No New Year's Resolutions!

I really hate resolutions.  It just sets you up to fail.  The only resolution I ever actually followed thru on was quitting smoking - it just took me a few years to actually accomplish.  

This year I am not going to make any resolutions, except to have more sex and spend more time doing things I truly enjoy instead of making a stupid resolution to lose weight or get organized because we all know that will never happen.

Now, I would like to make some lifestyle changes - NOT resolutions - to eat better, get in shape and remove some negative things from my every day life.  They are not resolutions.  They are lifestyle changes.  I will be changing little things over the year instead of making a ton of changes all at once.  Wish me luck! 

I wish every reader who comes across this blog or this entry a very prosperous new year.

Change in Plans

So I'll be spending the night at home instead of watching the STARS game live and in person and in a Suite - yes, a suite.  My oldest child, E, has explosive diarrhea - his words not mine - and we won't be going.  Mason might be with his brother or a friend of his, but not us.  We will be watching something stupid on TV -

WAIT!  NO, we will be playing Lego Star Wars: TCS.  Yes, my night is looking up.

My New Years Eve

So my New Years eve will be envied, probably only by The Unstable Blogger and her children, but at least I know it will envied.  Mason & I are taking our children to a hockey game for New Years Eve.  Our beloved Dallas Stars and playing the Nashville Preadators.  We will be sitting in a suite (oh-la-la) and hopefully watching our favorite hockey team beat the c-r-a-p out of the Predators. 

If the nasty sore throat I have somehow managed to pick up starts feeling better we will stay for the New Years Celebration downtown, if not we will be home and I will be ringing in the new year cuddled up under my covers watching some lame show on the TV.

My TO DO List.

Need to work on Lego Starwars: The Complete Saga. I am now at a big 19.8% complete, I spent 3 hours playing last night while my husband entertained the neanderthals he calls friends (Ha - love you guys!) at the hockey game last night. Completely obsessed is what you would call me.

Need to continue on the cleaning-out of my kitchen, attic, closet etc. I guess that is what will continue for the month of January.

Need to organize for Tax Return. FYI, everytime I drive to my parents I pass by the IRS building in Austin. Without fail, I always roll down my window and yell "boooooooo!", just like Homer Simpson.

I am Dijea, and I am an addict.

Addicted to Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga that is.  I was completely obsessed with the whole Lego Star Wars II on XBOX 360, we then got the Original Trilogy on Playstation.  It sucked.  So when Christmas came around my children, bless them, got me The Complete Saga on XBOX 360. I love it!!  I am 10% complete right now.  Just started today, I have 12 out of 160 gold bricks & I have found two red bricks inside the levels.  I have yet to play Challenge Mode or get a blue minikit, but I know its just a matter of time.  I just spent 3 1/2 hours playing this evening.  

I am almost worse than my husband.  NO, I could never be worse than him with video game obsessions.  Its just not possible.

Help, I'm a little lost.

I'm having issues today.  A fish out of water if you would.  Yes, I got more retail therapy yesterday with a new computer.  Not just any computer, my first Mac, and I-Mac to be exact.  There is a little bit of a learning curve going from a PC to a Mac.  I used to be on the cutting edge, I have an Accommodation from the Network Department from Saks Fifth Avenue when I saved the whole west coast from a virus that hit the network department, I talked stores into uploading their POS systems without hooking up to the contaminated Network back east.  I saved the day.  I used to set up workstations and take care of daily maintenance at the company I work for now. 

Now I can't find the 30 day trial of the two word processing programs on my new computer.  I called my husband to ask him why they weren't there.  He told me they were in applications and to dust put it on the desktop.  I can't find applications.  

Aren't we cute?

Yes, this is me and the old man. Aren't we cute? Can you tell from my writing I've had a little wine? I had my Office Christmas party tonight and it was wonderful. Everyone told my husband how wonderful I am and have I started selling RE yet? We had a fabulous dinner, I had probably one too many cocktails. I was in the dress and my 4 inch heels and got either you look fabulous or your boobs are hanging out - it all depended on the age of the person talking to me.

I'm off to bed. If anyone from my office reads this - you looked fabulous!

Jeeez, another day lost to nothing.

What a mess my life has become! I can't seem to get anything accomplished. I thought I would have the day to go to Sam's and the grocery store and get the laundry done. Boy, do I need to do laundry! Instead I get a call from a mom who needs a nebulizer. I am glad to drop it by, because I am fully aware of all the fear you get when your child starts to wheeze. OK, 15 minutes out of my day is not a big deal. Then I realize that I haven't taken the money to the office for the December birthdays. Oops! When I get to the house to drop off the nebulizer, I am reminded that we have a birthday party at 1:30 - oops again no gift, now I gotta go to Target and that wasn't on my list either.

So I drop off the birthday money and on the way to Target, Hunter informs me of his hunger pains, so we get the gift and we are headed home to feed his hungry stomach. Its now 12:30 and with the party in an hour, I have no hope of Sam's or the grocery store. I did get a load of clothes in the washer, but that isn't even going to put a dent in the laundry. The party will be over just in time to go pick up the other child and the husband will be home by the time we get home.

Well, another day of no accomplishments and a night of staying up late to get it all done. I hate the holidays!

The Ultimate in Retail Therapy

Although my mother will cringe when I say purchasing this was Retail Therapy. But it truly was.

I have an I-Phone!

Would it be bad to say Nanny-Nanny-Boo-Boo? Well maybe, but it is sooooooo awesome. I can do anything on it. Anything. I can have multiple e-mail accounts. I can turn them on and off as I need them. I have Google maps & can look at it by satellite. Its an IPod, I have Internet. When you text it pops up with little dialog balloons. OOOOOH! It keeps a calender, I have world clocks & weather (now I'm showing my age) a calculator as big as the screen and a pretty decent camera.

Miriam got some cool stuff too, she inspired my Retail Therapy entry for today. Oh, and a special thanks to Troy (my company's IT Guru) who got my work e-mail on it and working - Yea!!

Because I was tagged by Ashley.

“When people say ‘Christmas’ you immediately think…”

How much is this going to cost me? Seriously, I think snow, hot chocolate, whatever weird clothing item my mother is going to get me this year.

"Favorite Christmas memory…”

The year I got my own telephone. We had finished opening all the presents and we were sitting down to dinner and my dad asked me to go back into the living room and check the tree. A telephone was sitting under the tree. I was 13 and thought it was the best thing ever.

“Favorite Christmas song/carol…”

Silver Bells

“Favorite Christmas movie…”

I'm not into Christmas movies

“Favorite Christmas character…”

The Grinch Heh! Heh!

“Favorite Christmas ornament/object…”

My Alamo ornament.

“Plans for this Christmas…”

Home with the boys - hopefully my parents will make it up. Dad, feel better.

“Is Christmas your favorite holiday?”

NO, I enjoy it, but I prefer warm weather holidays & days where the stores stay open.

OK, I tag Stehle & Krista. Answer the questions for yourself.

The man I married.

I have to have married the strangest man in the world. Obviously he has some redeeming qualities, because I called my friend Denise about 5 hours after I met him to inform her that I had met the man I was going to marry. He is funny, he makes me mad and he also makes me want to pull every hair out of my head. He makes me cry, he makes me laugh till I cry & he makes me cringe with some of the bizarre ideas he has.

He's come up with several skits for SNL - which would be totally hilarious. If Lorne Michaels needs some writing talent, my husband would gladly volunteer. Several times he's come up with ideas then a couple of years later BOOM, there is a commercial advertising his idea. For some reason he always screams at the TV that ______ stole his idea, and then comes to me to complain for the next 30 minutes.

He makes up silly songs, one was Chicken Chili Burger Fries, this is what I'm hungry for. He gets mad if he loses the games he plays on XBox 360 or Playstation III (yes he has both and it was not my idea). He burps at the top of his lungs, I swear the windows rattle, but has a problem with farting. Go figure.

At the same time, he will cook dinner anytime I ask, he even scooped kitty litter when I was pregnant. (For those of you without cats, when you are preggers, there is no scooping of the liter. Not allowed.) He cleans the dishes, washes the cars, and will watch the kids anytime I want to take off for parts unknown (mainly Target, the grocery store or maybe if I'm lucky a massage).

Well this was his latest idea. I'm not really sure if he deserves a medal or a shake of my head over his latest idea. You decide.

OK, here it is.

Miriam guilted me into this. So this is the dress I bought, but of course this is not me - this is a gorgeous model and my dress is a bigger size, and black not purple. But it gives me a waist, has "peek-a-boo" slits in the underskirt to show off my legs & makes my boobs look like the DD's they are.

Found a Dress & Other Stuff

I found a dress, like it and it actually makes me look not so big. Unfortunately, now I am re-thinking the shoes. Its ok, because I like shoe shopping so no total hardship. My sister in-law, Anjie - the one who gave the kids the Snoopy Snow Cone Maker, is loaning me the red pashmina so it I won't have to worry about that.

Oh & I have to go to Target later, whoooooo Target. I love me some Target. The day is looking up.

More Blah

So I didn't do very well in my morning routine today. I couldn't get motivated to get out of bed, Ethan & Hunter couldn't get motivated to get dressed, the cats were attacking each other. Mario is doing his best to completely de-fur Zelda. She just hisses and poops in the bathtub. Turco, he just sleeps on my pillow and weighs about 100 lbs, but its all muscle.

After depositing Ethan at school, we rushed home to get Hunter fed and off, I was empty on gas in the car and therefore had to skip breakfast to fill up the car - then I ruined my body with a McDonald's sausage biscuit & a cup of coffee. I dropped off Hunter & ran to workout. Burned a whole 348 calories, and over the last month have lost 2.75 lbs, unfortunately I gained 3.25 inches. I did lose 1.84% body fat, but all I know is that my clothes are getting smaller and not bigger on my body and that is making things kind of blah.

I tried on the "little black dress" I have in my closet only to find that to zip it up means I have to break rib bones. So I'm off to go shopping for something to wear to the two Christmas Parties I have over the next week. UGH! I hate shopping, unless it is for bath products or shoes. I have yet to purchase a Christmas Present (except for the BIG children's gift - sshh they are getting a trampoline) and my MCE hours are due by the end of the month. I haven't done my Christmas cards and I'm sure there is something else I am just forgetting to complain about.

Now that I've complained I guess I will stuff my face with raw vegetables & go shopping. Maybe I can pass by a bath shop on my way....

Blah day, Cat Comes Home.

Today has been the most blah day. Nothing really bad happened, I didn't get anything accomplished except emptying the dishwasher and reloading it. Oh the grocery store, but I wouldn't have done that except that there was absolutely nothing in the house to fix for lunch.

I did find the missing cat though. Zelda, who often goes out on what my husband calls a sabbatical. She just goes missing for several days. Then invariably I will look out the back door during a torrential downpour, and there will be Zelda waiting to come in. Today, Hunter and I took a trek around the neighborhood screaming her name. I found her walking across the street around the corner. Unfortunately, the evil devil cats - Turco & Mario - chased her down a storm drain. So I spent the next 15 minutes sitting on my butt on a wet street calling for my cat to come out of a storm drain. She was way down the pipe too. Thank God she is back in the house because its suppose to get close to freezing tonight and my very old Zelda doesn't like the cold. Ethan will be ecstatic that Zelda will be sleeping with him tonight.

Isn't she pretty?

Mason is my hero.

Mason is done! Finished! He has graduated from school and now we have the actually pinning ceremony this afternoon. He starts his "real job" on Monday. Can there be any greater accomplishment? Its been hard, we've missed a lot of time together, between his school work, clinical rotations at night and them me working weekends. There was I think 3 months we only saw each other Sat/Sun/Mon from about 6 pm on. Yuck.

So we'll go to a normal schedule, I will stop working weekends as soon as I can get my replacements trained. Mason and I haven't been home together on weekends for over 7 years. What happens when the weekly trip to Target or the grocery store ends in divorce? We haven't done it in a long time, what if we don't know how? Maybe I should still go by myself. Maybe it will mean 4 years of therapy. Coffee's ready, got to wake up.

The Piano Man

Last night, I got together with a girlfriend and saw Billy Joel. It was the second time I got to see him in concert and it was fabulous. I could say a million things, but all I would do is sound like a dork, so I'll just say I totally enjoyed it.

After a little convincing, I am going to take Ethan, my now 6 year old to see the Foo Fighters in January on his 7th birthday. I have to get the tickets, but I don't think that will be hard. I can't wait to take him to a real rock concert.

Is sleep really too much to ask?

I have trouble sleeping. It takes me forever to get to sleep at night, and then the slightest noise will wake me up (usually Mason's snoring). Even though I know I should get up and do something productive, I am so tired and lay in bed trying ever so unsuccessfully to get back to dreamland.

That being said, it is even worse these days. With the whole sick Hunter problem, now Ethan is a coughing machine, although he is much easier to take care of than Hunter. He got up at 11:15 last night and got in bed with me. Snuggled up all tight against me. This was fine until I had a hot flash (I'm not even 40!). Mason went to sleep in Ethan's room and I made them change beds - probably somewhere around the 1AM to 2AM hours. Then Hunter wet the bed at 5:30 so I'm totally running on empty.

Although my husband is very helpful around the house and will do anything I ask him most occasions, if he is already in bed asleep, forget asking him to get up. So I guess I am destined to be up at night with children, cats & whatever else there is to take care of for the rest of eternity. For the record, we are never getting a dog, I am not getting up to let that creature outside to pee at 3 am. I'm just not.

4:45 is way to early to get up.

I was awakened at 4:45 this morning by the 4 year-old sleeping next to me barking like a seal. Yes, Hunter has the dreaded croup. He sounds awful, however the doctors say his lungs are totally clear and no, there is absolutely nothing we can do for him other than hot steamy showers.

I am not a morning person, but turning on the TV at 4:57 for H2 and listening to Noggin for an hour and a half and rolling out of bed at 6:30 to put him in a steamy shower, wake Mr. Big Shot to get ready for school & Mr. Husband, who looked rather cute sleeping in Hunter's bed, was not all that bad. We got through the morning without me having to ask anyone to do something twice, we got off to school on time (maybe even a little early), I even didn't feel like a total zombie on the drive to school. I'm not saying I want to get up before 5 on a regular basis, but maybe I need to re-adjust my time clock just a little bit, to make the morning run just a little bit smoother.

Do I really need to tell you who this is?

He just misquoted the score of the game during the recap. What a doofus!

Cowboys vs Packers

For those of you that are Packers' fans, this is not a dis for your team. I am a big Farve fan, in fact one year he did wonders for my Fantasy Football team. This is to talk about what a complete waste it is to have Bryant Gumbel doing play-by-play on the NFL Network. What a complete sports dork! He kept referring to the Cowboys as the Packers and the Packers as Green Bay during the first half of the game. At least he got one team correct. He also said that Barber was the "Heart & Soul" of this Packers team. WHAT???? This brought on a 10 minute rant from my husband. Does he not do his research? How does a stupid morning show host, get to do play-by-play on the NFL Network? They want cable networks to subscribe to it, they should spend a little money and get an announcer that actually knows football.

I have never heard my husband complain so much about the announcing of a sports game. One more thing, GO COWBOYS!

That was HOT.

I have lived in Texas all my life. At my house a fun game is to see how many chili petins you can eat before you break out in a sweat, go for the cheese or milk or water or whatever. I was raised on Mexican food and would eat it every day of the rest of my life and be totally happy.

So when I came home today, I opened up a new jar of hot sauce I bought at Central Market yesterday to see how wonderful it was. Well, it knocked my on my a**. I have lost all the mascara on my eyes, I used an entire box of Kleenex blowing my nose (well, at least I'm not stopped up anymore). I am a little tweaky in the stomach due to the peppers. I also feel like there is heat coming of my eyeballs. THIS STUFF WAS HOT!!!!

I'm embarrassed to actually admit this, because my parents will read this and laugh at me and I will never live it down. Dad, I dare you go by some Two Hot Mama's Salsa Co. Salsa Roja in HOT.

I can't help it, its just the way I am.

I AM A TOTAL NERD! I didn't get to work out today, so somewhere in my brain I decided that I would work out at home. I tried some core exercises. One is where you hold yourself up and only touch the ground with your toes & forearms. I made it a whole 15 seconds. I also tried push-ups due to dome inspiration from Krista who did 82 push-ups yesterday. I manage 10. I did some leg lifts 3 sets of 8 on both legs, they now feel like I ran a marathon. I have no endurance, none, zippo, zilch. I workout three times a week, in fact I burned 401 calories at Curves yesterday. How can I do that and not be able do more than 10 push-ups?

So now what am I doing? I'm sitting on my exercise at the computer because somewhere I read that it suppose to work your abs. Ya right! Just call me NERD ATTACK! I'm destined to be a voluptuous size 14 for the rest of my life (yes, voluptuous, I don't use the word fat.) How many times do I have to say that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. I should be considered hot not overweight.

FYI, the definition of voluptuous:

1 a: full of delight or pleasure to the senses : conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification b: suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form
2: given to or spent in enjoyment of luxury, pleasure, or sensual gratifications

Ooh, that sounds dirty! Works for me!

Everyone needs a little music in their life.

I'm sitting here listening to some of my favorite songs by Bill Withers. He is so amazing. What a voice and collection of songs! Yes I realize he's 69 and not throwing out any new music, but you hear him all the time, and when I say Bill Withers, I get a lot blank stares. Take a little time and listen to Bill Withers, I guarantee there is something for everyone. Use Me, Lovely Day & Ain't No Sunshine are just a few that move me.

I'm three Superheroes in One

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Maximus After his family was murdered by the evil emperor Commodus, the great Roman general Maximus went into hiding to avoid Commodus's assassins. He became a gladiator, hoping to dominate the colosseum in order to one day get the chance of killing Commodus. Maximus is valiant, courageous, and dedicated. He wants nothing more than the chance to avenge his family, but his temper often gets the better of him. Maximus 71% James Bond, Agent 007 71% Captain Jack Sparrow 71% The Amazing Spider-Man 63% Neo, the "One" 63% Batman, the Dark Knight 63% Lara Croft 58% Indiana Jones 58% El Zorro 54% The Terminator 50% William Wallace 46%

Angela is the bomb!

I just had the most amazing massage. Yes, it was given by Angela. I have never in my whole life been this relaxed. I am looking forward to the best sleep I've had in probably a decade.

Sweet Dreams.

Happy Thanksgiving

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a little time and copy The Unstable Blogger (mine is not nearly as revealing as hers) and make a list of the things I am thankful for, well mostly.

I have the most wonderful husband; I usually complain about him, but he will come home after a busy day of work and make dinner, because I am just too tired to do it. He will take the kids anytime I want to go anywhere or do anything. He's a pain in the ass at times, but I love him. He also gave me two very annoying, but extremely charming children who drive me crazy, but seem to make everyone else believe they are total angels. I love them too.

I'm lucky to have a good sister, a great set of parents, two awesome sister-in-laws. I am thankful for Uncle Denny, because without him Mason wouldn't be graduating in a few weeks.

I have a good job and good co-workers, two really good cats (we won't talk about the third, I am not thankful for him). I am thankful for dark chocolate, Dirty Sexy Money on Wednesday nights, the Food Network, satellite radio, really soft cotton, my 600 thread count sheets and my girlfriends - every one of them, even the ones I've never met and only communicate thru our blogs - You Rock Girls!

Leader Test Results

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Can you say whiney kids?

I've gone from one kid with a sinus infection and one kid with maybe a sinus infection, to one kid sicker than a dog and one kid doing fair. Ethan seemed to be OK until about noon today and he's popped a whopping 102 degree fever. Hunter is eating popcorn, drinking Gatorade and watching Finding Nemo. Ethan has only gotten up from his bed in the last 1/2 hour to lay on the couch.

OH, and Hunter's Thanksgiving Play was today, so that was an interesting deal. Both kids are on antibiotics, so I didn't infect anyone. I promise. I am feeling lost and a little discombobulated. I want to make poor little E feel better and I just can't do it. He's been so good and not complained, he just lays there looking pitiful. It just breaks a mother's heart.

Classic Movie Test Results.

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

That's interesting. Never would have come up with this one.

MMM... Interesting

My horoscope for the day:

You will be graced with a huge dose of beautiful, magnetic energy today. In a crowd, you will be able to draw people around you with your supportive ways. People will feel especially safe and confident around you, and will be ready to divulge some critical information that others would give their eye teeth for. This is not a day to use your charms to get something out of someone. Rather, it is a day to just be yourself, and let people open up when they want and how they want.

I'm waiting for the big "scoop", it hasn't come in yet.

Is it 5 o'clock yet?

This has been a blah nothing of a day at the office, except for the Dork-A-Rama experience. The router in our office is down so we can't send any e-mail. Thank goodness I can still blog. What would the world come to if I couldn't blog? It would probably stop all together.

I have done pretty much nothing all day. I had a few closings, but that didn't take long. I've had to cover the phones a few time this morning. Moved a few files around on the server. (I'm suppose to do this, I wasn't playing a joke on anyone) Now I am patiently waiting for 5:00 to roll around so I can get out of Dodge. OH! I just looked down, its 10 minutes till - I gotta clean off my desk.

OMG! The biggest dork ever was just in our office.

Why is it that so many women are completely bowled over by a handsome face and a little charm? Just because a man is charming does not mean he is a man of substance. This particular dude has got to be the biggest dawg. I've heard him talk about making-out with old chicks at a fundraiser (he was talking about women in their 40's); I've heard his friends talk about trolling for women on a street that is know for its hookers.

He holds a party saying it is for charity, then doesn't give but a teeny-tiny amount of the money to charity and keeps the rest for himself. Not only does he think he's fabulous, women I've always considered smart, savvy & on top of things fall for it hook-line & sinker. What is wrong with the world?

I'm still moving.

Well, it seems that I've been a little lax about posting lately, I will probably totally make up for it today. I worked out Wed & Friday - 388 calories burned Wed & 338 on Friday. At least I have continued to maintain my workout schedule. My pants are a little big on me today, but it maybe because all I ate was tomato soup for dinner last night, the scale still has me at the same weight.

I've been very good about keeping a food diary and will maintain it for the month (without conveniently forgetting to write down something) and then I'm off to the a new doctor to see if we can't determine what is really going on.

Attitude is everything so I'm trying to stay positive.

Determined.

I am determined to do something about my weight. So far, I have re-started my food diary in hopes of convincing the world I am not eating that much. I've exercised out the wazoo today. I spent 30 minutes at Curves - got weighed and measured so I can track my progress. I burned a good 382 calories, and this afternoon I spent an hour raking the front yard of leaves and evil acorns. That should be worth something. My big complaint is that my shoulders and hips are killing me. I spoke with my father today and he thinks I could have a food allergy so I guess the food diary will help with that too. I'm giving myself a month then I'm off to a different doctor for whatever still ails me.

Could use a little bit of help!

I don't feel good most of the time. I am always tired, my joints hurt, I feel bloated and stopped up, I don't sleep (maybe I should say I have a hard time getting to sleep and then staying asleep), its so hard for me to get going in the morning (it takes about an hour of being out of bed before I can think normally) and I can't lose weight no matter what I try. I also have problems with my legs - the doctor says its probably Restless Leg Syndrome, however I can't take any medicine, it makes me nauseous and doesn't allow me to sleep at all.

Now regarding the weight issues, I am currently working out 3-4 times a week at Curves (been doing so since May). I am now participating in the Curves Smart which tracks your progress on each machine and adjusts the machines accordingly. It takes in your weight, body measurements & range of motion and sets up the machines just for you. At the end of each workout you see the results - like which muscles groups you worked the most, where you need to improve and total calorie burn. My calorie burn ranges from 327 to 462 in 30 minutes over the past three weeks. I have also been working on portion control and limiting processed foods, I also haven't had a soda of any kind for over 2 1/2 months. I have not lost a pound!

I've had every blood test known to man, I feel like my doctor and my husband think I'm a hypochondriac and I think my doctor thinks I'm depressed because he keeps shoving anti-depressants at me. I may have issues, but I tend to be in a manic state, not depressed and I don't respond well to any medication and I do mean any medication. I can't take anything for allergies, pain meds make me sick - nothing. My doctor has also said it could be Fibromyalgia - great a damn disease you can't take anything for! But could be and is are two different things.

My mother (and I) think it might be thyroid, but all test come back normal the only thing I haven't had is a MRI or CAT scan of my thyroid, but that tends to be a little expensive. I could be in menopause (I'm not even 40, but I am having hot flashes). Do I find a different doctor, do I go get acupuncture, go on a liquid diet, become a vegan?

I'm so sick of feeling like crap and not being able to lose weight. I frustrated and would appreciate any advice and/or words of encouragement.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

I've embarrassed myself and I don't deal with that well. I got an e-mail from my replacement as PTA Chair at the Preschool my youngest attends. I meant to forward a comment to my co-room mother, but instead replied to the PTA Chair. It wasn't awful, one sly comment (lot of good that did me) which really isn't that bad, it just wasn't meant for her. Now originally I had a three paragraph tirade, because I think the new girl is just a little overbearing, obsessive and a giant control freak. I'm a control freak, but 60's hippie style, not 21st century know it all. Trust me - the School's Director says she's driving her crazy!

So now I'm obsessing about that, embarrassed - when I do this I start talking to myself trying to fix the problem. The Karma Gods replied by giving me my period. Great!

Reward thyself!

Like a good girl, instead of curling up and doing nothing I unwedged myself from the dinner table and went to work out. I somehow managed to burn a killer 393 calories in my 30 minute workout. My first thought as I am walking out the door is I should reward myself with a coke. I haven't had one for two whole months except for the plane ride to & from Vegas because I have a little motion sickness thing going. My second thought is well, I can have a glass of wine without guilt.

Somewhere I have to get it in my head that to lose weight, I actually have to stop doing those bad things, no sugar, no coke, no wine, no white bread - I refuse to totally give up carbs - except I did sneak in a few flour tortillas yesterday.

Anyway, somehow I came to my senses and decided to order some books online. I figured if I workout I deserve a little lie down with a good book. Just please don't make me feel guilty that they are not what sophisticated people would call "literature" they are popular fiction & chick lit. A girl gotta have her vices right!

Which way is up?

I've had three "I'm not home all day" days in a row. Monday it was Sam's, Tuesday it was Target, returning shoes & Central Market. Today it was a hair appointment. I usually do laundry on Monday's and I just started my first load this week at 4 o'clock today. Oops! I'm a little behind.

They did my hair flat as a pancake today - usually I have that Rosanne Rosanna Danna look (for those of you old enough to remember), but today I've got a more Jennifer Aniston flat look. Well, I can promise you it won't look that way tomorrow.

I also need to try to get a workout in. Where does my day go? If you find it will you please return it to me.

It's Official

Yesterday at our office meeting (I wasn't there) they announced to the agents that I am leaving my staff position at the end of the year. They also announced that the girl that was suppose to replace me decided to go back to school full time and won't be there either after 1 year of training and that everyone should be forewarned that things will be different. I've been staff there for over 12 years and its not an easy thing to change positions for me or the agents I've worked for.

I'm excited about the possibility of really getting out there and helping people get that home they always wanted. Believe me when I say this - DO NOT RENT, BUY!! Why throw your money down the drain (or into a landlords pocket) when you can buy a house or condo and put equity into your home not someone else's. I know its hard, initial investment that kind of thing, don't wait until you can buy your dream home. You'd never get there because your dream home would keep changing with all the new trends. But if my husband and I would have waited to purchase a home, because of the increase in property values, we couldn't afford the home we own now. It has doubled in value in 10 years. Talk about a return on our investment!

Don't know how to start, talk to a Realtor, talk to an Investment Counselor or a Mortgage Broker and see what you qualify for and start working towards homeownership - its never too early.

The girls in Vegas

My sister-in-law, Anjie, turns 35 this month and she wanted a trip to Vegas - so four of us went to Sin City to celebrate. We stayed at the fabulous The Bellagio, it was awesome. We ate Friday night at Circo, which was absolutely delicious. On Saturday we ate at the steakhouse in the Wynne casino called the Country Club.







We gambled, but truly we shopped 'till we dropped - or to be honest, we shopped till the blisters on our feet could no longer be ignored. While shopping we saw this display window and I couldn't help but think that my husband would appreciate it. Its a shop called Agent Provocateur it was an interesting shop to say the least.

Vegas Baby!!

I'm fixing to leave for Vegas Baby!! There are four of us, and as much as I would like to say its all about me, it's really all about Anjie (my husband's sis) and her 35th birthday. I'm looking for a lot of fun, a little drama & a lot of other I'm not ready to talk about.

I will miss my boys, maybe my husband and most definitely my cats. Honey, take care of my babies for me & maybe I'll bring you a little something-something!!!

I watch too much TV

I enjoyed Grey's Anatomy last night. I'm happy to see that Meredith has finally realized that she really wants McDreamy, but I keep wondering if its too late. Izzie will never be the cut throat surgeon that she wants to be, Christina well she has a lot to learn and all on an emotional level. And I absolutely loved when "The New Burke" asked McDreamy & McSteamy if they were a couple.

Freak Out!! And not the disco song.

So I had a little freak-out today. I got an e-mail from my boss stating that the "Big Boss" was going to announce my "leaving the staff, eventually..." This should not really freak me out, because like I said in an earlier post, I gave my notice last summer. It doesn't help that my boss asked to have lunch next week. She wants to have lunch to talk about my exit strategy. Then I get the announcement e-mail and I feel like I'm about to be launched into the world of Real Estate Agent stuff before I'm really ready. (And hopefully not next Thursday!) Its not like I can't do the job, I've been writing contracts for the agents in the office for over a decade, its my mouth that gets me in trouble. That and my lack of confidence. I'm lucky that I work for such an awesome company (obviously because who would stay at a crappy job for 12 years?) they have been supportive, accommodating and they just are a great bunch of people from the BIG BOSSES on down. Its just change sucks! its stressful! its well, change!!

And all commission stuff is kind of scary. Its not like I'm raking in the dough working 13 hours a week, its just that 13 hours a week is going to look like a fortune next to no paycheck unless you sell something. Does anyone need to sell a house? Or buy? I'm available.

I just love presents!!!!!

I got up from the exciting news to make sure the cats were in and Turco, my Manx, was pouncing on something in the grass by the driveway. I called for Turco to come in, and nicely asked if he would kindly leave whatever prey was in his mouth outside. He dropped the snake on the patio, and came inside.

Mario, Schmario

I've had to untangle the little kitty - Mario - from the soccer net twice today. What kind of idiot cat decides to fight with another cat thru a soccer net. He's now sleeping the excitement off.

Can anyone tell how my day is going?

Can anyone explain this to me?

So here is the deal, 18 months ago I gave notice at my work to leave this December. I have been a part-time Administrative Assistant at a Real Estate firm for the past 7 years - I started there full-time 12 years ago. I have my real estate license and now that my kids are older and my husband will be graduating this December, I was ready to do the Real Estate Agent thing. I gave plenty of notice so that they would be able to find someone who would be willing to work weekends and plenty of time to train them.

We found someone, they are almost fully trained. She up and quit and now being the dedicated worker I am I will stay until they find someone else. I am planning to stay with the same Real Estate firm as an agent and I can't very well upset the flow and maintain a good working relationship can I? What happens to me know it took a full year to get her all ready to go and now I have to start all over again.

The kicker - no one knows (at least it hasn't been announced), she wrote it up on her blog (which obviously I read) but no one at the office has been made aware of the fact that she quit. I don't have anyone to whine to except my husband and he's sick of listening to me (aren't all husbands?).

Any suggestions? Anyone looking for a part-time gig?

Maybe I'll start again after lunch.

It seems today is not my best days. I spent the majority of the time in the grocery store telling Hunter to stop touching things. I even got down on his level and told him to see with his eyes not his hands. I have to pride myself in not raising my voice, but cheez, what does it take to get kids to listen.

Mason has found a glass place that will replace the glass in the shower door frame for less than $100. Somehow I feel this will comeback and haunt me. It never fails that when Mason finds someplace to do it cheap, it gets screwed up and costs us more than if we actually spent the money to go to the expensive store in the first place.

Well, I guess we'll see how this goes.

Shattered!!

I'm off to Las Vegas this weekend and decided I needed a new outfit for the trip. I'm out shopping last night and my phone rings - its my husband.

"We have a problem."

"What's wrong?"

"The glass in the shower door just shattered."

My first thought is - oh crap was anyone hurt. My second thought is - why the hell does this keep happening to me (us). I feel like I pissed of the Karma Police and this is retribution. Needless to say, I had to put off shopping for another day, I just didn't have it in me anymore.

I definitely need therapy!

"Hello, and welcome to gynie phone! For pregnancy press 1, for cramps press 2, for vaginal dryness press 3, for menopause press 4, for my husband needs an instructional pamphlet press 0 and and operator will be right with you."

I had the yearly today, I love my doc but hate the ritual. There has got to be a better way for a woman to have that done and not be violated.

Let me out of here!

I've been sitting in my office for the last 4.5 hours, I have done maybe 30 minutes of actual work, not because I'm goofing off, but because there is no work to be done. I have played on the Internet, have looked at the Sunday ads, I have talked to whomever walks in the door.

CAN YOU SAY BORING? I have tons of stuff to do and am stuck here waiting to see if anyone brings me something to do. I realize I'm being paid, but I'm today I'm willing to forgo any money to get out of here.

Its a beautiful day and I don't even have a window. I must have pissed of the powers above.

Nip Tuck, The Early Years

Aren't my babies cute?

I don't usually post the same picture on both my blogs, but this one warms my heart, because I'm looking forward to all the cosmetic surgery I could get (for free) if this becomes reality. If you are nice to me, I might get you a discount.

The big 100!

OMG, I've hit the big 100th blog entry , so here goes 100 things about me:

1. 1 husband - Mason
2. 2 kids - Ethan & Hunter
3. 3 cats - Zelda, Turco & Mario
4. I am a total slave to all of the above
5. I love to read!
6. I prefer summer to winter
7. I enjoy photography
8. I love nature and feel better when I am surrounded by it
9. I grew up in a city on the ocean
10. I am a native Texan
11. I used to work in the same office as our current President
12. I called him by his first name - I would probably do that if I saw him now.
13. I've been in a movie (a bad movie, but a movie all the same)
14. I've worked at my current job longer than I've known my husband
15. I met my husband on a blind date
16. I named my oldest son after the character John Wayne played in The Searchers & my husband's father
17. I named my youngest son after my grandfather & my husband
18. Two of my cats are named after video game characters
19. The other one is named after Dallas Stars Goalie, Marty Turco
20. I get so embarrassed for Larry David watching Curb Your Enthusiasm, I actually have had to stop watching a few times
21. I love red wine
22. I like sports - hockey & boxing for the blood, basketball & football for the action
23. I believe in ghosts
24. I once lived in a house where a man was murdered
25. My last therapist said I have unresolved issues with my mother
26. I watch too much TV
27. I spoil my husband
28. I have trouble sleeping
29. I have a garden
30. I have no fashion sense
31. I was on the Tennis Team in High School
32. I always feel like I'm one step behind on housework
33. I once swallowed a quarter
34. I am too sensitive
35. I'm intimidated by some of my husband's family
36. I am terrified of wasps
37. I have a celebrity crush on George Clooney
38. I don't have a tattoo, but my husband does
39. My husband's hero is Homer Simpson (do you feel bad for me girls?)
40. Humor is subjective
41. I have family in New Zealand
42. I live in Texas, but have never been to Mexico
43. I work with a former NHL player
44. I have made coffee for two former Governors of Texas
45. I am 40 lbs overweight
46. I am trying desperately to lose those 40 lbs
47. I had 2 C-Sections (the first one was an emergency C-Section)
48. I have a huge scar and probably 5 lbs of scar tissue from those C-Sections
49. I was 39 when I had my first facial
50. I live in flip flops in the summer
51. I think Politicians are full of SH*T
52. I'm afraid of the future
53. My cat Turco snores
54. So does my husband and my 4 year old
55. I like people, they just disappoint me a lot
56. My mother says I have poor punctuation
57. I read when I was a teenager to get out of chores
58. I sold peaches on a roadside stand when I was a teenager
59. I have been bumped by a shark & a 2500 lb bull
60. I once hurdled a barbed wire fence to get away from the 2500 lb bull
61. I like fishing, but I won't touch a fish
62. I have saddled a horse
63. I don't see what everyone sees in Tom Cruise
64. I check my e-mail 20 times a day, but I rarely check my voice mail
65. I call my grandmother everyday
66. I have nightmares after watching scary movies
67. I caught a Peeping Tom staring in my window
68. Geometry was the end of my mathematics career
69. I write poetry
70. I will probably repeat myself twice before I finish this
71. I like my boss
72. I still look for shapes in clouds
73. I am passive aggressive and have a need control everything
74. My husband is obsessed with video games - you might even call it an addiction
75. I rarely wear earrings
76. My first ever boyfriend - came out of the closet in college
77. My brother is a dufus - I love him, but he's a dufus
78. His wife is awesome
79. I wish I lived in a small town
80. I wish I had a weekend get-a-way (I will one day!)
81. I get motion sickness
82. Now that I have satellite radio, I will never go back to regular radio
83. I think dogs smell funny
84. I wish that I was more social
85. I love my girlfriends
86. The way to my honeymoon was plagued with disaster
87. My husband took me to Hooter's while we were on our honeymoon (now you really feel for me don't you)
88. I wish I started having kids earlier
89. I still romantically head-over heals in-love my husband (But he drives me completely crazy)
90. Becki will read this and ask why I didn't include the refrigerator story
91. I think Gilda Radner was the funniest person ever on Saturday Night Live
92. Terms of Endearment always makes me cry
93. Hanover Street is one of my favorite movies
94. My children are the best thing I've ever done
95. I read The Brothers Karamazov for fun
96. I made a doll when I was 13 - my grandmother still has it

I left the last few blank, well basically I'm an underachiever. I'm sure this will surprise me when I re-read it.

If only dreams came true.

My life is absolutely perfect. I won the Mega Millions last night, even though I didn’t buy a ticket. My children are complete angels, my husband wants me to take more time for myself and has hired a full time live-in housekeeper so I don’t even have to cook anymore. I’m also getting a Rolls & a Driver. Oh, and my husband has OK’d my adulterous affair with George Clooney. I also found some calorie free wine.

And pigs might fly out of my A**, but its nice to dream.

I'm going to throw up!

I needed a little quiet time, so thinking outside the box, I went and got on the swing set thinking my children wouldn't bother me there. All I got was motion sickness. Now, I need to go lie down.

I'm an Industrious Mom today!

So I've dropped off two kids at different schools today, washed bed linens, ran dishwasher, put away said dishes, burned 436 calories working out, ordered balloons for Elementary School Fall Carnival, purchased tickets for said carnival. I feel like I've accomplished enough to qualify for a nap, unfortunately that is not the case. I need to clean & pick up, re-load the dishwasher, plan for dinner, have a teacher conference this afternoon, oh and carpool at two different schools to accomplish all before 3 o'clock.

With all this to do, why am I still overweight? Why can't I sleep at night? Why do I think my readers care? Do I have readers anymore? Because no one ever leaves me comments!

442 Calories gone just like that.

So I mentioned before that I was doing a Curves "Upgrade" to Curves Smart. Well, I went in all excited to get my tests done so that I could start my program - seriously I should have know when I got excited over a test that something was wrong. Anyway, Lady Carol did my range of motion and whatever the other thing was and off I went on my merry workout way.

The whole system is suppose to work with you on resistance and range of motion and let you know when you are working out efficiently, by giving you a green light, or not efficiently, by giving you a red light. I got some orange lights, mostly green, but all I know is I worked out harder and am more worn out that I have ever been after working out.

Then when you are finished you go scan your ID & see what you accomplished. I did 100% (When do I, Dijea, ever do 100%?) and I burned 442 calories. Yea!!! I'm so excited. Now in the big scheme of things I don't know if 442 calories is a lot, but all I know is my shoulders hurt, and I still haven't stopped sweating, or drank enough water.

I need a nap! But housework is calling me as both boys have friends coming over after school.

Bonding with Moms, Volunteering & What Not.

Tonight I got together with four other moms from Ethan's school at a Fall Carnival planning meeting. I was a late addition to the group as a last minute volunteer, but I really liked all of them. One of them, may be my twin separated at birth - not in looks but in personality (she's thin & attractive, where as I'm voluptuous {fat} & look like a mom - which is really not sexy its tired). She and I would have more fun in the corner of a bar nursing a glass of wine discussing the patrons.

Anyway, I feel like I got off light - I need to take care of face painting supplies - balloons & tickets. I should be able to handle that. OMG - I better be able to handle that. I must go stand in front of the mirror and convince myself that I can.

I have my appointment at Curves tomorrow to get my "upgrade" workup to work on the new system they have. I'm SO looking forward to losing a few more inches and maybe a few pounds. Pray to the goddess of weight loss for me!

I'm feeling much better now.

I am a nature girl. I can't help it. I love to dig in the dirt, lay out in the grass and watch the clouds go by. I love flowers and spring and fall (mainly because of the temperature) and did I tell you I love flowers?

My friend Traci took me and my little Hunter to the Dallas Arboretum today and I had so much fun. Thank you Traci!! I took pictures, Traci took pictures, Hunter took the most pictures 109 on the little digital camera - I only managed 72, but I look at it as quality over quantity.

These are my two favorites of what I took today. To see Hunter's pictures go to Coplin Copy and check them out.

Laughter is the best medicine.

My day just got better exponentially. I called my friend Charlotte - she is always good for a laugh or a rant or whatever. Anyway, while talking to her about how bloated I am and that I can't even get my wedding ring on my finger, I looked out my window and there was the weirdest shadow on my next door neighbors house. It looked like a head on a stick. I'm think aliens have landed and relay this to Charlotte.

"Dijea, whatever medicine your on, I don't think the dosage is right. Seriously, you need to adjust the dosage."

I laughed so hard I lost my breath, tears streamed down my face and I almost wet my pants. Its amazing what a good laugh will do for you when your hormones are out of whack.

Its that time of the month.

There are times I truly do not enjoy being a woman. Some people hate housework, don't want to clean the toilet, laundry sucks, but for me I would gladly welcome every hot flash to never have my period again. I had to lay down to zip my pants this morning and then found I couldn't bend over in them because I'm so bloated. I have a headache, I hate the world, the politicians are nothing more than well-dressed rednecks and Pompous Asses. I have absolutely no tolerance for anything remotely stupid today.

So to fix my ghoulish mood, I'm off to the Arboretum for flowers and pumpkins and maybe I'll feel normal after lunch.

I'm so discombobulated!

Sometimes I feel like I live in a crazy insane asylum and that what I'm doing is just my wild imagination of drugs that the doctors have me on. That said, my week has been a little insane. I've been overwhelmed, can't get anything accomplished before three additional items get put on my to-do list.

Had to replace tires on the SUV; laundry is a never-ending chore; I can't seem to get the front flower bed winterized. I did get the Halloween decorations out in the front yard; however, they look pretty pitiful. The cats are systematically destroying the house. (My husband blames it on me, but I swear its the cats!)

I gave up red wine to lower my calorie intake thinking that would maybe help me reduce the waistline. That remains to be seen, however that is probably an entry unto itself. It's October and it won't get cold enough for the grass to stop growing, so its time to mow again. Do I really need to go on?

At least I didn't give up chocolate. I have to go, its time for tonight's bag.

Stars 4 Bruins 1

After the State Fair extravaganza Mason & I took the boys to see the Dallas Stars in their home opener in American Airlines Center. The rebounded from their Season Opener loss and won. YEA!! We got to see two fights in the second period, which is really one of the main reasons to go see Hockey - the blood factor.

Love me some Dallas Stars!!

Move over Wolfgang Puck - Dijea's here.

OK so on my birthday my fabulous co-workers got me a gift certificate to Central Market and today I spent it. I bought beautiful 1 1/2 inch filets, fresh herbs, mushrooms, green beans, other stuff, a couple of bottles of red wine, made from organic grapes, and an angel food cake and tons of strawberries, black berries & raspberries for dessert.

I took those beautiful $35/lb filets and slathered them with a paste I made from fresh organic chives, fresh garlic and olive oil and I let that sit under plastic wrap for about 30 minutes. When you grill them they get a nice blackened herb crust that is oh so good. I made garlic mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. I also marinated some mushrooms in red wine and sauteed them for the steak. I poured myself a glass of wine and we set down to eat.

YUM! It was almost orgasmic. It seems that lately I really don't enjoy cooking because it seems that I am no longer creative enough to make something different. But today I felt inspired and it was absolutely worth every extra calorie I ate. I highly recommend you to do that soon.

Zelda came home.

My husband and I adopted a cat the first year we were married, she's a beautiful Russian Blue. Anyway, Zelda has a habit of just disappearing and it drives me crazy. The first time she disappeared I wandered the neighborhood for 3 days calling her, day 4 I called all the vets in the neighborhood and hit all the animal control shelters in the city. I did this three times in one week. Then in the middle of a thunderstorm I look up and she was sitting there waiting to come in.

Every year since then she disappears for about a week. This time she was missing since Saturday. Ethan will be glad to know that she's been home and been fed. She doesn't like the little kitty and I wouldn't be surprised if she runs off again. She won't come inside during the summer anymore because I think the air conditioning bothers her. She doesn't move very fast anymore and if you get anywhere near her she just hisses. The only person she will go to willingly is my father.

Dad, Zelda needs some lovin, when are you coming to visit her? Maybe you'd like to take her home with you?

Apparently, I've been tagged.

1. Post these rules before you give you the facts.
2. List eight random facts about yourself.
3. At the end of your post, choose (tag) someone and list their name (linking to their page).
4. Leave them a comment on their blog letting them know they’ve been tagged!


OK, here it goes.
1. I call my grandmother everyday. She's one of the coolest people I know, is never negative & loves everyone.
2. I write poetry and have a secret fantasy about being a best-selling author.
3. I love music, but can't sing.
4. I used to run track and ran the 100 yard dash in 11.0 seconds - I hurt my knee and now couldn't run 100 ft. without getting winded.
5. I've been in a slaughter house.
6. I've sold peaches my family grew at a roadside stand.
7. I knew the moment I met my husband, he was "THE ONE."
8. I've never missed a skeet birdie (yes, I've shot skeet on more than one occasion.)

I tag:

Stehle & Ashley

Be Selfish

Women, every day do something for yourself, even if it is only sneaking a decadent sliver of chocolate. Take 10 minutes and read a book; lay on the grass and watch the clouds; take a bubble bath while sipping on a glass of wine.

Everyday millions of women lose a little of themselves taking care of other, most of whom take that for granted. Yes, my husband and boys included. They take for granted that I will make sure they have clean underwear, or food on the table, or their lunch box packed with their favorite lunch. Don't let it continue - take a little time to rediscover how great you are, because it will show in everything you do and maybe those crazy people in your life will actually notice everything you do and thank you for it.

BYW - Thanks Mom for everything you did.

Cowboys Baby!

My husband is set to graduate this December and get his X-Ray certification. He has 2 years experience on an MRI machine, and when he gets his X-Ray cert. he wants to get his certification for CAT Scan. I'm so proud of him!

Now, here's where the story gets interesting. My husband is a sports fanatic - true fanatic. He loves football, hockey, basketball, he stayed up late last night and watched boxing. I enjoy sports, I'm just not obsessed. Anyway, one of his instructors at school is the X-Ray tech for Texas Stadium and has managed to get him on the field before today's game. So my husband, my two sports obsessed children and my husband's good friend are off to see the Cowboys defeat the Rams today (I don't care what Isaac Bruce said, the Cowboys are going to win.). I'm hoping that Ethan gets to meet Tony Romo his favorite Cowboy, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

If we get a picture, I will post it either on this blog or the family blog Coplin Copy come back and check it out.

I achieved Bliss today.

I am an earth girl, a Virgo. I feel my best when I am outdoors being "one" with nature. This afternoon I truly achieved bliss and even had a deep down in the belly laugh. It was awesome.

I spent the afternoon on a blanket outside in the shade. I read a book cover-to-cover, my youngest found he had a love for photography, he's only 4, but who knows where it will go. Oh, and I read a book cover-to-cover. Can I say that one more time? I read a book cover-to-cover. I took a nap in the sun. And the best part, I got down on the blanket and proceeded to re-live a childhood joy, I rolled on the grass with the kids all the way across the backyard. It was so much fun, I got dizzy, I smelled the freshly mowed grass and I laughed, that deep down really good feeling belly laugh.

Its not every day you can enjoy this way, so it makes this one all the more special.

Turco Strikes Again

Today, Hunter had a friend over & while I was snapping pictures of the boys on the swings, Turco, the Manx & true "mouser", came over the fence with a present in his mouth. I'm so excited to announce that today, Turco killed a big green lizard. It is now dead with its mouth open in the middle of my backyard. I don't do dead animals. As a girl, no where in the rule book does it say I have to pick up dead animals.

Yuck!

My mind will slowly turn to mush this season.

Thank G for DVR's because without them I could not watch TV and pay any attention to my two lovely children. (Did I Say lovely? What was I thinking?)

Over the past few days I have watched a little, still have a little to review but I will say this -enjoyed Private Practice. I like Addison's character & the people that surround her on the show. Its a little more mature than Grey's Anatomy & I find that refreshing.

I'm going to love Dirty Sexy Money: 1) because I LOVE Peter Krause, 2) The reverend is going to make the show, 3) and I'm going to love the whole Baldwin brother playing a character in love/lust with a tranny hooker. I'm looking forward to that one.

Grey's Anatomy was good, but my least favorite person on the show is Meredith. She's sooo screwed up and I hate women who are "wounded". Men can be wounded, we as women want to fix that - or make them feel better, but I don't like to watch weak women. I'm a little sad for Callie & George. It's not like I didn't expect it to happen, but boy did Izzie go from missing Denny to in love with George fast. I wish Denny didn't die, there is a man who I'd like to see every week.

Black Fingernails Red Wine - Eskimo Joe

I rarely post videos on my blog, but I really love the song and the video to this.

I'd like this day to be over.

I'm really disappointed in the men in my life right now. I feel like I talk and talk and no one listens. So I don't talk and no one comments. I've worked out some of my frustrations working out this morning and I've been tearing apart my house for the last 4 hours. I've cleaned out my pantry, my cabinets, scrubbed both bathrooms and I mean scrubbed can you say toothbrush in the corners. I have my whites soaking in the bathroom with Tide with bleach (why you ask? It bleaches the tub at the same time it pre-soaks the whites.) I've mopped floors, washed, dried & folded clothes. I've changed litter boxes, I've piled everything I could find that my husband left out on the top of his dresser - he'll love that - but it's not making me feel any better.

I need chocolate! Lots of chocolate & maybe I need to nurse George Clooney back to health after his motorcycle accident.

Fall Garden is officially in.

For me there is nothing better than digging in the dirt. The smell of manure, flowers blooming, eating what I've grown - its just a big giant high. Its my own "drug addiction". The gardening thing that is.

I did get my fall garden all planted. In my garden I have two rows of broccoli, three rows of spinach, three rows of head lettuce, and three rows of salad mix. I'm looking forward to some green stuff and maybe, just maybe I'll have enough to share. If you want in - let me know now.

I've been working in the Garden!

All morning long, I have been working in my little, but very productive garden. Its about 15 feet long & 2 or 3 feet wide. This summer it provided me with potatoes, squash & okra. This fall & maybe some winter (its not always freezing here in Texas) it will keep me in lettuce, spinach and broccoli. I can here the yippees from here about the broccoli.

I have incorporated 1 1/2 bags of organic compost into the garden for nutrients and to replace some of the soil that has disappeared over the last year and after one more good turning, I will put the seeds into the ground. There is nothing more satisfying than a job well done. It also helps me eat a little healthier and maybe it will help me lose a few pounds if I eat all this salad. Ya baby.

Can you say ego boost!

I've have gotten so many compliments today on my new hair. Almost everyone has noticed the new cut - some people have noticed the color. Even gay men noticed the new sweater that I called "Boobalicious". It is not revealing, it just accents the twins. Of course when you have DD's, it doesn't take much to make them get noticed.

I feel good!

Woman Stuff - do not read if you're a guy.

I bet all the guys immediately read this blog entry. Here is where they will stop. I just had an eyebrow & bikini wax. I am 39 years old and for the first time in my life had a bikini wax. Not near as bad as I thought it would be, not near as easy and I wish it would have been.

I am slowly but surely doing all the things I've been meaning to do over the past few years. Getting my hair done regularly, getting my eyebrows waxed - now the bikini thing - and facials, I will be getting my first one of those next week.

It feels good to do things for yourself. I am one of those people that take care of everyone else first, then if there is anything left, I take care of me. I'm trying to do better by me these days, not necessarily spending every day in a spa or beauty salon, just regular maintenance. My grandmother says "Women are like cars, the older they get, the more maintenance they need." I've never been compared to a car before, but I hope its a vintage Austin Healy or a hot Aston Martin, at least I know I would never go out of style.

Hormones will get you every time.

I went a little hormonal with Aunt Flo this month. It seems that I all of a sudden decided to become June Cleaver. I pulled up the rug in my living room on Tuesday, beat it to death, polished my wood floors, I've had the den carpet cleaned, I cleaned the refrigerator, got on my hands and knees cleaning the kitchen floor and probably done 12 loads of laundry since Sunday evening. Thank goodness that Aunt Flo has left and I no longer have the desire to start cleaning the closets.

For the record, no, I will not come visit you next time. I have plenty of stuff to do at my house.

Lazy Bloggers in the family

Our family has a lot of bloggers in the family. My mother, my sister, my cousins Brice & Evan, but no one seems to update their blogs but me. Why is this? They are lazy. I used to be the one everyone called a procrastinator, but come on Brice, your blog hasn't been updated since July and you've left your island home on New Zealand and come back to Texas - and you are expecting a new kid. How can we revel in your joy if you don't post it? That may seem a little harsh, but I would rather jump for joy for you than have my mother comment on my lack of photography skills when showing my children's injuries on my blog.

Give me some blog entries you crazy members of my family. I need something new to read!!!

I love you guys! You're awesome! :)

Because today, its all about me.

Today is my birthday, although I have decided to just celebrate the anniversary of a previous birthday. It helps me avoid saying my real age. UGH. Now I have menopause, the AARP and senior discounts to look forward to. Yes, I know those are a little way off, but I'm closer to those things in years than I am to the year I graduated from High School.

That's just plain depressing, to think I've been out of high school more than twenty years. Do I wear black bands around something to signify the death of my youth? Next year I will celebrate because 40 is the new 30, and that sounds so much better than 39 which just sounds old and wrinkly. Now, I have to buy the anti-aging facial cream.

But today it is all about me, fabulous me. My husband & kids got me a new Kate Spade wallet to match my purse. My sister-in-law got me a new key chain. My parents are getting me new luggage. My friend Traci took me to lunch & is feeding my need to read with a couple of books. I have gotten tons of phone calls wishing me happy birthday. I feel loved, appreciated and special. That's what its all about.

I'm just wondering when George Clooney will get here to give me my birthday kiss.

Ladies who Lunch!

I have had the most fabulous of days. My friend Traci, took me to lunch for my birthday, which is tomorrow. We went to Toulouse down on Knox Street. It was excellent! We sat on the patio and enjoyed the wonderful weather. I ate too much fattening food for someone suppose to be on a diet. But the conversation & company was great, so how could I not indulge.

THANKS FOR A GREAT LUNCH TRACI!!

Remembering

Six years ago today I was feeding my oldest child, then 8 month old, watching Good Morning America & talking to my grandma on the phone when Charlie & Diane announced that something was going on at the World Trade Center. They went to the scene and boom the second plane went into the building.

My husband had just lost his job and was on his way to file for unemployment. When he got to the unemployment office, it was surrounded by police and he called me to ask me if I knew what was going on. I told him what was going on and his voice was full of shock "Your kidding me right?" He rushed home and we sat in the den for the rest of the day watching Peter Jennings, and watching and watching and watching.

I never left the den except to go the bathroom after I saw the second plane go into the tower. I'll never forget that day.

I made the board at Curves again!!

I went to Curves today. The first time in I think a month. Somehow, and I truly don't know how, I made the wall as the top 10 losers (weight & inches that is) for the month of August. I really don't know how because I lost no pounds and only .5 inches, but I'll take what I can get. Maybe it will truly motivate me to get moving and get the first 20 lbs. off.

I did sit ups and push ups last night, it was only 5, but I did zero the night before.

Sleep, YES!!

So I took a Xanax last night and slept like the dead. I didn't even feel my husband drop into bed, didn't hear him snore. If I didn't have to go to the bathroom at the ripe old time of 6 am, I would have slept until the alarm. Thank goodness for 8 hours of sleep, even if its drug induced.

I need some sleep!!

I went to bed last night at around 11, which is pretty usual for me. The husband woke me up at 12:30 to let me know he couldn't find Mario to put him in the bathroom for the night. OH LOVELY NIGHT!! Anyway after a 5 minute search he was quickly located and locked in the bathroom. I, of course, could not go back to sleep.

I have had insomnia since I was a Sophomore in High School. I can almost never fall asleep after I get woken up. Of course, last night was no exception. After the Mario fiasco, around 1:30 Turco, another one of my cats, woke me up puking in the bedroom. My husband was kind enough to tap me on the shoulder and ask me if I was going to clean that up. In revenge, I turned on every light in the bedroom to do it. HEH! HEH! HEH! Turco then ran off to the den where he barfed up a cockroach - I am feeling nauseous just thinking about it. Turco has lost his voice and sounds like a old man with a smokers cough. I've though he has a bird bone stuck in this throat, but maybe it was just the cockroach.

After cleaning up the cockroach, I let Turco outside & Zelda, the old woman of a cat we've had since we got married, decides to come in for a midnight snack. At 2:54, I know this because I looked at the clock, she informed me in her old lady kitty voice that she was ready to go outside. Again, the husband tapped me on the shoulder and told me Zelda wanted to go outside.

Needless to say that I am functioning on about 2 1/2 hours of sleep and not in a very good mood. I'm going to take a nap.

Welcome Mario

We have a new family member. In a weak moment we went to visit the kitties the SPCA had up for adoption. This little booger went straight to Hunter and threw his paws up on the window around his face. It was love at first sight. I told Mason, and he said "Take him home."

I'm not sure it that was a good thing or a bad thing. The other cats haven't gotten used to him yet; he has his own litter box that I have to clean out at least twice a day; oh, he finds the washing machine riveting.

The kids named him after Super Mario Brothers - Mason thinks it should be Mario Andretti, because he runs everywhere at full speed.

A little fun with the girls!

Tonight, the girls got together to raise a glass to our friend Traci's 50th birthday. I had a great time. Gordon, thank you so much for cooking for us. Charlene, thank you for having us. Traci, thank you for giving us an excuse to get together & drink wine. I'm almost sure that Tami agrees with me on that. My third birthday present, after the Cooper's GC & The Billdo, is not to put your picture of you blowing out your candles on the cake. I would put it up, but I know you would probably prefer for me to leave it off. So happy birthday again.

Happy Birthday Traci!! You are awesome and other smarmy stuff girls say to each other. See you at work!

My Grandma

This is me and my Grandma. I talk to her almost everyday, but never see her enough. I keep her in trashy romance novels and she keeps me up with wacky news programs. She also gives my parents someone to keep up with and to dote on. She says that she's got to be the luckiest woman in the world to have my parents looking after her. And that no one could have son-in-law as good as she has or one that loves her more. I must thank my parents for watching out for her, she appreciates it more than you know. I do to.

Ya baby!!

After standing outside in countless thunderstorms, I finally got my bolt of lightening.

Ever just had to laugh.

On the way home today, we were on some back road in Arkansas and in the front yard of this house was this sign, it said "Bud White" painted in black letters on a white background. Mason being Mason, had to read it out loud.

Mason: "Bud White"

Ethan: " No Dad, its bud-light."

Arkansas & it's booming industries!

If you've been reading my other blog, Coplin Copy, you will have noticed that we've spent the last three days in Arkansas.

It has a wealth of industry and I have found my two favorites and am looking to franchise. Anyone have a favorite?