Fifty bucks and a refilled brake line is all we needed. It was clouded up & causing our stick shift to stick.
Thanks to the local mom & pop mechanic outfit 2 miles from here, Osteen Automotive Repair, that helped us out immensely.
I was Googling Joss (which sounds kind of pervy, but isn't) and came across this interview on MSN about Senor Whedon.
Main points: "Ripper" is STILL not a go. Fox needs to get off their butts and let the BBC use the Tony Head/Rupert Giles character already, before Tony....gets along in age. Oh, don't get me wrong, Tony is still the hottest 53 year old out there.
Also, no Serenity sequel. What?
To quote Spike, "Is everyone here very stoned?" Why NOT a sequel? When the DVD is released in December 20, 2005 and by January 15, 2006, you've made 9.1 MILLION dollars (in less than a month), you've got something there.
I have not had a Whedon fix in a while. No big-screen "Wonder Woman" now either. But wait, what's this I hear? Another Whedon series coming to tv, AND starring a Buffy Alum? Don't play with my emotions Joss. This had better be on the air and soon!
I hate cell phones. It is no secret. I hate that people assume that the if a cell phone rings that we MUST answer it. We are so self-important that this phone call MUST be the end-all and be-all call. I know one who answers the cell phone while using the bathroom! Really? Is it THAT important that you cannot wait 3 minutes and check your call record? Or people who are in a conversation with a live person in front of them, their cell rings and they cut the live person off to answer the phone. How rude!
Let me explain something about me: If I am tired, watching tv, bathing my daughter, taking a nap, talking to my son, cooking dinner, reading a book, etc. etc. I might not answer the phone. Sorry. LEAVE A MESSAGE. I will get back to you; you know how great I am at keeping in touch.
I have a couple of people both at work and in my personal life who will:
1) ..beep me on the two-way and immediately start talking. I AM ON THE PHONE WITH A CUSTOMER and all I hear is someone talking very loudly about something they need. Here's a tip: Give a "Courtesy Chirp." Beep someone....and WAIT. Don't assume that because you have free time, that the person you are beeping is free. I've been in the bathroom at work and heard my two-way chirp and the person start talking. I'm in the can....away from the phone - I can't hear you!
2).....beep me or call me on the cell while I am on the land-line talking to someone. When I don't immediately answer the beep or call, they immediately call my office land-line. HELLO???? I did not answer the cell phone or radio for a REASON. Why didn't you leave a message? Don't immediately call back on the land-line. I am busy with the many people calling me needing something.
There is no cell-phone courtesy and it kills me. I don't understand the rudeness of taking calls in a meeting, in a restaurant, while talking to someone in person. STOP IT ALREADY.
Once upon a time, about 7-8 years ago, there was this rather large forum. The forum was something I stumbled upon one day doing a Google Search on Buffy. The forum had people like me! People who totally loved Buffy & Angel (and Roswell etc.). There were present episode discussions, past episode discussions, fan writing, fan sightings. It was a beautiful thing.
So, 7-8 years ago, I started conversing with a group of people, and we ended up exchanging e-mail addresses. For some reason that I cannot remember now cause I am old & decrepit, we called ourselves the Mafia Chicks. Never mind that there were 7 girls and one guy. I think we were trying to put a hit out on someone, I don't know. There are 2 in California, 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Maryland, 1 (now) in Connecticut, 1 in Florida (me) and the two over there; Australia and Denmark. We ranged in age from 13 to 29.
Fast forward 7 years. Our high school girl is 20, us older ones are...older. :) We *still* e-mail each other. There have been split-ups, three babies, way more weight than I care to admit, new jobs, graduations (college and high school) and tons of Christmas cards being sent across the country and around the world. I've met two of the girls up in DC back in 2002. The man of the group has met the NJ girl, the girl from Denmark and even flew to Australia and met the Aussie chick. And this week, he met me. :)
Spur of the moment, last minute thing, he decided to vacation in Florida and ended up about 30 miles from my house. He came over yesterday and was a gracious guest, bringing taffy and a Blockbuster gift card (with way too much on it Michael!) I had laid out some ground beef for some quick Hamburger Helper and thought "Oh No! What am I going to cook?" I still had some of the peppers that Jake's grandpa grew in his garden, so I made stuffed red, yellow and green peppers. They were good; ground beef, onions, rice, tomato sauce, garlic & mozzarella. Mmmmm. I gave him the tour of the house, including "his guest room," and saw pictures of his Australian trip. We discussed the three other B's (not Buffy): beach, books and business.
It was SO COOL to finally meet the male Mafia Chick.
Three "Him's" to be exact.
Ok. Seriously. This happened. I will explain more and post some pictures when I am not so tired, but I HAD to tell you this story.
David, the kids and I went to the Central Florida Spring Gathering today at Hontoon Island; a letterboxing event. We had a great time. In fact, people are still having a good time, as some are camping there in cabins or tents over the weekend.
We did a hike, just the 4 of us. It's about 3 miles, round-trip. On our way to the "end" of the trail (one-way), I notice a very thin lady in a bikini, squatting down in front of a toddler girl. I think "She's helping her daughter with something"....only I realize the lady's bikini bottoms are around her ankles.
I stop in my tracks, and turn my 13 year old son and myself around; we stand there just waiting. David and our daughter were further behind us, as a 3 year old has teeny little legs and takes longer to catch up.
I turn around to see the lady and the girl leave to our right. As we start to walk towards where she was, a British couple that had passed us earlier and were making their way back, start saying to us "Mind your step. Walk to your far right" while the husband is asking "Did you see that?" We all stop together to talk. It seems they came upon her from the other side....and she was not just peeing.
There was a clearing there, right next to the river. Her husband/boyfriend pulled his boat to the clearing, she hopped off the boat with her toddler, left her "gift", went back on the boat and took off.
The British couple were disgusted, as were we, at what this lady had just done. She did not even cover it or bury it, or even hide in the bushes. STRAIGHT on the trail.
We covered our noses and looked away as we walked by. The thought of it made David and my son want to puke. I did not EVEN point out to the two of them that a "used" paper towel was also dropped on the way to the river.
For Real.
Let's recap our Fabulous Spring Break Oh Seven, in pictures.
Friday: Jacob gets braces. 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!
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Tuesday: Sears delivers the washer. I am spastically excited, hug my new washer (I did) and do 7 loads that day. Seriously..JPG)
Meanwhile, Jacob helps the neighbor mulch his yard.
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. .JPG)
Jacob gets a combined birthday/Christmas Present: Guitar Hero 2 for the PS2.
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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;
Hello All,
I just got back from Chicago. I arrived this morning at my house at around 12:30 a.m. Late flight. I flew up Wednesday afternoon, and flew back Thursday evening. COLD!! Wednesday night, 6 of us went to dinner at a fantastic Italian restaurant. The kind where the people are actually Italian. The food was GREAT.
Thursday was spent in a conference room, brain-storming. I had a really good time and met people I had known through work for years and years, but never met face to face. One hired consultant, our Vice President /Inventory/computer guru who I love to death, and four "Power Users" of our computer system. That would be moi. It is nice to be appreciated for your talents. Really, I am not kidding.
Just some airline observations:
Apparently, carry-on luggage dimensions are "optional" for some people.
PAY ATTENTION to what socks you are wearing, because you have to take off your shoes. Holey socks - not so nice. I am talking from experience here. Manicure your toenails, too ladies.
Yes, you have to take your jacket off.
Yes, you have to take your laptop and camcorder out of their cases.
Yes, it really is only 3 ounces of liquid/gel items that you can take on a plane. For the 10th time, No, you can't take that water bottle in. No, that monster-sized toothpaste is not considered 3 ounces just because you squeezed half of it out.
Those 3 ounces of saline/perfume/toothpaste, mouthwash, etc. etc......they all have to fit in one quart-sized zipper-type plastic bag. Not a gallon size, not two quart-sized bags. One per person.
Even though they are calling Group # 2 to board, half the people from Group # 6 are blocking your way in to the plane. Because just by standing near the gate door, the space/time continuum will speed up and they will get on.
All planes leaving from or going to Orlando will have kids on it. Crying kids, happy kids, whiny kids. Deal with it. It is ORLANDO.
I hate turbulence and those fluffy clouds that cause it.
I LOVE how, when we have just taxied to the gate, everyone rushes to stand up, get their items from the overhead bin and THEN.....they wait. And wait. And Wait. Why are they STANDING there? You are not going anywhere until they actually open the door. I call it the "Hurry Up and Wait" portion of the evening.
Thankfully, expense accounts take care of the $34 parking fee for one day and half.
Last night, Wednesday, we had our company Christmas Dinner.
Howdy. I know, I said I'd "write tomorrow" a few days ago. Can you believe I have not GOTTEN ON LINE until now. I mean, other than for work. SO busy. It may have something to do with a certain fruit of my looms...loins...that has a certain project of the science fair nature that this certain fruit has known for months and yet I only find out about it a day or so before vacation. I digress but I am explaining why we're all with the "busy."
Thursday - Turkey Day. 16 people to feed. David's parents (with a little help from me & Grandma) kicked patootie in feeding 16 people. I helped make this casserole, where almost everything was a slight substitution off the original receipe. It was funny...and delicious. We should have made 2, it was gone in a flash. The only down-side? No leftovers!! Gasp! I loves me some leftovers. I think the only things left were an assortment of stuffings and a little bit of turkey. Good eats = no leftovers I suppose.
I think we played a board game that night, or was that the following night? I know we played Pictionary one night (Team Kaaren/Tricia/Jacob came from behind to victory!) and another night we played Apples to Apples.
We're back. Spent a week in Lookout Mountain, GA. It's so pretty up there. We did not get there until Monday night (10 p.m. or so) so we were really there Tuesday through Friday. We drove back Saturday, so that we could unpack the Jeep and the U-Haul-O'-Stuff we brought back with us. I'm still kind-of pooped. Had to go back to work after being gone a week. That's always a bummer. I need to hop over to AOL real quick and upload some pictures. I took WAY too many and this website only lets me do 50 a month. I think I'm at like 20 so far. I'll put what I can here, and then I will have to link the rest.
Tuesday we just kind-of putzed around. I went to the very quaint post office (think Mayberry, and not in a bad way or anything) with my m-i-l, while David went though boxes and boxes of stuff he had stored at his parents house. You can see me twitching, can't you?
Wednesday, we took the kids and David's grandma letterboxing. We were one for two. Here's Grandma, Isabel & David looking at a view at one of the letterboxing locations. Didn't find this letterbox. The second location was in this terrific park up there. SO much fun for kids. The kids played while grandma & I found the box. Victory! Here's Jake sliding down a humongous slide at this cute park, called The Pumpkin Patch.
Wednesday night was bowling night. Bizarro bowling, as they had you prepay for your games and then they'd randomly turn off our lanes when the prepayments would expire. We could not understand how, if you prepaid 6 people for a game each on one lane, how do you run OUT of $$ if you have not finished bowling. Weird. David's brother Kevin kicked butt. It's cause he's so tall. His arms practically reach the pins anyway. LOL
Thursday! Turkey Day! But before I proceed, let me take you back to....oh, 1975. Meet Hugo, the Man of 1,000 Faces. This creepy little toy was very popular in the 70's. He came with scars, toupee's, two sets of glasses, fake teeth, etc. etc. Creepifying. Apparently, my husband used to scare the heck out of one of his brothers with it. (By the way, THIS picture is from a set currently for sale on e-bay. They are at $51 right now). So, David wants to get rid of Creepy-Hugo, only....Isabel. She...loves Hugo. *shudder*
Here she is, in her beautiful Thanksgiving dress....playing with Hugo. She'd try to stick one of his noses on, and give him kisses. I caught her one night out of bed, down the hall, grabbing Hugo from his box. (She was SOOOO good going to bed. Not crib. Bed. She could get out of the bed, but she wouldn't. She'd lie there like a good girl....except for the Hugo incident). Hugo, alas, is still up in Lookout Mountain. He may get "e-bayed" as well.
Back to my daughter, and the beauty and perfection that is my daughter. (We'll just ignore the humming thing that drives me, as well as restaurant patrons, bonkers). Here she is in that dress again (quite possibly humming, too). Gahh! Gorgeous!
Anywhoo, it's 11:33 p.m. and I HAVE TO WORK IN THE MORNING! Wahhh! I'll continue tomorrow
My grandparents should have just arrived in Puerto Rico. I booked them a flight for Saturday morning, 8:30 a.m. This meant getting up at 4:30 a.m. They were already up & dressed. I went down in my pj's & started coffee for all of us. I also packed them lunch, consisting of a sandwich each, two fruit cups, some Chex Mix, sugar-free cookies for grandma and regular cookies for grandpa, some spoons and napkins. Grandpa helped grandma down the stairs. I gave them some coffee, and a bowl of cereal each, with some cut-up bananas in it. Jake made himself some oatmeal. Jake came with me to the airport to help. Grandma secretly hands Jake what I think is $20.00 I hear him say "No grandma, it's too much." She shushes him and shoos him away. I later find out it was not $20, it was $40! Then Grandpa slips him a $10. Anyone needing a loan, please see Jake.
I brought the luggage down and loaded the car. David came out to say goodbye to us in the garage. David, who worked late, was staying home with Isabel. We left early, so I drove without any rush or stress. We got to the passenger unloading zone. I searched (and searched) and found a wheelchair. We placed grandma in it. I asked Jake to stand in line at the outside check-in, with grandpa, while I went to the short-term parking lot. I parked and got back to them by the time they called them up.
Tickets in hand, I was about to go in when the Skycap guy yells to me in Spanish to make sure I get a wheelchair pass inside. No clue what that was, but now we had to wait at the INSIDE line. It actually went by fast. I'm thinking they are going to give me...a pass to allow her to be in the wheelchair? No clue. The Delta agent asks me for ID. I hand them my grandparents' id's. She said no, she needed mine. I was confused. She said the pass was for me to be able to go with them all the way to the plane. How cool was that? With all the regulations and restrictions, I thought for sure I would have to drop them off at security and then just watch as my grandpa struggled with a wheelchair, and a large duffel bag. We went through a special security gate for wheelchairs. They scanned the lunch I prepared and had to take out the fruit cups. The fruit cups. They had liquid in them. *sigh* They also took away the toothpaste tube because it was too large. I told grandpa to put all the liquids in the checked in luggage, but forgot to mention the toothpaste.
The 4 of us get in, Jake carrying the duffel bag and I pushing the wheelchair. Quick stop at Starbucks for me and Nathans for Jake (french fries at 7:10 a.m.). We waited right at the gate with them for about an hour. I went to get the grandparents some coffee. They are very picky coffee drinkers. They don't like American. I bought a grande cappuccino (coffee & steamed milk), and a side shot of espresso. I poured the espresso into the cappuccino, added artificial sweetener, and divided it into two cups. "Great Coffee, Kaaren" was their reply.
When they called the flight, we went straight to the front of the line and they immediately started taking grandma down. I had to jump to grab a goodbye kiss from both before they were taken to their seats.
I think about families that have elderly people living with them. I know a couple who have taken care of or still do take care of an elderly relative. Then I read of people with young kids like me, also taking care of their elderly parents or grandparents. My hats off to you. Kudos. Really. From the bottom of my heart, know that I have the deepest respect and admiration for what you do, each & every day.
Grandma got out of the hospital this afternoon. My second (or it it third? Second once removed?) cousin Marisol happened to be there. She is my grandma's niece (the size 2). Marisol stayed with them while they checked out and then drove them to my house. My cell phone was grand central station. When are they leaving the hospital? I don't know, I'm at work. When are they flying home? I don't KNOW, I'm at WORK. My boss let me go home early. He was probably as tired of my phone ringing as I was.
I got home and Marisol was feeding them chicken noodle soup, God bless her. I cleaned the kitchen, as it was a wreck. The floor was covered in cookie crumbs. Isabel and my grandparents have about the same coordination, and all 3 were eating cookies, hence the crumbs. I started cooking dinner for Jake & I. Not the same food for my grandparents because they can't eat the same things. I got my grandma changed and into her pj's. I made coffee. I changed Isabel's diaper. I made rice for my grandpa and soup for Isabel. I did more dishes. I swept the floor again. Grandpa asked if I had gone on the internet yet to look at flights. David called & asked me to tape Smallville, oh and had I gone grocery shopping yet.
I went upstairs to put some of Isabel's toys away. In her room, her bed sheets had tons of chocolate spots on it...like she went to bed with a cookie. I changed her sheets. I noticed not one but two days worth of clothes on her dresser. The hamper is 5 feet away, the closet, one. The tags from her new outfit she wore yesterday were still sitting on the dresser. The garbage can, one foot away.
I put my hands to my face and started bawling.
I asked Jake to please start Isabel's bath. He must have heard something in my voice, because not one word, or one huff did I hear. He jumped up and started her bath. Now, I'm off to run downstairs and see if Isabel is done so that I can plunk her in the bath. And tape Smallville. And then put her to bed. And then look at flights on the internet. I might even get a bath. If I can stop crying.
The other night, we were watching a local news station, and kept seeing commercials for seafood restaurants in our new county. The restaurants were all on the water, with outdoor tables, tons of steaming shellfish and cold beverages. I told David that that was the kind of seafood place I wanted to go to one day. We last went to Red Lobster. I like Red Lobster, but it's more of the "fast food" joint of the seafood restaurants.
Tonight, we went out. I thought we were going to Target to shop and then grab a bite to eat, only we went left on the main road instead of right. I thought maybe we were going to the shops in the next city over. Instead, David asked the GPS to find us seafood restaurants. We ended up in New Smyrna Beach. We drove up & down A1A looking at restaurants and decided on PJ's. It wasn't on the beach side, it was on the other side of the island. The lagoon side? Whatever. We sat outside in the cool, cool weather with the sun setting. We ate seafood-stuffed mushrooms and salads with fresh-baked bread. Our girl saw them take the bread out of the huge, round oven she called a "cave." J had a mushroom cheese burger, our girl had chicken nuggets, David had seafood-stuffed jumbo shrimp and rice, and I had Steamed Crab Legs & fries. It was messy and terrific. I told David that the restaurant was just what I had envisioned. He raised his hands in the air and did a white-boy dance. It was a fun time. We got in the car and drove up & down A1A looking at all the condos & homes on the beach. It took us about 25 minutes to get home
Seriously. When will I ever use this title? Never. LOL So, a random title for a random blog.
Let's say you have to get out of the car after you have parked it, but you need to walk around and get something out of the passenger seat; something bulky or whatever. Do you walk around the front of your car? Or do you swing around the back? I go around the back and I DON'T KNOW WHY!! It's so weird. I catch myself doing it all the time. I would think going around the front would be quicker (shorter front end than tail), but I still go around the back. Did my mom instill in me a fear of walking in front of cars? Am I trying to get more exercise?(psshhhyea, right) No clue, but I find it weird.
Tomorrow I'm going to get re-certified for CPR & First Aid. A whole day out of the office. Yay! So, if I'm ever around and you're...say..gagging, I'm your gal.
What else, what else. Oh yeaaa....yesterday, I'm changing our girl into her pj's. There's a mirror on her changing table, so she's looking at herself as I take off her shirt. (I typed shity - LOL my fingers were on the wrong keys!!) So, she points to her teeeeeeeny little baby nip and says "Booby!" I just stare and say "What did she say?" Jake's laughing out in the loft and says "Yea, David taught her that today." Nice.
Just got back from a mini-vacation. Took a 4 day weekend off to go visit my sisters in West Palm. But first...PICTURES!! I cannot even remember what pictures I said I would post though.
Here's the bedroom and the blinds. See how the color of the bedroom changes in light? What a pain. Oh & the new ceiling fan in our room that David installed.
Man, seriously dark storm outside right now. So if this Blog seems to end mid-sentence, it's because my power went out or the computer froze. Miracle Mrs. Squeak can sleep with all the racket going on outside.
Speaking of racket, we heard the space shuttle sonic booms this morning around 9 something a.m. They sounded more like thunder than booms.
Back to my weekend. We WERE going to a family reunion, and had put a $50 deposit down for it last year. When we did so, we had not even thought of buying a new house. Then in January, we put the $$ down on this lot, and the rest is history. Had we driven up to PA, and spent the $$ on the food and lodging, etc., we would have spent about $1k. We really wanted to go to the reunion, but we did not feel comfortable spending more $$. We have a larger house with TWO AC units, which equals humongous light bill. I'm skeert, so we decided not to go. We luckily did not have to pay anything extra, just the $50 deposit, which is fine with me. Not their fault we had to bail at the last minute.
As I still had the time off, we decided to head to West Palm. We stayed with my sister Brenda (the one who came up here to help me move stuff into the U-Haul). Saw one of my best friends, Kelli Kelli Elliot, went to Bed Bath & Beyond and got my comforter set (Vivaldi. # 1 for those of you in the e-mail "know"). My sister Vicky had a 20% off one item coupon and we used it on the comforter set, which BTW, was on clearance. We have to buy KING-SIZED PILLOWS!! LOL the shams look so funny. Like floppy little bunny ears, because we have regular pillows in them. The picture of the bedroom will just have to wait until then, sorry.
Visited Vicky's mansion (lol) before the shopping and David & Mrs. Squeak went for a swim on Saturday. Then, we went shopping, went to Chili's for a late lunch and then back to Brenda's. Saw Kelli again at her house too.
Fede got baptized on Sunday. My pictures came out horrible, because the church was large & dark. Jonathan, my nephew (Brenda & Fede's son), is not a church-goer. Neither is Brenda, for that matter. They went to support Fede. He did not think Jon & Brenda would be there. When they call the baptism candidates, all 12 of them, in from behind the pulpit somewhere, Jonathan gets up (we're WAY in the back), walks all the way down that long aisle (mind you - NOT a church loving guy), and hugs his dad. Brenda & I were crying. It was a touching moment. We went to Denny's after for Breakfast/Lunch and then ended up staying longer (reading books, playing Guitar Hero) because our little gorgeous gal fell asleep and we wanted her to have a nice nap.
We drove home late Sunday, me in a panic at our house being broken in to cause I am a freak. Or OCD. Depends on who you talk to. Speaking of OCD...not trying to make light of that disease, I would never tease anyone about having it, because I've known people with family members who do have it, and it's not funny to me, but speaking of:
From Wikipedia.com:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has worked its way into the wider English lexicon, and is often used in an offhand manner to describe someone who is meticulous or absorbed in a cause. Such casual references should not be confused with obsessive-compulsive disorder; see clinomorphism. It is also important to distinguish OCD from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. A person who shows signs of infatuation or fixation with a subject/object, or displays traits such as perfectionism, does not necessarily have OCD, a specific and well-defined condition
So, no, I don't have OCD.
From helpguide.org:
Obsessions are recurrent, persistent, unwanted ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that are experienced involuntarily, appear to be senseless, and feel out of control. They commonly intrude when you are trying to focus on thinking or doing other things. Obsessions are often accompanied by uncomfortable feelings, such as fear, disgust, doubt, or a sensation that things have to be done in a way that is "just so."
Some common obsessions include:
fear of danger to oneself or others
fear of contamination
a need for exactness or order
sexually explicit or repugnant thoughts
A compulsion is a repetitive behavior - a ritual - that you feel driven to do, and seemingly cannot stop doing. Compulsions represent your attempts to manage your obsessions by doing something to resolve them. For example, if an obsessive worry is whether or not the door was locked, then a compulsive response might be to check the lock repeatedly.
Obsessions and compulsions range from mild checking behavior (did I turn off the iron?) to severe cases where compulsive actions prevent normal life functioning. If we think of obsessive-compulsive traits and behaviors on a continuum of varying degrees and intensities, most people experience them with little or no negative consequence on their daily lives and relationships.
So still, not so much of the ME. Cause...ew.
But THIS I thought was interesting. From helpguide.org again:
What is obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a condition characterized by a chronic preoccupation with rules, orderliness, and control. Individuals with OCPD do not have the same intense obsessions and compulsions as those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Instead, a person with OCPD is obsessed with:
If you have OCPD, you may find it hard to get things done because your standards are unrealistic and impossible to uphold. People with OCPD seldom think they have a problem; family members or friends are often the first to notice and point out the problem. Some common signs of OCPD include:
perfectionism
inflexibility
preoccupation with details, rules, and lists
reluctance to allow others to do things
excessive devotion to work
restricted expression of affection
lack of generosity
view of money as something to be hoarded; a tendency to be stingy
rigidity and stubbornness
inability to throw things away, even if there is no sentimental or financial value in the object
Vicky, Brenda & I were discussing this list this weekend, and I told them I would post it so they could read. Vicky and Brenda both agreed to a lot of the OCPD stuff in them. We were rolling on the floor. "Perfectionism" - Brenda & Vicky would raise their hands. "Preoccupation with details, rules, and lists" - Brenda raised her hand. "Reluctance to allow others to do things because they won't do it right" - Brenda, Vicky & I raise our hands. "Excessive devotion to work" - NOT. "Restricted expression of affection" = ROFL! Have you MET us? "Rigidity and stubbornness " - Brenda raised her hand. Vicky & Me? Sometimes. "inability to throw things away, even if there is no sentimental or financial value in the object" - SO not us. lol "Lack of Generosity?" Brenda is generous to a fault at times.
So there's the list Brenda & Vicky. We all have a little bit of OCPD in all of us (not to be confused with OCD - I don't wash my hands a billion times, nor do I check my locks every 10 seconds, or worry that my iron is on, or think sexually repugnant thoughts.) The fact that I am efficient, organized, quick and productive (not to mention attractive, witty, intelligent and modest), should not have to equate me to having OCD.
Back to the weekend topic. The house was fine, the light bill for 22 days was WAY less than we were scaring ourselves over, (God is good all the time. All the time God is good.) and I am off Monday as well. Whoot.
Take Two. Mrs. Squeaklefritz came over to the computer, hit some button and my post disappeared.
Summer officially began for J last week. I went by yesterday, Friday, to get his report card and dematriculate him. Took a little while for the ladies to figure out what to do. He is officially a 7th Grader, Thank GOD. My honor Roll, never-got-a-B-until-one-time-in-5th-grade-and-I-think-it-was-because-his-teacher-did-not-like-him-but-I'm-not-bitter child turned into a boy who I was afraid would have to go to summer school. He could not get it together all year. No focus. He'd DO all the work....then forget to turn it in. And those teachers..they don't ask. You're just supposed to automatically become a responsible adult in the summer between 5th & 6th grade. It was a constant battle. It also does not help that if J can't do something right the first time, he gets frustrated and gives up. He's a perfectionist. So then, J started lying about homework, I'd believe him, find out about the lie, scream my head off, punish him, and them check his backpack and e-mail his teachers religiously. He'd get back into the groove, so I'd slack off...and he'd start the whole cycle all over again. It was very frustrating to see my super-genius act this way. He'll be 13 soon. Can't wait for that.
We have about 18 days to pack. I have been trying to get rid of things that I don't need and have not used in forever. My # 1 pet peeve right now? WHY why why do we keep the soaps and tiny bottles of shampoos from hotels? And then we store them under the sink..for what? Why? I have little bottles from my trip to Puerto Rico in 2003. Worse...bottles of small shampoo from my 2000 business trip to San Diego. Why am I saving these? I'm not going to take them on a trip because...more free shampoo there. It's really ridiculous. These past 2 weeks, I have been using them ALL up. Shampoos, conditioners, teeny bars of soap. I can't just throw them out, have you met me? I am down to ONE teeny shampoo and one teeny conditioner. Then I am done. Swear this oath with me people "I will no longer collect shampoos, soaps & conditioners from hotels. There is no point in saving these for years."
Today we had to leave the house several times for showings. Not complaining! We are happy we have a lot of interest. One couple liked the house & asked if we could close this month. Eeeep. We said not until June 20-something (about a week before closing on the new one). Another couple liked the house but not the neighborhood. They were young (20's) and stupid. LOL OK, not to be mean, but the neighbors & neighborhood is really nice on our end of the street. It is truly their loss.
I took the kids to my dad's house for the afternoon. It was about an hour & 1/2 drive one way. My grandfather is in town from Puerto Rico so I wanted to go over there and see him, and have him see us. David had to work. While at dad's, (dad was at church), we went to Applebee's for lunch. Stepmom, gramps, me, the kids. Grandpa wanted a salad. We read off the salads (didn't want the Santa Fe because it had pico de gallo), so my step-mom points to the Oriental one and tells me to order him that. I do. It has chicken, crispy noodles, lettuce and almonds. The salad arrives and grandpa did not know what those noodles were, and wanted to know where the tomatoes, cucumbers, etc. were. He ate it, but said something to the effect of my step-mom ordered wrong. To which she replied something to the effect of Kaaren ordered him the salad wrong. *sigh* She pointed, said order, and I ordered in English. So yea, I guess it was my fault. He cracked me up though. We told him he could return it, but he kept saying no, no, it's ok. And then would mention that Wendy's salads have croutons, not these weird crunchy things (oriental noodles).
The rest of the visit was short but nice. Mrs. Squeaklefritz thought my gramps (her Great-gramps) was fun. He kept goofing with her until she finally warmed up. Then she was all over him. He's a short version of my dad - very goofy. He has a quick wit and very good with word play between English & Spanish words. Half the time, he'd say something that would go over J's head, but would have me cracking up.
We drove back and got home around 7-ish. Now...time to pack for my 3 days in Seattle. Don't miss me too much while I am gone.
