Ramblings & Thoughts

Time Flies..

2011-10-04T18:08:00.002-05:00

Again, months have passed since I last posted, most of my readers have faded into nothingness.

I finally landed a teaching job about a month after my last post. I started working at an Autism day school. My students had severe Autism, severe cognitive disabilities, and very (VERY) severe behavior disorders. What did that mean for me? Four months of misery.

So, I kept searching for a different job and managed to land a new teaching position in a safer environment. I also had to take a huge pay cut to do it.

New job is o.k. - beginning to think maybe teaching isn't the place for me. Lots of stress, not much support, and everyone knows more than I do (or so they think). When you go into teaching, no one tells you you'll spend 14 - 16 hours per day, everyday of the school year just to keep your head above water. Summers? Vacations? That's when the rest of the stuff gets done that you don't have time for during the school year!

I have no life outside my job.

Another year gone by...

2011-03-16T09:31:00.002-05:00

Almost a year has gone by since I last posted. I didn't even bother to read it. So much has changed for me.

I made it through the student teaching assignment, graduated with my degree in special education, only to struggle for the past year looking for a job. I'm still looking.
My oldest son turned 16...... it's hard to believe. Where have the years gone.
By September, a very difficult teacher had me thinking about home schooling my 8th grader... school refused to see the clear signs of Autism & test him.
In December my youngest was diagnosed (finally!) with Aspergers Syndrome, a form of Autism. After my relief that someone besides me finally saw it.......reality hit. My son has Autism. Talk about a smack in the face.
The car died it's final death. No emergency rescue could save it this time.
Christmas found my sister half a state away, sick...... it just wasn't the same.
2011 started with everyone home sick at some point during the first 4 weeks of the new year.
Still no job & things aren't looking good.... maybe February will be better.

It's now March 2011.

My oldest is taking his Spring Break in Nicaragua on a missions trip. I pray it teaches him some gratefulness and humility.
Another job interview gone nowhere.
Horrible teacher finally had to be reported to administration & after months of making myself a pain in the school's butt, there will be a meeting...... which will be on the teachers' permanent record. It should be interesting this afternoon.
I'm starting to feel a bit like Job from the Bible.........

So discouraged right now. I'm in such desperate need for some positive things to be happening in my life. A decent job would be a great start.... so maybe I can afford to get my Grandmas' old car up & running so I can finally have a car again. I know so many in the world have so much less but there are huge burdens hanging over me now that I just can't seem to shake.

Long time, no blogging

2010-03-31T09:57:00.002-05:00

Wow - last post was in August........ seems like a lifetime ago.
..........what has happened since......... lets see......... discovered son #1 has a seizure disorder in addition to the ADHD, ODD, & anxiety disorder, it's due to brain damage (birth defect) which is a bit ironic that my A/B student has brain damage.......son #2 has some autistic tendencies but they can't decide if it's just his weirdness related to ADHD, if it's a little OCD, or if he is actually on the Autism spectrum....... discovered I still can't pick a decent man......... started to foster a blind kitten, that lasted all of 5 minutes before we decided we HAD to adopt him ASAP, now my boys & I can't imagine life without Milton........ missed seeing my baby sis at Christmas due to weather & other stuff, I never see enough of her......... managed to make it through another semester of classes, had to postpone student teaching due to health issues with son #1.......... started student teaching in January, with 6 weeks left before I graduate I'm working on finding a teaching job, thankfully special education jobs are slightly easier to find.......... celebrated Granny's 94th birthday & my baby turned 13 in the same week.......... now, if I could just get rid of this random mono virus that has haunted me since last October, I'd be alright but, I'm spending my spring break time job hunting, lesson planning, and trying to get over being sick, what a joy......... I am so thankful God is always there for me.

Summer classes

2009-08-04T15:19:00.002-05:00

Well, my summer has been spent either working or in the classroom but, tomorrow is my last class of the summer session.

Thanks to Illinois state government, I, along with around 5,000 or so students here at Northern Illinois University, will go without financial aid this upcoming semester. For most of us, that means no college. Here I am one semester from graduating and the money is cut off. All I need to do is student teach and then I can graduate with my degree in special education. Hopefully I can work & save enough money over the next year to apply again to student teach.

I hate to ask what else can happen! I don't think I really want to know.

Just a question

2009-07-24T17:42:00.003-05:00

I know there aren't many who read this blog, but for those of you who do, I have a question.

Some friends & classmates and I were discussing the pros/cons of the "friends with benefits" thing. All individuals were/are currently unmarried, some divorced, some never married & one was widowed. The age range was 23 - 50+ years and was mostly women, only a few men & they were younger. I felt as though most of those involved were saying what they wanted other to hear, not their real thoughts/feelings/opinions. As I sat & listened to the discussion, there seemed to be no real truth coming out of anyone. I thought if I posed the question here in cyberspace, maybe I'd hear some real honesty. So, here's the question:

What do you think about "friends with benefits" and why?

Weird stuff......

2009-07-24T17:23:00.002-05:00

OK - how is this for strange: I've been divorced for over 7 years, didn't wear my wedding ring for over a year before that. Last week I was driving to work & all of the sudden I freaked out because I got that weird feeling like my ring was missing. I haven't worn a ring on that finger in over 8 years. Why would that happen all of the sudden? Kinda creeped me out. I don't really want to tell my best friend because she over-analyzes everything. It's just weird.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Wow - long time since I posted....

2009-07-23T16:30:00.002-05:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted or read any blogs. I really feel out of the loop here. What's been happening??........ well let's see........

Alien #1 turned 15 years old.
Ex-hubby is still stalking me after 7 years - get a life weirdo.
Alien #2 is only 12 & taller than me now too.
The only mouse out of the litter I adopted as mine, died.
My plant that I rescued from sure death at work - it died too.
I haven't killed my children yet.
Summer classes have me snowed under with work & that creates stress.
I'm supposed to student teach in the fall but I don't have my teaching assignments.
Financial aid told me I was SOL to get any grants or loans for the fall semester.
"The" relationship isn't moving along as I had hoped. Probably never will. Why do I bother?
Made a new friend & study partner in my class this summer.
Mom & Dad went to Costa Rica to see my sissy & her hubby - I didn't get a t-shirt.

Overall - things have been overwhelming & I've been feeling rather melancholy lately. Don't understand what's going on.

Babies Everywhere!

2009-07-08T16:53:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of our babies at 2 weeks! PorkChop is the little guy with his eyes open & Sparky is the tiny one in the middle. So far, those are the only two with names because they're the biggest & smallest of the 5 remaining mice (we started with 7). These are also the two that are out of the nest the most. I'm not sure why Sparky is so small, he's always on the top of the heap! Maybe he burns off all the energy staying on top so he doesn't get squished by his siblings. Either way, he's the tiny one and my favorite.

The little ones are all over the cage now & Spots (mommy) has to gather them all in the nest every time she wants to nurse now. It's kinda funny to watch. I'm trying to get a clear video of it so I can post it here. By this time next week we'll be able to tell boys from girls and can separate them into two cages.

Pinky Picture

2009-06-24T10:08:00.003-05:00

These are the pinkys! I got a better look at them yesterday and I think the head count is 7, not 8. It's still difficult to be sure. The Aliens are loving the cute little squeaky noises that come from the nest when everyone is hungry.

Although it's difficult to see in this picture, one is noticeably less pink (almost white by comparison) than the rest of them. I'm wondering if this mouse will have a distinctly different coat color than his/her litter mates. I guess only time will tell. I'll post more pics as they grow. Have a great Wednesday everyone - stay cool!!

Babies everywhere!

2009-06-23T13:36:00.002-05:00

I would like to announce that Mr. Chunk & Spots are the proud parents of 7 (8?) new baby mice. The pinkys were born yesterday morning. Mother and babies are doing fine. Photos yet to come.

Sugar (my kitten) is loving the new sounds coming from what we call her "buffet", Spots calls it her cage.

Anyone want a mouse????

Sneaky Squirrls

2009-06-09T07:29:00.005-05:00

From The Herald Times, Port Huron, MI

If he didn't see it happen, Ron Ceglarek said he probably wouldn't believe it.
A squirrel -- weighing about 3 pounds -- got up on its hind legs, tore a small American flag from a small staff next to a grave stone, rolled it up and carried it up a tree to a waiting mate building a nest.
It happened not just once, but about dozen times.
"He plucks them right off," Ceglarek, superintendent of Mount Hope Cemetery in Port Huron, said of a rogue squirrel that is stealing flags. "If I didn't see it, and I didn't follow the squirrel, I never would have believed it.
"But it is a band of tree rodents."
Every Memorial Day, volunteers put small American flags next to grave stones of the about 965 veterans buried at the Krafft Road cemetery.
All the flags were undisturbed during a Mass on Memorial Day. But the next day, cemetery workers noticed the flags were disappearing -- the small, wooden staffs still were in the ground, but Old Glory itself had been removed.
At first, the cemetery's staff was confused. Then, Ceglarek spotted the thief in action.
"It looked like he had a little bandana in his mouth," he said of the squirrel.
Ceglarek has collected a handful of bare staffs. The staples used to attach the flags remain firmly in place with pieces of red, white and blue fabric stuck to them.
The squirrels' nest is in Ward L of the cemetery --a ward now conspicuously without flags.
"Clean as a whistle," Ceglarek said.
The nest, which is about 45 feet up a spruce tree, can be seen by an observant cemetery visitor as red, white and blue cloth drapes over branches.
"Maybe they are trying to tell us it is going to be a hard winter," Ceglarek said with a laugh. "Why use leaves when you can get flags?"
As Ceglarek and Celeste Silvers, the cemetery's office manager, showed off the nest Thursday, one of the squirrels sat watching in a bush about 15 feet away. The other squirrel scurried around a nearby tree.
Most years, Ceglarek said the cemetery leaves the flags up until June 14, which is Flag Day. But, he said, the policy will be revisited.
"This crew here," he said referring to the squirrels, "is going to hamper that, no doubt."
"We're going to almost have to take them out early," he said. "They have one ward almost cleared out."
The other option?
"Shoot 'em," Silvers said. "But you don't want to do that."

2009-06-07T15:10:00.000-05:00

"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
Mahatma Gandhi
(1869 - 1948)

What the ???!!!???

2009-06-04T10:27:00.003-05:00

While doing laundry last night, I pulled this baggie of unidentifiable orange-ish mushy stuff out of the jeans pocket of Alien #2.

I sent a picture message to several friends offering $20 if the could identify the contents of the baggie. One person thought it might be cereal, another something cheesy, another friend simply called and asked what it was because she was dying to know! When I said I didn't know I was looking for suggestions her reply was, "Eeeewww!!!! Boys are so gross!!" It was at this time I reminded her that less than 6 weeks ago, she gave birth to a boy. She sighed.

My darling 12-year-old Alien #2 says his best guess is some cheese-related food product, maybe. I love being a Mom.

2009-05-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired.
Robert Frost

2009-05-21T13:38:00.000-05:00

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a

Self-Knowing Romantic Extrovert

My love of storms led to this photo......and a few more

2009-05-19T13:42:00.004-05:00

I've never attempted to take a shot of an electrical storm before because my camera has never had the "photo burst" type of option. No longer! It only took 1148 photo burst pictures to capture my first lightening shots last Friday night as I drove through central Illinois with my friend.

Jail visit & my rantings

2009-05-19T12:34:00.005-05:00

Wow! I don't know if I'll ever be quite the same. Saturday morning, I went with my best friend to visit her son in a maximum security jail. I think it was the most frightening day of my life.

We came into a small entryway & had to wait for the guards to buzz us in to the sign-in room. There we each had to provide our full name & address, social security number, drivers license number, relationship to the inmate, & 3 forms of ID. Additionally, my friend had to provide the plate number for her car & a corrections officer searched it. After that was done, we waited to be admitted into the next room.

When we were buzzed in, we were given our ID's back, searched, & sent through the metal detector, then searched again. Apparently, I have metal plates in the arch supports of my shoes & they almost took my shoes away. We couldn't take our ID's in so we had to lock them in up in a little locker along with the car keys. We were not allowed to take anything with us, I even had my chapstick confiscated & locked up until I left the prison. We were buzzed through 3 more doors & passed through an outdoor walkway with 12' cement walls topped with barb & razor wire. Then we sat for 4 hours in a room with 7 guards, 7 other inmates & their visitors. It was horrible.

To top it all off, my friend complains about how her son is treated so poorly for the first hour we're back on the road headed home. News flash here - if he hadn't screwed up in a major way, he wouldn't be there in the first place! Your son gets his laundry done, meals cooked, dishes washed, free cable TV, free room and board, and $10/month for sitting on his butt in jail for breaking the law. And you want me to feel sorry for him???!!!???

I work my butt off at two jobs, raise two special needs kids on my own, attend college full time, do all my own cooking, cleaning, & washing, I can't afford cable TV, I pay my own rent & utilities out of my meager earnings, and no one gives me shit for sitting on my butt all day. To top it all off, I have a crazy ex-husband that stalks me and I don't have an army of fully armed corrections officers protecting my ass 24/7! Do NOT expect me to feel sorry for him because he doesn't like the way he's being treated.

Sorry for the rant, I'm done now.

How much does the human brain weigh?

2009-05-15T09:56:00.003-05:00

Well, Alien #2 has been having med trouble for some time now (almost a year). We have switched doctors and our new doc is working to get the right combo of ADHD meds to work for him. The insurance isn't cooperating so much. We finally get a medicine approved and need to increase the dose a little and the insurance throws a fit. This kid has been through 5 med changes in a month. Thanks to the insurance company, we have to keep changing meds because they don't feel the doctor is giving him the correct dose of the medicine. WTF? Who's the doctor here anyway?? I think we finally are getting close to the right dosage. It's about time.

Alien #2 also has ODD (oppositional defiant disorder), it's not pretty. When the ADHD meds aren't working, the child from hell surfaces along with the most obscene vocabulary you've ever heard. I've lost 30 lbs now. Not that I'm complaining, I need to lose the weight anyway.

Stress, however, is never a good way to lose weight. I think part of that is the loss of my mind, how much does the human brain weigh anyway? My sanity doesn't weigh much, but it's gone too. Misplaced with bills I forgot to pay - I'm sure of it.

Alien #1 doesn't help much either. Being the bigger of the two, he feels it is his right and his duty to annoy his brother at every opportunity. This does not make for a good combination. I'd like to kick his a** but at almost 6' tall, I can't reach his butt to kick it anymore! I knew he would be tall, but he's only 14!!

I told my best friend I needed a weekend off. So, she says take off overnight with me & my hubby can watch the aliens while we have a girls night out. COOL!

There's a catch - isn't there always. Now that I've committed myself to going on this overnight, she informs me we're headed 5 hours south of home to visit her son in jail! And this is supposed to de-stress me??? Visiting a convict in a maximum security prison???? Granted, it was minimum security & they upgraded it to max while he was in there. Since he only had a few months left to go, they left him in there rather than transfer him to another jail. Still, I have no desire to go meet her son under these circumstances or any other for that matter. I know what he did and why he's there. If it were one of my aliens, I doubt I'd go visit. The whole situation, it's just too weird.

I must have done something really horrible in a former life. It's the only explanation.

Kitty Litter??

2009-05-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Monday morning the oldest alien (14) comes downstairs to make breakfast the following is the conversation that followed.

Alien #1: Mom, I had the weirdest dream last night!

Me: Really? What about?

Alien #1: We were trick-or-treating.

Me: Well, that's strange for this time of year I guess.

Alien #1: We were trick-or-treating for - get this - kitty litter!

Me: Did you wake up with something dry & crunchy in your mouth??

Rose

2009-05-05T14:39:00.001-05:00

My oldest alien showing off the first rosebud of the year last year. That bush got to be almost 6' high!

Raising Cat Food

2009-05-05T14:37:00.001-05:00

Spots & Rico will be just that, cat food if the kids leave the cage top off again. Spots has already looked death (aka Sugar) in the mouth (literally) twice and lived to tell about it.

Perfect Landing

2009-05-05T14:34:00.001-05:00

This was jump #2799 for my friend. Of course the battery on my camera died for the #2800 jump. Just figures doesn't it?

Sugar baby

2009-05-05T14:30:00.002-05:00

This is my baby, Sugar. Isn't that little pink tounge sticking out just toooooo cute????

One final exam left!!! YEA!

2009-05-05T14:22:00.002-05:00

I only have one final exam left so I'm taking a little break before I go back to the grind of the study thing.

In my previous post I listed some seemingly unconnected items. However, there is a link. I just finished off my clinical assignment for the semester (student teaching 2 days/week). It's my last clinical semester and I student teach full time in the fall of 2009. I can't wait to graduate. Anywho..... the list of items, all are stories from one of my students in my clinical. JD (not a real name or initials) is in the transition program for the special education students. He will be graduating this year. All these things are stories he has told me. These aren't real things he's done, he just has a great imagination. The "Fish & Slaw House" thing is actually the end of the year picnic the special education program has each year. It has become tradition for one of the higher-ups to bring in all the fish he has caught on vacation & have a huge fish fry for all the kids & staff. And I'm invited!! I love fish - I'm gonna eat my fill this Friday. Come rain or shine, I'm stuffing myself with fried fish. Yummy!!

So much for posting during finals.....

2009-05-04T10:46:00.003-05:00

I still have pictures of the mice & cats to post, pics of a friend & skydiving, misc. crap. Had a ton of new templates to work from to update the look of my blog - lost all that crap when I had to delete it to make room for all the final projects & presentations on my 4GB flash drive. Who the heck knew I could fill up a flash drive that size so fast?! I've been so swamped with the end of the semester stuff I feel like I'm chasing myself down to get things done.

It's almost over and then I can put up a real post, but for now I'll leave you with this: What do the following things have in common?

Riding a giraffe on safari in Africa
Eating a Chinese fried bug while on the same safari
Working for 35 years as a security guard at the bank
Learning to salsa dance in Mexico
Making Mexican salsa to bring home
D & P's Fish & Slaw House
Teaching 5 first graders Sunday School on Friday evenings

Stumped? I would hope so! Ponder the seeming unrelatedness (is that even a word?? it is now!)of these items and I'll update you with the funny story behind them once finals are done for the semester.

I'm nuts

2009-04-21T17:00:00.002-05:00

I have no idea what I was thinking. I had the bright idea that the kids would be responsible & could handle having mice for pets. We have cats! Now the cats think we've brought home fuzzy kitty treats.

To top it off, one of the little buggers went crazy & started banging it's head on the top of the cage by jumping up over & over. Two days later it died. The pet store said it had some kind of neurological disorder and replaced it with a new mouse. I'll have to post pics tomorrow, they really are kinda cute.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

Alien Update

2009-04-08T15:30:00.002-05:00

I've been battling with my aliens' doctor for over six months now over their meds for the ADHD. Alien #2 is three years younger than Alien #1 and 6o lbs lighter, yet they are on the same dosage of meds for ADHD. This dosage works for Alien #1. Alien #2 is having major trouble and I can't get the doctor to change his meds & try something else.

So..... I've been searching for a new doctor for the boys & I because the one we have sucks. Today we had our appointments with the new doctor and he was fantastic! He's slowing changing over meds on the younger alien and trying something different. I love him!

Feeling very blessed today. Happy Wednesday everyone!

A Winter Wonderland - In March???

2009-03-30T14:07:00.004-05:00

Beautiful, isn't it? I love the way the snow clings to the branches of the trees in these pictures. However, what I don't like is this was my backyard on Sunday morning about 8:30!

I live in Northern Illinois so a March or April snowstorm isn't unheard of, but our area got a whopping 6" of the white stuff and at the time of this posting, it still hasn't melted off.

Our cats are loving the birds that are coming to the bird feeder in the backyard in search of a bit of nourishment. They'd rather go for the easy stuff in the feeder than try to dig through snow deeper than they are tall. Oh, well, by this time tomorrow it will all be gone thankfully. We already have flood warnings out and are supposed to have thunder storms tonight sometime after midnight. Don't like the weather around here? Wait a couple of hours - it will change drastically this time of year!

Happy Monday Everyone!

An ADHD moment....

2009-03-27T15:14:00.003-05:00

O.K. So, I'm sitting in my blow-off class for this semester, geology 120. Nice guy for an instructor & he does his best to keep things interesting for the hour we're in lecture three days a week. For whatever reason, I've been having some really serious ADHD moments the last couple of weeks and today it hit really hard in class.

He's lecturing along about the Earth's atmosphere & this is what happens:

Carbon dioxide comprises only about 0.03% of the Earth's atmosphere, it is however, one of the most abundant.........(Ewww, sweat marks in his armpits. Gross. Did he forget deodorant today) greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Venus has a 96%............(I wonder if he has some kind of medical condition........hummm.... maybe he's just nervous today........... nice haircut.........) content of carbon dioxide in it's atmosphere with a surface temp of 460 degrees C. ........(bet everyone noticed his haircut, but I get 3" taken off and one person notices........... well, my hair is a lot longer than his.......) Other greenhouse gases include nitrogen oxide, methane... (don't cows give off methane gas??? We have a lot of cows around the Midwest.....) and even water vapor is considered a greenhouse gas.

After class, I compare my notes with the girl next to me & I actually have more information written down than she does!

A good way to explain an ADHD mind is this (not my analogy but a good one): you have an 80 GIG mind working on 5 MB of RAM. You wouldn't do this to a computer & expect much to happen, but people with ADHD function like this everyday. It can be interesting sometimes.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Looking for a new "look"

2009-03-26T11:01:00.002-05:00

I'm starting to feel the need to create a blog that is a little more personalized. Also looking at a new name that is a bit more "me". I'll probably try a few out & get opinions on it before deciding on the one I like anyway regardless of what anyone else says. lol

Having a good Thursday today. Feeling a little hyper (definite ADHD day) but it's all good.

And still not feelin' guilty...... :)

Not feeling guilty..should I feel guilty about that?

2009-03-24T11:07:00.002-05:00

Ok, so without going into detail that enters the "TMI" zone, I have done something that I really should feel guilty about. Everything I've ever been taught by my parents, my church, others I respect & love, tells me I should feel guilty. I didn't do anything horrible or hurt anyone, but a small measure of guilt would be appropriate. I don't feel guilty. And I don't care that I don't feel guilty. Should I feel guilty about not feeling guilty? 'Cause I don't.

I'd love to talk with a couple of my good friends about this, but I think they'd be horrified at my small misstep. To them it would probably look like a major fall from God's grace and theirs as well. I'd like to just say, "Listen, I'm human & I make mistakes sometimes. Sometimes I don't do exactly the right thing. Sometimes I completely screw up. And guess what? Sometimes I do things that are downright stupid! So what? Deal with it."

I won't because that's too rude for me to say to those I care about. Because I don't really feel like I can discuss this with those closest to me, I'm feeling very odd. It's hard to describe, I seem to be thinking more & more about what I really believe.

I'm starting to question if what I have been taught is "wrong" or "right" or "justified" really is what I've always thought it was. Did I ever really think/believe something was a particular way or did I just blindly accept it was because that's what I was told. Guess this sounds like I'm feeling down, actually I'm learning more about myself than ever before & I like it. It's kind of a peaceful feeling to just quietly analyze things sometimes. How weird is that?

Crazy weather, Men, & Kids

2009-03-23T16:01:00.002-05:00

The weather around here has been nuts! Northern Illinois has some bizarre stuff going on this time of year. One minute it's beautiful, sunny, & near 60 - the next day it's 10 below with a wind chill of -20! Come on Spring - get here fast!!!

Men, well, what can I say? Mr. Not-so-wonderful has given a very good explanation for his behavior and has thus been up-graded to Mr. O.K. A bit more groveling, and a couple more dinners out should fix the bulk of the problem. I can't let him get off too easily so early in the relationship.

Kids - What the heck? Acting like wild monkeys on a massive sugar buzz. This has been a daily thing for about 3 weeks now. I don't know what they've been in but I want some of that sh*t.

Time to quit goofing off & go create a plan to teach a student with severe autism how to work a padlock. Should be fun, she doesn't like the cold metal of the darn thing & we have to use this lock because it's a remote controlled padlock & she can't/won't work a lock with a key. Fun times for me.

Bye all.

Men & Maturity....

2009-03-18T16:07:00.002-05:00

... or lack thereof. What the heck is up with guys? Males grow older, this does not necessarily mean they mature. So, when do men actually finish with puberty & start thinking with their brain, not things "South of the border" so to speak?

Why am I so ticked off at men in general??? I've recently been reminded the reasons I don't date. Adult males lacking maturity is at the top of my list right now.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Gloomy Wednesday

2009-02-18T10:16:00.002-06:00

It's just above freezing and drizzling rain off and on like it has been for about a day and like it will for another couple of days. Yuck. I dislike this weather.... it's gloomy and does nothing for my mood.

The NIU memorial services for the students killed by a lone gunman on 02.14.08 filled the this past weekend. Memorial scholarships were announced, memorial monuments, luncheons, unveilings, a candlelight memorial service, and more kept most of the campus buzzing for the weekend.

I still find it hard to believe that a town previously known for the invention of barbed wire, Cindy Crawford, corn, and a state university could suddenly become known around the world in a matter of hours thanks to a lone, mentally disturbed, gunman who took the lives of five students and injuring countless others before turning the gun on himself.

God sees us through the most difficult times, thankfully.
Have a great Wednesday everyone.

We will always remember.........

2009-02-13T12:12:00.002-06:00

Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant,
Ryanne Mace, Daniel Parmenter
There isn't much I can say about 02.14.08 in my post today, maybe when I'm feeling less anxiety about the one year anniversary of this tragic event I will comment more.

WE ARE HUSKIES! FORWARD, TOGETHER, FORWARD

Hair, Hair, Hair

2009-02-12T09:35:00.003-06:00

I had been letting my hair grow out to donate to Locks of Love. I recently discovered they don't want my hair because I am starting to get little white hairs growing in & they can't be picking out the gray hairs from the ponytail. Well, there aren't any gray or white hairs in the ponytail. But, anyway now that it's really long, it's mine to keep.

I thought about cutting it a bit shorter, but the younger alien (age 11) became very distressed about the change. He has an anxiety disorder in addition to the ADHD and does not deal well with drastic change. Change must come slowly or there is a major meltdown due to the anxiety. So, here I am with lots of hair that I'm trying to figure out how to style it.

Typically I tie it up in a bun or a long braid on the side. Any suggestions would be helpful. I generally keep it confined in some way or another. If I leave it down, people tend to stare & it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I'm really self-conscious about my weight so I don't like people staring at me. (Except for "T" in the library, but that's a post for another day.)

I didn't realize how long it really looks to other people (I avoid looking at my backside in the mirror at all costs). One day early last summer, a co-worker at the library took a picture of me and that's when I really realized how long it really was! Sounds goofy doesn't it? It's on my head I should know. Anywho... here's the picture.

Massage by Bruno the Bouncer

2009-02-11T14:14:00.002-06:00

A friend treated me to my first ever massage last Saturday. I was thrilled as things have been a bit stressful of late and a "girls day" with some pampering would be fantastic!

We arrived, signed in, and a polite, large, bouncer-type young man escorted me back to the massage room that was to be mine and left me to get ready. I thought he was going back out to escort my friend to another of the rooms. Ten minutes later as I'm laying naked on the table save for a sheet and my panties, in walks Bruno the Bouncer again! I'm already dying & we haven't even started yet!!!

Let me tell you ladies, nothing (and I mean NOTHING) will make you more aware of how much body fat you have than a massage will! Every inch of me wanted to run screaming from the room but I did my best to relax & let Bruno do his massage-thing. It was nice, but next time I think I'll request a woman for my massage.

Sugar, Quinn,Cold, & other stuff....

2009-01-30T13:00:00.002-06:00

Rod Blagojevich has been impeached and Illinois now has a new leader, Gov. Patrick Quinn. Most politicians in Illinois seem to be crooked, that should scare you considering where our new president hails from. Let's hope he's above the garbage most Illinois Democrats seem to pull.

Sugar is home & feeling great. She also has a new tattoo! The new universal symbol that a female cat has been spayed is a green line tattooed on their belly right next to the incision. It looks really funny. Poor kitty has her little pink tummy shaved bald & then they ink a green line on her. Does this make her a "marked woman"????

It's still cold outside & I'm sick of it. This is day 7 or 8 (I've lost count) of below freezing weather. The longest on record for this area of Northern Illinois. There is something to be said for NOT holding the record for some things.

My student loans came in this morning! YEA! The gas company called about 30 minutes ago to let me know my bill was past-due. Thanks Ni-Cor Gas for bursting my bubble and ruining my moment of joy.

Hopefully that computer & laptop I wanted will still be on sale at Wal-Mart. They're last years' models & not the greatest, but they are new and will work for what I need. If my student loans had come in on time, I'd already be blogging on my new computer from home. They were an excellent sale price of $348/unit for a Compaq system. Not necessarily my first choice of brands, but it will do for what I need for a couple of years until I can get a really nice computer.

Since I'm feeling rich for the day, I'm going out to eat with the aliens tonight. That should thrill them. When I ask where they want to go, I already know the answer "McDonald's!!!". Yuck. We will not be eating at McGreasy's tonight or their neighbor's Blubber King. Maybe the nice little Tex-Mex place in town..... hmmmmmmmmm. We'll have to see, so many choices.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sugar kitty

2009-01-28T15:45:00.002-06:00

Our sweet new kitten, now almost 8 months old is getting spayed tomorrow. Thank GOD! I am truly thankful to Him for making this happen.

A local animal shelter is giving out vouchers to cover most of the cost. So, having kitty spayed is only going to put a $60 dent in my pocket (as opposed to $250 or more).

Sugar went into heat a few days ago & I haven't slept in three days. She's got that awful caterwauling that will shatter glass. For those of you who have never heard a cat in heat, imagine putting kitty's head in a vice. Now, slowly peel it's skin off while it's alive. THAT is what a cat in heat sounds like.

I know it sounds gross and i would NEVER harm any animal, just trying to give you an idea of the horrid sound I listen to all night long. One more night of this noise, just one more night. I can't wait for Thursday night, I can sleep.

Love

2009-01-28T15:43:00.000-06:00

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people.

Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love.

You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love.

And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

2009-01-27T14:38:00.001-06:00

I am a
Snapdragon

What Flower
Are You?

My Monday started Sunday night.

2009-01-27T13:07:00.002-06:00

Living in a house with two other people who all have ADHD, it's no wonder that over the course of a year, we have lost all three keys to our front door. No biggie, there is a door that goes into the kitchen from the garage. I've never had a key to it & only lock it at night anyway. So, we've been just using that door to come & go. No problem. Until Sunday evening......

Had a wonderful day at my parents' house with the kids, Great-granny, Mom, & Dad. Arrived home about 5pm. Pull into the garage, go to open the door and the knob comes off in my hand. What the heck?! I try for about 20 minutes to fix the dang thing so we can go inside, I'm tired, cold and have a headache. No luck.

I call my best friend & she thinks she has a spare key at her house. We drive 45 minutes to her house, pick up a random bunch of keys, one looks like it may be mine. We drive back home, try all the keys, nothing. Not one key works.

I call the landlord & proceed to lie & tell him the key got locked in the house. No luck there, he's in Chicago, 2 hours away. Crap.

I back the car up, turn on the headlights, and go back to messing with the broken doorknob. God had mercy on me & I managed to get it open in about 10 minutes. I told the kids to bring in the good from the car, turn off the headlights, and come inside. We ate dinner, rest of the evening was great.

I get out to the car on Monday morning & find the battery dead. Crap again. Dad to the rescue, he comes to charge my battery. We finally figured out that the kids turned on the dome light to see where the button was to turn off the headlights. The dome light however, was left on all night.

I was really ticked off at the time, but now it's just funny. However, I still have to fix the doorknob. I'll need to buy a new screwdriver first, kids lost all of mine. Oh, well, gotta love 'em.

Don't poke your classmate in the butt......

2009-01-23T12:10:00.004-06:00

I really have no idea what this guy in my class was thinking, I think he's nuts but, I'll let you be the judge. Here's the situation.....

Last Wednesday, our only night class this semester, I'm sitting in class taking notes as best I can in the dark without my glasses. It's just over an hour into our 2 1/2 hour class and I'm starting to fidget.

I lean forward to about half-way lay on the table to take notes when the guy sitting next to me whispers, "What's this?" I turn to face him just in time for him to poke me just above my butt crack! I almost died!

I turned so red the professor probably saw the red glow in the back of the room. I can't believe I didn't scream I was so startled.

Apparently, when I leaned forward a bit, my shirt rode up & my jeans slid down just enough that about 2 inches of skin were showing (not usual for me at all!) and this dork takes advantage of the situation. Apparently, he didn't realize that poking a very jumpy, self-conscious woman 15 years his senior might get more of a reaction than he bargained for!

I wanted to slap him but by the time the shock wore off, it was a little late to do so. So, tell me.... what possesses a man to even THINK poking a classmate in the butt during a lecture is a good idea???

I will never understand men.

Bet you thought I died...

2009-01-21T17:12:00.006-06:00

I bet just about everyone who ever used to read this has probably dropped off the planet or died by now it's been so long since I've posted anything.

I'm in my final academic semester at the university, I will be student teaching in the fall of 2009 - I can't wait.

My aliens are growing like weeds, still... nothing like having children that tower over you.

Our home was enlarged by four little paws last Thanksgiving, our new baby is named Sugar. Our other two cats, Charlotte & Holly tolerate her most of the time.

Is this not the cutest little face you've ever seen? She's so cute but such a little pain in the butt sometimes.

Her favorite spot to get into is the fridge. We didn't figure this out until after she got stuck in there the first time. The aliens & I hadn't seen her in a couple of hours so we started looking for her. I finally gave up & went to get a drink iced tea from the fridge. I open it up and guess what? A kitty! I think she must have been there for at least two hours & was moving kinda slow. Once she warmed up, she was back to her normal self.

Where has summer gone???

2008-08-04T15:21:00.003-05:00

What a summer........... I've spent most of it working my butt off with not much to show for it except a cranky disposition.

My sister & family went to Costa Rica to visit her in-laws & check up on their home there. Just after school got out her step-daughter was given a puppy. I volunteered to watch it for the few weeks they were away from home (along with the ferrett). Sis got REALLY sick with a throat infection & couldn't come home last weekend so now we're babysitting the pooping-machine puppy (now 7 mos old) until mid-August. She really is an adorable pup but we're hiding her from the landlord because we're not supposed to have a dog here. It's been dicey a couple of times but, we've managed so far.

We were also supposed to go visit her in Missouri for a couple of weeks after they returned home. Since they arent' coming home on time (darn sick cooties! how dare they infect my sissy!) we won't be able to visit them before school starts.

Oh, well, at least we have central air so it hasn't been so bad this summer - we get a nice cool sleeping temp every night. And, of course, the puppy takes turns sleeping with everyone for a few hours each night before she wakes up & poops on my carpet.

We have taken some short video of the puppy so I'll have to try to upload it - she's too funny when she gets all excited & charges around the house bouncing all over the place. For all I complain about her, she fits in well with my aliens, she belches, farts, and snores more that both aliens combined! (Wow those farts will peel paint too! NASTY stuff for sure!)

On that note, have a lovely rest of the week............ :)

Still alive & kickin...

2008-07-14T12:38:00.002-05:00

Well, we're still alive & kickin here. It's been a busy summer & every time I have something interesting to blog about, I'm just too tired to do it.

Been working lots of hours which sucks for a relaxing summer but the bank account (and landlord) are happy about the size of my checks. We finally got Dad to clean out Grandma's house. She is in a group home setting due to memory problems & age (92 & counting). Of course, Grandma wanted the grandkids to have as much of the furniture, etc. as we needed so that was fantastic for me - I now have a washer & dryer again. No more laundromat!! YES!

Alien #1 turned 14 this month & is pushing 6' tall. It's hard to believe he's that old. I swear it was just a couple of years ago he was a baby. Alien #2 is catching up to big brother in size, he's 11 years old & is over 5'3" now. I'm amazed how they both seem to grow overnight sometimes.

My younger sister & her family are visiting her in-laws in Costa Rica for a month & checking on their property down there. While they're away, we're babysitting their 6 month old pit bull, Manchita & Fang the ferret. This is in addition to our two cats, two hermit crabs, & two fish. It's like a small zoo at my place once you add in my aliens! It's great fun having the puppy around but a bit tiring too. She has to "go" every morning the minute I get up. I'm up at 5am for work & need my shower first. Well, not anymore. Puppy gets to go potty before I do now. Oh, well, she's way too cute to care too much.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer & I hope to blog a bit more frequently.

Long time, no read, or post....

2008-06-03T13:05:00.003-05:00

Wow! Last post was in April - been a long time. School is out for me for the summer, aliens are done next week. I'm working over the summer, trying to find a second job.

Lost a dear friend of 27 years a week ago, was going to post here & Mom called to read me the obit from the local paper. Tragic end to a wonderful person. I'll miss being called "Shorty".

Hair is still growing - I'm up to 14" to donate to Locks of Love, trying for 16" before I cut it off. Will be interesting to see how long I can stand the heat this summer. Now the aliens are both going to let their hair grow out so they can donate the minimum 10" as well. I'm hoping to hold off so we can all three go in and donate hair together. Would be kinda cool in a way.

Hope everyone is off to a good start this summer.

A WHAT Flower? You keep a straight face!

2008-04-18T20:52:00.006-05:00

Picture this: class of 5 & 6 year old kids busy writing everything they know (and can't spell) about seeds & what happens to them when they grow.

Ms. ~C~, in her clinical assignment looking professional and very collected is approached by adorable, quiet, and very smart child, "Billy".

"Ms. ~C~, look at my flowers I drew to go with my story."

"Very nice, Billy. What kind of flower is this?" (points to pink flower)

"We grow those at our house. It's a penises flower." (stops short with eyes bugging out and face frozen realizing what he has just said.)

"Oh, do you mean a peony flower, Billy?"

"Ah, yea." (Runs back to seat & colors furiously)

Like I said, you try to keep a straight face!

I love kids. Happy Friday & have a good weekend everyone.

De-stressing & Anti-Monkey Butt

2008-04-16T15:50:00.004-05:00

After the meltdown on my post a few days back I'm probably starting to look like a real mental case to you. It seems like there's some really tough spots this semester & I was beginning to think I'm just insane. After talking with the student advisor, she's assured me there have been more students in her office either in tears, near tears, or so angry & stressed they should be in tears this semester than in the last 5 years combined. I believe we're all affected by the Feb. 14th shootings more than we realize. Combine that with inept instructors and it adds up to a real mess.

So... my decision is to just do what I can & let the rest go. I can't do anything about the garbage going on so I'm just letting it go to focus on my studies. Life will go on and this semester won't be the end of my world.

In honor of the more relaxed me, I'm posting something that I've found really funny even if it is a bit obnoxious. Anti-Monkey Butt Powder. A real product sold at my local store.

Have a great Wednesday!

About the New Picture...

2008-04-12T20:49:00.003-05:00

This is what happens when you fall asleep on the sofa at my house, you end up breathing in 12 lbs. of fur.

Will it ever end???

2008-04-12T19:33:00.002-05:00

My classmates & I are now in what are a "block" of classes. We all trudge to the same classes together every Monday & Wednesday. Tuesday & Thursday are reserved for going our separate ways for our clinical assignments all over northern Illinois.

This semester we have two professors that are just downright horrible. Descriptive words we often use regarding them and their behavior are unorganized, contradictory, unprofessional, disrespectful, unprepared, as well as others that are not acceptable to list here. We have contacted the proper people about them but not much is being done. We are just now finding out that this is an ongoing problem with these two professors, apparently they can't find anyone else to teach the classes so we're stuck. I'm disappointed that the only reason they find these instructors qualified is because they're a warm body to fill the space.

Our two "favorites" have recently started to add projects that weren't on our syllabus at the beginning of the semester. As if things weren't already difficult enough with missing classes due to the closings for bad weather and then the entire university being shut down for an entire week due to the shootings. We're still recovering from that shock. Now they decide to add more projects as if we don't already have enough to do!

In addition a lesson plan and a 4 page report due Monday, we now have another lesson plan and another 4 page report due on Wednesday. This does not include the previous assignments of a behavioral assessment of a student and a write up of a behavioral plan (another 4 pages), an assessment of the reading levels of our clinical students (6 children for me) and a 4 page report on that, and an assessment of their spelling level with two complete spelling lesson plans due on Tuesday to present to our supervising teacher at our clinical site. Did I mention I would like clean laundry & a couple of hours sleep in there sometime???

This has happened the last two weeks in class. We're all so stressed over these same two professors that we're starting to really get on each others' nerves. The tension is so thick you can almost hear peoples' nerves snap! Classmates that were once good friends are now starting to bicker and fight, in some cases they're barely speaking to one another.

..... and I'm sure everyone's next question is with all this going on, how do I find time to blog?? Well, it's blog about it or cry about it. Blogging doesn't use up tissue, make my eyes red, or upset my children. My stress over this semester is already reflected in the fact the kids are acting like, well, aliens! They're behavior is starting to reflect the fact they're feeling my stress.

God bless my best friend & her hubby, she took them for the night tonight so I could work until my eyes bugged out on my homework & go to bed in peace & quiet..... and no fighting first thing in the morning when I wake up either. I love them.

Thanks for letting me rant on about the garbage...... feeling better able to concentrate on the mountain of homework waiting for me.

Hair, Hair, Everywhere is Hair!

2008-03-25T15:15:00.002-05:00

My current big project is to grow my hair long enough to donate 16" to Locks of Love & not be bald when I'm done. The minimum is 10" in length but, that is for a short wig. I would like to donate a much longer ponytail if I can.

My hair is now down to just below my waist and it's getting annoying to take care of. Due to the fact that it's curly, I can't cut if off above my shoulders or I'll end up looking like a big strawberry-blond poodle. Not a pretty picture. So, I keep it braided up and am trying to keep it for just a few more months before the big cut.

I'll have to post before & after pics. Wish me luck that I can keep it growing.

Spring Break

2008-03-24T17:03:00.002-05:00

The aliens have spring break this week, mine is over so I'm in classes. Decided to let alien #1 sit for alien #2 for the day to see how it worked out. After my first class & a tough exam, I'm sitting in the computer lab with classmates studying for the second class of the day and another horrible exam when my cell phone rings. It's alien #2 & here's what my classmates hear:

Hi how are you?
Good. Did you eat breakfast?
NO. That is not breakfast. (pause)

Sorry, the chocolate from your Easter basket does NOT constitute breakfast. (pause)

No, jelly beans aren't breakfast either. (pause)

Did you almost lick it or did you lick it?
Did the cat lick it?
Did you drop in on the floor?
You're sure you didn't lick it?
Thank you for saving the pink jelly bean for me...... you're sure nobody licked it? Ok., thank you. I'll call you later. Love you bye.

My classmates were about to burst their seams laughing.

Conversations with my aliens are never dull.

Flatulence (aka farting)

2008-03-18T12:17:00.002-05:00

Flatulence: The presence of a mixture of gasses in the digestive tract of mammals. Such a mixture of gases is know as flatus and is expelled from the rectum.
Causes: According to Alien #2, age 11 - caused by wearing underwear that is too tight. Wear boxers, avoid gas.

Title: Lost Christmas Cards or The story of what happened to your Christmas card Burfica

2008-03-13T11:25:00.003-05:00

Around the middle of Jauary, I was helping my aliens try to reorganize backpacks for the 2nd semester of school. While cleaning out Alien #1's backpack, I find a stack of Christmas cards that never got mailed!

He was to drop them into the mailbox on his way to the bus six weeks earlier. He stuffed them in his backpack because he was running late & figured he'd mail them the next day, I'd be none the wiser & all would be well. However, when you have a memory 6 seconds long, are easily distracted, and lose everything you touch, waiting until tomorrow is a long time. It never comes. He forgot about the cards & they quickly got lost in the bottomless cavern that is his backpack.

Oh, well, there's always next year to mail out cards. :)

Thank you!!

2008-03-12T12:16:00.003-05:00

I wanted to thank you for your prayers over the last month or so, it has meant so much to me.

I'm quickly discovering so many of the things in life that I previously thought were from being over-stressed, aren't. Much of it lies with the difficulties associated with ADHD. I have spent most of my life knowing I'm not stupid but my disorganization and sometimes "flakey" personality have caused many people in my life to think differently. Much time has been spent with me doing my best to prove to others I'm not a flake.

I've finally decided that if people don't like it, I don't care. For years I've just done my best and let others think what they want but have felt the hurt because they don't understand I'm not doing things to irritate them on purpose. Last August, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Did it just appear? No, I've had it my entire life which is the cause for many of the things I still struggle with. However, there is a difference now. I now understand that it is not my lack of knowledge or effort that cause me to become distracted, disorganized, or to hyper-focus, it is simply me being me.

Do I intend to give up trying? NO! I'm just not going to let it get to me quite so much. I think in doing this, I'll be putting less stress on myself and that alone will help me to do better. Hopefully, I can teach my children this lesson much earlier in life so that they don't put the undo stress upon themselves that I have done to myself.

I'm not using my ADHD as an excuse for anything, just an explanation of why I do things a little differently than most. It is also why my "aliens" are so alien to most people. Children with ADHD just do things differently. Our brains work differently, we are usually creative thinkers which sometimes is seen as being just plain weird.

As I look back on some of my previous posts about my aliens, I find even more humor in them than I did when I first posted them. One thing I can say, life in a house with ADHD is NEVER boring, always interesting, and often tiring. However, we love one another more than most families I know. For that I am forever thankful.

Have a great Wednesday.

Here we go again....

2008-03-04T12:08:00.003-06:00

I called my mom this morning and asked if I could come home - and stay. Things are getting too crazy around here and I just don't feel safe anymore.

Yesterday late I found out there was a threat made regarding the high school in our school district. I didn't realize how serious the police took it until I dropped my 10-year-old alien off at school today. Every school in the district is on lock-down with police on every campus. The elementary children will not be allowed to go outside to play today. No child is allowed to leave the school without a teacher or other authorized adult (parent, guardian, etc.).

The middle school where alien #2 attends is also on lock-down, same rules. Teenage kids are being escorted to and from the buses not 50 feet from the front door of the school. No students are allowed outdoors unless escorted by school personnel, police or parent.

The high school is body-checking every student with metal detectors and pat-downs before allowing them into the school. No backpacks are being allowed into the school today. Once you are in the school, you stay until end of the day dismissal. Again, no student is allowed outdoors.

Where does this all end? Until February 14, 2008 the no one had heard of DeKalb, Illinois. This sleepy little university town was best know for being the hometown of the inventor of barbed wire. Now it's known as the site of the bloody Valentine's Day massacre that devistated so many around the world.

Now just 10 minutes from there, my town is being threated with violence. This time, it's my children. I'm not sure I'll be able to get Alien #2 to attend school after this. He is so sensitive to this kind of thing and is still having trouble dealing with the shootings at NIU. I can't blame him, I'm still dealing with it myself. It will take a long time for our community to recover from this. However, we are healing.

The love and prayers from people around the world can be felt. I believe it is the only thing that allows us to function. Students from Virginia Tech made a special trip up here at there own expense to offer support to us. Posters hang all over campus from colleges and universities around the country pledging prayers and support for us all. The outpouring of love and support has been, and continues to be amazing.

Please continue to pray for students on campuses everywhere, they need the support.

Hanging in there....

2008-03-03T15:48:00.002-06:00

We're into our second week back on campus and things still seem a bit surreal but life is getting somewhat back to normal around campus.

There are still reminders everywhere of the February 14th tragedy that struck the NIU campus in DeKalb, Illinois.

I spent the better part of one of my first classes just jotting down random thoughts about being back at school. Maybe when my nerves calm down & aren't so shaken up over the shootings, I'll post it. I think it would be healing for me to be able to do that.

Otherwise, not much to report around here except our kitties have discovered "kitty T.V." aka the patio window which looks out on the bird feeder. After two months, lots of little Junco's & a pair of cardinals have decided we have some pretty good offerings at the feeder.

It's funny to watch the younger cat, Charlotte, take a running charge at the window & stop short of slamming into it head-on. One of these days she's going to skid-out on the wood floor and find out just how hard that glass is.

My best to everyone, hope you're all doing well. :)

Mourning Our Losses

2008-02-21T12:02:00.004-06:00

By now, most of the nation has heard of the lone shooter that took the lives of five Northern Illinios University students on Valentine's Day. Our entire community is in shock that anything like this could ever come to our sleepy little area of the midwest.

Thursday, Feb 14, 2008
Usual morning, kids off to school & then in to work at the library on campus.
10:30am - annoying "Happy V-Day" text from crazy classmate
10: 47 am - another annoying "Happy V-Day" text from former classmate that only calls every 3 months when she's having boyfriend problems.
11:00am - call from the school, Alien #2 trying to get me to come pick him up from school because he's 'gonna puke'. This is his lame attempt to get me to pick him up because he just doesn't want to go back to school after being home sick for 2 weeks, who can blame him?
1:30 pm - clock out & go upstairs to the computer lab to study.
2:45 pm - leave campus to go pick up Alien #2 from school & go get dinner.
3:08 pm - ignore call from crazy classmate who sent text message at 10:30am
3:20 pm - arrive home & listen to voicemail from crazy classmate only to find her screaming hysterically about leaving campus & wanting to know where I was. As I'm listening to the message trying to figure out what caused her to go off her nut this time, best friend & boss calls so I answer it.
"WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Home, just walked in with the kids, why?"
"We're in lock-down, there's a reported shooter on campus! Lock your doors & stay home tonight! I've tried to get through to you on my cell for 15 minutes! I'll call you when we're off campus & headed home."

The line goes dead. I just stare at my phone in disbelief........

A lone gunman took the lives of five NIU students before killing himself last Thursday just after 3:00pm. There is not one person among us that has not been touched by this horrific tragedy. I won't rehash what is already in the news.

All I ask is this: Please pray for the families of the dead and injured, yes, this includes the family of the shooter. They are still on this earth and need prayers to come to grips with what their child has done. Pray for those of us blessed enough to be here to remember that terrible day, especially those students who were wittness to the carnage and aftermath. Pray for our community to heal. Thank you. God Bless you all.

I'm Still Alive!

2008-02-08T14:42:00.001-06:00

I haven't died - I'm sure my neighbors wish I would. Garbage has gotten so bad with them that I've had to call the police on them. The police are working with the landlord to hopefully get the nut jobs out of the place.

We finally got grandma into an assisted living facility after much trouble. At almost 92 she didn't want to live with a bunch of "old" people. She has trouble remembering her own name - she has no business living on her own & driving. It's been a big stress for all of our family.

ADHD has been taking it's toll on my nerves. It's been a battle to get a medication adjustment for the kids.

Alien #2 is falling further behind at school & I'm having a battle to my child the education he has a right to get. It's too much for me to try to make up for the teachers' failure by homeschooling him in the evenings & on weekends. His meds have worn off by then & his nerves are shot from trying to keep it together at school all day.

Classes are going well but crazy weather has closed the university twice this semester which has put us behind in all my classes. Now coursework is piling up. Add that to the lack of peace & quiet at home due to the neighbors, getting homework done is near impossible.

We now have hermit crabs living at our home - Mr. Crabs & Hermie - pictures soon to come. Aliens can't figure out why I like these little critters but can't stand spicers.

Almost have the landlord talked into letting us have a dog.

Still waiting for internet access at home - crappy weather is a huge hold up on that one. As soon as I get the cable hooked up I can update my blog more often.

Home everyone is doing well - have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T11:57:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone has a fantastic 2008!

Thanks for all the good wishes for a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Belated Merry Christmas to all

2007-12-27T11:30:00.000-06:00

Well, as the title says, a belated Merry Christmas to all! We had a wonderful time with my family Christmas day. I was able to see my sister & her family, my grandmother (91 years young!) and my parents. The aliens had a great time with their cousins. The time with Grandma, Sis & her family was way too short, as always. Don't think I'm leaving Mom & Dad out, I am blessed to get to see them much more often.

I hope everyone's Christmas was as blessed as mine.

Finals are done......YEA!!!

2007-12-19T09:38:00.000-06:00

Well, finals are done & came off without incident, thankfully. Many courses gave the option of taking you grade as it stood as your final grade for the semester. Other courses didn't give the option, they simply canceled the final exam - you get what you get. Still, most instructors opted to go on with final exams as scheduled for Tuesday - Thursday, it was only the Monday classes that got all messed up.

Now that finals are done, I can finally finish Christmas shopping. The aliens are in school for three more days so I have plenty of time to shop without worrying about what to do with them while I sneak presents into the house, I can boldly walk through the door & wrap like a crazy woman so it's all done before they arrive home.

I'm also babysitting a friend's dog while she's off visiting family & getting married. His new name is "Puddles". Puddles gets so excited every time he sees the aliens that he goes on my carpet! I now, thanks to my shampooer, have the cleanest carpet on the block. He's a little dauschaund/yorkey mix & is the cutest little thing. I'll have to post a picture. We really do love having him, at least the aliens & I do, the cats are still not sure about this "thing" that sits on their sofa with their people and gets attention that should be for them. It's kinda nice having a dog around the house again.

Imagine getting this email....

2007-12-11T14:37:00.000-06:00

December 9, 2007

CAMPUS ALERT: POLICE INVESTIGATE ANONYMOUS THREAT IN RESIDENCE HALL
Details: University officials are investigating a threat posted late Saturday evening in a campus residence hall which included a racial slur and references to the Virginia Tech shootings.

Final exams were scheduled to begin on Monday 12/10 but due to - get this "weather conditions" - campus was closed & the dorms were in lockdown. First, the weather was fine, no ice, no snow, no rain, just clouds. Second, if they were only worried about weather, why were all the dorms in lockdown mode & only essential campus personnel here? One of the references to the Virginia Tech shootings was that they only had one shooter, implying there would be more shooters here.

Every dorm entrance had at least two police officers posted inside and there were patrol cars everywhere. I only stepped on campus long enough to check on a friend & give her a Christmas gift. Thought it was best I didn't hang around her dorm to study.

Exam schedule resumed as usual today but all of the Monday finals are rescheduled for Friday so many students won't be going home as early as they had planned.

Security has been increased all over campus for the duration of the week but I'm still a bit jumpy about being here any more than I need to be. However, here I sit in the library studying for final #2 tomorrow afternoon because school was closed for the aliens today (ice storm) and I'll get NOTHING done at home.

Feels like a comfort food night tonight - pour cream of mushroom soup & sliced fresh musrooms over chicken with rice & sprinkle on some onion soup mix. Bake for an hour & feast for a couple of days (don't have time to cook everyday so I cook about 3X a week & we eat leftovers).

Stay warm all!

Ramblings........

2007-12-07T10:52:00.000-06:00

I'm supposed to be spending my free time right now studying but have avoided it. I just can't seem to get motivated today.

I'm not really tired but I do have a lot to do... laundry, shopping, clean the house, study, unpacking (haven't done much with all the homework I've had).

My mind just keeps wandering off on random things.... Dad & his recent bout with cancer & heart problems ..... my cousin's son having health & substance abuse issues ........ missing my older sister...... wishing my younger sister lived closer ........... how I manage life with two kids having ADHD ............. how I manage my own ADHD .............. I really want a Boston Terrier (or any dog for that matter) ............ will Grandma still remember the boys & I from Thanksgiving or will she have forgotten who we are by Christmas? ............. wish Mom & Dad would move Grandma closer to us ........... a new kitten would be nice since I can't have a dog ................. what kind of curtains to you put in a teenage boys room?......... how do you decorate a kitchen with burnt red-orange appliances & hunter green cabinets? ................. will I be able to afford a washer & dryer soon, hate using the laundry-mat ........ What am I gonna cook for dinner? ........ still wondering where my older sister is & is she OK? .............

Feeling very melancholy I guess........ maybe chocolate will help (and a new kitten)

Finals Time

2007-12-06T16:28:00.000-06:00

It's time for finals again so I'll be studying for the next week or so.... pray for me!

Dolphin Trainer

2007-12-04T14:17:00.000-06:00

This is what Alien#2 now wants to do with his life, he wants to be a dolphin trainer.

Last Thursday his 5th grade class of aliens went to Shedd Aquarium in Chicago for a field trip. While visiting the dolphin area, the tour guide asked if anyone wanted to learn how to train a dolphin. My little alien raised his hand and did the required "Oh, me! Please, oh oh, me!" Next thing he knew, he was putting on a set of coveralls & dangling fish in front of dolphins!

He had a great time & couldn't stop talking about all the cool things he did.

The Girlfriend

2007-11-27T15:23:00.000-06:00

I've been so busy with school projects & the Thanksgiving weekend that I haven't had much time to post. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we sure did.

Last Tuesday was Alien #1's choir concert. After the concert, I was introduced to "Sadie". My little alien is growing up! He grinned so huge I thought his face was going to stretch out of shape permanently. I also got to meet her parents, as did Alien #1

I was taking the aliens out for ice cream after the concert and asked if Sadie would like to join us. Her parents said that was fine. Just then, the obnoxious female friend of both the alien & alien's sweetie got wind of the trip to Dairy Queen. Well..... long story short........ the loud-mouthed friend came along. Oh, well, the aliens & girls had a great time. Boosted Alien #1's ego a bit when a couple of kids from school saw him leaving with two pretty girls.

Ain't puberty grand???

Giant Man-eating Bunnies

2007-11-18T15:53:00.001-06:00

Nothing kills a good night's sleep like a kid waking you up in the middle of the night talking about giant man-eating bunnies in his bedroom. Then he crawls into bed with me & starts to snore. Oh, well, at least the bunnies didn't follow him.

BUSTED!

2007-11-14T16:28:00.000-06:00

This post is in red because I'm seeing red right now! Last summer a friend (with my permission) gave the aliens pay-as-you-go cell phones with a couple of rules to go with the phones. The biggest rule: NO BUYING ANYTHING FROM THE WEB

What do I find when I check the online accounts for the aliens? You guessed it! They've been buying things. Worse yet, the oldest one has been texting someone at 3am!

He is sooooo busted! The phone is now mine.

Dishes & Meds

2007-11-13T14:49:00.000-06:00

Yes, I finally found my dishes on Saturday! I finally feel like a semi-normal human now. That's as good as it gets for me, I'll never be completely normal........ if there even is such a thing.

Got a call from Alien #1's teacher a bit ago - seems he LIED to me this morning and didn't take his ADHD meds! This is the second Tuesday out of the last three that he has done this. I hate when he does that because he' gets soooooooo obnoxious and out of control. This poor teacher is the sweetest thing and is always so kind and understanding. She was so upset when she called me I thought she was going to grind her teeth down to nubs trying to keep it together. Poor thing.

His reasoning for not taking his medicine? "I didn't think I needed it today."
Why?
Can you be less obnoxious, sit still, focus, and get your work done on Tuesdays and not other days of the week?
What the heck makes Tuesdays so special?
Is Tuesday the day designated to make everyone in your life miserable because you have absolutely NO control over yourself?
What gives???
Guess it's back to mommy handing out the meds every morning - I really thought we were past this.

I need chocolate! ;)

Elephant Poop

2007-11-09T12:33:00.000-06:00

Today's interesting (and gross) fact courtesy of Alien #1:

Ten adult elephants can produce one pound of poop in one minute.

Just couldn't live without that little tidbit of info could you?

Happy Friday everyone!

Boxes Everywhere!

2007-11-08T16:26:00.000-06:00

Well, we got moved last Saturday and I still can't find my plates & bowls........ there are boxes everywhere! I finally found my tea kettle & my pans but still no dishes. I think someone hid them as a joke. Not funny people!! Have you ever tried to eat a steak off a paper plate? It's not a pretty sight. Oh, well, I'll find them eventually. Most of my glasses are missing too....... *sigh*

The cats, Holly & Charlotte, have settled in quite well and are loving their new home. Playing tag on the stairs seems to be the new favorite game for them.

It's getting along toward the end of the semester & everything is coming due at once. Huge paper due tomorrow, another one due Tuesday with a presentation on Thursday. Clinical observation report due the following week....... AAAAAAGGGGGGGGGggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

Whew! I feel better with that out of my system. Better get back to work. Bye for now.

General Update

2007-11-01T14:38:00.000-05:00

Just to give a general update on things so you know what's going on in my crazy life, I'm creating this post.

In June of 2006 we moved to a new town to be closer to the university I'm attending. Apartment turned out to kinda stink, "quiet lifestyle" was a joke. I've never had such a loud building to live in. So, knowing our lease would be up in October, I just let it lapse knowing I would find a new place for the aliens, critters, & myself before the 10/15 deadline. HA!

We ended up staying with a friend of mine 45 minutes from where we were living and commuting for the last two weeks. EVERYTHING had to go into storage. Thankfully, a couple from our church allowed us to store things in their third garage port which was currently not in use. We're very blessed my friend opened her home to us while we continued to look for someplace to live.

Yesterday I paid the deposit (ouch!!) and signed the papers for our new townhouse just a few blocks from where we were living but in a much quieter area. I can't wait to move in on Saturday. We're attempting to round up men & trucks from the chruch to help out because Alien #1, my main muscleman, will be out of town at a youth convention in Peoria, IL for the weekend.

I can't wait to get into our house & clean, unpack, organize, & decorate. Not that any of that will happen soon, I'm still in college full time. If I'm not in class or taking care of the aliens, I'm studying. Now I need to find a better part time job to help pay the bills around here. With Christmas coming, I'm sure I can at least find something to do over the holidays to earn some cash.

I just handed a huge project in today for one class & had a major exam in another. Monday I have part one of a big project due in one class, a midterm exam in a different class, and still another group project to compile and edit by Wednesday. Did I mention I will be busy moving all day on Saturday?? I'm not sure there are enough hours in the day but I'll manage to get it all in. Somehow I always do. :)

Huge Aliens @ home!

2007-10-25T14:27:00.000-05:00

The aliens have really grown since I last posted anything about them. Alien #1, now 13, is already 5' 9 1/2" and alien #2 is 10 years old standing at 5' 1"!

Alien #1 is now taller than I am. He thinks this is funny. I think it's great! I no longer need to stand on chairs to reach things. :)

We are now hamsterless but have acquired three fish and a snail in addition to the two cats we already had. Check back later for pictures.

We have $8 worth of goldfish in a $50 aquariam setup. That's a story in itself. Charlotte, our cat is a good fisher........ well, some other time. Got to go get the aliens from school & transport to evening activities. bye.

Hello Again!

2007-10-23T16:21:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been gone so long, it's like I'm starting over again. I don't even know if any of the others I used to read on a regular basis are even blogging anymore. Oh, well, I know Burfica is & I can stop over and read her blog.

So, I thought I'd give my blog a bit of a new look & change the name. I welcome comments on any posts & look forward to finding new blogger friends to read up on.

Anyway.... check back for alien updates (my two boys) & more.

Outrageous water bills??

2006-09-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

Are your water bills too high? THIS could be the reason. (Pet lovers will enjoy this one!)

2006-08-29T13:09:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a great summer. I haven't posted in forever - between moving & trying to get the aliens registered in a new school district, it's been a little busy at my house.

I'm now 20 minutes from work/campus, not an hour and the aliens have gone from being in one of the worst school districts in the state to one of the best. The aliens started back to school last week, it was my turn this week. University classes started up full swing yesterday and I'm on day two of classes and already I can feel the sleep deprivation kicking in!

I managed to help both aliens get their homework finished off last night but by the time the dinner mess was cleaned up & they were asleep, I was ready to drop. It didn't help that alien #2 is breaking out with hives of a mysterious origin which prompted a run to the ER (no urgent care facilities around here) to get something better than Benedryl to help clear it up. We get to the ER & my choices are steroids (NOT) or Benedryl. So I choose the Benedryl. The Doc also gave my little alien something unexpected - Pepcid! It seems that it has antihistime properties that "work on a different level than Benedryl" as the Doc puts it. So....... the Rx he wrote is for Pepcid & Zyrtec (a heavenly allergy medicine - doesn't make you sleepy). Hopefully this will keep the itchies & scratchies at bay until we can find the cause of the problem.

Alien #1 is growing again - well, at least his feet are. He turned 12 in July and his feet are now a mens size 11! The scary part is the doctor keeps telling me he'll "grow into" his feet. What does this mean? A 7'3" kid????? YIKES!!!

The resident cats, Holly and Charlotte "Twinkles" are enjoying their new, more spacious home. We are having problems with Charlotte refusing to use the litter box. If anyone has any tips or tricks to fix this problem, I'm open to suggestions...... actually, I'm begging for help on this one. I'm using an all-natural plant extract solution in their water to alleviate anxiety (due to the move) and the pet soils cleaner from the pet store to clean where she is doing her messes. I don't know what else to try - help! I don't want to have to get rid of alien #2's new kitten.

I hope everyone out there in blogger-land is doing well & with summer winding down, I hope to catch up on all your blogs soon.

10 Words

2006-05-25T22:19:00.000-05:00

I saw this over at Burfica's blog Don't Eat the Tomatoes. She gave me a letter and I'm supposed to come up with ten words that start with that letter & a short explanation of what that word means to me & how it relates to my life. So.... Burfica gave me the letter "D" and I thought about it for a few days and here's what I came up with. Here we go.....

1. Divorce - I think this one is self explanatory.

2. Delusional - I actually believe that one day my children will see the carpet in their room again when they clean it.

3. Dependable - If I'm nothing else, I am dependable. This could explain why everyone always wants to ask me to do things (bake sale, watch kids, etc) because they know if I say 'yes' they can count on me not retracting it.

4. Decadent - Referring to chocolate here - need I say more?

5. Demanding - Sometimes I feel life as a single mom is way too demanding. However, with lots of prayer & a little help from my friends, I muddle through.

6. Deadly - Ask any deer, me & my old Buick are a deadly combination. I'll admit, I haven't hit one in a long time but the three hits in three months still seems to qualify me as deadly when it comes to the deer.

7. Doughnuts - This sounds so silly but every time I smell fresh-made doughnuts I am reminded of when I was working a part time job at a bakery when Alien #1 was just old enough to start talking. I had come home from my 3am - noon shift & picked him up to go run some errands. I didn't bring home any doughnuts that day. The whole time Alien #1 kept saying, "Mama doughnuts" to which I kept replying, "No, sweetie. Mama didn't bring home any today." Finally at a long stoplight I turned around to look him in the eye and tell him one last time that NO I did NOT have any doughnuts (a little frustrated by this time). When I said my piece, he again said, "*sigh* Mama (big sniff like he's smelling something), doughnuts!" Ahhh... Mama finally understood - I SMELLED like doughnuts! Well, the way I remember it was cute, guess you had to be there.

8. Dirt - I love having a garden. Planting the seeds or plants into the ground and smelling the fresh warm dirt & feeling in my hands is one of life's' simple pleasures for me.

9. Dandelions - Call them weeds if you will but their sunny little faces are much welcome after the drab grey melting of the snow. I still pick them when they've gone to seed and make a wish before blowing the seeds into the wind. My boys call them wishing flowers.

10. Desire - There is a tremendous desire for my family and I to draw closer to the Lord daily. The stress going through a terrible divorce, my 3 car accidents, losing one family friend after another (5 in all) and then Grandma B, two near fatal accidents for my father, raising two children alone while working and going to school full time. If I didn't have God in my life, I simply wouldn't have made it through any of this. I'm not saying my life is any harder than anyone else's, as a matter of fact, by comparison my life is a lot easier than some people I know. I just have a tremendous desire for us to draw as close to God as we can, it's the glue that holds us together, mind, body & soul.

Finals are done!

2006-05-12T21:22:00.000-05:00

Wow! It's been almost an entire month since I've posted! First off, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! With this last month full of studying & finals, it's been hard to post, but the semester is done! Finals are over!!! YEAH! Not to brag, but....... (here comes the bragging) I aced every class, ha! not bad for an old lady. ;) In all honesty, after being through such a bad marriage & with things being really rough trying to raise two kids on my own, I really felt I had to prove to myself I could do it. Now that I know I can, life somehow just seems a little brighter. I can raise two kids alone while working two part time jobs and attending college full time and still make the grade. I had to prove to myself I could make it.

Now, I'm packing to move. I found an apartment closer to school & work so the next month is going to be busy with weeding out the garbage, having a rummage sale & packing to move. Our new place is so much closer to the university & my work. I'm going from an hour drive to about 20 minutes each way - big difference. I'll also be so much closer to my friends which is great. The aliens will have a much better school district too so we all are better off.

So, I'll try to keep my blog updated a little better but no promises........ Hope everyone is doing well.

Happy Easter!!

2006-04-16T22:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter Everyone! We had a lovely day, will post more about our international holiday in a day or so. I pray everyone had a blessed day, I sure did. God Bless

I Wanna Rock 'n Roll All Night............

2006-04-11T22:02:00.000-05:00

Charlotte Twinkle-toes

2006-04-09T20:36:00.000-05:00

Welcome the newest addition to our family, Charlotte Twinkle-toes. She's a 6 month old kitten from a local animal rescue shelter called "Tails" - they're awesome. She's got a short tail if you look at the pictures really close you can see it. We don't know if she lost it or was born that way. It seems she was born that way. Alien #2 picked her out as a late birthday present. She's a really love-bug but still is quite the active kitty too.

I'm glad we brought her home, she helped soften the blow of Mr. Kibbles passing on. I can't keep a hammie alive to save my soul. Thank the Lord cats are easier to keep alive! Anyway, Welcome to your new home Twinkle-toes!!!

The Pig Sty

2006-04-08T10:52:00.000-05:00

This is what the aliens consider "liveable". Somewhere under there I know there used to be carpet.

Aliens

2006-04-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

This is proof that my children are aliens. Meet Belly Bill & Belly Bob.

The older alien has his "girlfriend's" name tattooed in ink on his fanny. Guess who did it - Alien #2. The image of one alien bent over writing on the other one's bare bum is more than any mother should have to bear.

This is so wrong.

Taxes are done!

2006-03-29T21:07:00.000-06:00

WooHoo! Finally done with taxes for another year. I would've been done much sooner but.....

School had me so busy I didn't get my taxes filed, figured I'd do it over spring break (love TurboTax online). No problem, until you get to the part where you have to enter your AGI from last year to file electronically. I couldn't find last year's return & the info was on my computer. No biggie except that Computer Guy was upgrading my PC & HE had my tax info! ARGGGG!

So... Get the PC back & then school is in full swing again for the last half of the semester and I couldn't get to it until tonight.

The best news of all - I get money back!!!! Yeah! There are advantages to being a single mom & college student rolled into one.

Holly & Soft Paws

2006-03-21T22:04:00.000-06:00

My order of soft paws arrived in the mail and without too much trouble, we got them on the kitty last night. It's been 24 hours & she doesn't seem to mind them a bit. I didn't get scratched with "happy feet" last night either... nice.

90 years young

2006-03-19T23:20:00.000-06:00

Happy 90th Birthday Grammy!! I love you!

Soft Claws

2006-03-15T23:56:00.000-06:00

Soft Paws - Aren't these the coolest things? They're colored caps to put on your kitties' claws to keep them from scratching things. It's a painless and rather inexpensive alternative to declawing.

Spring Break is here!

2006-03-15T23:05:00.000-06:00

Thanks to everyone for your support. I'm doing better since my last post. Your kind words meant the world to me.

I missed both of my mid-term exams because alien #2 was sick but was able to make-up both exams before we went on break so that's a good thing.

I'm such a geek - I'm spending my break setting up a web site for one class and reading to write a report for another. I just don't want to be so stressed & overly busy the second half of the semester.

Mr. Kibbles goes AWOL

2006-02-05T19:51:00.000-06:00

Well, the hammies are at it again, escaping from the cage & running wild through the apartment. Four days of Alien #2 crying, whining and in general carrying on as if the world was coming to an end. I still couldn't catch that little bugger.

So, Saturday afternoon I run over to the local Ace Hardware & get a package of live mouse traps. We get home, set the traps & I lay down on the sofa to veg out while the aliens are playing outdoors. I no more start to doze off in the middle of my afternoon movie when I hear little scratching noises coming from the kitchen. HA! Success!!

I walk in, look at the traps and they haven't moved. Nothing. Still, I hear the tell-tale noises of small feeties scratching around on discarded something-or-another behind the trash can. Slowly, I move the trash can & there she is, Mr. Kibbles. I swoop down on her with a plastic cup and deposit her safely back into her cage.

Success.

What's your walk??

2006-01-31T23:21:00.000-06:00

Your walk is:
Crazy

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

New Element Discovered - October 2005

2006-01-30T21:28:00.000-06:00

New Element Discovered October 2005

The recent hurricane and gasoline issues helped prove existence of a new element. In early October [2005] a major research institution announced discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named "Governmentium."

Governmentium (Gv) has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton like particles called peons. Since Gv has no electrons, it is inert. However, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

A minute amount of Gv causes one reaction to take over four days to complete, when it would normally take less than a second!

Gv has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Gv is formed whenever morons reach a certain quantity in concentration.

This hypothetical quantity is referred to as "Critical Morass". When catalyzed with money, Gv becomes "Administratium" (Am) - an element which radiates just as much energy as Gv since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Where's Waldo?

2006-01-06T19:37:00.000-06:00

Cool pic isn't it? Would you believe this was found on a microchip? Yep! Click on the picture to read the story. Once there, click on that picture - it will take you to a page where you can view 10 of the over 300 images that have been found on microchips and a little ditty about the image found. There are more sites to view chip art and read a little more about it HERE, HERE, and HERE. Have fun!

Happy New Year from Mr. Kibbles & Suzie Snowflake

2006-01-01T22:22:00.000-06:00

I hope you all had a very safe and happy New Year's Eve/New Year's Day celebration.

We awoke to a minor tragedy December 31st, Sparky (the hamster) had passed away in the night. It was her time, so I wasn't surprised when it happened. The aliens mourned for a couple of hours, went and took their grief out on the video games that the neighbor kid got for Christmas and when they arrived home mid-afternoon, we went to make a couple exchanges on Christmas items.

Once we were in the "big city", they decided they wanted to spend part of their Christmas money from Great-Granny on a new hamster each. Hamsters were very popular this season. In a town with a population of 150,000 there were only 2 female Siberian dwarf hamsters to be found - both at different pet stores about 30 minutes apart. Of course, I drove all over to collect the two little beasties and we were off for home. (I had NOTHING to do with the names. )

So, without further ado, I introduce you to Mr. Kibbles and Suzie Snowflake!

Holly

2005-12-28T18:08:00.000-06:00

Guess who got a new digital camera for Christmas! After chasing the family around all day with it, I finally got a chance at the cat. She's a little shy and it was hard to get a picture of her. Her mask is so dark, it was impossible to get a picture of her beautiful blue eyes. I was lucky to get her to sit still long enough to get a cute pose.

Anyway, this is Holly, resident cat & bed warmer. Santa brought her to us three years ago for Christmas.

What is your Christmas like?

2005-12-14T21:13:00.000-06:00

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy.Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Holly Kitty

2005-12-14T09:01:00.000-06:00

I love our kitty Holly. She's cute and lovable, sometime too much so. I've been sick as you all know who have read this blog recently. Holly gets extra-snuggly when she senses someone is out of sorts or sick.

Having a bit of a fever at night, I've been tossing a bit in my sleep which makes it nearly impossible for lover-kitty to stay perched on my back, side, stomach (whichever side is up). So she decided to curl up by my head/neck area.

She'll snuggle up as close as she can with her back to me, get her little feet under herself, dig her claws into the bedding and shoves herself up against me until she has succeeded in physically attaching herself to me. Only then does she settle down to purr for the next hour or so.

I love my kitty.

Sick again, dang

2005-12-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

Well, it hit me again today, sore throat & raging fever so I guess I'm not over this yet. I'll be calling the doc in the morning, again....... for meds, again. I can't be sick - I have Christmas shopping to do! Ah, well..... maybe after a few more days in bed....

It's been cold here

2005-12-08T20:33:00.000-06:00

We've warmed up to a sizzlin' 20 degrees today & a storm front has come thru the area and we're getting major snow, about an inch an hour in the thick of it. We'll have a total of 3 - 5 when it's all done. That's not too bad although you never know how much snow will really pile up until it's all over with....... reminds me of a really bad joke from high school..... hehehe better keep that to myself.