Fiddle Faddle

You know there are all kinds of people in the world, I know that. I think that is one of the coolest things about this world. There are kooky, serious, funny, humorless, witty, amazing, boring, whatever adjective you can come up with , there is someone in this world that describes them to a tee. A very cool thing that is. Except stupid. I can NOT stand stupid people. Stupid should hurt. There is a person that is making me quite agitated, she can not get it through her head when the Department of Human Services says that you have to do A B and C, they aren't going to be ok with b, not B just b. It is one of those that makes me sit back and think to myself, if stupid hurt, how much pain would she be in on the little picture chart with smiley faces that they have at the doctors office.
I am having a hard time with Chick too so that isn't helping matters. Mike and I offered both teens the opportunity to earn some extra money, since they don't get an allowance. Blondie jumped on it, didn't even bat an eye. She held up her end of the deal and then some. Mike and I went to dinner with Chelle and Jason on Friday and left the teens in charge. (I know! Adult time, can you imagine?) While we were gone Blondie took it upon herself to do some extra chores that were Chicks. That is where the drama comes in. Instead of just saying thank you and being grateful, Chick says Thanks but I was gonna do it, you didn't have to, I would have done it. Battle ensues and by the time I got home, Blondie was in bed and Chick was furious because "she's trying to show me up". I told her to get over herself, if she was so worried about it, she should have done the chore to begin with and I certainly wasn't going to complain that it got done. I have told both of them it is a very real possibility that Blondie could be staying with us till she is 18 (that is where the stupid comes in) and that they need to figure out a way to get along. Which they do when I am around. Of course, away from me is a totally different story with both sides hurling accusations at each other. I told both of them they need to figure it out, it isn't my job to get in the middle. So now, Chick is giving me attitude for 'not taking her side'. I think they are both being childish and I am frustrated with both of them.
I watched a couple of movies this weekend. KINKY BOOTS was interesting, a lot better then some of the others I have seen lately. But it is based in England and uses British terminology that can make it kinda hard to follow. EVENING was a long drawn out disappointment. FIERCE PEOPLE was so not was I was expecting. It was good but there was a rape scene I wasn't expecting. NO RESERVATIONS was kinda slow and not really the funny movie they advertised it to be. GAME PLAN was ok, seemed forced, like The Rock needed money quick so he did this film. BENARD AND DORIS was weird. Worth watching I guess. Mike, the boys, Blondie and I watched the Knight Rider movie on NBC the other day. I thought it was a pilot for a new show so I was all revved up for it. As a pilot, it rocked. But that is not what they supposedly made it for, there is no series to follow for this, it is just a movie they made. Kinda disappointing for that. It was fun to watch it with the boys, Bubba was all about the super cool ranger guy and Mr was all into the cars.
My niece Stacy got to bring her baby, Hadleigh, home after 4 1/2 months and 4 surgeries. She is really limited for the next couple of months till she has the next surgery as to where she can take the baby. It is a big year, as of Valentines day, Stacy and Curtis are engaged.
I have another niece, Paegon, who I just found out is pregnant and due in October. I keep a mental image of her in my mind as 5 and beating up the neighbor boy 'cuz I can'. Quite different from the 21 year old woman she is now.
I have come up with a new quilt pattern, I am really excited by it. I just have to get it together and will get pix posted asap. Speaking of pix, here are a couple I had on my camera. The first is 411 showing off the new outfit that G'ma got her.













And here are the boys, in a rare moment of peace among them.

Randomness

It has been brought to my attention that I am slacking again. Nothing really new to report I guess.
Bubba made it to the county spelling bee, that is kinda cool. The school sent home a study list of 4th and 5th grade words, he has them both almost completely down cold. 411 (in her competitiveness) wanted me to quiz her too, I was suprised how many words she could spell for being in 2nd grade. Of course I brag on this, I have to mention the 55% he brought home on a science test and the 72% on his states quiz. If it is something that doesn't interest him, he doesn't even pretend to pay attention. I don't know how to battle that. So Monday we spent the day studying all the studies he got a low grade in: Math, Science, Social Studies, and then his spelling list. He wasn't happy with me but that is ok, because I wasn't happy with him either. He actually asked me 'why do I have to study that? I already took the test' I told him I could garuntee that he would need to know the states, it would come up again ( he had to know 23 states and capitols). Since he is in 4th grade, not only would it come again this year, there were at least a couple more years that it would be usefull info to have. And, more then likely, before the end of the year is up, his teacher will give them a blank map and they will have to fill in all 50 states and all the capitals in the right parts. So yeah, it will come up again, he does have to know it.
Our good friend Snatch is leaving the country again in April. Poor bastard, at least he got to spend some one on one with his son. Mike and I are hoping that we will get to have him up for a couple of weeks over the summer before he goes to his mom.
You know, I just noticed something kinda sad. Blondie brought home a test last week that she was very proud of, she got a 100% on it, very cool. We made an appropiate big deal of it. It is the exact same test of all 50 states that Bubba will be taking before the end of the year. The sad part of it is Blondie is in 8th grade, this is where they have determined that her level is at in social studies. Don't get me wrong, I am glad that they are tailoring her education to a level she can succeed at. It just seems a little, just a tad, too far back. I mean I think she is smarter then a fourth grade level. I don't know, maybe that is why I am not an educator. I trust they know what they are doing.
I have gotten Mikey hooked in Lost. Last year he kept making fun of me for getting all into it, this year he is hooked. I love the show, I think it is going to be even better that they have an end date in mind, gives the storylines more purpose. Less filler, more story ;)
Speaking of Mikey, he accused me of being a reality show junkie. I object, there are only a few I watch. American Idol, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, Big Brother. I try to watch Real World and Road Rules but I forget they are on. I have watched ANTM before when there wasn't anything on. I really don't care what the Flavor of Love is or that Scott Baio is 46 and pregnant. We have started watching House, love the snarkiness. I am really glad the writers strike is over, but it sucks that it is going to take 4-6 weeks to get new shows on the air.
Chick is doing her part for fundraising for the Washington DC trip, they had a dance on Friday and the proceeds went to kids going on the trip as long as they were there. So she went. I asked her how it went and she was really happy and said she didn't dance with any boys but had a lot of fun. I am so ok with that. I know I am on borrowed time with the no boys thing but I am really thankful for that. It is weird, I keep hoping she will get her first boyfriend (for her sake) but I don't really want her having a boyfriend (for my sake). She is so loyal that when she does, it will take alot to break them up. We were talking about drivers ed since I got an email about it from the school. She is still too young this year but next year that will really mess up her summer visits to her gramma's/aunts. My mom keeps telling me that when she gets a boyfriend, she won't wanna go anyway. I'm not sure, I doubt she will voluntarily give up getting spoiled rotten for a month and a half.

I need a long island iced tea

I don't know what the deal is but it seems like when it rains it pours. We went and got our cell phones, right? There is this rebate that you have to mail in (I hate that, I know they do it that way hoping people won't actually do it but it still just irritates me) for which you need the receipt. I have Mcdonalds reciepts from a month ago, do you think I can find the one for the cell phone? Hell no.
Blondi is complaining of a stomach ache/chest ache/don't feel good. She has been for weeks now, I took her to the doctor, there was nothing wrong. She gave her a med for indigestion from stress because that was about the only thing that made any sense. Now the trial week is up and she is complaining she doesn't feel good, the meds didn't help, etc. I just wanna tell her to knock it off, there is nothing wrong with her, nobody is going to pay any more attention to you (which is what I think this all is). Then I feel guilty because the last time I didn't take her at her word, she had pnuemonia with bronchitis. And I totally get why she wants a little extra but DAMN it wears thin when you get 3 or 4 kids at a time wanting your full attention.
Of course, this is the week Chick brings home a slip for a skiing trip her class is going on. They give you 4 days to send the money to school, she wants me to go with her so that would be around $100. It's not a good time for such a pricey impulse so I had to tell her no. She was a great sport about it, very understanding but it makes me feel bad that she had to miss out on a cool learning experience.
My mom called me yesterday, she calls almost everyday now. Anyway, the retirement home called, my grandmother has stopped swallowing. Apparently this is a final stage of her dementia and since she has a directive, they won't be giving her IV's (if I understood that right). I am not sure what I feel about this. I was never really close to the woman but it seems like such a horrid way to die. Of course, every doctor that has seen her in the last 15 years is shocked that she is still alive because of all her other health issues. I know my mom is going through alot and she feels basically alone since my uncles and aunt are all in other states. It is so weird, I feel sad and then I scold myself- 'you aren't all that close, you have only seen her once in the last 5 years why should you get to be upset?' see, I told you guys I was a basket case and I want a DRINK! Since this is planet reality and I don't drown my sorrows, I'll substitute chocolate :)
Is anyone else having trouble with blogger spell check? The last 3 posts, it hasn't worked. I apologize for misspellings, I tried :)

So I am finding out just how much inner stength I have. Friday I had to deal with aforementioned drama then Mikey didn't get home till 8:20. Saturday we sat around and did nothing all day. Sunday me and the kids cleaned the house after the firemans breakfast. Mike chose to go look for some paper work. When I expressed my displeasure at his not helping straighten up, he tells me I need happy pills. OH Boy, that was a red flag in my face. Instanto pissed offo!! Then later Blondie comes home and starts telling that her mom says I need to buy her new clothes, she has grown a size. HELLOO?? I have been saying that for monthes now but what do I know? Good gravy, it was just one thing after another it seems.
Did I tell you that Mike is supposed to go to dention with Bubba Thursday? See, Mikey thought it would be funny to teach Bubba how to spell words with his calculater. If you guys think back, you'll remember that boobs and boobless were the funniest words ever. Well, apparently he decided to share this information with a school friend in class. That probably wouldn't have been so bad if they hadn't been looking up dirty words in the dictionary and giggling the other day. On top of not finishing his homework the other day, it earned him his 3rd detention this month. I really hate getting called into the principal's office to hear what a little shit my son is being. At least this time they told me that he earned a place in the spelling bee for the county. That was kinda cool, he rocks at spelling. It is math and penmanship that are kicking his ass. As a matter of fact, he got his midterms today. He has all A's and B's except Math and Penmanship, those are c's. Not terrible, I can live with it :)

Friday night in the big town

I was going through my old posts, looking at comments because sometimes comments are left and I don't notice it. Like there was one from Shawna about a quilt/afghan for her fundraiser she was doing for Cancer. Of course I would do one but since it was left last March, I am thinking it might be a little late. I am having a time with quilting lately. I have all these projects I am dying to start but nope, not doing it. On top of those I am going to make two for Chelle and Jason's party again this year, I have two to make for Kathy, two to make for Emilee and one for Stacy. It is nice to know that at least my family likes them enough to keep them in demand, I just have to get busy.

Speaking of family, my niece (brother's son's girlfriend) had their third child this year, Kyler Duane. Now they have 3 under the age of 3. Not my idea of fun, but then later they will be like Chelle's and all self sufficent at the same time. I like the name Kyler, it goes good with Caleb and Kenzie.
I have a problem I would like some feedback on. Mike and I got another phone on our cell plan. We gave this phone to Blondie to use since her mother has stated that she will not get her another phone (she has gotten the prepaids for her in the past, gave her her sisters cast offs). It was more reasonable for us to just add the line then to buy the prepaids. Didn't really think anyone would have any trouble with that. Her mom comes today and says that her sister is mad that she got a regular phone and not a prepaid so blondie has to leave the phone here. I am ok with her leaving it here, nothing will happen to it then BUT I think it just shows who is running the house. Shouldn't the mom tell the older one she has to deal? Or is she right in making blondie leave it to save grief? what do you all think?

Thursday

Mikey and I went and renewed our contract for our cell phones last night. With that we got new phones. We ended up both getting the motoroker; it has alot of bells and whistles that is going to take me awhile to figure out. I don't do well with reading the book and understanding, I need someone to walk me through it. Gives me a project for today anyway since when Mike gets home he will want me to tell him how to do things. I didn't wanna clean anyway. The kid at the kiosk was very helpful and funny. I am bummed to hear that the mall of the bluffs will be a thing of the past within the next 5 years; all the stores are moving out to strip malls. I really am not looking forward to having to go into Omaha malls, they are insane with people no matter when you go. Just goes to show you, when I was younger, the more people the better. I always thought my mom was so OLD because she didn't love the crowds. Now I am old according to that standard.
I am not sure what to think of this article I found on CNN. I copied a part of it that sums up what is going on...
The controversy erupted last week after the City Council passed an item condemning the Marines' downtown recruiting center on Shattuck Avenue. The item told the U.S. Marines that if its recruiters choose to stay in their rented downtown space "they do so as uninvited and unwelcome guests."
A small band of GOP lawmakers is fighting back with legislation that could eliminate millions of dollars for UC Berkeley, public safety programs, a new ferry service, and the Alice Waters foundation, an organization that provides lunches to public schools

On the one hand, one of the greatest things about this country is the freedom to believe what you want, say what you want, protest what you want. That is one of the basic items that our service members are fighting for across the globe. I think it is wrong for the city council to use their positions to express their personal opinions though. As a form of government, shouldn't they support the military? And if there was a massive emergency (like flood or tornado or earthquake) wouldn't Berkley officials be calling the National Gaurd? And the thing that kills me, a recruiting station just offers an option, service in the armed forces of any branch is still 100% voluntary. I don't understand what the big deal is, why the city council is throwing a fit.

Chesty Glitterhooter

This is apparently my new porn name. I got this link to find it from Jen-o. My friend Jen-o is an amazing woman I have forever been envious of but love her dearly. Have you ever had one of those friends? You know they are screwed up but you still wanna be just like them because they are soo cool? Ok maybe not, maybe I am a freak but Jen-o is still a rockstar. She is the type of girl that loves life and lives it. I mean LIVES it, doesn't just watch it go by. She recently announced she is getting married for the first time, I wish her worlds of happiness.
We watched the super bowl tonight. Kinda weird, neither Mikey or I are interested in the game. Mikey asked me yesterday who was playing, today he asked me who I was rooting for : which jersey's do you like the best? I was really looking forward to the commercials and let me say, they sucked. There was maybe one or two that got a smile, the rest were just dumb. And we had to record it cuz of a rescue call and the last 10 minutes of the last quarter didn't get recorded. Argh. not even that, argh.
Mr had the weird sicky bug this weekend. I got to go out and be a big girl Friday night. Mike and I went out to dinner with Chelle and Jason, Chris and Whimp then went to celebrate Dianne and Deanne's birthday. We got home around 1:30. At 2 Mr comes in and says 'I got sick on my cars sheet' so I had to go clean that up. And the carpet. Then again at 4. Then again at 7. Luckily he started feeling better around 1. It wouldn't be so bad if the boy would take medicine, but because of the prednisone he has had to take, he won't take even tylonel. Which I guess is a good thing but it sucks when you know it will make them feel better.
We had Chelle, Megs, Kenz, Logan, Jake, Emilee, Kylynn, Kynnedi, Kristi, Taylor, Jaida, Jayson, Dianne, Bob & Kenna over to play cards Saturday night. I made Cindy's chicken salad, G'ma's crab salad, lil smokies and hot wings. It was a feast with everything else that was brought. I love having impromptu parties, they are usually at Chelle's because she has this huge shop. It is nice to have things at my house once in awhile. And no cracks about the maid either, it was a good time.