Black Friday ...

And I'm not going anywhere near the "Maul" until 2011. No way, no how. No sir! You couldn't PAY me to hit the Maul ... okay, I may make an exception - IF I find a job in a store in a Maul. Otherwise, forget it!
So, Alien gave me a Thanksgiving gift ... she and Loser are done. Really done this time. She even called Single Son the night before Thanksgiving to come over as support because Loser had just got to her house to get some of his stuff and she didn't want to be alone.
Now that she's on her own, I did tell her I would help out where I can with the kids. She HAS to get back into school, and find at least a part time job ... that she doesn't NEED a man in her life (they only complicate things - or at least the types she and I attract do anyway) ... she has to think about herself and two babies first and foremost.
It was nice to have her with us for Thanksgiving instead of with his mom as was the original plan before the big break-up. Butterball is walking! And I mean walking ALL over the place. He loved running all around the house. He was a little shy around everyone for a bit, but he warmed up. He even went up to Brother Deere and had a baby-talk conversation with him (surprising when you consider most kids do not like Brother Deere - why I don't know, but it's always been that way).
I got pics, but I borrowed Single Son's camera yesterday. I couldn't find the spare batteries for my camera, I hate when that happens. But that's what I get for leaving the camera packing until the last minute, right? Now to get Single Son to get them off his camera and onto my computer. And he better not delete the pics I took of him (he's threatening to).
But all in all, it was a good day. No major arguments, no lectures or putting someone on the hot seat.
The turkey was good (a bit dry), as were the sides. Typical Thanksgiving fare - green bean casserole, waldorf salad, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, and dinner rolls. Followed by pumpkin pie and some type of cake (I passed on both).
Alien had brought a table mount high chair for Butterball, but it didn't work with the table my folks have (besides, no space for it, the table for eight was full) so he was on my lap then Alien's lap for a bit until he decided he wanted down!! Butterball was a hoot going around to everyone at the table and begging for a spoonful of food. With his eight teeth he did well with the turkey (cut into small pieces), loved the mashed potatoes, and went totally ape over my mother's waldorf salad.
The eight diners included myself, Alien, my Folks, Single Son, Brother Deere, Aunt Silly and Uncle Pain. Notice the absence of the Wrecking Crew, who opted to dine with his father instead.
Definitely one of the lowest key Thanksgivings we've ever had, but a great feast all the same!
It was made better when you consider that Alien is done with the Loser. I realize she's said that in the past, but a detail I didn't say earlier was that Loser is now dating Alien's former best friend (former as of the day she found out they were seeing each other). He even had the nerve to bring her to Alien's house to gather his stuff! Single Son made her wait outside (in the cold).
Pictures will follow once Single Son gets them to me.
Hope ya'll had an enjoyable Turkey Day, too!

A Little Thanksgiving Humor

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. 

Every word out of the bird's' mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.  John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to 'clean up' the bird's vocabulary. 

Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The  parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even more rude. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed.  

Then suddenly there was total quiet.  Not a peep was heard for over a minute. 
  
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.  The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions.  I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." 

John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude.  

As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird spoke-up, very softly, "May I ask what the turkey did?" 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Sunday

So I finally made it to my parents house after a few days of either mom or I cancelling for whatever reason. Did a few chores for Mom (yes, I clipped her toenails, yuck) and helped Dad figure out an problem he had been having with his email account.

Mom wanted me to fix a shelf in her display cabinet, but had bought the wrong size shelf clips so that was put off until she can get the right size clips. She decided that we'd sort through some boxes in the storage room in the basement instead.

Mom's also on a big purge kick right now. They have a finished walk-out basement that contains all the spare furniture they really haven't used since they moved into the condo. Mom's been talking to an antiques dealer and he's tickled at the chance to get some of the antiques. Mom figures since she is pretty sure Brother Deere will sell everything after they pass she's going to sell most of it now and enjoy the profits! I can't blame her, I would too!!

The boxes she chose today were the family records boxes. You know those boxes, ancient receipts from the Depression era, birth announcements, newspaper clippings, graduation programs, death certificates ... the entire paper trail from your ancestors starting the day they first arrived at Ellis Island (or in my families case, Philadelphia).

Mom stumbled on a card my deceased brother had written to our grandmother almost a year to the day before she passed away. That got me started with the tears ... the envelope containing the clippings from his first hair cut did both Mom and me in.

After we had a good cry over my brother, Mom gave me some of his things to sell online. Some rock and roll buttons from the 80s, some college hockey felt pennants, some still in the box Hallmark ornaments from the 70s, and an autographed baseball, obviously a Detroit Tigers baseball. It took some research once I got home to determine it's from 1984. It's a machine autographed ball, so not as valuable as a hand signed ball would be, but I did promise her I'd sell it and not keep it for myself. She knows how sentimental I can be, especially when it comes to this particular brother. Good thing I really can't stand baseball, or it'd be a hard promise for me to keep.

The rock and roll buttons I gave to DIL ... she collects buttons and it just so happens she loves a few of the bands on the buttons ... J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones and ... and ... geesh ... ummm ... oh yeah ... Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. She's already put them on her black vest with her other "antique" rock and roll buttons.

Wish I could say the same about the hockey pennants. I'm a hockey lover from way back, and a few of these pennants actually have a lot of sentimental value to me. I may keep one or two, but the other dozen or so I'll have to keep reminding myself that you'd not find felt hockey pennants in the pages of Better Homes And Gardens - unless it's in a boy's sports themed room, and since I'm not gonna decorate for little boys any more I don't need to keep them. Oy, I just had a thought ... I DO have two (and a half) grandsons who will have their own rooms to decorate. I wonder if they'd appreciate them, or distroy them ...

Getting ready to leave, Mom asked if I could unload the groceries from her van. Sure ... no problem. I wish she'd warned me about the full garbage bag of empty pop cans that were in there! I knocked them over and (no kidding) about fifty cans ended up all over the place. Mom laughed and told me she wasn't going to help me clean up my mess! After I got the groceries unloaded, and the cans cleaned up I was told that I could take the cans back to the store and keep the money from them ... they'd been in her van two weeks and she kept forgetting to take them in for refunding! In Michigan cans and bottles have a ten cent deposit ... I "earned" over $10 by taking them back to the store.

Not bad for a half day's work. Some small things to sell online (more to come as the storage area cleaning progresses), some laughs with Mom and Dad ... and even some tears ...

Sunday ...

So I finally made it to my parents house after a few days of either mom or I cancelling for whatever reason. Did a few chores for Mom (yes, I clipped her toenails, yuck) and helped Dad figure out an problem he had been having with his email account.

Mom wanted me to fix a shelf in her display cabinet, but had bought the wrong size shelf clips so that was put off until she can get the right size clips. She decided that we'd sort through some boxes in the storage room in the basement instead.

Mom's also on a big purge kick right now. They have a finished walk-out basement that contains all the spare furniture they really haven't used since they moved into the condo. Mom's been talking to an antiques dealer and he's tickled at the chance to get some of the antiques. Mom figures since she is pretty sure Brother Deere will sell everything after they pass she's going to sell most of it now and enjoy the profits! I can't blame her, I would too!!

The boxes she chose today were the family records boxes. You know those boxes, ancient receipts from the Depression era, birth announcements, newspaper clippings, graduation programs, death certificates ... the entire paper trail from your ancestors starting the day they first arrived at Ellis Island (or in my families case, Philadelphia).

Mom stumbled on a card my deceased brother had written to our grandmother almost a year to the day before she passed away. That got me started with the tears ... the envelope containing the clippings from his first hair cut did both Mom and me in.

After we had a good cry over my brother, Mom gave me some of his things to sell online. Some rock and roll buttons from the 80s, some college hockey felt pennants, some still in the box Hallmark ornaments from the 70s, and an autographed baseball, obviously a Detroit Tigers baseball. It took some research once I got home to determine it's from 1984. It's a machine autographed ball, so not as valuable as a hand signed ball would be, but I did promise her I'd sell it and not keep it for myself. She knows how sentimental I can be, especially when it comes to this particular brother. Good thing I really can't stand baseball, or it'd be a hard promise for me to keep.

The rock and roll buttons I gave to DIL ... she collects buttons and it just so happens she loves a few of the bands on the buttons ... J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, Rolling Stones and ... and ... geesh ... ummm ... oh yeah ... Led Zeppelin and Van Halen. She's already put them on her black vest with her other "antique" rock and roll buttons.

Wish I could say the same about the hockey pennants. I'm a hockey lover from way back, and a few of these pennants actually have a lot of sentimental value to me. I may keep one or two, but the other dozen or so I'll have to keep reminding myself that you'd not find felt hockey pennants in the pages of Better Homes And Gardens - unless it's in a boy's sports themed room, and since I'm not gonna decorate for little boys any more I don't need to keep them. Oy, I just had a thought ... I DO have two (and a half) grandsons who will have their own rooms to decorate. I wonder if they'd appreciate them, or destroy them ...

Getting ready to leave, Mom asked if I could unload the groceries from her van. Sure ... no problem. I wish she'd warned me about the full garbage bag of empty pop cans that were in there! I knocked them over and (no kidding) about fifty cans ended up all over the place. Mom laughed and told me she wasn't going to help me clean up my mess! After I got the groceries unloaded, and the cans cleaned up I was told that I could take the cans back to the store and keep the money from them ... they'd been in her van two weeks and she kept forgetting to take them in for refunding! In Michigan cans and bottles have a ten cent deposit ... I "earned" over $10 by taking them back to the store.

Not bad for a half day's work. Some small things to sell online (more to come as the storage area cleaning progresses), some laughs with Mom and Dad ... and even some tears ...

Thursday's Thoughts

Been a few days since my last blog entry. No reason, really, other than sheer laziness. What's sad is I've spent lots and lots of time on the computer, playing around - oh, and putting out a lot of online applications. So I guess it's not been total bone-idleness on my part.

I'm pleased to report that Grandson's mornings have been a little less stressful (on me). DIL finally figured out the boy needs more sleep ... and has been putting him to bed at 7 PM. Nice relaxing evenings, and melt-down free mornings for the most part. Nice.

And her discipline chart ... oh ... where do I start on her new discipline chart? She started it because of all of Grandson's fits lately. I hear it got so bad that Grandson actually kicked and tried to bite her father on a recent shopping trip (all because Papa said no he couldn't have something).

So ... her list? It's on a write-on wipe-off board ... Grandson's After School Punishment Chores she calls it. The punishment chores?

1. Homework
2. Laundry
3. Sweep Kitchen
4. Make Bed
5. Pick Up Toys

Um, is it me or are these totally inappropriate punishments? If this is how her parents raised her (chores as punishment) no wonder she doesn't clean! And homework as punishment ... now there's a way to instill a positive image of education if ever I saw one (insert sarcasm here)!

And I say nothing!

Instead I pray that their days here are numbered ... and from a conversation we had last night, there may be a date to move out. Of course, DIL wants Grandson to finish his school year at the school he's at now (which means they stay here).

And it looks like a moving date may be in their future. I won't need to evict them after all. Of course, that won't be until the school year ends in June. I think I can wait for June ... notice I say think ... I can't see moving Grandson to a whole new school district in the middle of the semester would benefit him a bit. Better to let him start a new school at the beginning of a new school year.

I just have to survive until then.

*****

Yesterday my mother called. That's not news in itself, really. What I thought was funny was that Mom asked me if I wanted to make twenty bucks, Hey, being unemployed I'll take it, no matter the chore - so I told Mom yes before I knew what the chore was. Come over and clip her talons, I mean toe nails. Damn! Now I'm committed because I said YES prematurely. I keep telling myself "money is money" ... and right now I need some cash. Damn, I think I'd rather scrub toilets or chase down cobwebs from the attic. But nooooooooo ...

*****

So now we have Thanksgiving covered, too. Mom and Aunt Silly decided that they'd go halfsies on a pre-cooked dinner for four from the local grocer. $49 gets you all the fixings, and they've decided two of these dinners should do it since The Wrecking Crew will not be there, and it's uncertain if Alien, Loser and Butterball will be there either.

I'm wondering how Brother Deere will take to this idea of pre-cooked grocery store food, as he's a retired chef and very picky when it comes to what foods pass his lips.

*****

Not a whole lot else going on here ...

How's your day been going?

Thursday's Thoughts ...

Been a few days since my last blog entry. No reason, really, other than sheer laziness. What's sad is I've spent lots and lots of time on the computer, playing around - oh, and putting out a lot of online applications. So I guess it's not been total bone-idleness on my part.

I'm pleased to report that Grandson's mornings have been a little less stressful (on me). DIL finally figured out the boy needs more sleep ... and has been putting him to bed at 7 PM. Nice relaxing evenings, and melt-down free mornings for the most part. Nice.

And her discipline chart ... oh ... where do I start on her new discipline chart? She started it because of all of Grandson's fits lately. I hear it got so bad that Grandson actually kicked and tried to bite her father on a recent shopping trip (all because Papa said no he couldn't have something).

So ... her list? It's on a write-on wipe-off board ... Grandson's After School Punishment Chores she calls it. The punishment chores?
1. Homework
2. Laundry
3. Sweep Kitchen
4. Make Bed
5. Pick Up Toys

Um, is it me or are these totally inappropriate punishments? If this is how her parents raised her (chores as punishment) no wonder she doesn't clean! And homework as punishment ... now there's a way to instill a positive image of education if ever I saw one (insert sarcasm here)!

And I say nothing!

Instead I pray that their days here are numbered ... and from a conversation we had last night, there may be a date to move out. Of course, DIL wants Grandson to finish his school year at the school he's at now (which means they stay here).

And it looks like a moving date may be in their future. I won't need to evict them after all. Of course, that won't be until the school year ends in June. I think I can wait for June ... notice I say think ... I can't see moving Grandson to a whole new school district in the middle of the semester would benefit him a bit. Better to let him start a new school at the beginning of a new school year.

I just have to survive until then.

*****

Yesterday my mother called. That's not news in itself, really. What I thought was funny was that Mom asked me if I wanted to make twenty bucks, Hey, being unemployed I'll take it, no matter the chore - so I told Mom yes before I knew what the chore was. Come over and clip her talons, I mean toe nails. Damn! Now I'm committed because I said YES prematurely. I keep telling myself "money is money" ... and right now I need some cash. Damn, I think I'd rather scrub toilets or chase down cobwebs from the attic. But nooooooooo ...

*****

So now we have Thanksgiving covered, too. Mom and Aunt Silly decided that they'd go halfsies on a pre-cooked dinner for four from the local grocer. $49 gets you all the fixings, and they've decided two of these dinners should do it since The Wrecking Crew will not be there, and it's uncertain if Alien, Loser and Butterball will be there either. 

I'm wondering how Brother Deere will take to this idea of pre-cooked grocery store food, as he's a retired chef and very picky when it comes to what foods pass his lips.

*****

Not a whole lot else going on here ...

How's your day been going?

To the Best DIL in the whole wide world ...

Dear DIL,
Thank you so much for thinking of me ... you're just too generous!

The dirty dishes in the sink were just what I wanted!! And I can't thank you enough for the stuff you left for me on the bathroom counter. I just love handling your hot hair straightener. How did you know?

And how did you know that I'd just love the laundry you left in the dryer - just for me to do.

I so love how you think of me all of the time.

Thank you so much for considering my feelings, and leaving these things behind.

How thoughtful of you ...

Now, Dear DIL if you'll excuse me ...

The men in the white coats are asking if I want to take a ride in their pretty padded van. They even brought me my own pretty white jacket to wear, you should see it, it's got lots of shiny buckles!

To the Best DIL in the whole wide world ...

Dear DIL,

Thank you so much for thinking of me ... you're just too generous!

The dirty dishes in the sink were just what I wanted!! And I can't thank you enough for the stuff you left for me on the bathroom counter. I just love handling your hot hair straightener. How did you know?

And how did you know that I'd just love the laundry you left in the dryer - just for me to do.

I so love how you think of me all of the time.

Thank you so much for considering my feelings, and leaving these things behind.

How thoughtful of you ...

Now, Dear DIL if you'll excuse me ...

The men in the white coats are asking if I want to take a ride in their pretty padded van. They even brought me my own pretty white jacket to wear, you should see it, it's got lots of shiny buckles!

Sharp Knives

Apparently Cousin has been persuaded to have Christmas at her house. She said she didn't want it, didn't want the cleaning, cooking, and chaos that goes with one of our extended family holidays but someone (I'm assuming Aunt Silly) persuaded her otherwise. Besides she doesn't cook - her hubby does ALL of the cooking and the majority of the cleaning. Her job is to oversee his progress.

I got the notification on facebook. I then sent word to my three children (on facebook) as to what the plans for Christmas are.

Well, we know DIL ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but this is ridiculous ...

My facebook message to the kids ...
[Cousin] just got ahold of me through facebook, Christmas will be at the [Cousin's] house ... time to be announced.

Not so intelligent DIL responds to my message ...
Ok I need day and time asap, so I can request day off. :) thanks

My reply ...
Christmas Day ... probably around three or four in the afternoon ...

DIL: Ok. I think I already have it requested. But ill check tomorrow.

Me: k ... you mean they're open on Christmas? That's crazy!!

DIL: Ah, no. I don't think so haha!! Der. I took xmas eve off hahahaha. I'm ok, really. Oy.

Me: lol ... k

Ummmmmm ... last time I checked my calendar Christmas was still on December 25. And dinner, well, that's still an early evening meal isn't it?

Now that we're on the topic of Christmas ...

Does anyone else think it's too early for Santa's appearance? He's going to be one of the more upscale malls, starting TOMORROW!!

Hello? Can we get through Thanksgiving before the Jolly Ol' Fat Man comes to a mall near us?

Commercialism, gotta love all the commercialism ...

Bah Humbug.

Sharp Knives ...

Apparently Cousin has been persuaded to have Christmas at her house. She said she didn't want it, didn't want the cleaning, cooking, and chaos that goes with one of our extended family holidays but someone (I'm assuming Aunt Silly) persuaded her otherwise. Besides she doesn't cook - her hubby does ALL of the cooking and the majority of the cleaning. Her job is to oversee his progress.

I got the notification on facebook. I then sent word to my three children (on facebook) as to what the plans for Christmas are.

Well, we know DIL ain't the sharpest knife in the drawer, but this is ridiculous ...

My facebook message to the kids ...
[Cousin] just got ahold of me through facebook, Christmas will be at the [Cousin's] house ... time to be announced.

Not so intelligent DIL responds to my message ...

Ok I need day and time asap, so I can request day off. :) thanks

 

My reply ...

Christmas Day ... probably around three or four in the afternoon ...

DIL: Ok. I think I already have it requested. But ill check tomorrow.

Me: k ... you mean they're open on Christmas? That's crazy!!

DIL: Ah, no. I don't think so haha!! Der. I took xmas eve off hahahaha. I'm ok, really. Oy.

Me: lol ... k

 

Ummmmmm ... last time I checked my calendar Christmas was still on December 25. And dinner, well, that's still an early evening meal isn't it?

 

Now that we're on the topic of Christmas ...

 

Does anyone else think it's too early for Santa's appearance? He's going to be one of the more upscale malls, starting TOMORROW!!

 

Hello? Can we get through Thanksgiving before the Jolly Ol' Fat Man comes to a mall near us?

 

Commercialism, gotta love all the commercialism ...

 

Bah Humbug.

Thursday Thoughts ...

Today is just a random day, so why not a random blog? LOL ...

Talked to my mom today. Holiday plans are definitely up in the air. She asked what we'd do for family get-togethers once she and Daddy have passed, and I honestly couldn't say. Not that I don't know - we'll stop them altogether ... and each go our merry way. But voicing that to Mom would have been a little too brutally honest. So ... I just hemmed and hawed and said "I dunno, I suppose we have time to figure it out". Yes, call me chicken!

Speaking of holidays, DIL wants to put a tree up this year. I usually don't fuss, not with the kids grown up, but with Grandson living here, we'll make a little fuss. Very little as far as I'm concerned. I've never been one to put up much more than a tree, and stockings when the kids were younger. Don't feel we need to go hog wild now. They can go hog wild when they have their own house.

*****

I finally talked to Alien today. It's been a few weeks so I called her to see if she was still around. LOL. She's still around. She's working two jobs now. Good for her! They're both part time, but hey, it's work! She's doing payroll for some payroll company and is now doing mystery shopping, too, with another company. I used to mystery shop and loved it. Alien said she'd find out from her supervisor if they have openings for me to fill - just so it won't take away from her "shops". She says she'll ask the next time they talk. In the meantime, she had a million questions for me (her first "shop" is tomorrow). I can't wait to hear all about it!!

It's funny, I hate shopping. Grocery, clothing, appliance ... any type of shopping. But the best jobs I've ever had were shopping related. Mystery shopper, which I did for seven years. I also was a comparative shopper (comp shopper) for one of those national warehouse stores. That was fun, too!! I got to go spy on the competition and report my findings back to the management where they'd determine if we had to lower our prices, raise them, or offer an item on special limited time sale to match the competitions prices. Either job had to be done with extreme caution ... getting "busted" by the store I was either mystery or comp-ing was something to avoid at all costs. I never got busted ... and in fact, would have lost my job(s) had that happened. It was close once, but thinking on my feet, I told the manager who had approached me that my father was in physical therapy at the hospital up the road, and I often came to this strip mall to kill time whilst he was in with his therapists. A lie, but they believed me. My job was safe. LOL!

Granted, Mystery shopping will never pay the mortgage (or rent), but it is good money ... think I'll see if I can get back into the company I worked with, as well as applying for the one Alien is working for ... maybe see if there's anyone looking for Comp shoppers, too ... heaven knows I was good ... no ... great ... spying on the competition.

Thursday Thoughts ...

Today is just a random day, so why not a random blog? LOL ...

Talked to my mom today. Holiday plans are definitely up in the air. She asked what we'd do for family get-togethers once she and Daddy have passed, and I honestly couldn't say. Not that I don't know - we'll stop them altogether ... and each go our merry way. But voicing that to Mom would have been a little too brutally honest. So ... I just hemmed and hawed and said "I dunno, I suppose we have time to figure it out". Yes, call me chicken!

Speaking of holidays, DIL wants to put a tree up this year. I usually don't fuss, not with the kids grown up, but with Grandson living here, we'll make a little fuss. Very little as far as I'm concerned. I've never been one to put up much more than a tree, and stockings when the kids were younger. Don't feel we need to go hog wild now. They can go hog wild when they have their own house.

*****

I finally talked to Alien today. It's been a few weeks so I called her to see if she was still around. LOL. She's still around. She's working two jobs now. Good for her! They're both part time, but hey, it's work! She's doing payroll for some payroll company and is now doing mystery shopping, too, with another company. I used to mystery shop and loved it! Alien said she'd find out from her supervisor if they have openings for me to fill - just so it won't take away from her "shops". She says she'll ask the next time they talk. In the meantime, she had a million questions for me (her first "shop" is tomorrow). I can't wait to hear all about it!!

It's funny, I hate shopping. Grocery, clothing, appliance ... any type of shopping. But the best jobs I've ever had were shopping related. Mystery shopper, which I did for seven years. I also was a comparative shopper (comp shopper) for one of those national warehouse stores. That was fun, too!! I got to go spy on the competition and report my findings back to the management where they'd determine if we had to lower our prices, raise them, or offer an item on special limited time sale to match the competitions prices. Either job had to be done with extreme caution ... getting "busted" by the store I was either mystery or comp-ing was something to avoid at all costs. I never got busted ... and in fact, would have lost my job(s) had that happened. It was close once, but thinking on my feet, I told the manager who had approached me that my father was in physical therapy at the hospital up the road, and I often came to this strip mall to kill time whilst he was in with his therapists. A lie, but they believed me. My job was safe. LOL!

Granted, Mystery shopping will never pay the mortgage (or rent), but it is good money ... think I'll see if I can get back into the company I worked with, as well as applying for the one Alien is working for ... maybe see if there's anyone looking for Comp shoppers, too ... heaven knows I was good ... no ... great ... spying on the competition.

Wednesday Stuff ...

Not a lot going on here, which is always a good thing! Boring beats the usual chaos and confusion any day.

Grandson has been sick, again. Nothing major, just a cough, fever, and sore throat. Typical cold type symptoms, but enough to keep him home from school for two days. Although he seemed perfectly normal these last two days with his typical morning whining, crying and all-out fit session. DIL had to call out sick at work to take care of him. No, I don’t watch him, they live here in my house … and I’m not going to be taken advantage of by being their live-in baby sitter, maid or cook. Then again, I do seem to get stuck doing their dishes more times than not. Poor kid, I’m sure he’d be over his cooties so much sooner if they’d stop dragging him out of the house so they can socialize.

I had made Single Son his dinner (believe me when I say that allowing him to cook is not advisable. Did you know that macaroni and cheese left unattended *will* ignite into flame), and while cooking dinner, we had a chance to talk without the Wrecking Crew around. He questioned why there’s such a lack of common sense amongst the Wrecking Crew, and gave me quite a list of "evidence" he’d been witness to that I was unaware of. Good question, and one I do not know the answer to. Then again, remember who’s asking – the one who believes the smoke detector going off means his dinner has finished cooking.

I guess that I’m partially to blame for that. When they were growing up, I had a sign in my kitchen that said "Dinner will be ready when you hear the smoke alarm go off".

Some kids just interpret things too literally.

*****

It’s time to start thinking about the Holidays again. Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast upon us. Our plans are still up in the air. It seems Brother Deere has finally made good his threats to not host our Family Holidays this year. I can’t say as I blame him, it’s a lot of work when there’s thirty (including aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-law, and their kids).

Cousin is supposedly hosting our Thanksgiving meal, while there’s no plans yet for Christmas. And no, I’m not going to host Christmas. My house is way too small and there’s no parking available. Now Brother Deere understands why I chose a small house with virtually no parking.

I’m only praying at this point that I find a job and soon. Preferably one that’s open on the holidays so I can volunteer to work! Yes, I’m turning into a regular Scrooge. Bah Humbug, and all that.

*****

Maybe I’ll feel differently after the Wrecking Crew moves on and I’m not so stressed by those family ties (you know, those ties that bind and gag).

Wednesday Stuff ...

Not a lot going on here, which is always a good thing! Boring beats the usual chaos and confusion any day.

Grandson has been sick, again. Nothing major, just a cough, fever, and sore throat. Typical cold type symptoms, but enough to keep him home from school for two days. Although he seemed perfectly normal these last two days with his typical morning whining, crying and all-out fit session. DIL had to call out sick at work to take care of him. No, I don’t watch him, they live here in my house … and I’m not going to be taken advantage of by being their live-in baby sitter, maid or cook. Then again, I do seem to get stuck doing their dishes more times than not. Poor kid, I’m sure he’d be over his cooties so much sooner if they’d stop dragging him out of the house so they can socialize.

I had made Single Son his dinner (believe me when I say that allowing him to cook is not advisable. Did you know that macaroni and cheese left unattended *will* ignite into flame), and while cooking dinner, we had a chance to talk without the Wrecking Crew around. He questioned why there’s such a lack of common sense amongst the Wrecking Crew, and gave me quite a list of "evidence" he’d been witness to that I was unaware of. Good question, and one I do not know the answer to. Then again, remember who’s asking – the one who believes the smoke detector going off means his dinner has finished cooking.

I guess that I’m partially to blame for that. When they were growing up, I had a sign in my kitchen that said "Dinner will be ready when you hear the smoke alarm go off".

Some kids just interpret things too literally.

*****

It’s time to start thinking about the Holidays again. Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast upon us. Our plans are still up in the air. It seems Brother Deere has finally made good his threats to not host our Family Holidays this year. I can’t say as I blame him, it’s a lot of work when there’s thirty (including aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins-in-law, and their kids).

Cousin is supposedly hosting our Thanksgiving meal, while there’s no plans yet for Christmas. And no, I’m not going to host Christmas. My house is way too small and there’s no parking available. Now Brother Deere understands why I chose a small house with virtually no parking.

I’m only praying at this point that I find a job and soon. Preferably one that’s open on the holidays so I can volunteer to work! Yes, I’m turning into a regular Scrooge. Bah Humbug, and all that.

*****

Maybe I’ll feel differently after the Wrecking Crew moves on and I’m not so stressed by those family ties (you know, those ties that bind and gag).

Silly Sunday

I hadn't had much planned today, so when my mother called asking if I wanted to meet up with her at the local McDonald's for a sandwich and some conversation I readily said yes!

For the first time in our history of meeting up somewhere, she was there before I got there. Mom runs on her own clock. That clock runs fifteen minutes slow on a regular basis. We're used to it, so any family member wishing to meet her uses that fifteen minute window to their advantage. And, since the McDs we were meeting at was only three minutes from my house I took my time getting out of the house.

We had a good talk. Nothing specific, just gossip really ... and some of the comments my mother made reminded me of just how she doesn't hold back from speaking her mind. The older she gets, the more she speaks her mind!! She didn't aim any of her hostility towards me (thankfully) ... instead it was Aunt Silly who was her target of the day ... "that woman wouldn't know GOOD interior decorating from a bucket of shit" says my dear mother. She happens to be right, but to hear it out of the mouth of an eighty year old woman (who reminds me more of Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced Bouquet - from the brit-com "Keeping Up Appearances) still shocks me!

And of course, she had to let me hear all about Alien and the Loser ... how she asked for a Christmas list from them ... how she knows what she wants to give the Loser ... a home vasectomy kit!! I couldn't agree more about the vasectomy, but the guy sitting at the table next to us gasped loud enough to get our attention!

Our little get together was only an hour long, but we sure enjoyed ourselves.

Mom usually gives me some extra groceries when we meet up. She loves the deals at the store she shops, with their buy one get one free, and usually ends up buying way too much for her and Daddy's consumption, so I often benefit from it (and I know she does it on purpose - she's that kind of person). There were two bags of "over-bought" items, along with a package of bedsheets she claims she can't return to the store because she can't find the receipt (that's poppycock ... my mother holds on to receipts in her file system for years!). Yay!! I needed sheets, I'm down to only one rather worn set!!

Tomorrow is Single Son's birthday. 31!! I cannot be the mother of a 31 year old!! I'm way too young to have a kid that old!

We're celebrating by going to our favorite Chinese restaurant. Yum!!

Silly Sunday

I hadn't had much planned today, so when my mother called asking if I wanted to meet up with her at the local McDonald's for a sandwich and some conversation I readily said yes!

For the first time in our history of meeting up somewhere, she was there before I got there. Mom runs on her own clock. That clock runs fifteen minutes slow on a regular basis. We're used to it, so any family member wishing to meet her uses that fifteen minute window to their advantage. And, since the McDs we were meeting at was only three minutes from my house I took my time getting out of the house.

We had a good talk. Nothing specific, just gossip really ... and some of the comments my mother made reminded me of just how she doesn't hold back from speaking her mind. The older she gets, the more she speaks her mind!! She didn't aim any of her hostility towards me (thankfully) ... instead it was Aunt Silly who was her target of the day ... "that woman wouldn't know GOOD interior decorating from a bucket of shit" says my dear mother. She happens to be right, but to hear it out of the mouth of an eighty year old woman (who reminds me more of Hyacinth Bucket - pronounced Bouquet - from the brit-com "Keeping Up Appearances) still shocks me!

And of course, she had to let me hear all about Alien and the Loser ... how she asked for a Christmas list from them ... how she knows what she wants to give the Loser ... a home vasectomy kit!! I couldn't agree more about the vasectomy, but the guy sitting at the table next to us gasped loud enough to get our attention!

Our little get together was only an hour long, but we sure enjoyed ourselves.

Mom usually gives me some extra groceries when we meet up. She loves the deals at the store she shops, with their buy one get one free, and usually ends up buying way too much for her and Daddy's consumption, so I often benefit from it (and I know she does it on purpose - she's that kind of person). There were two bags of "over-bought" items, along with a package of bedsheets she claims she can't return to the store because she can't find the receipt (that's poppycock ... my mother holds on to receipts in her file system for years!). Yay!! I needed sheets, I'm down to only one rather worn set!!

Tomorrow is Single Son's birthday. 31!! I cannot be the mother of a 31 year old!! I'm way too young to have a kid that old!

We're celebrating by going to our favorite Chinese restaurant. Yum!!

A Little Humor - Musings of a Good Father on a Bad Day

Many years ago, before I'd ever even thought of becoming a parent (I was still in high school) my dad gave me a piece of paper he'd cut out of the newspaper - Ann Landers to be exact ... "The Childless Couple". Little did I know it would pretty much describe my motherhood years.

It's with great pleasure I share it with you now.

"The Childless Couple"

There is nothing sadder than a childless couple. It breaks my heart to see them relaxing around swimming pools in Florida, sitting all suntanned and miserable on the decks of their boats -- trotting off to Europe like lonesome fools. It's an empty life. Nothing but money to spend, more time to enjoy and a whole lot less to worry about.

The poor childless couple are so wrapped up in themselves, you have to feel sorry for them. They don't fight over the child's discipline, don't blame each other for the child's most obnoxious characteristics, and they miss all the fun of doing without for the child's sake. They just go along, doing whatever they want, buying what they want and liking each other. It's a pretty pathetic picture.

Everyone should have children. No one should be allowed to escape the wonderful experience that accompanies each stage in the development of the young -- the happy memories of sleepless nights, coughing spells, tantrums, diaper rash, debts, "dipso" baby sitters, saturated mattresses, emergencies and never-ending crises.

How dismal is the peaceful home without the constant childish problems that make a well-rounded life and an early breakdown; the tender, thoughtful discussions when the report card reveals the progeny to be one step below a moron; the end-of-the-day reunions with all the joyful happenings recited like well-placed blows to the temples.

Children are worth it. Every moment of anxiety, every sacrifice, every complete collapse pays off as a fine, sturdy adolescent is reached. The feeling of reward the first time you took the boy hunting -- he didn't mean to shoot you, the lad was excited. Remember how he cried? How sorry he was? And how much better you felt after the blood transfusion? These are the times a man with a growing son treasures -- memories that are captured forever in the heart and the limp.

Think back to the night of romantic adventure when your budding daughter eloped with the village idiot. What childless couple ever shared in the stark realism of that drama? Aren't you a better man for having lived richly, fully, acquiring that tic in your left eye? Could a woman without children touch the strength and heroism of your wife as she tried to fling herself out of the bedroom window?

The childless couple live in a vacuum. They fill their lonely days with golf, vacation trips, dinner dates, civic affairs, tranquility, leisure and entertainment. There is a terrifying emptiness without children, but the childless couple are too comfortable to know it.

You just have to look at them to see what the years have done: He looks boyish, unlined and rested; she's slim, well-groomed and youthful. It isn't natural. If they had had kids, they'd look like the rest of us -- worn out, wrinkled and exhausted.

A Little Humor

Many years ago, before I'd ever even thought of becoming a parent (I was still in high school) my dad gave me a piece of paper he'd cut out of the newspaper - Ann Landers to be exact ... "The Childless Couple". Little did I know it would pretty much describe my motherhood years.

It's with great pleasure I share it with you now.

"The Childless Couple"

There is nothing sadder than a childless couple. It breaks my heart to see them relaxing around swimming pools in Florida, sitting all suntanned and miserable on the decks of their boats -- trotting off to Europe like lonesome fools. It's an empty life. Nothing but money to spend, more time to enjoy and a whole lot less to worry about.

The poor childless couple are so wrapped up in themselves, you have to feel sorry for them. They don't fight over the child's discipline, don't blame each other for the child's most obnoxious characteristics, and they miss all the fun of doing without for the child's sake. They just go along, doing whatever they want, buying what they want and liking each other. It's a pretty pathetic picture.

Everyone should have children. No one should be allowed to escape the wonderful experience that accompanies each stage in the development of the young -- the happy memories of sleepless nights, coughing spells, tantrums, diaper rash, debts, "dipso" baby sitters, saturated mattresses, emergencies and never-ending crises.

How dismal is the peaceful home without the constant childish problems that make a well-rounded life and an early breakdown; the tender, thoughtful discussions when the report card reveals the progeny to be one step below a moron; the end-of-the-day reunions with all the joyful happenings recited like well-placed blows to the temples.

Children are worth it. Every moment of anxiety, every sacrifice, every complete collapse pays off as a fine, sturdy adolescent is reached. The feeling of reward the first time you took the boy hunting -- he didn't mean to shoot you, the lad was excited. Remember how he cried? How sorry he was? And how much better you felt after the blood transfusion? These are the times a man with a growing son treasures -- memories that are captured forever in the heart and the limp.

Think back to the night of romantic adventure when your budding daughter eloped with the village idiot. What childless couple ever shared in the stark realism of that drama? Aren't you a better man for having lived richly, fully, acquiring that tic in your left eye? Could a woman without children touch the strength and heroism of your wife as she tried to fling herself out of the bedroom window?

The childless couple live in a vacuum. They fill their lonely days with golf, vacation trips, dinner dates, civic affairs, tranquility, leisure and entertainment. There is a terrifying emptiness without children, but the childless couple are too comfortable to know it.

You just have to look at them to see what the years have done: He looks boyish, unlined and rested; she's slim, well-groomed and youthful. It isn't natural. If they had had kids, they'd look like the rest of us -- worn out, wrinkled and exhausted.

First Entry ....

There's nothing sadder than an empty blog. I need to fix that and fast.

Not a whole lot I'm gonna put here tonight, I already blogged over at the other blog site, but I just can't go to bed with a clear conscience knowing there's a blog without an entry.

I'm keeping this blog private, for obvious reasons ... like the fact I blog about my sometimes dysfunctional family (who am I kidding, mostly dysfunctional, but they sure put the fun in dysfunctional - or so I keep trying to persuade myself).

Can I say dysfunctional any more!?!?!

And I'll probably stick with my cutesy names for them, since I'll be cross posting on multiply. Don't need to confuse anyone with real names after soooo many years.

Geesh, how many years? I started originally over at Bebo some ten years or more ago, but that never gained popularity so I went to yahoo 360 until it started going wonky with all of the changes (before it's death), ya ... mybad, I abandoned ship. Just as I'm doing with mulitply ... thanks to their ads. I just tired of them all.

So, there's my first entry. Now comes the fun of figuring everything out!!

Friday ...

Oops, I told Amy I'd head right over to Blogger and set up my account.

Guess I'll do that in a few ... lol. One last Multiply blog, for old time's sake. Hehe ...

*****

Went to get my prescription refilled today. On the way it started to snow. Nothing big, a few flakes here or there. Melted as soon as they touched a surface. But definitely the first snow of the year.

Got home to read online that the road commission is laying off half of their employees ... that'll leave only 50 employees to drive the snow removal trucks this winter.

Which means it's going to be one long winter here!!

Add that no one ever remembers (well almost no one) how to drive in the snow ... I'm soooo not looking forward to dodging dodgy drivers on icy roads.

Gonna be fun!

*****

Then I get home to Single Son in one of his talkative moods. And I mean talkative!! LOL! Not something he usually is, that's for sure.

Then again, he was ticked off. See, he more than goes out of his way to be helpful to the Wrecking Crew ... "can you roll me a few packages of cigarettes" they ask (we all roll our ciggies here, it's cheaper) ... "can you sit Grandson for a few hours while I work" asks DIL of him, "oh, I left my laundry in the dryer, can you fold it and put it on our bed" she calls from work to ask Single Son ... yet he took a cookie (without permission) that DIL had baked  and got himself reamed a new arsehole for it. I told him he's a fool for doing *anything* for them, considering the way they take advantage of people!

Then again ... he verified that in fact they are looking for a new place to live. I wondered aloud how they think they're going to get a place, considering his recent truck repossessions they'll need a co-signer to rent - and his never having entered into a rental contract before. I'm NOT putting my name on any legal documents of theirs, and I highly doubt my ex would either.

I wish 'em luck ... they're going to need it.

But they are leaving ... one way or the other, they're leaving ... I'm fed up.

To those of you who have offered a reminder to me should I ever say they can move back a third time ... I told Single Son about your kind offers and he said you'll have to get behind him in line ... he has offered to shoot me should that ever happen.

But it won't ... really!!

And I'll have my blog entries here on Multiply to act as reminders as to why it will never happen.

Oh, that reminds me ... blog ... time to go set up my new blog at Blogger. Amy, you said it's possible to import blog entries to multiply right? I don't wanna forget my multiply buddies, ya know?

Thursday (already)

My, my ... where does the week go?

And here I'm up way too early. I've been up since 5 AM. That's what I get for going to bed early last night. Three or four hours a night is about all I can sleep anymore. This sucks. It's gotta change. I'm sure part of it is stress. Or all of it, who knows?

Weird thing is I try not to stress when I'm awake. I mean, as bad as things have been lately, they could always be worse, right?

It's that silver lining my Gigi (grandmother) taught me to always look for. Okay, so it's a bit tarnished presently ... but it's still there ...

*****

Single Son is up to his old tricks again. Practical jokes ... or serious, it's hard to tell with him.

He was out working in the yard yesterday when supposedly the fool from next door (the one whose yard was hit hard by my recent tree disaster) approaches him. As Single Son tells it, the neighbor asked "who is that old lady that lives in your house", to which dear Son replies "oh, she's just my mom. She's not entirely with it, if you know what I mean, She's pretty harmless and doesn't usually hurt others, but we do lock her in her room just to be safe".

Now, you and I know he was joking around ... the only problem seems to be that the neighbor he was talking to doesn't exactly possess an I.Q. high enough to recognize humor unless it's the Three Stooges.

This is the same neighbor who thought it was up to us to take care of his lawn up to the side of his house, so his side yard when untouched for two years. Hello Dumbass, we're not in the trailer park any more! You are to mow up to the property line, not the side of the neighbors house. Oy! Oh, and he's the neighbor that a few years ago called the cops on us all the time because I had Married Son remove a dangerous branch that hung over our driveway - the tree was on his property ... and he called and called for really piddly stupid things until the cops recognized he was only nit-picking out of revenge and they told him to stop harassing us.

So now they think I'm totally mental. This could be a good thing, really. Maybe now their kids will stay out of my yard or stop slicing golf balls in the direction of our vehicles.

However, Single Son needs to realize that not everyone gets his dry sense of humor.

*****

I'm debating if I want to go back to bed for an hour or two, or if I just get up now, get dressed and head up to Target to refill my prescription. I'm thinking of a flu shot, too, but doubt they'll let me get it since I've had a sore throat for the last day or two.

Hmmmm, bed wins ... but only because Single Son just came into my room to tell me he's got to be in traffic court by 9 AM (remember he's a cop, they go to court a lot, LOL) ... and did I need the car before noon?

Election Day

And I'm sooooo glad it's over!

One more nasty political commercial and I would have screamed bloody murder! Don't know about you, but the majority of the candidates here in Michigan were dirty players this year ... only a small handful refused to play that game. Not surprising that they won whatever they were running for ... I think we're all sick of the mud slingers, nay sayers, and creeps who partake in it.

Ah well, we've got, what ... a year? ... until the campaigning for the 2012 elections start. Enjoy the quiet while it lasts!!

I'm happy with the new governor we will have here in Michigan ... Rick Snider, better known as "One Tough Nerd" ... he wants to "re-invent Michigan" ... and from his ten step plan, I do think he is on the right track ... we can't save the "old" Michigan ... but we sure as hell can re-invent it!

I went to vote and DILs dad was a few people in front of me. He asked if DIL had voted yet, I told him I didn't think so. What I should have told him was the conversation she and I had not twenty minutes earlier in the aisles of the grocery store where we bumped into each other ... pretty sad conversation at that. She asked if it was a presidential election ... Hullo?? Are you serious (yes, very) ... and I told her no ... it was a mid-term election (she didn't know what mid-term meant) and that we were casting our votes for the new governor of Michigan. "I don't know who the candidates are, so I guess I won't vote." To which I replied "then don't bitch one word to anyone if you don't like the changes that will be made. Not voting revokes your right to bitch about it".

*****

I've been doing some marathon video viewing. It took me a few days, but I watched the entire boxed set of "Keeping Up Appearances". That's including not only all of the episodes but the extras, the interviews, behind the scenes, and out takes, too.

Tonight I could either have started all over again, OR spent time reading my copy of "Hyacinth Bucket's Book of Etiquette for The Socially Less Fortunate". Yes, I chose to read the book.

I found the "Hyacinth Bucket Book of Cookery" online quite a while back. I printed out all two hundred pages (two ink cartridges later!!) ... and have been browsing through it, too. Some of the recipes sound soooo yummy!

I even ordered the "Hyacinth Bucket's Hectic Social Calendar" book today on amazon.com. I tell ya, those free $5 gift cards I have earned from swagbucks.com sure have come in handy!! Not an hour after I ordered it, the seller shipped it off! I can't wait! I've wanted that book forever ... yes, I'm a Hyacinth addict!! And I bought it for 88 cents (plus 3.99 S&H). What a deal!!

So I guess I know why I've had strange dreams these last few days ... ummmm, nights ... about Hyacinth, her home, and biscuit recipes of all things. American breakfast biscuits, not British biscuits (cookies to us). And that I know the difference shows I'm an addict! LOL!

Now I think I need to see a professional to analyze this addiction I have to all things Hyacinth (besides the fact that my mother possesses quite a few Hyacinth traits).

*****

Geesh, I need a life!!

I still haven't heard from that one company ... Target, by the way ... but from my understanding they do take their time getting back to applicants, especially when it's for seasonal workers (for which I applied). I'm guessing they just don't want to start paying seasonals until just before the holiday season begins. LOL.

In the meantime, I've also applied to about three dozen other retail places. Somethings gotta give sooner or later.

And the sooner the better.

Married Son and I are at odds again. We rarely speak, and when we do it ends in harsh words being spoken. I'm selfish (don't you know) because I demand they pay certain bills in exchange for rent. And of course, I call them selfish because not only is it a fight to get his share of the bills paid - but there's a new (new to them) truck sitting in my driveway. Now, I know he needs a vehicle, but priority says pay the heat bill FIRST (and not saying "gee, Mom, I don't have it this month"). He claims it was a repayment for a debt from a former friend of his, but I really don't believe that.

They don't think I've noticed, but you'd have to be a total moron to not see that they're sorting their possessions. I mean, really, how hard is it to notice when the sorting/storage tubs are stacked three high in my previously empty hallway?

They do this when they're getting ready to move. I guess it'll save me having to serve eviction notice at the end of the year. But he better pay me what he owes me first!! Or I know I'll never see it again.

But ... there's a lesson in this all. I will not ... I repeat NOT ... ever allow them to move back in with me. I know I said it in the past and broke down ... but no more!! I'm finished. Done. How's the saying go? Screw me once it's your fault, screw me twice it's my fault ... there won't be a third. And there sure won't be ... I'm a slow learner, but I've learned. Really.

*****

Okay, now my headache is back. Single Son put some videos on the network drive ... think I'll go watch either "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" or "The Muppet Movie" ... or maybe ... hmmmmm ... decisions, decisions ...