Random Tuesday

• How come I am the only one that realizes that if you put bowls and cups facing up in the dishwasher, they will fill with dirty dishwasher crud and need to be rewashed?
• Whenever I open a Aquafina water-bottle it always spills. Why? I don't spill other brands, just Aquafina. It makes me nuts.
• How come I can think of a bunch of random thoughts at 3am and then not remember them later?
• Luckily I got a moleskin book as a Blog Camp prezzie from Shannon. Too bad I couldn't find a pen and didn't want to turn on light and wake hubby.
  
• How come sometimes at 3am I am ready to get up and face the world, yet I can barely haul my cookies out of bed at 7?
• How come sometimes you can do great with your eating and exercising and do everything right and then eat a 1/4 pan of brownies? Not that I'd ever do that. 
• How come my Dell had better internet than my Mac? Seriously. I can barely use my wonderful Mac in the basement and it pisses me off.
• Tonight I have a MEPA meeting. Metro-East Pharmacist Association. Read: Old Guys Pharmacy. Plus the meetings don't start til 8pm. I'm ready for wine and bed by 8pm. Makes me nuts. 
• I was at a MEPA meeting when I found out one of my BFs from high school had breast cancer. I almost fell over. That was 6 months ago. She's already had her chemo and surgeries and I think doing well. She doesn't live in the same city as me so I don't see her often. I'll have to send her a line. Actually I will send some snail mail -- that is always good!
• Recently I bought several cards with which to send my Moo cards. Some of them were very artsy and close to 10 bucks each. I was shocked they were that much! I figured I could make them myself if I had the time or energy. Oh or TALENT. Guess I'll keep buying them. 
• What random things are you thinking today?
  

Sunday Quickie

No not that kind of quickie. The blogging kind of quickie. Although if hubby were home I might talk about the kind.

First of all I wanted to thank everyone for commenting on my last post on Friday Thoughts and the issues between kids and step-kids. Many people just sent emails if they didn't feel they wanted comments read by the masses, and that is totally cool with me. I found it interesting to get so many different points of view. I heard from the step-parents, the bio-parents, the step-kids, the bio-kids, and everyone in between. Although I think the consensus was that the 21 year old needed to grow up (which indeed she does), I also think I need to push the father-daughter time more. The first couple years he had 1-on-1 time with the girls fairly often, but even at that the girls had to split that time 4 ways, so I'm sure individually it did not seem like enough. As they have gotten older he's toned down on the 1-on-1 but maybe I need to get him to seek more of it. The benefit of that being I'd have more time with my 2 girlies. Which means more time shopping. I'm just sayin'...

Anyway, that brings me to my second quickie point. A couple weeks ago the lovely and delightful Pastor Sharon bestowed upon me the Splash Award, and I have been remiss about passing it on. I guess that means I also need to pass on the I Suck But You Don't Award... but maybe I'll leave that for another time.
Here are the rules for the Splash Award:

To participate, when you receive this award, you must: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you. Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.

Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award.

One of the things that stresses me out most about awards is worrying about hurting someones feelings. Really, if I didn't love your blog, I wouldn't keep reading. So today I'm only going to give this award to one person because I look forward to everything she says. She is so beautiful, both in body and spirit. She can turn an ordinary pile of dead leaves into poetry. She is a fantastic cook. She teaches me everything from coloring of clan tartans to dealing with ghosts in the manor. She can make me laugh in spite of myself. I'm totally stalking her and she is a favorite blog crush of mine.

Willow, I hope you will take the Splash award. I have always wanted to be a mermaid so I accepted it with alacrity. I don't really see you as a mermaid, but I do see you as alluring, amusing, bewitching, impressive, and inspirational.

PS- Did I just scare you away? That was pretty gushy...

Happy Hour Friday

I am so happy it's (almost) Friday! Unfortunately things are not perfect in my household tonight, but I need to focus on some happy stuff so doing my post tonight is a definite bonus. Here is some stuff I'm feeling happy about:

• I've decided to chuck caution to the wind and bring back a pharmacy post. I'm not sure of the name yet, and it won't be Pharmacy Friday (cuz, duh, I have Happy Hour Friday!). I also don't want it on Wednesday because I really enjoy Rant and Rave a la Little Ms Blogger. If you have suggestions for a name, a day, or a question be sure to let me know. Here's a disclaimer tho, I won't be answering any "personal" questions. They need to be general knowledge type stuff. You know like these:
• How does the little pill know where it hurts?
• What color handbag goes best with Adderall?
• Which shoes do you recommend for chasing around a toddler with ADHD?

• I'm so glad Autumn is on the horizon. I love the lazy days of Summer and hanging out by the pool and with the kids, but there is something about Autumn that brings new life into my soul. In fact, every time I've ever "fallen in love" it's been in the Fall. Except for with my husband. Ironic, huh?

• One thing about the coming of Autumn? Football. This year will be especially fun because I'm in a Fantasy Football league with Fidgeting Gidget. Very fun times, and have met other bloggers and Tweeters thru it.

• My mini Moo cards came while I was at Blog Camp. I wish they had come sooner so that I could have passed them out, but they are here now and that makes me happy. Want some? Give me your address and I'll send you some.

• I'm glad it's just about time to have a glass of wine. Seriously. I have been cranky and not even sure why. I think a cool crisp chardonnay will hit the spot. Especially since it's Happy Hour you know.

• I'm so happy hubby has been so generous with his Canon (no, I'm not even going into the whole Nikon / Canon thing, I have a Canon and that's how it'll stay. For a while anyway). Anyway, he has been generous and I got to take it on my last 2 vacays. Now I have wonderful photos to put on Flickr and to scrapbook - if I ever had time, but that's another post!

• I'm extremely happy and thankful that my Mom - you know, the Outrageous Older Woman - is slowly but surely recovering and was in pretty good spirits when I visited her last week.

• I'm happy that I have great kids that can love me even tho I can be rather... well... not so nice sometimes. Ditto for the hubs.
  

• I'm happy that my dogs love me and only want love and affection. And treats.
  

• I'm happy Barb hung out with me yesterday and then came over for lunch today. I'm happy we had Black Bean Quesadillas (it's not in my spell check, sorry if I got it wrong) so we can serenade our husbands tonight. Not that I'd do that.

What are things that are making your day today? Be sure to click on the Mr Linky and add your thoughts. Also, check out Otin, he's just chalk full of Happy Hour thoughts!

Rant and Rave Wednesday

Thanks to Little Ms Blogger for providing the outlet I need today! Go see her for other Rants and Raves.

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Rant: I hate coming home from vacation. I'm always exhausted and good for nothing for at least a whole day after.

Rave: Since I'm exhausted and good for nothing, Barb and I spent the day in the pool doing nothing and not feeling guilty about it!

Rave: I just got back from Blog Camp so life is good!

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Rant: I love all my followers, really I do.  But why don't you have your email linked up?? I like to comment on comments you make, but I don't usually have the time or energy to go back thru my posts. Yes, I am lazy that way. Usually I answer them by email, but I can't do that if you're not linked up! Mango Girl, JW.BW, and BARB I'm talking to you!! And I'm sure there are others that I can't think of at the moment. LINK IT BABY!

Rave: Did I mention that I love you guys? I do!

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Rant: How come NO ONE in this house cares that there is dog hair all over, dog pee in the corner of the kitchen, the trash can lid needs to be cleaned and all the toilets need to be scrubbed? And food. There's no food. Seriously. What would you do if I were gone for more than a week? Why doesn't anyone else in the house pick up the damn swiffer? Sheesh. I'm annoyed. Why does it always have to be me? How stinking hard would it have been to clean up a little bit for me? You had a 3 day weekend after all. Not to mention the fact that I always pay the teenagers for helping out. Grrr.

Rave: I was out of town at Blog Camp so life is pretty good. And I got to spend the day with Barb. And not feel guilty for not cleaning the damn house.

Oops Rant: Since I didn't do it today I guess I'll be cleaning tomorrow. 

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Rant: I haven't had a piano lesson in almost 6 weeks. My teacher took august off. I've tried to keep up with playing the stuff I know, but I haven't been very good about it. I might get in trouble next time I go.

Rave: Maybe I can get husband to spank me. Hahaha just kidding. My rave is that I'm so lucky that hubby bought me my piano for Mother's Day. He's the bestest hubby in the whole stinkin world.

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Rant: I have a field hockey Booster Club meeting tonight that I really don't feel like going to. Then tomorrow I have a Habitat mtg. Next week I have other meetings to attend. Sometimes I feel like I spread myself too thin.

Rave: I'm happy #6 is playing field hockey and the least I can do is be an involved parent. Plus I'm lucky that we live in such a great community that there are organizations to join and make our corner of the world just a little better.
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I think that's all the ranting I have at the moment. Be sure to check in next week, I'm sure I'll have more!

Overheard at Blog Camp Reno

People keep asking me what the deal is with Blog Camp. If you're thinking campfires and singing kumbaya, you have it all wrong. Blog Camp is just a term for woman (so far it's only been women anyway) who are cyber friends to meet in real life and become real friends sharing laughs, wine, prezzies (of course) and spending a weekend together. It all started with Julochka at the first Blog Camp. You can look at this site to get some background. From there it has grown and blossomed and become it's own entity.

When you have five women together for any length of time, you're bound to hear some funny stuff (whether or not there is wine involved...which there usually was...). Here's some tidbits of conversations that made us laugh. Be sure to check out Zena, Ali, Sara, and Shannon. They are fabulous!

• Get your boobs off me

•  Well you're just a bitch (said with lots of love, I assure you)

• Oh My Gawd
  

• Holy Fuckoli
  

• "Hey, zoom on this!" "I can't, I don't have a wide angle lens..."

• If the road goes halfway to anywhere then take it

• I have some great pictures of Ali and her big stick
• Awwww... I lost my rocks!
• I got some perfect wood shots
• 1, 2, 3, Jump!
  

 

WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE??

GO TO BLOG CAMP RENO TO SEE THE LATEST NEWS!

JUST CLICK THE LINK. IT'S EASY!

Happy Hour Friday

Welcome to the very first installment of Happy Hour Friday! Last week Otin and I got a little bit harassed about being downers on a Friday afternoon, so we came up with this gem. Actually, Otin get's the credit, I'm just hanging onto his apron strings. Also, big big kudos to Hit 40 at Sane Without Drugs for making our picture. They both totally rock! And yes, I know it's only Thursday night, but we want you to be happy all day long. Plus, it's already Friday on the other side of the world you know!

Here are some things that make me Happy:

• I feel honored and special and all gushy inside that Otin asked me to co-host Happy Hour Friday with him.
• I'm so happy I came out to visit my mom. It's totally a coinky-dink that Blog Camp Reno is here this weekend...
• I gotta tell you, I was worried about the mom visit, even more than werewolves and axe murderers running amok. Seriously. She's 82, recovering from a broken hip, and really just not herself lately. On the phone she's been kinda cranky and crotchety. However, just for me, she put this on:

• I'm not too thrilled that the picture is blurry, I had a better one but for some reason Blogger didn't like it. Oh well, I'm only posting happy stuff today, and you can still see her t-shirt and that's what counts. I told you she was an Outrageous Older Woman!!
  
• I'm also so happy I am in Nevada because I love the view from my parents house:

• Not only do I get to see my mom and my new bloggy friends from Blog Camp Reno, but I also get to see one of my bestest real live friends. World, meet Schmecky. Schmecky, meet the world (ok just my little portion of the blogosphere, but it's my world!)

• Yep. That's her piranha face. She makes me laugh. Constantly. And that is a very happy thought for a Friday
  

• Here are the flowers she brought for me and mom: (isn't she thoughtful?)
  

• I'm so happy everyone is so interested in my chicken apple chili recipe! I'll get it to you, I promise! I think I'll wait til I get home tho so I can be sure to get the amounts right... but if any of you are the daring sort in the kitchen I can give you what I remember!
• I just made the chili without a net recipe and we were 3/4 the way thru dinner before I remembered the garlic. I totally forgot about it. Oh well. We have wine.
• That reminds me... I'm happy about wine.
  
• I just asked Mom and Schmecky what they were happy about. Mom says she's happy I'm here. Schmeck says she's happy to be sitting at a table with someone other than her dog.
• Otin is happy about lots of stuff. Be sure to check him out! You can also go to the other participants below to see why they're so happy.
  
• What are you happy about??