I had a heart to heart with my daughter about the teen hangout she wanted to go to with her friends..and the Christian band whose concert she wanted to attend. I listened to her and checked it out and decided it was okay. So off she went. And off my son went to the local Burger King to have 'dinner' with his latest gf. So, this is a glimpse of the years ahead. sigh. I've been getting ready for it.
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There is something that some ppl don't get about me. There are times when someone does something that I find contrary to what I think is right or they do something to hurt me. I will fly off the handle and spout fire and brimstone. I do NOT like losing control...in any way. I like things to move along at an even pace and space. I do not like to be angry. To me it is a waste of energy and time. And I do not like what I do or say during that time. I will apologize to the one(s) to whom I spewed forth my anger...only becuz I am ashamed of MY actions. But just becuz I apologize for MY actions does not mean that I am okay with whatever made me angry in the first place. Whatever made me angry is my thing to deal with or let go or walk away from...whatever. Hopefully that will clear up some confusion that I have been getting from some ppl. And that is the end of THAT. I want to move WAY beyond it all becuz it no longer concerns me...it does not make a difference in how I walk or talk or breathe.
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Today was HOT! At one time the digital thermometer in my van showed 83 degrees F. And, of course, the air conditioner needs charged. It got a quick charge two years ago when we bought it and took it to Florida. Now it seems to need another charge. Of COURSE it does...becuz it knows that I gave all our money to the city income tax guy.

I'm feeling anxious again...and no reason insight...or is that a precursor to something? I HOPE not. sheesh.

It is done. Took my data stick with the PP presentation on it to class...plugged it into the class computer and did a digital dump. There ya go. He had told a few of us that we would be picked to do a presentation. I was SURE he was gonna pick on ME. I was ready. BUT he changed his mind. He didn't really want to be in class, I could tell.

I was the ONLY woman there tonight. And the 'Prof' was in a rare mood. One I would have rather escaped. He was being outright flirty with me...and I was so damned uncomfortable! The other guys were just sitting there watching the exchange. I was embarrassed and just sat there with a tight smile on my face, glancing at my watch. Mercifully, the evening ended earlier than usual. And when one of the big guys in the class got up and blocked his body between me and the 'Prof' (I had to slide past his desk to get out the door) I booked! I was out of there so fast you didn't even see a streak.

I have to take 2 more classes from this jerk. BUT, the good news is....TADA...I can take them ONLINE! No more face-to-face. Idiot.

ANYHOO..Pete the Houdini Hamster managed to pull another fast one. Bethany sat down at the table this morning to eat her breakfast and I was getting ready to open the back door to throw some things in the recycle bin when I saw a movement out of the corner of my eye. There was a little fuzzy butt sticking out of the bag of walnuts I keep by the door to feed Scrawny. I said, "Good morning Pete." He poked his head out and while he was looking at me, Bethany snuck up from behind and snatched him. She put him back and said, "I have NO idea how he got out. Everything was latched!"

***********************ADDED BONUS*********************
As if my daughter hasn't had enuff health problems...
She HAD to eat breakfast in front of her mother this morning becuz I had to sit her down and give her a good talking to yesterday. It came to my attention that she hasn't been eating. I told her she will NOT follow down the same broken path I did as a teenager...no anorexia...no bulimia...just NO. She has been turning into a stick before my eyes...and the headaches have started. I am not so sure she did not go straight into the bathroom and barf her breakfast up when she was done. She is ONLY 12! And her friends want her to go to The Avenue with them Friday night. It is a big teens only hang out run by the Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church. I went to that church twice and after the second time I swore not to again. You know it is WRONG when my husband agrees vehemently. What kind of church is it when the Minister doesn't pray with his congregation? And what kind of church is it when the Minister 'brags' about losing his temper on some teenage kid? Not even a hint of embarrassment!

ANYWAY...they have 'Christian Rock' bands on Friday night...but my son tells me the 'band' Bethany's friends are going to listen to is a 'screamo' rock band. What the heck good is that? You can't understand a WORD they are screaming? I like her friends...they are good girls but this whole thing just doesn't sit well with me. 12 years old. 12. I think she is going to get down right angry at her mom...and she may not like me for a while...that's her choice. But I think the leash needs to be pulled in.

I don't have much else to add here. I have spent too much time working on this computer...I missed out on my walk today...the landlord has sent workers unannounced to the house (how would you like to walk aroud the back of the house to find some strange man in your back yard? Not to mention the electrician that showed up out of the blue to work on some wiring in the computer room...just as I am in the middle of my work!)for 3 days. I have another pinched nerve in my neck that is giving me blinding headaches that I have had to ignore (another reason I can't work at a computer for long) and I am just done. I hope the weather is nice tomorrow...I plan on enjoying the outdoors. Heaven knows I could use a good LLLLOOONNNGGG walk! And yes, if you haven't picked up on it..I am kind of a 'cranky pants' (as one of my fellow bloggers so nicely calls me)

This has been the LONGEST DAY! It isnt' over, yet...I STILL have a long way to go. I have changed my powerpoint presentation 3 times...not sure what I REALLY want to do. But talking it over with my husband, I decided to go back and dig out my Tech Writing report on 'Small Space Gardening' and turn it into a powerpoint presentation. It's already written out...it has visuals...TADA! Get the most mileage out of one piece of homework that I can.

My son has been struggling with his math today. His own fault. He did next to nothing last week. Now he is playing catch up. He will be bogged down this week. And I have to keep kicking his butt or he will just sit on it and look dazed and confused.

So...Hubby and I toured two houses tonight. The first one had a LOVELY yard! The neighborhood was quiet. BUT, the house was built in 1967 and when I say it had everything original...I MEAN it was ALL original! Okay...I exaggerate...it had a new stove and refrigerator. Of course the FIRST thing to hit me when I walked through the front door was C-A-T!!! The whole house WREAKED! I swear I can STILL smell it. By the time I left that house my nose was burning and I had a headache.

The second house I had high hopes for. It had 2 floors plus a finished basement...4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, etc. Let's say this...I loved the basement: the rec room and media room were great. On the first level I liked the diningroom. On the second level... The house had too many walls, the kitchen was HORRID and the house sat too close to a major highway...too much noise. So, um...NO!

We got in the car to drive home and Troy looked at my face. He said, "Don't get discouraged. I know you were hoping that one of those houses would be it...but it will come." "I know...but Tanya told me that she showed this one couple 19 houses this weekend ALONE! And, on the whole, she has shown them 50 houses! I SO do NOT want that to be me!" We have only seen 4 houses and I'm discouraged already. I don't think I'm being that picky! I know what WE want...Troy has given me his ideas and we are pretty much in agreement on this whole thing. One thing that is a MUST...QUIET. I want some calm in my life and QUIET! Apparently you can have quiet but a crappy house OR a pretty nice house and noise.

******* HIGHLIGHT OF MY DAY*******
Not only did I get to witness Scrawny 'defending' her territory and pile of walnuts from a new crop of squirrely invaders...but I stood and watched out the back window as Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal shared sunflower seeds. They have been here every year since we moved in. They build a nest in the bush at the back corner of the yard. Last year Mr. Cardinal helped us chase off the nasty blackbirds that delighted in dive bombing poor Scrawny. These cardinals are a great example of a loving couple.

Well, back to the grind. It will be me and the kiddies for the next couple of days. Hubby has his travels for mid-week. swell.

Pea soup. That's what it was outside today. Although, I don't recall ever eating GRAY pea soup. Okay...it wasn't pea soup...just 'thick as'. I tried to scare my daughter with images of 'things' jumping out of the fog. But she is so out of it in the morning, I think she could burn her hand and say 'ow' and hour later.

But the fog lifted and the sun is TRYING to make a debute. I know some of my tulips have decided to finally show their true colors.

Today is a nerve wracking day...for me. I opened up my email to find a lovely pronouncement from my computer class professor. He has decided that we have had enough time to work on our powerpoint presentations and he wants us all to gather Wednesday night and some of us will be chosen to actually DO our presentations. I have a really BIG nasty feeling I am going to be one of them. sigh.

AND, this afternoon our realtor is going to take us around to see some houses. Can't I just close my eyes and do an 'eenie meenie minie moe' kinda thing? oi.

I managed to get some pictures taken this morning rather quickly.


Scrawny ON her feeder


Scrawny IN her feeder


Pete having a treat (his favorite: corn pops)...Bethany's hamster

With phone calls back and forth between my husband and his sister...Troy was able to track Tommy down. He called me to tell me what was going on. It seems Tommy DIDN'T meet some new girl in the next town. It was the old meth making/selling gf he was trying to 'escape' from in Georgia. She drove all the way to Ohio to track him down...tell him she won't do it anymore...beg his forgiveness and ask him to come back. sheesh. Troy said that Tommy and Trish were coming back to the house so he could get his things and to celebrate Tommy's b-day. Then Troy apologized to me for bringing Tommy to the house. I told him that he didn't need to apologize...he didn't know...and Tommy is family. He was just concerned.

At first I wasnt' happy. I've been through enough crap...and I've had to deal with enough druggies to last a life time. So, when they got back I told Troy I wasn't eating with them...he could do what he wanted about it, since HE told them they were welcome.

But, then, Tommy came in the room to explain and apologize. All I could do was look at him and remember when I took back my husband after his crack episode. I just looked at him and said, "I don't like the fact that you were sneaking around...but I understand. Been there...done that. I think you are making a mistake...but I pray I'm wrong. I know you want to give her the benefit of the doubt and another chance. But, Tommy...if it goes bad again, make up your mind it is over. And if you need a place to land, we'll give you another chance, too. But just one more. You are a good 'kid'. Now, go do what you have to do and don't be so afraid of me."

We all had a nice cookout. The kids kept us entertained. I am not sure about that gf of his...but it isn't my life, it's his. And my opinion doesn't matter...or shouldn't matter. He has to do what he thinks is right.

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My son thinks he has found himself another gf, too. oi. He is so excited becuz he went to meet her at a local park today. They met on the internet too. She goes to the local HS. He came home thinking she didn't like him much cuz she didn't say much too him, apparently. But then, he wasn't home very long when she called him and asked him to meet her for breakfast. He told her he didn't think she liked him..she said she really does, she's just shy.

He said he was going to take a picture so we could see her. I told him not to cuz girls have a way of disappearing after he gets a picture. His friend Steven said, "He's the reason there is the phrase 'take a picture, it will last longer'! " We all cracked up...except TJ of course. Poor boy!

And now...I am going to go do some contemplating...of the inside of my eyelids.