Florida Weather

Some days it just pays to be in Florida...



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Been a busy couple of days. Tired, kids have colds and too many things to get done. Hope everyone is doing well... hope to catch up on my reading of blogs soon!

UPDATE: Look at Thursday night!

Stephen King Has Nothin' Compared to Me

Thanks to Sticks, I had a title for this post. That and Tink putting out THIS POST. Ohhh... and the vultures. The other day, while my internet and phone service was out, my neighbor came over to the front door and knocked on it. Scared me as I wasn't expecting anyone. And here is the conversations we had:

Neighbor: Is Happy Dog ok?
Me: Huh? yaaa, why?
Neighbor: Look at the number of vultures on your roof and in your yard. I was worried. If he is ok, what died?
Me: Well, there was a dead small gator and raccoon across the street in the swell.
Neighbor: Hmm. That might be it, but boy are there are lot of vultures.

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No kidding, there were over 200 vultures... that was when I stopped counting. Here are a few pictures of that day:



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And this is NOT the whole set I could have shown. I should have known it was a sign... a sign that I was going to lose phone and internet. ARGHHHHHHHH.

Yaa. I was not a happy camper. Bellsouth (now AT&T) got an earful from me. And yes, it was followed up with an email. I might lose internet again next week. They are sending me a new 'modem' since the one I have is no longer on their list of supported modems. I have an 'old' modem. blhhhhhhhhh. Which you can see is working just fine. Another one of those 'issues' they tried to hide behind instead of fixing the problem. I feel a rant coming on, I'm signing off and going to play with my kids. Also, the in-laws are here and I should really pay attention to them as well.

UPDATE: There is even a better Stephen King 'story' over HERE.

A Worthy Conclusion

to bug's vulture problem. Curtesy of our mother:

The Bug has been zapped. Told her she shouldn't have put that bug zapper out; but did she listen to me? Noooooo. She has no internet connection as the line has been cut by another utility company (ie. the water company).

She is so NOT in a good mood. So if you plan on visiting this weekend, I would highly suggest you stay away (not the blog of course, because I will periodically jump in here to leave some gems of wisdom; but from her personally.)

She does apologize to those with whom she had made a commitment for this evening (you know who you are. Don't you?) but doesn't at this time know when she may be getting her connection back.

Of course, you realize that I haven't even posted on my blog for the last day or two and here she has me writing up hers for her.

Oh I know what to say.... I got an Oscar Meyer wienie whistle this morning when the Weinermobile stopped by the office (perks of working for a newspaper). But it just rolled over everyone's head when I mentioned how jealous Judge Reinhold is going to be.

Okay, I've got to get back to work now so I will see you later.

Tuesday Morning

I walked out to the driveway on Tuesday morning to 'sneak' some more trash out in the trash cans and this is what I saw (click to enlarge picture):



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I hope they leave soon... it has started to creep me out.

This Is The Way We Make A Mess

I decided to try some new 'organic' all purpose flour. This meant fun for the boys. Bread from scratch!



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I must remember to turn the TV off when we are working in the kitchen together:



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Someone stopped by and while I was talking to them out front, there ended up flour all over the floor. Tater was a sweetie, because when I came back in he was trying to clean it up. I vacuumed the flour and my boys and cleaned it up. Next time I will have to just tell them I'll get with them later. Sigh... must engage brain when children are around... ohhh wait... that means it must be working 24x7. Sigh... not going to happen. GRIN

More Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

A friend sent me this today:

Maxine on Border Control.....



Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately; illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, wild animals attacking humans in Florida.

Not me. I concentrate on solutions to problems. The result is a win-win-win situation:

+ Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border

+ Use the dirt to raise the levies in New Orleans

+ Put the Florida alligators in the moat.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

Most of these are self explanatory...

Redneck Pictures:



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A New Neighbor

First a couple of these guys moved onto our back porch:



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Which someone told me was not poisonous... they might be but I can't figure out how to look them up to see what they are. Then a new type of spider moved in... this one worries me... it 'looks' poisonous ... ok, to me it does... anyone know what it is?



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Never a dull moment around here.

They Don't Have 2 Kids and a Dog

I posted that 'Dusted' yesterday because sometimes stuff like that helps me get in perspective. Though, whoever wrote that did NOT have 2 kids and a dog and live on a dirt road. Trust me... I have to vacuum constantly or we would be knee deep in dirt. Speaking of which. I have had a week of major sleep deprivation and posting will be light for the next 2 days. I'll get the pictures and stories out as soon as I can start thinking again.

Dust, dust, dust

Dusting

"A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture."

I can't tell you how many countless hours that I have spent CLEANING!

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect -- "in case someone came over." Then I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!

Now, when people visit, I find no need to explain the "condition" of my home. They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it!

Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter,bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go -- and go you must -- you, yourself will make more dust!

Words, words, words...

Word happy... I did ok. I guess I need to pull out the ol' dictionary and check some of those words out. I have seen them in use (or heard them)... all of them. Sigh. My memory just isn't what it use to be.

Hat tip to Tink.

Your Vocabulary Score: B

You have a zealous love for the English language, and many find your vocabulary edifying. Don't fret that you didn't get every word right, your vocabulary can be easily ameliorated!

How's Your Vocabulary?

Plant Insanity

Remember that little tomato plant that came up in my Gardenia? Here it is now ... with 14 tomatoes:



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And Tater's plant that he started in PreSchool...

What Kind of Food Are You?

Hat Tip to TINK

You Are Mexican Food

Spicy yet dependable. You pull punches, but people still love you.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Interesting choice it gave me. What kind of food are you?

Here Vulture, Vulture, Vulture

Seems we have been taken over by Vultures! Here are a few that liked my fence:



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They decided to roost in a tree nearby:



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What's next?

Webcam for Our Soldiers

I love having a webcam to talk to my sister and my mom. The kids enjoy it even more... (when it's working), so I will mention this particular post from Iowa Geek.

Anyone want to help? I would love to be able to send a few webcams over. I know that when my brother was gone the emails and phone calls were great but it would have been so nice to see his face.

How can you help? Well, here are some options:
You can get a webcam for about $20. If you want to use Amazon I have search link below on the left side of the blog. If you want to buy one and send it to me I will send it on.

If you want to donate money for this cause I guarantee that every penny will be used for this cause. I have a PayPal account with the email JLHalsted(at)hotmail(dot)com.

I do not have the amazon link but please head over to Iowa Geek... or if you have an old webcam (with disk) get in touch with them.

Clean up, clean up, everyone every where

I had the chance to do 2 hours of cleaning the other day. I buckled down and decided what I would get done. I cleaned off a shelf in the garage (and this means I put every thing from the shelf to where it belonged) and put boxes of labeled books on it. Just that little bit took the whole 2 hours. Yikes!

Here are some of my books that I'm boxing up:



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And here is the finished shelf in the garage:



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The worst part is I have more to do... lots more to do. Sigh.

Fat Lip and Oxiclean

Yesterday was more than entertaining. Calling the doctor's office, calling Bou (who has 3 older boys), and just trying to do my best. Now for the story...

I fed my boys lunch outside on the back porch. I went in to make my sandwich after warning them to quit playing crash trains. Next thing I know there is a cry of pain from outside. I run out to see Tot with blood all over his mouth and crying. First thing out of my mouth was... Tater did you hit Tot with a train? Ding... not the best response from a mom. Sigh. Motherhood can be soooo hard. Next was what happened? But Tot wouldn't stop crying and tell me. I then asked Tater what happen. He said Tot fell on the cement and hit his mouth. Oh no!

I could not get Tot to let me touch his mouth. He kept covering it with his sleeve or his hand. Sigh. I picked him up and held him while calling the doctor's office. They told me all the common sense stuff... get some ice or popsicle in his mouth to slow down the bleeding. Check to see if it went through the mouth. Later Bou reminded me to check for a chip tooth.

Here is a picture of my hubby's sweatshirt I was wearing (remember Tot kept covering his mouth with his own sleeve):



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Turns out that he just had the tooth go in the bottom of his inside lip and come out the top of his inside lip... I have a picture of it but thought better than to post it.

But the coolest thing of all? Watching the oxiclean on the blood. It's better than Peroxide on a cut. Normally I have no thoughts on oxiclean one way or another... but here is proof that it actually worked:



I could not get the long sleeve shirt off of Tot, so I doubt the blood will come out of that one... oh well. Is it the weekend yet?

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UPDATE:And here is a picture I took this morning of Tot... notice the 3 red spots under his lip... that is where teeth tried to come through. Ugh.

Why Bother With a Sling

It makes me wonder why they give us a sling. Take a look as we walk down the street:



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Having a great time with Uncle B... but notice the sling:



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Yep... that sling is on his back 3/4's of the time. Sigh.... 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks. 2 more weeks.

Cyborg Name

hat tip to Ogre... this was just too hilarious... I had to post it.

Get Your Cyborg Name

More Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

This just proves that we have become too dependent on our computers.

Are you male or female?

To find out the answer, "LOOK DOWN"..........
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C'mon, Not here, "LOOK DOWN".. Not Scroll down

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

A certain man was infatuated with a young woman, but was so timid he never had the courage to speak to her.

In fact, he even told his therapist that every time he got near her he felt like he was unimportant. He said that he felt as insignificant as a tiny pebble.

"Well," his therapist responded, "If you want to get the girl you'll just have to be a little boulder!"

Laugh Out Loud

I was talking to my mom about how a wrote out a grocery list and then proceeded to lose it the same day. Then my mom sent me this:



I laughed out loud when I saw it. Perfect, just perfect.

Voice Over IP

Even though we have a family plan that I can talk to Mamaw on the cell phone without 'using minutes', the kids can now talk to her over the computer. Tot l.o.v.e.s it. Every day he asks if he can call Mamaw on the computer. Luckily she is not always home at that time. Otherwise I would have my computer being used all the time!



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Isn't this just too cute for words???

Call The Police

Someone call the police!!! There are strepitous instruments being played some where in my neighborhood. Oh wait... those are my children making that noise:



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I am surprised the neighbors did not call me and ask what was going on at my house. Either people are not home at 4pm in the afternoon or they don't care...

Of Course She's Right...

Never one to mince words... Tink says:

Bug says ... I have some better ones. Well, of course, she is right.

You can check out the PICTURES HERE.

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And she isn't the only one that's right...

...curious little creatures in an odd place

Sticks has it right HERE.

Here Froggie Froggie

It amazes me what I will see when I open my door...



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First, I would love to know how he got there with the door closed most of the time...

Second, how did he get to be soooo white?



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Maybe I should get a Frog Knocker?

Eye of Newt

Definitely going to be an interesting year in our house. Tot decided that an eye injury was just what mom needed to round out the week before school starts. Yep, take a look at the dilated eyes and the little swelling... turns out his eyeball is swollen as well. Sigh... click to enlarge.

Christmas Traditions

Let's try this again. I wrote this post and thought I had put it out and it is gone. I mean... not even in the archives... gone. But the pictures are out in Image Shack... I wasn't totally imagining I wrote it.

My mom started a new tradition with the boys this year. She made sugar cookies and gingerbreadmen for the boys to decorate. After the icing was dry, they got to put them on their tree.



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The finished products:



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Before they made it to the tree a few were missing bites here and there. And a couple of them disappeared completely once Happy Dog realized there were edible items on the tree.

Guess I better get good at making sugar cookies and gingerbreadmen this year!

More Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

Since I'm off a day and going somewhere really hot in the future... might as well as have some fun. There is strong adult language at this link... particularly if you try to miss hitting the apple. Be aware the 'fire' button you need to click is on the right.


Shoot the Apple

Humor for Dreaded Wednesday

ya ya ya... so it's Thursday. I lost a day somewhere this week. Besides, I'm probably going to a very hot spot after this humor:

Finkelstein and Jesus
Jesus was wandering around Jerusalem when He decided that He really needed a new robe.

After looking around for a while, he saw a sign for Finkelstein, the Tailor. So, He went in and made the necessary arrangements to have Finkelstein prepare a new robe for Him.

A few days later, when the robe was finished, Jesus tried it on and it was a perfect fit!

He asked how much He owed. Finkelstein brushed him off: "No, no,no, for the Son of God ? There's no charge! However, may I ask for a small favor? Whenever you give a sermon, perhaps you could just mention that your nice new robe was made by Finkelstein, the Tailor ? "

Jesus readily agreed and as promised, and extolled the virtues of his Finkelstein robe whenever He spoke to the masses.

A few months later, while Jesus was again walking through Jerusalem , He happened to walk past Finkelstein's shop and noted a huge line of people waiting for Finkelstein's robes.

He pushed his way through the crowd to speak to him and as soon as Finkelstein spotted him he said: "Jesus, Jesus, look what you've done for my business! Would you consider a partnership?"

"Certainly," replied Jesus. "Jesus & Finkelstein it is."

"Oh, no, no," said Finkelstein. "Finkelstein & Jesus. After all, I am the craftsman." The two of them debated this for some time.

Their discussion was long and spirited, but ultimately fruitful and they finally came up with a mutually acceptable compromise.

A few days later, the new sign went up over Finkelstein's shop.

Can you guess what it read ?

Are you sure you want to know ?

Here it comes...

Don't say you weren't warned......

Here it comes............. (click on More Pawprints)

Are You Open Minded?

Found this over at Maranda Under Stress... I thought I would LOL when I read what it said about me.

You Are 68% Open Minded

You are a very open minded person, but you're also well grounded. Tolerant and flexible, you appreciate most lifestyles and viewpoints. But you also know where you stand firm, and you can draw that line. You're open to considering every possibility - but in the end, you stand true to yourself.

How Open Minded Are You?

Should Be In A Magazine

My sister's house, ddpup's, should be in a magazine. I was just learning to use my camera and it was on the worst possible setting for picture taking. Still, you can get the idea of how great her house looked for the holidays:

First a close up:



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Then the whole thing:



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She had a decorated tree in 4 rooms. The other were smaller trees with themes. But she also decorated up high as well:



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The pictures of the individual rooms really did not turn out, here is an example:



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Maybe Tink's pictures turned out better. If they did, I'll send you that way if she posts them. Really, the house was just gorgeous!

Crocodiles and Flat Tires

It amazes me what leap of thought my children can make. I was putting Tot to sleep last night and we were talking. Both boys are into Pokemon, Star Wars and Peter Pan. The conversations can get a little strange.

Last night was about the crocodile in Peter Pan. Tot decided that it was chasing me. Tot was saying it would "Bite Mommy". And being the smart arse that I am, I told him it couldn't bite mommy because I would take off in my race car. Tot got a big grin on his face and said "Flat Tire". HuH??? How did he know a flat tire would stop my car? Where did that come from and the logic behind it. I was so shocked I didn't even correct him and make him say a complete sentence.

Side note, Tot usually talks in complete sentences until he is tired. Then we get two or three word sentences. Like at night.

Even this morning, I am trying to figure out what he saw where to come up with a flat tire would stop my car. I think my hubby said something about Backyardigans and Austin. I'll have to do some research.

Lights Camera Action

Some days I feel like I live on a Movie Set. The drama, the acting. It is just like a scene out of some soap opera.

The scene: The kibbutz* has been awake for 2 hours. Breakfast has been offered and turned down. They have turned down doing the laundry or dishes for me as well. Now it is time to put out the mail.

Mom: Tater, Tot want to help put out the mail?
Tot: Socks and shoes on please.

Sigh. I go get socks, Tot gets the shoes, we get him dressed.

Mom: Ok, let's go.
Tater: Mom, mom, mooooommmmmm. You can't put out the mail. I need some oatmeal.
Mom: Huh? I asked you 2 hours ago if you wanted to eat. You can wait until we put out the mail.
Tater: I want to go. One sock and shoe please.

Mom goes and gets the socks. Tot brings me Tater's shoes. As mom puts on the shoes.

Tater: Only one sock and shoe.
Mom: No, you need both to go outside.
Tater: I don't want to go out. I want oatmeal. NOW. NOW. NOW!
Mom: You want a timeout? Now?
Tater: (very softly) now, please?????
Mom: No, we are going to put out the mail after you get your shoes on. You do not have to go out.

Shoes on, Mom and Tot head out to put out the mail. Tater follows.

You would think the acting would be over, right? Now it is time for the 'oatmeal'.

I make the oatmeal.

Tater: Where's the egg, toast and waffle?
Mom: What?
Tater: Where's the egg, toast and waffle?
Mom: Eat your oatmeal and I'll make the rest.
Tater: Please make the egg and toast.
Mom: Ok.

Mom makes egg and toast, puts it at the table with the now cold oatmeal. Tater gets in his chair, starts to eat.

Tater: Mom, moooommmmm. Where's the waffle?

Mom: Making it. Just eat.

Yaa... always the drama.

* I always wanted to use that word! We don't really live in a communal farm but it is a cool word. Yaa... it is a Mom does all the farm work. Nothing communal about that.

Bounce House

My sister, ddpups, bought a bounce house for the kids to play in while there. YAAAAAAAAA. That was the smartest, bestest, move ever. She has a lovely house, with lovely breakables in it. We were having Christmas dinner at her place. I was v.e.r.y worried. But the kids got worn out in the bounce house.. ok ok... it took the edge off not really getting them worn out. No matter, it made life nicer. My boys lucked out and had it to themselves for a little while. Here are some pictures:



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Evey one made it:



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Happy 2007 everyone. Hope you are getting back into the grove. Give me another couple of days. ;-)

Auburn Won!!!!

My hubby went to Auburn! And they won the Cotton Bowl today. Phew. Life is good in the vw bug household. (wink wink).


Auburn 17
Nebraska 14