How long will THIS last?

Can you tell what this is a picture of?
You'll have to ignore the poor lighting.

Ignore the screwdriver on the table.
This post isn't about that.

Look at HOW MANY JACKETS are on this chair.
Grandy has given up and declared to be on strike in the "chase after you to hang up your jacket" category.

What does this mean?
It means we play THE
GUESS HOW MANY JACKETS WILL END UP ON THIS CHAIR GAME!!

Anybody with the closest number in the pool wins a prize.
You get to kill my Fubby FOR me!

WTF Wednesday - A Day or So Late

Since the Grandy Wednesdays have been a bit more crazy (and I suppose it's not just Wednesdays), I've been remiss in sharing some funny tidbits that I've stumbled upon.

You may know that my dear husband (insert "bless his heart" comment here) has a nickname. The nickname I came up with for him is "FUBBY". He's always been HUBBY on this blog, but there are moments he is just a F***N HUBBY!!

Well, we have never gone this far in our disagreements...but I like the way these people think.

Family Vacation minus 1

As you read this, Grandy & the little man are off on a vacation to DC. Fubby couldn't come with us this time, and it's kinda feeling like it won't be the same.

I've taken business trips without him, and gone on weekends away with girlfriends, but I've never taken an actual "vacation" without him since we've been together.

It will be odd I think. Little man and I will have a great time, I'm sure. We get to travel with Mom, a Sister, and her family. Lots of pictures will be taken, lots of laughs will be shared, and lots of memories will be made.

Somehow I think though...it just won't be the same. If Fubby read my blog, I would put a little note here that said something like, "See you when we'll get back! We'll miss you!"

But alas...he doesn't...so that would be pointless.

Have a great day everybody!!!

Powers of the Perfection Perception

As Grandy was racing down the hill on Saturday last week, she thought to herself...

30 Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwhiches made, all the scouts and leaders are fed - Check

Laundry has been transferred - Check

Took care of man who cut his leg with the chain saw - Check (seriously...I had 30 scouts and leaders in my dang back yard and I'M the one taking care of the chain saw injury because the Dad didn't want anyone "to know".)

Did Grandy get her house cleaned? - NO Check

Grandy was now racing to a 1:00 baby shower, an hour away, and then a 5:00 bridal shower also an hour away. (For the record, they were two different people and yes, they were about 15 minutes from each other at least.)

BUT Grandy's house is NOT clean. It's anything but! UGH!! A nap is on the schedule on or about January 13, 2010...when will Grandy get a chance to CLEAN?

The thought crossed my mind that perhaps I'm just not built to be domestically inclined. There are those people...maybe I'm just one of them. Grandy tries to keep it all together, but can only keep up the appearance for so long. If any of those scouts had to actually come into the house, I'm pretty certain it would give Ty a nickname that would carry him through high school.

That night I was instructed to meet the boys at a friend's house who is having a "get together", I dutifully arrived at around 9:00. My girlfriends were obviously well ahead of me in their quest to escape all reality and get their drink on, and I decided I wasn't going to try to catch up (shocking I know). Hey...Grandy can still get her party on, and have a good time, without alcohol.
The conversation took an interesting turn when one girlfriend started talking about how hard she works to be perfect for her husband and family. WTF? Perfect?!

I asked her to define what her take on perfection was, and she was able to tell me quicker than blinking. One of the keys to her perfection was a clean house. Not just a "clean" house, but an uber-no-dirt-to-be-found-cans lined in a row-everything in its place-clean.

THEN I asked her to define what her husband thought perfection was... blink... blink. A clean house.

She asked me how I do it all, and I laughed and rolled my eyes. I don't do it ALL. I do a lot, and fake the rest. She says, "NO!! You are amazing with all the stuff you do, and do well." Now, this woman has seen the inside of my house, maybe it was a while ago, but she's been inside. It is nowhere near perfection. Doesn't she know that?

This woman carried on (and I do love this woman) with talking about all the committees I'm on, and run, all the events I do, the hours of work I put in, and how hard the work is. Bless her heart, she actually said that she wants to BE LIKE GRANDY. *Put the crack pipe down and no one gets hurt* Seriously?

On a day where Grandy is questioning whether she is doing enough, and wonders how she can even do what she's doing, and someone is praising her? Someone with an immaculately clean house? Huh??

One thing my friend struggles with is how to relate to her husband. I told her she needed to sit down and ask him what he thought perfection was. If she's working so hard to be perfect, based on what she thinks is perfect and doesn't know anymore what he wants, then what's the point? All her efforts are being lost for the wrong reasons. With that, when I dropped her off, she hugged me and skipped off to her house.

"You are a wise and good soul Grandy." she called out. (she truly does call me Grandy)

It just goes to show you...just when you feel like you are at your weakest, and not fooling anyone. Someone comes along to remind you that you're doing something right... even if you can't see my dining room table.

The Hidden Keys to Relationships

Today Grandy visited the Annual Fire Department Garage Sale. It's a big thing where people all over town donate their unwanted things, in hopes that if it sells, the money goes to our volunteer fire department. Going through the discards of so many families makes it that much more fun.

Grandy could not miss the opportunity to take a picture of this...

Relationships can be a difficult thing.

I don't know a single marriage that hasn't faced obstacles from all angles.

Whether or not one is strong enough to weather the storm, can go either way.

Grandy wonders, however, whether or not the couple that bought these videos made it the distance.

I suppose it might have helped them a little... if they had maybe OPENED one of the videos though.

Happy Anniversary Honey!!

Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary.

Six years ago, on March 1st, my Hubby finally gave in and made the best decision he ever made. It's a good thing too, because it has worked out pretty well for this girl too.

A couple weeks ago I saw a meme over at Jenn's place where it was all about her Hubby, Mr. Fixit. Well knowing that this special day was coming, I thought it would be perfect to post it here.


1)Husbands Name: Hubby (just here on the blog)
2)How long have you been married?: 6 years ago Tomorrow!!
3)How long did you date?: 4 1/2 years
4)How old is he?: 39
5)Who eats more sweets?: I think he does now...although he wouldn't admit it.
6)Who is the better singer?: ME
7)Who is smarter?: I think we compliment each other. He knows a lot of stuff about crap...and I know a lot of crap about good stuff.
8)Who does the laundry?: I do most of the laundry...he will do some if I boycott his socks and underwear. Someday he'll get the hint that he needs to help.
9)Who pays the bills?: ME
10)Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me. Wait, are we asking for right side as we face the bed?
11)Who mows the lawn?: He doesn't let me drive the riding lawn mower with the blades down. It's for the best...really!!!
12)Who cooks dinner?: We both do...depends.
13)Who drives?: Mostly him
14)Who is the first to say they are wrong?: ME!! But he's come a looooong way through the years.
15)Who kissed who first?: Him...and it was about time.
16)Who asked who out first?: I asked him out...scared to death because I hadn't ever done that and I liked him.
17)Who wears the pants?: We both do...but mine are cuter. ;)

I LOVE YOU HONEY!!!

When a Hubby Explodes

My hubby is a very mellow guy. He doesn't get mad very often, and I know that having read my previous post some of you might agree this is a good thing for the sometimes exciteable Grandy.

There have been a few occassions where Grandy will admit she has ticked hubby off to a point where he is yelling at her (or trying to yell over her might be more appropriate) but those times are very few and far between. I know a couple family members have felt his temper flare, but really, he's a very mellow guy.

So when hubby does get upset for what appears to be no good reason, or something neither my son and I did or could control, it is sometimes just safer to stay out of the way and let it come out.

Imagine this scenario:

**Location - Grandy Home

**Time - 9:00 pm Friday

**Scene - The boy scout troop is scheduled to leave at 7:45 am for a snow campout the next morning. He has just gotten home from being on the road and just gotten out of the shower. Grandy has just returned home earlier that afternoon from traveling on business. Essentially we're both tired and he's not prepared... bad combination.

Him: Where are my long johns?

Me: (Having logged in to get some more work done) I don't know...what did you do with them?

Him: I can't find them. I didn't do anything with them. You did.

Me: Did I?

Him: (walking back into bedroom...begins throwing shoes around in the closet, although I don't know why) You need to find them!

Me: I do?

Him: Yeah, you lost them.

Me: Nope! I washed them, folded them, and put them in your stack.

(pause)

Him: S*(@#& - blah blah blah - tired - blah blah - can't find - yada yada - crap! - blah blah.

Ty enters the dining room where I am still working. He looks cautious as he hears shoes and blah blah coming from the bedroom.

Ty: What happened?

Me: It's not important.

Ty: Was it ME?

Me: Nope! Not me either, which is why it might be best for you to brush your teeth and get to bed. Safer for all.

Ty: Done.

Hubby still going: ($&*@)* Tired - Yada yada - sh!t - blah blah - #S!!

After a little while he emerged... without those dang long johns. He did look better though, but beat. We all decided it was for the best to call it an early night since they had to get upso early to go camp in the snow (doesn't sound much fun to me) but I love the way those two get excited to do these things together.

I find that when he is having one of those moods, it's just easier to let him vent. I have this blog, my friends, or my family that I can call. Men often need their own place to be able to vent their frustration.

My thing...the hard part for me... is to NOT laugh when he's in the middle of one.

I'll keep working on that one.

Tee Hee...

Grandy's Favorite XMas Present - 2008

The Grandy family was very fortunate again this year for Christmas. Although I did feel a bit remiss and hesitant that this year could in no way compete with last year's Christmas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I mean...come on...it's pretty tough to compete with this beauty:

Not to mention the fact that we got to immerse ourselves into their culture. It was a swell experience for all of us, but the lessons that Ty got from it will stay with him and made him thirsty to learn more about different cultures.

So this year, this Grandy was not overly looking forward to Christmas. Last year's trip of nearly killing myself while zip-lining through the canyons of Mexico left me feeling...well...a bit ho-hum.

Well that feeling soon faded when I discovered I needed nothing more than a simple holiday with my family. Just the 3 of us, spending quiet time together. That was all someone who spends her days running in 12 different directions, for the company, the community, and everyone in between, needed.

And in the gift department, the Grandys are together making a concerted effort to save money this year. Hubby will turn 40 in November and we've decided to save money for a trip to Alaska. So the gifts between me and Hubby were simple. While at the same time, very special.

Hubby has not always mastered the gift giving. Quite often I will open a gift, like slippers for example, and he will go into our room and get the pair he had gotten himself as well. I am truly about the thought of the gift, but when left to wonder if the thought came from meeting his needs or mine, then sometimes my appreciation is not what it should be. It may sound ungrateful, and I don't mean to be, but I like to know he thought about my little cold feet when he bought them. I don't need to wonder if he said "Ooooh, I need some of these," and figured he better get some for me too.

Call me sentimental.

So this year Hubby did something I would have NEVER anticipated. And it wasn't even just the gift that thrilled me so, it was the acts that followed the gift. He bought me this:

This is NOT a movie that Hubby would have any interest in. Oh sure, I bought him Casino Royale, because I know what a 007 Bond fan he is, but he knows I wanted to see this movie in the theatre and didn't get a chance to. AND he would have no interest in watching it because musicals just aren't his thing. But guess what...on Christmas he insisted we watch it AFTER he cooked Filet Mignon for Christmas dinner.

Thank you honey!! That is exactly the thoughtfulness that I appreciate!!!! :)

YYYY I LOVE YOU!!! YYYY

Bless His Heart - The ongoing saga

See this handsome devil here in this pic?

Yep! That's my hubs.

We don't have THAT many pics taken together, simply because I usually take the pictures. But world...this is hubby. Hubby...ah hell, you don't even read this dang blog. I happen to secretly suspect you hate this blog because you don't get why blogging is fun for me. But alas, I love you anyway.

Many of you were first introduced to Grandy's hubby in one of her early posts: You bought WHAT??. If you haven't seen this post, might I suggest you take a peak at it because it really will explain A LOT of history.

Yesterday was my darling hubby's birthday. Hard to believe it has been a whole year since I posted this crazy theory, 3 + 8 = 11. And for the record...it still applies.

In honor of Hubby's birthday (and to spare a royal nagging) I snuck in and posted while I was at work, so I could focus my evening on him.

Grandy picked him up a pie...

...some vanilla ice cream...

...had the little guy make him a sign...

...had some cards...

...and settled in for a nice family evening (after a dang scout committee meeting that made my head want to split open).

It was nice. I am a little embarrassed to tell you that I had to give Hubby an I.O.U for his birthday. He wants cash so he can put it towards parts for his Jeep that he is rebuilding. Grandy is a little low on the cash flow at the moment due to her more recent "medically induced sabbatical", so an I.O.U. is going to have to do for now. But he liked it.

Tonight, Grandy came home to find a new tool thingy in her garage.

It's not like it was a new screw driver, Grandy's not that observant. Hubby had bought new tires and wheels for his truck and was driving on them for 3 months before a friend of Grandy said, "Wow! Those are nice new wheels on his truck." WTF?!?

No, this new thingy was holding an engine. I believe it's called a cherry picker? I noticed it last week, but rarely pay attention to things in the Man Cave. Tonight for some reason it peeked my interest.

I sent a text to Hubby's friend because I know he sometimes borrows thingys from him.

Hey...there's a new tool thingy in our garage. Is it urs? Did he borrow or buy?

The response?

What do you want to hear?

Well folks, I had my answer in that one question. I did call said friend and clarified some details with him. The night that Hubby told me he was going over to give him cash two weeks ago for the "windshield wiper blades" that he picked up for him (oh he got those too) was the night he also paid said friend for this cherry-ass-nose-whatever-the-hell-you-call-it picker.

**sigh**

It's not that he bought it. It's that he doesn't tell me these things, and hopes I won't find out.

Go back...read that early post. It will all make sense.

This is where we must insert, Bless his heart comment here. He's lucky I love him.

Grandy is tired...and promises to post about all the excitement since she's been back at work soon. But a word was introduced to Grandy today that she's having to wrap her brain around: A-C-Q-U-I-S-I-T-I-O-N.

Did I mention I'm tired??

See you all tomorrow!! NaBloMeMo is kicking my a$$.

Another Father's Day

This August it will be 4 years.

I've gotten better on anniversaries and and birthdays. Those are days I can keep to myself, they sneak up quietly and then pass by. Any angst I feel I am able to keep to myself.

This day... this one is difficult. There are constant reminders out there, advertisements, special gifts, balloons, cards, you name it. I try to tune it out, as best I can, but it all reminds me of you.

Happy Father's Day Dad!! I miss you so very much!! We had our challenges, as any father-daughter team does, but we overcame so much in our time together. You never realized how much we all loved you. I don't think it ever sank in...until the end. I'm so very grateful that you did finally realize how important you were to us. It sure took you long enough.

You would be proud of Mom, ya know. She's AMAZING!! Of course, you already knew that. You were married almost 50 years.

Now I'm going to take the day and spend it with Hubby. He's a great father in his own right, and deserves all the credits for doing so. I thank you for seeing that in him during moments I didn't.

Psst...wanna know what I got him? Tickets to Motley Crue Cruefest. Oh yeah...Grandy has scored some SERIOUS points with this gift.

Thanks Dad...Thank you for EVERYTHING!!

I LOVE YOU!!

Happy Dad's Day!!

Alright Grandy, Back to Work

Six weeks sure goes by fast.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be getting back to "normal". Ha...what is it about that word that even looking at it makes me laugh? Oh yeah, I know. Grandy is anything BUT normal.

So, tomorrow I go back to work after being off for 6 weeks for my surgery. I know, who goes back on a Thursday? Need I remind you of the previous paragraph already?

It will be good to see the gang from the office again. I know my carpool buddy is quite happy I'm coming back so we can use the carpool lane again. Did I ever mention how blessed I am with the people I work with? They really are good. They threw me a good luck party before my surgery even.

So...what's changed about Grandy since she's been out the last 6 weeks? A LOT!

1) I've lost 23 lbs. - Yep...it was a big surgery. Someday I'll tell you all about it...maybe.


2) I got my hair cut & colored the other day. - I don't do this very often, by posting a pic of me, but tell me what you think...

(Psst...wanna know a secret? Wanna know why my shades are on in the salon? Because my girlfriend who did my hair had also waxed my eyebrows about 40 minutes before this and they were STILL all red and iritated. Gotta love sensitive skin.)

Where was I? Oh yea, things that have changed about Grandy.

3) Blog banner has changed from this...

to...

4) My boy became another year older - we finally relented and got him one of these....

I'm not sure Grandy or Hubby will ever have his attention again...but hey, he loves his music and I can't blame him. I loved my walkman when I was his age.

5) AND MOST IMPORTANT! My priorities have changed. - My family needs me home more. Grandy needs me home more. No more 14 hour days this time. NONE!! My health suffered too much for too long.

I know you're jealous!!

Speaking of jealous, I would like to thank everyone for all your wonderfully kind comments about hubby in my last post. There is officially no living with the guy, for at least a week. He walks around saying, "I'm right...just ask your friends at your blog. If I'm not right...I'm at least cute!"

WHATEVER!!!

It doesn't get much better...

How much do I love my hubby?? Let me count the ways!!

Yesterday was our anniversary...and yes...we went to the store and picked up THIS:

It's been very tough to blog lately as I've been putting in 12-14 hour days with work. For that matter, the last few weeks have been tough even to work and function and do anything but work.

BUT...This is about to change.

I mentioned that I have a procedure coming up, and I am. I'm having a surgery on Thursday. Part of my recovery when I get home will be that I need to be able to sit in a recliner. I don't know that this is necessarily a "perscription" but have been told that it is very helpful. Besides, Grandy loves recliners and being able to put her feet up. She has a sectional that has 3 and none of them work (we have a friend who can't seem to stop destroying things) and so now I have the perfect excuse for one.

So, Friday was my last day at work for about 8 weeks. Doctor says "Grandy has GOT to get her heart rate down". Well, Hubby and I went out yesterday...our anniversary...and baught 2 recliners (his & hers of course) and this glorious laptop. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!

So...in trying to relax today, what is Grandy doing? She has her feet up in the recliner, is watching The Producers on TV, and catching up with all of you. You're going to get to see more of me for a few days...then I'll be out of commission for a few days...but I'll be back after that.

Sound alright with you all?

Thanks so much for all your arguments on the wood. It helped me in so many ways!! :)

Can we say "Wood" on the Internet?

I love me some Presidents! Why? Because...Hubby had to work and son had plans, so I got to totally catch up on some much needed blog reading and commenting. GUILT FREE!!!

I didn't actually keep track, but I think I'm in training for my 100 comment post marathon that comes up in ...oh...about 10 more posts!! I'm so thrilled to have caught up with all of you, and even some of you new ones!!

That being said, I have to tell you that when I typed last night's blog (yeah, just scroll down, I don't need the link do I?) I hadn't realized what glorious giggles I would get by the comments.

Do any of you realize how many times I made you all say "wood"? What does that say about my childish mentality that I'm giggling at the fact that we're making arguments about the fact that Hubby can't get me "wood" for our anniversary? UGH!! ROFL!!!

I have to leave town again tomorrow, so the next few days will be dicey in my ability to post. I will try, but if I can't, I'll at least try to check some of you out. Oh yeah...I am watching, even when you don't know it. :)

While I'm gone, I'd like to leave you with more WOOD! ;)

I think I get one of these for my 5th anniversary with the company...Say it with me people... OOOhhhhhh!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!! OHHHHHHHH!!!!! *small applause* (Possibly need to evaluate my current attitude...nah)

I have a couple of these, as Ty is quite the Boy Scout... I have 5 I think!!

Hubby SO WISHES we had one of these Sasquatch / Big Foot wood carvings in our yard. I can't explain why because I truly don't understand why, other than he knows it would irritate me to no end to have THIS in my yard.

Yeah, nothing says, "Welcome to the Grandy's" like Big Foot's A$$ staring at you from 100 yards away. NO THANKS!!!

I've missed you too!!

Wow...what a week!! Was traveling on business and then when I got home, lacked the energy even to BLOG! What's wrong with this picture? Well, to be quite honest, when I was home I just wanted to sit with the family. I know many of you agree with why I would do that.

I miss my blog and my blogging buddies when I can't write. I feel like you're all worried about me if I can't post for a day, but I realize it's been several days and I've not even had a chance to really check in on all of you. This...dear readers...SUCKS for me. Must...Get...To...BLOG!!


In two weeks is my 5 year wedding anniversary. Just after that, I'll be out of commission for several days (having a "procedure") and while recovering, I would love to BLOG!! But in order to do that...I NEED A LAPTOP!!


So, today Hubby asks me, "What is the 5 year anniversary gift anyway?" Glorious flashback to our first anniversary when he heard the "gift" was paper and had a picture of flowers emailed to me, so I could print it on paper. Oh yeah, that hubby is a clever man indeed.

My answer? A Laptop!! Seriously, this answer came off the top of my head and for some reason made me laugh so hard I was almost on the floor! I'm so lucky that I crack myself up. I think somewhere I read it was wood or silverware, but not needing either, I'm making the case for this (or something like it):

Readers, if you can help me in my argument at all, I promise it will help us all out!! You won't have to miss me for weeks at a time. How do I avoid the wood or silverware???

Share your comments...please!!!!

I'll Give You a Full Moon Alright!!

I tell you...this Grandy is THRILLED to see the end of this week.

I know many of you are not all that superstitious, but did anyone notice how FULL the moon was this week? Seriously? It was beautiful and yet daunting all the while.

For a few days before, and even a few days after, my life tends to be crazy for unexplained reasons. I don't even realize when it's supposed to be a full moon. If I'm just having a few days where strange things keep happening and I happen to look up and say...A HA!!! I'm always one to accept responsibility for MY actions but when the weird stuff is flyin'? NO WAY!!

Folks...Hubby had an accident in his semi yesterday. He's alright (THANK YOU LORD!!) and the truck doesn't seem that bad off so far (smaller thank you, Lord, because I realize what's truly important in this). Isn't it funny how things like that can totally rattle you? Not funny in a belly laugh kinda way, but funny in a get down and kiss the ground kinda way.

With what I do for a living, I'm very well aware of what CAN happen in these accidents. I don't think I have to tell you how completely relieved I am about the fact that none of those things DID happen yesterday.

So...I've decided to change my outlook on this whole full moon thing. I still think weird things are going to happen because...well...let's face it...I have no control over the crap. However, I'm going to try and find the positive in the weirdness.

For instance:
1. Accident happens...He's not HURT. :)
2. Have an unexplained "blood pressure episode"...Boss looks for ways to help with my workload.
3. Son has to be home sick with cold...I GET to take care of him (as he gets bigger I don't get to do that as much any more)

Now...if only this positive kharma could find it's way in to affecting my income flow? Let's think positive energy because Grandy's got a hefty deductible staring her in the face.

Oooooooooowwwwwwwwwwmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In, On, Getting Into or UNDER the Bus

Bad weather's got nothing on this Grandy Family!! Ok...maybe just a little.

We just got power back in the house sometime late last night. If I judge it by the blinking alarm clock, it looks like it was about 11:30 last night. It's amazing how many times I wanted to walk over to my computer. It was like something was calling me.

"Grandy...you're forgetting something...come here!!"

Alas, without power, I ignored my inner voice and urge to go to my desk. What would be the point? I can't sort my husbands receipts in the dark, can't use the shredder, can't post on my BLOG!! Must. Fight. The. URGE!!!

As I said, the power came on late last night. When I woke up this morning, my son was already at my desk. And there it was. Staring me in the face! In the middle of EVERYTHING!!! The spot where I put important reminders!!

Memo: Albert leaves for Iraq next week. Surprise party for him at the Johnson's house. 6pm SATURDAY!!!

Saturday? As in LAST NIGHT??

OMG!!! This is one of Hubby's old friends that he hasn't seen in a while. They called late Wednesday, while hubby was out of town (and already sleeping because we had talked an hour before when he said he would be). I made the note to tell him about the party the next day. Chaos ensued, and he wasn't home the next day. Then further chaos with the storm, no power and no phones (no brain apparently).

I FORGOT TO TELL HIM!!!! ACK!!! CRAP!!! (Insert appropriate expletives here***)

After a quick warning to my son that I goofed up on this, what it means, and that he may wish to make sure he is a model citizen today so he is not caught in the cross-fire, I started to plan how I would tell him when he woke. I considered the following:

Option A: RUN FAR...nah...that wouldn't work, I have to come home sometime.
Option B: Leave a note explaining, and tell him to call me when he's cooled off. Well, that wouldn't have worked for the obvious reasons.
Option C: See what kind of mood he's in when he wakes up (making sure to let him sleep as long as humanly possible) and gently own up to this horrible wrong. It was a complete oversight and there is NO excuse, but I have to own it. Let's face it, were the shoe on the other foot I'd be upset too.

Yep!! I would have to go with Option C. It's only the right thing to do...I'll tell him when I know he's good and awake...and I'm good and ready!

Readers...I should warn you that the following acts are real. I am still in shock over the betrayal, and am currently plotting my revenge as we speak.

Hubby: So, now that we have power, what is on our agenda for today? (sounds promising, does it not??)
Me: I don't know yet. (Knowing that what I tell him may affect his wanting to spend time with me)
Ty: Hey Mom!! Don't you have something you have to tell him?? (Gasp!!)

**The sound you are hearing is my son throwing me in front of the bus!! I'm torn between my anxiety for disappointing Hubby and the urge of beating my son to a pulp!!**

Me: Et tu, Brute?? (Oh yea, I've got your number now, you little turd!!)
Ty: Huh?? (as he recognizes the stink eye and begins to shrink)
Me: All those times you ask me..."Please don't tell HIM" and I help you work things out??
Hubby: Will someone please tell me what's going on?!?

Needless to say, when I did tell him, he was disappointed. Of coarse he was!! His longtime friend is leaving to fight in the war and I forgot to tell him about the going away party? What the hell kind of wife does that???? He was silent, and said he understands how things got crazy. He wasn't mad at me? I think I could feel less guilty if he were?? I almost cried. I could still cry!!

Then...my focus shifted...as I metaphorically declared war on my only offspring. It pains me to have to take my revenge, albeit only a little, but it has to be done. It is defining moments like these that draw that line. He knows the game is on now...just by the following statement.

Me: *Smiling like I've just lost my mind* Oh, and honey? Remember those earrings you bought that little girl in your class while we were in Mexico? (The ones you didn't want Dad knowing about because he would have teased you incessantly, you little adorable turd!) You might want to make sure those get into your backpack before school tomorrow, so you remember to give them to her.
Ty: (With a look that he now fully understands how deeply he wounded me, and fears that he will suffer for this choice for some time) Uh-huh...I will do that now.

Now would be one of those times where I must reflect back on happier moments with my son. Oh Wait!! I KNOW!! None of you had seen this post, because it was one of my first, but it's a good one to keep in my back pocket for just these moments. Temporary Coolness is highly recommended, along with deep breathing excersises, to maintain sanity.

Nature v. Nurture

Alright, this is my first official pre-written post.I'm going to see if I do this right, and schedule it to post at noon on Tuesday. If it works right...I'll be spacing in some other posts while I'm gone for the holiday (hopefully providing some sort of entertainment but making no promises).


As I sat at dinner with my boys last night, yes I'm including Hubby, I was stopped dead in my tracks about their similarities. Never mind they were both wearing the same sweatshirt (Go Placer) and hats. Their mannerisms were amazingly similar. I watch them and they are SO MUCH ALIKE!!!


Now, back when I only had 2 readers I may have mentioned that Hubby adopted Ty when we had been married 6 months. We had been together quite some time before that, but Hubby is the only Dad that Ty has ever known. I may vent from time to time, but I wouldn't have it any other way, let me tell you.


We started dating when Ty was 3 1/2, we actually met through this little guy. At the time, Hubby worked as a maintenance man at the same large company I worked at. The facility had an on-site day care, and when this company thought it would be brilliant to offer "extended hours", I was forced to have Ty in the day care until 8:30 pm. It wasn't all that bad, mind you. He was the ONLY kid there!! Well, that's when Hubby would make his rounds and rescue Snoopy from the toilet and fix whatever the kids broke that day, later in the evening. He used to let Ty follow him around and ask the perpetual "Whatchya doin? Why?? What for?? Why? Huh? Why??" ***Pssst*** Don't tell anyone, but years later I learned that Hubby had told the ladies at this day care that if he ever had a kid, he'd want one like Ty.


Well one day I'm dropping Ty off at the day care, Hubby comes walking up and says, "Hi Tyler, is this your Mom??" "Yep, this is my Mommy...Her name is Mawy" (yes, he had issues with his "r"s) "Mawy...I mean Mommy...this is aawon". That's my favorite quote ever!!!We didn't start dating right away. Shortly after meeting, Ty got pretty sick and was in and out of the hospital for a short time. I was new to my job and couldn't afford to miss too much. I would spend hours at the hospital and then go to work. Thank goodness for my sister, who at the time didn't work and lived 2 doors down from me. Every time I saw hubby during that time he would ask me, "Hey, Tyler's Mom! Is Tyler ok?" How nice is that? There were 1200 people in these buildings, 12 maintenance men, and he would ask about MY SON.


When the dust settled...about six months later...I asked him out. I remember the day I realized I should vividly. It was a Saturday (yes the company thought that would be "brilliant" also) and he came running by me by the elevators. Helmet under his arm and leather jacket in the other. "Hey Tyler's Mom!! Is he here today??" he asked. "He sure is!" I replied. "Great! I'll have to go see him." As he ran through the security doors, I watched him and thought to myself, "I will be with that man".


Now, you have to know me to understand that at that moment I didn't fully understand to what capacity I would be with him...just that I would. I asked him out a week later...and the rest is, well...you know...destiny.

How do I work this??

I don't think I ever explained that the reason I don't post many pics on this site is because I don't have an actual camera. Any pics I've posted I've confiscated off the internet, or taken with my cell phone. The cell phone does pretty well, I think.

Well...as you all are asking me for glorious pics of our holiday...I have to share with you my Christmas present. It's actually for both of us though, although Hubby will swear he's still "entitled" to a gift he's the one that REALLY wanted this.

I'm just the kind of person that likes to "aim and shoot" but he is all into the lenses and stuff. Now I'll get to take some glorious pics of our trip to Mexico...as soon as I learn how to work it. Guess there will be time to read the owner's manual on the plane.

I'm not going to want to come home...you do realize that, right??

All you people that post beautiful pics...watch out!! I'm not promising beauty...but always a story behind each one. :)

3 + 8 = 11

You know how they say boys mature slower than girls?? Well, I've discovered a math theory that made things suddenly make sense to me. Ok, so it didn't uncover the meaning of life, nor did David Krumholz walk in and explain the route the killer would have taken to pick up his dry-cleaning. (Have you seen this show, NUMB3RS? It's pretty good.)

YIKES!! I'm digressing again.

Anywho...Today is Hubby's Birthday!! He's 38 today!! Happy Birthday, Honey!! I know you are never going to read this blog in a million years (I tell him all about my posts, and he's not into computers) but in the slight chance you stumble accross it in your search for the newest lift kit on the CJ Jeep, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Hubby and I have always had our little jokes about our ages. (Alright, mostly he made the jokes at my expense, and I would nod my head pretending I either a- thought it was funny, or b- had never heard it before.) Because of all my accident prone occassions, and my health issues, he used to joke that he was always going to trade me in on younger models of me that still had a warranty. At 35, I am currently at the value of trade-in for two almost legal versions of me. He is just ticking the hours until he can joke that he'll be able to now shop legally for the legal models.

Well Hubby...I've now figured out where you've been while in your 30's. You've been hanging out with our son...literally! As we drove home from dinner with Hubby's Mom, and I was amazed at how it seems my 11 year old son's manners have somehow gotten lost in the dryer, along with his other socks, I was asking myself how I ended up with two boys so much alike (nature v. nurture does wonders in this house). Then I suddenly did the math...3 + 8 = 11!!

You've seen these theories, right?

Son acts like Hubby
Son is 11
Hubby acts like he's 11.

Ok, so maybe I got some of that right. But it all started making sense to me!! When Hubby turned 30, we had just been dating for a few months. Every year since, he has slowly been maturing, although not surpassing the age of my son. (Insert "Bless His Heart" comment here). I'm just amazed at how my son and my hubby are growing together.

Except...When son hits 13, I hear all his hormones will be different, and he'll be going through all these changes. Funny, isn't that what I hear about a man who turns 40? They'll be doing that TOGETHER!!!

Don't tell Hubby that I'm really proud of the way he's grown. And this morning when he asked me if I possibly wanted to trade him in on two younger men? I cringed...

What, and have to train TWO MORE??? I'm thinkin' that's a NO!!

Love you back, Hubby!!!

You bought WHAT??

Disclaimer: What you are about to read should in no way be misconstrued as a negative reflection of what otherwise appears to be a perfect marriage, made in heaven, for all eternity, blah...blah...blah...Ok, now that we have the disclaimers out of the way (automatically recognizing I deal with these in my "day job") let's talk turkey.

My husband is a buy-a-holic!! Alright, I know that it may not be an actual word, but I'm always of the personal opinion that if you hyphenate the word, it becomes do-able. See how well that works?? Oops, I digress.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines shopaholic as, "A person who shops compulsively or very frequently". My husband doesn't stop at that, see that might allude to someone merely looking to buy items. See, there's all sorts of "shopping"...there's window shopping, impulse shopping, Christmas shopping, etc. However, when you "buy", there's only one true meaning to that...the money's spent.

After over 8 years together, my husband (insert "bless his heart" comment here) still hasn't figured out that it might not be safe to bring a newly acquired vehicle to the house without my permission. Although I say permission, what I really mean is, over my dead body.

I'm not a controlling person, by any stretch of the imagination. However, we currently insure a motorcycle, a jeep, another jeep, a pickup, a beetle (that one's mine), a couple dirt bikes, a couple ATV's, a fishing boat and a toy trailer. We even have a darned golf cart, it doesn't run of course, but it's still in our yard. I should explain that not a single one of these vehicles is "new". Only two of the autos are in this decade, all the rest are 80's or earlier.

When I came home the other night, to a Blazer in my driveway, I did what any considerate wife would do, pulled into the pull through driveway so his friend, the owner of the Blazer, could back out without a problem. Well, my honey said that wouldn't be a problem, "It's ours!" he said proudly (feeling the need to insert another "bless his heart"). Yep, we are currently the proud owners of a 1989 Chevy Blazer. WooHoo!!! (really trying to emphasize my enthusiasm, are you feeling it?)

The difference with this vehicle, and all the others, is that my honey actually discussed this one with me. We talked about it, he said he wanted to get it so he can work on one of the jeeps for our son to learn on and drive. How touching, I thought to myself, he's concerned with teaching my boy how to work on a car so he knows how and can use it when he learns to drive. Who could resist such father/son bonding? What kind of mother would that make me?

Hmmmmmmmmm...but our son is only 11, I'm currently experiencing what I refer to as a "medically induced sabbatical" and because we currently have FIVE road worthy vehicles and TWO people legal to drive them, I didn't think it was such a good idea this time. However, I gave him props, kudos and a big hug for actually discussing this with me. I felt so good, like we've truly grown in our level of communication. You don't know this, but this was a huge step for him.

So, how did we move from this deep level of communication to me dropping my groceries on the front lawn out of sheer shock? Easy, he's a compulsive buy-a-holic. He made all the claims of, "I don't remember you telling me no" to "But when it snows you'll have 4-wheel drive again", "I got it for a really good deal" and even tried the, "Can I get you something to drink?"

What could I say? Take it back? Sell something else? You're on glue? Ok, I've used the glue comment in other, more appropriate times, but couldn't apply it here. The truth is, my husband is a great guy, with a good heart. He works real hard as a truck driver, and he is great with my son..."our" son. Six months after we were married, he adopted my son, and has never treated him any differently.

Does he exercise poor judgement? Sure, but who doesn't?
Could he have picked a better time? You bet!!
Will he do this again?? Survey says...Of coarse!!! Bless his heart!!!