Rock A Bye Baby

This is the cradle that my Grandpa Jack made for me. I don't know if I was the first baby to sleep in it or if my cousin Mitch was. But pretty close to every grandchild, great granchild, and now great great grandchild in the Miller lineage has slept in this cradle. Brandon sleeps so soundly in it. And it makes me happy just to watch him there. I know my Grandpa is happy to see yet another babe in the cradle.

I love you Grandpa. And it is times like this that make me miss you all the more.

I know when I'll quit watching the Tonight Show

NBC has taken yet another turn for the worst. Do you remember when they used to be the network to beat? When other networks fought to be as cool as NBC? Too bad so sad. Sorry to see NBC go down yet another bad programming path.

The end of good late night TV

Jay Leno will be forced into mandatory retirement in May 2009. What is NBC thinking? Replace him with Conan O'Brien? How does that man still have any show let alone promote him to the Tonight Show?

Ten Random Things for a Friday

1. I have baby BAM with me at work this afternoon. I will officially get nothing done. Kind of like it that way. Having him here, not the not working part. :)
2. The chickens now have free reign of the entire fenced in part of the backyard. That is until we can get a new fence up at the back of the yard. The puppies are none too happy about being kicked out of their fence for the birds.
3. I had a wonderful lunch today with the baby BAM’s mom. I wish we could do this more often.
4. My mom is coming to visit next weekend!
5. This weekend is Riverfest. We are going to see the Pancake man in the morning and then I am working in the beer garden tomorrow during the day. Want to come have a Coors?
6. Thank you to a Fisher Price Kick and Play, I have “Three Blind Mice” stuck in my head. It needs to go away.
7. Scrapfest Registration is next week! I’m bummed that they haven’t even listed the classes yet. A couple of days I hope!
8. I spent a good part of the week planning yet another thing I really can’t afford. Why do I do this to myself? Anybody know how I can make $1500 fall out of the sky?
9. We officially have a weed garden. The garlic and onions are pretty close to being ready. But other than those and the potato plants, the only thing that really has grown is the weeds. Too much clay. It’s sad I tell you. Just plain sad. We’ll have to truck in some good ole’ Iowa Black Dirt and some good soil amendments for next summer.
10. I still have the plastic stick on mats from the dealership on the floor of my car. It really needs vacuumed though so I’ll have to pull them this weekend.

Play Ball!!

I want to go to a ball game. Wouldn't a cubbies game be good about now? I mean, they are winning this year and everything! I'm sure my uncle Merle is happier than a lark. (how happy are larks anyway?)

I'm closer to the KC Royals so I'll probably end up there instead. Overpriced beer, stale peanuts, sticky floors, what more can you want on a hot summer day?

The pursuit of happiness

Love this blog. Love this blog entry. Have a look.

Zen Habit's Guide to Happiness

Why you should move to the Omaha area

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/top25s/housing/

Because even CNN agrees that it is a top place to live! 3 omaha metro area cities are listed in the top 25. How cool is that?

Find your way home

Several people have emailed me with this website. I agree, others need to know about it. So here you go!

http://safetytat.com/

What a great idea! Temporary tattoos for your little one with your cell phone number. Trips to the zoo, the amusement park, or any other outing can now be a little safer. Until they allow us to GPS our kids, we have to take what we can get right?

Brandon Pics from last weekend

Baby BAM and Grandpa Jim 7/6/08 (Grandpa's Birthday)

And the winner is......

Thank you to all who actually left a comment in the blog birthday give away. I said I'd draw a winner or two on Friday. I didn't say which Friday now did I? :)

After putting a little piece of paper in a cup for every person that left a comment in the week's period....... the winners are .....

Marissa
and
Mistry

Since I didn't say you couldn't enter more than once and since Marissa stuffed the comment boxes, it was bound to happen. :)

BFTSIHBFTLFA - I have your address. I'll send stuff when I feel like it. :)
Box Stuffer - Email me with your address. carolyn at helpfindachild.com

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I haven’t had Starbucks in about 2 weeks. This is what happens when Son2 no longer requires rides to work in the morning. {{happy dance for the reclaimed 30 minutes every morning}}
2. My friend Lance turns 40 this weekend!! Let the mud volleyball games begin!
3. The bug killer guy tells me that the entomologist in his office says that common household spiders can’t really bite. I respectfully disagree. Because I have so many “spider bites” it is driving me insane. Apparently they are getting back at me for having bug killer guy come spray Wednesday. You see, they itch. And I look like something from a Warner Bros cartoon sitting here scratching.
4. I get to play with Lucas this weekend. This makes me very happy!
5. I got to watch baby BAM twice last weekend. It made for a very nice weekend.
6. We spent too much money on fireworks over the 4th. But it was fun. It’s wild to live in a county where fireworks are legal. We drove up the hill and watched fireworks going off everywhere for more than an hour. There were so many you couldn’t tell where the “official” display was being launched from.
7. Hubby and Son2 have taken up Remote Control Airplanes as a new hobby. They are very good at buying new parts and rebuilding the planes after crashing them.
8. I am thinking about becoming a Big Sister. Anybody ever been one?
9. Anybody need fresh mint? It has overtaken the flower bed on the West side of the house. I’m thinking I may make Mint Pesto. What to serve it on?
10. I am looking to hire an intern at work. Which is just my way of saying I need a position filled but I have no cash. Anybody?

All of that for $10.97

The entire reason I haven't bought a cable for the new printer is because when I bought the printer at OfficeMaxyourcreditcardout (on clearance for $35) they told me I needed to buy the cable for it. The cable cost $40. I was on my way to CR and had zero extra cash. So the $40 cable was out of the realm of possible purchases that day. So I waited. Surely, someone I knew had to have such a cable just lying around waiting for me to snipe it. But no. No one had one. And I'll be darned if I was going to pay $40 for a printer I only paid $35 for. I was whining to my dad about it. Ok, I didn't think I was whining but he said I was and if my dad says you are whining you just go along with it. But anyway, I was telling my dad the $40 vs $35 story. He reiterated that he did not have such a cable. But he did say that he'd see if he could find one for cheaper.

He called me later from that dreaded WalHell and said, "I'm standing here next to photo looking at that cable you need. They have it here for $20." I was on my way out of town so it was pointless for me to have him pick it up. I figured I'd just keep an eye out for one elsewhere. Surely if WalHell had them for $20, someone else was bound to. So I've gone since April without a cable for my $35 awesome bought it on clearance printer.

So you see, I've looked everywhere. Everywhere. Can't find one for less than $35. And yes, I know WalHell has them for $20. And yes, I know WalHell is within walking distance of my house. But you see, I absolutely do NOT go to WalHell unless it is an absolute and dire emergency. I hate the place. I despise the place. But that's a story for another day.

Fast forward to tonight. It wasn't an emergency. But I did end up at WalHell in CB. You see, we had to go to Iowa so Jim could go to the bank. We decided to take back our Iowa return them for 5 cent cans. We went to the NF grocery that we usually return them to. Their can return area closed at 6 pm. It was now 6:05. Carp. So off to WalHell we went. We cashed in our allotted 150 cans, donated the second 150 to the store (we came in together so they wouldn't let us each return 150. It's a sad state of affairs I tell you) but anyway. After returning the cans I seriously considered going right back out the door. Did I mention I hate the place? But I figured as long as we were there, I might as well go get the cable.

It was only $10.97.

And now I have a printer that works.

And you just wasted 3 minutes of your life reading about it. Sad I tell you. Just plain sad.

Birthday announcement!!!!!

Jim's birthday is Sunday. Can you help me? He needs birthday lovin. And no, not that kind of lovin, get your head out of the gutter. I'll take care of that myself thank you very much. He needs lovin via greetings. Can you send him a birthday e-card? Me, I like Hallmark's. But mostly because I have a hoops and yoyo addiction. But you can use any e-card site you like. :) Thanks in advance.

His email is jim @ helpfindachild.com (obviously without the spaces)

10 Random Things for a Friday that is really a Thursday

1. I have absolutely NOTHING that I HAVE to do this weekend. I don’t think I can remember the last time I said that. I mean, my house is clean. My yard needs work but that’s perpetual so that doesn’t count. We have plans on Saturday night to go out with friends. But that’s fun. And I have NOTHING that I HAVE to do. I do have work to do tonight. But not this weekend! For three whole days!
2. I get to babysit baby BAM tomorrow night. **jumping up and down**
3. The daylilies are in full bloom in my yard.
4. The irises never really bloomed very well this year. Moral of the story: Don’t let the guy mowing the lawn mow back irises. They won’t bloom well the next year.
5. One of my employees at work is going to be out for 6 weeks on FMLA. I’m freaking out. He’s the only one that does his job and I know we can’t get by without someone in his position for 6 weeks. Temp service? Lots of contract labor? I’m at a loss.
6. We watched “I am Legend” earlier this week. I’ve dreamed about zombies every night since. One of them looked like Mr. Rogers.
7. I Krazy Glued my croc into the strap down position. And for those that are wondering: Scotch tape will hold your croc strap together for a week if you only wear them for about 24 hours of that time. :) (tee hee hee, I said croc strap)
8. Jim’s best friend’s girlfriend emailed me today with their new address and phone number. He didn’t even mention they were moving and Jim has talked to him almost every day this week. Odd.
9. Las Vegas Season 1 is the next DVD on my Blockbuster online list.
10. I have 3 printers at my house and not a single one of them will print right now. I lost the power cord to one when we moved, I need to buy a USB to USB 2 cord for the new one, and the REALLY old one I can’t find ink for. Guess there will be no printing of anything in the near future.

And there you have it kids. 10 Random Things for a Friday for July 3rd. Wait. Today's only Thursday. Carp. Um. Well. Oh Carp. I can't call it 10 Random things for a Thursday can I? Carp. Ok that's what will do. No rules here right?

title edited to say: 10 Random Things for a Friday that is really a Thursday.

There, that'll do it. Catch you on the flip side!

Oxymoron

maybe not exactly an oxymoron but something pretty close to that.

On a McDonald's cup - We're as picky about what we buy as you are.

If I was really being picky about breakfast this morning would I really have been in the McDonald's drive thru?

My egg mcmuffin minus Can Bacn would beg to differ. I quickly remembered why I don't go there anymore. They do still have the best fountain Diet Coke though. :)

Insert Birthday cake with tall candle picture here

Ready for the drumroll? tatataatatatatatatatatat (how do you write the sound of a drum roll anyway?)

This blog is one year old. Pretty amazing huh. I've been blabbing about nothing for a year now. And wonder of all wonders some of you have been following along for just as long. Pretty insane huh?

In honor of the blog's birthday (which was actually 2 days ago, I just missed it) I am sending you the presents. You see, I see the stats. I know you come here and laugh at me and run. And other than a couple, you rarely comment. I know. Humor me here.

Leave a comment. I'll pick one or two of you random friends to send a mystery box to. I'm sure I can find something in the closet somewhere. I mean, I do have an abundance of scrapbook stuff and Partylite candles and a dust bunny or two.

I'll let someone else pick the comment number on, let's say, Friday. That'll give a few days for enough comments to trickle in for me to not feel like I'm talking to myself. Which we all know I am but I'm not ready to admit it just yet.

Friday! Friday! I'll draw a random name on Friday!

See, I really have lost my mind.

Quote away

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” - Buddha

Living in the present is something we all need to do, right? I think if we all did though, the antacid manufacturers of the world would probably go under. So worry away.

Not me though. I'm on a mission to be Rolaid free by July 1st. Says she who is seriously contemplating calling her mom and asking a "what if" question that seriously isn't living in the present. But it isn't July 1st yet so it's all good.

And now we return you to your regularly scheduled program.

Dooce is giving away 5 Wii Fits

I still think that the fact that they call it a Wii Fit is hysterical. It makes me think of a toddler throwing a tantrum. And then nanny says, "look. She's having a wee fit. Isn't that cute." I think I may have a wee fit myself if the day continues the way it has. Seeing as how it's 3:20 and I'm just now eating lunch. oh well.

Anyway - if you don't read dooce you should. She's freaking hysterical. Honest and far from charming and occasionally a might bit offensive but in a "I can't believe she just said that" kind of way. Not the other way. I wouldn't read it if it were the other way. But you knew that already.

Here is a link to the giveaway post - Giveaway post You can enter as many times as you want. Me, I just entered once. But that's all I'll need. Because I have such good luck and that's why they won't let me in the casinos anymore. (I don't care what you heard. That's the real reason.) Besides, I only need 1 Wii Fit. I'll let you have the other 4.

Monday musings

Ok, not exactly musings but more like scrambled thoughts. Or random. So I guess it's really just a random things for a Monday. LOL

1. I have a hangnail that is driving me nuts.
2. I have a headache. Had a headache yesterday too. Just not sure if this is the same headache or a "I had too much psuedo sangria last night" headache.
3. The weather person was right when they said that yesterday would be "super nice". It was. And not just the weather.
4. I'm contemplating sending all of the stuff I need to send to family members (New Ma's baby shower thank yous. Birth announcements for two grandbabies (one of which is now 5 months old) and updated pics of said babies) in one big envelope with a note stating how sorry I am to be sending this stuff so late. Would that be tacky?
5. We blew through about $35 worth of fireworks last night. It was a banging good time!
6. Having friends over no matter how bad your house looks is still a good thing. When they are good friends they really don't care. I have to remember that more often.
7. Perfection is overrated. Why do I still feel bad when I fall short?

Ok, now that I got that out of my brain I am going back to work. Chat at you soon!

10 Random Things for a Friday

After a two week hiatus, and by popular demand, I offer you the return of the random.......

1. My croc broke. :( It's a sad day. I bought some super glue to fix it but I can't decide whether to glue it so it is up like a clog or back strap down. :( Susan says I can buy just the strap but I called a couple of places and they didn't know what Susan was talking about. You apparently have to go to an actual croc store. We don't have one. But then I was on the crocs website and they have some pretty cool stuff! Wish I had kid size feet so I could get the Sponge Bob ones.
2. I subbed the weekly twelve pack of Diet Coke this week for Diet Dr Pepper. It was on sale. I figured it'd be less caffeine too. Then I found out it is only BARELY less. How much caffeine is in your favorite beverage? Then I found out that 2 Excedrin has nearly as much caffeine as my favorite sugar free energy drink. No wonder I was so jittery when I tried to get rid of the headache on Tuesday! I had 290 mg of caffeine in me!
3. Son2 is now an officially legally licensed driver with his own running insured car. For those of you following along this is a huge milestone.
4. I got to watch the baby BAM overnight Wednesday. It was fun. Especially since he slept for 6 hours straight.
5. This weekend I am pulling the carpet out of the back room. I can't stand looking at the 1960 stuff anymore. I think we'll put in vinyl flooring or something similar. It gets too much traffic for carpet.
6. I've had grocery store sushi twice this week. I have hit a new sushi low.
7. My new to me car has a CD player. I haven't stuck a single CD in it yet. Yes, I know. Sad and pitiful.
8. The W clan is coming over tomorrow night to BBQ dead stuff and slap mosquitoes and catch fireflies and set off fireworks. I should have taken today off to clean my house. :)
9. Madonna and Guy Richie splitting up has zero effect on my life. And I am sick of hearing about it on the radio and TV. Glad I don't live in London. And where did she get her pseudo English accent any way?
10. dh starts a new job on Monday. He gets a real Mon - Fri work week again and gets an hour for lunch. And all for a bit more money than he is making now in his salaried 62 hour a week job. I see camping weekends in our future again!

That is all. See you again soon.

I need to get an Ipod

Or a Zune or another MP3 player. Do you have one? What do you have? Do you love it? Would you buy it again? I need one. Ok, really I just want one but it's bordering on a need. :) I'd love the U2 edition of the Ipod but that's out of my price range. I want to download songs and take them with me wherever I want to go. I won't use itunes though. Too expensive. I'm more of a Rhapsody or Zune type gal.

I'll start by downloading all of the songs from Sarah Bowen's playlist. Take a listen. LOVE her choice of music. Want to take it with me on a walk.

2nd grade weather forecasting

From KETV Weather

Can't believe they actually published this.....

But hey! At least we know it will be nice.

Ear Worms and Algebra

Apparently Algebra will kill an earworm. Who'd a thought?

"Getting "Eye of the Tiger" stuck in your head is the result of a glitch in your auditory cortex. This part of your brain processes sounds and stores them for later recall. It powers up and can start crooning uncontrollably after hearing just a few notes of a familiar tune. Want it to stop? Listen to the whole song or do some math."

Wired Magazine

Edited - For those that don't already know -- an earworm is a song that gets stuck in your head. You know, like "I'm a little teapot. Short and stout. Here is my handle here is my spout."

George Carlin Talks About Stuff

I'm sure by now, you've heard that George Carlin passed. Sad. But thanks to DVD, television, his books, comedy albums, and YouTube, he can still make us laugh.

Umm. I just realized that in retrospect, the "stuff" video is a little distasteful, considering the post about everybody who just lost all of their "stuff". No disrespect intended. No second meaning. I just love the bit.

The weekend update

Went to CR this weekend. I'd been planning to go since we were there on the 1st. Considered not going because of the flooding. But they opened I380 back up so I decided to make the trip.

The entire agenda of the weekend was to spend time with Jr and the baby. And spend time with the baby is EXACTLY what I did. Got to see my brother, SIL, and baby Rachel as well. It was a perfect way to spend the weekend. I'll have to post pics later. He's such a cutie. :) I might be biased though.

Regarding the flood - It is so sad. Depressing actually. Driving from Marion to Elvis' through town on Friday night was the eeriest, most surreal moment. From H Avenue to Wilson Ave (nearly 2 miles) the only lights you saw were the hospital. Quaker was dark. The apartments were dark. The neighborhoods were dark. Alliant Energy (the electric company) was dark. The bridges were dark. For about 2 miles, there was only the occasional street light or blinking stop light. It was just flat out eerie. You never know how many lights there are until they all go dark.

Drove through downtown, Czech Village, Taylor neighborhood, and the flats. It's so sad. Everywhere you look there is nothing but devastation. Then there are the piles. Imagine everything in your house piled by the curb. Throw dirt on it. Then hose it down until it can't take up any more water. Everything becomes undistinguishable. It's all just a pile of wet, brown garbage. The same "stuff" you spent your lifetime accumulating. Now diminished to wet, brown garbage.

You can see the look of defeat in people's faces as they take yet another load to the curb. It'll take months just to haul everything to the landfill. The "new" landfill that has now had it's life expectancy cut in half due to the sheer quantity of newly mudded wet, brown garbage. At least in a tornado's aftermath, you can sift through and salvage most of your "stuff". In a fire it all is disposed of for you. Not much to take to the landfill. But this. This is blocks and blocks of wet, brown everything that had to be hauled armful after wheelbarrow full after arm full to the curb. And then when you are done, you still have to clean up and pull drywall and hope that your insurance will replace at least some of what is gone. It's overwhelmingly sad.

SIL keeps talking about waiting in line for assistance. So many lines. So many phone calls. So much red tape.

SIL's house looks to be repairable. There is still a little water in the basement. And all of her wet, brown possessions are at the curb. But in Rompot, everything has a different smell than the rest of the city. Apparently the sewer came up before the river came over. So the whole neighborhood smells like dried sewage. Wet, brown, sewer smelling garbage. It's unfathomably sad.

Consequences

The quote of the day on Dave Ramsey's website is:

Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences - Robert Louis Stevenson

Thought the quote was cool. Discuss amongst yourselves.

Goodbye to Tastespotting

There have been no updates on my Tastespotting.com widget. Or in my google reader feed. So I finally broke down and went to the actual site. Apparently there are legal issues and they took the site down. I am saddened. Now I have to actually add my fav food blog feeds individually. Cripes.

So sad to see you go Tastespotting.com. I'll miss you.

Top Story on Yahoo Mail news feed

Cedar Rapids Flooding

I finally shut the video feed off when I left work at 8:00. Then I get on to check my email earlier. And there it was. Cedar Rapids is the top story on Yahoo's mail news feed.

I've talked to many that I know in CR. Some are evacuated. Some have no power and moved to friend's houses. One has decided to leave town. All seem to be in shock at the water's devastation.

I keep watching things I know. Stores I grew up shopping at. The office building I used to work in. The shop we used to run. All under water. Then I think of those in shelters that are spending their time watching news feed of their homes that are now under water.

I can't even imagine.

My prayers go out to everyone affected.

CR flooding

Whether you pray or bring good thoughts or send positive energy, keep Cedar Rapids, Iowa in mind. The flooding is unprecedented.

The river is STILL rising. 10,000 people have been evacuated. 12,000 land parcels are effected. 20,000 households are without power. Almost every road and highway in and out of town is closed. A railroad bridge has collapsed. Curfews have been implemented. It isn't expected to crest until some time tomorrow or Saturday.

It's unreal. And it makes me cry. So many people I love are effected.

You can see the live feed here. I can't seem to shut if off. :(

And the rain is still coming.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I've only been to Starbucks once this week. I think that's pretty darn good considering.
2. Spent a good portion of Tuesday with new mama and baby B. It made for a very enjoyable day.
3. New mama got a new job! She is now officially working in her chosen field of nursing.
4. Son2 is working his rear off. He is working 12 hour days for about the next week. Two jobs will do that to you!
5. We have been bicycle shopping. Son2 bought a really cool new Schwinn. Hubby and I are considering new bike purchases but at the moment don't have the cash. Maybe money will fall out of the sky next week.
6. I am craving sushi and sake bombs. Not that that is any big surprise. But it's been a while since either were on the "I have a craving" list. Go figure.
7. My bftcmhbftlfa (best friend that calls me her best friend that lives far away) is coming to visit in November. She is coming for the New Kids on the Block concert. I'll take any excuse to see her though so no complaints here.
8. Sonic sugarfree limeades are the bomb.
9. I took my camera to CR last Sunday and never broke it out. That is a first I do believe.
10. I am going back to CR the weekend of the 21st. I need more baby time. It's Freedom Festival too! Want to come?

Posted a little after the fact but hey, I started it on Friday. I should get credit for that, right?

Anxiety Attack after Anxiety Attack

Anxiety attack after anxiety attack and none of them for any good reason. Ok, not full out as bad as I have ever had them kind of attacks. Just the level that totally screws with your day and makes it so you don't get a darn thing done because you are obsessed with what caused (is causing) the anxiety.

• Started on Saturday worrying about everything that had to be done for Sunday. Continued when I realized that I had left almost everything to my mom to do and felt bad about that.
• Now that I think about it I think it started the middle of last week. I yelled at hubby and Son2 for next to nothing a couple of times last week. (OK, probably more than a couple) Usually a pretty good indicator of underlying anxiety issues.
• Sunday started out that way but quickly dissipated after I blew up at people that didn't really need blown up at.
• Monday was stupid people at work day. (not the people I work WITH, just the people that I had to deal with. That sure didn't help anything.
• Tuesday was... well Tuesday was a whole nasty day in and of itself and deserves it's own post so we'll let it go here.
• Wednesday -- Stupid storm. We had a storm on Wednesday night that freaked me out. I usually really enjoy storms. Truly. But this one and all of it's "the storm is coming the storm is coming" meteorological glory freaked me out. And then it got here and it had died down and it wasn't so scary. Go figure.
• Then there is today. I have ZERO tolerance for people. Not anyone specific but everyone in general.
• I have to get the plates and registration for the new car. How much is that going to cost me?
• Baby B is running a low grade fever. Is he OK? Why hasn't she called me yet to tell me how he is doing?
• Now we are having another storm. Black on the radar is bad, right?
• I should not have had Starbucks this morning. I don't think the caffeine is helping the anxiety at all.
• And there is that whole, someone is standing on my chest every time I think of anything of any consequence thing. And no. It is not a heart problem or blood pressure. It's anxiety. And eventually, this too will go away.

Please pass the Lorazepam.

Annual insanity update

Last Sunday was the annual balloon release. You know that though because you read it in the blog entry a couple back that wasn't really a blog entry but a copy of the press release. It was (as always) a very mixed emotion day.

The weather was perfect. We couldn't have asked for better. I was saddened by the lack of media attention. We usually get 3 of 4 stations and the newspaper. We had 1 station show up. Thank you KGAN. Much appreciated. Any media is good media, right?

The balloon release itself went well. Neither Jim or I could say anything without crying though. So the big "thank you to everyone for coming" speech was cut REALLY short and we just released the balloons instead.

Every year I think this will get easier. And every year it doesn't. I think it actually gets harder. I have this idea in my head that this will be the last time we have to do this. That next year she'll be home and we can have a big party instead. Still waiting.

Spent time after the release with most all of the family from every side of the clan. When you offer a potluck picnic, they all will stay for food! Yeah for family time! I am glad we could all come together. It was a good thing for everybody I think.

And I got to spend ALL afternoon playing with Lucas James. So that in and of itself was healing. Now if only I could hold onto that all the time.

(Wrote all of this last week. Not sure how I missed posting it. Sorry.)

Not quite insane but getting there

Just let me wallow for a minute. You can ignore me and move on if you need to. It's OK. I would too. Just smile and wave when you pass on the street.



This week sucks. Every year. Every year I think it will get easier. NEWSFLASH -- It doesn't. It doesn't get any different either. See, I'm planning this event for Sunday. We are having our annual balloon release. Media has been calling. Friends and family are RSVPing in some of the highest numbers ever. But I don't want to do this. I don't think I can face it again.

Somebody stop the world. I want to get off. I'll get back on on the 4th. It'll all be OK again by then.

This is yet another post that I drafted but didn't post last week. For anyone that follows chronologically, Sorry. But the date really does matter.

Press Release aka remember the insanity

For Immediate Release:
Balloon Release Event to Remember Still Missing Cedar Rapids Teen

The family of missing Cedar Rapids teen, Erin Pospisil, invites the community to join them in remembering Erin with a balloon release to be held Sunday June 1st at 1:00 PM.

Tuesday June 3, 2008 marks seven years since then 15 year old, Erin Pospisil was last seen in front of the home of a friend in the 1500 block of Second Avenue SE. Family, friends, and community members will honor the day with a balloon release this weekend. The public is encouraged attend the event. The balloon release will be held Sunday June 1st at 1:00 PM at the Van Vechten Park Pavilion in Cedar Rapids. (off 12th Avenue SE past 19th Street)

"Not only is Erin still missing seven years later, we are no closer to knowing what really happened to her than we were on that Sunday night seven years ago," states Carolyn Pospisil, step-mother of Erin Pospisil. "Somebody out there knows what happened to Erin that night. It is our hope that by continuing to hold events in her honor that someone will remember something and come forward with that all important lead that will help us to bring Erin home."

All are welcome to attend the balloon release remembrance.

The event is a project of Help Find a Child, a non-profit organization founded by the Pospisil family. More information on the event and the organization are available at HelpFindAChild.com.

Brandon 1 month pics

The irises are blooming!

Yet another reason why I love where I live.

These were taken May 11th. Lucas is growing up so fast!

And this is me with the coolest babies in the whole world. I am such a lucky grandma. :)

Son2 Grad Pictures

Getting caught up on pics I've said I'd share. The non-picture taking grin was three times as big!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I suck for missing 10 random last week. And I suck again for not blogging anything else other than random blatherings for the last month. My apologies. I'll try and work on that.
2. The irises are starting to bloom. I SOOOO love my yard! I'll post pics this weekend. (pinky promise)
3. We got Roxanne clipped two weeks ago. She was "summer cut" and looks freakin hysterical. I was convinced they'd given me the wrong dog.
4. POS Van has been retired out to pasture. (ok, just back along the fence line)
5. Which means I had to get a new car. So after more than a month of looking, I bought a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. I had to go to KC to get the price I wanted but I again have a reliable vehicle that I can drive out of town without freaking out about not making it home. Too bad it comes with a car payment.
6. Jim gets Monday off. An actual honest to goodness two days off in a row. He's in heaven.
7. Jr tells me that Lucas James has an ear infection. It makes me sad. I feel his pain.
8. I realized on Tuesday that I have been going to Starbucks too often lately. The cashier/order taker gal not only remembered what I order, she even remembered the name to write on my cup.
9. I am planning on having a garage sale next weekend. We'll see if it actually materializes but I REALLY need to get the stuff out of the chicken shed.
10. Speaking of chickens. We no longer have chicks. We have chickens. I can't believe how fast they have grown!

Now if that wasn't just the most boring 10 things ever. LOL

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. This week's snack of choice is CLIF Mojo Bars. I never got around to making the granola I'd planned on and these were on sale at Baker's this week. Feel the love.


2. I cleaned the house on Tuesday for a salesman my husband set a meeting up with. He never showed. The salesman that is. Hubby was there. He mowed the lawn.


3. The new mower makes mowing the lawn much quicker. I think he finished in about an hour and a half. I'll time him next time.


4. The gas tank on the van sprung a leak again. So much for the special gunk that was supposed to be made specifically for gas tank leaks. Investment in new gas tank? $105.


5. My admin assistant has a fat lip. Contrary to popular belief I did not give it to her. She fell at Baker's. And no, she was not getting me more Mojo Bars. We just like to go to Baker's on lunch.


6. I had a dream last night about vampires living on the 4th floor of my house. It was weird. I have no 2nd floor let alone 4th floor.


7. I am skipping this month's book club book. Just couldn't get into it. I've moved on to next month's. It's pretty good so far.


8. Spent a good part of the afternoon test driving a car. But I don't LOVE it. So I am not supposed to have it right? But the hubby says it's because I don't love the idea of a car payment. I think he may be right.
9. Leave for back East tomorrow. I get to spend Grandma time with Lucas. I'm a little excited.
10. Speaking of Gma time ... Baby B is as cute as ever! Pics after the weekend.

10 Random Things for a Friday

I know this is two days late. Pretend you didn't notice.

1. I saw a Honda CRV on the side of the road yesterday. It should make me feel better but it didn't.
2. The POS van is still for sale. It's getting cheaper. Jump on it while you still can. Not that jumping on it will make it look any better but you never know.
3. When I logged into Google Reader on Monday (hadn't been on since Wednesday night) I had 1324 new blog posts. Me thinks me need to clean out some of my blog feeds. I may have too many. What do you think?
4. I have resigned myself to the fact that dairy is not my friend. In reality it is my foe. Even ice cream is now bad. I am so sad. And all I really want is a DQ Krunch Kote cone. And a cheese pizza. Oh the horror! So I've started to read everything on PETA's Milk Sucks website. It's making me feel a little better. Actually it's grossing me out.
5. Economic Farce payments started via direct deposit this week. Based upon the poll (and the informal poll I took with about everyone else I know) if the people I know are the average, I'd have to say it will make little to no difference in the actual stimulus it creates. But then again, once most people have it in your hand, all plans seem to go out the window.
6. I spent more than an hour and a half the other night planning a vacation I can't remotely afford. It was a nice diversion.
7. Son2 walks across the stage on Saturday. I'm beyond proud.
8. Tutu sent me pics of her holding Lucas James this past weekend. She said it was because she wanted to show me current pics. I think she was just rubbing it in.
9. Sally aka Houdini has figured out how to open the back screen door.
10. MA and baby are adjusting to being home. He is FAR from sleeping through the night.

Thoughts for Thursday

Time Magazine released it's top 100 most influential people. But they didn't rank them. Just listed them. So they left the ranking to the public via a poll. The poll shows that video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto ranks number 1. A Nintendo video game designer. That's Ok, it gets worse. Britney Spears at 72 comes in only a little less than the Pope at 60. Nelson Mandela is ranked at 16. George W. Bush? 158th. The Dalai Lama rounded out the list at 207.

Who are the most influential people in your life?

GPO Update - aka Introducing Brandon Alexander

The GPO is not longer the GPO she is now the Mommy Amber.

We'll just call her MA. LOL

Introducing .... Brandon Alexander.

He was born Thursday April 24 at 11:36 AM. He weighs in at 6lbs 8oz and a 18 3/4 inches long. He has beautiful dark hair and is perfect in every way. Mommy is resting as comfortably as can be expected. Daddy is all smiles.

(but so are Grandma and Grandpa.)

She used to look like this 4 days ago.

But now she gave us this beautiful baby.

He's got good lungs.

And he's absolutely perfect.

Every party has a pooper and it might as well be you

Today is someone's birthday. A friend and I wanted to take said someone to lunch. I said to the someone this morning..."Happy Birthday someone. Friend and I would like to take you to lunch today." Someone said, "I'd really rather not. Thank you and all but I'd really rather not."

How would you take that?

Weather for Wednesday

I don't know why I came back to work after lunch. We should all take the rest of the day off.

Earth Day one Day Late

"Sometimes you have to act as if acting will make a difference, even when you can’t prove that it will."

I'm glad it's Earth Month now and not just Earth Day. I meant to post this yesterday but time got away from me. I found a really good article on the New York Times website. It's message is simple. WHY BOTHER? The main points of the article come back to the quote above. It's a thought provoking article. A little long, but that's just become standard for the NY Times hasn't it?

While I'd like to say we are "green" at my house, I'd be only giving a half picture. We have changed most of our lights over to high energy bulbs. We use reusable shopping bags. We reuse and recycle as much as possible. We use environmentally happy cleaning products. We grow our own veggies and freeze or can what we don't eat fresh. We buy locally and organic for many products. But then we drive vehicles that get awful gas mileage. We have looked at solar energy but haven't found a way to justify the price. We do a not so great job of reducing consumption. We are as much of the problem as the next person. But we are getting better. We try to incorporate one new "green" thing into our lifestyle every month.

And you? What one thing can you do that would make your household part of the solution? What do you do now that is environmentally friendly? Will you share? I'd love to know what you have done to "green up" your household.

"Sometimes you have to act as if acting will make a difference, even when you can’t prove that it will."

Economic Stimulus Payment Poll

Ok. Figured out how to do a poll. It's over there. ------->>>>

Now you can answer COMPLETELY anonymously. Y'all read the question. I know because I can see you.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I accomplished little to nothing at work today because the phone wouldn't quit ringing.
2. On Tuesday, I decided to lay off caffeine for a while after reading this article. On Wednesday morning I had to drop Son2 off at work at the burrito place which is right by Starbucks. So much for that idea.
3. We had Jimmy John's for lunch. I had a #6 and a pickle. It was good. :) It always makes me smile when I say their name. Not because of the #6 and the pickle but because it makes me think of Jr. and that makes me smile.
4. Families Helping Families is having their Gala this weekend. I REALLY want to go. But alas, we are on baby watch and I've been told I can't leave town. If you are within driving distance of Cedar Rapids and have an open social calendar tomorrow night, you should really go. Tell them I sent you. Or don't. They'll probably charge you double.
5. Somebody remind me to call Lamar next week about getting a discount on another billboard.
6. Tomorrow is Stamp Club at the Stamp Pushers house. Gotta get my fix.
7. Honda CRVs are stalking me.
8. It's supposed to be 75 on Sunday. Yippee!
9. I had another "everything is for a reason" moment this morning. It was one of those "a really not so good thing happened in someone's life but something completely perfect and life changing came out of it" kind of things. I like those moments.
10. GPO Update. I don't know why she hasn't had the baby yet. It could be any day. But I cancelled my trip out of town Tuesday-Thursday. That's why the baby hasn't made his appearance yet. Had I left town...he'd have shown up. Betting GPO wishes I'd left now. LOL

Yahoo's 25 Worst Rappers of All Time

I'm freakin dyin' here. Guess who number 1 is?

http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/listoftheday/2977/the-25-worst-rappers-of-all-time

Economic Stimulus Package

I am not going to stand on the soapbox and say that we did this once before in January 2003 and it didn't work then so why would it work now or talk about how the government is already operating at a the largest deficit ever so what program are they going to steal this $152 billion from. I'm not going to even stand there. So don't expect it.

Here is what I really want to know.

In all honesty....

What are you going to do with your check?

1. Spend it on something fun
2. Spend it on something we wouldn't buy otherwise
3. Spend it on stuff you'd buy anyway
4. Use it as a downpayment on a larger purchase
5. Save it
6. Put it towards debt

Love to see your answer. Comment anonymously if you like. I have my own theories. Just wondering if they are close to the truth or not.

Thoughts for Thursday

Why are there not more words that end in ‘age?
Why aren’t there more movies where the good guys don’t win?
Whose mom decided what words were curse words?
If Superman and Batman arm wrestled, who would win?
If it’s not all about the Hokey Pokey what is it really all about?
When you’ve lost your mind do you know you have?
If the birdhouse was made for starlings, who told the sparrows they could move in?

Nothing like the last minute

I just e-filed my taxes. I think I may cry. Good thing they take payments.

Does it irk anybody else to pay the taxes in and then look at what we are getting for our money? I think I'd rather pay huge local taxes to support the services I get here than to fund the government spending I have no control over. And yes, I know I theoretically have control through my vote but that's just a crock of snot.

Write this off to the ramblings of taxpayer who just filed their taxes and owes the IRS money.

Just sayin.

Happy Tuesday!

:)

That is all.

You may now go back to whatever cool thing you were doing before you were here.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I am having one of those days where if one more stupid thing happens I may just snap. I know you know what I mean because we've all had them. A ton of little things that just build because you can't let them slide off for whatever reason. The kind of day when the little men in the white coats could show up and you'd gladly go with them just for the quiet time and someone else to do the laundry and cook supper.
2. I have this odd desire to make granola or granola bars. It's the fault of these silly food blogs I've become addicted to. I sit here at lunch and eat my Amy's frozen dinners and drool over food blogs. I think I may make Joyful Abode's bars. They look pretty good. Or maybe these or these. See it's a conspiracy. The universe wants me to make granola.
3. Outstanding today's Siouxsie and the Banshees that I blew at you earlier, I'm on this odd folky kick this week. No clue why. Can't explain it. Please don't ask me to.
4. Son2 got a 2nd job this week. He's pretty cool that way. Ever been to Moe's? Go on Monday. They have a good burrito deal. Besides. They give you more chips and salsa than you can reasonably eat for lunch. And who can't use leftover chips and salsa?
5. Jr says Lucas is finally starting to be a little less colicy. They may finally get to sleep sometime this year!
6. Erin's birthday is Monday. That makes me sad.
7. I had a baja blast and a 7-layer burrito for lunch.
8. Willy still smells like skunk on his head. It's less pronounced and you can be in the same room with him again but he stinks still. I may have to make a trip to Petco today. Which reminds me. We need cat food.
9. Wonder if I can talk hubby or Son2 into going to see Horton Hears A Who this weekend.
10. GPO update: the upcoming arrival is measuring at 5# 13oz. (Ultrasounds still amaze me.)And she is making progress. Looks like we might get a baby this month! Another 5 days and she'll be past the day I thought she'd deliver. So that's a good thing!

Please note there was no mention of Sushi or Sake bombs in the above 10 things.

For Sale: POS Van

Stupid car.

I know the paint is coming off because it was a defective paint job that was recalled before I bought it. I know it sounds kind of funny when it runs. That noise is really common in that series of Voyagers. No one really knows why. Gas mileage isn't great. So what if the trunk doesn't open anymore. It's a fond memory of a daughter's ex-boyfriend that got mad and slammed it. It opens sometimes. You just have to stick your knee into it. At the moment it has a hole in the gas tank so you can't put more than 3 gallons in at a time. The part is only about $100 and I'm sure you know a good mechanic that has the time to put it in.

What's that? You don't want to whole car. How about just the new fuel pump that is only 2 weeks old and the $200 worth of tires that have less than 5000 miles on them. Interested now?

Stupid car.

I don't want a car payment though. I don't want to pay for full coverage insurance. I don't have the cash to buy a cheap car outright this month.

Stupid car.

Siouxsie and the Banshees Kiss Them For Me

Peek-a-Boo

I'm having a day. More to follow. In the meantime...enjoy a little Lalapalooza type flashback.

Thoughts for Thursday

It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.

-- Laura Ingalls Wilder

What are your fundamental things?

So this is how I spent my lunch break

It's Harmony's fault. Blame her. And I warn you now, if you do the test there are about 10 of those stupid "ACCEPT ME" offers at the end.

But it was kind of cool. I wonder which one I missed?




Am-I-Dumb.com - Dumb Test



Edited later to say:

Ok. I apologize. I just realized that the lovely banner above and my subsequent posting of it basically just called 96.7% of people dumb fools. I SOOO don't think that. None of you are fools. Except one of you. And you know who you are. LOL

Vanilla Ice

This morning as I was taking Son2 to work, "Under Pressure" came on the radio. The beginning stanza comes on and Son2 says, "are they seriously playing Ice Ice Baby on the Brew?" I pointed out they may have similar rifts in one place but that the song was definitely not the Vanilla Ice song he was expecting. Son2 says, "yeah I thought that was odd." Then says, "I remember when he as popular though. It lasted all of what, a month?" I think it may have been a little longer. ;)

Got me thinking about the where are they now stuff. If I watched VH1 reality shows I'd probably know but I don't.

But then the Vanilla Ice memories kicked in. Spanky's. The bowling alley pseudo dance floor. Casey's Top 40 countdown. I do wonder what happened to some of the people I knew then though.

What's your Vanilla Ice memory? And did you know he's still making new albums and touring? Who would've guessed?

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I have a headache. Not a bad one. Just annoying more than anything.
2. I am looking forward to a Partylite spa party at my friend Sharon's house tomorrow. This is going to be a blast!
3. It is supposed to rain on Sunday. I feel bad for hubby. It's his only day off this week and it's supposed to rain.
4. The chickens are growing. And the more they grow the more they stink. Can't wait to move them to the front porch. Hopefully it will be warm enough this weekend.
5. Tonight is book club. Yeah, I know I said it was last week. And I even drove all the way out west and went into where it was supposed to be. But I was a week early. Me, early. Imagine that.
6. Saturday morning will be devoted to putting more seeds in the ground to grow green things. That and digging for more of the fence. I figure if I put the green things in the ground, I'll have more incentive to get the fence up before the bunnies find my sprouts.
7. I hit 1000 blog hits at some point in the last couple of weeks. Not sure how the heck that happened. You people must be pretty bored. LOL
8. Work is work. I have a to do list that is longer than is reasonable. I need a grant to fall out of the sky to fund the salary for another person. Either that or I need someone that will come work for pennies. Know anybody like that?
9. I was going to go through 10 random this week without mentioning that I wanted sushi. But I changed my mind. We found a sushi place near Sharon that's pretty darn good. Maybe tomorrow for lunch. :)
10. GPO Update: the baby is doing well. According to the most recent photo shoot all parts and organs are where they are supposed to be. He's gained a little but not much. He even has hair. Did you know that you can see hair on an ultrasound? It's pretty cool. GPO on the other hand... she's ready to be done being the GPO. I can imagine. She does look pretty uncomfortable lately.

The skunky ones are feeling left out

Sally (above) and Willy are feeling left out. So their skunky selves wanted to say hi. Or at least Sally did. Willy just wanted me to leave him alone. :)

Finally pictures of the puppy

This is Roxanne. She's almost 16 weeks old.

She likes to eat grass and dirt and sticks and leaves.

So she usually look like this.

There are green things in my yard

See that -- there are flowers growing in my yard. Anybody know what kind they are?

Blades of Green grass are starting to show themselves!

And those are buds on the lilac. YEAH!!!!

Spring may have finally sprung.

Dogs - 0 Skunk - 2

Willy found the skunk this time. Poor guy was blinded until sometime this AM. He seems to be seeing again. But I can still smell skunk today. Outside, inside, on the dog, on my hands. It's the definitive of ick. It won't come off. I'm sure that when we head to the garden center in a little bit that they'll politely ask us to leave. Because I can't believe that as bad as it was/is, that we don't smell like skunk too.

Good thing I had Selsun Blue still! Stuff really does work. Now it makes me wonder though what it is doing to your head if the stuff is strong enough to remove the smell of skunk.

Wonder if the dogs will figure out now that the black and white rabbits aren't for chasing. I sure hope so. Or they may just become permanently outside dogs. Outside dogs that stink like skunk.

The rest of the Chicken Story

Went and picked up chickens this afternoon. Grandpa Jim's farm has added 12 new members.

Ever spent several hours in a house with chickens in the back room? It's kind of like having a fridge that is going out and you keep hearing the motor running. You kind of tune it out. And then the noise gets louder and you hear it again. Then you tune it out. And then you hear it again and you think, "What is that noise all about?" And then the noise starts to bother you . And then you tune it out again.

Fresh eggs. that will make all of this worth it, right?

we have chickens in the back room.

I think I have lost my mind.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. What are you doing on Monday night? Want to come to my starter show for Partylite?
2. We are planting things in the garden on Sunday. Potatoes, peas, greens, onions, leeks. yummy yummy things. I love spring.
3. Signs of spring - a peek of green in my grass. the moles are active. the cardinals and robins are back!
4. The new puppy is on crack. You should see her run around and around in circles from one end of the house to the other. It's freakin hysterical!
5. Son2 gets to walk across the stage for graduation on May 3rd. We are having a party the same day. Can you come?
6. I am taking the afternoon off. I have an appointment and then I am going home to do some work and maybe read the last of the book for book club tonight. Or maybe I'll just sit on the back deck. You never know with me.
7. I'm working tomorrow at my main job. That sucks. But I haven't worked a Saturday in a while so it's not that big of a deal.
8. I'm looking for a reasonably priced digital camera for Jr. Maybe then he'll send me baby pics. I can't help but think about all of the things I'm missing by not being where Lucas is. :(
9. I want sushi. Not that that surprises anyone. It's pretty common actually. LOL
10. The great pregnant one went to the dr. on Wednesday. According to the measurements from the latest technology, the baby is now bigger than 5 lbs. Apparently feeding her everytime she turned around the last couple of weeks worked. YEAH great pregnant one! Now get off the internet and go have a healthy snack. :D