Since I just posted about SOBE lifewater, I thought I would tell you about another latest fondness of mine. Actually, I've only had them on one occasion (so far), last night. Domino's Lava Cakes...YUMMY!
Last night since I was still more than half dead, the idea of making chicken and pasta and either hacking up a lung or dribbling snot in the sauce didn't sound too appetizing, T and I agreed on pizza. I had just received the latest coupons to Domino's and we decided on "The Family Feast", two-two topping pizzas, bread sticks and two lava cakes. Seeing that all of the bread sticks - regular, cheese and cinna sticks were the same price, I asked if they could be cheese bread sticks. I told the man on the phone I had a coupon. He told me it would be $23.02, although the coupon said $16.99 (+ tax). I said, WHAT? I informed him of the coupon and he then corrected the amount to $18.01 and said it would be ready in 15 minutes. We stopped by Speedway to grab some SOBE lifewater and then headed to pick up the pizza. We went to pay and were told it was $14.83. Ummm...OK. So who knows what our order was going to be!
The order came up and it was two pizzas and cheese bread sticks. A different man said it was $18.01, so I paid the difference and then asked for the lava cakes. Now it was his turn to say, WHAT?
Apparently, pizza employees have absolutely no idea what coupons are sent out to patrons. They have no idea what they include or entail and rather than inquire when a caller calls, they expect the caller to inform the pizza phone operator of exactly what they are ordering. So, in my half dead state I was more than a little annoyed that I was suppose to identify the lava cakes when I wasn't special ordering them - not adding toppings, not adding cheese, etc. So we had to wait another 7 minutes for them to be cooked. 28 minutes from the time we placed the order, we walked out the door. No special discount, apparently it was MY FAULT.
BUT...the lava cakes...let me tell you, they were SO WORTH WAITING FOR! The small chocolate molten cakes were warm and filled with hot thick fudge of just the perfect amount. The cakes were covered with powdered sugar. They were the perfect bit of crispy and crunchy combined with melty and oozing to taste nothing but warm, thick, fudgy chocolate. Yes, they were that fabulous. T and I split one, which was the perfect amount without self-indulgence and gorging after eating pizza and cheese bread! We saved the other for later which we split and didn't warm up and it was still super yummy.
I think I found a new little bit of heaven and I never would have thought it would have been at Domino's!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Lifewater
I think I finally have an addiction. Granted I love chocolate and peanut butter - with or without each other, but I think I've finally found something that I really crave.
Granted, I've been drinking bottled water for a long time. Throw in a packet of crystal light something or other, usually raspberry lemonade, hydration or the new pomegranate lemonade and I do just fine. I add half a packet or less to each bottle of water and usually the bottle is gone in moments. I may or may not actually use the other half of the packet before air settles into it and it becomes hard and difficult to cram into the bottle to dissolve. sigh...But sometimes, even that seems to labor intensive for me. I'm kidding, seriously kidding.
But, I love the SOBE lifewater. My favorite flavor is the black and blue berry. It's vitamin enhanced "forti-fight" and whatever it fights, I haven't a clue but I love the flavor and at zero calories, how can you resist? I'm also quite fond of the yumberry pomegranate "purify" as well. Now if only I can convince Sam's Club to carry my flavors, I would be golden! Otherwise, I'll just have to keep stalking the closest Speedway for their 2 for $2.22 deals.
If you haven't tried either of them yet, I highly recommend them! And for me to recommend something, you know it must be good!
Granted, I've been drinking bottled water for a long time. Throw in a packet of crystal light something or other, usually raspberry lemonade, hydration or the new pomegranate lemonade and I do just fine. I add half a packet or less to each bottle of water and usually the bottle is gone in moments. I may or may not actually use the other half of the packet before air settles into it and it becomes hard and difficult to cram into the bottle to dissolve. sigh...But sometimes, even that seems to labor intensive for me. I'm kidding, seriously kidding.
But, I love the SOBE lifewater. My favorite flavor is the black and blue berry. It's vitamin enhanced "forti-fight" and whatever it fights, I haven't a clue but I love the flavor and at zero calories, how can you resist? I'm also quite fond of the yumberry pomegranate "purify" as well. Now if only I can convince Sam's Club to carry my flavors, I would be golden! Otherwise, I'll just have to keep stalking the closest Speedway for their 2 for $2.22 deals.
If you haven't tried either of them yet, I highly recommend them! And for me to recommend something, you know it must be good!
Sex Talk Education
I know that my three regular readers all know me and my most fabulous 12 - year old son. Really truly, he is fabulous. He was in the paper last week as he was interviewed for Constitution Day. Yes, I didn't even know such a day existed! He managed to score the one and only goal for his soccer team out of two games to have their total score record of 1-14! He managed to make another week of the Survivor Football Pool being one of 27 of the originating 51. Yes, yes I know, if you happen to have come across this blog for the first time, that doesn't make him fabulous, truly I understand that.
Over the past several years, T and I have had numerous sex talks. If I ever learned from MP how to "link" posts, I'd probably term myself "linker" but I never quite figured it out. So I can't refer you to those great past blogs! Anyway, it's been a little while since my son and I discussed sex. We talk about it intermittently.
Like the dinner conversation the other night when he was sucking up Ramen Noodles and asked what would happen if he bit down on them when he was sucking them up. DUH. Which then I decided to discuss french kissing with him and how not to kiss as if he were sucking up noodles! Seriously, where do I come up with this stuff? If that wasn't bad enough, the conversation went from bad to worse (all the while him laughing hysterically) when I told him not to ever call a girl a noodle or a wet noodle and then I just had to end the conversation by saying, forget the whole deal. Never call anyone anything related to a noodle. End of Story.
Today I learned of a twelve year old boy who impregnated a thirteen year old girl. She is six weeks pregnant. Her parents want her to get an abortion, she wants to keep the child. She could be facing felony charges as she had sex with a person under the age of 13. He could face misdemeanor charges. The girls parents want child support. The boy wants a paternity test. At what age is a child able to decide if they can keep their baby? At what age can a parent decide that their child can't keep a baby?
It is never too early to discuss sex with our children. Whether they want to hear it or not. Whether you think you have ingrained the sex education into their minds or not. Remember, how they forget to bathe or shower or brush their teeth? How can we expect them to remember after one or two or three sex talks? Talk until you can't talk anymore and then talk again. Whether you think your child is sexually active or not. Whether you think they even look at children of the opposite gender. You think it won't happen to your child, you think it can't? Think again. It can and it will. Educate, educate, educate.
I know that my dinnertime discussion with my son or the talk before the Biggest Loser will again be on sex, intercourse, pregnancy, condoms, std's...you name it. I think of it, I know it, I will share it. I will share it again and again until he knows it. Again and again until he can recite it. I will do my part as a parent and hope and pray that it is enough. Let it be enough...
Over the past several years, T and I have had numerous sex talks. If I ever learned from MP how to "link" posts, I'd probably term myself "linker" but I never quite figured it out. So I can't refer you to those great past blogs! Anyway, it's been a little while since my son and I discussed sex. We talk about it intermittently.
Like the dinner conversation the other night when he was sucking up Ramen Noodles and asked what would happen if he bit down on them when he was sucking them up. DUH. Which then I decided to discuss french kissing with him and how not to kiss as if he were sucking up noodles! Seriously, where do I come up with this stuff? If that wasn't bad enough, the conversation went from bad to worse (all the while him laughing hysterically) when I told him not to ever call a girl a noodle or a wet noodle and then I just had to end the conversation by saying, forget the whole deal. Never call anyone anything related to a noodle. End of Story.
Today I learned of a twelve year old boy who impregnated a thirteen year old girl. She is six weeks pregnant. Her parents want her to get an abortion, she wants to keep the child. She could be facing felony charges as she had sex with a person under the age of 13. He could face misdemeanor charges. The girls parents want child support. The boy wants a paternity test. At what age is a child able to decide if they can keep their baby? At what age can a parent decide that their child can't keep a baby?
It is never too early to discuss sex with our children. Whether they want to hear it or not. Whether you think you have ingrained the sex education into their minds or not. Remember, how they forget to bathe or shower or brush their teeth? How can we expect them to remember after one or two or three sex talks? Talk until you can't talk anymore and then talk again. Whether you think your child is sexually active or not. Whether you think they even look at children of the opposite gender. You think it won't happen to your child, you think it can't? Think again. It can and it will. Educate, educate, educate.
I know that my dinnertime discussion with my son or the talk before the Biggest Loser will again be on sex, intercourse, pregnancy, condoms, std's...you name it. I think of it, I know it, I will share it. I will share it again and again until he knows it. Again and again until he can recite it. I will do my part as a parent and hope and pray that it is enough. Let it be enough...
Sick of Bed...
I am seldom, if ever, sick. Sometimes, when the scales are tipping in the wrong way or I hear of someone who was sick and lost drastic amounts of weight, I wish I were sick. Fortunately, I my wishes don't come true!
Friday night JN and I went out. I was suppose to meet up with a new guy, but we hadn't confirmed anything and then I checked my emails and he was thinking Saturday. So seeing that things were going fairly well with 601, I decided to invite him out to meet JN and get her opinion before hanging out with him the rest of the weekend. JN's opinion of him, as understatement, was less than favorable. Pretty much, me wearing the empathetic shoes, I felt the need to defend both 601 and JN's positions. Anyway, overall the night went well, until I opted to sleep in JN's "cat room"/guest bedroom rather than her trusty couch where I usually crash. Bad idea #1.
Saturday after several back and forth "discussions" with 601, we resolved the issue to get together and still plan on going canoeing. I was feeling congested already, but nothing I couldn't handle. We had a great time canoeing and wading in the water. I probably didn't have the best idea to initiate a splashing of water from the paddle which ensued a full force response, directly in my right ear. I think I managed to get "Swimmers Ear". Never having it, there is no guarantee, but less than hours later the whole sinus cavity on my right side - ear, nose, throat were inflamed. We continued the date and went rollerblading, where things only went south.
You see, I have this thing called a memory. I think I have a good one. I also have good listening skills. Hence, I listen and remember things. On several different dates with 601 somethings either haven't added up or he gets defensive when I ask him something that I didn't know the answer. He claims he's told me. Then there was a question about "my sister". Mind you, I don't have a sister. So, I tried to explain to him that with online dating, it is easy to confuse what has been told and not told when communicating with numerous people. We all do it. It happens. Even to me. Needless to say, this only aggravated him more. When push came to shove, he asked if I was interested in a long term relationship with him and when my response was that I wasn't sure yet, he pushed harder and I said NO. Yep, we all know where that went.
Needless to say, as the silence and the wedge grew larger, I was becoming more ill. We finished rollerblading and returned to his vehicle. On the drive back to my car, he tried to rectify the situation and even asked me out to dinner. I was feeling increasingly worse, cold chills, plugged ear, sore throat and I declined and headed home.
I spent a great 99.8% of the next 60 hours at home either in bed, on the couch or in a chair. Yes, good times. I'm finally back to work, but still not feeling fabulous but I couldn't handle another minute of laying around the house. I can't even begin to fathom what I would do if I were either unemployed or retired...
Friday night JN and I went out. I was suppose to meet up with a new guy, but we hadn't confirmed anything and then I checked my emails and he was thinking Saturday. So seeing that things were going fairly well with 601, I decided to invite him out to meet JN and get her opinion before hanging out with him the rest of the weekend. JN's opinion of him, as understatement, was less than favorable. Pretty much, me wearing the empathetic shoes, I felt the need to defend both 601 and JN's positions. Anyway, overall the night went well, until I opted to sleep in JN's "cat room"/guest bedroom rather than her trusty couch where I usually crash. Bad idea #1.
Saturday after several back and forth "discussions" with 601, we resolved the issue to get together and still plan on going canoeing. I was feeling congested already, but nothing I couldn't handle. We had a great time canoeing and wading in the water. I probably didn't have the best idea to initiate a splashing of water from the paddle which ensued a full force response, directly in my right ear. I think I managed to get "Swimmers Ear". Never having it, there is no guarantee, but less than hours later the whole sinus cavity on my right side - ear, nose, throat were inflamed. We continued the date and went rollerblading, where things only went south.
You see, I have this thing called a memory. I think I have a good one. I also have good listening skills. Hence, I listen and remember things. On several different dates with 601 somethings either haven't added up or he gets defensive when I ask him something that I didn't know the answer. He claims he's told me. Then there was a question about "my sister". Mind you, I don't have a sister. So, I tried to explain to him that with online dating, it is easy to confuse what has been told and not told when communicating with numerous people. We all do it. It happens. Even to me. Needless to say, this only aggravated him more. When push came to shove, he asked if I was interested in a long term relationship with him and when my response was that I wasn't sure yet, he pushed harder and I said NO. Yep, we all know where that went.
Needless to say, as the silence and the wedge grew larger, I was becoming more ill. We finished rollerblading and returned to his vehicle. On the drive back to my car, he tried to rectify the situation and even asked me out to dinner. I was feeling increasingly worse, cold chills, plugged ear, sore throat and I declined and headed home.
I spent a great 99.8% of the next 60 hours at home either in bed, on the couch or in a chair. Yes, good times. I'm finally back to work, but still not feeling fabulous but I couldn't handle another minute of laying around the house. I can't even begin to fathom what I would do if I were either unemployed or retired...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Shithead
As I sit here with thoughts racing through my mind, I feel like a shithead. While I would like to say that I don't have regrets in my life, only life lessons, there are rare times when my actions, I clearly regret. But sometimes, whether or not out of nervousness, tiredness, stress or whatever it may be, my behavior can be inappropriate and usually in the means of laughter.
Last night I had a "date", call it 701 I suppose, since he's the seventh person that I've met since I rejoined the free dating site. To me, that seems infinitely impossible and WAY too many people to meet, but afterall it's just a meet and greet date, or it should be with the exception that I'm a "marathon dater". Let me digress and say that 601, where I assured myself on a weeknight would not be a marathon date, turned into 7.5 hours and 20 miles of exercise!
Anyway...701 was running late and had called while I was en route to the restuarant. He thought that he told me he would call when he was done with coaching, but what was agreed was that we would meet at 7p.m. I arrived about ten minutes early and was chatting on the phone when I decided I would attempt to sit at the bar and grab a drink. As I walked toward the door, there was a slight commotion on the sidewalk. An overweight man without a shirt was down on his knees on the sidewalk clutching a pack of cigarettes in his hand. A shirt was wadded up on the ground in front of him and a cane was haphazardly lying in the rock garden. A woman was talking to him and offering him assistance to stand and asking if he wanted a chair. Two men were standing next to them staring down upon the man. I asked if they needed assistance or a call or anything. One of the men said, "No. He was on fire."
What? How is one on fire? And only because the man was OK, did I find the situation funny. Yes, I am awful in the fact that I found the entire situation funny. A man managed to catch himself on fire while smoking outside of a restaurant in broad daylight. The Ex-Bf told me I'm "Going to Hell" for thinking it was funny, even though he laughed to. I went inside and one of the waitresses was on the phone with 911 reporting the incident. I went to the bar and mentioned it to the bartender and then conversed with three gentleman about it across the bar. Obviously had the man been injured, there would have been absolutely no humor in the story, none. And maybe there isn't regardless.
But to me, in the unknown nervousness of meeting a date in a bar and approaching the aftermath of someone who had been "on fire", I laughed and therefore I am a shithead. Fortunately he was OK and didn't have any burns on him either. On a more serious note though, this man should not be smoking!
Last night I had a "date", call it 701 I suppose, since he's the seventh person that I've met since I rejoined the free dating site. To me, that seems infinitely impossible and WAY too many people to meet, but afterall it's just a meet and greet date, or it should be with the exception that I'm a "marathon dater". Let me digress and say that 601, where I assured myself on a weeknight would not be a marathon date, turned into 7.5 hours and 20 miles of exercise!
Anyway...701 was running late and had called while I was en route to the restuarant. He thought that he told me he would call when he was done with coaching, but what was agreed was that we would meet at 7p.m. I arrived about ten minutes early and was chatting on the phone when I decided I would attempt to sit at the bar and grab a drink. As I walked toward the door, there was a slight commotion on the sidewalk. An overweight man without a shirt was down on his knees on the sidewalk clutching a pack of cigarettes in his hand. A shirt was wadded up on the ground in front of him and a cane was haphazardly lying in the rock garden. A woman was talking to him and offering him assistance to stand and asking if he wanted a chair. Two men were standing next to them staring down upon the man. I asked if they needed assistance or a call or anything. One of the men said, "No. He was on fire."
What? How is one on fire? And only because the man was OK, did I find the situation funny. Yes, I am awful in the fact that I found the entire situation funny. A man managed to catch himself on fire while smoking outside of a restaurant in broad daylight. The Ex-Bf told me I'm "Going to Hell" for thinking it was funny, even though he laughed to. I went inside and one of the waitresses was on the phone with 911 reporting the incident. I went to the bar and mentioned it to the bartender and then conversed with three gentleman about it across the bar. Obviously had the man been injured, there would have been absolutely no humor in the story, none. And maybe there isn't regardless.
But to me, in the unknown nervousness of meeting a date in a bar and approaching the aftermath of someone who had been "on fire", I laughed and therefore I am a shithead. Fortunately he was OK and didn't have any burns on him either. On a more serious note though, this man should not be smoking!
401k...Smile
I know I've posted about my 401k more than enough. The recent rises as of late in the market have been much appreciated, whether they are here to stay or short lived. So for today, on this Thursday, the fact that for the third time in a row, at least a week or two, the amount has steadily increased...makes me smile.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday & Physical...Need I Say More?
Happy Monday! The sun is shining and what better way to start off the beginning of the week, Monday morning, in the office of my OB/GYN for my annual physical? But let me go back a bit...
Sunday afternoon was a very lazy day. My son and I spent all day in the house, neither of us even bothering to get out of our pajamas. I managed to clean a great majority of the house, including the basement and mopping the floors! We watched some football and I happened to "rest" on the couch for about 1.5 hours dozing on and off. Not a good idea - since I laid in bed for 2.5 hours wide awake with the last time I looked at the clock it was 3:46a.m. sigh. I woke this morning recalling a bizarre dream about one of the families I work with ordering I replace children and a co-worker that wasn't ready to leave the house because she was taking a bath. What? Anyway, as I lay wide awake in bed, I anticipated my upcoming rollerblading date with hopes that I don't fall and kill myself and all the millions of "deal-breakers" when it comes to dating and relationships. No wonder I couldn't sleep!
I actually got out of bed a few minutes after my alarm went off and let my son sleep for a little longer. When he aroused he was frantic that it was 7:20a.m. and we had to leave in 30 minutes for school. No sweat. I had already made his lunch and packed his backpack, he just had to dress and eat breakfast. I dropped him off at school and went home to finish getting ready for work. I was even ten minutes early!
My physical was scheduled at 9;45a.m. and I knew I needed to leave about 9:30 or so to be sure I was on time. I was inhaling a yogurt as I walked out of the office.
*** Note: While many things can condition the hair, I do NOT recommend tooth paste OR yogurt! And definitely NOT in the same day!
I got in my car and drove to the doctor's office. It was 9:40a.m. when I realized, I was driving to the wrong office! I'm pretty sure the pediatric doctor's office wouldn't be willing to do an annual on me! So turn around and head back the way I came, a mile in the direction from where I started! Ah Monday's!
I did manage to walk into the office on time and was directed to the back of the office to supply my urine sample. I don't know about you, but this is always a difficult thing for me! I clearly made my label and stuck it on the cup, first. What was I thinking? What if I urinated on the label and the marker smeared? Anyway...I attempted and I couldn't muster a mere three drops, likely not enough to test anything! So I threw it away and headed out to my car to grab a bottle of water to ingest for attempt #2, when the exam was complete.
The pre-exam went fine; however, seriously do they have to prick your finger right before you have to get undressed? How am I suppose to add pressure to my bleeding finger while undressing? I'm multi-talented, but this is pushing the limits on a Monday!
The doctor came in and we had our lovely chat. I have a varicose vein in my right leg and he's willing to make a referral, although at the end of the exam he said if I plan on having more babies, I should wait as I could get more. No planned babies. He also talked about a continuous birth control pill - Why in the world would I want to take a pill EVERY day? He suggested the benefits being that I wouldn't have a period, although I have no complaints as mine are barely even 1.5 days (I know, I know, I'm sorry for you!). I did ask if a continuous pill would help with the need to want to harm everyone and clean house and everything without purpose the week before? I told him that this also includes the desire to rid of useless boyfriends and/or husband on a monthly basis as well. He (being politically correct of course) said that it would help with PMS.
During the exam he asked if I wanted to be tested for STD's. I said OK. He then said that it would be a good idea since I have a new boyfriend every month! I then had to insert foot in mouth and say that NO I don't have a new boyfriend every month, just a desire to get rid of the one that I have every month! Isn't it funny how things can be twisted around?
At the end of the appointment, I headed back to the bathroom to provide a urine sample. Doing it right this time, I grabbed the cup and headed into the stall. I set the cup down on the back of the toilet lid to set down my purse and close the door. What happened?
The cup fell into the toilet! Sigh...Happy Monday! So cup #3, I headed back to the stall. I really don't understand how ingesting almost 17 oz. of water 20 minutes early can't even produce an ounce of urine. Oh well...it had to do!
I can only hope that the rest of my day is equally as entertaining! If it is...Bring on the Mondays!
Sunday afternoon was a very lazy day. My son and I spent all day in the house, neither of us even bothering to get out of our pajamas. I managed to clean a great majority of the house, including the basement and mopping the floors! We watched some football and I happened to "rest" on the couch for about 1.5 hours dozing on and off. Not a good idea - since I laid in bed for 2.5 hours wide awake with the last time I looked at the clock it was 3:46a.m. sigh. I woke this morning recalling a bizarre dream about one of the families I work with ordering I replace children and a co-worker that wasn't ready to leave the house because she was taking a bath. What? Anyway, as I lay wide awake in bed, I anticipated my upcoming rollerblading date with hopes that I don't fall and kill myself and all the millions of "deal-breakers" when it comes to dating and relationships. No wonder I couldn't sleep!
I actually got out of bed a few minutes after my alarm went off and let my son sleep for a little longer. When he aroused he was frantic that it was 7:20a.m. and we had to leave in 30 minutes for school. No sweat. I had already made his lunch and packed his backpack, he just had to dress and eat breakfast. I dropped him off at school and went home to finish getting ready for work. I was even ten minutes early!
My physical was scheduled at 9;45a.m. and I knew I needed to leave about 9:30 or so to be sure I was on time. I was inhaling a yogurt as I walked out of the office.
*** Note: While many things can condition the hair, I do NOT recommend tooth paste OR yogurt! And definitely NOT in the same day!
I got in my car and drove to the doctor's office. It was 9:40a.m. when I realized, I was driving to the wrong office! I'm pretty sure the pediatric doctor's office wouldn't be willing to do an annual on me! So turn around and head back the way I came, a mile in the direction from where I started! Ah Monday's!
I did manage to walk into the office on time and was directed to the back of the office to supply my urine sample. I don't know about you, but this is always a difficult thing for me! I clearly made my label and stuck it on the cup, first. What was I thinking? What if I urinated on the label and the marker smeared? Anyway...I attempted and I couldn't muster a mere three drops, likely not enough to test anything! So I threw it away and headed out to my car to grab a bottle of water to ingest for attempt #2, when the exam was complete.
The pre-exam went fine; however, seriously do they have to prick your finger right before you have to get undressed? How am I suppose to add pressure to my bleeding finger while undressing? I'm multi-talented, but this is pushing the limits on a Monday!
The doctor came in and we had our lovely chat. I have a varicose vein in my right leg and he's willing to make a referral, although at the end of the exam he said if I plan on having more babies, I should wait as I could get more. No planned babies. He also talked about a continuous birth control pill - Why in the world would I want to take a pill EVERY day? He suggested the benefits being that I wouldn't have a period, although I have no complaints as mine are barely even 1.5 days (I know, I know, I'm sorry for you!). I did ask if a continuous pill would help with the need to want to harm everyone and clean house and everything without purpose the week before? I told him that this also includes the desire to rid of useless boyfriends and/or husband on a monthly basis as well. He (being politically correct of course) said that it would help with PMS.
During the exam he asked if I wanted to be tested for STD's. I said OK. He then said that it would be a good idea since I have a new boyfriend every month! I then had to insert foot in mouth and say that NO I don't have a new boyfriend every month, just a desire to get rid of the one that I have every month! Isn't it funny how things can be twisted around?
At the end of the appointment, I headed back to the bathroom to provide a urine sample. Doing it right this time, I grabbed the cup and headed into the stall. I set the cup down on the back of the toilet lid to set down my purse and close the door. What happened?
The cup fell into the toilet! Sigh...Happy Monday! So cup #3, I headed back to the stall. I really don't understand how ingesting almost 17 oz. of water 20 minutes early can't even produce an ounce of urine. Oh well...it had to do!
I can only hope that the rest of my day is equally as entertaining! If it is...Bring on the Mondays!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Kids, Potty and Abuse
Due to my profession, I am a Mandated Reporter. I am required to report any suspected allegations of abuse and/or neglect. But what if I felt a need to report myself? Mind you I am joking, since there was no actual means of abuse or neglect...just the story of a young child that had to go to the bathroom...but how often does a story get misconstrued. Remember that old game "Operator" and how from one person to another the story ALWAYS changed?
For those of you who may not know, my son is 12. He is no longer an infant or toddler. I seldom date people who have young children. I have two nephews, but they live out of state and my contact is more than minimal (probably a good thing for them!). I have friends that have young children, which I see on occasion. I enjoy spending time around young kids, but I do understand that I'm not interested in becoming a mommy again anytime soon, if ever.
Yesterday while assisting a co-worker and friend of mine, she asked if I ever wanted to have another child. She is concerned about her son being an only child. She and I are worlds apart. Her son is almost one. The thought of starting over again...I did find it ironic though when discussing dating and conception with her that she would never date someone with children even though she wants more, she doesn't want someone elses.
My job does afford me the opportunity to spend time with children. Yesterday was no exception. My co-worker and I found ourselves with three children under the age of five. I suppose those mother instincts kick in, whether they are your children or not. Although I have to say, there are those mothers and people that don't have a single ounce of nurturing or mothering in them, no matter what. I think I met one of those yesterday...
Anyway...the point of my story...the three year old while in the backseat of the car softly whined that she had to go "potty". You know, the time when it's most inconvenient, a bathroom or rest stop is nowhere in sight and she has to go "NOW". Of course, I have a son. Pulling over on the side of the road and having him whip it out, no big deal. Here we were in the middle of nowhere with someone else's three year old female child that had to go potty, now. Options, options, options....not many.
So I told my friend to pull down a side street and I would have her go in the grass. After about a mile off the beaten path, the car stopped and I got out and removed the girl from her car seat. I set her in the grass and proceeded to tell her that we were going to take off her shorts and underwear so she could go potty. She kept asking, "Why?" Ah...that glorious age...I even removed her shoes. Then squatting down, I showed her what she needed to do to pee in the grass. She stood there looking at me dumbfoundedly and then again asking, "Why?"
And then the next thing I know...she's peeing! Standing straight up, urine spraying everywhere. She's not squatting. She's peeing on her feet and on her legs, just standing there peeing!
Fortunately, we had some napkins in the car and I cleaned her up, redressed her and back in the car seat she went. I can't imagine how awful it would have been had she been dressed!
But at what point does the reality of the situation become so mangled and misconstrued that our innocent stop for a small child to go to the bathroom can or would be seen as abuse by someone else?
For those of you who may not know, my son is 12. He is no longer an infant or toddler. I seldom date people who have young children. I have two nephews, but they live out of state and my contact is more than minimal (probably a good thing for them!). I have friends that have young children, which I see on occasion. I enjoy spending time around young kids, but I do understand that I'm not interested in becoming a mommy again anytime soon, if ever.
Yesterday while assisting a co-worker and friend of mine, she asked if I ever wanted to have another child. She is concerned about her son being an only child. She and I are worlds apart. Her son is almost one. The thought of starting over again...I did find it ironic though when discussing dating and conception with her that she would never date someone with children even though she wants more, she doesn't want someone elses.
My job does afford me the opportunity to spend time with children. Yesterday was no exception. My co-worker and I found ourselves with three children under the age of five. I suppose those mother instincts kick in, whether they are your children or not. Although I have to say, there are those mothers and people that don't have a single ounce of nurturing or mothering in them, no matter what. I think I met one of those yesterday...
Anyway...the point of my story...the three year old while in the backseat of the car softly whined that she had to go "potty". You know, the time when it's most inconvenient, a bathroom or rest stop is nowhere in sight and she has to go "NOW". Of course, I have a son. Pulling over on the side of the road and having him whip it out, no big deal. Here we were in the middle of nowhere with someone else's three year old female child that had to go potty, now. Options, options, options....not many.
So I told my friend to pull down a side street and I would have her go in the grass. After about a mile off the beaten path, the car stopped and I got out and removed the girl from her car seat. I set her in the grass and proceeded to tell her that we were going to take off her shorts and underwear so she could go potty. She kept asking, "Why?" Ah...that glorious age...I even removed her shoes. Then squatting down, I showed her what she needed to do to pee in the grass. She stood there looking at me dumbfoundedly and then again asking, "Why?"
And then the next thing I know...she's peeing! Standing straight up, urine spraying everywhere. She's not squatting. She's peeing on her feet and on her legs, just standing there peeing!
Fortunately, we had some napkins in the car and I cleaned her up, redressed her and back in the car seat she went. I can't imagine how awful it would have been had she been dressed!
But at what point does the reality of the situation become so mangled and misconstrued that our innocent stop for a small child to go to the bathroom can or would be seen as abuse by someone else?
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping...I'm not a fan of it at all. As my son has marveled though, I am SUPER MOM and I tend to have very keen hearing as well as some other natural talents. I seldom will join into a conversation without being invited; however, today, I did it twice.
I'm not sure why. I don't know if it is because I felt a need to be social. I really don't think that it was because I was feeling needy. I guess I did it because I was a) curious and b) had something to share. Having said that, is it ever right to join into a conversation where I should have c) (seen) my way out?
Is it really my fault that I work in a small cubicle not even half the size of my bathroom and can hear other's conversations? My co-worker is moving and so after she was done with her conversation I went and asked her about it. Then in another conversation she mentioned she had joined a free dating site and was embarrassed about it. I happen to know that dating site personally and thought (thought that I could offer insight - I suppose I thought wrong!) I might ease her mind by saying that I also use that site and was curious as to whom she may have been interested in. I have to say, while she was cordial, I don't think she was that interested in what I had to say.
Again, is there ever a good reason to add your two cents worth after over hearing a conversation?
I'm not sure why. I don't know if it is because I felt a need to be social. I really don't think that it was because I was feeling needy. I guess I did it because I was a) curious and b) had something to share. Having said that, is it ever right to join into a conversation where I should have c) (seen) my way out?
Is it really my fault that I work in a small cubicle not even half the size of my bathroom and can hear other's conversations? My co-worker is moving and so after she was done with her conversation I went and asked her about it. Then in another conversation she mentioned she had joined a free dating site and was embarrassed about it. I happen to know that dating site personally and thought (thought that I could offer insight - I suppose I thought wrong!) I might ease her mind by saying that I also use that site and was curious as to whom she may have been interested in. I have to say, while she was cordial, I don't think she was that interested in what I had to say.
Again, is there ever a good reason to add your two cents worth after over hearing a conversation?
Dog House
I have a dog house in the back of my yard. I no longer have a dog.
When I did have a dog, she seldom used the dog house, but it was great in theory and my husband (at the time) labored long and hard to build the dumb dog house, I'm sure if I would have let him, he would have added air conditioning and sky lights! The dog house was painted to match the fence. Despite the demise of the marriage and no longer having a dog, over five years now, I still have the dog house. This summer I offered it to JC and thought if nothing else, he could use it as firewood, and the demise of that relationship, so sits my dog house.
I suppose all is not lost with the dog house. Periodically when I look out my kitchen window and scan my small back yard with it's horrific crab grass and weeds, I see something in the dog house.
Where would all the neighborhood cats rest if it weren't for the dog house?
When I did have a dog, she seldom used the dog house, but it was great in theory and my husband (at the time) labored long and hard to build the dumb dog house, I'm sure if I would have let him, he would have added air conditioning and sky lights! The dog house was painted to match the fence. Despite the demise of the marriage and no longer having a dog, over five years now, I still have the dog house. This summer I offered it to JC and thought if nothing else, he could use it as firewood, and the demise of that relationship, so sits my dog house.
I suppose all is not lost with the dog house. Periodically when I look out my kitchen window and scan my small back yard with it's horrific crab grass and weeds, I see something in the dog house.
Where would all the neighborhood cats rest if it weren't for the dog house?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Dating 501
It has been over 2.5 weeks since I attempted to meet anyone new from the dating site. I've been rather gunshy as well as busy with other things, like MD's birthday where I was the DD. And then of course MD's attempt to assist me catch A BIG BASS....only BASS I caught was BS and ASS = BASS. Anyway...
I had been talking to someone on the phone for over a week that went out of town the same day my son and I went on vacation. We talked about meeting upon his return, until things got weird, really weird. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Bottomline I suppose, I didn't feel like he was being honest, he was distant and I felt like he was big on the games. So the conversations became very minimal prior to his return and we still talked about meeting on Sunday. He said he would call at noon, he called at 12:45p.m. and the conversation was short and weird and he said he would call later, which I think both he and I knew and hoped he wouldn't. He didn't.
Anyway, in the meantime, I was chatting with another guy who rides motorcycles. He had said that over the weekend he wanted to ride and watch the movie Gamer and asked if I wanted to join him. I told him I would rather "ride" than watch a movie. And so the plans were in motion for going on a motorcycle ride on Sunday, with someone I had never met and never talked to on the phone. He called on Sunday and we made plans to meet up; however, in one of our instant message chats he asked what I look for in a guy. I responded, "A great smile and a good personality." He said, well I have one. I thought he was JOKING.
When I met him, I knew right away that I wasn't attracted to him. He was rather slovenly, ripped jeans, disheveled look, hair too long, scruffy face with the long patch under the bottom lip and hair everywhere else in a scruffy beard...but all that could have been OK until he spoke. And that's when I saw...his teeth. Call me shallow, I'm OK with that; but seriously, I don't even know if he had his entire top teeth but the discoloration, the separation, the jaggedness...I wanted to just get back in my car and go home. But I didn't.
Maybe I was hoping that the good personality would override the looks, but I knew deep down, there are somethings that I just won't settle on. I'm not looking at perfection, but someone who takes care of their teeth to the best of their ability, would be a start! But for a bike ride, sitting on the back, it wouldn't matter, would it?
Long story short, the day went well. We both talked about ending it soon if either of us had another "date" which neither of us did. So we ended up spending almost eight hours together - seriously HOW does that happen? We ended the evening the same way the afternoon began, with a hug. He asked me out for the following evening which I declined because I had my son. Maybe I am too nice...maybe I should be more blunt and rude and should have just walked away. Maybe not. The guy is nice and he means well, there just wasn't any chemistry or connection. I don't expect that with everyone, but someone would be nice!
I had been talking to someone on the phone for over a week that went out of town the same day my son and I went on vacation. We talked about meeting upon his return, until things got weird, really weird. I wish I could put my finger on it, but I can't. Bottomline I suppose, I didn't feel like he was being honest, he was distant and I felt like he was big on the games. So the conversations became very minimal prior to his return and we still talked about meeting on Sunday. He said he would call at noon, he called at 12:45p.m. and the conversation was short and weird and he said he would call later, which I think both he and I knew and hoped he wouldn't. He didn't.
Anyway, in the meantime, I was chatting with another guy who rides motorcycles. He had said that over the weekend he wanted to ride and watch the movie Gamer and asked if I wanted to join him. I told him I would rather "ride" than watch a movie. And so the plans were in motion for going on a motorcycle ride on Sunday, with someone I had never met and never talked to on the phone. He called on Sunday and we made plans to meet up; however, in one of our instant message chats he asked what I look for in a guy. I responded, "A great smile and a good personality." He said, well I have one. I thought he was JOKING.
When I met him, I knew right away that I wasn't attracted to him. He was rather slovenly, ripped jeans, disheveled look, hair too long, scruffy face with the long patch under the bottom lip and hair everywhere else in a scruffy beard...but all that could have been OK until he spoke. And that's when I saw...his teeth. Call me shallow, I'm OK with that; but seriously, I don't even know if he had his entire top teeth but the discoloration, the separation, the jaggedness...I wanted to just get back in my car and go home. But I didn't.
Maybe I was hoping that the good personality would override the looks, but I knew deep down, there are somethings that I just won't settle on. I'm not looking at perfection, but someone who takes care of their teeth to the best of their ability, would be a start! But for a bike ride, sitting on the back, it wouldn't matter, would it?
Long story short, the day went well. We both talked about ending it soon if either of us had another "date" which neither of us did. So we ended up spending almost eight hours together - seriously HOW does that happen? We ended the evening the same way the afternoon began, with a hug. He asked me out for the following evening which I declined because I had my son. Maybe I am too nice...maybe I should be more blunt and rude and should have just walked away. Maybe not. The guy is nice and he means well, there just wasn't any chemistry or connection. I don't expect that with everyone, but someone would be nice!
Wiggen Out...Incompetence
If I didn't know better, I would swear it was the week before my period. I have the patience of, well absolutely nothing! Although to put things in perspective, my son and I actually had a very good day today. While I again failed at catching a fish (Saturday as well - unless you count the small bluegill) my son did catch two small fish - a baby bass and a bluegill.
We even went to see the movie All About Steve which we laughed through much of the movie. When I wasn't laughing, my sappiness, was crying (I really am that bad in movies!).
Tonight after dinner we went to Meijer to do some very last minute back to school shopping. Afterall, he starts the 7th grade...tomorrow! After going through the checkout, I realized that I had been overcharged for an item by .30, with the Michigan Scan Law that would be $3.32 refund on an item that I was charged $1.79. So it was worth it to walk to customer service, at least that's what I thought.
There actually weren't many in line before us, but we waited patiently. I told the lady I was "overcharged" and she mumbled to herself, asked if I wanted it back on the card which I said was fine and away I went. I was walking away looking at the receipt and it said $1.61, which I just couldn't comprehend, whatever. The real kicker, I didn't have my item! So I went back in to get my item, which was behind the counter in a return pile. Here's where the fun began. When the woman finished up with her current customer, I asked for my item, which she said I had returned. I tried to explain to her and she said, "with all the commotion you really need to speak up!" Mind you, there was NO commotion at the time and then she began to yell at me that she said refund and I said yes. Ummm...NO. So I proceeded to tell her if she couldn't hear, she should ask. Anyway, I did my best to be quiet and just stand there while she had no idea what to do because she had "refunded" the item and therefore couldn't do the MSL. Sigh...After an eternity, she realized she needed to ring the item back up, charge me for it and then I would do the MSL all over again.
That put me in an irritated mood - or maybe it started with the dimwit driver in front of me on the way to dinner that thought it was appropriate to drive behind a parked car, realize it and then swerve back over, when I assumed he was parking. Sigh...
Anyway...my son and I purchased batteries today for his singing bass fish, a gift from grandma! But after we got home, he couldn't get the screw out of the back. I asked him to bring me his screwdriver set that grandpa gave him for Christmas. He came back and couldn't find it. Of course, I should know better since he's at THE AGE where he can't find his nose! I told him that it was in the junk drawer, he came back empty handed. I told him if I found it, he owed me $5.00. I walked to the drawer and there it was, right on top! The real kicker, he had even attempted to use the set on his own! Sigh...
Have I mentioned how much incompetence irks me????
We even went to see the movie All About Steve which we laughed through much of the movie. When I wasn't laughing, my sappiness, was crying (I really am that bad in movies!).
Tonight after dinner we went to Meijer to do some very last minute back to school shopping. Afterall, he starts the 7th grade...tomorrow! After going through the checkout, I realized that I had been overcharged for an item by .30, with the Michigan Scan Law that would be $3.32 refund on an item that I was charged $1.79. So it was worth it to walk to customer service, at least that's what I thought.
There actually weren't many in line before us, but we waited patiently. I told the lady I was "overcharged" and she mumbled to herself, asked if I wanted it back on the card which I said was fine and away I went. I was walking away looking at the receipt and it said $1.61, which I just couldn't comprehend, whatever. The real kicker, I didn't have my item! So I went back in to get my item, which was behind the counter in a return pile. Here's where the fun began. When the woman finished up with her current customer, I asked for my item, which she said I had returned. I tried to explain to her and she said, "with all the commotion you really need to speak up!" Mind you, there was NO commotion at the time and then she began to yell at me that she said refund and I said yes. Ummm...NO. So I proceeded to tell her if she couldn't hear, she should ask. Anyway, I did my best to be quiet and just stand there while she had no idea what to do because she had "refunded" the item and therefore couldn't do the MSL. Sigh...After an eternity, she realized she needed to ring the item back up, charge me for it and then I would do the MSL all over again.
That put me in an irritated mood - or maybe it started with the dimwit driver in front of me on the way to dinner that thought it was appropriate to drive behind a parked car, realize it and then swerve back over, when I assumed he was parking. Sigh...
Anyway...my son and I purchased batteries today for his singing bass fish, a gift from grandma! But after we got home, he couldn't get the screw out of the back. I asked him to bring me his screwdriver set that grandpa gave him for Christmas. He came back and couldn't find it. Of course, I should know better since he's at THE AGE where he can't find his nose! I told him that it was in the junk drawer, he came back empty handed. I told him if I found it, he owed me $5.00. I walked to the drawer and there it was, right on top! The real kicker, he had even attempted to use the set on his own! Sigh...
Have I mentioned how much incompetence irks me????
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Fishing Vacation
Last week, my son and I went on our first solo vacation in a very long time. Other vacations we had planned in the past, always last minute included others. Not this one. I have to admit I was somewhat concerned that we wouldn't be at each other's throats the entire time, him pressing the limits of pre-adolescence and soon beginning 7th grade! sigh...Where does the time go?
Since he had pressured me less than two Sunday's ago about when he and I were going on vacation, I became as frazzled as I possibly can (which to most, isn't much - I'm a crisis master!) and did what only I do...procrastinate until the very last minute! I was feeling overwhelmed by having to give my son a fabulous out-of-state vacation but with having limited vacation time surplus from work as well as watching finances and having limited insight as to what my son actually wanted to do, I was at a standstill.
My son has really taken to fishing. Granted, the largest fish he has caught to date (in a five year span) has been a blue gill about the size of my hand. Not much progress, considering the years of investment, but truth be known, other than going to my parents we don't fish that often. Over the weekend a fishing "expert" friend told aided me in a trip to the store and picked out all of the spoons, spinners and fishing supplies I needed and even looked the other way when I picked out several because they were cute, cool, or pretty! Fish have feelings too, right?
We decided to head up north Michigan for five days. We stayed at a condo in Boyne for two nights and then went to Mackinac for two nights and visited the Island - in the drizzling rain. I figured five days of fishing how could we not catch a fish? We hit inland lakes, lakes, rivers, dams, etc. and our visibility of fish was almost nil, zero, zilch.
The second day we spent kayaking around a lake for four hours. We didn't see a single fish; however, we did see a few splashes which we quickly attempted to fish, with no avail. By happenstance, we came across a "Catch and Release" pond at the resort. We fished there that second evening and my son caught the biggest fish of his career, but clearly not a prize fish by any means; however, it was more than I caught!
The next day, I threw in my pole and settled in for a day of reading. My son managed to catch a few decent size trout. The rest of the vacation didn't include much fishing. We attempted to find other fishing areas, which included one Spring Pond where my son caught a few decent sized sunfish, but other than that nothing. Overall though, it was a great vacation and we had a good time!
Since he had pressured me less than two Sunday's ago about when he and I were going on vacation, I became as frazzled as I possibly can (which to most, isn't much - I'm a crisis master!) and did what only I do...procrastinate until the very last minute! I was feeling overwhelmed by having to give my son a fabulous out-of-state vacation but with having limited vacation time surplus from work as well as watching finances and having limited insight as to what my son actually wanted to do, I was at a standstill.
My son has really taken to fishing. Granted, the largest fish he has caught to date (in a five year span) has been a blue gill about the size of my hand. Not much progress, considering the years of investment, but truth be known, other than going to my parents we don't fish that often. Over the weekend a fishing "expert" friend told aided me in a trip to the store and picked out all of the spoons, spinners and fishing supplies I needed and even looked the other way when I picked out several because they were cute, cool, or pretty! Fish have feelings too, right?
We decided to head up north Michigan for five days. We stayed at a condo in Boyne for two nights and then went to Mackinac for two nights and visited the Island - in the drizzling rain. I figured five days of fishing how could we not catch a fish? We hit inland lakes, lakes, rivers, dams, etc. and our visibility of fish was almost nil, zero, zilch.
The second day we spent kayaking around a lake for four hours. We didn't see a single fish; however, we did see a few splashes which we quickly attempted to fish, with no avail. By happenstance, we came across a "Catch and Release" pond at the resort. We fished there that second evening and my son caught the biggest fish of his career, but clearly not a prize fish by any means; however, it was more than I caught!
The next day, I threw in my pole and settled in for a day of reading. My son managed to catch a few decent size trout. The rest of the vacation didn't include much fishing. We attempted to find other fishing areas, which included one Spring Pond where my son caught a few decent sized sunfish, but other than that nothing. Overall though, it was a great vacation and we had a good time!
As for fishing...I'm the laughing stock that I couldn't even catch a single fish from a Catch and Release Pond...Really, how pathetic am I?
Wait, don't answer that...
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