So, if you are an avid reader of rabidrunner you will know about Combat Cleaning. If you are not here is a brief introduction. Combat cleaners will get started cleaning, usually in the evening, and can't stop. This is most often done by women and often happens when there is a frustration brewing. With that being said I have a great story for everyone.
My dear hubby has been having trouble lately with a stuffy nose. He is always complaining that he is getting headaches. I told him it was probably because our bedroom has gotten really dusty. I also informed him that he is welcome to clean it. I didn't feel like it especially considering I had just had a bought with the stomach flu and being pregnant ended up in the hospital for I.V'.s. So he decided that he would. The next thing I know he has the vacuum out and is doing some serious Combat Cleaning. Under the bed, behind the dressers, the ceiling fan etc. It was so funny I had to share. I ran downstairs and called rabid. I was laughing so hard I could hardly explain the situation to her. Then I went up to get the camera to catch the moment forever. I found I couldn't get the camera because he had progressed to the office. It was great!
So the moral of the story is: Get pregnant, sick, or heck just fake something. Then make sure you have let something get dirty that will bother your loved one. You never know, he/she just might surprise you and do a little Combat Cleaning!
For those of you who know what rabidrunner looks like, beware if you see her at the store. For the rest of you who aren't sure, best of luck I hope you never run into her at the grocery store.
Why am I adding this warning to my blog? The reason for this is because I have experienced her rabidness first hand while at a visit to the local supermarket. She is extremely dangerous with a shopping cart. I witnessed her run one man to the edge of the aisle and force him to wreck into the thing-a-majig that is used to display the batteries, nearly knocking it over. Shortly after that I observe her decide to gander at something in the freezer display. Instead of setting her cart politely next to her, she pushes it off into the middle of the aisle leaving a trap for other shoppers who might unexpectedly round the corner and slam into it. Fortunately this time all others in the store were spared any further accidents. I felt like I was a witness to operation shock and awe.
So, please remember, if you see her pull into the shopping center you have been warned. Avoid her or better yet return later to complete your shopping experience in saftey!
So, if you read rabidrunner you know that the Yahoo growing inside of me is a boy! I figured I would take this chance to show everyone his male parts before he can be embarrassed by my actions.
To the right of the photo is his hind end. Look directly to the left and there is the package. Above the words It's A Boy you are seeing a leg. Hopefully this makes sense.
I have also included a photo of the Yahoo's profile.
So, if you haven't read part 1 of this little saga you must refer to Can I Borrow? Found in July. You can't truly appreciate this event without the background,
So, the male and female from part 1 of this saga moved to a new residence about 30 miles away. You might think that would end the drama. Oh, No! Before their departure they were aware that my dear hubby had recently opened a small used car dealership. Of course, they wanted him to pick them up a minivan from the auction for a price that would never be possible. But, business is business and my husband was "forced" to tell them that what they were looking for would never come through at that low of a price. Hello, this is an auction not a miracle shop! Anyway, they ended up purchasing another neighbors older, used minivan. The hubby and I didn't want to know any of the details we avoid all situations with them when possible. Note: this purchase was made the first of September.
Yesterday I come home from work to find my hubby listening to a voicemail with a smirk on his face. Upon finishing the message. He tells me that the former male neighbor called to ask for the hubbies help. The male's message stated that the previous owners of the minivan want their plates removed from the van and returned. Yes, you guessed it they haven't registered it. The male wanted my hubby to work more magic and help him get the licensing and a temporary tag for a "better price". Which knowing this couple they would be most happy if somehow the magic included them paying no taxes or registration fees or better yet if someone else paid it for them. (The best part is they are always needing favors because they're broke, but they pay $800 a month to send their 1st grader to private school.) I saw true joy in the face of my dear one when he said, "I am 'forced' to tell him there are two things in life you can't avoid Death and Taxes. Sorry, can't help you."
My poor future Yahoos. My hubby and I find such pleasure in giving the children a scare. Maybe this will change for me when our Yahoos have nightmares, but I don't think my hubby will change. For example Rabid and her Yahoos came for dinner and games on Monday. While eating dessert my dear one takes our wooden, Tongan tribal mask off the wall. It is a well known fact that Yahoo #2 is terrified of it. He brings the mask in and frightens #2. I find this wildly amusing. Of course we are fine with it, we are sending the Yahoo home with Rabid who was minus Spouse for a few days. It doesn't stop with just one scare we repeatedly try to frighten the Yahoos. Then, as Rabid is trying to leave, I send the hubby out one more time to scare them while pulling away in the dark! I guess this further explains why I love the Halloween season.
I can't believe it I am actually happy with a news report. The local news station KSL has listed some pro's and con's, and cleared up some of the false reports stated in commercials. Follow the link to read this:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=1993736
I believe you should read the actual bill and make your own decision. If you feel that is too much, read the article and see if that will help clear up some of the controversy.
I just love Autumn. But, I love Halloween even more! I know many think that it is an evil pagan holiday. I don't agree. I think it has become a month of a lot of fun, candy, parties, and money to be made for the economy. There might be people trying to keep ancient traditions alive. I say just avoid that type and you will be fine. Maybe it is just that I like becoming something that I am not, I don't know. I do know that I love to dress up and paint my face so that I cannot be recognized. I think I am making up for the lack of playing dress up as a child. I just wasn't into it then. Anyway, I wanted to share with you my thoughts on the "spook"tacular holiday!
Happy Haunting
I just noticed in a comment from Rabid a request to write something new. I don't know if it is the pregnancy hormones or what, but I haven't been thinking very clear lately. I have been waiting for something profound to come to mind. This obviously hasn't happened. So I will just write about something that is not profound. Those of you who have been through this might be able to relate.
I have become a crybaby lately. Not just crying a little, giant sobbing fits have erupted from the inner depths of my soul. Here is an example: My dear hubby planned to go on a camping/four wheeling trip with his brothers. He rarely goes on trips "with the boys" and loves camping. Because of circumstances beyond our control he hadn't been camping at all this summer. I am usually fine with him taking an occasional adventure. So, Friday comes and he prepares to leave. As he begins to depart disaster strikes. The inner depths of my soul burst. My poor husband tries to remedy the problem to no avail. To make matters worse I am actually totally embarrassed by how I am behaving. The embarrassed feelings seem to add to the tears. I finally convince the hubby to leave so I can end the trauma. Then wouldn't you know while my eyes are still red and swollen the neighbor comes by to drop something off. I can't avoid answering the door. I am sitting on the couch and my front room is like a giant fish bowl for all to see where I am. The poor neighbor looks at me like I am a battered woman. Thank goodness she has had several children and all I have to say is "hormones "and she understands.
I can look back on this now and laugh. Even while I laugh I live in a bit of fear. I don't know when the next fit will strike. There doesn't have to be a traumatic event to start the water works. Last week I shed more than a few tears while watching "The Biggest Loser". Oh well, what do you do?
I believe I am in trouble. I am excited to finally bring my wart into the world, although I hope my teaching this year doesn't ruin all of the excitement. I don't know why it is so hard for the class I have this year to figure out that if they will line up without being so ANNOYING they would actually get to go to recess early. I don't think I am asking too much, in fact I am offering a reward. Instead we are always getting to recess a couple of minutes late so we can "practice". Don't let me give you the complete wrong impression. Sometimes they actually make it on time. I am not going to budge on this one so, we will see what happens. I may just snap and end up yelling for them to "Shut Their Traps". I am really good at that you know.
So, last week I had a birthday. It was a nice somewhat relaxing day. It was the day before school began for my students. I had to work, but sometimes it isn't so bad when I actually have time to get stuff done in my classroom.
My first gift was a nice visit from rabidrunner and the two Yahoo's. It was great to have a visit at work. They brought me a fabulous "hand crafted" beanie and a cute dress. The dress was a little big read on to understand why.
My parents and sisters gave me clothing to wear to work.
My dear hubby gave me silicon oven mitts and trivets, two Big Bubba Kegs, and money to buy new clothes. He knows better than to try and guess my size.
Another sister gave me the DVD "Wild Hogs" I recommend it to all.
I also received two cookbooks from a friend and from a sister-in-law.
I think my best gift actually came on the day after my birthday. I had a doctor's appointment and my hubby and I got our first look at our Yahoo in the making. We saw its little heart beating like mad, weird looking eyes, and limbs with fingers and toes. We were also able to see it move twice. It was quite exciting. It has been a little hard to believe that after 6 years we are finally on the road to parenthood. WOW!!
I didn't scan our ultra sound photo in, but it looks something like this:
It sort of looks like it's not much, but to us it was the best news in a long time!
I couldn't let this moment pass without paying a special tribute to Xana-Diva-Delux and her blog Xanadua. I was reading it yesterday and having a bit of trouble with the way my eyes were responding to the colors. Upon moving to the comment section I noticed that el rabido had requested a theme song be placed on the blog. I took the opportunity to request new colors. The Diva responded very un-Diva like. She didn't throw a fit about it. She made the changes and now has given rabidrunner a run for her money for the best blog ever prize(if you know me everything is a competition).
I was feeling a little down and having more of my usual tummy troubles. Then I remembered Xana-Diva-Delux and her theme song. I instantly went to the sight. The song began and I danced around the room feeling the best I had all day. THANKS X-D-D! The best part is my dear hubby loves me all the more for playing the Xanadua song over and over and over and over. . .
I recently took a trip to the land of Disney. What an experience! First of all I highly recommend the Fastpass system and the 3 day "Park Hopper" pass. While you're in the newer of the two parks be sure to ride the "Tower of Terror" it is one of the best thrill rides ever.(my dear hubby who jumps off cliffs while skiing went on it 2 times in a row).
Anyway, to the real point of all the "happiness". This place is full of screaming and crying kids. I couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed this in past trips. One example of the "happiness" torture was when I went to help my sister-in-law with the 4 year old while she changed her little one. There are several diaper changing stations that are well equipped with supplies. That doesn't mean there wasn't a huge line waiting for a spot. This should be expected considering the lines everywhere else. Of course all of the children are screaming or at least whining. So, our turn comes the duty is done then sister-in-law needs to use the john herself. I volunteer to take the kids out so the 4 year old won't touch anything (I know my hubby wouldn't let him close if he thinks he might be contaminated). The little one becomes very distraught about this and sets into a new set of "happiness". To push him out in the stroller I have to tilt it back because of the violent tantrum. While exiting the restroom I receive several understanding glances, and a few looks of "can't you control that child". I might have been pushed way over the top by all of this if I hadn't been with the hubby. As we would walk around the park or wait in line if the kids would begin to cry he would say(in a voice my typing can never do justice):
STOP CRYING, THIS IS THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!!
If you know my dear hubby you would know why I would laugh in my wonderful cackle and had the gumption to wait in just a few more lines. Keep all this in mind the next time you plan a trip to the land of "Disney". Don't say you won't because you just never know!
P.S. If you are the type who likes the whole celebrity watching thing go when a new ride is opening. We saw a ton of the rich and famous type. See if you recognize this "Law and Order" chick with her baby. I am not talking about the little girl who thought I was taking her picture! Check out the shoes obviously the celebrities didn't have to wait in line.
So, as I sit here looking out my front window watching the adorable little quail family cruise around I think to myself, "Am I a mean person?" I don't quite know the answer, I guess it is highly possible that I am. It is equally possible that some people are just plain rude.
BACKGROUND
I feel that the hubby and I are fairly generous people. We don't have a lot, (hubby hasn't had a job in the past 4 years, law school, and as previously mentioned I am a teacher), but we try to think of others and give when we can. So, the entire inner struggle began about a month ago. A male who happens to live in close proximity to us came by to show his new mountain bike to dear hubby. During the conversation the need for shock oil came up. My dear beloved quickly offered some of his (2 different unopened containers I might add). Both males then ventured down to the "gear room" (we have a lot of sporting gear as a result of a previous job of the hubby). The bike was oiled the spouse mentioned that one container would not be used and could be kept. The other male said great and took both. WOW!
Shortly after this visit the female also living in close proximity comes by and asks my hubby if we know anyone who has a baby carrying backpack. Now here is where it gets interesting. We have not been blessed/cursed with children. We do happen to have a very expensive (remember we are not affluent) baby backpack purchased during the time of the previous mentioned job. This backpack has been saved for 4 years hoping we might finally be able to have children and use it. My hubby knows that the other male would have seen this in the "gear room" so says that we do. The female then asks is they can use it. My hubby decides to let them take it on the day hike as it has been made to sound. He then proceeds to go and fetch it. The female says don't get it now we’ll come later. Turns out that they are going on a week trip to a very hot and sandy location. When the male came to pick it up he says, "Is this thing hard to figure out?" My hubby says in a short tone, "I don't know we haven't used it!" The male says, "Great, Thanks!" WOW! We let them take it all the while quite disturbed about the matter. Call us pushovers, but think hard about how you would really respond in an entrapment like that. So the backpack returns mostly unharmed. The hubby and I decide that we will limit our contact with this male and female and be prepared to say, "We aren't comfortable with lending that." upon future encounters. Then we try to put the issue behind us. I had even wrestled with whether or not to blog it. Then this morning happened.
CAKE TOPPER
Today I am out taking care of the flowers. While watering I’m chatting with a neighbor. The previously mentioned female comes over joining the conversation and says, “I was going to come over last night and borrow a cute shirt from you, but your car was gone.” Once again I am not prepared for the boldness. Out of surprise I say, “Which one?” She then says, “I don’t know I just wanted to look through your closet and see what I liked.” WOW, WOW, WOW! All I could think to say was, “Yeah, I wasn’t home.” Maybe I am mean and selfish for not wanting people to come and pick what they “like” from my stuff. I can live with that. I just need to work on being rude back.
I guess I should be thankful that nobody has asked, “Can I borrow your breast pump?” Oh wait, I don’t have one yet!
So, I was driving home from work the other day, yes I drive the average American commute of 30 min., listening to a "Hardcore History" podcast. The topic was what happened to the people of the Bronze Age. I was obviously not paying attention because I began wondering where my Annie lunch box from second grade went. (which I am sure was sent to the local thrift store years ago) This thought then led me to wonder why school lunch is now so vile. You see I had the lunch box but it was rarely used. My family qualified for reduced lunch prices so we usually ate school lunch. Which I didn't mind especially on the chicken soup and cheese bun days. As an educator I now see first hand what types of lunches the children get and I also understand why there is a childhood obesity problem. Everything is prepackaged and most often full of trans fatty acids and other disturbing goop.
This entire thought process chain was quickly forgotten until last Saturday. I had a few hours to hang out at home (this is a rare thing for me). I decided to make a nice breakfast for myself and the hubby. While cooking I turned on the T.V. hoping for some good ol' "Saturday Morning Cartoons". I quickly found myself thinking what happened to all of the "good" cartoons. I couldn't even figure out what was going on let alone get a little chuckle from the silly things. Don't even get me started on the weird animation. I then had a flashback to my thoughts from a few days prior when I wondered where my lunch box was. I wondered what happened to "Bugs Bunny", "Scooby Doo" and "The Jetsons". I decided they are lost like the Annie lunch box.
I guess through all of my random thoughts I now understand why the kids I teach seem to get more difficult with each passing year. They don't have Annie lunch boxes. They eat food filled with junk. They are deprived of happy entertainment. I want Annie and Bugs Bunny back!
So the latest new "safe" thing is listed on the yahoo site's tech link. Wi-Fi blocking paint. It is supposed to help those who have unprotected wireless networks. Sound a little like the taboo of unprotected something else. . .?
http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/hughes/10031/wi-fi-blocking-paint
If you don't have time to look at the link here is a brief clip of the "useful" product:
"wireless blocking paint. One coat of this paint 'creates an electromagnetic fortress by preventing airborne hackers from intercepting signals.' "
Just the term "electromagnetic fortress" makes me cringe. I am not one of those cancer fearing folks, but this just screams of one big cancer trap or one big government trap.(I will get to that later). What is the paint lead? Not to mention is it "GREEN" a topic I am becoming familiar with thanks to a dear friend. I fear somehow that this new paint will only lead (nice lead and lead in the same paragraph try teaching the difference to children) to more people having a false sense of security and an increase in identy theft.
The post later suggests a possible use in a movie theater to block cell phone use. Wouldn't that cause problems in our homes? I am one of those annoying/with the times (depending on how you look at it) people who doesn't use a landline. Wouldn't I be an idiot to paint my walls with something that would block my use of the all important telecommunication device. I guess you might want to keep some people from getting through. I personally have a better plan than blocking all possible calls. Just get a number that is long distance for all of your neighbors. It will really make them crazy and is good for a few laughs on your part.
Well, back to the government. I have a husband who is a little into conspiracy theories. This reeks of such. What's next fireproof houses and the burning of all books?
(The final sentence is a throwback to one of my favorite novels Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury check it out on "Wikipedia" if you are not familiar or better yet read it!)
I had to post this doctored picture of my latest Halloween costume. I always have one student at my school near tears. Aren't I the worst teacher. Wait until I tell your child to shut his or her trap!
So, I have never done this before. It can't be too difficult right? What is the worst thing that can happen someone doesn't like what I have to say? That can't be too bad. I teach school, there is always someone there who doesn't like what I have to say. It might take me a little time to compose wonderful masterpieces like my buddy, rabidrunner! I am willing to put in the effort and take abuse from more seasoned bloggers to perfect the art. This is all I have to say for now except, I am glad I no longer live next to aforementioned buddy my mail is still secret. :)
