« October 2005 Main December 2005 »
November 30, 2005
Nativity
From the mailbag:
There will be no Nativity Scene in Washington, DC this year!
The Supreme Court has ruled that there cannot be a Nativity Scene in Washington, DC this Christmas season. This isn't for any religious reason, they simply have not been able to find three wise men and a virgin in the nation's capitol. There was however, no problem finding enough asses to fill the stable.
Posted by tami at 9:31 PM Comments (5)
November 29, 2005
It Happens
The bathroom situation at our new place isn’t the greatest by any means. We are now in a modular building (doublewide trailer) that is divided by a wall in the middle. It looks something like THIS.
There are two classes in the trailer: theirs and ours. Their class has a small toilet – one that is intended for three and four-year-olds. I have experienced these before and it almost took an act of God to get myself back up to a standing position. They are for little people and adults should never try to use them. Our side has a normal sized toilet which I am very grateful for.
The bad thing is the four adults on the other side come over to our side constantly to use the potty. This wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that we are trying to have class. It’s hard enough trying to keep a three-year-old child’s attention without constant interruptions. The adults don’t say anything when they come in, but any new people in the room are cause for distraction.
Another not-so-great thing about the potty situation is that three and four year old boys have no aim whatsoever. I walked in yesterday and there was urine everywhere: on the wall, the floor, and all over the toilet. I had to put on gloves, grab the water and bleach mixture to clean with before I could ever imagine using that toilet myself. I can see this will be a routine I will have to get used to very quickly. If I think about it, next time I’m at the store I’ll buy a box of Cheerios. I think if I put one Cheerio in the toilet before each boy goes, it will give him something to aim at and he will get much better at it.
Today things were going well. I had only visited the bathroom once, but was biding my time to go again until after lunch. Upon checking on one of our little girls in the restroom, we discovered that she had vomited all over the place. By that, I mean she had vomited so much that it had soaked through her shirt, pants, underwear, socks, and shoes. She had puke all over her legs sitting on the toilet; so naturally, it was all over the toilet seat too. Have you ever seen the movie The Exorcist? Well, that’s what it looked like all over the floor except in pink.
We called for the maintenance man to come and clean it up, but since it was lunchtime and he was busy, he only had time to throw what looked like mulch all over the floor and the toilet and then leave again saying that he would be back later to clean it up. The bathroom wasn’t cleaned until after 2:00 this afternoon. Boy, oh boy! There isn’t much more I can say ….
Posted by tami at 8:03 PM Comments (2)
November 28, 2005
Coffee
I drink a cup of coffee every morning at home before going to work. Once I get to work, the other girls make a pot and drink it, but I don’t.
Today one of my coworkers asked me to wash a sink full of dishes – they were all coffee cups and the coffee pot. I remarked that I didn’t drink the coffee, but would wash the dishes anyway. Her response was, “Well, we’ll all take turns.”
I have a problem with this. Why should I have to wash their coffee cups and the coffee pot when I’m not the one drinking it? That would be the same as me paying for the coffee and not drinking it.
If she asks me again, I think I’ll have to speak up.
Posted by tami at 10:30 PM Comments (3)
November 27, 2005
Eggs
I had an odd experience this afternoon at our local grocery store. Well, I thought it was odd, maybe you won’t. You can let me know.
We were checking out and I was thinking about how quick the young cashier was when all of a sudden she opened my carton of eggs and started fondling them! She picked up every egg one at a time and looked underneath each one (as if she thought I may have tried to smuggle something in each indention.) I must have had a queer expression on my face because she quickly said, “Oh, I always check everyone’s eggs.”
I asked Kevin if he thought anything of it and he said he thought she was checking for broken ones. But, isn’t that something that I, as the consumer, should do?
Posted by tami at 5:46 PM Comments (2)
November 26, 2005
Red Ryder
The Christmas movies are out and waiting to be watched.
.JPG)
It doesn’t matter to us if we see some of these or not, but there are those that are a tradition in our home. One of these in particular is A Christmas Story. This is the story about Ralphie, and how all he wants for Christmas is a Red Ryder BB Gun.
When Andrew was younger, his papaw did just what they did in this movie. He let Andrew open everything and think that there were no more presents. Then, he suddenly felt behind the bookshelf and said, “Oh, what’s this? We must have forgotten about this one.” He then handed the package to Andrew.
Andrew tore into that package and could hardly believe his eyes when he saw that BB gun. His papaw showed him how to use it and took him right outside for some target practice.
A few other must-see Christmas movies are Christmas Vacation and Home Alone. Both of these movies are terrific for the whole family.
Posted by tami at 11:00 AM Comments (2)
November 25, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving
We had a busy and fun-filled day today, but now I am tired! I wanted to get THIS new album up though before I turned into bed. As always, you can click on the photos to enlarge. There are two pages to view.
Posted by tami at 1:05 AM Comments (0)
November 23, 2005
Busy Week
Kevin finished my purse Sunday night. Take a peek:
.JPG)
I love it and it is perfect for fall. I only wish he had finished it sooner!
On Monday, we went to an honor’s ceremony for children who scored high on their end-of-the-year tests last year. Ashley received a certificate for scoring in the top 5% of the county on her test. Am I bragging? Just a little bit. However, everyone who knows Ashley knows how smart she is anyway.
I have been busy at work this week. We moved to a new building on Monday and I have worked my butt off. I helped move furniture right along side the movers, which consisted of three men. I think it surprised them that I helped. I’ll admit that I didn’t have to, I just wanted to get it over with quickly.
Our new space is set up and ready for next Monday (we are out the rest of this week for the Thanksgiving holiday). Nothing has been hung on the walls, but we will get to that soon.
Today I enjoyed sleeping in until 8:30 and then catching up on the newspapers while I leisurely sipped my coffee. I will begin cleaning soon, but I figured I would blog first. I’m sure you would agree that blogging is much more important than cleaning ;)
Posted by tami at 10:54 AM Comments (6)
November 20, 2005
In The Mood
I had a great time yesterday. We went Christmas shopping and I found some neat presents. Now that I’ve spent some money, I feel more on top of things.
The radio stations are playing Christmas music, which makes it easier for me to handle the holiday traffic. Outside the shops, I hear Bing Crosby sing about how he’s dreaming of a White Christmas and it puts me in a blissful trance. It also makes me want to fill my cart so that there will be many presents under the tree.
Hearing these songs, I want to curl up on the couch and watch Christmas movies and read my Christmas books. I want to drink Egg Nog and hot chocolate. I want to sit and stare at the colorful lights on our Christmas tree. I want to make Christmas fudge and cinnamon pecans. I am ready for the holiday to begin! We will put up our tree this Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, as it is our tradition, and I am excited!
As we did our grocery shopping at 10 o’clock last night, I found this for Kevin:
.JPG)
It is his favorite and only comes once a year.
Posted by tami at 12:53 PM Comments (2)
November 17, 2005
60
Happy Birthday to a wonderful Aunt!
.JPG)
Posted by tami at 7:18 AM Comments (3)
November 15, 2005
A Little Thanks
It’s sad, but true – I only own four Thanksgiving books!
Posted by tami at 8:28 PM Comments (2)
November 13, 2005
Hayden
Today Ashley went to her friend Hayden’s birthday party.
 (Custom).JPG)
Here is her cake:
.JPG)
Ashley had a great time. Hayden is so fun and outgoing that everyone loves her.
Posted by tami at 12:41 PM Comments (0)
November 12, 2005
Random
We went to my parent’s house tonight to celebrate my aunts 60th birthday. Her birthday isn’t until Thursday, but since she lives out of town we celebrated today.
I took a few random pictures that I thought I would share.
My parents found this mannequin head somewhere and couldn’t resist it. I have to say that I enjoy her too. I like to tease one of my nieces and say, “Where are her arms?” That kind of freaks her out.
.JPG)
The Wizard of Oz was on TV, so my nieces were enthralled. In this picture, you see the TV on the left and my niece, Sydnee laid out in the chair on the right.
.JPG)
This is a Noah’s Ark set that Kevin and I bought for my dad for Christmas several years back:
.JPG)
It is one of the few things that we bought for him that he actually kept. After much frustration, we have learned to give gift cards!
Last, but not least is Miss Prissy:
.JPG)
I caught her admiring herself in the mirror.
Posted by tami at 4:28 PM Comments (1)
November 11, 2005
Scraps
For those people who have unused junk on their property (refrigerators, stoves, bicycles, scrap metals) and don’t know how to get rid of it, our city offers a solution every so often. Locals can take their junk to the Wal-Mart parking lot and drop it off. There are no forms to fill out and no fees to pay.
.JPG)
It makes an ugly sight for a few days, but I would rather it be here for a little while then in the bushes or on someone’s porch or backyard for years. This is a much neater solution.
Posted by tami at 11:07 AM Comments (0)
November 10, 2005
World
I love owning unique things, so this little set fit in perfect with the ambiance surrounding it:
.JPG)
A group of orphaned children visited our church about a month ago. They were from all over the world. They wore brightly colored costumes and put on a great show for us.
In the foyer, they were selling keepsakes like necklaces, bracelets, purses, and much more. I loved this globe and had to have one! I’m thinking that one day my grandkids can play with it.
Posted by tami at 3:54 PM Comments (1)
November 9, 2005
Refrigerator
This is one of my favorite jokes ever:
Three guys die and go to heaven. St. Peter says, "Listen - we're having a really busy century, so we need to manage admissions tightly. Right now we can only admit people who have died in horrible fashions, and those who have died in a more mundane way will have to wait in limbo, and it could take a decade or two to work you in."
So St. Peter takes aside the first man, and asks him how he died.
"Well, I'd been suspicious of my wife having an affair for some time now, so today I came home from work early. I just knew the guy was in my apartment, but I couldn't find him. I looked everywhere and was just about to give up, when I went out on the balcony of my 23rd story apartment and there he was hanging over the edge! He was just barely hanging on. There was no way he could climb back onto the balcony. It was a really stupid place to try to hide. I was livid, so I started punching him and clawing at his fingers, but he held on. Finally, I went to get a hammer and started pounding on his fingers, and he fell down. But what really angered me was that he landed in some bushes and fell to the ground dazed, but basically OK! I was so mad I grabbed the refrigerator, threw it off the balcony and it landed on him. Unfortunately I was so riled up by the incident I had a heart attack and died."
St. Peter was taken aback and said, "While you did die in a dramatic fashion, I think we need to look at that whole second degree murder before we let you in - off to limbo with you." He then approached the second man and asked him how he had died.
"I was riding my exercise bike on the balcony of my 24th story apartment, when the thing broke and threw me over the railing! I grabbed furiously at the railing and slipped, but managed to catch on the balcony below mine. I tried to climb up but it just wasn't possible. I thought I was going to fall but then someone came out on the balcony. I thought he would help me, until he started hitting me! I held on as best I could, but when he got a hammer and started hitting me I finally couldn't hold on anymore and fell. Somehow, though, I fell in some bushes and fell to the ground dazed, but basically OK! Just as I'm coming around, I look up and BAM this refrigerator lands on me. So here I am."
St. Peter immediately admitted this second man to heaven, and pulled aside the third man and asked him for his story.
"Picture this: I'm hiding naked in a refrigerator..."
Posted by tami at 8:43 PM Comments (2)
November 8, 2005
Bob Hope
From email:
BOB HOPE May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003
ON TURNING 70: "You still chase women, but only downhill".
ON TURNING 90: "You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake."
ON TURNING 100: "I don't feel old. In fact, I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap."
ON GIVING UP HIS EARLY CAREER, BOXING: "I ruined my hands in the ring ... the referee kept stepping on them."
ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR: "Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it's called at my home, 'Passover'."
ON GOLF: "Golf is my profession. Show business is just to pay the green fees."
ON PRESIDENTS: "I have performed for 12 presidents and entertained only six."
ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS CAREER:
“When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, 'Congratulations. You have an eight-pound ham."
ON HIS FAMILY'S EARLY POVERTY: "Four of us slept in the one bed. When it got cold, mother threw on another brother."
ON HIS SIX BROTHERS: "That's how I learned to dance - waiting for the bathroom."
ON HIS EARLY FAILURES: "I would not have had anything to eat if it wasn't for the stuff the audience threw at me."
ON GOING TO HEAVEN: "I've done benefits for ALL religions. I'd hate to blow the hereafter on a technicality."
Posted by tami at 3:45 PM Comments (0)
November 6, 2005
Everything Is Dusty
The weekend flies by so fast. Each Friday, I have great expectations for the weekend. Surely, THIS will be the weekend when the house is cleaned, when I make something new and delicious, when I spend time with Ashley reading through her Highlights Magazine, when I spend hours reading my own book, when Kevin and I watch a movie together, when we Christmas shop, when Andrew and I have a long conversation.
Umm, no this wasn’t that weekend. Actually, the only thing that I really wanted to get accomplished was finding a new pair of tennis shoes for me and I couldn’t even do that. I tried on many pairs and looked in several stores, but none made the cut. Therefore, tomorrow I return to work once again with stained, nasty-looking shoes that are coming apart.
I did get to a book sale and an antique sale. I took many pictures, bought a tin of popcorn and our first carton of Egg Nog this year. I wrapped Christmas presents and even bought some stocking stuffers. I read through a week of newspapers and sorted through junk mail that had accumulated on the countertop.
Am I content? No. I need a maid.
Posted by tami at 9:13 PM Comments (3)
November 5, 2005
My Boy
I thought you might enjoy seeing an updated picture of Guido:
.JPG)
We desperately need a dog run here in Winchester. It would be even better if only small dogs were allowed. It would be nice if he could run somewhere besides the backyard.
Posted by tami at 8:35 PM Comments (1)
November 2, 2005
True Laws
From email:
*Law of the Workshop:
Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
*Law of the Telephone:
When you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal.
*Law of the Alibi:
If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire - the next morning you will have a flat tire.
*Variation Law:
If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will start to move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).
*The Bathroom Law:
When the body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
*Law of Close Encounters:
The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.
*Law of the Result:
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.
*Law of Biomechanics:
The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
*Theatre Law:
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last.
*Law of Coffee:
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
*Murphy's Law of Lockers:
If there are only two people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.
*Law of Dirty Rugs/Carpets:
The chances of an open-faced jelly sandwich landing face down on a floor covering are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet/rug.
Posted by tami at 8:20 PM Comments (0)
November 1, 2005
Too Funny
While we were at the trunk-or-treat at our church, we saw a very prominent member dressed as the green M&M. Ashley turned to me and said, “Look mom, he’s supposed to be the green M&M, but the green M&M is a GIRL!”
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tell him this, so I walked up to him and repeated what Ashley had said.
He said, “Well, if you could see the whole costume you wouldn’t say that. On the original costume, my wife’s said “PLAIN” and mine said “WITH NUTS”.
Posted by tami at 12:48 PM Comments (1)