Friday, September 28, 2012

I have to eat my words, and more on word verfication

Earlier this month I posted about word verification and how annoying it was. I try to comment on blogs when I get a chance but often don't end up posting after trying many times to comprehend the wacky "word verification" without success. I wondered if there were a ton of spammers out there attempting to post comments on blogs and I took the word verification off my blog.
Well. I have to say THAT was a huge pain in the bum.

I wouldn't say I was "inundated" with spam posts, but I got enough that they annoyed me.

Here is an example of one of the comments left for me:


But fashion really modify this conventional notion, with miniskirt and T-shirt, ladies can show their
personality in the street. It is html address
an opportunity for youngers to show their character in one particular moment. Follow the trend of html address
stars, discount Uggs boots clearance, now it is general circumstance in summer time,
the really significant  html address
hooks could even hold clothes products like hats
After I mastered beef stew, I progressed to mustard chicken, potato salad, and broccoli de rape. I also discovered Colwin brief story collections: Passion and Influence, The Lone Pilgrim, and An additional Marvelous Issue. I read and re-read Girl Skating from The Lone Pilgrim, wondering if I could ever learn to write that spare and sophisticated prose,
As a direct response to her brother's lack of shame, every single year at Christmas and on her birthday Veronica refuses to admit she desires any gift at all. This makes her my most hard youngster to shop for. Shopping for teenage girls is one thing that I dread


Wacky.
And I couldn't be bothered dealing with them, so I am eating my words and putting word verification back up - even though I hate it.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Helium Shortage

Have you ever heard something completely bizarre and just accepted it at face value? My oldest turned six this month and I stopped in at the local "dollar store" (which actually sells absolutely NOTHING for a dollar - I looked) to pick him up some balloons. They boys love balloons and we always get a helium one for birthdays.
After I made my selection the girl who was assisting me told me that there was a worldwide shortage of helium and that as a result the cost of helium balloons in the store had increased to EIGHT dollars per balloon. HOLY FRIJOLES BATMAN. EIGHT dollars. This is MORE than double the cost.I decided to go ahead and get one helium balloon and four filled just with air so I was still taking some home.
It didn't make sense to me that the world would be short of an element - my understanding of high school chemistry taught me SOMEthing - but who am I to say if there is a shortage of helium or not? So I paid the price for the balloons.
As I walked out of the store the wind caught the balloon bouquet in my hand and blew them into the door. The helium balloon popped.
OF COURSE it popped. Well there was no way they were replacing it and no way I was paying another 8 dollars for a balloon, but I was slightly skeptical that simply touching a door was enough to pop a balloon that wasn't defective or overinflated - but whatever.
It was frustrating that I had just released a balloon full of precious helium into the air for no good reason - I didn't even get to suck any and make my voice sound like a chipmunk, but I still had balloons so it was good enough. As I got into the car and put the balloons into the car another one popped. Nice.
When I got home and took the balloons OUT of the car ANOTHER one popped. So I started out with five and before I even got to see Max I was down to two.
I took them inside and gave them to him and instantaneously another popped. These are balloons filled with AIR we are talking about here. I have honestly never known balloons to pop so quickly. I think the shortage in the world is of good latex balloons, not helium. In any case, the popping balloon scared Max and he didn't even want to hold the one remaining one long enough to get a photo taken of him with his balloon bouquet. CJ played with the last one for a minute or so and then it also popped. Shocker.
Needless to say I will stick to blowing up balloons myself . I consider myself and expert since I blew up a million balloons (by MOUTH) when I was a Carny at the Minnesota State Fair one summer.
AND I googled the great helium shortage to determine if it is in fact a true story or just a way for the "dollar store" to gouge me further.
HERE is some info if you happen to be interested at all.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Outside my window: September

Outside my window...

I am thankful for... A beautiful fall.
From the kitchen... unfortunately nothing lately. I need to bust out some ideas from pinterest and give them a try but I am so dang busy it isn't funny.
I am wearing... Shel's red sweatshirt.
I am creating...a plan for a bathroom renovation - I HOPE
I am reading... White Wolf by David Gemmell
I am hoping... that the trip to the city is a good one and we can arrange fotrsitters for everyone.

I am hearing... silence at the moment. The calm before the storm.
Around the house... I am catching mice and they are driving me insane.
One of my favorite things... fall weather

Here is a picture I am sharing...


Max had a birthday this month and I picked up some balloons. The kids LOVE balloons, unfortunately these were the shortest surviving balloons we have ever had. This one was the last to burst and I think it lasted about six minutes? At least there is evidence that we DID have some fun.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Sunday Stealing

From the Blog Sunday Stealing here is this weeks meme:

Today's meme was ripped off a blogger named Dark Trinity from the blog Sparking Beach. He states he got it from DA.. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time.


1. Ever been given or received an engagement ring?
 I have been given an engagement ring and I gave it back!
 
2. Longest relationship?

I am currently in a relationship which has lasted since 1997.
 
3. Last gift you received?

My sons wrap things up and give them to me as presents. I think the last thing they wrapped was a measuring tape or an e-reader.

4. Ever dropped a mobile phone?

Yes, and broken the screen on it. I dropped my i-phone on the kitchen floor this weekend.
 
5. When is the last time you worked out?

Couldn't tell you.
 
6. Thing(s) you spend a lot of money on?

My sons, but are they really "things"?
 
7. Last food you ate?

Noodle soup which I shared with my sons.

8. First thing you notice about the opposite sex?

Height?
 
9. One favorite song?

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. I LOVE music and have many, many favorites. Apparently - according to songpop, I am not good at naming them very quickly!
 
10. Where do you live?

In a house, on a road, without close neighbours, where I can see the stars at night.

11. High school attended:

Walter Murray - In Saskatoon
 
12. Cell phone provider:

Telus
 
13. Favorite shop:

Any bookstore.
 
14. Longest job:

I am currently working in a job I have held for close to ten years.
 
15. Do you own a smart phone? Why?

Is an i-phone smart? Because that's what my spouse has and we wanted to share apps and play games together.
 
16. Do you prank call people?

No 
17. Last wedding you attended?
My sisters wedding in Utah and I had a LOT of fun.

18. First friend you'd call if you won the lottery:

The first person I would call would be my mom. I don't know which friend I would call. Unfortunately my friends aren't good at answering the phone when I call. It would serve them right if I called to say I won the lottery and they ignored me.

19. Last time you saw your best friend(s)

When I was at my sisters wedding in Utah I saw my best friends. I miss them.
 
20. Favorite fast food Restaurant:

I don't really have one. I like certain things from different fast food places. I like Wendy's chili. I used to be a fan of Chick Fil A but alas I am not anymore, and there isn't one close to me so I haven't eaten there in MANY years. I also like In N Out burger - I went there 2 years ago when I was in Utah.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Sunday Stealing

The last install of Sunday Stealing taken from HERE


69. Song you're thinking of right now?
Blow me one last Kiss by Pink.

70. Want someone back in your life?
One of my friends from when I was on my mission in Seattle - Leuyeni. She was a great friend and funnier then hellfire. I would love to have her back in my life. It's been more than 15 years since we lost touch.

71. Will tomorrow be better than today?
If I get some sleep tonight it will be!

72. What's the color of the underwear you are wearing?
Flesh coloured?

73. Who was the first best friend that you ever had?
My cousin Tracy




74. How do you react when someone disappoints you?
I am very sad when someone disappoints me


75. Is there anyone who understands your sexuality?
Only truly my partner.

76. Are you a naturally happy person? Or is your happiness forced?
I am a pessimist, being happy is not "easy" for me even though I enjoy being happy.

77. Is there anyone you wish would fall in love with you?
Nope

78. What do you wear when you sleep?
Blankets

79. Are you obsessed with something right now?
Songpop

80. The first person you loved is?
Well my first "boyfriend" was Simon Taylor. I still have a love letter he wrote to me.

81. Something terrible happened with you?
I think terrible things happen to everyone.

82. You are locked up with your celebrity crush for days, what happens?
Lots of laughing and nudity.

83. If you could wish something, what would it be?
For my boys to be healthy and healed of their medical problems

84. Ever try to force someone to do something?
Yeah. It doesn't work.

85. When you are alone, what do you think about?

86. How was your first sex?

87. What's your favorite music genre?
That's a hard one. I am fond of 80's for the memories. I know all the words to songs from the 80's!

88. Are you happy I only wrote 88 questions?
No, I could answer questions more easily than I cam come up with things to write myself lately.
 

Friday, September 14, 2012

back to school

All of a sudden it is the middle of September. How did that happen?
Life at home has been INSANE.
In the weeks before school starts I am so busy at work I literally don't stop even to go to the bathroom. We have lists upon lists upon lists of things to check and recheck and complete before the students move in.
Then college starts, the kids arrive and our kids all go back to school in the same few days.
I WISH I could say once the first week in September passes that life settles into a routine, but things seem ever crazier than ever. Of course I get calls from work around the clock to deal with issues, but HOPEFULLY that will settle down in a month or so.
The foster kids have had home visits every week and that creates a world of chaos at home (remind me to blog about that later), CJ needs to be picked up from school every day at noon, school lunches, homework,  a new bus driver, doctors appointments, specialist appointments, eye exams, immunizations.... the running never ends and there seems to be no end in sight.
CJ has felt particularly displaced since the two little ones arrived and he is needing extra mommy attention each day.
Max has been having nightmares which wake him up SCREAMING which begins a chain reaction of kids waking and crying and needing to be put back to bed. This all translates into no sleep for the spousal unit and I. It's all a wicked spiral.
I am HOPING that this next week we will settle into somewhat of a better routine and thing will calm down in our crazy lives.
Anyway - here are some photos of the beginning of the school year for the boys.

 Maxies first day of grade one.

 Max and mom
Max getting the bus the second day of school.


 CJ's first day of stepping forward

CJ's first day on the bus. He has been waiting TWO YEARS to ride the bus and he was so thrilled he could not stand himself. I didn't even manage to get a photo of him because he was away like a shot and on the bus without even looking back!

This was the only photo I got of the bus the first day Max and CJ rode together!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Sunday Stealing

Here is the last of the installments from Sunday Stealing Stolen Meme.


46. What are your LEGAL initials?
JCB

47. Who's the first B in your contacts?

ME! funny
 
48. When was the last time you laughed really hard?

49. Your number 1 top friend walks out of your life, do you go after them?


A few years ago (about 16 years ) the person who I THOUGHT was my top friend walked away from me. I did try to go after her and it was a huge disappointment. In the past year or so she friended me on facebook. I accepted the friend request, but I have no desire to even try and rekindle any friendship. I guess I accepted the request because I was curious where her life had taken her.
 
50. Explain your last awkward moment?

I don't remember it?
 
51. Are you afraid of the dark?

No, just afraid of what I can't see in the dark. I used to be more afraid of the dark than I am now.
 
52. Do you have good vision?

Excellent vision
 
53. Have you ever tripped someone?

I believe I have.
 
54. Have you ever slapped someone?

I think so.
 
55. Are you Irish?

My last name is a very Irish name but my ancestors are mostly from Liverpool England and my ties to Ireland and VERY distant.
 
56. Do you use chap stick?

I do not like it, but at my last doctors visit I was told to use it and to never let my lips dry out. When I use it my lips feel claustrophobic.
 
57. Do you have any scars?

Internal and external.

58. Is there someone you will never forgive?

There are some "things" that I will never forgive, but I don't think people that I will never forgive.
 
59. Are you dating the person you last held hands with?

I am married to the last adult I held hands with, but the last person I held hands with was my son on the way to the school bus this morning.

60. Name the last person to text you?

My spouse
 
61. Would you marry someone 8 years older than you?

I am married to someone more than 8 years older than me.

62. Can you go in public looking like you do?

I am in public right now and I have been out looking like this. My spouse did check my hair this morning though. Apparently I have crazy hair issues.
 
63. Have you ever kissed someone whose name started with a A?

Not that I can recall.
 
64. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

We switch sides depending on where the bed is located in the room. I am currently on the left side.
 
65. What's the first thing you'll do on your wedding day?

I was married a long time ago and the first thing I did was wake up!
 
66. Do you fall for people easily?

I don't think so.
 
67. Has anyone put their arms around you in the past 5 days?

Yes
 
68. Do you miss the way things used to be?

No

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Sunday Stealing

Here is part two of Sunday Stealing.
I did the first part last week. I KNOW it is Wednesday, but HOLY have I ever been busy!
I think this is the busiest week of my year to date.
ANYWAY. Since I am already late I had better get answering the questions without further ado......


23. Why do you think so many people cheat?
Do they?

24. Tell me what's on your mind?
When will life settle down or is it going to be this busy from now on out? I'd like to take a nap. Shoot. I'd settle for a decent night's sleep.

25. What are you looking forward to in the next three months?
 

My mom is coming to visit in November. My son turns 6 this month. I hope sometime before the end of September I will get a nap.
 
26. Have you ever worn the opposite sex's clothing?

I don't know what would be clothing of the opposite sex. I guess since I wear boxer shorts and there is a hole in the front of them for no body part I have then the answer is simply yes.

25. When did you last talk to your BFF?

It's been a while. I called and left a message this week.

28. When is your next road trip?

Um... I have no Idea. I do not have one planned.

29. Do you have someone of the opposite sex you can tell anything to?

Yes.

30. How's your heart?

It's been a rough week.

31. Have you ever felt like you weren't important?

Yes. Until I had children.

32. Do you think somebody's secretly in love with you?

Since I laughed out loud when I read that I would say no.

33. What are you planning on doing after this?

Go to work

34. Last time you yelled at someone?

Yesterday I yelled at one of my kids. I don't know why I do it. I need to stop.

35. Have you told anybody you loved them today?

Yes

36. Who do you not get along with?

A woman by the name of Jane.

37. What does your most recent text say?

I have two incoming texts from 8.24 pm. One of them says "Thanks, Sure does."

38. What are you wearing right now?

A t-shirt, black pants and birkenstocks.

39. You're locked in a room with the person you last kissed in high school, how is it?

I did not kiss anyone in high school. True.

40. When's the last time you had a grilled cheese?

Last week?

41. What's your favorite boy and girl name?

 I like Kate for a girl and Max for a boy, but i don't know if I have a real FAVORITE.

42. How did you feel when you woke up?

As though I had barely fallen asleep - because I had!

43. Do you wish someone would call or text you right now?

Nope

44. Do you think Clint Eastwood would have been better talking to a table?

Not a fan of Clint Eastwood. Would prefer not to ever have heard him at all.

45. What were you doing yesterday at midnight?

I was laying in my sons room because he was having nightmares. At 3 am he asked for my spouse and we traded places.