Thursday, November 29, 2007

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Finally, I Get To Write About Myself

Karen MEG from A Day In The Life tagged me to do a meme I have been wanting to do for a while. I have been reading Karen MEG's blog for about a month and I really enjoy it. She is a funny and creative writer and you should go visit her.


7 Random Things About Myself
1. There are songs that I am unable to listen to without crying. 'Weekend In New England' by Barry Manilow, 'Shannon' by Henry Gross, 'Memories' by Barbara Streisand, 'The Winner Takes it All' by ABBA, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' by Bonnie Tyler and All By Myself by Eric Carmen. Fortunately these songs are never played on the Radio Stations I listen to, and if I happen to come to one on a CD, I can easily skip over it. It is unfortunate however, if I am grocery shopping or in an elevator and one of these songs starts playing. I have to pretend there is something in my eye.
2.I won't eat home-made canned foods because I have a fear of Botulism. I have never known anyone that had Botulism poisoning and I have not ever had it, but I fear it would be fatal if I did. I will eat cheese from a can.
3. I recently purchased a 'Social Distortion' T-shirt for MYSELF, and I got all tingly with excitement when I did. I love the questionable looks I get from the more conservative moms when I wear it.
4.I have naturally curly hair and I get annoyed when people ask me if I have a perm. My husband tells me it is like a perm but more like "a week after you got a perm". Having curly big hair was a blessing in the '80's, now, I wish my hair was straight and shiny without a hint of curl. Of course if it was, I probably would want wavy hair. I try to straighten it when I have time, but no matter what products I use in it, the hair won't stay straight. I know it is silly to get offended by this question, but sometimes people will ask me more than once, as if they don't believe me.
5.I don't like gardening. I have tried it many many times, mostly before I had kids and wanted to spend quality time with hus. After I had each child I would make an excuse for not helping in the gardens "Well, who's going to watch the kids?" Finally I admitted to my hus that I don't like gardening and he just laughed and told me he already knew that. He told me he understood that I don't get the same kind of good feeling he does while gardening, like when I write or do an art project. I do enjoy having gardens though, especially flower gardens.
6.I change the price tags on certain items I buy. This is sort of a running joke between my hus and I. He will change the price on a bottle of wine to make it more expensive and I will change the price tag on my hair products and other things to make them less expensive. I scared my husband last week though, when I changed a small handbags price to make it more expensive, just to see if he noticed. He already assumed that I spent a lot on it because I bought it in Manchester Vt. The stores in Manchester are almost all expensive designer outlets. The bag was $14.00 marked down to $7.00. I changed the tag to read $14o.oo marked down to $70.00. Heh heh, I loved seeing the look on his face when he asked if I spent that much on a bag I would use once just for a wedding. If I really had spent that much, which is my own choice, I would have just taken the tag off altogether!
7. I had a job selling balloon bouquets once. I loved the job, it was fun and easy work. I was living in California at the time and I sold balloons to a few celebrities such as Adam Ant, Phil Collins and two different General Hospital stars whose names I don't know. I eventually got fired because I could never seem to get there on time. I didn't have a vehicle at the time and I constantly missed the bus!




Thanksgiving update: Unfortunately grandma didn't say "Phenomenal" once, the B*TCH! I didn't feel like drinking too much anyways as alcohol seems to just make me tired lately. I did however take Xanax which helped me not yell at grandma. She did repeat "at least they have their health" or I am thankful we all have "our health" over and over. So my husband made me laugh several times by saying "at least they have their health" at any opportunity that arose like when were watching the news and something dreadful happened to someone like their house burnt down. It was a fun time had by all!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

I KNEW IT!




Which MASH Character are you?





You are Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce!
Take this quiz!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

A Phenomenal Drinking Game

I, like everyone else, have been preparing for Thanksgiving. Cleaning, organizing, food shopping and list writing are just some of the things I have had to do. This year though, my hus and I are preparing also for some adult entertainment. Many families (none I know personally), play games at their holiday gatherings. Perhaps some of you play Charades or Trivial Pursuit,and maybe the more daring of you play such provocative games as Taboo or Grey's Anatomy Trivia the Board Game. At this house we are planning a much more fun game, one that's original and will end up with all the players (me and my hus) happy and completely shit faced!
We call this game 'Phenomenal' and it is named in honor of our honored guest this thanksgiving.... Grandma. You see, grandma has a way of getting stuck on certain things.
For example, for about six months now she has found a way of working in the word 'phenomenal' into every conversation. For some reason this really bothers me, although I shouldn't let grandma get to me, she does. Last time she visited, she used the word 4 times in the first 3 minutes of seeing her. She was describing the way an old friend of mine looked when she ran into her a week or so ago. "I saw 'A' again and she really looks phenomenal, she has a phenomenal job working for the Russian-Jewish-American-Alliance" I said "Great" and mom said "No, really, she looks PHENOMENAL and what a phenomenal career...". I cringed and said " Enough with the 'Phenomenal' description" because I am not afraid to tell her she uses that word entirely too much, but sadly she doesn't listen.
Later that same night, when my hus and I snuck away from Grandma to another room, we could just barely hear her talking to us..."Wow, you guys have got to see this show on TV it is really phenomenal!" And I spontaneously raised my wine glass to my husband, because I am always drinking alcohol when grandma is here, and said "Drink". And a new drinking game was born.
Every time grandma says 'phenomenal' we will drink. Luckily grandma doesn't drink so she can watch the kids while we play.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Brain Zaps

Brain Zaps according to Wikipedia
Brain zaps, also known as "brain shocks," "brain shivers" or "head shocks" are a fairly common withdrawal symptom experienced during discontinuation (or reduction of dose) of SSRI and SNRI antidepressant drugs. The symptom is described as brief but repeated electric shock-like sensations in the brain and head. The effect is not only confined to withdrawal periods for all sufferers, but also are experienced while actually taking the prescribed medication (although less commonly), and have been known to continue for years after withdrawal from the associated medication.
The phenomenon is most commonly associated with paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat), fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Effexor), sertraline (Zoloft), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro).

Description
"Brain zaps" are said to defy description for whomever has not experienced them, but the most common themes are of a sudden "jolt," likened to an electric shock, apparently occurring or originating within the brain itself, with associated disorientation for a few seconds. The phenomenon is most often reported as a brief, wave-like electrical pulse that quickly travels across the surface of (or through) the brain. Some people experience these "waves" through the rest of their body, but the sensation dissipates quickly. They are sometimes accompanied by brief tinnitus and vertigo-like feelings. Immediately following this shock is a light-headedness that may last for up to ten seconds. The sensation has also be described by many as a flashbulb going off inside the head or brain. Moving one's eyes from side to side quickly while open has also been known to trigger these zaps and sometimes causing them to come in rapid succession. It is thought to be a form of neuro-epileptiform activity. [1][2]
As withdrawal time increases, the frequency of the shocks decreases. At their peak, brain zaps have been associated with severe headaches. They may last for a period of several weeks after the last dose and usually resolve completely within a month or two. However, anecdotal reports of "zaps" during a protracted withdrawal are known to last a year or longer.

I have not been avoiding blogging on purpose, but have been having difficulty with this particular withdrawal symptom since discontinuing my Effexor. My eyes have been hurting and are sensitive to any stimuli. I weaned myself off slowly as directed, but still am having this strange eye phenomena occur. Unfortunately, it gets worse if I look at a computer screen or if I am tired. Thankfully, today my eyes seem a little better and my headache seems to be less.
I found this definition for Brain Zaps last night while at work. It fits pretty well to what I have been experiencing, especially that it occurs when I look from side to side. I really had no idea what it was although I was suspicious of withdrawal.
I also read that Benadryl or a one time dose of Prozac takes care of this symptom. Since it is slightly better today, I will bring some Benadryl with me to work but only take it if my eyes feel worse again. So far I have completed this entire post without any eye burning sensations or brain zaps! YAY!
Oh, and thanks for all the encouragement to CHEAT on NaBloPoMo!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Verizon Conspiracy

Monday morning I awoke just like any other morning, and dragged my tired ass out of bed slowly and reluctantly. I made my coffee, fed my children and cats, brushed my teeth and settled myself down in my comfy chair in front of the computer, preparing to write my NaBloPoMo blog for the day. I double clicked on the Dial icon and waited. I wasn't concerned when the first warning pop up appeared to tell me "No dial tone, do you want to redial?". Yes, of course I did, and the same message popped up. WHAT? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. It must be a mistake. I picked up the phone and tried it. No dial tone. OK, kids must have done something to it, the phone is broken, I will try another. No dial tone anywhere in the house. Next I tried the basement "Customer Interface" connection, because I know Verizon will ask if I had tried this. No dial tone! I am in a bit of a minor panic now, but this has happened before and the problem was fixed within a couple hours so I tried not to let myself get into a full mind twisting panic.
I grabbed my coat and headed out to the car, as there is no cell signal from inside the house. I called Verizon on my TRAC phone, because that is what I have, and I am not talking about that now, and got the usual repair automated answering service. They asked me what the problem was and I said "NA-BLO-PO-MO! And she said "I'm sorry, I did not understand that, could you repeat it?" Yes, "NO-DI-AL-TONE! Ugh! And she said in her sweet as saccharin recorded voice "We can help you with that, we will dispatch a technician at our earliest time, let me check our schedule and, yes, we can send someone out tomorrow between the hours of 8AM and 6PM" My heart sank, I felt defeated, no more NaBloPoMo for mama.
I tried to call my many friends, 2, I knew who would let me use their computers in a pinch but they weren't' home. I also thought of breaking into the local library, as they were closed, but then they might suddenly want all my late fees paid in full immediately if I was caught. I had to go to work in a few hours and I knew the computers there wouldn't let me blog. I was done, I am done. No more daily blogging, no Sock Zombie for mama.
I tried to call home from work that night, thinking that if the line was fixed, I could try to leave work in time to get home before midnight. Again the forces were against me. I returned home at around 1AM and whatdyaknow? DIAL TONE! WTF!
Thanks to everyone who visited me everyday this month and I hope you will still come by and visit my now, back to, once or twice a week blog! Good luck to all of you NaBloPoMo's left out there, I will still visit and support you!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Women Should Know Better

I wrote a draft of this post while sitting in my car waiting for E to get out of dance class today. Three pages later I realized that I hadn't even gotten to an explanation of the title. Who wants to read so many words just to get to my point? Not me, especially during Nablopomo! Of course if I had a lap-top computer the point would be mute as I would have just typed the sucker up and be done with it.
So I am going to try an give the short winded version of this post. I have mentioned here before that I have been trying, without success, to lose the weight I put on while pregnant with T. I have always been thin, and even losing my prego weight from E was easy through Weight Watchers. Probably many factors contribute to my failure. For example, I am older( I will be 40 in February)(this fact bothers me much less than my weight!), I was taking antidepressants and I work 3-11 shift so on a few nights a week I only get 4-5 hours of sleep. I am tired, tired most of the time, too tired to exercise or pay attention to my food intake. I am working with my doc and I have, at least temporarily stopped my antidepressant, getting blood work done and hopefully will have a sleep study done soon too. I am also this close (about a 1/4 inch space between my pointer finger and my thumb) away from smoking. When I smoked I was thin!
Again I have gone off track. E had an open house for her grade school last week, and we all went of course, even though we've seen the school a million times! While in her classroom I ran into another mom whom I haven't seen in a while. She said to me as she pointed to my stomach "Are you and (pointed to my hus) expecting?". I was shocked, I felt the color drain away from my face. You see, I was dressed up that evening, hair and makeup done, nice clothes on etc., because I was meeting a girlfriend later in the eve for dinner and a movie, so I thought I looked good. I said to Katie, I will call her that because that is her name,"No, I just gained some weight". She then laughed and said "Noooooo, your kidden right?" My hus who had been talking with the teacher, came to me and stood at my side, a look of fear on his face. I think he was preparing to stop me from strangling Katie. I, however, was not angry, just hurt. So I said to Katie " That is not a polite thing to ask a woman" and I walked out of the room, completely mortified. My hus came quickly after me. He right away said "Don't let her get to you, look at who said it, she is not the sharpest tool in the shed, that's why people don't like her, she is dumb". And I said "she is also about 100 pounds heavier than me too!" And I said, "why is it that it is always women who ask if you are pregnant?" The last time someone asked me (a woman) was when I was thin and I still got upset. My hus said "Because men know better, we just ask if a woman had a boob job?" trying to make me laugh.
I left the school and headed off to see my friend. I tried really hard not to cry on my way to meet her, but still I shed some tears. I told my friend what happened and she said the same thing happened to her when she was only 120 pounds and it upset her too. She looks to be about that weight now. We had a great time together that evening,and I forgot all about the incident, then I cried the whole way home.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Silly Saturday

Bucket Head Boxer Boy


"Rock On" Bucket Head

Butt in the Bucket Boy

E told me that the hand signal means "Rock On". I hope that she is correct and not just giving me a new version of the finger!

Friday, November 09, 2007

Thursday, November 08, 2007

Fred(erica)

Living out in the country, we tend to have a variety of wildlife visitors on a daily basis. Deer, chipmunks, birds, squirrels, raccoons and skunks etc. Last fall we started to have a regular visits from Fred, a turkey. The kids named him Fred, and it was some days later that my husband pointed out to us that Fred was a girl not a boy turkey. He told me that male turkeys have a large feather which hangs down in front and females don't. Being I am a turkey ignoramus, I didn't argue, but changed her name to Federica. It is unusual to see a turkey all by themselves. Usually they travel in large groups. Fred is always alone and we don't of course have any idea what happened to her group. However, when a group of turkeys shows up at the same time as Fred, she will hide.


Frederica


We love having visits from Fred and other wild animals. My husband doesn't mind that his bird feeders also feed other types of creatures. He did make a joke about Fred though, as it is hunting season......



NOOO! We would never eat Fred!
I have to work the next 3 evenings so I will have to just lurk from work as the computers there have filters on them. Be back soon with my comments.

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

I Wish...Part 2

My last wish list had 10 things on it and I still want all of those things plus just one more...

1. A Personal Assistant, and I don't want a human personal assistant, I want a robot. See, having a person assist me would just take up more of my time because I would feel obligated to speak to them. Maybe I would take an Alice, like from the Brady Bunch, she did everything for that family. But, Alice had a lot of drama in her life, between her boyfriend and her frequent injuries, I don't have time to deal with an assistants drama.

What a Personal Assistant could do for me:

A) Every morning make, pour and bring me my coffee.
B) Make T and I healthy breakfasts and lunches. It is too easy for me to make mac-n cheese or hot dogs.
C) Record and categorize my blog ideas as I dictate them.
D) Type my blog as I dictate it to her and correct any grammatical mistakes I make.
E) Dust. I don't mind doing my own daily light housekeeping.
F) Keep track of daily schedules. We almost forgot about dance on Sunday!
G) Give me back rubs. Self explanatory.
H) Make appointments for me. I really dislike calling to make appointments.
I) Look things up on the Internet for me as they pop into my head.
J) Remind me to take my medicine.

Having a Robot to assist with these activities would free up my time so that I would be able to do other more pleasurable things like:

A) Sit and eat breakfast and lunch with T.
B) Play with T.
C) Finish painting my living room.
D) Art projects, scrapbooking, blogging, reading, watching TV, listening to music, make cookies
E) Help E with homework.
F) Make supper, which I do like to do.
G) Converse with husband.
H) Have sex with husband.
I) Talk on the phone with friends.
J) Email friends

I do most of these things anyways, I just want to not have to rush through it all. I know you know what I mean.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Living Room Pt 2

My Grackle


As you may have read in my first Living Room post, I am in the process of redecorating my living room. I am almost done but still have to paint the trim. I painted this Grackle on the wall in the corner above my sectional couch. My husband has 4 bird feeders he fills daily. It is hard not to become a bird lover since we get soo many bird visitors. The Grackles have always been my favorite. When seen up close they are very colorful and shimmery. And I love that they also look just a little spooky with their large yellowish white eyes and dark pupils.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Dogs and Cats

A favorite co-worker of mine showed this to me and I found it extremely funny. I hope you enjoy.

**Excerpts from a Dog's Diary**
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

**Excerpts from a Cat's Diary**

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards! There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now....




That's my Cokee, she certainly doesn't look like a prisoner to me!

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Natural Nails?


As you may or may not have read yesterday, I went on a shopping trip with my nine year old daughter E. I should tell you all that I LOVE SHOPPING! I have always loved to shop, clothes shop, furniture shop, grocery shop, cold medicine shop, you name it, I will enjoy shopping for it. I don't shop over my budget, so I guess I am not a shopaholic, but I am a spender. Fortunately my husband is a great saver and very frugal with his income.
First we met up with grandma at my favorite mall. I brought along my Xanax with me which I take for anxiety, but promised my husband I would only take it if I reeaaaallly needed it and if I wasn't going to drive for a while. So as soon as I saw my mother I excused myself to the ladies room and took it! There are many reasons why I have this anxiety around my mother, but truthfully, after a short time with her, you would be begging me for some.
Mom treated us to lunch then let me shop all by myself while she took E with her. Wow, a whole hour of shopping by myself. I didn't mention that I took T's stroller with me in the mall, lots of people looked into it expecting to see a baby, what? Well, I hadn't been shopping in a mall in a very long time and was planning on buying a lot of stuff. As if I am going to carry my packages around or keep walking back to my van to drop them off. HUMPH! I was on a time constraint people.
One hour all by myself so I rush off to H&M, adrenaline pumping, I just know I am going to find exactly what I am looking for....one hour later, I found lots of cute shirts, a hat, gloves, knee high socks, for T and E. But what about Mama? I did find a cute pair of pants but that's it. So I rush out of the store and tried to make it to some shoe stores because I obviously needed to buy a pair of boots to go with these new pants. No luck. As I walked through the mall a strange thing kept happening. Every 10 stores or so a good looking man with a British accent would stop me and ask if I "wore my nails natural?" HUH? I was rushing, I said "Of course I do, I am a nurse, I have to" then he/they would start to look at my hands. How embarrassing, I quickly hid my ugly, natural nails as to not offend, and I quickly ran off. I guess these guys were trying to sell a new nail product. But I have no time to blog, I mean shop, so I rushed to the meeting place to meet E and grandma,Target. For sure I could find at least a new winter coat or boots or shirt to go with the new pants, well, a little luck happened and I found a shirt and these 'above the knee' tights that would go perfect under the new pants, then I could just wear my ballet slippers with the pants. See, the pants are those cuffed, just 'below the knee' wool plaid pants, sooo cute but would look very cute with high cut boots. I know this because I watch fashion shows on The Today Show. Can you tell my thoughts were getting a wee bit manic by that time?
In the hour it took me to buy one pair of pants, E had bought two shirts, jammies, shoes and a gift for a baby shower we went to today! Bitch! I was able to shop a little more by myself in Target and got my own baby gifts.
The reason I had to rush off, was because I had to meet my dad and his girlfriend at Costco, our usual meeting place, at 3 pm. I love the underwear at Costco, don't look at this blog like that, they are good sturdy underwear, perfect for everyday use. I also drooled over the lap top computers......bought printer ink refills, a DVD for hus with a bunch of great stand-up comedian acts on it, drooled over the entire collection of hard cover Harry Potter books.....
Dad treated us to dinner at The Hometown Buffet, perfect for kids and overweight moms like me. Then we walked to Khols, where I found the perfect winter coat, it was a Vera Wang, black with an embroidered design, perfect length, and 25% off! I took it off the hanger and suddenly realized, it had SHORT SLEEVES! WTH! I have seen these cute but ridiculous coats on TV, but I think I would look really funny in one, dead of winter, 20 below....So I put it back.
On our way to Khols I noticed this store sign.



Ain't it the truth!

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Slippery Road Driving Skills Needed

This barn is located at one end of our road. At least once a year my husband drives his truck into it when the road is slippery. Luckily he doesn't do any damage, to the barn or himself, because the snowbank usually slows him down.


That's all I got today. I am heading out the door with E for a fun day of shopping out of state in a real mall. I will catch up on reading tomorrow. I apologize for any misspelled or confusing comments I may have left last night. I had about 4 hours sleep and no nap! Have a nice Saturday.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Harry and Hairy

I really hope I don't forget to post one day in November, here is my first Nablopomo post.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We had wonderful warm weather, perfect for trick-or-treating. We drove to a friends house from then next town over, because if we stayed in our town we would have to drive from house to house. Some do that, but I love to walk house to house especially in great weather.

Our friends dressed up as Dog the Bounty Hunter and a Voodoo Mama complete with Voodoo dolls and pins. E and I dressed up as Hippies, T was the cutest Harry Potter EVER, and Hus refused to dress up, as usual. My husband didn't have a great experience with Halloween growing up. He lived in the country, the baby of 6 kids, his mom didn't drive and his dad was too busy (drinking) to drive him. He said his older brothers and sisters took him into town once but that was it. I am glad he is wiling to come with us trick-or-treating and aside from refusing to wear a costume, he was in good spirits last night.

I have to say that the candy wasn't great, we mostly got Smarties and Tootsie Rolls, very little chocolate. WTH! Not one Snickers mini or Three Musketeer, my favorites. I guess that could also be considered good, because all the less for mama to eat.

One of the houses that always goes to the extreme of decorating and partying on Halloween was serving some adult treats besides candy. They had Jello shots and chili! I missed those because T was too scared to go to that house. They had a fake autopsy happening on the picnic table and smoke machines. He also freaked just a little when kids or adults had on scary masks, and would stand behind me for protection. I probably would have declined the Jello because even though there was little traffic in the streets I had to keep my wits about me and make sure the little ones didn't run into the road without looking.


My hus usually says "no" when I ask if I can post pics of the kids. I asked about the following pic and he said "OK". Maybe he got sick of me asking or he thought the costumes made the kids unrecognizable. I might remove them tomorrow. So look while you can. He had noooo problem showing my hairy hippie leg!

Mama's Hairy Hippie Leg

Harry and Hippie