I hate my freaking local phone company!!!

Every time I pay my phone bill, it feels like I am being violated!!
Raped, actually is a better word!
I hate my phone company...
Every time I even start to think about it, my blood seriously starts to boil!!I am dangerously close to either a heart attack or a brain aneurysm...
It ticks me off THAT bad!
ARGH!
I haven't had this much animosity toward a company since I lived in Illinois. I was with Ameritech, but they also sucked.
BIG TIME.
When I was able to switch to "The Neighborhood" I quit having urges to go postal on everyone when I opened my phone bill.

I tried to give the local company a try...
But they completly SUCK!!
I mean, any company that will let some third party charge you for things, and not even ask...crooks, crooks, crooks!
They (the thieving phone company) completely mis-represented themselves when I signed up. My phone bill was NEVER what they said that it would be.I hate surprises when it comes to money... Especially when they are over $30 dollars off... That means that someone wasn't being honest with me. My bill changed every stinking' month.Why?They could never give me a reasonable explanation. I wanted to change the due date of the bill to the middle of the month, but crappy local company said that was no way possible.
Huh.
New awesome company had NO problem what so ever giving me the due date that I wanted.

So, I switched.
I have NO loyalty!!
None.
Zippo.
Zilch.

Except to a company that gives me EXACTLY what I ask for.
Then I turn into one of those obnoxious Amway type people.
"This will change your life if you will just give it a try".

So, take that!
Stupid phone company!

Bah-hahahahahahah!
As if they really care!

Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a revolver first. - Josh Billings

Here are my songs for Random 10 Friday.
Just a refresher as to how to play-- You hit play on your I-tunes, or rhapsody, or Yahoo launch or your MP3 player, or whatever it is that you use to listen to your tunes on. Then you see what songs come up--- all random of course. You write them down, and don't cheat cause you are embarrassed about what songs pops up! That's half the fun to be able to razz you about what you have on your MP3 players!!

It's fun! You should play!!


1. You're Beautiful - James Blunt
2. Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls
3. Ever The Same - Rob Thomas
4. Savin' Me - Nickleback
5. The River - Live
6. Blind - Lifehouse
7. Better Way - Ben Harper
8. Who says You Can't Go Home?
- Bon Jovi & Jennifer Nettles
9. Talk - Coldplay
10. Upside Down - Jack Johnson

Bonus: What A Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong **

I love the words in this song! "And I said to myself, what a wonderful life!"
I want to put that on my wall in my kitchen! I know that it is actually 'world' in the song, but I think 'life' fits better.

Horror of horrors!
I had a glimpse of my life with a teenager this past week.

My friend from Illinois let her 17 year old daughter come out and stay with us for a few days.
We were so excited!
Anonymous Teenager was our babysitter... The one and only babysitter.
Ever.
Period.
We never had another teenager tend our kids!
She started watching our kids when she was 12, when I was working nights at Kohls...
so we have had the priviledge of watching her grow into a beautiful young lady!

She was prom dress shopping-- for modest dresses.
That is quite the adventure, even for us 35 year olds!
It was really fun, and exciting to watch her try on the dresses.

What was horrifying was seeing how much those beautiful strips of material cost.
Some were more than $400 dollars.
Yup.
Four hundred dollars.
Oye vey!
The ones that Anonymouns teenager loved were $405 and $350.
The one that was $350 would have still needed some "tweaking" to make it modest.
It was interesting to watch her "negotiate" with her Mom on the costs of the dresses.
Her Mom was firm and stood her ground.
I think I would've caved...

Anonymous teenager was funny to watch--- her life would most definitely be over if she couldn't have "that dress"...
I know I was that dramatic when I was a kid, but it was rather amusing to be on the other side watching.

Anyway...
I told Anonymous teenager that she shouldn't "waste"her money on a dress that she would only wear once. Just think of how many pairs of jeans that would buy---$400 dollars worth of jeans is A LOT of jeans.

I really had a wonderful time hanging out with her. We couldn't find a dress that she liked.
I think she has decided to get it made-- then she can have complete creative freedom -- resulting in the dress of her dreams!

We also went up and toured the UofU campus. She is thinking of a degree in architecture.
The U is ranked 26th in the nation.
It was good for her to see the school, meet the professors, and see what it is that degree entails.
She is so much further ahead of where I was at that age.
I don' t think that I really even decided on a university until AFTER I graduated.
I didn't decide on a major until I was married.
She is light years ahead of where I was at 17.
Good for her!

Anyway.

I guess I need to start looking for that second job so that I can pay for the prom dresses that will be OUTRAGEOUS when Thing 3 needs one!

This was a joint birthday party for the little girls.
Thing 3 and her cousin have birthday's 10 days apart. It makes for so much fun when we get together to play. They LOVE LOVE LOVE each other. They play so nicely together. Anonymous cousin is really the ONLY little girl that she plays nicely with.
Hopefully that will change.
Anyway--
We had the Perfect Princess Party for the girls.
They had little costumes.
Crowns.
Bags.
AND a frog pinata! You know, for the frog prince! Anonymous cousin and The big things were kissing it trying to get it to turn into a prince... everytime the frog would swing by Thing 3-- she would completely freak out! It was so hilarious!
What an awesome afternoon!!
Here are some photos from the adventure!!

T.R.O.U.B.L.E.!!!

That is what I am in...

GREAT BIG TROUBLE!!!
With a capital T and rhymes with bubble...

TROUBLE!

you know how I got duped into taking that gross fridge?
Well, now I can't find anyone to take it.
For real.
I have a hillbilly fridge in my garage, and I can't get rid of it.
My car has to be parked outside because of the nasty fridge.
What on earth am I going to do with it??
No one wants it.
There is no Goodwill here.
No Salvation Army.
Nothing.
I am stumped as to what I am going to do with this nasty, gross fridge.
I really want to park my car in the garage... Not a fridge!

Music is the soundtrack of your life.
- Dick Clark

Here are my random 10

1. She's a Beauty - The Tubes
2. This Love - Maroon 5
3. Bizarre Love Triangle (The Crystal Method Extended Mix)
- New Order
4. Walk On - U2
5. Brass Monkey - Beastie Boys
6. Closer To Fine - Indigo Girls
7. Closing Time - Tom Waits
8. September - Earth Wind & Fire
9. Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe
- Barry White
10. Bring It On Home - Little Big Town

Bonus: Mungo Jerry - Summertime

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Thing 3 is 3 today.
WOW! She is getting so big.
She opened her presents this morning, and made us sing "Happy Birthday" the whole time she was opening her presents. She was so funny! Everytime we would stop singing, she would holler, "Keep singing! Keep singing!" She is so funny!

Three...
My baby isn't a baby anymore!
sniff sniff

She popped out of bed this morning and said: "Mom-- I'm Three today. I'm not a baby any more! I DON'T wear diapers!!"
Well, then.
Ok!
She's a big girl now!
And don't you forget it!

Three years ago today I was in the hospital getting induced to have Thing 3.
Three years ago...
I can't believe it.
How fast the time has flown.

We were in the hospital all night, watching the War in Iraq on T.V.
I can't believe that either...
Three years since that ridiculous mess was started in Iraq.
Don't EVEN get me started with that!!

Anyway...

Thing 3 was getting a jump start to being here.
4 weeks early.
From the time my water broke, until she screamed her first cry was 50 minutes.
Yes.
Fifty minutes.
I know.
Pain.
But, I was very, very spoiled.
I had so many drugs, that I literally slept and watched the invasion on T.V.
Crazy!
Her birth was the easiest and most "luxurious"... if child birth can be that.
We knew some people who knew the RIGHT people at the hospital...
We received VIP treatment---all the way.
It was awesome!

Three years ago.
I am still in shock.
My cute, little, independant, stubborn Thing 3 was on her way.
Tomorrow is her birthday.
Today is Anonymous baby nephews birthday.
I hate how fast these cute little rug-rats are growing up.
UGH!

Today is the first day of spring.
The day when the north and south poles are equal distance from the sun, so we will have equal parts day and night...
Well, that would be the case if we could SEE the sun.
But, we can't.
Because it's snowing
Click on any of the little cameras, and you will see my town, with all the snow.

It's the novelist Margaret Atwood's birthday today.
She said this about spring:
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."

Well, I think that at the end of THIS day... All we will smell like is wet dog.
Bummer dude!

I am bored...
Can You tell??

1 hit wonders
Those bands that had only 1 hit.
Their 1 claim to fame...

How many can YOU name???

1. Shes a beauty - The tubes
2. How do you talk to an angel - The heights
3. 867-5309 - Tommy Tutone
4. In The Summertime - Mungo Jerry
5. King Of Wishful Thinking - Go West
6. Sadness Part1 (Extended trance mix) - Enigma
7. I know What Boys Like - The Waitresses
8. Let’s Go All The Way - Sly Fox
9. Baby Got Back - Sir Mix A lot
10. Axel F - Harold Faltermeyer (Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack)

Random 10 Friday.
Here they are.
Does anyone ever play??

1. Don’t worry ‘bout a thing - SHeDAISEY
2. When you say nothing at all - Keith Whitley
3. Ever the Same - Rob Thomas
4. Istanbul - They Might Be Giants
5. Take My Breath Away - Berlin
6. Clocks - Coldplay
7. Pieces of Me - Ashley Simpson (I know! I know! No need to mock!)
8. She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5
9. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door - Bob Dylan
10. The Lucky One - Faith Hill
Bonus: No Rain Blind Melon

All I can say is this:
WHAT IN THE HECK???????
I am sick sick sick sick sick of snow.

Thing 3 spent over an hour outside this morning-- first thing. Playing in the snow with crazy boxer dog and cleaning all the snow off her new play set. It really bugged her that there was snow on it. I think she too is sick of the snow. It's no fun to swing in the snow. You get cold too easily!!




Four inches in one night is a little extreme for MARCH!

I took pictures of me measuring the snow-- I didn't want people to think that I was exaggerating...cause four inches in March makes you want to say "What the heck??"

Oh, and BTW-- It is really hard to hold a tape measure, take a photo and hold everything still... THAT takes talent!

How do you get mad at someone who has drawn on your wall, when clearly they are extremely pleased with themselves?!

You will have to click on the first photo so that you can get a clear view of what it is she drew.
It has changed several times.
At first it was her Dad, then it was me.
Now, it is a Jelly Fish.
I guess I can see the resemblance...

My camera has been unable to upload to the computer. I fiddled and faddled for several weeks, and just couldn't figure it out. Then I gave up!
Today, I really wanted to upload my photos.
I got so annoyed that I unplugged everything, and re-plugged them all back in.
For some reason, that worked!
I can now upload photos.
So, now I have several months worth of photos to share.
So, hunker down and enjoy!

I woke up one Sunday morning to this message in my backyard. It had snowed a ton, and Jefe told me to go look out our bathroom window. This is what I found written across the entire backyard... all 1 acre. What a good man! I am lucky!!

Cute little Anonymous Nephew playing with Thing 3. He was extremely patient with her while she dressed him up in all sorts of costumes. They had a blast... well, at least she did!

Jefe putting the finishing touches on the playset. The kids were so excited to get it done! They came home from school-- got a ton of blankets and promptly made themselves a gigantic fort!

I love this photo. The Things happily playing together. We had to bring #3 in kicking and screaming. She loves the playset!

Someday, I KNOW that I will appreciate how strong willed Thing 3 has become.
She will have no problem what so ever telling people what she thinks.
She won't let people bully her into doing things that she doesn't want to do, or knows that she shouldn't do.
Someday.
Not today.
I asked her ever so nicely this afternoon to take her clothes and put them in her bedroom.
She looked at me, put her hand up and said, while waving her hand, "Umm. Absolutely Not."
And then continued on dancing and singing.
It took me by surprise, and I had to really keep myself from laughing.
Even though she is a big stinker sometimes, she can be so stinking' cute!

"Ummm. Absolutely Not."
What a cute little stinker!

I have a confession.
I am embarrassed to even admit it.
Once I do, then I will be mocked for forever!
I am serious!
I have mocked everyone who I have seen wearing Gaucho pants...
You remember those pants from the 1970's...
the ones that flare and only go about mid-calf?

Yup.
I have been mocking them big time...
Especially when I have seen people wearing them with boots...

Well, my sister and I decided today to try some on.
Just so that we could mock them even more.
When my sister came out, I promptly said : "Ewww! I hate them!"
She then promptly recited a line from the movie "Never Been Kissed" with Drew Barrymore. You know, Drew is called "Josie Grossy!"
Anyway... The part she starts reciting is when her brother asks her if she is wearing pants or a skirt. And she says "Their Gauchos! I got them on sale!"


I started laughing so hard, that I had tears!
But, then something strange started happening.
The longer Baby sis kept those dang things on, the cuter they got.
I am not kidding. They kept getting more and more cute.
I was dumbfounded. That made us laugh even harder.
So, I HAD to try them on.
I'm dying if I'm lying...
They looked cute on ME too! AND they made me look skinny! Bonus!!
And Holy Cow--- They were freaking comfortable!!

I know. I know. I know!!
Nerd-o-rama!
I am embarrassed to say it out loud.
I want some gauchos.
There.
I said it.
I want some gauchos.

I will trade my sweats in for the gauchos.

Gauchos.

What a retarded name.
Gauchos.

But, I want some.
Now, I need to go hide my head in shame!

I had an unexpected surprise today.
A friend of mine from Illinois called today to say she would be driving past my house, and could she stop in and say "Hi"?
Uh, YES! Of course!
She and her daughter were out here checking out Universities.
It always amazes me how quickly children grow up.
It was awesome seeing my friend.
I haven't talked with her since I moved.
She and I used to have the most amazing talks, and I have really missed her.
It was great to see her again.

I was thinking the other day...
No, it wasn't thinking, it was fantasizing...
About moving back to Illinois, and how awesome that would be to see all my friends again, and to have my old life back!
And then I had that familiar pang... The one I felt when we decided to move here...
I wouldn't be able to have my children associate with all of our family.
No more Grandparents.
No more cousins.
No more Uncles and Aunts.
That caused that familiar pang...
I had the sudden realization of what I really wanted...

I wish that I could've just packed up all my friends, and brought them along with me.
I have missed my friends terribly, yet when I was there, I missed my family.
The choice to move back home was, in essence, trading something good for something good.
Does that make sense?
I had it AWESOME in Illinois. My support system and family was my friends, neighbors and church.
Now, my support system and friends are my family.
That's not so bad.
I still miss my friends...
But thank heaven above that we have email.
How on earth did we survive without it?

Random 10.
You know the rules.
Did you play?

1. Feel Better - Santana & Steven Tyler
2. Crazy For You - Madonna
3. Love Will Always Win - Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood
4. Not Going Down - Jo Dee Messina
5. Tonight Tonight - Smashing Pumpkins
6. Your Body Is A Wonderland - John Mayer
7. Tyrone (Live) - Erykah Badu
8. In The Sun - Michael Stipe
9. Jealousy - Natalie Merchant
10. Invisible - Clay Aiken
Bonus Track Banjo Boy - Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand

How to know if you are a klutz...

You fall while walking on your front walk...
on the 1 step that you have to the front door...
in front of all your neighbors who are getting their mail...
and rip your favorite pair of jeans...
and skin your fingers? ...

That's how you know you are a klutz.

You know you are a grown up when you get excited about your 2 year old-- almost 3 year old pooping in the potty!
Yup!
Thing 3 used the potty to poop.
3 days in a row now!
I really am a grown up now, aren't I?

Oh Man!!
Those dang little poop monsters are back!!!
Oh the unjustice of it!
People sending their dogs to my yard to poop.
I watched the neighbor let the dog out, the dog promptly ran to my yard,
took a big ole crap, then the lady called her dog home.
Ugh!
I have this neighbor.
He is huge.
He is a hawaiian.
He is funny.
He hates the poop monsters too.
I heard through the magic neighborhood grapevine, that he collects the poop monsters crap, and delievers it to their owners.
Or, he leaves it on their porch.
I told Jefe I was going to do that...
But he reminded me that I am a small white girl.
Not really all that intimidating...
Dang!

I'm winning!!
What am I winning?
Well, the war with all those nasty poop monster neighborhood dogs!!
Bah-ha ha ha ha (my evil laugh!)

Yup.
T.G.I.F.
Random 10 Friday.
Another Soundtrack for my life...

1. Photo - Ryan Cabrera
2. Lips Like Sugar - Echo & The Bunnymen
3. This Years Love - David Gray
4. Clocks - Coldplay
5. Inside Out - Eve 6
6. Wal-Mart Parking Lot - Chris Cagle
7. What Hurts The Most - Rascal Flats
8. You’re Beautiful - James Blunt
9. Just Feel Better - Santana & Steven Tyler
10.What Would You Say - Dave Mathews Band
Bonus: Stealing Kisses - Faith Hill

My Brother-in-law is getting a kidney transplant.
They have been going through literal hell for the past year.
Anonymous Sister is also pregnant-- which amounts for more stress.
His transplant is scheduled for Monday -March 6th.

I find myself watching them very closely. It is amazing to see how calm they are, and what strength they have. I see others of the family sortof having mental meltdowns, and find myself in awe with "The Bean's" and their strength.
It is quite admirable.
Some people have accused me of not reacting properly, or for that matter even caring.
I find those kind of comments quite offensive-- although I would never tell them so.
Just because I am not a total freaker, doesn't mean that I don't think about them, or worry about them, or feel sorrow for them.
I just show it differently.
I do worry, and I do feel for my sister, a.k.a "Mrs. Beans".

I am amazed with her character, and her ability to forge on.
She doesn't just give up when it gets hard.
She kept doing her calling... which to me is inspiring.
I would like to think that I would be like that, but I have a feeling if the shoes were reversed-- I would be pretty pissed at the world, and feel a little abandoned by God.
I know, shallow of me.
But not Mrs. Beans... She has even more faith than before.
That is admirable.

So Mr. Beans is getting a new kidney.
His little brother is giving it to him... such an amazing gift.
The gift of life.
How blessed we are to live in this day and age where these sorts of things are possible.
Amazing.