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August 31, 2004
Bills Only Please
Get this: our credit union is no longer accepting change! If you bring in change, they will keep 10% of it. I hardly think this is fair, but what can I do? I should have known that something was up when Kevin went to ask for some penny wrappers and they told him that they didn’t have those any longer. They said that they use a special machine that wraps all coins in plastic. I know they are called a credit union, but isn’t that the same thing as a bank? Shouldn’t banks have currency … all types of currency? You could put this under “things that make you go hmmm”.
Onto another topic; as Ashley was flying back and forth on her bike, I met two of our new neighbors last night (two different houses) and it turns out that I already knew both of them! Winchester is a very small town. Everyone knows everything about everyone. Lucky for us these are really nice people. It’s good to know that there are people around that we can trust and we know that we can look out for each other.
Posted by tami at 8:12 AM Comments (2)
August 29, 2004
She Can Ride!
For about a week now Ashley has had her training wheels off of her bike. She’s been riding up and down in the grass on the hill in our back yard. Tonight she rode for the first time on the front sidewalk without training wheels and without help. She was flying by the time we came inside. We are so proud of her!
While we were watching Ashley, Kevin spotted this spider in its web right above the flowers at our mailbox.
Creepy little critter! I don’t plan on touching him!
Posted by tami at 8:52 PM Comments (3)
August 26, 2004
Breaking Out
This morning as Kevin was helping Ashley get dressed he commented that she was growing up. She replied, “But I don’t wanna grow up!” Of course this was the perfect prompt for Kevin and me to begin singing the Toys R Us theme song. Here are the words:
I don’t wanna grow up,
I’m a Toys R Us Kid.
There’s a million toys at Toys R Us,
That I can play with!
From bikes to trains to video games,
They’re the biggest toy store there is!
I don’t wanna grow up,
But even if I did,
I’d still be a Toys R Us kid!
I don’t know if we freaked Ashley out or not. It’s not often that mommy and daddy break out in song but it was loads of fun!
Posted by tami at 7:56 AM Comments (2)
August 25, 2004
Answers
In the Tuesday the 24th post entitled “A Challenge for You” Pewari asks some important questions. They are some that Kevin and I have pondered ourselves in our incessant talks. The questions are: if you were to meet yourself from a decade ago, would you recognise yourself? Would you have anything in common? Would you get on, or would you find yourself irritated with your naivety? Would you tell yourself to do anything differently or do you accept everything that has happened between then and now as necessary on the path to who you are now and who you are to become?
If I were to meet myself from a decade ago I probably would recognize myself, but it would be very little. We would definitely have things in common. I can usually find a common link with about anyone. The only advice that I could give myself would be to not use those credit cards so much! Everything else in my life has made me who I am.
I have answered the questions, but I would like to delve further. It truly amazes me how much my opinions have changed over the past ten years or so. I believe that I have gone from being very rigid in some respects to being very liberal. It was not too long ago that I was still living at home with my parents. Anyone can tell you that as long as you’re living in that sheltered environment, you’re not really living and experiencing things on your own. You don’t get the chance to look at things in your own way because someone else is always infringing their opinions on you. I’m not saying that their opinions are wrong or bad, just that you tend to not think for yourself.
There are things that I was raised to believe that I do not believe or support now. In some ways I guess I’m still shocked that I believe now the way that I do. No, I’m not getting into it here. I also don’t go into these matters that I refer to with my family. I have some personal opinions that they would never be able to understand. The only person who truly knows the real Tami is Kevin. Kevin and I say everything that goes on inside our heads. We know each other inside and out when no one else does.
As far as light things are concerned: My taste in music is the same as ever. I have been reading different authors which have increased my vocabulary and the way that I view the world. My television habits have changed dramatically. I now watch more nighttime TV than ever before. There are so many great shows out there that I just cannot help myself! My eating habits have stayed the same and I have maintained the same weight for the past eight years for better or worse. Things have significantly changed around me, but as a whole, I am the same. I believe that I am a better person today than I was about twelve years ago. I am more tolerant, realizing that there are more views in the world than just mine and that they matter just as much. The Baptist’s aren’t going to be the only ones in Heaven! Not that anyone has actually said that, but it has been implied on many occasions.
The major events that have happened in my life happened for a reason and I would not change them. I would not want to go back and advise myself not to do something. There is a process and progression in everyone’s life. I am still in the early stages of these, but so far am very happy with the way things are shaping up. I hope this answers your questions Pewari ;)
Posted by tami at 8:48 AM Comments (1)
August 24, 2004
Active Gag Reflex
Last night I settled down in the bed at 9:30 to watch my new favorite show Growing Up Gotti and guess what! It was a repeat! ARRRRRRGGGGGG! They’ve only shown like four shows and are already having repeats? Why? I sure do hope they’ve taped a lot more because I know that I’m not alone when I say that I love this show.
AIRLINE however was new or at least it was new to me. The airline security had to stop an African woman from getting on a plane because she had bugs all in her luggage. They were crawling everywhere and the airline security was spraying them as fast as they could. This same woman also had dried fish that she wanted to take along in her bags. The fish was way past the “sell by” date. I guess this is what caused the bugs. Had she been allowed to take that nasty, bug infested fish home do you think she would have cooked, served, and eaten it? The thought is repulsive, but I have to say yes. If she wanted to take it home that badly she must have wanted to eat it. Gag!
There are some things that I just don’t think I could eat no matter how hungry I was. For example, on the last episode of Big Brother 5 they got to eat their favorite foods. Imagine your favorite food. Mine would be pizza I guess. Okay, then they told them that their favorite foods would have to be blended and drank! There were people who had a plate of steak, baked potato, dessert, and their favorite drink that all went into the blender at one time and they had to drink it down. I just could not bring myself to do that. The texture would make me vomit. It makes me sick to sit here and type it all out. How would you do?
Posted by tami at 8:33 AM Comments (1)
August 22, 2004
Why?
This morning in church we heard the following song. It has a profound message. Please take time to read the words. I have no idea who wrote this song called Why, but it really touches my heart each time that I hear it.
WHY?
We rode into town the other day
Just me and my daddy
He said I'd finally reached that age
When I could ride next to him
On a horse that of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
And there was that Man that my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes
So I said "Daddy why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming
Why is He dressed in that bright purple robe
I bet that crown hurts Him more than He shows
Daddy please, can't you do something
He looks as though He's gonna cry
You said He was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy please tell me why
Why does everyone want Him to die"
Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right but I could not keep from wondering
If there was something that he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowds to a hill
Where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross
And It said "Father why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming
Why are they casting their lots for My robe
This crown of thorns hurts Me more than it shows
Father please, can't You do something
I know that You must hear My cry
I thought I could handle a cross of this size
Father remind Me why
Why does everyone want Me to die
Oh when will I understand why"
My precious Son I hear them screaming
I'm watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe You in robes of My own
Jesus this hurts Me much more than You know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I've heard Your unbearable cry
The power in Your blood destroys all of their lies
Soon You'll see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below see that child
Trembling by her father's side
Now I can tell You why
She is why You must die
Posted by tami at 2:10 PM Comments (1)
August 21, 2004
Convention Anyone?
Kevin recently went to the G. Gordon Liddy website and found many funnies. As you will see from the bit below, he is a firm Republican. This is one of the many funnies on his site.
Democratic National Convention Schedule
2004 DNC Convention Official Program
6:00pm - Opening flag burning ceremony.
6:30pm - Anti-war rally no. 1.
6:40pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
7:00pm - Tribute theme to France.
7:10pm - Collect offerings for al-Zawahri defense fund.
7:25pm - Tribute theme to Spain.
7:45pm - Anti-war rally no. 2. (Moderated by Michael Moore)
8:25pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
8:30pm - Terrorist appeasement workshop.
9:00pm - Gay marriage ceremony.
9:30pm - * Intermission *
10:00pm - Flag burning ceremony no. 2.
10:15pm - Re-enactment of Kerry's fake medal toss.
10:30pm - Cameo by Dean 'Yeeearrrrrrrg!'
10:40pm - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
10:50pm - Pledge of allegiance to the UN.
11:00pm - Double gay marriage cermony.
11:15PM - Maximizing Welfare workshop.
11:30pm - 'Free Saddam' pep rally.
11:59PM - Ted Kennedy proposes a toast.
12:00pm - Nomination of democratic candidate
Posted by tami at 10:39 PM Comments (0)
August 20, 2004
Time Marches On
Last night was the open house at Ashley’s school. I may be in the minority, but I thought that it was a complete waste of time (as it is every year). Like I said in an earlier post, if the open house was before school started then it would be beneficial. Last night I already knew who her teacher was and which room she was in. We’re not supposed to talk shop with the teachers because “this isn’t a conference”, so basically we just go in the room and stand around. The teachers normally don’t have anything prepared to say or do, so you just go to your child’s desk and say, “oh so this is where you sit!” It would have been nice if we had been shown the textbooks or something, but I guess we were supposed to find them ourselves.
Her teacher seems like a very nice person. It’s not her fault that this is the way things go every year. It’s just something that we as parents have to live with. After this year, Ashley only has two years left at this school and then we get to tackle the middle school. Wow! She is growing up fast. Now that I’m older the years are going by much more quickly. Who said that was allowed to happen?!
Posted by tami at 8:00 AM Comments (5)
August 19, 2004
Play That Funky Music
Do you ever get a song stuck in your head? I’ve had one playing for me off and on since around 2:30 this morning. Every waking minute that I’m not reading or concentrating hard on something, I’ll hear the song. It’s always a song from church too. I do love most all of the songs we sing, but its terrible having them stuck and on replay. Does anyone have any suggestions or am I just going crazy? This has been going on for a month now!
Posted by tami at 11:46 AM Comments (4)
August 18, 2004
Trust & Obey
A friend sent me this terrific funny:
After starting a new diet, I altered my drive to work to avoid passing my favorite bakery.
I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and as I approached, there in the window were a host of goodies. I felt this was no accident, so I prayed:
"Lord, it's up to you.... if you want me to have any of those delicious goodies, create a parking place for me directly in front of the bakery."
And sure enough, He answered my prayer - on my eighth time around the block, there it was..............
Posted by tami at 3:47 PM Comments (1)
August 17, 2004
Inoculation
Andrew handed me a form letter from his high school. It was dated 5-3-04. I kid you not. It basically said that Andrew’s immunization certificate would expire in June 2004. It went on to say that in order for him to be eligible to enter school he would need an up to date immunization form at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year. It was signed by the school nurse.
Okay, someone dropped the ball big time! He just got this the other day and it was dated for May!!! Had they mailed me the form, he could have gone to the doctor over the summer. Even if they had called and had me pick up the form we still could have gone during the summer. Now, I either take him to the doctor and he misses some classes or I wait until fall break which is at the end of September. That’s saying that I could get away with waiting until the end of September. Even though I’m not the one at fault here believe me, they would act as if I were.
Missing a class wouldn’t be any big deal if he weren’t already missing classes at least once a month because of his braces. It kills me because he actually has not one, but two orthodontist appointments this month. All summer we went with one appointment per month; school starts back up and BAM he’s missing two classes now. So, you see why I don’t want him to miss yet another time to get a shot. Unless they call me, he will get his shots in September.
Posted by tami at 8:06 AM Comments (0)
August 16, 2004
Not 3, but 4!!!
Kevin and I watched In the Bedroom which was nominated for five Academy Awards and won an award for best picture. I have to say that I was very disappointed. The story was simplistic, the bare minimum. It was hard to know the time frame from one scene to the next; you had no idea how much time had passed. Maybe if I were to watch it again things would be different but do I want to watch it again? I don’t think so. The basic story outline goes like this: this guy is dating a newly single mother of two when her x-husband shows back up in their lives. In a jealous rage, the x shoots the guy and kills him. Now the mother and father of the guy have to deal with the aftermath. It’s a story that I’ve seen a million times before. Blah, blah, blah.
The second movie we watched was Brokedown Palace. This was about two American girls who go to Thailand and get accused of smuggling heroin. The movie goes through the ups and downs of their court proceedings and their time in a women’s prison. This movie kept our attention and I would recommend seeing it.
The third movie we watched was Town & Country. This movie had an all-star line-up which included Goldie Hawn, Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Jenna Elfman, Andie MacDowell, Garry Shandling, and a few others. It was a comedy about men who cheat on their wives. I laughed a few times, but not a whole lot. Some of the characters were dismissed way too easily at the end and the story was actually pretty thin. It takes a lot to entertain and please me. Can you tell?
This morning I watched the 1995 version of Home for the Holidays. It is a true representation of a dysfunctional American family. I wish that Kevin could have watched it with me. I think he would have enjoyed it. Maybe we will rent it again; after all, it was free.
Posted by tami at 1:12 PM Comments (1)
August 15, 2004
Fun-Filled Day
My dad’s place of employment had their annual picnic yesterday at the Fish and Game Club. Here is the direct link to the pictures. A few were taken at my sister’s house after the picnic was over. We had a great time!
Posted by tami at 11:49 AM Comments (0)
August 12, 2004
Men
WHY MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be president.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO T-shirt to a water park.
Car mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station because this one's just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress - $5000; tux rental - $100.
People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood, ALL the time.
Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.
You know stuff about tanks.
A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck
You can play with toys all your life.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocketknife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives, on December 24, in 45
minutes.
No wonder men are happy...
Posted by tami at 7:14 AM Comments (1)
August 11, 2004
Different Means of Transportation
This past weekend my dad traveled all day Saturday to North Carolina to get this car.
He traded his motorcycle and trailer for it. He is very happy to say the least, but I think he plans to sell it and make some money.
While dad was out giving everyone a ride in his new car, Jennifer stopped by on her motorcycle. I have wanted to get a picture of her on it for a while.
She took motorcycle training classes and passed with flying colors. I commend her for being responsible, though you will never catch me on one of these!
Posted by tami at 7:08 AM Comments (2)
August 10, 2004
DVD
Once again, this weekend we went to the library and rented three free DVD’s. I enjoyed each one, but my favorite of the three had to be Matchstick Men. This movie had Nicolas Cage playing a con man that has obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Sam Rockwell did an awesome job playing his partner. If you’ve ever seen The Green Mile, Sam was the one who played Wild Bill Wharton. If you can play someone who is that crazy then you must be a good actor!
My second favorite out of the three was The Missing. Cate Blanchett plays a medicine woman who is the mother of two girls. Tommy Lee Jones plays her estranged father. When one of her daughters is kidnapped, her father offers to lead in the search. This movie wasn’t as scary as the previews made it seem. It was really more of a western with a little more blood added in. It didn’t portray the Indians in a very good light, but was overall a very good movie.
The third and my least favorite was Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Now, I’m not saying that I didn’t like this movie; I’m just saying that out of the three it was my least favorite. This was what I like to call a one time movie. It was interesting, but slow-moving. Had I not previously heard reviews, I would have expected it to be fighting the entire time. Luckily I knew what to expect so I wasn’t disappointed. This movie had Russell Crowe playing the captain of a ship pursuing a French war ship. The characters were likeable and the story was good. It is worth seeing at least once.
Posted by tami at 7:10 AM Comments (2)
August 9, 2004
Can You Say STUPID?
This morning marked the first day of school here in Clark County. Like usual, it was a nightmare at Ashley’s school. Here’s why: instead of having an open house before school begins, they moronically wait until two weeks after school has started. This way, the children have no clue where their classroom is and they’ve never met their teacher on the first day. It wouldn’t be such a bad situation except for the fact that the administrators let the parents pile up in the hall until the clock strikes 7:30. At this time there is a stampede to the classrooms. It’s not a situation that I would leave my daughter in alone to fend for herself.
One year in order to make things better (yeah right) we took Ashley to the school during the summer, found out who her teacher was, introduced her, and showed her the way to her classroom. All of these preventive measures failed when on the first day of school we found out that her teacher had been changed.
Back to today: The children have to be at school between 7:30 and 7:40. I was told upon entering the building that we would be able to take our children to their classrooms at 7:30. I accepted this fact although I think it is totally asinine to make people wait and pile up in the hallway. Why can’t the teachers be there early on the first day so that we can go ahead to the classroom? Anyway, the clock struck 7:30 and the principal started saying that only kindergarten students could go – that we were going to have to go in order. I said, “It’s 7:30.” She says to me, “Well, we’re letting the kindergarten go first and we’re doing the best that we can.” She wasn’t nice at all! I explained to her that I had a high school child waiting in the car and that he had to be at school at 8:00. Five minutes later, we were all allowed to enter the wing to the classrooms. Ashley’s room was at the end of the hall (you figured that, huh!). I very quickly met her teacher and walked briskly out to the car to find Andrew in a panic. He knew that we would have to wait in a long line of traffic at the high school and he was right. I got him there with about two minutes to spare. I am relieved to be at home now. I can only hope that tomorrow will go much smoother. Keep those fingers crossed ;)
Posted by tami at 8:39 AM Comments (3)
August 5, 2004
New Shows
I am in love with two shows on A&E Television. The first one is called AIRLINE. My sister turned me on to this reality show that films people in airports at different locations. The people that you get to see are normally the ones causing problems. You also get lots of people that have been given tickets on a flight that was oversold, so they are ticked off. Believe it or not, they oversell tickets all the time. Since I have never flown all this is new to me. It is very informative, but funny.
The other show that I love is called Growing Up Gotti. This is also a reality show. It stars Victoria Gotti, daughter of the infamous New York Mafia boss John Gotti. Victoria has three sons who she is raising alone after her divorce. This show confirms that no matter how much money you have there will always be obstacles to overcome. She seems like a good person and mother who is trying to do what is best for her family. I can’t wait to see more!
Posted by tami at 12:55 PM Comments (0)
August 4, 2004
Just My Luck
Before Christmas last year I purchased some perfume from The Anne Rice Collection called Dark Gift. I absolutely love this perfume. It smells better than anything I have ever worn. The complements that I smell good have also tripled.
Imagine my total devastation when I went to purchase more of said perfume and was greeted with this message, “Mrs. Rice will be closing the Anne Rice Collection internet gift shop effective March 16, 2004.
We very much appreciate your business during the three years of our operation and thank you sincerely for your personal comments that have enabled us to receive top service ratings each year from our Yahoo host.”
March 16?! Oh my gosh! I am crushed! I’ve already been looking on ebay for more and have had no luck thus far. There’s no point in saving what I have left for special occasions. I’ve heard that like everything else, perfume has a shelf life. I guess I’ll just have to keep checking back with ebay.
Posted by tami at 12:56 PM Comments (3)
August 3, 2004
HMO
I received this in email and think it is hysterical.
Q. What does HMO stand for?
A. This is actually a variation of the phrase, "HEY MOE." Its roots go back to a concept pioneered by Moe of the Three Stooges, who discovered that a patient could be made to forget about the pain in his foot if he was poked hard enough in the eyes.
Q. I just signed up for Medical Insurance. How difficult will it be to choose the doctor I want?
A. Just slightly more difficult than choosing your parents. Your insurer will provide you with a book listing all the doctors in the plan. These doctors basically fall into two categories - those who are no longer accepting new patients, and those who will see you but are no longer participating in the plan. But don't worry; the remaining doctor who is still in the plan and accepting new patients has an office just a half-day's drive away, and a diploma from a Third World country.
Q. Do all diagnostic procedures require pre-certification?
A. No. Only those you need.
Q. Can I get coverage for my preexisting conditions?
A. Certainly, as long as they don't require any treatment.
Q. What happens if I want to try alternative forms of medicine?
A. You'll need to find alternative forms of payment.
Q. My pharmacy plan only covers generic drugs, but I need the name brand. I tried the generic medication, but it gave me a stomach ache. What should I do?
A. Poke yourself in the eye.
Q. What if I'm away from home and I get sick?
A. You really shouldn't do that.
Q. I think I need to see a specialist, but my doctor insists he can handle my problem. Can a general practitioner really perform a heart transplant right in his office?
A. Hard to say, but considering that all you're risking is the $20 co-payment, what's the harm in letting him take a shot at it?
Q. Will health care be different in the next century?
A. No. But if you call right now, you might get an appointment
Posted by tami at 9:43 AM Comments (1)