It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

We had what is now being called "November Blizzard 2006" yesterday and today and I will tell ya -- it has been beautiful. I am so cheesy -- I got out and took a picture of our house in the snow...



There is a lot more snow now -- I really didnt want to get out after this pic -- WOW it's cold.

We had a great day. We opened all the blinds so that we could watch the snow fall, made fresh baked cookies, hot chocolate (loaded with marshmallows) and watched Polar Express with the kids. All the dogs had gotten baths so they were all inside and we were cuddly and warm and, well... it was perfect.

Sara, my 7 year old, spoke the same sentiment that I was feeling...

"It's days like these that I will always remember"

Yeah Sara, me too...

Giving Thanks

Hello everyone -- miss me?? I've been here, but I have been SO busy with... well with life. I am the mom of 4 girls after all.

I did however, want to take the time to update you on life here. All is well with us. Monty started a new job with OTR (Offroad Tire Recycling) and he is loving it. The great thing is that we will be transferring to another city soon so that Monty can run one of the hubs for the company. Those who must know where can email me.

If you are wondering why I dont blog as much anymore I have one word for you...

Myspace.

I know, I know -- I am one of many who have whored themselves to myspace -- but its cool because its like one big online reunion. I'm an addict -- I need a 12 step program... c'mon -- join -- everyone is doing it... LOL

So Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Duh, right? Everyone is blogging about it -- and what they are thankful for.

Well, I shall conform. Call me a follower. Go ahead.

In a season where family is the center, I have had such a blow to my life. My best friends Daddy, a man I have known, loved and sometimes feared (lol) for almost 18 years, was diagnosed with a very serious form of leukemia and has not been given a positive diagnosis. My heart has been breaking for my friend. She is my sister to me and I cannot take this pain from her, nor can I walk this walk For her. I can however walk beside her and hold her hand and cry with her and smile with her and be strong for her. I am so thankful for that -- we have a bond and I can't buy that or recreate that -- it's us, and I love her. My mind cannot drift far from she and her family though -- and what they are facing.

Of course, above and beyond all else... I am thankful for these people and what they mean to my life.







What am I saying? They ARE my life and my reason for getting up and breathing end and out every day...
Thank you God for my life and my family, for health and happiness, friends and loved ones, and for reminding us how awesome and fragile life can really be.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I've been tagged!

This was fun! Thanks Jen!

Three people who make me laugh:
My husband -- he IS the funniest guy I know
My "almost" four year old daughter - Jin - everything is new to her and she embraces it all with gusto -- its charming - and hilariously wonderful.

Three things I can do:
Perform in front of thousands (the more the better)
Make people feel comfortable and at home around me.
Find bargains like nobody's business.

Three things I can't do:
Swim in the ocean (it terrifies me and I want to so badly!)
Speak fluent conversational Greek (and I am a Greek! For shame!)

Three things I'm doing right now:
Eating crackers, cheese and grape tomatoes (my favorite snack)
Doing this while simultaneously watching "Working Girl" on cable.
marathon laundry

Three things I want to do before I die:
Travel through Europe and visit Greece with my Daddy (my ultimate wish)
Play Mamma Rose in "Gypsy"
See my four daughters become Mothers themselves and someday take my Grandbabies to Disneyworld. (so... thats several. I know)

Three things I hate the most:
These mean little bitch clones that my daughters have to go to school with.
The extreme judgement that you can actually receive from your OWN church.
Ridiculously stupid drivers

Three things that scare me:
Bugs like roaches, big spiders and most of all JUNE BUGS!
Not knowing where my children are at all times.
Another family member dying on me.

Three things I don't understand:
Terrorism
HOW America can forget about the horror of what happened on 9/11
Where our national pride and troop support is! (all three very political but I have been thinking alot on this lately with the 11th coming up)

Three skills I'd like to learn:
Guitar -- I want to be able to sit down, play and sing a song and I still cant do that!
I'd like to be fluent in Greek still!
I want to know Photoshop inside and out.

Three ways to describe my personality:
Optimistic
Outgoing
friendly

Three things I think you should listen to:
Your Children playing (they say the funniest things)
All types of music
The news I guess -- gotta know what is going on in the world.

Things you should never listen to:
Hateful people
Telemarketers (I'm with you Jen!)
Sensationalism in the media

Three favorite foods:
Cheese (its my weakness)
Ice Cream
Monty's awesome breakfasts -- they are fast becoming #1

Three beverages I drink regularly:
Sweet Tea
Water
Beer

Three shows I watched as a kid:
Sesame Street
The Electric Company
Brady Bunch

Blogs I've passed this on to:
Tracy
Monty
Kim

Do it -- I dare you!

Kotex Tips for Life

I dont know who wrote this -- but it gave me such a laugh that I had to post it! Ladies, get ready for a chuckle... Gentlemen --try to keep up.

I recently noticed that the peel-off strip of my pantiliner had a bunch
of"Kotex Tips for Life" on it. Annoying advice such as:

*Staying active during your period can relieve cramps.
*Avoiding caffeine may help reduce cramps and headaches.
*Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep you hydrated and feeling fresh.
*Try Kotex blah blah blah other products...

Obviously the individual behind this was someone who has never possessed
a functioning set of ovaries. Go ahead and tell a menstruating woman that
drinking 6-8 glasses of water will help keep her feeling fresh. Like we
need more fluid inside our bloated bodies from hell...but go ahead...I
triple-dog-friggen-dare-ya... See what happens and report back.

I'll wait.

While you're at it, dump out the coffee at work and remove the chocolate
from the vending machine. I garan-damn-tee you that the first responders
will be females who just ovulated.
Staying active will relieve headaches & cramps...well guess what, the
only activities that interest me is Eating..sleeping..bitching or crying for
no apparent reason.. ...and oh...does ripping someone's head off count as a
friggen' activity?????
Look, females don't need or want tips for living on their feminine
hygiene products. Younger girls are already hearing "helpful" crap like that from
elderly relatives. Veteran females have already concocted their own
recipes for survival, many containing alcohol & barbiturates.
Printing out crap advice while sneaking in ads for the brand that was
already purchased is just plain annoying, not to mention rude, and is
enough to send a girl running to the Always brand.

It's not a fun time, but DO NOT try to cheer us up by adding smiley faces
or bunnies or flowery cutesy crap to your products or the packaging. Put the
crap in a plain brown wrapper so we can throw it in our carts discreetly
and have it blend in among the wine and beer.

There is nothing more annoying than having a blinding pink package
announcing your uterine state to everyone in the store. Why don't ya just
add an in-store microphone to the damn package & announce that...helloooo,
another female in the store is starting!!!!!

So take your tips for living and your cute bunnies & the smiley faces and
shove them right up your ___!
P.S. How about adding a free sample of Pamprin & maybe a shot of Bourbon to
your packages instead?

Sara Bears first day of first grade...

First day of school... she did great. We were so proud of her -- no problems at all.

We went across the street to the daycare there to get information for Jin and LITERALLY there was a daycare teacher out in her caron break smoking a cig and DRINKING A BEER... 9:30 in the morning.

We won't be taking our daughter there...

Here are some pics of Sara's first day... I ca't blink -- if I do I will open my eyes to see her graduating from highschool...

Stole this from my budy Babygirl

What is your salad dressing of choice? Homemade Buttermilk ranch

What is your favorite fast food restaurant? GOTTA have Arby's. Also Braums -- a regional ice cream/hamburger joint based in OKC.

What is your favorite sit down restaurant? hmmmm thats a toughie...Probably Red Lobster. OOOh, I also love Texas Road House. What can I say? Im from Oklahoma. We like our red meat...

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of? Ice Cream. I never get tired of it -- Especially in the winter. Wierd, huh?

Name two foods you detest above all others? Soul Food like Chitlins and hog feet. Ewwww.

What are your pizza toppings of choice? Black olive and Mushroom. Oooh and the Claifornia chicken at Mazzios. YUM

What is your favorite type of gum? Extra Watermelon. YUm. The flavor just lasts and lasts... lolol

Number of contacts in your cell phone? oh geez, hang on -- 43

Number of contacts in your email address book? WOW - 43. Amazing.

What is your wallpaper on your computer? Nothing - it was taking way to long for things to run becasue of it so I took it off. Will someone take pity and buy me a new computer?

What is your screensaver on your computer? Look at the last pitiful question

How many line phones do you have in your house? one. But wait, you didnt ask how many cordless phones. We have two categories -- We have 1 cordless that works and 3 thats barely/don't work.

What kitchen appliance do you use the least? Umm Monty's stupid juicer -- I keep waiting for him ot put it away to get it off my counterspace.

What is the format of the radio station you listen to the most? Kinda everything -- literally -- I think they say they are today's best music... whatever that means

What do you consider to be your best physical attribute? My face. Everything else -- I need a do-over on.

Have you ever had anything removed from your body? My appendix, and several ovarian cysts

Do you prefer to read when you go to the bathroom? No -- get in get out -- thats my Motto concerning that.

When was the last time you had a cavity? About 13 years ago, I take as much care as I can in that area because I seriously have a ferrer, no strike that - holy terror concerning the dentist. Even the smell of the place... uuugh

What is the heaviest item you lift regularly? My kiddos -- oh, and my husbands GINORMOUS ego.

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? I dont know -- I really don't think so -- I want to live my life to the fullest on a daily basis... I try to always -- but I never want ot go to bed angry, or not kiss my babies goodnight... I might not be there tomorrow.

If you could change your first name, what would you change it to?
I wouldnt. I love it -- I guess I would change it to Janna - after my Mom - but I love the name she gave me.

How do you express your artistic side? I paint -- it's usually bright, colorful and childish but I dont care! I also take photographs -- I love to take pictures of people.

What color do you think you look best in? Coral pink - I get so many compliments.

How long do you think you could last in a medium security prison? I wouldnt be able to -- that is why I ever do ANYTHING wrong!

Have you ever swallowed a nonfood item? Yes...

If we weren't bound by society's conventions, do you have a relative you would make a pass at? Nope. Not one.

Have you ever saved someone's life? Yes, I saved my Moms several times. I still cannot forgive myself for not being able to save her that last time though...

Has someone ever saved yours? My mom Im sure. I was a tomboy

Would you walk naked for a half mile down a public street for $100,000? CASH? Absolutely... but Mamma would be POWERWALKING... LOL

Would you kiss a member of the same sex for $100? Yes -- it's a given... LOL Im guess I really money

Would you have sex with a member of the same sex for $10,000? Refer to the last question... LOLOL

Would you allow one of your little fingers to be cut off for $200,000? Absolutely -- wait, would I have anestesia?

Would you never blog again for $50,000? OMG YES... BYE!

Would you pose naked in a magazine for $250,000? uuuh naw.

Would you, without fear of punishment, take a human life for $1,000,000? Nope. It's not my place to act as God.

Would you shave your head and get your entire body waxed for $5,000? NO! Its not enough. I LOOOVE my hair.

Would you give up watching television for a year for $25,000? Absolutely! What TV?

To work or not to work... that is the question

I have been mulling this very question over in my head the last 2 weeks. A lot of you have been wondering and asking where in the heck I have been this summer... well, I went and got a "part-time" job for extra moolah and let my teenagers babysit for met his summer - - a job that I was only supposed to be working 20 hours a week on and I have been clocking 28-30 hours instead.

But here is my delimma --

School starts next week (thank the GODS of education) and Sara starts her first years of all day school which leaves Jinny Wren being the only child home and me looking for a babysitter that doesnt charge my freaking hourly wage. I found a place that only charges $4 an hour -- but literally thats almost haf of my hourly wage at this measly job.

I really dont want to quit. I love having the extra money, and having adults to hang around with again, but is does not seem feesable for me to go to allllll that trouble for 4 hours a day.

Grrrrrrrr.

I feel like such the jerk too because I know there are parents that HAVE to workand would love to even consider the option of staying home.

I think I may have made a mistake in going to work this summer too because my teenagers took it apon themselves to become the Hitler's of this house to my younger kids. And my daughter Amber? If there was a rule set into place, she made it her goal in life to break it every which way to Sunday. Seriously. My teenagers think they rule this roost.

I guess I am in a funk tonight... and I have to go to work in the morning so I cant have a beer (or three) to chill out --

Sex is not an option tonight either...

Bummer.


On a lighter note, I promise to be diligent in blogging more... Ive missed you guys too.

I am Joygirl's New, all singing, all dancing Project

Okay, so I have embarked on a new project -- temporary (probably) and who knows -- I might keep it going.

I must give credit where credit is due. My friend Tracy
Tracy started doing this for her husband -- it is so sweet and sometimes easier to say when you can write it down.

My new blog

Go see the schmultz people... and make sure you let me know you stopped by! ;)

Pointless randomness... which is the point... I think.

I've been working guys -- I work so much and I am TIRED! I cannot hardly move at the end of the day. This is me showing you that I still love you ALL and I have not fallen out of the blogesphere! Dont leave me!
Here is a survey of the most random questions I have ever filled out--



Have you had sex in the past 24 hours? NO -- BUT COMING UP THIS WEEKEND!

Are you gay? NOPE

Do you have hairy legs? I NEED TO SHAVE BUT I WOULD NOT SAY YES...

Do you smoke anything? CRACK... (NO)

Do you like monkeys?: Yes. GORDO

How many fillings do you have? 4

Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake? I'D RATHER NOT THANKS. I WILL SIT ON THE BOAT.

Have you ever licked one of those square batteries? YEAH, MY MEANIE BROTHERS TOLD ME THEY TASTED LIKE CINNAMON

Have you ever read the Bible? MOST OF IT

Did you ever go to Sunday School? OF COURSE

Do you wear a lot of black? YEAH I DO, BUT IT DOES NOT REPRESENT WHO I AM OR HOW I FEEL. I HATE THAT GOTH CRAP.

Did you ever bring a weapon to high school? MY ATTITUDE AND RAZOR SHARP TONGUE LOLOL

Have you ever hugged a tree? YEAAAH, NO.

Do you know what a sphincter actually is? UM, YEAH -- I'M EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER WAYNE'S WORLD... "ASS SPHINCTER SAYS WHAT?" "WHAT?"

Describe your hair. MIDDLE OF MY BACK IN LENGTH (AND I JUST HAD 2 INCHES CUT OFF), DARK BLONDE W/ BLEACH BLONDE HIGHLIGHTS

Are you a wild beast? ABSOLUTELY. ESPECIALLY WHEN IM PISSED

Do you like to have fun? HOH YEAH.

Do you like drama? FREAKING HAAAATE IT

Have you ever taken a bong hit? NOPE

Do you like mayonaise? YEAH, ITS A GUILTY PLEASURE THAT I NEVER PARTAKE IN ANYMORE

Are you afraid to die? NAW

Do you like playing in leaves? NEVER DID LIKE IT

Do you like lyme tics? HMMMM, I LIKE TOUCHING MY TOUNGUE TO BATTERIES MORE.

Have you ever peed your pants as an adult? NO -- BUT I DID WHEN I WAS 13 AND ALI AND I WERE LAUGHING SO HARD THAT I PEED.

Have you ever thrown up on somebody as an adult? NO -- I AM A POLITE SICKO

Are you an adult? DEPENDS...

Do you think you have a good handle on spelling? YES. I USE GOOD GRAMMER AS WELL.

Ever won a spelling bee? NO! CANDY DAVENPORT BEAT ME OUT IN (I THINK) 6TH GRADE... HATEFUL...

Do you ever eat because your depressed? NO, I LEAVE THAT TO MONTY AND HIS EMOTIONAL EATERS ANON. FAMILY.

Are you a television addict? YES, BUT I NEVER GET TO -- NOW I AM A MYSPACE ADDICT. WILL SOMEONE BY ME A DVR??

Do you think O.J. is guilty? GOD, HERE WE GO AGAIN... YES. HES VEEEERY GUILTY

Have you ever had sex in a hot tub? YES

Do you like Elvis? SURE

Do you enjoy watching animals "do it" on the Discovery channel? NO. LOLOL

Ever been hit on at a zoo? YEAH NO.

Do you enjoy the calming effects of turkey? NO, I LIKE THE CALMING EFFECTS OF XANAX

Does your mom think someones hot? MOM LIKED ANTONIO BANDERES... HE'S VEEEERY SESSY! TOO SESSY! TOO SESSY!

When you hear a knock on the door, do you think "Oh shoot, its..." NOPE! NO FEAR.

Have you ever had sex with a total stranger? NOPE

Ever been arrested? NOPE

Ever commit a crime and gotten away with it, like O.J. did? lol YEAH -- THANKS TO ALLISON AND HER STEALTH & CUNNING

Do you like orange juice? YES.

Ever do the party boy dance in front of the elderly? DARN -- IVE MISSED OUT ON THAT ONE.. SOMETHING TO ADD TO THE "TO-DO" LIST

Where do you wish you were right now? SITTING AT A NICE RESTURANT DOWNTOWN WITH THE HUSBAND - AND A COLD DRINK.

Did you enjoy this? IT WAS KINDA LONG AND POINTLESS -- WHICH I THINK WAS THE POINT.. WAIT... AHHHHH I SEE!

"Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them so much." ~ Oscar Wilde

Total Nirvana... at Health Food Store??

I had to work today... only about 4 1/2 hours, but I dont "do" Saturdays typically, so I was bummed. They needed me - - I went. I was stressed when I went to the Health Food Center where Monty is working part time on weekends to take him to eat after I got off and the guy that does reflexology up there was working. I took Monty to eat and then when we went back, Monty made me sit down and I got my very first reflexology massage.

OOOOHH

MYYYYY

GAAAWD

Have you ever??

I'm absolutely HOOKED.

Now let me tell you - - I LOVE massages - but it takes SO MUCH for me to ever go - - take 3 hours out of my already crammed full schedule? Puhleeze.




But this - - this is 45 minutes in a chair to end ALLLL chairs, with warm towels over your feet and hands and a man rubbing your feet in ALL the right spots. Then when you think it cannot get much better he comes up and masages your hands.

As the chills were coursing throughout my body, and I was slipping in to complete relaxation, I realized that I was having a totally erotic feeling foot and hand massage by an 80 year old, very sweet man in hte corner of a health food store.

Pshaa - - who cares, right?

I'm going again next week.

The Husband hit a home run today...

STOP STALKING AND COMMENT!!

THIS CONCLUDES MY RANT FOR THE DAY

Thank you, Come again...

I HAVE A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELL, APPARENTLY I NEED TO CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP.

1. I AM A PRINCESS. I mean in every sense of the work. Not the Diana kind, more the Fergie kind - - always trying to please people and make people happy and failing miserably. Not only that, but I also like to be treated like the proverbial Princess. No scones and clotted cream tea times, but the Husband has always treated me like a Princess and I have gotten used to it. I am a freaking Princess guys... and you know what? I am not apoligizing for it.

2. I am so damn VAIN. I know it. Even with extra baggage and the beginnings of crows feet, I am a vain little vulture. My Dad is 67 and he is still vain. I come by it honestly, I am not going to change, and I am comfortable with that. We all have a bit of a vanity issue just by being bloggers, dont you think? I know I am a damn good singer. I have had opportunity after opportunity and i took some and left some and thats my decision. The fact that I am not a Broadway star does not mean that I am a failure. I know I am good. I'm vain, and you know what? I am not apoligizing for it.

3. My life is crazy. I have 4 kids, A job, bills and issues. I freaking doggy paddle my way through some days, and I know there are a bajillion others just like me in the world. I get all self absorbed in my shit sometimes like that same bajillions people. I am a self absorbed, vain, Greek-American Princess and you know what? I am not apoligizing for it.

I am also about the most loyal friend you could ever find. I love the people in my life so much, so intensely that I hurt when they hurt and I feel the urge to save them from any mistake or pain they may be feeling... even if it means that I take that pain into myself... an almost fatal flaw of mine on a few occasions. I can make people laugh, typically with ease, even if it is at the risk of making myself look like a fool. I will spend my last dime just to make someone smile. I work hard for my family. I bust my butt to make sure my kids live in a nice house with nice things. They deserve that, and I will do whatever I can to make that happen. There are 50 thousand other things that I could say but I dont feel like I have to anymore. I guess this little "vent" was enough.

Enough is enough.

Took a pic of me with my hotttt red guitar... I need a hobby.

Awesome feeling

There is nothing that can make a Mom feel better than having their 13 year old wrap their arms around your neck and say to you what my 13 year old said to me today...

"Momma, you are the best thing that ever happened to me..."

Make ya cry.

I have the greatest teenagers. And I am still the coolest chickadee to them. Still.

This weekend, my 14 year old got a phone call from a guy friend, asking her if she wanted to go hang out at their youth ministers house. Instead of going out with her friends she wanted to hang with her Dad and I - and go to the movies. I know eventually she will pick the friends, but it felt so good... ya know? We had the BEST time with the teenagers. (Our younger two were spending the night with the grandparents and thinking they were the lukiest because they got to take baths in their ginormous jacuzzi tub)We sat and a resturant and talked for almost 3 hours and then went to the movies. We came home really late and crashed and it was just an awesome night.

Ask me tomorrow and I might change my mind, but today - - the teenagers a great.

Post Secret that made me cry...

This is your brain on drugs...

There are some eternal questions out there...

Is there life after death?

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

Will Van Halen ever take David Lee Roth back and be a family again?

Well, we might have an answer to one of these soon enough!

Check it out...



Roth Predicts Van Halen Comeback
By Gary Graff
Reuters

DETROIT (May 26) - Now that he's lost his radio job, David Lee Roth is seeking gainful employment in another capacity -- as lead singer of Van Halen. Again.
"I see it absolutely as an inevitability," says Roth, who was deposed by CBS Radio in late April as one of Howard Stern's replacements. "There's contact between the two camps, and they have legitimate management; Irv Azoff is part of their loop now.


"To me, it's not rocket surgery. It's very simple to put together. And as far as hurt feelings and water under the dam, like what's-her-name says to what's-her-name at the end of the movie 'Chicago' -- 'So what? It's showbiz!' So I definitely see it happening."


Despite that claim, Roth -- who was Van Halen's singer from 1974-1985 -- acknowledges that he hasn't seen Edward Van Halen "in a couple of years." The last time Roth recorded with Van Halen was for the group's "Best Of Van Halen Volume 1" album in 1996, though there have been periodic rumors ever since.


Roth isn't sitting around while he waits for the call, however. He joins the John Jorgensen bluegrass band for two songs -- "Jump" and "Jamie's Cryin' " -- on "Strummin' With the Devil: The Southern Side of Van Halen," a bluegrass-styled tribute to Van Halen. Roth calls it "a detour" as well as "an interesting return ... Before there was rock 'n' roll, there was me and a single guitar, flat pickin' Doc Watson (songs)." Roth plans to make a number of TV appearances on behalf of the album, which comes out June 6.


Roth is also planning to tour later this summer to play Van Halen hits -- "I'm so proud of that music," he says -- favorites from his solo album and covers. He'll leave the banjos and fiddles at home, though.


"I like to bring out the brass section now and the keyboard players and the singers and so forth," Roth explains. "It's probably a little closer to the Rolling Stones' revue than to the early three-piece power trio. But the demand is amazing; I guess I'm lucky enough to be one of those guys now who can point at the map and say 'Let's go here' -- or, rather, my favorite expression, which is 'Let's follow the sun."'

I for one am in the "Van Halen is just not Van Halen without David Lee Roth" camp. I always was. I married a "Van Hagar" fan and that has been a fun 10 years... I will admit that I like alot of Van Halen/Hagar hits. But given the choice? I want the original...

Here is what cracks me up... Reread the bolded portions of the interview with Roth. This egghead has fried his brain! It's not rocket surgery? Water under the dam? I was cracking up. I hope he still has a little bit of star power - - at least enough to sing their songs like he used to.

See kids? His interview is a perfect example of Why you dont do drugs. Stupid - - so stupid that the reporter didnt even correct it - - how sad.

So which side are you on? Van Halen with David Lee Roth or Van Hagar?

Well, the results are in

American Idol...
I was an occasional viewer - - minding my business, living my life - - then Crystal would hound me about watching - - drawing me in to the evil black box called television. She's done this to me often... First 24, then American Idol, then Lost... she also got me to watching Young and the Restless regularly again.
There is a special place in hell for her - - waiting - - with a broken TV there just to taunt her.

ANYHOO - - -
Tonights the night. Season Finale. Taylor or Kat... I am typing this in real time - -It's 8:45, almost time for the announcement of the winner.

The thing is - - the odds are stacked against Kat. WHY? I have no clue...
She's phenomenal. She's beautiful. She has star quality. Last year was such a toss up - although I am really glad Carrie Underwood won, being from Oklahoma myself.

Taylor has been consistant, I'll give him that. I personally do not like him, or his style. Now, I didn ot say that I didnt think he had a good singing voice or any talent. I think he does - - but the whole package? I just don't see it. Whatever.

Well, here is the moment. They are about to announce the winner.
Hang on guys...

Whoa Prince. Prince is performing. I cannot believe hes on American Idol... He seems to big, too iconic to be on AI.

Dude, Prince should have borrowed Taylors Purple velvet jacket tonight!

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER??


Okay - - the real announcement time is here... Geez.
Grrrrrr. It's not like I dont know that Taylor's going to win.

OMG - another song my Kay and Taylor - - ewww it's "Ive Had the Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing. My husbands probably in the bathroom retching, LOLOL

Can we PLEASE KNOW the results??

This is so funny - - Crystal is about 6 seconds behind me in Tulsa. We are on the phone together right now. I will know 6 second before her... LOL

Taylor Hicks.

He's the winner - - huge surprise (dripping with sarcasm)

I really hope next season is better.

And I really hope Kat does better than him in record sales, acting, whatever she wants to do.

I bet you guys are going to be so pleased that you wont have to hear my AI blogs until next season...

:)
BTW - -
I am still SOOO sick of hearing "Soul Patrol"... Who is the actual soul patrol? Are their members? Is there a membership fee?
These question haunt me... LOL I have to let it go.
Alright people. I'm spent.

VOTE FOR KAT

This freakshow should get docked several MILLION votes for this jacket alone...

Guys... its ROYAL PURPLE.

"Hello, Taylor? Liberache called from the afterlife... he wants his jacket back..."

I am so disgusted by tonight that I can hardly type.. So they give Kat a sucky song to sing and write him one perfectly tailored to his voice? Can we say RIGGED? It wasnt a fair fight tonight.

GUYS -- GET OFFLINE AND vote for Kat
1-866-436-5701
03

or 05

Need more pursuading?

MySpace

So whose got a MySpace??

Give it up! I want names so I can add you to my friends list.

If ya don't, why don't you? Come be original like everyone else!

C'mon!

What next....

I loathe Brittney Spears entirely...

Here she is, speeding down the highway in curlers (hot) with baby Sean Preston all slouched over in his seat FACING FORWARD.

Now, my daughters used to fall asleep and slouch over like that - that's not what bugs me here - that will happen, although, with all her money, she still didn't buy on with the padded bar that goes in front of him. And appearantly, no one can read directions at her Spears compound about how he is TOO LITTLE to be facing forward. In fact, that car seat is HUGE for him. Again, he could be a projectile baby. Doesn't "Mr. Kevin Spears" know how to do it? He's had 2 other children as well.
All of it just proves (yet again) that you can take the rednect whore out of the sticks but ya just can't take the sticks out of the redneck. Tha girl has swamps for brains.

Turn that car seat around you stupid redneck blonde with money!

GRRRRRRRRRRR

I fear for baby # 2

Connor Edward

Please read this buddy.

I have a site meter on my blog, and I was looking through the locations of where people that are looking at my blog live. I sat stunned for a minute. Ft. Meyers. Once, twice, I kept counting - - 4 times so far that I could find. My mind raced.

"Is that him? Is he looking for us?"

C'mon now - - that town in large - - anyway could be browsing from there.

Then I thought that you might have found my MySpace. I don't hide. We want you to find us.

I searched for you on myspace and found you - - my God, you are gorgeous. You've grown so much.

It may not have been you that was looking at my blog, but whatever the situation - it led me to finding YOU - and staring at a picture of a guy's myspace that has the face of this little man that used to have me wrapped around his little finger... You.

Connor, I know that you probably have some pretty bad feelings about our situation. Please understand that there are always two sides to every situation and hear us. At least hear us baby. We miss you. We've missed you all these years. Our kids look at our photo albums of you and know you are so important to us, and that you are our child too. You are looking so much like your Dad.

He loves you, and his heart hurts for you - the missing puzzle peice in our lives.
I have sat and hugged your Daddy while he cried - cried because he wants so badly for you to be in his life. No matter what - don't EVER think that you are not in our minds and hearts all the time.
***********
Please open up to us and talk to us. If you want to be angry - be angry, sad, happy - whatever, but TALK to us. Lets please try a life of being in each others lives again. Dad and I want that so badly. You Dad is so incredible. So cool. And I want to you to know him and he needs to know you - - you both are missing out on a HUGE chunk of your lives.

I love you Connorman. We love you and miss you.

Stunned.

I havent been able to blog. Call me silly.
I just was so shockes, so unbelievably stunned with last nights American Idol results show that i was too pissed to blog.

(I know, sad, right?

For those of you that are just getting back from your cruise to Mars, Chris Daughtry was kicked off the show.

WHAT?

There are not words.

Has the country gone mad?

I swear this solemn vow...

If Taylor "full body seizures" Hicks wins this show I will not watch it ever again.

BOOOOO America. You should feel ashamed of yourselves... FOR SHAME!!

Please do us all a favor and burn up the phones voting for Katherine.


I need.........a hobby.

American Idol's Elvis Fest

So tonight was Elvis night on AI. Tommy Mattola was "helping" the singers and they all sang Elvis songs.

Blech.

I do like Elvis - but a whole night? Anyhoo, I'm worried about tonight.

Here's my rundown...

TAYLOR
Jailhouse Rock - Eeeehhh. Somebody please explain what that half walk, half crawl, crouched over thing he does? Please? It's driving me crazy. I agree with Simon - Karaoke with a capitol K.

In the Ghetto - B-O-R-I-N-G. I was so sleepy!
Here's what I think - for whatever it's worth. Taylor is a good singer, he has a commanding onstage presence (even if it is a really wierd one) and people really like him - HOWEVER - I just don't see him as a huge star - more like a Branson star. And trust me I know those after spending a summer singing in Branson. They are a dime a dozen - - all very good singers in their own right but not stand out stars.

And thats all I have to say about that.

CHRIS
Suspicious Minds - I know you all think that I am sooo partial to Chris (I am) and that I think he will win the show (He'd better)and all, but I do have some criticism about tonight. His first song was not that great - no WOW factor. LUUUVED the sunglasses though - - he took them off and sang to me. LOL
A Little Less Conversation - Loved it. I thought he took a risk singing a hard song. It seriously takes a good singer to sing that much in such a short amount of time. He pulled it off Wellllllll.

Elliot
If I Can Dream - Is it me, or are Elliot's songs starting to sound more and more the same every week. It's the same every week with me - - that boy can SING. I just can't stand to look at his funky mouth. VENEERS Elliot darling.
Misery - Did really well. Really, Really well.

Kat
Hound Dog - At first I though "bad mistake" but then she pulled it off. Oh wait, halfway through the song she messed up her words. OOps. I personally thing that the real show of showmanship is covering you mistakes - - we all have them. She had hers in the spotlight and covered nicely. I am worried though. I don't know that she was strong enough.
Can't Help Falling In Love - Beautiful. Simon was wrong. The natural swell of the song calls for drama - otherwise, you are just another lounge singer or singer on Cruise Ship singing Can't Help Falling In Love... again. Still - - not hte best for Katherine. Im reaaaaaaallllly worried guys.

So what do I think?

I'm not really sure. If it was up to me? Taylor and Katherine in the bottom two with Taylor finally going home.

However, that goofy sucker has such a following - - "the soul patrol" I think he calls it?

I hope Katherine doesnt get screwed. She had a rough night - - the only girl in the top 4 and having to sing Elvis. Geez. Of course, Elliot could be the big surprise and go home tomorrow.

Alright guys - I'm going to bed.


I still think it SHOULD be Chris and Kat in the finale with Chris winning it all.

THE NAME GAME! Joy Joy Bo Boy Banana Fanna fo Foy, Me My Mo Moy... JOY

IT'S NAME GAME FRIDAY!

Here is a funny little survey you can do real quick....

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet and current street name)

King Drexel


2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your dad's side, your favorite candy)

Anna Twizzlers


3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME: (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your middle name)

J ann

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: ( favorite color, favorite animal)

Red Kitty


5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)

Anna Oklahoma City


6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name, first 3 letters of your pet's name)

Ket Wad Duf


7. JEDI NAME: (middle name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards)

anna edaw


8. SUPERHERO NAME: ("The", your favorite color, the automoblie you drive)

The Red Sedona

PICS Galore

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL

Especially when it comes to Chris Daughtry...

My God, didja watch that man take command of tonights show from the get go?
He sang Renegade better than the original! He is SUCH the star!! He was exhausted by the end - you could tell

Lets see - - the rundown...

Elliot - I thought he did well on both songs tonight, however, when you are down to the last few weeks, you need to have a song or songs that outshines all the others... he did well, but he was not giving any WOW to me.

Paris - She sang Kiss. In. four. inch. heels.
It was rough - probably because she did way too much walking.
The Mary J Blige was better but again it's kind of the Elliot factor. No major Wow factor there.


Chris - - look above!

Katherine - - I love Phil Collins - - she should have left htat one alone - - but that made me think - they need to do an American Idol/Genesis/Phil Collins Show next season!
Her second song? Dont know what its called - - LOVED IT. In the floor - - with the guys on the box drums - - so cool. She did awesome.

Taylor - I Loved his first song! (Play That Funky Music White Boy) Cant stand to watch him though - - its like he is having seizures.
Second song - Something. The Beatles? Didnt like it - - I was yawning.

CHRIS AND KAT GUYS - -

Who's going? I predict Paris

Can anyone tell me why in Gods name, my flippin side bar is down at hte bottom of the page?

How can I pull it back to the top??

Help guys!

Not at the DINNER TABLE!!!

So today my in-laws came over for lunch - - a really impromptu thing - since my father-in-law and I have been at odds a bit lately. The brought ribs and brisket and an Italian Creme cake, so Joygirl was not going to complain. All in all it was going well. While we were eating, my MIL noticed a bracelet that my daughter Amber was wearing. She explained that it was mine but that she had one just like it in another color and that we had gotten them as stocking stuffers.

In jumps Darling Rikki, my 14 year old.

"Yeah, I got one too - - along with some makeup brushes, and earrings

and... oh and

BIG HAIRY BALLS..."

Imagine the stunned silence that surrounded the dinner table at that moment. My in-laws looked as if they were about to fall over. I just KNOW that they are thinking that my girls learn this kind of stuff from me because "their baby" would never teach his daughter to talk like that.

I broke the quiet - -

"Rik, dont EVER say that at the dinner table - - or anywhere for that matter!

"Say what Mom?"

in shushed tones "big hairy balls".

"But Momma, that's what we got!"

At this point my FIL is laughing, my MIL snorting...

and I am red as a tomato... Ahhhh children. What a way to break the tention at the dinner table today.
_____________________________________________

So I know, I know. You are wondering "What was she talking about??"
Get your minds out of the gutter and look below!! ;)

Pics!

Here is a pic of My friend Jennie and I from last weekend. You can read about it a few blogs back...









This is Jennie and her Mom Faye and myself - - Joy's not looking so hot, huh?


Annnnnd, she's gonna hate me for this one...

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head...

My poor Husband...

He is so sweet - - so earnest - - so clumsy.

Last night he decided that he would go out into the garage and attack the den of iniquities that has become his shop. You could not even find a wrench if you wanted to before, so I "ever so sweetly" asked that he straighten it up. It is a project that he has needed to start up for quite some time. He went out there full of energy and ready to go...

go into a downward spiral that is...

Things were going fine - - he cleaned it all up put a bunch of stuff into the cabinets that he installed last year, He moved a lot of things to where they are supposed to go in the drawers of his tool chests, it all look SO much better. He had time to spare right? He decided that he would do some work on his motorcycle. I was in here watching Son In Law (because Pauley Shore never stops being funny to me, call me a victim of the era I grew up in)when all of a sudden I hear the worse banging and clanging out in the garage. I jumped up and ran out to the garage to find my husband kicking and yelling at inanimate objects. There might have been a little cussing involved as well...

Come to find out, he reached up into his cabinet to get something and the whole cabinet came crashing off the wall. All of his neatly put away things? They poured out all over his work bench and floor. I went to see if I could possibly help, relieved that he was okay. There was one more cabinet up on the wall - one lonely cabinet that was standing strong up on the wall. He goes to move the fallen cabinets and the last cabinet falls - almost on his head. It was too funny. I started to chuckle but it was pissing him off so I went back inside.

There was quite a bit of banging and clanging coming from the garage for the next 45 minutes or so, and then he emerged from the garage - dirty and reaking of gasoline. Whatever - - all in all he seemed okay. I didn't have to duck and cover from the anger explosions! LOL

He was hungry. I told him we had some hotdogs left over from the grill the other day. He went in to the kitchen (after cleaning up of course) and gets to work. I was sitting in the office watching my movie and out of the corner of my eye I see him slinging a bottle of something. I look just in time to see him sling hotdog relish all over the tile. The splat seemed to echo. The silence was deafening. I quietly ask "Why did you sling that?" He replied "I dont know. I was trying to get it out of the bottle." I walk into the kitchen hoping to see a little blob of relish - - instead I saw about a 4 1/2 foot swath of it across the tile. This from my husband. My husband - - who has a Masters lever college education.


He is just looking at me with this dang it look on his face waiting for me to freak out on him for ruining my clean kitchen...

I started to laugh... I mean, laugh so hard I almost pee'd my pants. At first he was grumbling at himself but then he started to laugh as well. We were dying. What else could go wrong for him?? When stuff like this happens you just have to make the best of it and laugh - - right? Some days, you just can't get anything right.

SO we headed off to bed - call an end to this day and start off tomorrow, right?
But nooooooooo.....my husband is not a quitter.
He rolled over and tries to start up "another project".

Okay, so maybe he can still do some things right... ;)

No More Picklehead

THERE IS SOME JUSTICE IN THIS WORLD...

The nation finally got rid of Miss Kelly Picklehead on American Idol tonight.

And the best part? They did not have her sing... WHEW!!!

I'm sure her "star will shine bright" for a little while but then, in true Hollywood fashion, it shall fade - - thank God. At least she can count on an illustrious career as a stripper back in Abermarle blah blah blah...

Oh,
And the title of my last post? That was what my daughter asked me when she looked at Andrea Bochelli. And yes, he IS blind... LOL

Dude... is Andrea Bochelli blind or something??

I was already online when AI came on tonight so I decided it would be fun to make my comments as they were singing and then say whether I agree or disaggree with the judges... Here goes nothing...

Katherine - I Have Nothing - Loved the yellow dress - - DAMN she was hot tonight. She started out a little rocky and was a little off pitch but my oh my she nailed it. Loved the attitude. A little campy - overdramatic -just like Whitney.

I think the judges are being too rough on her! Are they even watching the show tonight? Yes, I agree that she was "pitchy" but I think she really pulled it off. Geez - - have they listened to Kelly Pickler at ALL this season? I swear if the judges wax on about Kelly tonight I will retch...
_______________________________________________________________________________
Elliot - A Song For You - What he needs is a bigger tie...Who is Donnie Hathaway? LOL! The lighting is incredible on him. Why does Elliot always seem so unsure of himself in his facial expressions? As usual, his vocals are incredible. He was phenomenal. First thing Elliot needs to buy when he makes it big? Porcelen Veneers.

Paula - suck it up with the crying for petes sake... I agree with the judges
Oh great - next is Kelly Picklehead.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Kelly - Unchained Melody - Dear God... If this dumb blonde does not go too the bottom three this week I SWEAR this show is 100% rigged. She should never have stood up on Ohhhh. She's sharp, flat sickening as usual and she stank up the stage. That was painful...

Hello the high note sucked Randy... Go ahead Paula - tell her she sucked. FINALLY Simon was honest. She was henious. There is a picture of her next to the work henious in the dictionary now...
_______________________________________________________________________________
Paris - Memories - Sweetie - - black girls should not sing Barbara Streisand...

I disagree with the judges - - she pulled it off but barely. And Paula said she was the best female vocal of the night... No. Katherine has her beat.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Taylor - Just Once - Eww hes flat and sharp - - he started to get better - - lots of growling
You know Paula will love it. As my friend Crystal just told me - - bad karaoke.

If Randy says "I dont know whats going on tonight" once more... I'll scream. Simon was right on bad lounge act - - and I think Paula is suffering from PMS. See, I think he does ok, but American Idol good? I mean, these 6 people are suppposed to be the best of all the millions of people that auditioned...
_______________________________________________________________________________
Chris - Have really ever loved a Woman - I like the touch of hte guitarist on either side of him. The tempo is a little fast - making him struggle. I LOVE THIS MAN! I think he pulled it off with GUSTO!!

The judges agree with me...
_______________________________________________________________________________

Who has my vote? KAT and CHRIS

Who has GOT to be in the bottom three?

PICKLEHEAD! For the love of Peter, Paul and Mary combined!

I gotta go - - We have cows... ("Twister" reference)

I am sitting here with my husband and Daddy watching the favorite sport of the state of Oklahoma every spring.

We call it

TORNADO WATCH/WARNING

The media has literally made a sport out of it here. The ever famous Gary England of KWTV Channel 9 is the best showstopper. He's the weather gut that you see in the movie Twister. He is the best weatherman in the state and he is a legend. Anyhoo, he's got his storm chasers going after tornados tonight. Val and Mason are my favorite stormchasers. The get the most excited...

Channel 9 just bought a new high falutin' helicopter and camera and we have been watching amazing footage. My poor Dad - - it was so painful for him as we watched a tornado head straight for the brand new hangers at El Reno Airport. It tore it apart and plane are shredded. I bet I know what his next presidents article will be about for the Oklahoma Pilots Association.

Hey I've got a great idea for a drinking game here in Oklahoma. Every time Gary England says "Hook Echo" you have to take a shot... Whaddaya think??

Whooooo Hoooo - it's gettin' excitin' tonayt her in Oklahoma.

This ladies and gentlemen is about as redneck as I can get for you...

Gotta go - I'm missing the show!

This weekend I...

I went to to Tulsa this weekend to see one of my dearest friends - - Jennie Rikkola. Sunday her family had a ginormous 90th birthday party for Grandma Peg Rikkola so the whole Rikkola family has emerged onto the Rikkola family compound in Owasso and started partying likes its 1999.

I finally got to meet Jennie's husband. He's a Star Wars freak like my husband. Really nice guy. Exactly what I would have picked for Jennie.

And of course, I got to flirt with a certain Mr. Man. He's a gorgeous, blondish, blue eyed doll.

Oh, and he's one.

------------------------------------------------------

Sickos, Im talking about Jen's little boy Gavin.

My Jin went with me (Sara decided to forgo the trip because it was Popcorn day at school and that is apparently like Christmas to her) Jin had a blast playing with Jennie's little girl Cloie.

I got to see Jen's parents Tom & Faye and her sisters as well. I had a blast. This family is so amazing. Most people do not have such a family! They love each other so much. They joke, laugh, actually talk to each other, and treat each other with care and love. The most incredible thing about this family is how they make you feel like you are a part of the family.

There are just not enough families like that anymore. I WISH that my family was that tight.

I could tell go on, but I will instead use this particular blog entry to solicit Jennie Rikkola - Prince.

JENNIE, IT IS TIME YOU GET A BLOG! GO TO THE TOP LEFT HAND CORNER OF THIS BLOG AND CLICK! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! ;)

She has a million and one stories in a single day that are fantastically hilarious and she is being stingy with the rest of the world by not sharing them!!!

**Well, for some reason I cannot post the pictures that I took. Flippin' blogger!***

Stat Counter

So I have been reading my friends blogs and several have been commenting on stat counter and the funny things that their blogs get referred for. My main referral?

ARMANDE ASANTE

"What?" you ask...

Wellllll... back in Aug 2005 I did a rant blog about running into Armande Asante at the mall and what a jerk he was to us.

I cannot believe how many people search for him on google...

Why???

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you all that.

Oh, and Mr. Asante, even if you are a big jerk in person to very nice and helpful people in the mall, I still think you did really well in "The Odyssey"

Family Pictures

Yesterday we made the trek to Tulsa to take family pictures. Why Tulsa? Because of Woodward park. This time of year the azaleas are in full bloom and it is beautiful! What we didn't expect... Heat. Opressive heat. JULY heat - - and the added bonus of humidity. Florida-esque humidity. Yippee...

No matter - - if the azaleas bloom, they will come. And we did.

It really wasnt that bad. Yes, it was friggin' hot, but manageable. The hair was trashed for me though. Everyone in the family has curly hair but me! I had bought white dresses for Sara and Jin and white cotton shirts for Everyone else but myself... I found ONE but it was too big. Whatever, I bought it and it looks like a moo-moo shirt on me, but I had to match!!

We had a lot of fun. My best friend came to the park and took the pictures of us as a family.

Here are a few of the pictures.

American Idol Ga-ga

I was so excited to see AI last night - - mainly because they were singing the songs of one of my all time favorite bands - Queen. I grew up on Queen. I remember singing Bicycle while riding my bike with the training wheels still attached. My brothers and I used to love to sing Flash Gordon and act it out, LOL. And my Mom and I would sing The Show Must Go On. I won't go on though...

That's not what this post is about though. This post is about how utterly disappointed I am in the AI judges and a few of the singers last night.

Here I go down the list...

Bucky - Fat Bottom Girls - I COULD NOT believe that he say this. And in his intro he actually said "Cause everyone loves to see fat bottom girls" OMG, I was cracking up.
He actually did it okay though! Don't get me wrong - - I am on the "Vote Bucky off" bandwagon, but he did okay - - kind of made it a southern rock sound - -it was ok! My 6 year old, Sara, was rocking to it - - it's her fave Queen song, lol.

Ace - We Will Rock You - Again, Sara was jamming - literally singing at the top of her lungs until hubby told her to hush.
I have to say I felt sorry for Ace... The way Brian May just shut him down when Ace was trying to get him to change the way he played his music...Priceless - - and Oh so uncomfortable to watch! Dear, sweet Ace. God he's pretty, but he's starting to annoy - - seriously annoy. His voice was not near tough enough for this song - - oh and he just had to throw in his falsetto - - on we will rock you??? No. I was waiting on him to start rubbing his scar again...

Kelly - Bohemian Rapsody - ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH! This girl MUST be "servicing" the judges somehow... Did ANY of the judges hear her SING?????? She literally butchered the song. God she grossed me out from beginning to end! She sharp, she was flat, she ran out of breath - - must I go on? She can barely carry a tune - - shes doing well off her looks alone - and obviously not her brains - they're not there. I CANNOT believe they had nothing negative to say... I am SO disappointed in Simon. Can you tell I am getting a little miffed about her? LOLOL

Chris - Innuendo - I was worried about this song because it is so unknown. But you know what?
IT'S ALL CHRIS.
Dang that boy is good.

Katherine - Who wants to live forever - Stunning - she kept giving me chills. She was a little throaty belting the song out, but she was awesome. And the lighting?? Phenomenal. I swear, AI has gotton so much better in their production quality.

Elliot - Somebody to Love - great voice, great song. Had to close my eyes again. I can't look at him.

Taylor - Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Simon was hilarous on this "Taylor, are you drunk?" It was a mess... and I swear - when he dances it's like a full on body
spasm.

Paris - The Show Must Go On - Gave me chills. Possibly the best Miss Paris has done.

Overall? Katherine and Chris -

Who should Go? KELLY, but since that won't happen... BUCKY.

(Can I also just say that I LOVED watching my 6 year old Jam to Queen last night??)

Oh, want to hear a rip of The Tem Commandments that played on ABC on Monday and Tuesday nights? Go see my husband. Just click on The Hot Husband over at my blogroll on the right. Go see all my other friends while you are there!

Mom always said "Don't run in the house"

Yeaaaah... could that be more true?

So yesterday when the husband got home from work, the cable guy was here, the girls were all hyper from the fact that we ordered Pizza for dinner and Mom and Dad did not help the situation AT ALL...

We were just as hyper - - Not sure why. The cable guy must have thought we were a crazy family!

So back to the story... I went into the bedroom where Husband was changing clothes and we started teasing each other - - one thing led to another and the next thing I know he's chasing me through the house. We got to the living room and I hear my daughter say "Don't run in the house" in her most motherly tone. Just as I am thinking "Aw shut it Meem" WHAM!

I ran into the coffee table. HARD. REALLY HARD.

My knee hit it just right. you know - in that soft spot to the side of your knee cap? YEAH, that one.

I immediately fell onto the couch... tears springing forth, ticking me off even more. I have what looks like half a golf ball next to my knee cap and now I walk all gimpy.

My dear, sweet, compassionate husband could not stop laughing long enough to see if I was ok. Precious.

My three year old was the only compassionate soul in my house. She came and hugged on me and said "Is alright Mamma".

My "darling" teenagers mockingly said (again) "That's why you're not supposed to run in the house... MOM"

Damn...

Lesson learned

Mawwage...

Mawwage is wat bwings us togedder today..."Waav... twue waav..."

Sorry guys... I just had to quote one of my favorite movies, The Princess Bride -

Monty and I got back from our weekend all giddy & lovey-dovey. (this is where you start to gag)

Well, we got home to reality again.

Apparently ANTS have decided to take up residence with us. I HATE ants. My younger daughters are horrified by this statement because they have this "disney-fied" idea of everything. No kids, this is not "A Bugs Life" we're runnung here.

I am grossed out. My baby, Jin, decided to try to win me over. She brought one to me on her hand and said "see Mom? This is a nice ant" AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Monty could not do anything last night when he got home until the entire inside and out of the house was sprayed.

We have a mysterious leak in our daughters bathroom. It is so strange...out in the middle of the floor, and my big brother is going to have to help us with this one...

Our ceiling leaked in our master bathroom while we were gone. A large peel of popcorn ceiling greeted us when we came home... I hate popcorn ceilings.

AAAND, Ben Franklin screwed me up with his silly Daylight savings time. Jin wakes me up every couple hours - - why? I dont know. But that, coupled with losing an hour makes Joygirl a very cranky girl.

This is a small sampling of what we have been dealing with.

The thing that has kept all of this in perspective is my marriage.

Yeah, this weekend was awesome. We had so much fun - - we met some really cool people, made some new friends, and got to reconnect this weekend. But then we came home to near disasters coming from every corner. Reality...

Monday was all about coping. by last night however, we were spent. We decided to put all the kids to bed 30 minutes early and watch a movie together. We had rented a movie called "The Story of Us" with Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer. We sat down to watch it and because of this movie got to reconnect again in the most simplistic way.


That movie will make you laugh, cry and relate so easily if you are married. Some of the arguments they had were almost verbatim to what Monty and I have fought about. The characters go through this time when they evaluate their life together and come to major realizations about who they are and how they are together and realize that they have invested so much into their life that it was foolish to give that up. It happens in such a realistic way. By the end of the movie we were both crying. After the movie was over we just sat there and told each other how incredible it is to be married to each other - - and how lucky we are - -how hard we will always work for us, through it all - - to continue to create the story of us.

Leaving for the weekend

The husband and I are getting outta town!

We were invited to a marriage conference this weekend in Historic Guthrie Oklahoma.

Have a great weekend and I will see ya next week!

Baaaaaaad Bosses

my darling dearest friend Tracy blogged about her worst bosses the other day and it really got me to thinking about my "boss history". We've all had terrible experiences in one way or the other. Mine are no exception...

When I was 15 I worked for my Dad's dear friends whom I had known my entire life.

Greeks.

Being a Greek myself I didnt think a thing about it - I would be favored, right? WRONG.

He would go into rants about anything and we allllllll got screamed at. I distinctly remember his spit landing on my cheek. Joy ouuuut.
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One summer I worked at a snow cone stand for about 20 hours a week. I loved it - it was always freezing cold and I COULD EAT ALL THE SNOW CONES I WANTED. Thats alot to a teen. My boss was rarely around - it was all together great...except -
He would freaking pay me in dollar bills. I'd get 87 gollar bills and he'd make me count them back to him. I kept the job till school started but decided that as for working next year - I was done with my fingernails being stained the colors of the rainbow and getting paid in dollar bills like a bad stripper. At least this boss was not as bad as my next boss.
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Next is the WORST BOSS EVER.
Seriously, this jerk should be in jail - - I hope he is.

I worked at Sutherlands lumber (it's like Lowe's) for a summer. I doubt it's like this now, but all the cashiers were female and we were referred to as the Sutherlands girls. We were told to look a certain way (ie. always wear makeup and no pony tails), and act a certain way with our predominintly male clientele. No problem. It was better than being a Hooters girl...

Well... enter ther BOSSMAN FROM HELL.
He would reach into you till and take a doller or two and tell you to reconcile it by shorting a customer his change as bossman was stuffing it into his pocket. If you did not reconcile you got written up - - 3 times and you were out. If you asked how we were to short a customer with out them knowing he's say things like "you better turn on your sexuality so that he won't notice". Seriously...

The worst part was the physical sexual harassment we dealt with from him. Things like this would NEVER happen today - - I'd be a very rich girl

If he caught you bending over under your register or anthing at all he would come and ram his crotch into your butt and slap your hip. He would constantly rub across your chest "by accident" and many more disgusting things. He was a fat, old man with bad breath. I could not take it... 2 months and I was outta there. 2 MONTHS you say... Why did I wait that long? I promised my parents I would work all summer to pay for my gas money. I was basically working for gas and as a teenager it was hard to get jobs. I really did not know any better I am ashamed to say. Back then nothing was ever said about harassement in the workplace.

I've had 2 female bosses - both of them toooo much to deal with - I won't elaborate except to say its the PITS working under women.

I have also worked for my husband -- he was "the boss". That worked fine for me. I really still got my way all the time.
And as for sexual harassement in that workplace - - happened ALLLLLL the time. And that was OOOOOOOOOKAAAAAAAAAY

Somewheeeeeeeeeere over the rainbow...

Today garners the first tornado warning of the season ladies and gentlemen!

Almost the whole state is under Tornado watch/warning.

And I have to go to a funeral... should be interesting.

Pray we don't get whisked away to Oz!

AI Shocker

I was literally shocked last night when Katherine ended up in the bottom three! Unbelievable...
Vote people!

American Idol opinions as usual

Sooo disappointed in Idol last night. It was just blah.
I have some major clothes folding to do so I will give you what I though of each one really quick

Lisa - Because of You - She was flat most of the song - Painful. Bombed!

Kelly - Suds in the bucket - umm, yeah can she see if she can carry a tune in that bucket? She sucked. I dont know WHY people like her. Shes cute - -thats it. She's the American Idol cross to bear.

Ace - Drops of Jupiter - Dude... rubbing your scar like that? Eewww, no. His voice is not edgy enough for that song.

Taylor - Trouble - Now see, I thought he did well. He has never really grabbed me like everyone else but last night I really liked him. Im so glad he got a haircut...

Mandisa - Wanna Praise You - Could she kick any more A**? This time I disagree with Simon (which never happens) - -It was fabulous.

Chris - What if - My baby looked hot last night, voice was yummy, but it was a little to hard core for idol. Still incredible. I would pay to see him in concert.

Katherine McPhee - The Voice Within - She started out flat - not enough breath behind her voice - BUT she pulled a rabbit out of her hat and did fantastic, as usual.

Bucky - Real Good Man - He may be a "real bad boy" but his performance was even worse. Dear God - - i have to agree with my friend Crystal - - his mouth makes my teeth hurt.

Paris - Work it Out -Yikes... Whatever - she still looks like a little girl trying to be sexy and sing grown up songs.

Elliot - I dont Wanna Be - I don't know how he looked because I had my eyes closed his entire performance. his voice was awesome as usual, but he messed up his words at the beginning and it felt like he was struggling with timing and cadence the whole time.
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Who should get voted off this week?

Bucky or Lisa. I am aiming toward Bucky because I think Lisa had a bad night - - but shes next to go.
Lets see how it goes this tonight!

Sleep Deprivation

Several weeks ago we finally put Jin into a big-girl bed. Jin calls it her good-girl bed. Whatever... I call it flippin' miserable for MOM.

Jin was a very easy baby. I never had a problem getting her to go to bed and I rarely had to get up in the middle of the night.

THIS HAS ALL CHANGED SINCE THE "GOOD-GIRL" BED...

Now she is up 3-4 times a night - - just crying for no reason. I go in, I quiet her, she goes back to sleep, I stay up for another 30 minutes. I don't understand why this is a problem here.

Then there are mornings like this morning. She gets up before any of us and goes to lay down on the couch to sleep... ARRRGH.

Then she waits until after Monty goes to work and announces loudly to all in the house, (the cats, dog, Sara and me) that she now has to pee-pee in the "good-girl" potty.

Now Jinny Jin is like Seinfeld's George Costanza. They both must take all their clothes off to use the bathroom. Why?? Not sure. Im just glad shes potty trained. She works at taking her jammies off, gets it stuck on her head and begins the screaming. I bolt out of bed, confused and half asleep to find my baby walking in circles pulling at the jammie top firmly wrapped around her head. She trips over one of 7 dozen barbies and falls - - luckily - - into my arms.

Wake up Mom.

Fast forward an hour. I am sitting at my computer drinking my tea, trying to wake up still - and Monty emails me. "Good morning. Sleep well?"

NO... NO I DID NOT. I SLEPT TERRIBLY...I HATE THAT YOU DON'T EVER GET UP INSTEAD OF ME...

"Yes, I slept fine. Things are great. The kids are fine. They are being great, everything is wonderful."

It's 11:30 and I am still in my pj's. I guess it's time to embrace the day.

Cool Personality Test

This was really fun to do - - take 10 minutes and do it too!

My Personal Dna Report

I am a Benevolent Creator

The new blonde at Rantings

So do ya like the blonde?

Addiction, Addition and Admissions

Hi...

My name is Joygirl...

and I am addicted to - -

flip flops.

15 pair... count 'em FIFTEEN!

This does not include the 7 or so pair that I make my daughters share with me as well...

I can barely walk into my closet right now because of flip flops. They litter the floor. My husband does not understand that each and every flip-flop is special to me. He's glad we have seperate closets.

I need a program... at leat 12 steps. And maybe some long-term therapy.
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Oh, BTW, this very sick entry is my 100th blog entry! I wish I would have had a counter from the very beginning to see how many people have come on in.
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I am blonde now...
Veeeery blonde.
Kelly Picklehead Pickler blonde.
I'm not sure how it happened. My cousin Melissa and I were just doing streaks - - Yeah.... streaks.
I'm a banana blonde.
Dang it.

American Idol stuff

Didja watch last night? Didja? Didja?

What about Tuesday night? Didja?

Okay, I have to first admit that I am not giddy about the 50's theme this week. That being said -

MANDISA
Mandisa was awesome. She looked beautiful. I am so tired of people making Weight Watchers jokes about her. She was wailing and it was incredible as usual.

KATHERINE
She was smouldering hot. She is strong every week. I totally see her quietly kicking A** every week and seeing her in the top three.

CHRIS
As I have said before, he is (in so many ways) already a star. He just has start quality. AAANNNNNND, hes easy on Miss Joy's eyes people...
I really dislike Johnny Cash, and he rocked it.

ELLIOTT
If I can just keep my eyes closed and LISTEN to him sing hes fabulous. He has a gorgeous voice.

ACE
If I can just close my ears and WATCH him sing he's fabulous. He's gorgeous.
No really, he has a nice voice - - but the falsetto - -golly gee Mrs. Cleaver...

I AM SO GLAD they finally got rid of Chicken Little. He was wearing me slick. My daughters really liked to watch him sing though because his nostrils would get huge and they would laugh hysterically.
He has a decent voice - - maybe when her grows up a bit he'll get better. Good luck to him.

Okay people, it's time...

PICKLEHEAD...

Miss Kelly's wearing me SLICK you guys. Her little "fresh from the farm" act was cute in the beginning, but now it's really hurting her. She's got a huge label smacked on her head as the AI dummy... Her song was okay - - but I have seen equal performances from drunk girls singing Karaoke. Trust me... I used to own a mobile karaoke company. LOLOL I will give it to her, she is cute.
She HAD to bring up the mink thing again - - man, give it a rest Ellie Mae. She's the kind of dummy that will receive a call from a nasty mag like Hustler and be all excited because it will help "further her illustrious career."
WAIT...
Maybe she will replace Jessical Simpson as Hollywoods "dumb blonde"!
There's her new niche.

Most of you know about the blog PostSecret , and my addiction to it (thanks to you Jen). :)

Tequila Red just got me a new drug...
Check out these new secrets .
I could read these all day.
Why am I such a voyuer?

Sicko...

Join my cult people.

Deeeep Thoughts... from the Desperate Housewife.

***NEWSFLASH***

Last night was Jin's first night in a BIG GIRL BED.

I know, I know, you are thinking to yourself "Dang, isnt she a little old to have been in a crib?"
The answer is "probably" but she really loved her bed (the crib) and never tried to climb out. I didn't want to spend the money until it was absolutely necessary.

Well, my friend Ashley had a toddler bed just sitting in her garage so she offered it to me.

You can't beat free.

Jin only got up 2 times last night.

This morning I woke up, opened my eyes and saw her standing there 5 inches from my face, giddily half-screaming "GOOD MERNIN MOMMA!!"

Aahhhh it begins...
I guess I have to start locking the door. LOL

Funniest thing I heard this weekend...

You know the Kanye West song "Gold digger"?

Now I aint sayin she a gold digger,
But she aint messin wit no broke niggaz.

There is a spoof song out right now - -

Now I aint sayin she a nose picker
But what she doin wit that forefinger?

Toooo funny. We've been singing it to my 3 year old nose picker all weekend. It's her tick. She always has her finger in her nose. GROSSSS. It's like she's too good for the 50 boxes of tissues we have around the freaking house.

Who can tell me how to get her stop? I'm open to suggestions.

Oh, and I got the lyrics to Gold digger off the internet. I don't normally spell like that... intentionally.

Timmy and Cindy

In my hometown of Owasso there is a community project that they are SOO proud of. It is called "The Timmy and Cindy Project". I for one am totally creeped out by the whole thing. Timmy and Cindy are a series of medium sized bronze statues of children stragetically placed throughout the city.

Call it silly, but bronze statues of little kids with hollow little eyes scares me! Kid Statues and clowns... but thats another blog entry.

My best friend Crystal and I absolutely love making fun of Timmy and Cindy. Yesterday, I get a call from Crystal saying that (again) the city has made Timmy and Cindy a bit more festive for the holiday.

THEY ACTUALLY DRESS THEM UP FOR THE SEASONS...SERIOUSLY.

At Christmas it's Santa hats. Easter brings out the bunny ears, etc. Is there a commitee of elderly ladies that decorate the Timmy and Cindy's of Owasso?

It's strange...


Yesterday, we had a bunch of Irish Timmy and Cindy's complete with little green hats.
I would LOVE from someone to have deposited a couple of Killians bottles at the base of the statues.
I totally need someone photoshop beer bottles into this pic.

Creepy little kids...

Oh, and thanks Crystal for driving around taking pics of hte devil children for me. XOXO!