This and That

I hate Monday mornings. I can never seem to wake up.

Scott was home this weekend after having been gone for almost two weeks. He'll be gone for another week and a half, then we are heading to Las Vegas for a weekend...ALONE!!! Yes!! We have really not had any time away by ourselves since we moved here 6 years ago. We had the occasional overnight alone while we were visiting up in NJ when Scott H spent the night at Chrissy's...but other than that...nothing. We are taking Scott H down to San Antonio and he is going to stay with Scott's brother and sister in law...and his cousins...so he is psyched. It is our nephew's 3rd birthday on the day we take him down so he will get to celebrate with them. We are flying out that Friday afternoon and back on Sunday. Scott H (and me too) has off for Parent/Teacher conferences so we scheduled his conference at 7:30 AM then we'll pack up the boy and the dog and head to San Antone.

Friday night we are just going to head to the strip and take in the sights...probably play a little too. We were in Vegas back in 1998, but we really didn't get to the strip at night. We stayed at the Hard Rock then and didn't rent a car. We took the hotel shuttle to the strip one day, but never really at night. I want to see the fountains and all the lights. We are going to the Barry Manilow show on Saturday night after taking a drive out to the Hoover Dam in the daytime. I have never seen it and want to go so we are. It will be short and crazy...but we'll be alone and that is what counts. We really need some alone time. This past year has been tough for many reasons and Scott and I need to reconnect. We can't wait till we go.

Oh..and this morning while Scott H and I were sitting in the car waiting to go into school, we were listening to the morning announcements on the school radio station. The principal gives the daily info, sports schedules, upcoming events,manner of the week, lunch menus, etc so that the parents can be up to date. This morning he said that something big was happening today at the school. Friday Night Lights is using our athletic fields for their base camp for the extras and crew! We had our Harvest Festival Saturday and there is a big tent we use for the live music and the auctions...and it is still set up. I was wondering why they hadn't taken it down when they cleaned up on Saturday. That is why... they are going to use it for the check in tables and also to eat lunch under. The principal said that they are filming a couple of blocks away. I tried to find out where and came up with the site for casting extras. It says that the reporting time for Base Camp 2, which is located at our school/church is 3 PM and that those reporting there are extras with cars, shoppers and something else. There are a ton of stores nearby and two or three strip malls so I have no idea where they will be. It said something about BBQ customers and there are two places nearby for that. I am going to try to see where they are when I am done work..unless I can get the info from someone at school. It would be so cool to see the cast while they are shooting. Also could mean that they will be eating somewhere close by. I LOVE Friday Night Lights and this is soooo cool!

I have been feeling down lately and couldn't figure out why. Then this morning I wrote the date for some reason..and realized that today would have been my Mom's 70th birthday. I miss her so much. There are so many times I want to talk to her...and I DO talk to her all the time in my heart.....I just would like to be able to have an actual conversation with her again. I feel her with me all the time but it isn't the same as when she was actually around to do things with and laugh with. She was one of my best friends as well as my Mom. Did she make mistakes?? Plenty of them...but she loved the three of us kids with all her heart. She always made me feel loved and that I was the best. Scott makes me feel good, but not the way that my Mom could. I love you and miss you Mom...Happy Birthday!!

I guess I should get off here and do something constructive before I have to go to work. Oh, I posted a meme before this entry if anyone cares to take a look at it....just click the "Older Posts" link on this entry.

How About a Meme?

I saw this meme posted somewhere so I thought I would try it. Here goes!

1.Spell your name as it sounds. Teck sus Peech or Duh nees

2.Are you available? For what?? Oh...do you mean am I single? Nope...very (happily...most of the time) married!

3. What is your favorite number? 7...only because I was born on the 7th.

4. Favorite color? Green...followed by yellow...then orange. I like bright springy colors

5. Least favorite color? Black and gray

6. When is the last time you cried? Last night....I have been feeling really crappy about myself physically lately and Scott kept poking my belly while we were laying there talking. He wasn't trying to be mean..we were just playing...but it made me feel bad so I cried. Of course, that got me a huge bear hug..so it was worth it!

7. What should you be doing right now? Cleaning my house, emptying and loading the dishwasher...anything but sitting here doing nothing.

THE CANS:
1. Can you blow a bubble? Yuppers

2. Can you touch your toes? Not as easily as I could last year

3. Can you whistle? A little. I could never do it with my fingers in my mouth though and I always wanted to be able to do that.

4. Can you wiggle your ears? No

5. Can you roll your tongue? Yes

6. Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue? Nope...but I can do other things with my tongue I'm not telling!!

THE DIDS:
1. Did you ever want to be a doctor? No..but I wanted to be a nurse.

2. Did you ever receive an engagement ring? Yup...twice. The first time I ended up picking it out myself..the ex was not the most romantic person. Scott chose the second one..and surprised me with it...along with our wedding.

3. Did you ever want to be a fire fighter? No. Fire is one of my biggest fears. My brother is a fire fighter along with my nephew and I hated when they had to go fight fires.

THE DO’S:
1. Do you believe in God? Yes, most definitely. For a long time during the end of my first marriage, beginning of my second and until we moved here to Austin I was not actively going to church or anything even remotely showing my faith. Once we moved here, we decided to find a church and I am so glad we did. I love our church and it has made me feel so much more at home here. My faith was restored and once that happened, things began to improve in our lives. Once I stopped worrying about everything and left it up to God, I felt more relaxed and settled. Face it, most of our life right now revolves around God, our church, and our faith. Scott H attends school and cubs there, I work there, Scott volunteers there. We spend 6 days a week at our church for one reason or another and I am very happy doing that. I sort of went astray there for several years and felt lost in my life. God always gives me balance.

2. Do you know how to swim? Enough to keep me afloat in water. I have no idea how to do the various strokes and stuff, but I can get around in a pool.

3. Do you like roller coasters? I used to but now that my ears are so bad and my balance is so off, I can't ride them. I loved the old fashioned ones, not the steel monster ones they have now.

4. Do you own a bike? No

5. Does your car get good gas mileage? It does OK. Since I really only drive it locally back and forth to school/church/work or to the store, it is hard to tell. When we do go farther it seems to do fairly well on gas.

6. Does your family have family picnics? We used to when I lived in NJ. We had them on the usual holidays as well as the kids' birthdays. Since moving here to Texas, it is just us and they really aren't picnics, we just cook out and eat inside because of the bugs. And picnics on the ground?? I am terrified of fire ants so we don't do those either.

7. Does your home have a bookcase? Several. We have a built in one next to the fireplace and then Scott H has two in his bedroom and there is a small one in the den. All are packed!

THE HAVES:
1. Have you ever been to Canada? Nope

2. Have you ever gone fishing? With the ex..he fished and I watched. I don't like worms or fish hooks.

3. Have you ever seen a celebrity? Local ones and local sports celebrities. I met Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia Flyers fame back when I was 15. My friend's dad owned a restaurant where they all hung out and he was good friends with them all. Bobby and his wife had gone to dinner with my friend's parents and came back to their house afterwards. I was too embarrassed to ask for an autograph so my friend went and asked him for me. I also saw Dave Schultz from the Flyers too when he came shopping at the home improvement store where I worked. Several local Philly news people shopped there too. I've met the local weather man here in Austin..and when we were in L.A. this summer, we saw Duke from the Bush's beans commercials!

4. Have you ever been on a motorcycle? No..I am too scared. I did ride on the back of a dirt bike when I was about 12. I liked the guy that was driving...we were friends with his family and at their swimming pool. He was driving it around the site and asked if I wanted a ride. I was petrified but went anyway so I could get close to him.

THE HOWS:
1. How much money do you have on you right now? On me??? None since I have no pockets...but there is $15 and a few bucks in change in my wallet.

2. How many cars have you owned?

1. My first was a 1980 or 1981 Chevy Chevette that we bought brand new. I managed to wreck it the day after we paid it off. Nothing major...just pulled the headlight and front grill off..but I was so upset.

2. My next car was a 1985 Ford Tempo that we bought used..that car was a piece of crap.
3. We traded that in for Zibby...my 1995 Green Dodge Caravan that we bought when she had only 6 miles on her. When I donated her to charity a little more than 10 years later, she had over 120,000. She was MY first car. I "won" her in my divorce along with the payments. I was so excited when I transferred her over ro my name. She was a good car..she took me on many trips to see Scott before we got married, she brought us here to Texas...then on several more trips back and forth to NJ. She took us to California and all over the state of Texas. I miss my girl!
4. Now we own a 2000 Mazda MPV. She is a good car too, but she is in Scott's name and not mine. I get to drive her most of the time though so I feel like she is mine.

3. How many jobs have you had?
1. Babysitter
2. Convenience store clerk...I hated it!
3. Department store stock person..again..hated it!
4. Home Improvement store head cashier...where I met the ex.
5. SAHM
6. Home Improvement store front end manager. I loved my coworkers and the job wasn't all that bad
7. School Lunch aide
8. Food Service Director
9. SAHM...again
10. Church nursery volunteer
11. Church Nursery staff
12. After School childcare worker
13. Preschool Teacher

THE LASTS:
1. Last person you hung out with? My family.

2. Last thing you said out loud? I love you..to Scott as I hung up the phone.

3. Last time you ate at McDonald’s? No idea..maybe a few years ago??

4. Last grade completed? 3 semesters of college and a year of technical school for Medical Coding

5. Last thing you bought? Birthday gifts for my nephew along with a bunch of junk I really didn't need.

THE WHATS:
1. What is the temperature outside? 81 at 10:27 AM!

2. What time did you wake up? 6:20 Am..to a kiss and hug from Scott

NUMBER TWO SURVEY:
1. What is the last mistake you made? There are so many...how can I remember the last one???

2. Is the sun shining? Nope..cloudy here in Austin, TX...oh wait..there is a patch of sun out there in the yard!

3. Can you successfully blow up and tie a balloon? Um...yes

4. Do you like text messaging? Not really..but I do a lot of it between Scott and Katie. Katie is a texting demon.

5. What do you eat the most at your best friend’s house? Not that I am there often anymore since she is in NJ and I am here...but Amy is a veggie lover so I am always eating them at her house.

6. Boyfriend/Girlfriend? Does a husband count? Yes?? Then I have one...along with one ex

7. Are you wearing any make-up right now? I can't remember the last time I wore make-up

8. What are your plans for later? I have a meeting at school for our insurance open enrollment then work later

9. What is your favorite DDG song? I have no idea who that is so I don't have a favorite song

10. Is there any drama within your life? Not as much as there used to be but more than I would like!

11. What is a song they need to stop playing on the radio? I rarely have the radio on anymore and when it is, I have it tuned to the local Christian Music station.

12. Are you happy with life right now? Mostly..there is always something that gets to me!
13. Does anyone like you? I would hope so.

14. What is your current obsession? Obsession? Nothing really

15. Do you have a dog? Yuppers...my not so little Peaches

16. Ever been kissed under mistletoe? Yes, many times

17. Would you ever smile at a stranger? I do it all the time

18. Ever pulled your pants down in the street? Um...no

19. Do your toenails have nail polish on them? Something else I never really do is polish my toenails

20. When is the last time you wore eyeliner? Never...I can't get that crap on straight no matter what

21. Last curse word you said was? "Hell" when I was feeding the guinea pigs and some bug landed on my hand..must have come in the front door this morning

22. Are your lips chapped? A little dry but not chapped

23. Are you currently jealous? Nah

24. Do you own an ipod? No but I am getting a green one soon!! Yay me! I do have a Memorex MP3 player that I got a couple of years ago.

25. Did you have a dream last night? Not last night but I had weird ones over the weekend about fires..I hate those.

26. Are you mad at anyone? Yes, a little anyway. Scott did something really stupid when booking his flights for work last week...then he messed up again when fixing them this weekend which has made a major headache for me. I do his reports for work and handle the finances..which are now totally messed up. Doing his invoices is going to be a pain for the next two weeks and now his personal credit card that he uses for meals while traveling is tied up waiting for the airline to straighten out the billing. ARGH!

27. Who is the loudest person you know? Aside from me? I'd say it is an old friend from NJ who does not know how to not be loud.

28. What is going on this weekend? This coming weekend? Nothing at all since Scott will be away. I do have to work on Sunday but other than that...nada

29. Done any fall cleaning lately? No and I really do need to. I just can't get motivated.

30. Anything bothering you? Aside from the mess I mentioned above? I hate that I have gained back all the weight I lost last year and just cannot seem to care about doing something to correct that. And I am missing my Mom. Today would have been her 70th birthday.

31. Do you do cheerleading? Uh..at 48, I don't think so. I was never a cheerleader but I did coach my daughter's squad when she was younger. I was watching some old competition videos and can you believe I remember every single routine???

32. Did you wish for anything last night at 11:11? No. I don't understand this one at all

33. Do you drink coffee on a regular basis? I hate coffee...love the smell, but hate the taste. I am a tea girl..although I rarely drink that either. I guzzle iced tea, but really only drink hot tea if I am cold or not feeling well.

34. Do you wish you were someone else? No, not really

35. What jewelry are you wearing? My wedding and engagement rings, My small gold silver cross, my "Ask Me" cross, cross earrings, a turquoise ring that Scott bought me in Albuquerque about 8 years ago, and a turquoise ring that was my mom's. She wore it every day and when we took her jewelry off her at the hospital when she died, I put it on my pinky and it has never left.

36. Funniest thing that happened last night? While watching "Desperate Housewives" and they came to the scene when Lynette's mom baked her the "special" brownies. I said something about how were they not able to see the "secret" ingredient in them and Scott said that you can't always, that it depended about how much you put in them. I asked him if he'd ever had any and he said they made them all the time. I pouted and said "I was such a nerd" and he busted up laughing. Then we got to talking about what else he did when he was younger and he was hysterical because I just kept repeating that I had been a goody two shoes nerd. He kept trying to make me feel better calling me a small town girl and not a city girl (He grew up here in Austin and I grew up in a small NJ town). Anyway..it was funny cause I never thought of myself as a goody two shoes until that moment.

37. Are you easily amused? Most of the time...and I also cry at the drop of a hat

38. Can you lick your elbow? Uh...nope

39. What piercings do you have? 2...one in each ear...I told you...I was a nerd!

40. Do you have a crush right now? Noooooooo...except my hubby

41. What are your plans over the summer? That is way too far away for me to even think about it. As for my plans over the winter....don't have many for then either. Just take life one day at a time. When I plan too far ahead, everything goes wrong and I get upset.

42. How’s life going for you? Good for the most part. There is always something happening that you can't control and that really sucks.

43. What is on your mind just this second? The answer to the previous question.

44. Favorite vacation spot? Nashville, TN cause it holds special memories for Scott and I.....but my dream vacation spot would be a nice tropical beach

45. Do you have on chap stick? These are getting weirder...No I am not, I hate anything on my lips

46. What hurts right now? Let's see...where to start...my shoulders, my elbows, my knees, my fingers...need I go on???? It sucks getting old.

47. Do you like school? I love learning and I loved school when I was going. See the above reference to my being a goody two shoes nerd.

48. Is this survey good? It's a little long but OK

49. Sneak out lately? Maybe to the store but I am way past sneaking out

50. Last thing you had to drink? My homemade Sweet Tea

51. Do you want a tattoo? Scott and I talked about getting them way back when we met...but I am thinking it was a midlife crisis sort of thing and we never actually got them. I wanted a peach on my shoulder (surprise surprise) and he talked about getting the Texas State Flag on his

52. Want any more piercings? No.

53. How long have you been single/taken? Scott and I have been together since 1997...before that I was married to the ex for almost 17 years.

Dang this thing was longer than I thought it was!!