Weekend Plans

Okay, so in theory I'm going to:
• Straighten up the house which means doing laundry and hanging some pics that have been laying around waiting on my hammer and nail to attack them

• Make pumpkin bread for my neighbors on both sides since we'll be in church Wed night and their kids are the only ones that I really care about giving goodies to.

• Attend my dear friend April's wedding. (She was my little made-from-scratch pixie at Auburn. Tiny as can be and could cook up a storm! Threw the best "themed parties" EVER!) It's only 2 hours away and it's a night wedding. I don't think I've ever been to a wedding at night and it's conjuring up all kinds of thoughts of romance (dancing in candlelit room, whispering sweet nothings over tasty appetizers... but funny thing is 1) KJ does not like to dance at weddings and 2) KJ can not whisper to save his life, so I guess I'm thinking of another couple... hehehe).

• Return my unread library books. I give! Plus I've noticed that there are a few books that I've never read that I own so I'll probably have better luck with those.

• Start and maybe finish the decor to revamp my church classroom. (oh side bar- Wednesday went really well. I typed up a rules, regulations and respect guideline sheet for all my students to read over with their parents and then return to me with both theirs and their parents signature. I let them know that we would NOT have a repeat of the previous Wednesday night EVER. That I will not go home as disappointed in my class as I was that night. That they will not come into my class with stank attitudes and the mindset that they would dictate how class would go. And yes, I did say "stank attitudes" and I think they understood. My bad apple 8 year old included. I'll keep you posted on this.)

•Maybe, just maybe start cleaning out the office/manroom in preparation of its nursery revival.

hehehe, just typing this up, I already know that there's quite the possibility that the only thing I'll be able to check off on Monday is attending April's wedding.

Happy Friday all!

From the wreckage...

On Tuesday morning, driving into work, I had a car accident. Let me say that God is better than good and we (baby and I) are fine! I drive the highway to work and it's been raining here a lot lately. It wasn't raining that morning, but as I was driving suddenly my steering wheel felt loose and when I taped my brake to release the cruise control I started spinning. In the middle of the highway. Complete and total blessing that no one was even near me and in all that spinning God shifted the car for the guard rail on the right which ultimately stopped me. I jumped out the car, grabbed my purse and sat on the guardrail. Looking around the area was probably just as scary as the accident. It could have been bad. Really bad, but it wasn't at all. My fine piece of Korean craftsmanship didn't fair so well, but it's just a car. Again, I'm so very blessed and very thankful.

Now that being said, I really did like my car. It served me well... very well for the past 5 or 6 years. So with the possibility of it being totaled, KJ started asking what I might want to start looking for. Ummm, a white Kia Sorento (just like the one I just sacrificed) ....I don't always fair well with change.... My girl Connie called to tell me that her and her husband were in the market for a new car and since I've talked up my Sorento so much since they've known me that they were thrilled when they found a great deal on one! She's got her heart set on it, and this morning I contemplated what kind of damage it would do to our friendship if I drove to Bham and she saw me at the bank signing paperwork on her car... hehehe just messing, I don't think I could do that to her, but if they decide to go another direction, you just might see me in a local Regions bank displaying all 28 (my teeth are large so I don't have as many... really, it's the truth, KJ and I counted them...) of my pearly whites in a ridiculous grin. Love you dearly Connie-lee! ;-)

Okay so besides sharing my blessing and God's goodness I also wanted to fill you in on this.
When we went to the dr. just to be sure everything checked out and that the little mini was also okay, the sonogram tech asked if we wanted to know what we were having. Ummm, yes! (I don't do surprises) Frankly the countdown to Halloween was starting to drive me nuts. So she scanned around and proudly announced that this baby:


would indeed be someone who could use one of these:


;-) I have a feeling she's going to be a daddy's girl , and I'm perfectly okay with that.

Happy Thursday everyone!

Trice's Baby Shower

Oh, I'd say that we had a good time. ;-)
Ladies and babies showed up on Sat. to shower Tricey and Miss Reagan with some love, and they really pulled out all the stops.
There were presents, games, good food, scrumptous cake, and lots of smiles and laughter. Here are a few of my pics, but Dionne, Colleen and any others who had their cameras, please send (email, upload, whatever technology lets you do) me your pics so that I can put them all together and get to Trice before the end of the month (you know if I don't give myself a deadline, Reagan will be 14 wondering where she was in these shower pics...). Kendi and Dionne were my right hand women and helped make sure all went smooth. My mom was beyond amazing in letting me use her house and helping me with all the prep and helping keep the kids occupied during the shower. My daddy and KJ were good sports when I had to kick them out of the man room and banish them to a bedroom to indulge in their Saturday football fest. ;-)

Yep, little Miss Reagan and her momma were definitely VIP on Saturday.

3 Secrets I'm willing to share:

1) I've discovered the BEST time to go to Walmart. No really, I'm not teasing, I understand how it is as I live in a town where there are elderly people who love to mingle between 5am and 10am, housewives that feel the need just to get out and let the kids have an adventure running around like wild animals between clothing racks, and teenagers who apparently think their school is located on aisles 8, 9, and 10. There's never a good time. But ahhh-haaaa I dare you to go when it's pouring down rain (like I did last night) and tell me if you bump into 25 people in the whole store. And I'm talking a super Walmart. Test my theory out, I'm pretty sure it could be written in stone somewhere.

2) When your office-mate is out, do not use the opportunity as free range to release a little effervescence as it is Murphy's law that everyone in the company will immediately flock to your office and stand by your desk just to chit-chat.::shame::

3) I opened my "maternity shipment" of clothes from Old Navy and let me tell you THEY ARE THE BEST. And yes I'm basing that off of the one t-shirt I pulled out to wear this morning. This one:


Isn't it cute??? It makes me feel artsy-fartsy pregnant and I love it. So much that I've deemed this my favorite shirt after only wearing it for ummm, 2 hours and 39 mins.

Happy Friday!
We're showering Tricey with some baby love this weekend so pics will surely follow (I know you're thinking, yeah right, I've heard that before, but this time I really mean it....)!!!

I've got a bad apple...

Okay so last night I had the toughest time teaching at church that I've ever had. There's one little boy. He's 8. He's relatively new to my class. And he's a hellion. He does so many things wrong that the culmination of him, last night, was my breaking point. He's rude. He's disrespectful. He's ungrateful. He's got an attitude that he's 8 and he can do what he wants when he wants. Ummm, no sir. So, honestly, I don't like this little boy. Honestly I don't like his mother. (Now yes, I love them b/c they are my family in Christ, but I don't care for their actions one bit). So after fussing at him all thru class and barely getting thru my lesson I decided to have a quick meeting with him and his mom after church. I had hope. I wouldn't say that she's a terrible mom b/c she provides food, clothing and shelter, but I think a few parenting classes would do her some good. Anywho, we meet, and as I'm telling her about the debacle of his behavior, she's plum ignoring me looking over my shoulder and behind her as if I'm taking up too much of her precious time. Okay fine. She says she'll handle it when she gets home and walks off and it's obvious that I've bothered her and wasted her time.

Sidebar: When we were little my mom used to do this thing where if we said something she didn't like or if we were acting like we didn't want to hear what she had to say, she would firmly caress (grab) our jaw so that we had to look her in the eye and she let her voice go very low and calm (that scary calm where as a child you're pretty sure that when she's finished speaking she's going to bite your head off) and speak to us matter of factly with a look that dared us to act like we weren't going to straighten up. I didn't grab his jaw, but that's purely by the grace of God. ;-)

So I get home and I've decided to kick him out of my class. He's broken. He's my bad apple and I don't want to deal with him anymore. If I don't have the help of his mom, then I'm surely not going at it alone. Hand him a pistol and let the ball start rolling on his mission to be a menace to society. I'm done. Yeah right, people, you know me! About 2 secs after I had resolved to kick him out, I start talking with KJ and then I call my mom and I realize that I'm letting an EIGHT YEAR OLD defeat me. Ummm, no sir. So I'm on a new mission. I'm going to help him grow to be the best man our little FL town has ever laid eyes on (at least in my class... gotta start somewhere). I was wrong. I wanted to put the heel of my shoe thru his esophagus* last night, and that was wrong (of course I didn't do it, but somewhat only because my balance is a little affected by the little mini that's taking over my womb). Okay, so I got great advice from both KJ (who was/is willing to put a sleeper hold on him or break his little tail-bone* so that he'd behave better... don't mess with his wife, he doesn't care if your 8 or 80 and I love him so much for that hard-coreness) and my mom and I've got a few solutions I'm going to start implementing.

1) I'm going to pair him up with the 14 year old boy in my class. The 8 year old wants attention and wants to run with the big kids, well, if my 14 year old lets him know that what he's doing isn't "cool" then I think it will crush his little menacing spirit. (Mom's idea)

2) I'll give one warning and then you go sit outside my door and work on the lesson's worksheet. I'm a good teacher, we have fun, they're learning not only bible stories, but moral lessons and how to be better children of God. If you can't handle the interaction of class, then sit outside and study that lesson on your own and then present in front of the church. (KJ's idea)

3) I've got to be more structured. Last night I didn't have enough copies so I had to take time to run some off and that 7 minutes was all he needed to feel like I'd handed him the reins.

I've got a few more ideas, but I'm anxious to hear any suggestions you all may have. I know a lot of you are teachers (Candi, Kendi, my cousin Tasha) or work in the school system as counselors (Tasha (frogqueen)..I think, and Connie), or have kiddos of your own (most of the aforementioned, Lisa, Cindy) who you refuse to let run the show. I'm not plucking my bad apple just yet, so hit me with your suggestions.

*And just because I have no idea who stumbles across my blog, let me say that KJ nor I are violent people, but we both believe firmly in discipline, not abuse. I'm not really going to put my heel in a child's esophagus, my shoes are too cute for that. ;-)

Happy Thursday all!

Forget Tuesdays, Wednesday's where it's at...

1. I'm avoiding work like the plague. There is one little task that's been on my to-do list for the last week and here I am avoiding it again (Just a little fyi, I despise doing instruction sheets...)

2. I don't consider myself accident prone, or clumsy, but if you glanced at my right arm, you'd promise that I was trying to get rid of my useful appendage. About a week ago I accidently got my arm caught in the door at church (I can't even begin to explain) and yesterday I burned my arm on my curling iron while brushing my teeth. A true testament as to why I hardly wear my hair straight anymore. :-)

3. I'm thinking of designing a halloween t-shirt for myself since there are none on the market that have caught my eye.

4. We have been on the go every weekend since the last of Sept and we won't have a chance to slow down until the weekend after Veterans Day (Nov 17th -ish). Then we'll jump right into the holidays.

5. I have not made a single casserole and I'm unsure as to exactly what we've been eating to maintain our existence. Oh yeah, Monday I had a work dinner and yesterday KJ made a quick pasta meal. Seems like it's been forever since I was in the kitchen...

6. My dear acne has returned with a vengeance. hehehe If it wasn't for this and my ballooning belly I think some people would challenge my whole pregnancy (myself included as I literally feel fine, just the same as always, and I know that's such a blessing b/c it could be really rough, but I'm really anxious to feel some action in this ole tummy.)

7. My library books were due yesterday (seriously, they give you 30 min to check them out before you have to bring them right back). Is it bad that they're just going to have to be overdue for a sec b/c 1) I'm still on page 8 of my first book and 2) the library is waaayyyy across town and 3)I'd like to think of myself as rebelling b/c the don't have on-line renewal. Heellloooo, it's 2007 people, let's embrace technology.

8. I'm hosting a baby shower for a friend this weekend and whenever I do a shower, it never fails that I get really nervous that people won't enjoy themselves. I'm not really a party-thrower, more like a goer. So fingers crossed that all goes well!

9. Do Russian Tea and pumpkin bread scream autumn to anybody else? I think the fact that it's down to 80 degrees is reason enough to bring out the fall goodness.

10. ummm, I think 9 is all I have. ;-)

Hope everyone's doing well. I should be able to tickle your fancy with some pics or randomness soon.

All is well with the world

Today was our first Jim-free day at work and I must say that it's going gloriously. I've got a few things to update you on (a ten on Tuesday kind of update), but for the most part everything's been about the same. Due to me eating nothing but bagels with cream cheese and pepperoni yesterday (didn't feel like doing an ounce of cooking), I've vowed that this week will be a casserole week. Kj's eaten up most of our left-overs and I'm pretty sure feeding him was somewhere in our wedding vows (along with washing dishes if he vowed to do all yard work and wash my car...) So if you've got a great casserole recipe, send it on. I'm looking for a poultry one, a seafood one, a vegetable one and then a wild card.

Oh, and I did tell you that my half-godbaby (I share her with Trice) came to visit, right? Look at all this beach cuteness from weekend before last.


Lots of lovin and happy Jim-free Monday!!!

Things are looking up...

Because I missed Tuesday...

Here's what's new:

1) Went home to NC this past weekend and had a wonderful time. So good to see family. They threw the guys a surprise baby barbeque (I've got several cousins who are preg. or just had babies), and KJ and I got some great stuff (see the sheer excitement in my face in the photo on the right...). We had to mail a box home b/c there was no way it would all fit in our one suitcase (the one time I pack light...) Thank you family, you're beyond the best!


2) KJ's out of town on business and I have to admit that I miss him terribly. He's my best and closest friend in FL and the house is soooo quiet when he's not there. As pitiful as I sound, I must say that I'm going at this time better than past times he's been away for a length of time and I think it's because I have little missions that I want to get accomplished. It's tough to get some things done when your closest FL pal wants to cuddle on the couch and entice you with the promise of a movie after the football game...

3) Here's a whopper (Liz I don't know how in the world I forgot to mention this while we were talking...): My super. resigned on Monday. Yep, he's moving on!!! And much to your surprise, I was able to refrain from doing a ridiculous happy dance or exhibiting a smile that overwhelmed my entire being... I simply took the news with a blank doe-eyed look and a few nods. hehehe Cindy and Lisa you may remember the look from Ladies class...

4) Had dinner at a FABULOUS Thai restaurant on Monday night. I've managed to spread my leftovers into dinner last night and lunch today and I'm a bit sad that all of my yellow curry chicken is almost gone. It's taking all of my will power not to lick the plate here at my desk. And those who know me know that I'm serious. I should really find a recipe for this...

5) Okay, okay I'm busted: I did lick my plate, but everyone's out for lunch and I sit behind a really big computer screen...

6) Went out and did a little maternity clothes shopping this week. Found a few things at the outlets and then really scored at oldnavy.com yesterday afternoon (sale sale sale). I know I know as my daddy said, I only have a kangaroo pouch, but I'm having to expand my work pants waist with a rubber band (trick I learned from a coworker... anybody else have any suggestions? I'm game!), so I figured now was as good a time as any. Basically my plan is to get a few work pants, a couple of pairs of jeans and some tops. Luckily I held on to my sweater collection and I believe that they'll work out just fine...

7) Finally went to the library and was so disappointed that most of the books I've been putting on my list (I'm pulling from JJ at 6:37 as I believe we have similar reading taste) weren't there. Stinky library. So I left with 3 books and I have until the 16th to read them. Oh and my overdue fine from last time was 90¢. The book selection stinks but the price for being tardy with a return is not so bad...

8) My computer at work is seriously broken. It's at the mac doctor now. I had to bring one of my laptops from home in to work on. I've heard some talk of them trying to switch me over to a pc. I told our IT guy that if that should happen, they'll need to find a designer that comes with their little pc, b/c I'm not having it. I'm a mac girl and I dare them to try to take that away from me.

9) Kendi, her daughter (my little angel S), Kendi's sister and her neice are coming to visit this weekend. I'm so excited! I love having company and finally I've been able to lure a few pep down. I'm already planning a breakfast casserole to start us off on Sat morn and then there's a Seafood Festival, the beach, great weather, ahhhhh, it's going to be a good weekend.

10) Had a dr's appt today. All looks great. Little mini's heart beat was 160 and strong. Next appt is on Halloween and we find out what we're having. So do you want to start placing your guesses now? Ghoul or Goblin. hehehe

Lots of lovin to you all. I'm learning there are a few of you out there who check on me but never comment (Lisa whom I know thru Liz), but that's completely cool b/c I'm a lurker on quite a few of my favorite blogs. ;-) I'm just glad you come by!

Computer Trouble

I normally post from work, b/c by the time I get home I'm so sick of a computer it's not even funny...
Anyway I had started composing a wonderful post yesterday when my computer decided it wanted to die. REALLY. Here's the problem, I'm a graphic designer, if I don't have a computer, I can't work. period. So I fooled around with it for an hour and a half then took lunch, after lunch I fooled with it for another hour and it finally came back on. Feebly... So there's my explanation for the abbreviated post that will follow. hehehe (Oh and no worries, I've put a call into the Mac guys and hopefully they'll be able to explain how to revive my poor Apple to it's old robust self...)

So my Colein and Dash-adoo came to visit this past weekend and I couldn't love Colleen more for trekking across the state line, arriving after midnight, and then running around with me on Sat. Seriously she's a wonderful friend and a fantastic momma. She drove when she knew Dash would be sleeping so that he wouldn't be traumatized by spending so much time in a car seat, she let me love and cuddle my nephew to my heart's content, she let KJ give Dash a lecture about "man-time" and testosterone and not having to take a day of shopping with the ladies, she talked football with KJ when I was ready to kick in the tv screen (I'm not nice when I'm having HGTV and Foodnetwork withdrawls), and she didn't mind one bit that sunny FL was anything but and we didn't even see the sandy surf. Love you girlie!

So here are a few pics from this past weekend. They're all staring Dash b/c I didn't take any pics of me and Colleen after we got out of our jammies, but trust me, Momma is looking pretty good (keep doing what you're doing, after not seeing you for months, I can definitely see the differences that you might overlook)!



All else is good this way. Discovered that my night-time suffication was due to my pillow (and maybe not so much a child growing on my diaphram) by big-boying KJ's pillow one evening (he's got the foam wave shaped pillow...2 so that it sits up high). So to keep the peace, I bought my own little foam pillow and I think the wave shape allows me to have a breathing passage. hehehe That's my scientific explanation.

Happy Wednesday all!

To Tickle Your TV Fancy

It occurred to me yesterday that I had no idea when my favorite shows would be starting back up. So I hit the web. Granted that because of the conflict of football and the good tv in the living room, I generally end up DVRing my shows and watching them on Fri nites or early Sat mornings, but regardless of when I watch them, I need to be on the up and up of when they're coming back on. Soooo, for all those who may be interested, or who are looking for some thing good to watch this season, I present to you my tentative TV schedule:

Mondays:
Girlfriends (Joan is ENGAGED!!!) premieres 10/1 at 8:00 cst
The Game premieres 10/1 at 8:30 cst

Wednesdays:
America's Next Top Model premiered 9/19 at 7:00 cst
Private Practice (Grey's Anatomy spin off with Addison) premieres 9/26 at 8:00 cst

Thursday:
Grey's Anatomy premieres 9/27 at 8:00 cst

There are a few that I'm still investigating like:
Lost and Project Runway... no sign of when they're going to kick back up, and all I can find out about Army Wives it that we'll have to wait until Spring of 08.

So if you need a break from the NFL, ESPN, or the college games, join me in delighting in any of the above. If you've got a few suggestions of your own, hit me with them!

Happy Thursday everyone!

What's been going on...

Okay, so here's a little more insight into what's been keeping me so busy that I haven't had a chance to blog in FOREVER...

1) We're pregnant, as I put it out there yesterday. ;-) Today we are 12 weeks and 6 days. Been fabulous so far: not an ounce of morning sickness, have gained 8 pounds, a little shortness of breath (doc says it's hormones, KJ thinks it's asthma... but no worries I'm not scheduled to run any marathons), on the brink of coming out of the first trimester, love my new lady/baby doc, heard baby's heartbeat and it came in strong at 166. Here's a glimpse of what I'm looking like as a pregnant woman since several friends and family have told me they can't seem to picture it. Tah-dah, me and the little mini:


2) Been doing a lot of traveling (or at least it feels that way). Took the church kids to the lake a couple of weekends ago. I'll have to upload pics later b/c they're on my home computer... Had a good time splashing in the water and running after them. We grilled out and the weather was perfect, so I think all were happy and I don't know if it tired them out, but I was pooped by the time I made it home.

Went to a wedding of a friend of mine from my church back in bham. Absolutely beautiful. See:


Great ceremony and fun reception. KJ skipped the reception to watch the UA game, so I went with my girlfriends and we laughed and laughed. I'm getting old b/c the only dance I even knew how to do was the electric slide and the little kids were getting down to songs that I couldn't even understand what was being said. hehehe

3) Work is work. My super. and I have had more "meetings/conversations" in the past month then probably the whole year before hand. I'm finished with the whole deal as I've said my piece as clearly and bluntly as I can ("I believe the issue to be that I've never had a sup. that hindered my work progress, but now that you've starting to do your job, I'm anxious to see what the year will bring...") and I believe it's been heard. We'll see. Other than that, works been crazy busy and I like it that way.

4) KJ is doing well. Had a birthday on the 31st of last month that has put him on the edge of his 20s. Lucky for him, he's aging gracefully and I have a thing for this older man. ;-) Football season is underway, so I've pretty much given up the tv in the living room unless I watch a couple of quarters of a game (I have a tendency to fall asleep before the end), and believe it or not that happens more times than not. I actually really like football and KJ's like a huge vat of information so I'm constantly asking questions. The only ones he rolls his eyes when he answers are the ones about the player's personal lives like, "how long has he been married?" or "does he have any kids?" Apparently these are not considered "football questions".

I think that's about it. FL weather is finally getting to where it's tolerable again and soon I might just need a light jacket. Ohhh, can't wait!

Oh and this weekend my Colein and Dash are coming to visit. I can't wait to get caught up in person with her and to cuddle my Dash to pieces. I'm counting down the days...

Happy Wednesday all!

10 on Tuesday - Under Development

1) Our newest family unit improvement has trumped all other projects.

2) We decided in June to start work, and in July we were well on our way.

3) We've met with the specialists twice and so far everything is looking great!

4) I've been doing most of the work lately, but KJ's not off the hook just yet, this is a long term endeavor.

5) All of this "work" has me beefing up a bit. The kind of weight you don't mind putting on. ;-)

6) We haven't decided on a color scheme just yet, we've got a few weeks before we have to make that call.

7) Our families are both excited about our progress and can't wait to see the finished masterpiece.

8) Just a little fyi: It's tough to keep a major development under wraps.

9) Luckily several people have done similar family unit improvements so we've got a lot of advice and understanding to draw from.

10) Our completion date is March 27th. Until then, our little mini is still under development and being supervised very closely by both KJ and myself. Again, it's unanimous in our house that this is the biggest and best family unit improvement that we've undergone to date! hehehe

What's better than Friday?

Pay-day Friday and leaving work at 3:00 to hit the highway to see my Bham folks! Whoooo-hooo, I'm on my way and it's going to be hard not to push that "pedal all the way to the metal", but the po-po are running thick so I'll see you all in the alloted 4 hours or so. hehehe

To all else, thanks for your comment on my moral compass corruption. The police never called me so I guess I wasn't needed. I'll be back in the grind on Monday, but hopefully I'll have a few pics to tickle your fancy. It's been a little bit huh? I guess I've been a woman of many words lately...

Peace out! ;-)
And have a merry weekend!

Moral Compass

Alrighty, my disclaimer is that I know better than what my actions dictated and that being in "corporate America" for the past 5 years has taken a toll on my psyche.

This morning, at the intersection just down the street from my house, I was the third car in line to turn left. I was doing great with time, listening to a good interview with James Blount on the radio, getting my mind ready for the day. So the green turn arrow comes on and the first car goes, the second car goes and WHAAAMM a car comes and reams the older couple as they're almost completing their turn hitting them square in the driver's side rear. It's almost like I saw that car coming in slow motion. 2 high school girls, Hawaiian seat covers, laughing and completely oblivious that they were running a light. Everyone was okay. Both cars pulled out of the way of traffic and then (here's the part I'm completely ashamed of) after I called 911 to report the accident, I went around the accident scene thinking, "Good night, I'm going to be late for work after all (I'm always late, but like I said, this morn I was doing great with time)." SHAME. 2 secs later my sense of humanity kicked in and I couldn't shake the feeling that I should have stayed and acted as a witness for the police report.

This really hit home when I remembered that while in school, when a girl hit me in almost the exact same kind of situation a man at the gas station across the street gave his information as a witness for me. Even though I didn't need it (insurance people assessed who was at fault by the damage to both cars, etc), it felt good to have someone say that, "No, you're not crazy, that woman was soooo in the wrong!" ::sigh:: I know better, I should have stayed and just called work to tell them why I was going to be really late. Somebody slap my hands! So now that my moral compass is back on track I've called the police station to give my info as a witness to the wreck and the police chief asst. told me that the officer who handled the accident will give me a call if he needs me. Talk about humbling. I pride myself on being a morally deceit person and this morn, my first instinct after seeing everyone was okay was "Better not be late for work". sheesh. Again, I know better, my mom and daddy taught me better, I AM better. I've got a good mind to drive 45min back home take photos of the accident scene, write out my account of the accident, and sit in the police station and wait on the officer who filled out the report, but I've been told by my co-workers that's a bit obsessive...

The accident could have been worse, but I'm pretty sure my actions hit rock bottom. I'll do better people, I promise I'll BE better.

So Happy Tuesday to you, I hope you're being safe, because I failed my witness test this morn so you're pretty much on your own. ;-)

Friday Giggles

There's only two graphic designers at my company. Me and my office mate B. He's a really nice guy and hilarious in that arsty-fartsy kind of way. I laugh a lot at work and its normally from something he says or does. So besides idiot supervisor I have a fantastic working environment. So just a moment a go I hear B making some kind of beat-box noise and here's the conversation we had:
Roz: Hey are you over there rapping?
B: Umm-huh
Roz: What are you saying? (now here's the part that made me chuckle...)
B: I was just rapping: Darn you look swell when you reverse that posterior (In other words, his version of Back That Thing Up)

Of course that sends me into fits of giggles.
We're corny like that... and it's Friday...

Shrimp boil tonight, R and S coming to visit, and I believe a little canoeing (for the ladies) and jet-skiing (for the men) tomorrow. Shaping up to be a really good weekend.

10 on Thursday:

1) On Tues. I went over to a friend's house after Ladies Bible study and watched a movie and talked until 12:30am!!!! On a "school night"!!! I'm so old, I've been trying to recover from this little outing since then, being that my body has gotten quite used to the 8:45 bedtime I usually adhere to. Yes, I'm that lame. ;-)

2) I've decided it's probably not best for me to deal with work email first thing in the morning, for "Are you on crack?" as a reply just might stir up some negative feelings.

3) I bought the less sugar Maple and Brown Sugar oatmeal and ummm, let's just say I think I've defeated the purpose by now having to add sugar to get it to taste "normal".

4) I'm trying to work on some ways to teach the kids at church to be more grateful. It really bothers me that a 7 year old with no job, no money, no car will complain at a youth outing about the activities and the food when they came with nothing planned and brought no food, so rightfully should just sit in a corner and be hungry...

5) KJ's going to do a shrimp boil on Fri nite for dinner (we've got friends coming in town) and I'm soooo excited. Oddly even though we live in FL, it took Jon and Liz to introduce us to the beauty of this deliciously simple meal. Love me some J & L.

6) I talked with the wife of the couple who's coming to visit and she suggested that we do some painting... on canvases... I'm more than stoked and going to start gathering ideas for masterpieces.

7) I've got cash in my wallet, so I'm geared up to go by the public library and pay my fine, as my "I want to read" list is much larger then the "money to spend on books" budget.

8) I'm not "hating" my idiot supervisor anymore b/c I've let go of that anger, but I think he's mistaken my newfound lack of hostility. He's making a habit of coming into my office to make pointless "small talk" and I'm trying to figure out a nice way to tell him that I don't really care to know about what goes on with him outside of (or inside for that matter) the office. Is there a nice way to say that. I'm thinking of "Please quit talking to me." Please is nice right?

9) Bham, I'm coming home (for a visit). I'll see you next weekend and tell the kids I'll bring the face-paint if they'll make sure that the volleyball net is ready for a good ole fashion Roz beat-down. Consider that a challenge. And Connie, you must make sure that your shorts reach the end of your fingertips with your hands down by your side. ;-) hehehe

10) Have I ever mentioned how Thursdays are my favorite days? Don't know why, but they even beat out Fridays. I think I love the anticipation of the weekend possibilities, the satisfaction of a week almost complete, and the complete control of the big tv.

Monday Discoveries

Yoplait makes a Guava yogurt. I bought it out of sheer curiousity (not sure if I've even tasted an actual guava...). It's about the color of Salmon påté, but don't let that disuade you... it's pretty good. I made my co-workers taste it and it got a thumbs up from each one (That's 4 thumbs-up, mine included). I went to the yoplait site to find a (better)pic for you, and they actually don't even have it listed under their flavors, but I did make discovery number 2. Yoplait recipes. Tell me why this makes my stomach churn. Maybe it's the thought of using yogurt in "Baked Mexican Macaroni and Cheese"... I'm sure it's probably a plain yogurt, but again I would like to refer your attention to the numerous "flavors" they make and I'm pretty sure these don't need to be combined into ANY recipe. ;-)

Happy Monday all!

Please join me...

in boycotting Precision Auto Tune!!!! May their business go down in a fiery flame of failure!!! Oh, you want some details before you commit and I send you a "I Don't *HEART* Precision Auto Tune" t-shirt... understandable.
I own a piece of fine Korean craftsmanship in the form of my Kia and it's truly a great suv. Been with me since 2003 and has never once put me down or thrown me into another vehicle, and that's giving a lot of credit being that I lived in Bham for 2 years and everyone knows driving there is a risk of disaster itself... but I digress.

Anyway, me and my Kia... So her headlight was out. It's been out for about a week, KJ tried to change it, but it's in a difficult place and screwed in some kind of your-headlight-will-never-need-to-be-replaced kind of way. I know it's difficult, so I've always let a professional change it for me. Apparently they've got the right tools. So here's a little FYI, if you go to Auto Zone and buy and headlight, not only will they tell you which headlight to buy, but they'll install it for you (for FREE). The men in Bham were pros, but here in FL my little Auto Zone man was young and scared he was going to break something, so when my left headlight was out, I caught some mechanics just about to leave their shop, put my wedding band in the ashtray, and played the damsel in distress role. It took them about 20 min, but they wouldn't let me pay them, so I gave them the McDonald's gift cards I keep in my purse (to give to my church kids when they answer one of my Challenge questions...). ::sigh:: now here's the story as to why you're going to want to drive down and picket the streets with me...

My right headlight goes out. It's out for about a week and I'm driving around with the headlight replacement bulb in my car, but I can't find the time to catch my old friends the mechanics who changed my other one b/c I get home wayyyy after their shop has closed. So on Wed (my mental health day off) KJ calls Precision Auto Tune and the guy says they can change it and get me right in and out. Cool. So I drive up there, trustingly give the guy my keys and my headlight bulb and proceed to 1)read 4 magazines from cover to cover from March of 2006, 2) witness 3 people come in and go out after having their oil changed, and 3) watch half and episode of some Disney show on the miniscule tv behind the counter. What in the world?!?!?! So finally I stand up and glare out the window and the guy comes back in and says, "Ummm, maam, your car's coming right up. It's going to be $30." Oh no, you've got me mistaken, I just had my headlight changed, that's all. So when I ask how in the world my bill could be $30 when I brought in my own replacement bulb he proceeds to ramble off something about labor fees. So of course I ask what took so long and he tells me..."Well maam, that headlight's in a tough place and you need little hands and the man working on your car does not have little hands..." Seriously?!?! Did you really just explain my labor charge with the fact that a big handed man couldn't do his job??? Does the fact that I'm capable of wearing a skirt mean that I'm a complete idiot when it comes to anything with an engine?? Arghhh! He even had the nerve to tell me that had I not brought in the light it could have been a $60 job b/c the headlight runs about $25 itself. Ummm, no sir, I bought that headlight and didn't spend $6 on it!!!! So I paid the man his over-priced, keep me in shop for an hour and fifteen minute fee, and told him he could take our info out of his system b/c I was never stepping foot or tire back near his establishment... That is until we set up our picket line next week. ;-) So, where do you want me to send your t-shirt? hehehe

Anyway, enough ranting. This week's been good. I'm glad it's Friday, no big plans for the weekend, but that's how I like it sometimes.

Happy Friday friends! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Ten on Tuesday

(I may not be posting as much, but I consider this ample for a weekly update, don't you think???)

1) My dear neighbors will be moving at the beginning of next year. We really like them and their kids. They're youngest son (2yrs) likes to help KJ when he uses the blower and last week the wife brought me over dinner b/c she knew KJ was out of town and that I'm not really a cook for one person kind of girl. ::sigh:: Don't want them to leave...

2) Wish we could help them choose who buys their house. I would have a cooking contest and I believe KJ would have a lawn knowledge and general man-courtesy category. I'll let you know if they decide to let us implement this. ;-)

3) Tomorrow I'm taking off for a "mental health" day. Just a day to get semi-caught up on just being Roz. I'm really excited! No big plans just me spending time with me when I would normally be at work. Can we say absolutely p e r f e c t?!?!?!

4) I keep trying to lure my sister to come visit. Any ideas as to what to use for bait on an almost 22 year old. The promise of gourmet dinners and serious sand time don't seem to be doing the trick...

5) Kj's b-day is at the end of the month, and this year I've devised a clever plan on how he, the champ of finding/discovering his b-day gifts waaayyy ahead of time, will lose his title once and for all. Bha-ha-ha-ha!

6) I noticed that I missed my Blog-iversary 2 months ago (6/22) and I'm amazed that I've had my ramblings on the web for over a year.

7) The free tunes on Free Music Tuesday on iTunes includes a country song, a eerie haunted sounding ditty, and a Spanglish track. Gotta appreciate the variety.

8) I'm thinking of giving my long established turtle collection to my neighbor on the other side. I haven't even taken them out of the box in about 2 years and she is a true turtle connoisseur. Complete with turtle tattoos and all.

9) I'm really excited that winter is around the corner. Even though I live in FL and there really is no winter...I've had a craving for minty hot chocolate lately and when the heat index is 101, the idea just seems ridiculous.

10) My next major home project is going to be installing ceiling fans everywhere (right now there's only one in the living room). As luck would have it, the one I love and KJ likes for our bedroom is out of stock on home depot's site and apparently they're the only ones who sell it (says my google search...). I'm wondering who I have to call to see when things get back in stock?

Happy Tuesday everyone!

10 on Tuesday:

1) I love sharing iTunes libraries with my coworkers. Triples my music selections on days when you just need the right song to get you through.

2) I HATE our (who am I kidding...HIS) Playstation. I'm thinking of throwing the controllers in the trash... or recycle bin if I can ever get them to bring us one...

3) My neighborhood is trying to establish and association and from the first meeting I can tell an old woman from New York is going to be the fiesty one..."No one, and I mean no one better touch my trash can. Tomorrow I have a dr's appt late and I won't be able to pull my trash in until late and I don't want anyone touching it!" ummm, okay.

4) I'm behind on several work deadlines and it stinks. What stinks even more is that I've lost my zeal to work hard and get them done. :-( It's just been a long month.

5) Yesterday was my parents' 30th anniversary. 30 years... wow. I attribute some of that success to the fact that my father has no idea what a Playstation is... ;-)

6) I need a place to hang out, but my local library closes at 6:30. Maybe I should just get books and sit in the Sonic spaces, no one would know if I was waiting to order or just taking my time after eating my food. ;-)

7)Today is suppose to be my retirement day from freelance. Ummm, I've got 4 outstanding (as in waaayyy past due, so sorry Anthony!!!!) projects that I'm going to try my hardest to crank out this week.

8) I love John Mayer's Continuum album and my coworker Kristen for having it in her iTune library.

9) I've tried 2 recipes off this site Trice recommended before. The West African Chicken Peanut Stew and the Cornbread Chili Casserole. Both have been wonderful. Sometime this week I plan on making the Spicy Peach Chicken. I'll let you know how that turns out...

10) Here's a pic of me and My Liz from last weekend. This was Sunday afternoon and it was cloudy as all get out, but everyone who knows Liz knows that she's not going to be near the beach and not on the beach. Come drizzle or jellyfish. ;-)


Here's the pic of my Mary Kay facial I had on Friday.

The lady was nice, but this pic reminds me why I don't wear anything but lipstick, ummm, let's just say a short skirt and some fishnets and I'm sure I would have been mistaken for a bonafide street walker. hehehe Maybe a little eyeshadow every now and then for the fancy occasions. I loved the little diagram she had that showed you where which colors went where. Kind of paint your face by numbers... right up my alley (no pun intended with the aforementioned street walker reference...)!

Happy Tuesday all!