Somedays it's just okay to let it pass

The 2nd child had her 4th annual after Christmas White Elephant swap and shot drinking competition last night. Keys were collected and sleeping bags, quilts, blankets and pillows were provided. They watched bad movies courtesy of instant netflix, ate pizza, and had a good time. Jenga, Scrabble, and several games I didn't recognize were also played. We counted 6 sleeping bodies at 3AM and the keys were released at 7AM. The last straggler left the house at 4PM. Those that stayed played Batman video games all afternoon.



I sat in the office and froze while they played with my TV in my living room. Tomorrow things will be reversed I guarantee you.


I was eating a baked potato today, and as I was eating it, I had a wave of nausea. Why? I don't know. I still feel kind of lightheaded. Weird. Headache alert. Crap.



Husband is hooked on Life With Ed. I admire him for his commitment, but damn does he have to whine all the time? Now's he's moved over to something on Everest. Channel surfer champion of the block I think.

So, I'm headed off to my room, and put on some woolies and sox.
Later all.

I'm glad that my God

doesn't care if my head is covered or not. He's more interested in what I have in my heart and what I do as a Christian to my fellow human beings. You're saying, Amulbunny, where did that come from?



Well I read this other blog and this person, in her early 30's (when we all know you've got all the knowledge you'll ever need in your life ) has devoted pages to whether or not a good Christian wife, who's submissive to her husband, and follows his leadership, should wear a head covering. She's about worn the bottom out of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and she is so positive that her way is the only way. If you disagree, there's the door. She's also violently anti Catholic, basically if you don't believe in her reading of Christianity, you're toast. So I read, grind my teeth and think , I feel sorry. Sorry that she doesn't act like someone who loves her fellow neighbor, but damns you to hell if you're not on the same page she is. She's trying to find out what Christianity was like before religion?????? What? Oh well.




So onto my semi exciting day, I went to the bank, got my rent check and then took it to the post office, and mailed it. Went to the library, picked up some books, then on to BBB and used my gift card. I like the OXO brand of kitchen tools so I got some of them as well as some Farberware. I saw a really nice pillow, but I didn't feel like spending 75$ on it. Then on to Staples to get a planner for 2010. Then home. Felt like I accomplished a lot of stuff. Now if I could find someone to clean my house I'd really be glad.




I am craving dolmas, gyros, and tzatziki. I hope when the errant husband gets home he'll be hungry so we can go to Daphne's and have some good Greek food.



And yes, we had a wonderful holiday, lots of fun and laughter and believe me, Instant Netflix on the new HD set is da bomb! And we have family film night now!



So later all !

Too much togetherness

We had a lovely holiday, but after 4 days of togetherness, I am glad that things are back to semi normal. Our children bought us a 32 inch HD TV and a BlueRay player, which hooked up to the internet gives us instant netflix. Can we say addicted to the tube? DH who normally spends his time in the office playing poker and watching all kinds of arcane things on science channels now can spend his time out here and take over the TV. Too much fun.




I used Norads Santa Tracker but I guess he got distracted at the last moment.


At least he wasn't on that NW flight from AMS to DTW. I've got some select things to say about the knee jerk reaction. I also see that the TSA has backed off some of it's pronouncements. Let's see you fly on a TATL or TP overnight, sleep for 5 hours and then be told, sorry we're an hour out and you can't use the loo. Okay, I'll pee and poo right in my seat. I'd like to see our officious government officials do that. And have you flown one of those long flights with a child? Seriously, nothing to do for an hour? COMMON SENSE!!!!!




Oh wait, we don't have that available in airline security anymore. And if you can't catch it the first time at the checkpoint, are you admitting that your procedures aren't effective because you have to do it all over again at the gate? I flew out of ATH 2 weeks after the hijacking to Entebbe and my dirty underwear was checked at the inital checkpoint. They did a good job and only did it once. Is the second time a charm? Maybe they need to come on board and check the pax when they are in their seats.



Here's to 2010 being a better year and bring common sense back!

A letter from the ranch

Joyeux Noël!

Merry Christmas!

As 2009 comes to an end, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2010.

Our year started with my husbands company being acquired by Stanley Security Solutions and it’s been a beneficial one. They’ve got lots of new clients and he’s been all over Southern Ca solving problems for them. His range is from San Diego to Santa Barbara to Las Vegas. We never realized safes could be so testy.

XXXX is working at an airfreight company and is in charge of checking in all the shipments that come in from overseas. He’s got his LAX airport drivers license so he plays tag with A380’s, 747’s and other planes as he gets cargo from Virgin Atlantic, China Eastern and other carriers. He’s taking a couple of classes at the community college, but is not certain if this is what he wants to do. In his spare time he's a guild master in WOW and also has become a pro on Beatles Rock Band, which we all enjoy playing. Rock Band has introduced the kids to music that we loved when we were their age. Oh that sounds rather ominous doesn't it?

XXXXXX is attending El Camino Community College and has 3 semesters to go. Then she will transfer into the CSU system and decide what degree she wants to get. This holiday season she’s working at The Disney Store at the local mall. She is getting lots of good experience and customer service. She’s done well in school and has a thriving fantasy football team. She cheers on the Colts as her team this year. At least one of our children loves sports.

XXXX year has been up and down. In January she saw a new surgeon from the Kerlan- Jobe Orthopedic Center, and they advised her to try one more surgery on her shoulder. 4 days before the surgery, on the night before Mother’s Day, she was walking out to the back of the garage when she tripped and fell over a board that was in the front of the garage. She shattered the 5th metatarsal bone in her left foot and was put in a boot for the summer. Her shoulder surgery went on as planned, as she couldn’t have the foot operation being on crutches, and the fact that she was in a sling made that a huge problem. As of now, she’s dealing with loss of use in the right arm and some residual pain. Making the best of it has been her motto through this whole saga. She had to decide whether the Packers or the Vikings were her team of choice this season, so it's been a long season. She's thinking of looking into a Masters Degree program in conflict resolution to do something to take up the hours of the day. After dealing with the Department of XXXXXX for 7 years, it might just be the ticket.

XXXX Mom and step-dad XXXX have had some medical issues this year and since we’re only 4 miles away we’ve been over there. XXXXXX spends most of her Sundays helping with shopping and watching sports. XXXXXX family has moved back to Texas and we keep up with them on email and Facebook. XXXX's brother and his family are in MN and becoming midwesterners to the heart again. They love the twin cities and all the sports opportunities that it affords them.

Didn’t do much traveling this year and there were some mechanical problems with the motor home and lack of time too. Hopefully in 2010 this will be fixed and we will trek to Yosemite and further north to do some gold panning and exploring. We did get to Laughlin and XXXX did really well on penny slots of all things. It was a well-needed R&R.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

He's not heavy, he's my brother.......

It amazes me how two people can come from the same set of parents and be so diametrically opposed on everything. At least I was wise enough to get therapy to deal with things. Not saying I don't need more therapy but I think it is a wise thing to admit you need some help dealing with your past.

There are days I just don't need to be snarked at by my brother. He's OCD beyond belief, and when I ask if his kid still plays Rock Band, he say, NO, he grew up, he doesn't play games. Well excuuuuuuuse me. He's all of 19 years old. Does he play MPG's? So I got him a long sleeved O'neill shirt that "he might wear". Give me a fucking break.

I still have some more shopping to do online and then I think I am done. I hope so.

Today is a bah humbug kind of day.

We need a little Christmas

Getting the creche out tonight and setting it up. Jesus needs to be in the house.

And it's up along with candles I have had since I was single (25 years ago) and some nice things that I stashed in a box. It looks a bit more like Christmas now. If the kids want a tree, they are going to have to buy it after they clean the living room. I've done my part.

Rain Rain Rain, it's a good thing

I am so glad that it is raining. I can watch the Food Network, bake brownies, read a book and mess around online.
It's good not to have to be anywhere, do anything other than what I want to do, and enjoy it.
Life isn't too bad right now. I just hope it stays good for a while.
Peace and out

The mall, the mall, I see the mall boss!

I hate shopping. I can deal with the grocery store, Costco and the pharmacy, but the mall strikes terror in mah heart. I try to do my shopping online now, less hassle and no germs. That's what I've done and I am happy that I did it. But my child works for the Magic Mouse and she said they had old school Tree Skirts. So we went and they were sold out. But I got a cute little Eeyore baby plush that the dog seems to covet. It's sitting on the mantle till I get the rest of the decorations out. There is a new Kohl's at the mall so we went through there and I found a door decoration for 65% off. Sold. Now I need some wire ties to anchor it. But I can't find them anywhere in this garage. Probably in the work truck.

Then as if I am not already a glutton for punishment we drove to the other mall 4 miles down the road to go to Jo'Ann's. They also had a lot of stuff on sale. I got 2 garlands and some flowers to in the living room. The flowers are in a ceramic pitcher and they are really pretty. The dog even got a little Santa Suit. Ho ho ho.

We've had a fire going for the last couple of days. The temp right now at 19:36 is 47˚ and it's predicted to get even cooler. It's a lot cooler out in the high desert. I am okay with it. As long as I drink a lot of water, I am fine.


The coolest news is that I am going to see Bette Midler in January at Ceasars. Staying there and everything! I am so jazzed. I am going to go all out and get a perm, nails and buy some really cool top and slacks and colorful shoes. I've seen her a few times and this will really be a neat thing. I will take some gambling and spending money too.

So not too much else to update. I was the MC at the 50th annual smorgasbord for our church last week. Imagine an accompanist who didn't know the music to a carol? I asked her if she looked in the hymnal and she said she couldn't find it. I went over to the church and I found it. Geez. Don't get me started.

So until later.
amulbunny

Advent, expectant waiting

One of my favorite things during Advent is singing Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. I am partial to the Godspell version, but I've heard some newer ones that are nice. I prefer the simplicity of the Godspell version, just to listen to the words and remember to prepare.

Saturday night I am the mistress of ceremonies for the 50th annual smorgasbord at our church. I am making cabbage rolls and a salad. I've been looking for some good things to share.

Not much else except I've got a cold that seems to have gotten past me.

Later all.