Thursday, April 30, 2009

Dancing With The Stars Update

Well, for the first time, I was wrong about who should go on DWTS! Sigh......... Actually this is one of the best competition I have ever seen and it was a shame to lose anyone, however, I really felt the weaker person was Shawn but maybe everyone else was tired of watching Chuck and Julianne make cow eyes at one another. Things are really going to get interesting from here on out as everyone is very talented. I will wait until the dancing portion next week to make my next prediction. And, at long last, I am about to update Cha-Cha-Change can.
In the meantime, please remember to pray for Amanda.
Peace my friends!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Life Lessons

*****Another one from a previous day******

On the day God blesses us with children, we begin an interesting journey. A journey that proves to be more fraught with roadblocks than we ever imagined. As good, free thinking adults we know that it is our job to instruct them through life. Little do we realize that the teaching never ends.
When they are little, we pound into their consciousness not to talk to strangers, look both ways when crossing streets and never run with scissors. We teach them not to bite their playmates and to share their treasured toys. Fortunately, fear is a good teacher. It is the fear of burning their hand that makes them not touch the stove. In teen-age years, the fear of “getting in trouble” often helps them make better decisions.
Lessons in morality they learn merely from watching the adults around them and either decide that things are okay or probably not. They have watched television, movies and listened to adults talk about things which may scare or confuse them and we try to bring clarity about these things. They are touched by events happening on the fringes of their lives but to some degree they are insulated by the adults responsible for them. Unfortunately, often parents never give up the desire to insulate them and in doing so, we encourage bad habits.
As they grow the lessons change. Suddenly, we need to impart the need for modesty, respect and chastity. They need to learn to be responsible and dependable. And here is where we start to miss the mark. Fear isn’t a factor anymore. They no longer fear our disapproval, therefore, they aren’t afraid to stretch the boundaries. We teach them to be irresponsible by accepting excuses for why they aren’t responsible or we take it upon ourselves to do the things they should be doing for themselves. Dependability is not as important as making sure that whatever they want is accomplished before they do what is expected of them. And fear has moved to the other side of the playing field. Now we are the ones who are afraid that if we instruct them in certain areas, they won’t like us anymore. We forget that they will always love us, but fail to recognize that it is not always necessary that they like us.
Suddenly, they have embarked upon their own lives. They are still suspicious of strangers, they are careful crossing streets and they certainly would never bite someone except a playful nip here and there. The childhood lessons seemed to have fallen on very fertile soil, taken root and flourished. They are pretty good at sharing, for the most part play nicely with most people and seem to have a fairly good working knowledge of right and wrong.
And, as parents, we sit back and think our work here is done. Now we can just watch them take flight and enjoy them. They like us, we are their friend. This is where we have let our children down. As they become adults living in a difficult world, grey areas in life become larger. If they are still looking at life in Technicolor they are probably headed for trouble. If they have lost their black and white vision and are either seeing life through rosy glasses or the lines between right and wrong have become blurred it is our duty to adjust the picture.
As adults it becomes necessary for them to learn life’s real lessons. The lessons of reliability, humility, responsibility need to be readdressed for their sake. But the lesson of simple human forgiveness, the most important lesson they can learn, falls by the road and lies like a piece of trash. The lesson of learning to forgive others is the one lesson they will learn that will make life easier for them every day they live it. If they are encouraged to harbor disappointments, hurts, and offenses and not forgive, the fabric of their life will be unalterably changed. And teaching this will not make a parent popular because no one wants to learn this lesson.
Forgiving another human being brings peace to us like nothing else can. For it is in forgiving that we can somewhat achieve Christ like behavior. For the sins of man He gave His perfect life and asked nothing in return except that we try to emulate Him. I wonder if any of us ever had anyone expect us to die for their mistakes. Or do we instead, choose to crucify perceived offenders over and over again?
In our lives, we all fall short of the mark, but we must continue to try.
If we don’t continue to instruct our children to forgive, the world will soon become a very nasty place to be. It is not enough to forgive people who are easy to forgive. We must learn to forgive the people that take work. How much of an impact would Christ have made on the world if He had died only for the people who loved Him? Wouldn’t we all do this? But He chose to be crucified for the people who hated Him, tortured Him and denied His very existence.
We will never know in our lives, the number of people who are waiting to love us in return if we allow it. Or the number of people who love us in spite of our behavior. We also aren’t good at looking at our own “sins.” We can see the things that people do to us so clearly and can justify our own faults so quickly.
As parents, our lessons should never stop. We should never let our judgment become so clouded by affection for our children that we give up the right to instruct. We need to be constantly vigilant for signs that their ability to see situations clearly is becoming skewed. While it may appear they are as right as can be, it is our duty to make sure they see the impact they have on others around them. There has been but one perfect person. None of us will ever live up to the standards set by Him. We will all bring pain to others in our lifetime, but if we want forgiveness for ourselves, we must forgive others. We must also teach them that asking for forgiveness is not weakness but a sign of simple faith. In learning to mend the rips and tears in life we learn to trust others with our hearts. Offering our heart in an act of forgiveness binds us together in ways that cross over blood ties and family.
We must teach our children that life is a fleeting moment and what happens here will determine our destiny. Things on earth matter but it is what we will take with us that matters most. If we fail them in faith, trust, love and forgiveness all the other lessons we have taught will be useless.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Things We Bring

****On occasion when there isn't much that is blog worthy, I drag out one of my golden moldies***** Most things I write are the result of life happening. They are my observations and opinions and should they anger or offend I am sorry. However, just as I will fight for my right to opine on my own feelings, I will also fight for yours. So feel free to chime in if you want.



Life is an ever evolving movie full of twists and turns. Within each of us lies a story interesting beyond words if we could only know how to tell it. Watch any movie and there will be times when you are excited, depressed, happy, sad and incredulous that such things could really happen. But guess what? Amazing things do happen in ordinary people’s lives that we never know about, never see. And as quickly as those amazing moments flash alive, they flicker into memory and are stored away.
I am forever amazed at the complexity of the human relationship. Relationships have a maze like quality. No two are the same. One might lead us on an incredible journey while another may lead us to a dead end with no easy way out.
When people are young, perhaps 14 or so they begin to seek out relationships with an opposite of their gender. Most of their experience has been with family or friends who are like them. Suddenly they begin to notice pleasing aspects in members of the opposite sex.
These relationships are the first step in their travelogue of life. A young boy and girl bring to this experience an innocence. An almost pure attraction. Not yet have they been wounded by others so they explore this relationship with excitement. They are learning themselves in a whole new way. They are fun to watch although often they are almost nauseating in their innocent enjoyment of having a significant other. Sometimes these relationships which are born in youth, endure, grow and last a lifetime. Unfortunately, more often they die a natural death and the participants move on to another playing field.
No relationship that follows will have the same purity of spirit. For suddenly, there has been hurt. Someone cared more than the other and someone’s heart developed a little crack. And that slightly damaged heart is forced to move along life’s highway in search of another vehicle. The hurting person now brings with them a wariness and distrust. The offender develops a self assured cockiness that thickens the skin and hardens the heart ever so slightly.
These two people move in and out of life. Through darkness and light they bump against other travelers and sometimes they rest in a new relationship for a while. And the mold has been set, the die cast. The hurting heart usually continues to be battered about and indeed can even look for the ability to inflict pain in others. The crack becomes bigger exposing tender parts beneath.
It isn’t that a damaged person really wants to be hurt, but they have grown used to it. It clouds the vision and they can no longer “see” those qualities of pure affection. Deep inside, they yearn for something better, different, healthy. But they bring that poor little hurting heart along for every ride they take and soon the trip just doesn’t seem worth it at all.
And so, human beings bring along their baggage into every future relationship. Some have cute little monogrammed tote bags and they cringe at the sight of someone struggling to load their steamer trunk into a new experience. But all baggage both large or small is problematic. Because we bring it with us, we are never free of the events that packed it in the first place. Sometimes we even like to sit and go through our suitcases full of issues and relive them. It hurts and feels good all at the same time, like picking at a scab. Unfortunately, once we are through examining the contents of our luggage, we carefully repack it. We never seem to find even one little item that we can leave behind. In fact, now that we’ve began the reloading, we often find we have more to put back than when we unpacked. And so, we bring ever increasing numbers of cases and boxes. Now we need a cart to load them on. Soon instead of us hauling them, they are dragging us down the road of life. Occasionally, they can stack themselves into huge roadblocks that keep us from going forward and we’re much to afraid to go back. After all, we know what happened before.
The things we bring can be changed but it isn’t easy. Imagine getting to your destination without your luggage. Everything familiar is in that suitcase. Some of it you don’t even really need; you brought it “just in case.” That suitcase is a part of you, in essence it IS you. Now what? What if that piece of baggage is lost forever. What if it winds up in a baggage room in Milwaukee, untagged and unclaimed.
After mourning the fact that it is indeed lost, cursing the careless handling by those in charge and wringing your hands about what to do, you decide. You get yourself to the nearest all purpose store and buy a new toothbrush, shampoo and a pair of serviceable undies. You hang your travel worn clothes on the shower rod and run a hot bath and steam the wrinkles out of your slacks and your spirit as well.
And tomorrow the sun rises like always and you are still part of life. That suitcase may be missing, but you are still here. And, because you’ve lost your luggage, there is a brand new aspect to your existence.
None of us will live and love and be unchanged. We each will hurt and be hurt. We will stand and fall and stand again. We will bring our experience with us and try to educate our children.
What I hope is that along the way, we can begin to cast aside our baggage. It isn’t in the failure of a relationship that we find the thorn. The thorn is in never trying again, never allowing ourselves to trust. The thorn is waiting in one of those old suitcases to prick our finger and make us remember our pain.
So bring with you instead your injured heart with a bright shiny SpongeBob band-aid. And a brand new suitcase waiting to be filled with new memories. Open your heart instead of your old baggage. Make the thing you bring a willingness to try and try and try again. Bring your love and allow it to seek its’ mirror.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Softball Fun

Tonight we slipped over to Ben Geren and watched Genevieve and Audrey play softball. This was a much more pleasant experience than the last one we attended. Genevieve's team has progressed a lot in just a matter of a few days. They won. Genevieve hit well and fielded well, she's really catching on. Audrey's little team is a joy and balm for the spirit. I defy you to be in a bad mood after watching one of these games. Audrey got a good hit and managed to pull a homerun out of it. Tonight Audrey decided she would attempt to play catcher. She actually did pretty well until she decided to stick her arm up through the catcher's mask from the inside and then couldn't get it out. She was standing there with her little arm protruding from the front of the mask patiently waiting for someone to help her. I couldn't have gone to her assistance if my life had depended on it, I was laughing too hard to move from my seat. She also got hit by a thrown ball which hurt and she cried a little but she was a trooper about it although she did request to sit in the dugout after that.
All the parents were very well behaved and it was much more fun for all concerned. All in all a very enjoyable evening. Beautiful weather, cute kids and pleasant spectators. It doesn't get any better.

All's Quiet on the Blogging Front

Wow, it is quiet in the Blog world these days! This must mean that everyone has liberated themselves from the small sucking screen and re-emerged into the world. Yard work anyone? I confess I have had little to blog about for the past few days and from the looks of the blogs I follow regularly everyone else is suffering from the same lack of blog worthy news. But I haven't forgotten about my few readers and I intend to post one of my "gems" from previous days either tonight or tomorrow. Stay turned and please remember to say a prayer for Amanda and her family. Thanks!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Am I Right or Am I Right?

Told you so, I knew LT would be hangin' up those dancin' shoes this week. I hate to see him go because he has such an easy way about him, but one could tell he was really missing the golf course.
This week they are also having new pro dancers who are auditioning for spots on the next season's show. I enjoyed all of them except for the girl who looked like a chihuahua and was named "Snow." Seriously, the least she could do is dye her hair black and be a paradox. Instead she has that platinum hair which I guess is supposed to be "cute" with a name like Snow.
I think next week, they may bring back the baby dancers and I love, love, love them! And the competition should be super tough because everyone left has pretty good abilities.
I'm very tired, have had a super long day, I am vindicated in my DWTS prediction. Onward and Upward, or perhaps it is Backward and Downward since I'm off to the bed!
Peace!

Who Is On the Chopping Block This Week?

I know you are all waiting with bated breath to know who I think is going home from DWTS this week. Unfortunately, as much as I like him, I think LT is heading for the locker room. I just don't think he can keep up the pace required to stay in the hunt. I was really impressed with Shawn last night, there's a girl after my own heart. Those thighs are the thighs of a "real" girl. She absolutely kicked butt last night in my opinion and I thought she got hosed in her scores. Even though she is not my choice to win the whole thing, no one outdanced her last night. Gilles still has not called me in spite of all my attempts to inform him that my bag is packed and I'm ready. Ty redeemed himself last night by waltzing back into the judges hearts. He is quite an enigma to me, he can do graceful dances all day long but anything quick and lively he seems to be off his timing. Wouldn't you think someone who spends their time on the back of bucking livestock could do quick instead of graceful? Melissa is just downright beautiful to watch...I hope that "turdy" little Bachelor guy is somewhere banging his head into a concrete wall. Lil Kim continues to be able to find costumes that "sort of" conceal all that junk in the trunk she's packing. But she can dance and while I don't like her personally, she is probably a pretty good pick. Chuck is just too happy, smiley and non-threatening for my taste. Of course he and Julianne are the living Ken and Barbie of the show and therefore impossible to hate. That being said, if Julianne starts walking around on her "tippy toes" all the time like Barbie does, we're seriously going to have issues. Anywhooooooooooooo, we will see just how closely I have my finger on the pulse of America tonight. My prediction is LT is headed home.

Monday, April 20, 2009

I seriously know someone named Croydon

Of course, it is well documented that I have immersed myself in genealogy of late. Recently, I received an email from the UK from a well removed relative from the far back side of my family tree. His name is Croydon Onyett and he lives in Huntingdonshire England. Well, my excitement just about went atomic! Because the only thing better than tracing my family lineage and "Dancing With The Stars" is my complete addiction to the "Tudors." And the good queen Katharine of Aragon spent quite a bit of her exile in Huntingdonshire. Of course that creep Cromwell was running around like a bloody nuisance in that area as well. However, I am pleased to report that it looks like his number is just about to come up with crazy King Henry as well.
Anyway, Croydon is giving me quite a history lesson in my family and it is pretty neat to have someone that you actually know across the big water, even if you don't know them personally.
I heard from my ex-boss today and he is still LOVING France alot. His mom and her best friend are coming to see him in two weeks so he will be driving them around the countryside. He also said his wife and boys will be coming in June and I know that he is really looking forward to seeing his family. He sent me a picture of a very ugly chicken that he was about to prepare in class today. Poor thing still had all its' parts (the chicken, not Terry) well, come to think of it Terry still probably has all his parts too. He said he had 10 days break from class for Easter break and I'm figuring he really enjoyed having some time off.
Guess I'll go, the mornings come awfully quickly these days!

Yellowpage ads - the new terror threat

Okay, is it just me or is the whole country sick of those yellow page tv commercials? Good grief I cannot fathom the amount of money that is being wasted on television, advertising something we all know about. After all, they are in the book, on cable TV and on the internet AND our cellphones. The yellowpages are hard to lose.
What really frosts my cookies is that they show them 3 and 4 at a time back to back and it seems like every commercial break is for the yellowpages. They did save money however and only produced 2 which they show over and over and over again. First it will be the 2 elderly people hunting the "herd" of dentists in Africa and then the skier stalking the pizza guys in the snow, then back to the dentists.
And who is the audience they are trying to gather here? Is it us, the uninformed and sheeplike consumer? Or is it the desperately struggling business owners who are having a difficult time keeping their employees paid because of the sagging economy. In either case, it is money wasted and the annoyance factor is becoming huge. Even if I had a business and money to spend, I think those ads would have just the opposite effect on me. I'm not much into bludgeoning a point home albeit subtle as it may be.
Now, daily rant over............on to what I hope is going to be a nice warm, sunny day for a change.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Milestones in spiritual journeys

Today, Abby had her first communion. Roger and I were pleased to be able to be there to witness such an important step in her spiritual journey. I am really happy that we have such a diverse group of family members. Falling on all sides of the denomination
spectrum our family can have some pretty interesting and lively conversations and debates. What is gratifying is to watch everyone come together to support one another regardless of where they align spiritually. Today supporting Abby were Catholics, Methodists, Baptists and Church of Christ all coming together to let her know that she is loved on all sides of her family.
After the service and lunch, Roger and I came home and had long naps which left us both fuzzy headed and disoriented. Then we watched The Tudors and now at least I am about to hit the hay. We had raging thunderstorms last night which kept me awake quite a bit since I was here alone with all the scared of storms dogs. Poor Max is so traumatized by thunder and lightening he goes into Roger's office and makes himself as small as he can and hides his head. I guess he thinks the T & L can't get his butt so he turns it to the danger! I think the dogs and I are all ready to have the cool and wet weather go away for a spell.
I did get my Pampas grass planted so hopefully I can talk Miss Betty into NOT digging it up. She is working really hard on getting rid of the big tree limb that fell in the backyard. All the ends of the branches have been chewed off so maybe if I leave the limb out there she will ignore the baby grass for a while. If she tries to chew on that stuff she's liable to shred her tongue. Those blades on the grass are very sharp. Of course, I'm betting Max will kill it first by peeing on it daily. He seems to think anything vertical in the yard is his personal potty post.
Gotta go and sleep. Big week ahead!
Please remember to pray for Amanda and her family!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Please pray for Amanda

Dear Readers:
I am asking for you to put this girl on any and every prayer list you have access to. This is the daughter of a friend of mine. Amanda will be 33 years old on June 18th and has 4 small children. She has been put on a heart transplant list. I really don't know what the future holds for her family. This family has suffered beyond our wildest imagination. Amanda's father was a police officer in Fort Smith and was murdered 30+ years ago by an escaped convict right in front of the State Police headquarters here in Fort Smith. I spoke with Amanda's mother this evening and she said they are taking things one day at a time but she told me that she firmly believed in the power of prayer. When I told her that I blog she was so excited that I could solicit prayers for Amanda.
My heart is so heavy right now and I feel guilty for asking God for anything when I am so lucky that everyone in my family has their health. Please pray for Amanda!

Kiss your Jackass goodbye!

He's gone from Dancing With The Stars and my excitement is boundless. My only hope is that they don't decide to recruit either Johnny Obnoxiousville or the little short guy to be on the next season. I was really sick of Steve-O's leering into the camera and making little double entendre jokes that were funny only to himself.
As much as I will hate it Ty is probably next to go. He is just too adorable for words but he will really have to shake the rosin from his butt and limber up those cute little bowlegs to stay with his competition.
I've already informed Roger that if Gilles calls I'm leaving with him. Although I have to say his wife is probably more in danger of him leaving with Cheryl than me. ;)
I am very tired of the cool damp weather, it seems to have settled into my bones and I can't get warm. And I'm further sick of this persistent sore throat that I can't get rid of. My cough is better but my throat feels like I've run a wire brush down it.
My family is feeling the power of your prayers, we have had some very positive things happen in the past couple of weeks. Still experiencing those wonderful challenges but the strength we are gaining from our friends is heartening.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Dueling banjos anyone?

Okay, I'm going to save Kaylee the trouble of posting this. I'll take the heat over this one. I've just spent an hour at a 6 year old softball game and honestly I thought I didn't really have trouble with class until tonight. Please understand I'm speaking not of social classes but the ingrained class or lack of that people possess.
During the game, I heard some of the most foul language ever (and please understand, I realize I'm capable of dropping a bomb now and then myself.) But I really do try to keep my comments age appropriate. This delightful image of womanhood was responsible for the 2 kids who crawled behind me on the bleachers and kicked me in the kidneys not once but twice. However, she did repeatedly request that they "sit their butts down." I really wanted to request that she "shut her mouth up."
I was further convinced that the ump was going to get lynched over a blown call (even though) she gave our team a "make up call" to try to make it better. When we left, there was a crowd of angry parents questioning the parentage of the ump and discussing protesting the game over calls she made. Are you kidding me? Even if we had back 2 blown calls, we still got our knickers kicked and it wouldn't have made a nickles worth of difference.
I feel sorry for the kids, the guy that pitches to them could be recruited by the Cardinals. They could use a good arm and a high fast ball. However, the small girls he's pitching to don't have a chance in China of seeing the ball much less hitting it.
Matt is helping coach but he is not the main coach therefore his hands are pretty effectively tied in helping develop any skills or technique. What is a pity is they do have some talent on their team but in these hands it is horribly wasted.
It almost appears that a group of people who are all very closely related decided to form their own ballteam and invite others to join.
I will confess that I have spent my moments hanging from the wire of the backstop practically hysterical over a little league baseball game but I don't recall ever referring to a call the ump made as some dirty *X#?!@ (#@!?! Wow!
I'm going now and putting my sore kidneys, sore throat, aching head and burning shoulders to bed to try to forget the evening. All but Genevieve and how cute she looked in her little pink T-shirt.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Who'll stop the rain?

Mercy me! And the rains came........and came........and came. My back yard looks like a small lake, my dogs are huddled inside the house and I've had to turn the heater back on.
I know come July I will be wishing for some nice cool damp weather but right now, I am just plain old cold to the bone. I really need a nice warm weekend day to try to get my yard in order a little. If it is pretty, I have things to do that take me away from home and then when I'm home it's yuck outside.
I really have nothing interesting to report. We seem to be in a holding pattern right now just waiting on the next big thing.
I do wish you all a Happy Easter. Praises to our God!
Lavetta

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Too Pooped to Post

My allergy/cold/whatever the heck it is has really played heck with me this week. I have coughed/sneezed/blown nose/etc. until I am simply exhausted. It always bothers me when I can't get on top of something like this. I have been in bed the past 2 nights before 9:00 pm and I'm still just whipped. Of course, then I wake myself up coughing or sneezing and can't go back to sleep. Last night was Roger's night to go to Greenwood and I convinced him to stay home with me because I felt so rough. I think all this crud compounded by the personal crisis going on in the family has kind of just worn me out.
I wanted to touch base and let everyone know that I feel the strength of your prayers and appreciate them more than I can say. I think my mom is finally feeling better. She sounded 100% better yesterday when I talked to her. She had actually gotten out and gone to the grocery store. I think that is the first time she has left her house in over a week. I worry about her so much. She is much too far away for me to be of any help to her and this latest bout she had with a stomach virus really jerked all the pizzazz out of her.
I'm hoping to recoup both my health and my sense of humor soon. Hope you all are doing muuuuuch better than I am! : )

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Good Morning FOBs (friends of Blog)

My loyal little commenter left her comment - she is one person that I know for a fact reads almost daily. (Thanks PD) I do realize that lots of people don't know how to comment but feedback kind of makes the world go 'round. It's a little like carrying on a 1 sided telephone conversation. Suddenly, you think....no one's there, hello? are you still there?
I think part of my deal is that I am one of those people who have to be "affirmed" every now and then. I sure wish I weren't, my life would be super simple then. But I am just like an old dog, give me a pat on the head every now and then and I'll do tricks for you.
I am still fighting the upper respiratory coughing, sneezing, constantly throat clearing crud. I am so ready to be done with it - last night almost did me permanent damage. Sometime in the evening we turned the heater on and it got too hot in the house. I like to sleep in the really cold with loads of blankets. But I can't stand the heat blowing on me while I sleep. So I woke up with a dry throat, coughing and all stopped up.....yuck! Of course, I can now compete with Roger in the coughing contest.
Gotta run and finish up my getting ready for my day. Peace to all - drop a comment and win jewelry.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Lurkers.......heads up!


Okay, I have decided to MAKE you comment on my blog. I am going to give away a lovely necklace and earring set to one commenter. You must leave your comment on my blog site between now and April 15th to be entered into the drawing. I know there are people reading but I would really like to know if I have several or if the same people just log in many times a day. If this doesn't pull you out of hibernation, I don't know what will. The set will be one of the three pictured here....I really don't think you will be disappointed.

Quick Post

Dancing With The Stars night again!!! I am hopeful that my last remaining thorn in the side will live down to my expectations and therefore get the boot tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I am excited to see the improvement that has been made this past week by my favorites.
The Tudors started last night so I am in happy TV watching land right now. Roger is not so thrilled but he can watch his own brand of TV while I overindulge myself!
Have had some really great things happen in the past week and some really crappy things as well to members of my family so even though I know you pray for me as I do you, please ratchet up for a few days as we struggle through a rough patch.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Shoot yourself in the foot.

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly be more in awe of infomercials (ie: the Snuggie) they have come out with the Pedi-Pistol.
This is a personal pedicure device that appears to be roughly the size of a blow dryer that is supposed to allow you to reach your own feet without having to bend over.
Are you kidding me?! First of all let's consider the lack of control you have holding something 2 feet away from your feet. I'm thinking I don't want to be trying to file my own toenails from that distance - it might be difficult to stop the rapid blood loss after I sheared off one of my digits trying to shape my toenail.
Besides I'm mad at the Pedi people anyway. After falling for all the hype about the Pedi Paws for dogs and cats I will never trust them again. Just try to get close to your animal with something that sounds like a buzz saw and emits the odor of burning nails if you are ever lucky enough to get them to submit for a filing. Load of malarky alert!!!!
But I guess you shouldn't take my word for it - you can borrow my Pedi Paw unit to test it. But beware........the response I've had with it is equal to the time I decided that vacuuming my cat would be a good idea. If paper shredders were as effective as she was no one would ever have to worry about someone stealing their sensitive information out of the trash. She very nearly ripped me to shreds. Believe me I couldn't get that vacuum cleaner turned off quick enough!
Or you can take your blow dryer (don't plug it in for God's sake) stick a pencil in the end of it and just see how much control you would have trying to do delicate intricate work on your feet with it. I'm betting you won't feel terribly adept at doing your own pedicure.
Granted there are some things advertised on infomercials that truly intrique me but I usually try to resist temptation. After all, I am the daughter of the woman who bought a Flow-bee self hair cutting machine. My poor mother who didn't have a lot of hair to begin with thought that particular money and time saving device would be just the ticket. After it pulled her hair out by the roots and turned her hair into something resembling those poor people who came out of the concentration camps, she too became convinced that there really isn't anything that takes the place of a "real" person providing a personal service. Hairdressers and manicurists I salute you for truly you are in a profession that can never be mechanized.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Blowing wind, roller skates and Fish!

I've finally made it back home after a very big day. I started off the day working at the Landscaper's office till noon. Then we went to Van Buren for Audrey's roller skating party. After we ate birthday cake, we went to Alma to Catfish Hole and ate lunch. Yum, yum. We were missing Matt, Kaylee and the girls because they had other plans, TJ wasn't with us, also Stacy and Kaleb were absent and Rick and Kody couldn't attend. But we had a great time, wonderful meal and loads of laughter and fun. I really feel sorry for people who have to eat in the same place with us, but heck they just need to join us and they'd have a good time too. After we had gotten seated good, Matt's family arrived at the same place, so we could have had Audrey's party there!
But all this activity has totally worn me out and I'm thinking a nap might do me well. So...........if I don't see you, good day, good evening and good night!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Oh yes, they call me the flash!

Or how to make it to work by 8:00 when you wake up at 7:20.
Well, I did it to myself. I was the one that said I was going to velvet hammer myself to sleep last night. However, I didn't do that, instead I watched TV until 2:00 am this morning. The next thing I remember was waking up at 7:20. Let me tell you I had no trouble waking up.
For the next 30 minutes I was a study in frenzied efficiency. My first order of business was to deal with the dogs but then I remembered it was trash day. I couldn't avoid taking the trash down as we missed the trash truck last week and we were about to have to move because there was too much trash in the garage.
Ironing was out of the question but I did manage to do a quick bath, blow dry my hair and slap on a face. No one said anything about how bad I looked so I A: either did okay preparing myself for the day OR B: I look really horrible ALL the time! Tomorrow is the beautiful Miss Audrey's Birthday Extravaganza! Seems impossible that our baby girl is 5.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Ain't no cure for this.

Or.......why grandchildren should be labeled as walking talking pestilence carriers. Honestly, I don't know about anyone else but in our family if one of the grandkids has some sort of virulent sickness, it runs rampant through the family like a raging wildfire.
The latest has been some sort of stomach virus that makes the children sick as dogs, complete with spewing. They are sick for days and lose weight they can't afford to lose. In adults, it seems to only make you feel like you could spew and you certainly don't lose any weight, well I didn't anyway. I am very hopeful this lovely mess passes from our midst in short order................COME ON SPRING! You've teased us enough! There are flowers to plant and yards to mow, beds to mulch, gardens to till, swings to be sat in, and evenings to be enjoyed without the need for a "Snuggie."
Speaking of the "Snuggie", can someone tell me why if you want to sit on the couch in a throw with sleeves, you don't simply put your bathrobe on backward? Another reason Roger says I am the most unnatural of women, I see no sense or need for those at all. I'm sorry if I've offended any "Snuggie" owners but for me personally, I can't see myself at a football game or backyard Bar-BQ wearing one, therefore, I think I can make do with the old terry cloth robe.
I think this is all I have to say tonight. Roger is in Greenwood, so I'm taking pills turning on the humidifier and hoping to wake tomorrow without this wicked sore throat.
Peace out!