Pens and paper and glue. Oh my!

So maybe I'm a school supply stockpiler.
I refuse to use the word hoarder.
But, I buy lots and lots of school supplies when they are on sale.
I use the drawers in my china cabinet for storage.
Pens, markers, highlighters, folders, notebook paper, graph paper, erasers.
Stock. Piled.
Don't ask me why I use my china cabinet for this. The drawers were available. It's convenient for the kids to just grab something when they need it. So, china on top, supplies on the bottom. It works.
Sooooo when the supply list came in guess who had almost every item on Cooper's list?
Meeeee!
Well, I'm going to go ahead and say I did have every item. Because the only thing we had to get was a red pocket folder without prongs.
Now, I have tons of folders.  All colors. Pockets. Prongs. And every combination of those features. But I didn't have red, pockets, no prongs.
So that's the ONE thing I had to get.
Yay me!!
Jordan is going through her list today.
We will have to get binders for sure.
And a protractor for geometry.
But we should have everything else she needs.
I'm kind of happy and sad at the same time.
Happy that I don't have to go buy tons of school supplies.
Sad that I don't get to go pile my cart full of supplies.
But, I will grab some things while we are out to add to my cache.
Oh dear...
I just realized this is the last year that Cooper will have crayons on his supply list.
Waaahhhhhhhhhh.
I'm off work today and tomorrow. Spending a few days with my people.
And hitting the china cabinet to get their things together for school.

Confession Crush

Confession.
I caved.
I now play Candy Crush.
I was probably the last person in the universe to finally start playing
I knew I shouldn't have done it.
I have an addictive personality.  Nothing bad or immoral or illegal.
But I become hooked on other things.
Like silly games that I can't quit playing.
But what is it about this game?
I. Can't. Stop.
Well, when I run out of lives I have to stop.
I will never succomb to purchasing additional lives.
Or resetting the clock on my phone to allow new lives sooner.
But I do watch the time awaiting my new lives.
I've been hung up on a few levels.
Like right now.
That stupid level 38.
Grrrrrrr.
It at least gives my mind a "nowhere" place to go.
Guess I could have worse addictions.
Anybody else have a crush on the crush?

pondering

Why do we say "get IN the bed".

When we really don't get IN it.  We get ON it.

But we are UNDER the covers.

Or we will say "I'm going TO bed."

Not "going to THE bed".

All that just makes no sense to me.

That's all.

Bye.

stupid stupid stupid

So much for being all technologically smart.

Because now I'm stupid.

I found out my cell phone wasn't indicating when I had a voice mail.  So, if you've left me a voice mail in the last two months, I'm sorry I didn't call you back.  I will be spending part of my day returning six week old voice mail messages....

In an effort to fix that little problemo, I had to reset my phone.

And now it won't restore anything.

Blah.

It's all gone.

Kaput.

I'm so mad at myself.

Stupid.

So don't call me today.

Or text me.

The Captain is going to work on it today.  Hopefully he can at least get the phone working again.   Surely it's a fixable problem.  It's, shall we say, a very new up to date phone that starts with the letter i and ends in the number 4.

The contacts and apps and pictures and things may be kaput.  I don't know.  At this point, I just want my phone to work.   Feeling a little ... vulnerable this morning.  Odd how we are so dependent on these devices.

I told him last night that all my electronic success the day before was out the window.  He was sweet enough to say, "That was hardware, this is software.  Two completely different things."

OK then....

Not so sure he feels the same way this morning....

Blah.

Stupid stupid stupid.

So, in the meantime, don't call me, I'll call you.

It will show up on your caller ID as "Stupid."

plugged in

I was quite proud of the electronic accomplishments I made yesterday....

I am not a good one for hooking up games and cords and cable and stuff.  I just don't get it.... I can plug something into the wall.  That's about it.

But I managed to successfully hook up Cooper's "new gaming system" on the TV in the den and figured out how to run all the cords and plugs and things in and around and behind and through all the holes in the entertainment center.

Then I hooked up a new cable box and the "old gaming system" onto the TV in the play room upstairs and figured out how to plug in the round and square and pointy plugs into the correct receptacles.  

I amazed myself.

I amazed the Captain.

High fives all around.

We're cooking with grease now.

In a clutch

About two weeks ago, a little dove made nest in the end of the gutter on our patio.  She just sits up there.  And hardly ever leaves.   I guess it's a good safe spot.  Unless it rains a lot and the I would think a gutter is not a good place to raise small birds that can't fly.

Anyway, the whole nest thing has become slightly problematic this week because the Captain has gotten Edgar the Guatemalan Painter Man to paint the house this week.   And all the gutters on my whole house are spread out in the back yard.  Except for the gutters on the west side of the house.

Because, I told the Captain to tell Edgar the Guatemalan Painter Man he can't mess with the dove nest.  So I'm guessing parts of the west side of the house won't be worked on for probably two more weeks.  I know they think I'm nuts, but I can't, in good conscience, mess up that nest.   So, yes, I'm holding up the whole painting project.

Edgar the Guatemalan Painter Man is a cute little fella.   He's about 4' 8" tall.  Dude uses LOTS of ladders.  And he just smiles and says,  "You like?"

I've thanked him for watching out for the nest.

"You like?"

"I do like.  It looks great.  Thanks for watching out for the eggs."

"Ohhh.  Two eeeeggs in deeee neeeest."

"Yes.  Thanks for being careful around them."

"Two eeeeggs in deeee neeeest."

Sadly, I haven't seen the dove since yesterday morning when I left for work.  I know Edgar hasn't messed with the nest or gutters or anything because no work has been done over on that part of the house.   And I thought she may return late last night after things settled down out there.  But, I haven't seen her yet.   If she has personally made the decision to relocate that's ok,  I just didn't want the eviction to be on our heads.

May be time to tell Edgar that he can start painting over on the weeeest side of deeee house.

poultry problem

I've recently discovered I'm scared of live chickens.

This makes no sense.

Because I haven't been around any live chickens.

I haven't had a run in with any live chickens.

I'm never even around any live chickens.

I can't even tell you the last time I saw a live chicken.

But I'm totally flipped out over live chickens.

I can hear all of you deleting my blog right now.

Click, click, click.

Good bye crazy chicken hating woman.

I'm a weirdo.

Sprang a leak

Did I mention my coffee maker has a hole in it? Somewhere in the bottom. So when I pour water in it, it starts coming out the bottom. Not. Good.

Usually I get my coffee pot all prepped at night so the coffee is ready to go first thing in the morning. But now when I fill the maker at night, it drains all night long all over the counter. That's a big fail.

So now I have to pour the water in right before I make the coffee. And I put a towel under the bottom. And lucky for me it makes a pot of coffee faster than it drains out all over the counter.

I always have the stand by straight-from-heaven one-cup Keurig. So it's not like I'm going to be totally without the joe. But in the morning, we are more of WHOLE POT people rather than ONE CUP people.

So, until I can get to the store to buy a new fancy $25 Mr. Coffee, I'll be cramming dish towels under my coffee pot.

Whatever works.

Cheers to the java.

Honk Honk

Confession.

I used to be a big horn honker.

Major.

I honked at anybody who was in my way, who was going too slow, who was going too fast, who needed a nudge, who was stupid, who I was fed up with. You get the picture.

I honked on the road, honked in parking lots. I even honked in fast food drive through lines. {hanging head}

And, I don't mean just a little tap on the horn like "toot"...

I laid on the horn.

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.

I know, I know...

I'm not proud of that period in my life.

I'm reformed now.

I only honk as a hello greeting.

Beep beep!

Hello.

OK. Glad I got that off my chest.

Y'all have a honky day.

Great...another one....

As if I didn't have enough addictions, my beloved sister Connie introduced me to Scramble with Friends. It's yet another word game. That I can't get enough of. Kind of like Boggle. Way fun.

So I've got Words with Friends - Scrabble-ish

Hanging with Friends - it's like a Hangman kind of thing. I'm not real nuts about this one. But, Cooper plays me on his Touch thing.

Now Scramble. Great.

And, of course, my beloved Bedazzled Bejeweled.

Issues, people. I have issues.

But remember, I'm exercising my brain.

So, I'm really doing this for my health.

Yes.

That's it.

Anybody wanna' play? I'm angie128

Guess I'd better quit blogging and quit playing all my little games.

Gotta' hem my pants, make Cooper's lunch and fold a load of laundry.

Life just gets in the way.

It's for our own good.

Yes, I confess I am now obsessed with Bejeweled.

Although I sometimes call it Bedazzled.

Which is kind of the same, but different.

And, I still play Words with Friends. I've got at least 20 games lots of games going.

I don't really see this as a waste of time.

I view it more as an investment in my future.

Brain exercises.

I'll be sharp as a tack when I'm old and gray. Well, rather, when I'm oldER and grayER.

When I was playing "just onnnnnnne more game" of Bedazzled last night, I told the Captain that one day he would thank me for all of this game playing because when we are old, my brain will be fit as a fiddle and I'll be able to take care of him. But I said that he won't know what's going on then because his brain will be mushy from watching all those Bigfoot shows. So he'd better thank me now.

He did not really agree with my logic.

Made perfect sense to me.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go try to beat my Bejeweled high score of 154,350.

To do list

Will somebody remind me why I didn't take today off? {HEAD SLAP}

I still have one more gift to pick up. I have to go by ______ and get some ____ _______ for Connie. Then I have still have some wrapping to do. And, as I typed that, I just realized I think I have more wrapping to do than I thought.

Then ... cooking. And more cooking. And some more cooking.

Cooking for five on Friday night, nine on Saturday night, fourteen on Sunday lunch. I'm thinking about making the same thing times a thousand and just putting it out there three times. Nobody would notice would they? Even though it's kind of various combinations of the same people. I was fretting that I won't have enough food for Sunday. But, after a total come apart on the phone with my mom the other night, I feel better. Because nothing says Christmas like a nervous breakdown.

I'm obsessing right now over the big ham and two pork tenderloins that are in the outside little refrigerator in the garage. I had to put it out there because it won't fit in the regular frig what with the 27 containers of sour cream and stuff. I'm afraid I've set the temperature too warm or the frig is going to die or something. I've checked on that meat a jillion times. Including once at 3:30 in the morning. Yes, I have issues. So, I will just continue to go out there and pat my ham.

Oh - guess what? Last night, Jordan and her friend cooked dinner for us - poppyseed chicken, beans, rolls, apple dumplings - YUM. It was delicious. And they cleaned up the kitchen. (Score!) And brought me flowers. Sweet girls. They were so proud of themselves. And gave each other a high five and said "We're gonna' be great moms!" It was really a sweet act of service and a nice treat. I may sign them up for a weekend cooking job.

So, I'm off to work. Then home. HOME. Yes.

Then, it's all just fine. Regardless if my cranberries get cooked or not.

And, my sweet beloved husband just looked over at me and said, "So, whatcha' got goin' today and tomorrow?"

Bless.

Excuse me while I beat him with a wrapping paper tube.

What are y'all doing? What's on your to-do list the next few days?

Sound off.

Debates and Goodbye (maybe)

I love having debates with the Captain. Nothing like a little intense fellowship with that guy. And our topics are all over the place.

Here are a few things the Captain and I have debated in the last few days:

> How many miles it is across the entire US

> How many miles it is from the earth to the moon

> The special role of the coffee filter basket and how important it is to treat it gently

> The proper way to eat M & Ms

> The appropriateness of giving doggies biscuits unconditionally

> What years did Shakespeare live


In other news, apparently an asteroid is hitting the earth this afternoon at 5:30. That's right in the middle of a big press conference I'm doing that may or may not include two NBA stars. And while those media folk are hard to figure out sometimes, I'm pretty sure an asteroid hitting the earth will garner more press than my youth sports facility announcement.

And, for the record, the Captain is nowhere concerned about the asteroid hitting the earth. When he left this morning, I kissed him goodbye and told him it's been fun being his wife, but an asteroid would be hitting the earth before we all arrived back home tonight so this was pretty much the end. Then he gave me that look. Yeah, the "I wish I had never asked you out the second time" look.

So, if the big ol' humongous asteroid blows the Earth up, I just want to say thanks for being faithful readers of my blog. I love you all. Have a good life.

But, if I survive the press conference and the Earth remains intact, then I'll see you tomorrow.

These are the things that keep me up at night.

The other night we were at a volleyball game - imagine that - and Cooper got some of those delicious concession stand nachos.

I noticed they only gave him about five chips. It hardly seemed in proportion to the blob of cheese sauce. And it was obvious he was going to have a significant amount of cheese sauce left over with no chips.

So, that triggered a most fascinating debate among the folks in the stands. And I present the question to you on this lovely day:

Would you rather have leftover chips or leftover dip?

I fully support the equal chip:dip ratio thing. And there's definitely a strategy for making sure there's enough dip for every chip. One should be able to amply dip his chip without fear of running out of dip.

But sometimes there's a little disparity. Some poor proportion judgement coming out of the concession stand.

And which would you rather have left over?

Chips?

Or dip?

Personally, I'd rather have chips leftover because I think you can still eat the chips by themselves. The chips stand alone.

However, if you may be somebody like a certain nine-year old boy who has no problem licking the leftover dip out of the container regardless of what type of private or public setting he is in, then you may think leftover dip is preferred.

So, let me hear from you....

Do you prefer leftover chips or leftover dip?

Sound off.

Beep

During a conversation at work yesterday I mentioned I needed to get some money from the beeper. That comment drew some odd looks. Now, while it is certainly not unusual for me to get odd looks when I say things, I discovered that apparently I'm the only one that uses the word "beeper" for this particular thing.

The "thing" in question is the machine at the bank where you can drive through and withdraw some cash.

The "Automatic Teller Machine".

I call it a beeper.

I've always called it a beeper.

Because you go there and beep beep beep some money.

And, in my world, it's used as a noun and a verb.

I go to the beeper to beep out some money.

Beep beep beep.

But APPARENTLY nobody else calls it that. And not only do they not call it that, nobody has even heard of that.

Really?

My unscientific poll on Twitter shows that most people call it an ATM. A few votes for Money Machine.

And NOBODY calls it - or has heard of calling it - a beeper.

Humph.

So, my sweet cupcakes, I'm asking you ...

What do you call the machine at the bank where you can drive through and withdraw some cash?

Sound off.

Oh, and have a great weekend!

Textual commentary

The Captain and Cooper have taken a little road trip. Jordan and I celebrated Girl Style last night by eating Goldfish and watching Friday Night Lights. Yes, I've converted her to an FNL fan. It wasn't hard.

I know, I know... I should just nip it about all the FNL stuff.

I'm just digging it so much.

And maybe it's because the first real show I've really watched in a long time. And by real show, I mean one that doesn't involve a Sasquatch, a gator, or any shooting-type weapon.

And poor Bingmama. She has seen all five episodes. So I feel compelled to text her during the show with every thought that crosses my mind and remind her of the great things happening during the show. Because that's what friends are for, right?

I don't really expect or even want a response. I just really need to let her know what's going on.

She tolerates my craziness. She's a good friend. Thank you, Bingmama, for tolerating my craziness and being a good friend.

My texts to her went something like this:

"Texas forever."

"Oh, Lila Garrity. Bless her."

"I'm in love with Coach Eric Taylor."

"Oh, Jason is screaming at her. Poor Lila."

"Poor Riggins."

"Coach Taylor <3"

"And now Lila is beating Riggins up. And now they are kissing! Oh my!"

"Poor Street."

"Man, Buddy Garrity is nuts. The whole town is nuts."

"Is Matt's dad in prison or military?"

(That's when I got a text back from her: "Military."

"I love Mrs. Coach."

"She is a riot."

"Oh haha. Coach told Matt to take a girl out and all that. It's his DAUGHTER! Hahahaha"

"Interesting camera angles."

"Matt is a sweet boy."

"The party. How hilarious."

"Man, this show is so good."

And alllll those texts may or may not have been in one night. And maybe in a thirty minute time span.

See above mention of how Bingmama tolerates me.

I toned it down last night. And only sent her seven messages. Mostly about how I think Coach Taylor is hawt.

I'm also still in Season 1.

And yes, I cried during Homecoming Week.

Issues, people. I've got issues.

Have a good day, people.

Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

Sorry, couldn't resist that.

Mmmmmuuuuuuah!

I'm a meanie.

Been a tough few days for me at work. Actually, it's the culmination of about ten months of work. I've rolled out a new logo for our company. A "rebranding" of sorts. Huge. Big. It's been a great project and I've loved doing it. Definitely one of the biggest things I'll ever do in my measly career. But, it makes me stressed. And apparently makes me kind of ... mean.

A coworker told me yesterday that he told the folks in his department to "stay away from Angie this week".

And the Captain said I "have not been very pleasant" on the homefront.

Connie says she is worried about me.

And poor Bingmama just tolerates me and my mood swings and listens to my rants about websites and signage and envelopes and tshirts and ID badges and embroidered lab coats and company vans and business cards and ....

I guess the stress of it all got to me. And the behavior of others got to me too. Which is stupid. Cause I know better. Then I let THAT get to me.

Throw some hormones in there and add about 2 months of insomnia, and you've got yourself a big ol' mess. Who is apparently a meanie.

I'm sorry, people.

I sure don't want to be a meanie.

OK, on to a big announcement:

Cooper learned to ride his bike yesterday!! WOOP WOOP!!

Yes, I know he's eight.

Who cares.

Man, was he ever proud.

I came home from a quick trip to the store to get some cheese -- came around that corner -- and saw him riding his bike down the street -- with a big ol' smile on his face. And I may or may not have hung up on Bingmama. Sorry, Bingmama.
This mama's heart was happy.

My baby riding his bike.

And *that*, my bloggy friends, turned my whole day around.

It's Hot

Two hot things happening right now.

My new car didn't come in yesterday. Boo.

Something about the guy and the other guy and the delivery and waiting on "the call" and then arranging the meeting.

I'm not real sure what that's all about.

But the Captain assures me it's all on the up and up.

Even though I am now starting to worry if the car is stolen.

Great, a hot car.

Just what I need.

Because it sounds like he is supposed to meet some guy named Rico behind a warehouse over on Watkins and use some sort of code word and bring unmarked bills in a brown lunch sack.

And personally, I think that would be an issue for a cop's wife to drive a stolen car.

And I sure don't want to go to prison. Because while the whole jumpsuit concept is appeal for concealing figure flaws, orange isn't a good color for me.

But the Captain assures me it is not stolen and it doesn't involve Rico or a code word or unmarked bills.

Humph.

In other hot happening news, there is apparently some big solar flare thing happening. They said it was a "solar coronal mass ejection that hits the Earth on Friday". Ummmm, HELLO PEOPLE that's today. And I don't know about you, but whenever I hear that there is a "plasma bullet blasting toward our planet at 560 miles a second", I get a little unnerved. And if you will note, they are saying it is headed straight to EARTH, not like "take cover Topeka" or anything.

I have expressed my concern to the Captain who showed not the slightest bit of concern at all. And maybe it is hard to take me seriously when I stand in front of him jumping up and down screaming, "A FIRE BALL IS HEADED RIGHT TO EARTH!!!!!". But still...I remain concerned about experiencing permanent blindness or having all my hair burned off.

So, just in case the car is stolen and I get sold down the river and spend the rest of my days laptopless in the pen OR if the big ol' humongous fireball blows the Earth up, I just want to say thanks for being faithful readers of my blog. I love you all. Have a good life.

But, if I don't get arrested and the Earth remains intact, then have a good weekend. And I'll see you Monday.

Winter Death 2011

Forecast for today: SNOW

When and how much?

WHEN AND HOW MUCH??

The forecast has been all over the place. And that makes me crazy.

I've heard everything from 1" to 7". That's quite a range there.

And Memphis is notorious for having a forecast of 2-4" and then getting nothing.

I've also seen 3" of "no accumulations expected".

It's madness.

I get all wigged out during days like this. Getting kids to school, getting to work, getting kids picked up from school once they cancel three hours later, getting home from work when the snow starts piling up even though we won't close our office and everybody will just keep working like nothing is happening. Blah blah blah. I can really work myself up about all this. Stupid. Why do I get this way? Makes me nuts. Stu. Pid.

Plus, Jordan has a PT appointment at 4:30 today. That coincides nicely with the timing of the blizzard.

And by blizzard I mean we should have 3" on the ground by then.

Yes, people, that's a blizzard if you live south of the Mason Dixon.

And no, we know nothing of your snow plow and snow blower ways.

Don't judge.

Speaking of Jordan, the tournament is out for her this weekend. Well, we will still be traveling. But she won't be playing. And that is just a big ol' blah. She's pretty down about it. But is still working hard and getting better every day. She's phasing out of the boot and just wearing a brace most of the time. And in case you were wondering, the brace doesn't fit well in the school uniform saddle oxford cause it gets all bunched up in the shoe and makes it FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELS FUNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY and causes all kinds of teenage girl moody nuttiness when we are trying to get out the door for school. I love my life.

I'm outta' here.

And I'm wearing my polka dot snow boots to work.

So there.

I'm a goober

Because not only did I get excited when I saw this...

I also took a picture of it...

And the woman standing beside me in the aisle just stared.

Because I also may or may not have said (without using my inside voice), "HOW COOL IS THIS?!?!!"

Isn't that exciting?!? Both cream of's in one can?!

Imagine the possibilities people.

It's brilliant.

In other news, I need a life.

Also, for those of you who didn't sleep a wink last night worrying about my drivers license, I'm going to get that taken care of during lunch today.

Ciao!