Really, really (dumb) good ideas!!!!!

You know how sometimes things sound like good ideas at first? Like right when you say them.??

"let's save money and not eat out so much!......

This is usually said in the parking lot AFTER a huge meal that costs more than a car payment for the month.

"let's get up earlier so we can have quiet time to organize our day!...

Yeah.. like you going to be awake after 7pm to actually DO anything you organized....

"Let's get a treadmill?"....

................Need I say more??

"I'm giving up chocolate, coffee with creamer and .. butter!? (not that the coffee has creamer AND butter,,,that would be silly. ..Its one or the other..)

...just kill me now.

"I'm going to keep a journal!"

..............hello blogging

"I want a job that will give me room to grow!"

.....like I WANT bigger butt at my age..duh..

"I'm going to read 3 books a month!"
..............do menus count??

"saving money for our retirement is so good!!"

....like we're ever going to be able to retire? Spend it now and have some fun.........

"Sure I still can (insert stupid idea here) jump rope, learn to ride a bike, jump on a pogo stick, ride a horse at my age!!"
.....and you have how much of a deductible in your accident insurance??

"I have PMS and I'm getting a tattoo!"
........................alrighty then..

"I'm bored – I think I'll color my hair!"

................see above.

Still, we make promises, try to do our best, actually do the things we say we're going to do...for about two days..

Ah well - there's always tomorrow...

-me

Then and now....

I've written about my big brother..the Kindergarten Cowboy before.

He's my favorite brother. My oldest brother. My only brother..

But even if he wasn't all of those things, I think he's be one of my favorite "people"..

He's retired and living his dream with his wife in Southern Arizona. A little retirement horse-property. For retired teachers and horses....

He substitute teaches whenever they need him. He volunteers on the "Volunteer Fire Department"....he saves stray horses, dogs and sometimes people...

Last week he was putting a casserole in the oven. He felt dizzy and sat down. Cilla his wife got worried when his eyes wouldn't focus - he was having double vision. Nothing that another little glass of wine wouldn't cure....

Nope, she thought, we need to make the call...

So, they called his volunteer fire department buddies and all were in agreement that he needed to go to the hospital.

Only thing, he lives in the dessert...far into the dessert...

So, in came a helicopter...yep...a helicopter.

Cilla was relieved. Larry was embarassed...until he realized, "Hey - this is pretty cool...a helicopter..."

Seems he had a mini-stroke. He's fine now. I called after a little while because I didn't want to disturb him...ha!

Forgot that he's a Sullivan, too. Hearty stock. Strong. Thick headed...

When I called, he'd just gotten back from riding the horses. Yeah. Horseback riding in the dessert..in the morning, while it was a really cool......99 degrees maybe??...

OK anyway, the title of this post - then and now....

Then: At the wedding of his son, Jim,...dancing with a beautiful Emily, his granddaughter....

...and now: Dancing with the beautiful bride, Emily, his granddaughter....

She's a beautiful wisp if a young women...a teacher..not unlike her beloved Grandpa...

This, my friends, is what it's all about..

-me

Summer re-runs...

..that's all yo see on TV - re-runs.

Sometimes that's OK because maybe you didn't see it the first time, or maybe you were watching the other channel's offering, and wishing you could have seen this one...

So sometimes, re-runs are not soo bad, right??

Well, some of you are new readers and I started this blog a year ago - so I thought it would be funny to see what I was writing about one year ago today...

Here's my re-run...

Monday, July 30, 2007 (apparently, I didn't write one on the 29th...)

Condiments.......

Have you ever gone to get something out of the fridge and stood in amazement at what you saw in there?

I mean, it's not like I don't clean my fridge..I do.

I throw away things probably before their time..that is..unless you're talking "condiments"..

Yes, I think I may suffer from a severe case of 'condiment shortage-phobia' or CSP as it is more commonly referred to.

I mean, one never knows what flavor of jam on the toast will be good this morning.

I want a variety. So, every time we go to the store, we see another new and exciting flavor of jam -think "Huckleberry-Pineapple" or "Peach Marmalade" - that would be so good on English muffins!

Hmmm, about the only time we buy English muffins is when we have company and we're not sure of what type of breakfast foods they like.

And why do they call them "muffins" anyway?

OK, so back to the condiments. It's summer here and I think if you've been reading these posts you know it's been hotter that usual.

So we haven't been cooking much. When I say "we", I mean Randy, right? (Remember, I can cook, I just choose not to...)

However, when I go to the fridge, it's full...of WHAT??

Yep, CONDIMENTS.

3 kinds of BBQ sauce, salad dressings that sounded good when seen in the market, 4 different types of mustard, mayo in glass jars, squeezable containers, low-fat, no-fat, and full of fat.

Pickles, peppers, relishes, compotes, marinades and sauces. But, there's nothing to eat. There's no room for actual food.

So, I open the door, look longingly and all the condiments, think how good they'd taste actually ON something..and decide it's all too confusing and go out and hit a salad bar or steakhouse or a burger joint - anywhere that has FOOD.

My daughter April once found a jar of jelly that was older than her daughter, Alyssa. Which, April soon deducted, (she's the "mathematician" in the family) had to be over 6 years old.
At that time, it meant we had packed and moved across country 2 times with the same jelly.

I was mortified...but, wait, is that Blueberry-Peach Compote??

Does anyone have an English muffin???????????

-me

"I'm sorry.."

...do you find yourself apologizing a lot?

I do. I don't like that I do. I am trying to stop.

I wonder if all women do.

I think maybe so...But Mr. B said he does this too...

I know I have to apologize in my job as a Customer Service Administrator. And I do so willingly for any "perceived" or real complaint they may have. It's what we should do...

But what I am talking about is in our lives.

We apologize for things all the time...like we need to be "forgiven" for having an opinion, a thought...............feelings, for Heaven's sake....

People run into me in a store and I say "I'm sorry"..they just walk away. Like I am saying "forgive me, this person of no worth, to have had the audacity to be in the place where you wanted to be..."

Sometimes the sorry's come in 3's........."oh, sorry, sorry, sorry!"

What's up with that??

We tend to justify what we do or don't do well by a 'disclaimer' of sorts. "I'm sorry, but I am just learning this..." or "I've never baked this before, sorry..."

Where did all of this come from? While watching The Next Network Food Star last night. One of the finalists was constantly being critiqued for apologizing too much. They said it was distracting and showed a lack of confidence. I think it was part of her downfall....

And I agreed. But I guess I had never seen it from the "other side" of the apology.

I definitely apologize too much.

For the weather if it's bad. For the high gas prices. For forgetting paper plates. For re-runs on TV...for the dogs barking ....well, maybe that one is necessary..Sorry!

And what's worse in my mind, is that no one is asking me for an apology. I just do it as a matter of fact..

And I am going to make a concentrated effort to stop.

I have never felt the need to apologize here on my blog....

I have openly expressed opinions, talked gibberish. Ranted and raved. Been silly and serious.

And never felt the need to apologize.

I find that to be a small miracle. A start. A beginning. So thank you all...maybe you have made me comfortable enough to be just me..."as is"...

They say to recognize the way or what you want to change is the first step. To become aware of it and then purposefully choose to handle it differently.

I don't want to apologize for what I have had no influence over, for what I am feeling, for what I am.

So, I am going to try to be more aware of what I want to say, deliberately, and with no apologizes.

And if I think it might be something that I might need to apologize for, I will think twice before I say it.

Time to see if indeed I do owe an apology - and if I do, I will give it BIG and meaningful.

And purposefully.

And if anything I said offended, hit too close to home, or made you uncomfortable tonight, well...
..........................OK

See? that wasn't so hard, huh??

Take care tomorrow...and here's a picutre of Mr. B that say's "Summer!" to me... Isn't he a cutie-patootie??!!

Hummingbird Watch - Day 17

OK - this photo has been doctored - the kitties are not really watching our little Hummingbird-Mama - however, the photo of the Hummingbird is OUR Hummingbird!!

So, the cat from next door came over to check out the nest early this morning...

Mr. B was out greeting the morning when "Junior" came over from next door. Junior is a very lovable, friendly, brave, not-scared-of-Lulu cat - which of course drives Lulu the Princess Warrior absolutely mad...(but she was unaware and in the front room with me..)

Anyway, Braxton, who was out with Mr. B ,lovingly welcomes Junior into the yard. Remember, Braxie is the Wal-Mart greeter of ShisTzus...

"Sweetie" ..as Mr. B has named the Hummingbird, started buzzing the cat!

The cat, unscathed and uninterested, just turned away and Sweetie kept buzzing to make serious eye-contact with Junior.

Finally, Mr. B "shooed" Junior back home...and all is well with Sweetie and her nest...

We decided to have the young couple from next door and their boys over for a light lunch. Oh, before I forget, Jenny has written a blog!

Yes..and she's not only a great professional photographer, but a very funny Mom..see for yourself at http://brinkel.blogspot.com/


Mr. B decided to keep lunch cool - sliced turkey with cranberry-cream cheese, lettuce and tomato on fresh croissants, watermelon, cantaloupe, salad and grapes.

Jenny and the boys made "chocolates" - some with apricots, some with craisins & nuts and some with, of all things, pumpkin seeds. And they were all fabulous! None left to take pictures of, but insert a big, chocolate smile right about here....

paper plates, minimal silverware...

OK, I am having so much fun with that photo-site I made this headline for the Sunday paper....

Have a wonderful, simple, happy week ahead and remember, food doesn't have to be fancy, you don't have to watch anything but what's around you to be entertained, and you can choose to be happy..

Let's all make good choices this week - have a happy, simple, delicious, and entertaining week ahead.

-me

I'd like to speak to someone from the People-developers committee please.

Yes, the one's that invented people and all the "operating procedures" that accompany them.

I have been thinking about this whole people-process and I actually see some "errors" that they may not be aware of.

Such as teeth. I get the whole thing about getting 2 sets – but the timing is a little off....

You get the first ones about the right time – solid foods and all.

But what's with this loosing them at about 6 years old –then expecting the new ones to last, oh another 80 or so years?

I mean, can you see the problem here? -

how about making the first one's last longer – like about 40 years or so? That way, the new ones wouldn't wear out when you're in your 50's....

Seems like an easy fix to me.

Then there's the puberty thing. OK..stringy hair, braces, acne, glasses, feet two sizes too big, and the ability to produce orders that would rate 'Extreme' on the stink-o-meter...

...oh yeah, a menstrual cycle??? What were you guys thinking?? Spread it out a little, will ya??

And I'm not done. The "all-parts-wearing-out-at-the-same-time" plan. What 's up with that??

Eyes, teeth, hips, lack of calcium-retention, hair follicles, polka dotted skin. Varicose veins and loosing the ability to eat dinner after 4:30???? Are you kidding me??

All easy fixes – these things should have been better planned, people.

It's bad enough that as children, we are constantly reminded when it comes to fashion, 'creativity comes before good taste' ... and I really tried to embrace that with my own children.

But somehow, it looses all it's 'cuteness' when we are in our 'later-years' and we wear plaid polyester pants up to our armpits with a striped bowling shirt and socks with our sandals....

So, in short, I'd like you to re-evaluate the model you are using for people.

It seems to have more flaws than Microsoft's version of Vista........

Kindest regards,

Colleen

Wanna know what's WEIRD??

Brandi.....

(every time Brandi used to say that I'd point to her...even now...all the way in New Jersey, if she says that on the phone, she'll pause and say "you're pointing at the phone aren't you??"....and I totally am...)

Isn't that just the VERY best name for a product? I think I will use it as my "most-awfullest-person-swear-word" for when I'm really really mad...

"You are a FUN SUCKER, you are!!"

I have a clock on my desk at work that has run out of battery....one battery, so I can't say it ran out of batter-ies...

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to replace the battery - or not.

Right now, it reads 4:37-ish...PM...........no it's not digital..but I guess you'd know the because of the whole battery-thing, huh?

I just decided it was PM. It's my clock. I can decide.

So it's PM. Always.

And, I like looking at it all day and seeing 4:37-ish. Almost time to go home.

All day..

Makes me feel better knowing it's almost time to go home.

Even if it's really only 10:32 AM.

Do you have a favorite hour of day?

I do...... Always have....since I was a little kid..

It's 4 o'clock..........PM

School's out and supper's not ready yet.

It's been my favorite hour of day all my life.

Even as a little kid.

Not quite my favorite "time "of day..that would be about 5:30 – 6-ish ...AM

Sky's an azure blue...birds are waking up.... Coffee's brewing....and the kids aren't awake yet.

(they probably are now though. "They" being grown up and all..maybe the grandkids are still asleep.)

I think I may have written about this before...but I really can't remember...

PS – I just looked at a clock I have in the back room - by the back door – it's out of battery too, and it says 4:37 PM!

I kid you not....

Isn't that WEIRD???!!!

-me

PSS - ah - nevermind...I just looked at the clock in the back room - it says 3:37 - oh well, woulda been a wierd thing to write about, huh...

PSS - ok, I'm editing this...and it's 4:38AM!!! So, THAT'S kinda wierd, doncha think?? I guess I leave the post title as-is.

Does your state or city have their own holidays...

....that others do not?

We do. In Utah.

Tomorrow. July 24th.

Banks close. Businesses close. No trash pick-up...big sales at car lots....

...the "usual holiday fare...

We celebrate the Mormon pioneers arriving in the valley and declaring "this is the place"...

"Pioneer Day"

More fireworks and hell-a-ballo than the 4th of July.....or would that need to be "heck-a-ballo"??

Anyway, stories say that as they came over the crest and viewed the valley below – they announced...

"This is the place."

I donno – after months on the road, in handcarts, fighting who know what and not having deodorant – or mapquest....

......maybe just seeing the valley, with the lake very much in sight as they headed down Emigration Canyon, having just spent a pretty rough amount of time just getting OVER the mountain range....

...maybe someone in the v-e-r-y back yelled to the guy in the front....

"Oh yeah,, this had BETTER be the place.....my feet are killing me.

Uh huh.. And you need a bath, mister, don't you forget it.."

So, the guy in the front, not NOT wanting to have the last word, said ...

"this IS the place..right?? you know..what' s it's name???.....You know...that place we've been talking about????....what'd we call it??"

Then someone in the back again, shouting to the front, (what's with all that shouting?? .........

..ohyeah, the oxen are pretty loud, clomping around..and those squeaky handcarts..)

"Utah..."

"What??"

"U-TAH...."

"Yeah.. I know I taw it ......I know...but whaddaya call it??"

"U-TAH!!!"

"I KNOW .............but what's it called ???????"

Hmmmm......wonder if Abbot & Costello were Mormons......

I'll have the whole day off of work to figure out that one....

-me

The thing is......

..do not adjust your TV set..

...what makes us cRaZY one minute can be FuN the next minute...

Yep, computers.

Last night, or more specifically, this morning, a program or drive or device, or thingy, I don't know what "they" are calling it now ..("they" being those wonderful, sweet, kind, understanding, patient, tech-speaking Customer Support people...she says sarcastically...)

..started acting up again. Or would that be "acting out" as in.....stopped working.....or more accurately, went "buh-bye" and disappeared as quickly as it showed up - in a nano-second.

(exact ally how long is a "nano-second" anyway?? Guess I'll have to ask Mork...you know..."Mork from Ork"??)

....nevermind...(see note above eluding to the lack of sleep...)

However, in all the searching for help, I found something totally unexpected...and fun! (did I mention I am easily distracted??) I have signed up for a thing called Photojo and they send fun ideas, things to do with your camera and pictures, etc. in a newsletter.

Soooooo, here are some fun things to do with your photos and the link to the site that I had fun with at 2:30, and 3:47 and 4:10 this morning!

sketch of Miss Emily

Emily on the screen....

Emee on the wall....

The New Jersey Modern Museum of Ella

Hello Kitty!

Sketch of Ella...

TV star Emily..

So, here's the link:http://www.photofunia.com/

Have fun!...and if you're up at 3:26am...give me a call..or better yet, send me a message...

-me

There are certain ‘rools’ (as our little next door neighbor boy spells ‘rules’)

Disclaimer: These are Office/Public Building bathroom rools – so you may not want to read further…

Ahh come on.......you totally want to read on......…

OK, so when you go into the restroom with other girls, you can ‘chit-chat’ all you want..HOWEVER…once the individual potty doors close, all talking must cease.

There can be NO TALKING after the door is shut.

None. Zip it. Zzzzpppt. Zzzptt….

No matter what I have gone in there for, I do not want to carry on a conversation while attending to my…ahem….business…

Conversations may continue once you have completed the task and are at the sinks, washing your hands, vigorously for a minimum of 30 seconds with anti-bacterial soap, and dried with the environment-friendly air dryer. Or recycled paper towels.

If there are any ‘noises’, it is customary to attempt to disguise them by one of the following:

1. Coughing

2. Flushing the toilet (no restrictions as to the number of flushes at this time – whatever is needed)

3. Whistling

4. Singing loudly (in extreme cases only)

At no time can the phrase “Hey! I recognize that voice!” be used to cover the sound of .....your....‘thunder’

If you are ‘dropping the kids off at the pool’, please hang around long enough to see the ‘kids’ go down the water slide.

No one wants to see your ‘kids’ happily floating in the pool…say good-bye and leave quietly.

If a sound/scent escapes and you know you are not alone..an ‘Excuse me’ is really all that’s necessary....not ‘Hey! I don’t remember eating THAT ! ”

And remember, although the toilets, paper towel dispensers and faucets are sometimes motion-activated, the automatic air freshener is NOT ‘smelly-activated’….

Speaking about ‘motion-activated’.. if you happen to see someone standing staring and waving their hands in front of the water or the towels, don’t burst out in laughter….just tell them kindly that this bathroom does NOT have motion activated appliances and they actually have to turn on the water or crank the paper towels..

Remember…it could be you…standing there…making exaggerated motions just to get the water to run…

-me

"We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by."

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES...PLEASE STAND BY...

Remember seeing those messages when watching TV in the 60's & 70'S?

I guess they don't have "issues" like that anymore...

But I do....or possibly "did"....

Yesterday, couldn't for the life of me get Blogger to working..or was it me?

I think it was the later...me.

I was experiencing "technical difficulties"..or in plain 'ol terms - grumpiness.

I'm not normally a grump...just sometimes exhibit "grumpy-like tendencies" and yesterday was one of those days.

I used to tell the kids when they were grumpy that they must of slept with their mouths open - 'cos all the grumpies entered while they were sleeping...

I know I sleep with my mouth open (gross) so I guess...

Anyway I'm over it now and the "technical difficulties" I am experiencing with my lovely computer (oh yes you are a lovely computer, you computer you! (gotta be nice to inanimate objects as wel...although a computer is very animate...or they are supposed to be...)

So, today will be fabulous. Yes, it will.

I'll make all the traffic lights.

My coffee will not drip in my new white shirt.

I'll actually see those "other drivers" (jErKs) getting pulled over and getting tickets.

And my lovely computer will work hand in hand with all programs..no matter how new they are..or what there names are..my lovely computer will accept them and let them play nicely with them. Oh yes you ...will...won't you?? pleeeeeasssse??

There. Ms. Guided had spoken...or is it Ms. deNile...

-me

My son...the famous one...or "Remember, a Cobra is a snake and snake is sneak spelled sideways!"

Yeppers, I have a celebrety..right here in the family.

Jeff, the newlywed (almost one year) answered a call from CNN.com news. They were asking for people to share stories of decorating their cubicles...then sort of getting in trouble when they did...sort of.

No, it wasn't with anything bad...unless you absolutely hate G.I. Joe - yeah..you read that right. He decorated his cubicles with G.I. Joe comics, action figures (they ARE NOT dolls, Mother...)

oh, the quote in the title is directly from G.I.Joe.....

Here is the link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/07/18/wacky.workspace/index.html

The photo of his cubicle is on the red link at the end of the paragraph - you have to click on the little "cubicles" until you see his name....of G.I.Joe - in the flesh....uh...plastic.

"Action Figures, Action Figures, Action Figures".....

Nah, they're DOLLS....

-me

OK,....no bull....

this photo?.....

........this is a bunch of bull...

This is one of the big guys outside of where I used to work. So seems I've traded a .......wait for it...............................................................................................................................................................................
....lot of bull for getting my ducks in a row!

Bwhaaaahaahah! I totally cracked me up with that one...!

Anyway, today at work, it was quiet. Most Fridays are.

Sacha, my supervisor was doing some "cube-cleaning" (as opposed to house cleaning) and came over and wiped my desk area and we chatted.

Talked abut our week-end plans...

What "chores" needed to be done...

What fun things we were planning..you know, the usual Friday afternoon banter.

She left my cubie and went over to hers to finish up some things...

I started wrapping up my work..writing that last email... packing my lunch containers...

..watering the plant..you know..usual Friday afternoon details..

Closed out of my computer, turned off my phone, grabbed my book, lunch bag and purse and went over to Sacha's cube to say good-bye to all. (it is not unusual that I leave before they do..many nights a few stay later to play "catch-up"..)

Walked out to my car, seeing the parking lot a little emptier, thought- rather snottily.. "well, you know some people squeak out early on Fridays..."

Unusually light traffic on the freeway going home...cruising along at a pretty good clip..

Yeah..this is how traffic should flow on a Friday..not the usual bumper-to-bumper stuff..nice and smooth.....

Radio blaring..me singin' along to the song. Loud. The announcer comes on and says..................

"well it's already getting hot for the 5 O'Clock commute..better get ready for some hot bumper-to-bumper traffic in about a half hour..."

WHAT??????

.......a half hour???? Until 5 o'clock???? What time is it now?????

Then he says, "it's 4:33 on a hot Friday...."

shut . up!!!!!!!!!!

..his voice kinda faded away and all I could focus on (besides the road..safety first!) was the "4:33" part.....

I had, it seems, decided my day was done. It was over. That's that...I'm outta here. (I think I even said that very thing!) No corporate clock was going to tell me to say until my NORMAL exit time...Oh noooooo..

Truth be told..I THOUGHT it WAS 5 o'clock....I "thought" I was leaving at my normal time...I "thought" it was unusual light traffic....

Can you imagine what my boss thought??

"Hey, did she just say "I'm outta here" to me?...and leave?? Are you kidding me??? She just ...left????"

How embarassing....Well, guess I told her, huh..??

Geesh - hope I have a job on Monday.....better decide to go in, oh, like on time..or maybe..I'll just kind of sashay in at the crack of 10:30....

Well, now ...that sounds like a lot of....

I am such a dork.......................

-me

He and Me....

Me & Mr. B ............

His and Hers........

Yours & mine........

The differences are there. So are the similarities....

He can start a sentence – I can finish it.

He thinks of something for dinner, I come in and suggest the same thing..

I think about calling him, and the phone rings...it's HIM!

We both crack the same smart-alec jokes at the same time..

But, then there are the differences..

Shoes and socks all year - no matter what..............

Socks in winter, bare feet in summer - no matter what...

Snuggled under the covers..........

Sleeping with no covers..........

His nightstand.........

my nightstand..............

My hat................ His hat........

My powder-room necessities............His powder-room necessities..............

His mug for a cuppa..............

My mug for a cuppa..........

His front room side table...

My front room side table...

His favorite spot...

My favorite spot..........

( I feel that I must insert a real true fact here...really, truly, factyally...90% of people sit on the left side of the sofa....so if you're buying second-hand, be sure to test the left-side!)

(oh, and another fact....5/3rds of people don't understand fractions...)

(oh, and we have 2 sofas. We both sit on the left side..I don't sit in his lap...just in case you were wondering...)

For all the sames and the differences, we are a perfect match.

However.. we don't always match perfectly....

But the one thing I've discovered is to celebrate the differences and to cherish the sames....

How about you & yours??

Even if your "yours" happens to be a fur-baby..(not, not a hairy guy, silly, like a pet...)

Let us know....

-me...oh and Lulu-Belle