished individuals!!!!!!
WOW!!!! you sure have come a long way... I'm so proud... sniff sniff....
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Lovely Blog Award!
I have very kindly been given a blog award by Nicole at Help! Mama Remote... who was also my 1st "blog following friend" and holds a special place in my heart! Thank You so much! I do appreciate it with my simple little blog! She gave it to me a couple weeks ago but it took me awhile to get this together cause I usually can only hit my blog at short intervals. I'm still learning but I hope to improve in time and be truly worthy of it. And thankyou to my kids without whom I wouldn't have much to write about except my grocery list and the weather! Oh, and bad poetry. I haven't really begun to explore what I started this for, or had a chance to participate much in the sites I've joined. Life has kept me too busy, but now that the holidays are past I need to get it organized. Yeah, that'll happen. (snigger,snigger)I have been reading a lot of great blogs by an array of women. They are informative, moving, very funny, or just a nice spot to take a break. Some are very sophisticated and professional, some are like having a chat with a neighbor. A few I only recently became aquainted with. Some make me think I should go back to my blog, push delete and go back to writing bad poetry in a little blue book! But I'm enjoying myself too much for that and enjoying the reading as well. I was trying to decide who to pass on to. I have only been blogging a short time and being me, dithered over whether some of the blogs I follow would even be interested in getting an award from me, don't seem to do that kinda thing, etc, etc. I am interested in what I realized was a sort of Whitmans sampler of blogging styles. I finally decided to mix it up a bit by choosing a few of each type with this method of how I have been following them... Some for longer, Some are new, Some know I follow, Some had no clue. So I want to pass on the award to the following bloggers. For making me laugh or making me think, being literally lovely to look at, just sweet or sharing a cup of tea with me, even if you didn't know it.
7. The Stoller Ballet
10 Airing My Dirty Laundry, One Sock At A Time
11 AmyMusing's
12 It's OK To be Weird
15. The Flavored Mom
Award Rules
Accept award and place on your blog.
Include a linkback to the blog you received it from.
Pass the award to 15 blogs you enjoy.
Be sure to contact them to let them know they have been rewarded.
Adding my own rule: If it's not your kinda thing or you have it already and you don't want to participate it's OK with me!
If anything is incorrect or not working just tell me. I finally had time to finish it this morning and I am ready for a cup of tea!
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Adding my own rule: If it's not your kinda thing or you have it already and you don't want to participate it's OK with me!
If anything is incorrect or not working just tell me. I finally had time to finish it this morning and I am ready for a cup of tea!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas !
And blessings to you and your families whatever beliefs and traditions you observe .
Following my new tradition by running late on this as well! Have to go baste something now.
Happy Holidays!
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Following my new tradition by running late on this as well! Have to go baste something now.
Happy Holidays!
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Bah Hum Along
This may be the most unorganized behind schedule holiday I have ever not accomplished. I really haven't been able to get up the spirit to care in more than small spurts. I was hoping to have the drudge stuff behind me and settle in for some Peace on Earth this week. But over the weekend I had business hanging over my head. Needed to be taken care of business. The kind with lots of paperwork ....with cryptic stuff in it. Business that required using the phone. Calling people who didn't know the answer any more than I did to ask them to clarify the cryptic information.. The kind who keep repeating the phrase you need clarified as the clarification. One was eating potato chips while speaking to me, no joke. One of the reasons I hate using the phone is nerve deafness that causes certain tones and background noise to cause total confusion in me. The chips didn't help. At the end of the day I was still wearing yoga pants, a sweater with a hole in it, my slippers, blanky- to- go ( This is a voluminous fleece cape in an awful shade of brown that is old and disgusting but warm and comfy that I wear around the house when I'm cleaning or lazy. It predates Snuggies by years and has the added distinction of actually being outerwear which means I can drive the kids to school in it) anyway...And I really couldn't recall brushing my teeth that morning. TheSurfer had a long day too and when he came home......boy was I a princess for him to meet at the door. I fed everyone cinnamon toast for dinner, declared my brain dead and gave up for the night. I would start over tomorrow finding my Christmas Cheer.
I think there are two problems. One is that when the kids get older some of the magic is lost. They aren't in church pageants anymore. They aren't as excited. The other is that I have a rather large extended family. When my parents were alive we always had a full family celebration on Christmas Eve. It was noisy and crowded and a lot of fun. For many years I hosted it, When I passed on the reins I was glad to have a little less stress and work on the holidays and for things to be a little calmer at my house. But we still had the party. In September of last year my Mother passed away. It had been a very difficult year and we emerged from her death a fractured family. When Christmas came everyone seemed to want to just pass it quietly on their own. For various reasons this year has also been a difficult one for all of us. We still just don't seem to have it in us. It is kind of hard on the kids, they looked forward to the visiting and we don't really know what to do with ourselves.
So today I am trying to concentrate on the things that have helped.
1. Biggest always says she doesn't like Christmas and she hates decorations. Her new husband finally won me over completely by buying and hanging lights on their house. We went out and bought a tiny tree and some ornaments for it and delivered it as a surprise a couple weeks ago. Her Face lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw it and she called later to tell me she had it all finished and loved it.
2. Middlest doesn't like to be involved in anything that requires lifting a finger but she is the only one I have seen crack open a bible this week. So technically I guess she really wins.
3. While my family was all about decorating, my husbands was not. Outside belongs to him. There is nothing. Inside belongs to me and it is a Christmas explosion. Though I did leave off some stuff this year I got the main decorations going. Biggest hasn't participated in years. Middlest has sat on the couch and supervised for the last 3 years while Littlest and I did it all. While we were unwinding lights I told her," You know if anything ever happens to us these people will never have Christmas again". She agreed. She must have given it some thought. She is not the most tactful person, but she seemed a little thoughtful when she came to me and said, "This doesn't really sound right but since I'm the only one who helps you.........Um....Can I have the Christmas decorations when you die?"
They are hers. Hook, Star and Garland!
4.We shopped today and listened to Trans Siberian Orchestra in the car which always helps.
5. In the store the girls kept nudging me to look and I turned toward the toy section to see a big old soldier guy in fatigues with his arms full of hot pink Barbie paraphenalia.
6. The girls are baking cookies and just started singing carols together. Middlest has a lovely voice but has trouble with pitch unless she's accompanied.
7. Middlest just sang Silent Night by herself, in tune, it was lovely. I guess Christmas miracles do happen!
8. I guess it's starting to work because.......
9. I am feeling ready to join them. To enjoy our own Peace on this Earth. To remember what we are celebrating. To give ourselves fully to the Joy of the real gift of the season. To humble ourselves in the Glory. And be lifted by the Love. The Gift is this. I don't have to "get up the spirit" it is already there. Waiting to be acknowleged. Time to go.
10. Merry Christmas !
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
I think there are two problems. One is that when the kids get older some of the magic is lost. They aren't in church pageants anymore. They aren't as excited. The other is that I have a rather large extended family. When my parents were alive we always had a full family celebration on Christmas Eve. It was noisy and crowded and a lot of fun. For many years I hosted it, When I passed on the reins I was glad to have a little less stress and work on the holidays and for things to be a little calmer at my house. But we still had the party. In September of last year my Mother passed away. It had been a very difficult year and we emerged from her death a fractured family. When Christmas came everyone seemed to want to just pass it quietly on their own. For various reasons this year has also been a difficult one for all of us. We still just don't seem to have it in us. It is kind of hard on the kids, they looked forward to the visiting and we don't really know what to do with ourselves.
So today I am trying to concentrate on the things that have helped.
1. Biggest always says she doesn't like Christmas and she hates decorations. Her new husband finally won me over completely by buying and hanging lights on their house. We went out and bought a tiny tree and some ornaments for it and delivered it as a surprise a couple weeks ago. Her Face lit up like a Christmas tree when she saw it and she called later to tell me she had it all finished and loved it.
2. Middlest doesn't like to be involved in anything that requires lifting a finger but she is the only one I have seen crack open a bible this week. So technically I guess she really wins.
3. While my family was all about decorating, my husbands was not. Outside belongs to him. There is nothing. Inside belongs to me and it is a Christmas explosion. Though I did leave off some stuff this year I got the main decorations going. Biggest hasn't participated in years. Middlest has sat on the couch and supervised for the last 3 years while Littlest and I did it all. While we were unwinding lights I told her," You know if anything ever happens to us these people will never have Christmas again". She agreed. She must have given it some thought. She is not the most tactful person, but she seemed a little thoughtful when she came to me and said, "This doesn't really sound right but since I'm the only one who helps you.........Um....Can I have the Christmas decorations when you die?"
They are hers. Hook, Star and Garland!
4.We shopped today and listened to Trans Siberian Orchestra in the car which always helps.
5. In the store the girls kept nudging me to look and I turned toward the toy section to see a big old soldier guy in fatigues with his arms full of hot pink Barbie paraphenalia.
6. The girls are baking cookies and just started singing carols together. Middlest has a lovely voice but has trouble with pitch unless she's accompanied.
7. Middlest just sang Silent Night by herself, in tune, it was lovely. I guess Christmas miracles do happen!
8. I guess it's starting to work because.......
9. I am feeling ready to join them. To enjoy our own Peace on this Earth. To remember what we are celebrating. To give ourselves fully to the Joy of the real gift of the season. To humble ourselves in the Glory. And be lifted by the Love. The Gift is this. I don't have to "get up the spirit" it is already there. Waiting to be acknowleged. Time to go.
10. Merry Christmas !
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Baby's Best Board Bit The Dust
My poor Baby, TheSurfer. I haven't written much about him yet. He came home last weekend with his favorite toy in shreds. It doesn't matter that we have a shed full of similar toys. This one was The Board. Designed for him specifically for how he surfs. It has already been repaired once. Several months ago it had to be put on life support but his shaper was able to pull it through enough to last a little longer, if it lived a gentler lifestyle. I guess it's number just was up.
He came home downtrodden. "I guess I'll just have to ride one of my other boards". "I can't justify putting out the money to have a new one made right now".
Well not really. They are expensive. ( I"M thinking wedding expenses, Christmas, the kids might want to go to college someday.....)
"It's just the others don't float my weight as well; put too much tork on my bad knee; move to slow.........
"Maybe I'll bring it in and see if there is anything he can do to limp it on a little further".
Later that evening:
TheSurfer: Whenever I do have him make me another board I think I will go with the blue again, have it go up around the rail and maybe a balsa wood effect on top.
Me: Ooh, that does sounds pretty, and he can make me one too, only in green.
TheSurfer: Well it will be a long time before I can do that anyway.
Me: I guess so.
The next day.
TheSurfer: Hey guess what? He doesn't know if he can but is going to try to fix it well enough to use a little longer, it can't hurt to try.
AndhecanmakemethatblueandbalsaboardsoIamgonnahavehimdoitbutitwon'tbereadyforabout3monthssoIdon'thavetopayforittillthen.
Me: That's fine.
It is fine. It makes him happy. It keeps him sane. I can watch him do it or sometimes join him. I have a great husband. The only thing he ever comes home reeking of is salt water.
And there is a really cute jacket at the surf shop that I couldn't justify buying for myself .....last week.
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
He came home downtrodden. "I guess I'll just have to ride one of my other boards". "I can't justify putting out the money to have a new one made right now".
Well not really. They are expensive. ( I"M thinking wedding expenses, Christmas, the kids might want to go to college someday.....)
"It's just the others don't float my weight as well; put too much tork on my bad knee; move to slow.........
"Maybe I'll bring it in and see if there is anything he can do to limp it on a little further".
Later that evening:
TheSurfer: Whenever I do have him make me another board I think I will go with the blue again, have it go up around the rail and maybe a balsa wood effect on top.
Me: Ooh, that does sounds pretty, and he can make me one too, only in green.
TheSurfer: Well it will be a long time before I can do that anyway.
Me: I guess so.
The next day.
TheSurfer: Hey guess what? He doesn't know if he can but is going to try to fix it well enough to use a little longer, it can't hurt to try.
AndhecanmakemethatblueandbalsaboardsoIamgonnahavehimdoitbutitwon'tbereadyforabout3monthssoIdon'thavetopayforittillthen.
Me: That's fine.
It is fine. It makes him happy. It keeps him sane. I can watch him do it or sometimes join him. I have a great husband. The only thing he ever comes home reeking of is salt water.
And there is a really cute jacket at the surf shop that I couldn't justify buying for myself .....last week.
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
I know it Doesn't Fit!
Regarding the header. But it literally took me 2 hours to accomplish this much. Be Merry & Happy Anyway!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Today
Today I thought I might have time to figure out how some blogging stuff I am learning about works and add something meaningful to my blog about the season. After being repeatedly interrupted I just heard footsteps behind me and uttered the words "If you are coming in here to bug me I am going to kill you." So i give up. Because in my household today:
The #1 button on my microwave isn't working.
My kitchen sponges are missing.
There is a half used up roll of toilet paper sitting in the middle of my dining room table for no apparent reason.
There is a damp black cat sleeping on my newly changed sheets.
There is an unclaimed bra in the laundry found after the wedding that we can't find the owner to.
Littlest just delivered 8 pairs of filthy socks to me from her room after I already finished whites.
There isn't a scrap of Christmas wrap or square of tape in the house.
Which is alright because I still haven't done my Christmas shopping.
I just heard the words "where's Mom?" again.
help me.....
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
The #1 button on my microwave isn't working.
My kitchen sponges are missing.
There is a half used up roll of toilet paper sitting in the middle of my dining room table for no apparent reason.
There is a damp black cat sleeping on my newly changed sheets.
There is an unclaimed bra in the laundry found after the wedding that we can't find the owner to.
Littlest just delivered 8 pairs of filthy socks to me from her room after I already finished whites.
There isn't a scrap of Christmas wrap or square of tape in the house.
Which is alright because I still haven't done my Christmas shopping.
I just heard the words "where's Mom?" again.
help me.....
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Thursday, December 10, 2009
U R Not Grounded
Last week I was in bed for the night reading when Middlest appeared at my door. It was close to time for lights out and I called out "it's about time hun". She just stood there. Usually she just walks in our room and sit's on the bed and tells me what she's there for. "What are you doing" I asked? "Are you going to bed?" No answer. She just stood. Getting concerned I asked "what's wrong" & I went to the door. She had tears running down her face. "Whats the matter honey", I asked again, what happened?" She answered, "I was watching a Taylor Swift video & it was about her Mom, and it was so sweet & I started crying & it made me want to come give you a hug."Oh my Lord, I started crying too & we had a nice long hug.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Some Kind of Biological Switch Flipped!
I wasn't going to write about this at first but I was prompted by the comment on my previous post 2,1.. by Nicole at
Help! Mama Remote... and also a phone call during Biggest lunch hour where she brought up the subject, I will be getting to ultimately, herself.
The first thing I asked Biggest when she told me in October that she wanted to get married around the weeks between November & December, was are you pregnant? The answer was no, and her Guy said "no, she is marrying me for my health insurance". Really they have been together almost 4 years & were just ready to go at a time when it would suit where they wanted to go for a honeymoon after the holidays without being during them. They thankfully aren't in any hurry to have kids. Of course, neither were we, but there you go. Anyway.....
Help! Mama Remote... and also a phone call during Biggest lunch hour where she brought up the subject, I will be getting to ultimately, herself.
The first thing I asked Biggest when she told me in October that she wanted to get married around the weeks between November & December, was are you pregnant? The answer was no, and her Guy said "no, she is marrying me for my health insurance". Really they have been together almost 4 years & were just ready to go at a time when it would suit where they wanted to go for a honeymoon after the holidays without being during them. They thankfully aren't in any hurry to have kids. Of course, neither were we, but there you go. Anyway.....
Monday, December 7, 2009
2,1...
It started raining Friday and continued all night into the morning. The ceremony was scheduled for 1PM. Biggest was supposed to be at my house at 8 to help finish up but didn't get there till eleven. We were postponing setting up outside in case we needed to move things inside.
At
11:30 The rain began to stop but it was overcast & cold & misty
12:00 We decided to set up tables outside because it looked like real rain was over with.
12:30 Biggest realized she forgot to bring the plates & napkins.
12:32 My husband & the groom went to get them.
12:45 I went out to check on set up & found 20 people huddled in my carport.
1:00 Plates arrived and groom still had to shave and get dressed.
1:15 The sun began to break through and warm up the yard.
1:20 The The CD player jammed & Middlest boyfriend was called to the rescue.
1:25 Everyone was in place & the door opened to full sunshine beaming down.
It was a beautiful afternoon. If we hadn't had the mishaps the ceremony would have been held in damp & overcast weather. It's easy to forget sometimes that when you think your prayers aren't being answered, there is someone wiser than you in charge. It was an unconventional wedding, my kids won't stay in molds & Biggest found a guy that doesn't either. And it was a whole lot of fun. Biggest laughs when she is nervous & she giggled from the time she & her father hit the door, through the entire ceremony and all the way back inside afterward. Middlest took some fabulous pictures and Littlest created the most awesome chocolate wedding cake ever seen. It was delicious & I think she got more congratulations than the bride and groom.
My husband & I ? Well we cried of course, we have come a long way. But we laughed a lot as well.
And OMG! I have a Son In Law! Took me 23 years to have a boy & this one comes already trained!
Life Is Good.
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
At
11:30 The rain began to stop but it was overcast & cold & misty
12:00 We decided to set up tables outside because it looked like real rain was over with.
12:30 Biggest realized she forgot to bring the plates & napkins.
12:32 My husband & the groom went to get them.
12:45 I went out to check on set up & found 20 people huddled in my carport.
1:00 Plates arrived and groom still had to shave and get dressed.
1:15 The sun began to break through and warm up the yard.
1:20 The The CD player jammed & Middlest boyfriend was called to the rescue.
1:25 Everyone was in place & the door opened to full sunshine beaming down.
It was a beautiful afternoon. If we hadn't had the mishaps the ceremony would have been held in damp & overcast weather. It's easy to forget sometimes that when you think your prayers aren't being answered, there is someone wiser than you in charge. It was an unconventional wedding, my kids won't stay in molds & Biggest found a guy that doesn't either. And it was a whole lot of fun. Biggest laughs when she is nervous & she giggled from the time she & her father hit the door, through the entire ceremony and all the way back inside afterward. Middlest took some fabulous pictures and Littlest created the most awesome chocolate wedding cake ever seen. It was delicious & I think she got more congratulations than the bride and groom.
My husband & I ? Well we cried of course, we have come a long way. But we laughed a lot as well.
And OMG! I have a Son In Law! Took me 23 years to have a boy & this one comes already trained!
Life Is Good.
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Thursday, December 3, 2009
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3.......
An outdoor wedding has been planned.
Six self invited guests.
So 46 of the 40 chairs rented will be occupied.
Husband spent 2 weeks planting, mulching, making the yard lovely.
Every guest from out of town actually took the trouble to come.
Parents who were warned that the house has stairs, second floor decks, a pool and a nervous dog,
are all bringing their small children anyway.
And the bride still hasn't found the right shoes.
No deposit back on rentals canceled within two weeks of event, even with bad weather.
Interior living area comfortably holds about 25.
Color scheme clashes with indoor Christmas decor.
Seventy percent chance of rain (deluge) on Saturday!
I know, I know, things could be worse. And with all the problems in the world this is nothing. So I will look at the bright side. I don't think it will be quite cold enough to hail !
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
Six self invited guests.
So 46 of the 40 chairs rented will be occupied.
Husband spent 2 weeks planting, mulching, making the yard lovely.
Every guest from out of town actually took the trouble to come.
Parents who were warned that the house has stairs, second floor decks, a pool and a nervous dog,
are all bringing their small children anyway.
And the bride still hasn't found the right shoes.
No deposit back on rentals canceled within two weeks of event, even with bad weather.
Interior living area comfortably holds about 25.
Color scheme clashes with indoor Christmas decor.
Seventy percent chance of rain (deluge) on Saturday!
I know, I know, things could be worse. And with all the problems in the world this is nothing. So I will look at the bright side. I don't think it will be quite cold enough to hail !
© 2009 All Rights Reserved
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