Spring Break 07 - 03/25/07

Let's recap our Fabulous Spring Break Oh Seven, in pictures.


Friday: Jacob gets braces. Bank account severely reduced.


Saturday: We purchase a washing machine at Sears. Bank account severely reduced.


Sunday: We went to the library a half hour early, so we drove around Cassadega, a "Spiritualist City." Back to the library so I could renew "Walden" and check out "The Memory Keeper's Daughter."

This is exciting stuff people!

Monday: Errand day. We drove to see Jake's doctor (we MUST find a new one close to home. Our pediatrician also moved, to Apopka. Even further away.) Then we went to get a prescription filled, mail a package and then to the bank.

Tuesday: Sears delivers the washer. I am spastically excited, hug my new washer (I did) and do 7 loads that day. Seriously.



Meanwhile, Jacob helps the neighbor mulch his yard.

Wednesday: Home warranty plumber shows up and fixes leaky faucet in tub. Tub no longer creates bubbles with bubble bath. WHAT is that about? Really? We can't make bubbles with the bubble bath we have been using for 3 years

Thursday: Picture day for Isabel & Jacob. Isabel complains about her pretty itchy dress, won't sit still for pictures, I forget the coupon, bank account reduced

Friday: Wow, I can't even remember Friday. It was that exciting. Ummmmmmmmmmm. Nope, can't remember.

Saturday: Dine at Joe's Crab Shack. Yum. Sister Brenda & hubby drive up to spend the night, as they have an early a.m. appointment in Putnam county to view some property. Brenda gives me her old pink Razor phone, which I love love love. Brenda delivers presents to us from our other sister Vicky. Our Christmas presents. Isabel got a baby doll, a stroller for the baby and some baby clothes.

Jacob gets a combined birthday/Christmas Present: Guitar Hero 2 for the PS2.

David got a strategy guide for a video game, and I got a Bed Bath & Beyond gift card and coupons.

Sunday: My sister & her hubby left before we even awoke. We went to Bed Bath & Beyond to spend my gift card - hee hee. Got a large mirror for the wall when you first enter the house. Ate Mickey D's for lunch and then home for dinner & 2 movies. Oddly enough, both movies were about magicians;

The Prestige and The Illusionist. The Prestige was creepy. It had you loopy the entire time. I can't even begin to explain the double, triple & quadruple dealings going on. The Illusionist - I figured out what happened seconds before Paul Giamati's character did. Both were good.


FUN FUN FUN! Back to the grind tomorrow. Good Night.

Once More With Feeling - 03/22/2007

So Excited!

Joss Whedon decided a while back to continue Season 8 of Buffy in comic book form, and went with Dark Horse Comics. Season 8, Book 1 is already sold out. It was released this week (there was a delay from the posted release date.) The variant cover is still available but only one per person as they are selling out fast, and a second printing of the first cover will be coming out soon. I got the first print of the original cover delivered today. *squeeee* I already have # 2-4 preordered from TFAW.com as well. It's too short, though. I need more info, please! Number 2 does not come out until the first week in April. Gah. I am impatient.

"Once More With Feeling," Season 6, Episode 7

Redefinition - 03/13/2007

Ok.

Let's discuss something. The difference between "Your" and "You're." It perturbs me. I mentioned my being perturbed and was told I needed a hobby, but as the teller does not read my blog anyway, whatever.

You're. It stands for You Are. It is called a contraction. We are squishing the words together because....well, we're lazy. See that? I used another contraction; we're. As in "We are."

You Are Crazy = You're Crazy

You Are needed in the conference room = You're needed in the conference room.

You are stepping on dog doo. You're stepping on dog doo.

Any time you can say "You are," you can use "You're." With me?

"Your," on the other hand, signifies possession. Something that belongs to you.

Your dress is pretty. The dress belongs to you.

Your report was due yesterday. The report...that belongs to you.

Your butt is big. (IS NOT). The butt, that belongs to you, is big. Got that?

When I see people say "Your Welcome," I always say to myself "Your welcome what? Your welcome face brightens my day? Your welcome smile greets visitors as they walk in the door?"

You are welcome; you're welcome.

Your Awesome! Saw that one on a web site recently and I thought -My awesome what? Hair? House? Butt? What of mine is so awesome? Ooooooh, you mean "You are awesome" or "You're Awesome."

Your house. It belongs to you. (side note: You actually CAN use the expression 'You're House,' but only if you're talking to Hugh Laurie.)

Please.....if you can say "You are.." you need to use "You're." If it belongs to you, then you can use "Your."

"Your dog is sweet. You're sweet as well."


"Redefinition", Angel Season 2, Episode 11

Spiral - 03/11/2007

Our washing machine won't "final spin." It won't spiral. We've had it about a year. We bought it used, from a local mom & pop joint in the city we used to live in. Now before you complain, "why did you buy it used," let me explain. Back when I was first separated and living with my son, we moved into an apartment. I barely had 2 nickles to rub together. If, after getting paid and paying all my bills, I had $50 for two weeks, I was ecstatic. The first year in the apartment, we did our laundry at the laundromat. What an experience. I would pile the car up with a week or so's worth of our clothes, load myself and my son in the tiny car and go do laundry. I'd try not to go early; it was always packed. Then, we'd just....sit there waiting. We'd start to see the same people over & over. When the workers nod to you as you walk in, you know you've been there a while. I'm not going to expound on the people there, nor will I denigrate or degrade anyone for going there; I had to. I am no better than anyone else.

Then, my company gave us all surprise bonuses. Out of the blue. A co-worker had bought his appliances at this local mom & pop place and recommended it to me. It was a bonus, but a small one and I did not want to spend it all on appliances. I went there, and purchased a washer & dryer for $300.

This washer & dryer lasted through 1 year at my apartment and 5 years at my home. Six years, two appliances, $150 a piece. I was happy with that investment. So when the washer needed $175 worth of work, I figured I could probably buy a newer used model, which is what we did. Washer AND dryer - $500.

It is over a year, and we moved to a new city. The final spin won't spin. I am not overloading it; I even tried running the final spin empty, with two items, with 5 items. Nothing. The mom & pop company won't come out to our new city, 22-25 miles away. We bribed with $$. No go. Now we have to decide whether we get a service call from some G.E. Authorized company, or just buy another one. I am going to see what a service call will cost first. It's pretty much the labor charge I am concerned with.

It's killing me not to do laundry.

"Spiral", Buffy Season 5, episode 20

The Catcher in the Rye - 03/09/2007

I'm trying to formulate a cohesive/coherent description to "The Catcher in the Rye." I'll probably update this post a couple of times. If there are newer posts after this one, then I am probably done. I hope.

I suppose had I read this book in high school, I may have had a different reaction to this book. That's true with any book though, right? Its meaning changes for you as you change. I found this book actually in the Young Adult section of our (lame) library. I never had to read it in high school.

Holden Caulfield. When I told my father-in-law I was reading "Catcher," that's the first thing he said - Holden Caulfield. The boy has issues. He curses a lot - mainly G.D. every other word and the F word in one section. No wonder this book was banned a lot throughout the US back in 1940's, when it was first published. Salinger had some serious guts. Here I am, 60 years later, still a bit stunned at Holden's attitude and speech. It's nothing if you are a jaded 21st century person, but like I was told once at work, some of my ideas and attitudes belong back in the 1800's.

Holden's a pain in the butt. He is. I understand he has issues and was depressed. I get it. Maybe if I were reading this at age 16, I'd be over the moon about it. I would *really* get his 'angstyness.' I must not be used to looking into the mind of someone who *is* depressed; whose every action, every observation, every reaction to others' actions, "depresses the hell" out of him. His roommates, his teachers, the hotel staff, the NUNS, taxi drivers, the Rockettes. Practically everything irritated him, except his sister. He was irritating me. And this was only about 24 hours or so in one of his days. He depressed the hell out of me, although come to think of it, where DO the ducks from Central Park go to during winter?

I did enjoy the reason it was called "Catcher in the Rye." I started reading this book and had absolutely no idea why it was called "Catcher in the Rye." I really don't know what I was expecting; certainly not a story about a young, depressed teen told in the first person. I thought that his explanation to Phoebe of being the catcher in the rye was sweet. He was so lost. This was the only thing he wanted to do - be with kids and be the catcher in the rye, in case they fell. Sadly, what he really needed was for someone to catch him as he fell.

"Lonely Hearts," Angel Season 1, Episode 2

In the Dark - 03/02/2007

Sometimes I feel like I am in the dark with regards to history, literature, science, etc. I want to learn more. I received today this book: An Incomplete Education: 3,684 Things You Should Have Learned But Probably Didn't.

VERY excited about this. It's a nice hard cover book. I have already started reading it. You know me: 3 or 4 books at a time and I am happy. (doing Catcher in the Rye and Blue Water as well). I am doing one classic a month. Catcher in the Rye is March's selection. I never read this, can you believe it. There are so many classics I have never read. I printed up a list of "100 Books to Read Before you Die." I am going to read them all. Pray for me when I get to "War & Peace". I hear it's a bear.

"In the Dark", Angel Season 1, Episode 3

Into the Woods - 02/25/2007

The Flea Market and Super Wal-mart. Two very similar places. A place where the melting pot that is America boils over. I actually don't mind the idea of Wal-Mart. Let me get 'things cheap' (that is different than 'cheap things', which they also carry). Just please dear Lord, let me get out of there in one piece. I have never seen more miserable people than I see when I am at Wal-Mart. No one can smile, patrons and employees alike. I try to be chipper, but by the time I am out of there, my energy is drained. It's almost like a free-for-all. Patrons pushing their shopping carts without looking at what's around the next bend and then getting upset at hitting the person with the right-of-way. People stopping in the middle of the aisle, rather than to the left or right, so you can't get by. I prefer Target. They are building a new Super Wal-Mart a stone's throw from my street, but I would rather go to the Target near my office during my lunch break, than go to Wal-Mart. It's depressing. My cashier today looked as if she swallowed a peeled squished lemon. A lemon filled with razors; she was mean-looking. Not a smile to be doled out to anyone. Ugh.

We also went to the Flea Market today. One we had never been to before. Again, mish-mosh of all kinds of people, mainly ones with bad dental hygiene. I'm a snob, I know. Rough day. Isabel decided it was melt-down time, and boy did she ever. We ended up leaving because I was not about to have a 2 year old tell me which way I should be going. If I pushed the stroller left, she'd wail "NOOOOO, THIS WAYYYYYY!!!" and disolve into tears. She was in desperate need of quiet time. Way too much stimulation for all her senses there. People pushing dogs in strollers, a man pushing a skunk in a stroller (I kid you not). Why are you bringing your dogs to the flea market? I don't understand this. I know you love your dog, but no matter how you dress it, it's not a child, it's a dog and it does not need to be in a stroller. Poor humiliated pooches. I am of the mindset that dogs need to have a purpose to their day. Fetch something, herd something, dig something, not be pushed around in the stroller. Don't get me started on skunk guy.

Back in the sanctuary of our home, we are watching a movie called "Zoom." (don't bother) We just took a break to put Isabel to bed.

"Into the Woods", Buffy Season 5 Episode 10

Supersymmetry

I'm getting her picture made next week, so what I do? I cut her bangs...crookedly. Crookedly cut bangs. She moved! She flinched, I say! She whined and kicked and flailed!!!

LIES! Lies to deflect!! She was perfectly still and not scared at all. I stink. I was able to do a little fix up though and now you can only tell if you stare. I promise!

"Supersymmetry," Angel Season 4, Episode 5

Out of Gas - 02/21/2007

Hola. Wow, I am pooped. Why does being a mom and working involve so much...work? Who knew?

The Glass Castle I talked to you all about earlier? Good book. Read it. I figured out the author's dedication page note to her youngest sibling. Sorry, you will have to read it for yourself. Nya Nya.

I had a surprise in the mail yesterday. My bee eff eff bought and mailed me a copy of "The Other Boelyn Girl." A Historical "Fiction." What kind of oxymoron is that? Historical Fiction? I was so excited. My library (the one that I illegally go to now - yes, evil) has it on order for me. There were only 12 people ahead of me. So I got a copy bought for me. Thanks Wendell! Book Worm Geeks Unite! "She is too fond of books, and it has addled her brain."

Hey, why do smokers smack the heck out of their newly acquired packages? I saw some guy "packing" a pack. Why? How does this enhance the smoking experience? Curious non-smokers want to know.

"Out of Gas," Firefly Episode 107

The Glass Castle - 02/18/2007

If you ever feel like, "boy howdy, my life stinks!" pick yourself up a copy of "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls. No, your life does not stink.

This book is a memoir by Ms. Walls about her life growing up. She's not "getting back" at her parents; she's not seeking revenge. She's telling you her life story through her eyes at the time the events happened. When things happened at age 3, she's writing as if her brain were 3. When she's 7, her writing is 7, etc. There's no hate there, no bitterness. There is a life of being exciting and adventurous. I shake my head and cringe as I read this book. How anyone could live this way shocks me. Mr. Walls is OK now with it. I think this memoir was cathartic for her. I still have 118 pages or so to go (my library copy is 288 pages long). I am curious about her dedication page. She directly thanks 2 siblings that lived this life with her, and the youngest sibling, she says she will always love. I wonder if the youngest sibling did not approve of this memoir. I wonder if the youngest saw things differently. I know I think about my upbringing and it is slightly different from my older sister's and the same goes for my younger sister. We all live in the same circumstances but we live events and life differently. It's weird and mind-boggling to me.

Know what else boggles my mind? I can't remember my childhood. Ms. Walls writes about doing things at age 3, at age 5. I can't. My earliest memories are of 5th grade. How old was I? Ten? Those are my earliest memories. I cannot remember anything else before, except bits and pieces. Flashes. Mom hanging laundry on a line in Puerto Rico. A tree falling on a VW Bug during Hurricane David in PR. Making a floral arrangement with my Aunt Carmen as a class project on a weekend, only to go get it out of my Aunt's fridge on Monday and having it be all wilted. Major life events, I can't remember. I don't remember mom bringing my sister home from the hospital when I was 5. And even from age 10 forward, I have swiss-cheese memory. I can't remember any elementary school teachers' names. Or faces. My husband can recite them all. I can recite all my son's teachers. I can remember some Junior high teachers' faces, but no names. The only high school teachers I remember were those really special ones; Mr. Cavagnaro, Mrs. Shannon, Mrs Greene, the English teacher who made it "click for me" Mrs Hersch. Four teachers in 4 years? I look at my high school year book to remember people I went to school with. My best friend will call and say "Guess who I saw today? Mary so and so." I have no idea who she is talking about.

College? Please. I took so many courses I can't remember half of them, let alone the professors' names. It bothers me that I can't remember things. Names? Man, I stink. In order to remember your name, I must repeat it to myself over & over and them use a mental word association game to really get it right. Just ask my neighbor Amber, who I called Amanda (because I *though* she said "Amanda" and Amanda was a name of a girl my husband knew/dated/whatever. That's how I remember things. Now when I look at my neighbor, I think "Amber-like Vicky's friend Amber" I think of my sister's friend who shares the same name, to remind me of her name. Swiss Cheese Memory. Holes in there.

Back to the book, I will see if there is any hint as to why her youngest sibling is mentioned that way in the dedication page. I want to know if they still talk.