Puh-leeze!

It's been a rough week here. Nothing much really, just a lot of Gadget drama.

It started with her grandmother dying on October 15th.

Knowing the way she reacted when they thought her son's gf might be pregnant (five weeks of crying, of locking herself in the bedroom, of secrecy - I had to guess after five weeks what the "problem" was - ... and the saying he's still a baby himself, and turns out no pregnancy afterall), well, knowing she overreacts to situations, I feared that she'd be in for a long, hard time with her grandmother's passing.

October 15th was also Alien's 21st birthday. I took her and her family out to dinner (nothing fancy, McDonald's for the kids to play on the playland while we adults talked). To my surprise, at the last minute, Gizmo decided to come along, leaving Gadget at home.

We had a good time with Alien (more on that below), got home after an hour or so, and I thought I best go talk to Gadget, give her my condolences.

She was anything but depressed. "She was old" and "she was an evil woman" were but a few of the things I heard. And then I was treated to a long and detailed family history worthy of a soap opera of it's own. Imagine Days of Our Life meets the Beverly Hillbillies (only without the striking it rich part).and you've got pretty much what I had the privilege of hearing. All the while, Gizmo, his back to her as he sat at his computer desk, rolled his eyes and made funny faces.

But then the drama began ... Gadget was supposed to watch Grandson whilst DILs parents (who usually babysit him when DIL works the afternoon/evening shift) were in Kentucky on family business. I made myself available to watch Grandson so that Gadget could go to the funeral home for visitation on Thursday and the funeral on Friday.

You'd have thought she was getting ready for a mission to the moon!! Detailed "directions" as to when and HOW to watch Grandson.

Excuse me? I've had over three decades of raising kids ... you just need to tell me the when part. I got soooo tired of saying things like "I have it under control", "I've raised kids, I'm sure I can figure out how to watch a seven year old" and once again finally "STFU will you? I'm not a moron."

Thursday rolled around. She was at the funeral home for most of the day (yay, she's outta MY hair!), not coming home until well after 9pm. Grandson and I had a ball!! As soon as he got home from school the first thing he did was to bear hug me and ask "are you ready to hang out Grandma?" We watched a bit of tv, had a picky eater friendly dinner (and he cleaned his plate, too), then played a game on my computer. All the time snuggling and cuddling. That boy sure loves his cuddles!! He even went to bed without any arguments.

The next day, Friday, was Gadget's grandmother's funeral. Gadget was home before noon. No brunch, no wake. Just plant poor grandma in the ground and call it a day. Then again, if my cousins were as horrible as she makes hers out to be, I'd have ran for my car immediately afterwards, too!!

So, she's home in time to get Grandson off the bus and watch him for the rest of the day. Poor kid comes up to me and asks "can I hang out with you instead? Aunt Gadget is just so boring next to you, Grandma". Bless his little heart.

*****

October 15 ... Alien's birthday "lunch" at McDonald's ... being as broke as I am McD's works good (and the kiddies can play while the adults talk), but no one complained!! Even the Knight in Rusty Armor was almost tolerable. Well, not to Gizmo anyway ("Mom, I wish he could be removed from the gene pool" he says afterwards), but that's a different story.

It did start to rain, and thus cut our visit short. How would rain do that, you ask? Rusty Armor started to freak "it's raining!! My car doesn't run in the rain, and I have no windshield wipers" ... so they rushed off before the rain got any harder.

That, however, cancelled the rest of our plans for the afternoon. Going shopping for Alien's birthday gift. I usually pre-shop, but since she needs clothes, I told her we'd go together so she could try them on before I bought them. And those plans were cancelled thanks to a short sprinkle. Yeah, it only rained lightly for just a few minutes. Long enough for Rusty Armor to panic and drive the three miles home.

The day after Alien's birthday a card arrived in the mail for her (at my house) from my mother. It contained a check and Mom didn't want Rusty Armor to know she sent a check so she sent it here (good thinking, Mom!!). She wanted Alien to be able to spend it ALL on herself, all one hundred dollars. Mom also sent an early birthday check for me in the same amount.

Today Alien and I went shopping. Alone. Rusty Armor actually volunteered to watch the boys so we could have some mother/daughter time. Okay, who are you and what did he do with my idiot SIL?

Anyway ... for three hours we had fun. Shopped, bought, and sat in the van talking afterwards (hey, why hurry home if we don't need to!). It was her first time without the boys or Rusty Armor in almost three years. Let her enjoy it!! Oh, and Alien got a job application from one of the places we went (The Salvation Army Store). She filled it out in the van, and turned it back in to the hiring manager. She has a job interview tomorrow. Wish her luck!!

We did have fun until we went back to her house. Seems there was some drama with my ex father in law trying to find her (he even came to my house I found out later) ... and thankfully my ex FIL isn't MY problem anymore. But, you could tell that Pa put an end to what had been an enjoyable day for the Alien. And by the time we got back, Rusty Armor was his old self again.

I couldn't stay long. I just can't deal with the stupidity that comes out of Rusty Armor's mouth. I did stay long enough to visit with Butterball and JR, and for them to empty the Altoids tin of about a dozen Altoids that they know I keep in my purse . Yes, my grandsons love Altoids!! I don't dare have more than a dozen on me or they'd eat a whole tin.

*****

Alien bought a few pairs of much needed blue jeans, and a Halloween costume for Butterball. I bought a few things; a pink short sleeve top, an adorable embroidered denim shirt, a few shirts for all three of my grandsons, and a few other things.

One of the "few other things" was a doll. Walking the aisles of the Salvation Army Store, I spot a life-sized doll that actually stops me in my tracks!! It looks just like Butterball!! At two dollars, I just couldn't leave the doll sitting there looking so sad. It'll be cleaned up (lots of restoration for this good quality doll), get it new outfit and start a new life as a much loved boy doll. I sure can't have a Butterball look-alike going through it's life as a little girl!!

It'll stay in my collection, but this doll was obviously made to be played with. It's a good quality doll, vinyl head, legs and arms, and a soft sculpted body that was made for cuddling (it's so soft and thick). "He" looks to fit into real baby clothes, I'm guessing either a 9mo or 12mo size. I'll take it with me when I'm ready to buy it a wardrobe at the resale shops.

And heaven help Rusty Armor if he says "boys don't play with dolls".

Beam Me Up Scotty!!

There's no intelligent life around here.

Really.

*****

We had a power failure last night. It lasted about seven and a half hours - starting around 2:30 am. The first ten minutes of it, Gadget comes practically barging into my bedroom "OMG, are you alright?" Hello?!?! This isn't my first power failure baby, won't be my last either. We have power failures. Lots of them. Last night's was the third in three weeks. Really. I can handle it. I don't need someone hovering over me "do you need a flashlight", "don't move until I get a light in here" ... and on and on.

STFU!! I've lived here 18 years, I can find my way in the dark, really. Well, I could IF you'd get out of my way. Oy!! Let me get the candle off the shelf across the room. I can do this myself. TYVM.

*****

At least the power failure was a nice reprieve from the STARFLEET drama I'd been dealing with up until the lights (and internet) went out.

Oh, I should probably insert here ...

STAR TREK CONTENT

Our ship ... chapter ... club ... whatever ... has about 25 active members, about as many inactive members, but the inactives aren't the drama. Seems we have one member, who happens to live in Wyoming (yes, WYOMING, not even in our "region") and loves to cause drama. When Gizmo was the Commander he appointed this man, whom I'll call SS (his initials, lol), to the position of "Marine OIC (Officer in Charge). Although he happens to hold other STARFLEET positions, including "Office of Recognition" of the STARFLEET Academy. I should probably also mention that SS has never attended a meeting, I've never met this man face to face. He's been pestering me for months that we need to make ALL meeting Skype meetings for those who live too far away to attend. It does sound like a good idea, only ... don't talk the topic to death. I heard you, I responded (we're looking into it) now be patient.

My XO sent an email reminding all senior officers that their "reports" were due by 5 pm the day of the meeting. FN, our Science Officer who usually attends meeting couldn't make it so he emailed his report to me, the XO and the rest of the senior officers. Here's where the drama starts ... the Science Officer sent in Academy results for every member who had Academy activity this month. Technically that should have been SS's job, only SS never reports anything to me or my XO!!

AND SS didn't like that!! A series of emails (six all told, CCed to me and Gizmo) between my XO and SS ... bitching up a storm saying that this is his "job" not FNs to report. But he's "not jealous" ... bullpucky. The way he's carrying on reminds me of a spoiled child who isn't getting his way. And the name calling he did in his emails towards FN was not called for!!

I must commend XO for handling it for me, he did superb in telling SS to basically stuff it without actually saying stuff it. After pointing out where SS has never turned in a senior officer report, nor awarded certificates and recognition awards from STARFLEET he stood firm in "my original orders to FN stand, he will be submitting the Academy reports".

SS's response was nothing but a series of excuses as to why he's accomplished nothing. Oh, and each one still managed to bring up the Skype topic, too. Oy!

Senior Officers are APPOINTED by the Captain ... and I'm seriously contemplating removing him from Marine OIC. You can't play nice and get along with your little friends (and be grateful someone else is doing a very labor intensive report), then you can sit by yourself at recess ...

This isn't what I expected when I ran for XO back in 2011. But then, I didn't expect the crew to mutiny to have the Captain removed, and I'd be the new Captain.

I can't wait to see what 2013 brings!!

Back to normal ...

whatever normal is around here anyway.

Married Son left two days ago, headed towards Iowa with a delivery. How he does it in the little cargo van is beyond me. There's no bed, like in the semi truck ... and he sleeps in the vehicle. He seems fine with it, though.

But the day he left, I haven't been out of the house since. Not that I haven't tried!! Gizmo is leaving his van at work, says that he can't afford gas this week (and his boss will let him bring the fedex truck home) ... so no van for me to drive. Forget my offer to pay for the gas I use, it's fallen on deaf ears.

And there's no way in hell I'm driving that death trap that Gadget drives!! Last time I did drive it - about three months ago - one of the tires blew up on me!! Thankfully it was fifteen feet from the driveway on my way back home after running my errands. However, I'll walk somewhere before I use that death trap again!!

And ... Married Son's last trip home, a vehicle appears on my driveway. Out of nowhere, no clue as to where it came from. Turns out he bought it for DIL ... only it's not road ready yet (lots of things to fix, plus plate and insure it) and when I asked today to borrow the truck she usually drives I get the same ol' out of gas crap that Gizmo says.

However, I DID manage to talk DIL into a little side trip for me in the "illegal" vehicle, since she was taking it to her father's house anyway to have him start repairs on it.

DIL helped me out ... and it only cost me a buck and change (plus the money I gave her to get my needed items from the store). Change that went into Grandson's piggy bank even.

And I made sure to let her know how much I appreciated her help.

*****

I've been asked by Son to start looking for a used vehicle that I want. Whatever I choose, it's going to have to be something that'll embarrass Gizmo so badly he'll never ever consider asking to borrow it. And borrowing whatever my vehicle will be is out of the question. Not only my decision, but Son's decision, too ... he knows how rough his brother is on vehicles. In fact, Son is the one who suggested I get a pink vehicle ... or something equally embarrassing for a male to drive ... lol!! But no matter what I end up with, there's no way Gizmo will ever sit in the driver's seat!!

*****

So, I mentioned something about those nutri-systems meals my mother gave me. Some of the meals I've tried are good. Like the prepared dinners such as the flat-bread pizza, pasta meals, and a few of the soups. Some are just okay, like the "chocolate" snacks and some of the soups. Avoid the breakfast foods at all costs, I've learned!! Their version of Cherrios lack sadly, although I have to admit the squirrels loved when I emptied all of the cherrio and whole grain cereal packets into the squirrel feeder.

Two blog entries in a week??

Wow, what's the world coming to? Actually, I think I'm just tired of keeping crap to myself.

*****

Talking to Married Son last night on the phone, complaining how hard it is to get anyone here to cooperate, even so much as to borrow a vehicle to get my prescription refills he interrupts me with "calm down Mom, I'll be pulling into our driveway around noon tomorrow, I'll get you where you need to go". And he did!! Four days on the road and then four hours running around with me doing MY errands.

What's wrong with this picture? Why does he need to spent yet MORE time on the road when there's three other adults and three vehicles here that should be at my disposal.

And I do appreciate it.

Our first stop was the quickest stop I've ever made at the grocery store. In and out in fifteen minutes! Second stop, my folks house, took a lot longer. But we enjoyed the visit ... and I know my folks enjoyed seeing Married Son.

Mom had a few bags and boxes of goodies that needed to be picked up. A goodie bag for Alien and the boys, and two boxes of food for me. Funny thing about the food ... Mom's always trying one diet or the other, this time it was Nutrisystems, and she absolutely hated the food. So ... waste not, want not her mother used to say. I haven't tried any of the foods yet, so we'll see how I like it or not.

It's not often I question my father ... but WTH? He has this new 5 in 1 printer ... and absolutely insists that the FAX machine stay connected. However, anyone that calls into the house gets that nasty computer tone whenever the phone is picked up!! No getting around it. I actually started an argument with Daddy about how it's NOT necessary to keep the freaking fax plugged in all the time!! What makes this sadder, he never gets any faxes!! Just a lot of pissed off people when they try to call.

Married Son unplugged it at my Mom's request. We'll see how long that lasts.

*****
So, the food is all put up in the cupboards. I had to pretty much rearrange the entire cupboard, and I still ran out of room for all the food! Ended up cleaning that little drawer under the oven. It's cram packed with packages of food.

Since I usually store my griddle (GRIDDLE, not girdle, Amy) in that drawer, I had to reorganize another cupboard to HIDE my griddle in. And why hide it? When I opened the drawer it was obvious someone had used my griddle without my consent ... there were scratches on the non-stick surface that weren't there when I used it last and there was pancake batter caked in the crevices of the griddle.

There's a certain person that did ask once, a few months back, if she could use the griddle. I told her yes, but use the black nylon spatula on it. I got distracted (as I often do) and when I turned back around she's just about to put a black handled metal spatula to it!! Practically ripping it from her hands, and telling her "you don't listen, do you?" I put the proper spatula in her hand and stood over her like a mommy stands over their kid the first time they cook.

So ... it doesn't take Sherlock to figure out who helped themselves to something that doesn't belong to them (and misused it) ...

And the gods help her if she even so much as touches any of that food I just put away.

*****

Had a great time with Married Son, even if it was running around doing errands. Had time to talk uninterrupted. Well, when that phone of his wasn't beeping some incoming text or call. Every two minutes!

He had a novel idea on how to handle Gadget next year (gawd forbid she's still under my roof and skin next year) ... as I'm getting my small container vegetable garden together, to take her by the hand, lead her to the backyard and say to her "if you want any produce, grow your own. Pick a corner, any corner ... and have at it".

Think it'd work?

Me neither.

*****

Well crap ... there was something else I wanted to say. Can't for the life of me think what it could have been.

*****

Oh ... question ... I'm wondering about all the pictures I have linked in my multiply blogs. When I exported them to blogger, they still work. Will that end, will those links be broken once multiply goes through "the change"? I'm sure not looking forward to re-adding all those pictures if that's the case.

Just curious.

Long time coming ...

And I have a lot to bitch about. And as usual, it's about the people I live with.

Only this time it's NOT the Wrecking Crew. Can you believe it? DIL seems much more tolerable in comparison to Gadget. Crazy, right?

Even putting aside the fact I feel as if I actually lose IQ points after a conversation with Gadget, she's past getting on my last nerve.

The more I get to know her, the more I realize she's not playing with a full deck. Far from it ...

*****

Last Sunday we had a small company "emergency" ... had to get the cargo van from my driveway out to North Carolina, but then we'd have to worry about getting the driver back. Gizmo volunteered to drive the van, and fly back. Enter Gadget ... I had been in communication with Gizmo the entire time he was gone. Yet, she had to tell me no less than a dozen times "he's flying in on Delta Flight (such and so). We need to ... " After the first six or so times I was fed up. "We're in communications. I know what's going on" ... that led to "SHUT UP already!! I have it under control".

I have things under control has become my anthem around her. Doesn't matter what's going on, she feels the need to take control (whether it involves her or not). And her in charge isn't pretty. I've never seen anyone screw shit up as much as this one does. And yes, she even tries to take control of every STARFLEET thing that's going on. To the point I've told her that I'm in charge and IF I should need her input I will ask her directly. Otherwise, STFU!!

Anyway ... the drive to the airport should have been me going alone. She was supposed to work, but ended up getting the day off. Damn. So of course she just has to accompany me. The entire fifty minute drive was her talking (non-stop) about the things that Gizmo does that she doesn't understand - or worse wants to change. Hello? Try to change someone?? Any mature adult knows that you can't change anyone to what YOU want them to be ... adapt, ignore or leave. And I told her so!! I think I began that little lecture with "you're in idiot if you think you can change someone". Of course, it fell on deaf ears ... a subject change or two later she's right back to "he needs to change". Oy!

*****

Today's bitch may seem rather piddly ... it has to do with a bottle of cold medication. Nyquil to be exact. I had a big unopened bottle that I had stored away. Enter the latest cooties that struck here about a week ago. MY big bottle ends up being snagged by Gadget and Gizmo. As much as I needed it, I only got two and a half doses out of the entire bottle. I told her she needed to replace MY Nyquil (she's working, she's got a car AND money dammit) ... and instead she comes home with a medium size store brand bottle that if I need a dose, I have to hunt down the freaking bottle.

And never so much as a thank you for the original bottle of cold remedy.

And after nine months of this, I'm done with sharing with her ... food, medicine, cherry tomatoes (yes, MY crop of cherry tomatoes!!), you name it ... she feels entitled to whatever is around the house. At least DIL realizes that if it's not something she's purchased, she's to leave her hands off it. Not Gadget ... nope. And telling her about ownership or what's off limits doesn't matter one bit to her.

In one ear and out the other. And I swear it builds up speed along the way.

*****

And that's only ONE of her more endearing qualities. Over-bearing, domineering, paranoid, worry-wart, smothering drama queen. Sad thing is, she knows it, too!! I alone have had many conversations with her about letting her 20 year old son GROW UP (he moved out when he was 17 because of her smothering - and he IS a good "kid", someone any other mother would be damned proud of), about letting go of those things she cannot control, and of learning to adapt herself to the situation instead of forcing change because she cannot cope.

*****

I know ... I should be pleased as punch that Gizmo has found someone to love and care for ... but damn, he could have really done sooooo much better. And I'm NOT saying anything. It's his decision who he wants in his life. But he's got a bad habit of "picking up strays" ... you know, those little critters that someone abandons (usually for a reason), and tries to nurse back to health. Yup.

*****

Well, this bronchitis is kicking my butt again ... time to go hunt down the nyquil.

(gonna be cross posting until multiply shuts off the power, lol, so look for me here or on blogger at http://lcm1219.blogspot.com/ )

I've moved!!

No, not the empty nest, but I've moved my blog over to blogger. I thought I better do it now, before multiply closes it's blogging doors on us in December. Yeah, I know, I have time, but as long as it was on my mind ... besides, it gives me a good excuse to get off my duff and actually make a long over due blog entry.

I can't say nothing has gone on since my last entry months ago. It has ... most of it the same ol' Wrecking Crew drama. Some Star Trek stuff ... but nothing unusual.

Which is a good thing, I guess. I do remember when I used to long for boring. Now it's here, and for the most part I can't complain.

Now to just lose the Wrecking Crew drama, and life will be truly boring.

I can't wait!!

I'll finish with a proper blog entry once I figure out how to set privacy settings. Obviously I don't want just anyone to read my blog ...

Happy Fourth of July!!

I know, I know ... it's been a while. And all these promises to be a better blogger. It's not that I don't try ... but personally, I get sick of blogging about the same ol' Wrecking Crew drama all the time. I can't imagine how ya'll must tire of the same ol' complaints all the time!!

And yes, it's same ol', same ol' where the Wrecking Crew is concerned.

*****

In other news, Alien, The Knight in Rusty Armor, the boys, Gadget and I went to the annual fireworks a few days ago. Hotter than heck that day, and poor Gizmo had to work it.

Surprise of surprises, The Knight was actually tolerable!! In fact, he was actually enjoyable to be around.

However, Gadget was less enjoyable to be around. This was her first time at the Lake Orion fireworks. You'd have thought she'd never been to any fireworks show by the way she acted. She just couldn't seem to understand that the fireworks didn't start until after dark (really ??), that glow sticks can't be seen real well in the daylight ... and kept asking me (ten times at least, no kidding) where we parked. Worse than a toddler ... bugging me "when do the fireworks start?" ... or getting all excited when someone lit off fireworks, and she'd yell "oh, here we go. They started". No they didn't ... that's private parties lighting them off ... the REAL fireworks start over there" (as I'd point to where they'd be coming from. And not just once, but every freaking time someone lit a firework off). Oy ... she should have watched two toddlers to see how to behave!! It was crazy!

Anyway ... here's a pic of Alien and The Knight.

No, that's not a baby bump ... as Alien said "I'm not fat, I'm just easy to see". Yup, she's my kid ... down to being "huggable" in size. Hehehe ....

The boys got really excited when they saw the Dragon Boat. Yes, it looks like a dragon ... and it actually breaths fire!!

Short history ... according to wikipedia (disclaimer, I really don't like to quote wikipedia, but the fact theirs was the only site with history that i could find) ... and I quote ...

The story of the Lake Orion Dragon says that sometime in the 1800s a group of local kids played a prank by building a fake dragon and launching it out in the lake. A number of people saw it and soon Lake Orion was known for its dragon. There are a number of stories around about who made it and how they built it but it is widely agreed that it was a prank.

"That same year [1894] the Lake Orion 'dragon' made its entrance into Orion history. First seen by two ladies near the present Robert’s Rondevoo cove, the animal grew in length as the story grew in listeners. What had started out as an average-sized lake monster was claimed by some to be at least eighty feet long. Detroit and other newspapers joshingly suggested, upon hearing of the behemoth, that Orion residents should 'drink more well water in the future.'' The nickname of Lake Orion High School's sports teams (the Dragons) is derived from this.

Here's the link if you want to read all about Lake Orion. 

*****STAR TREK ALERT*****

Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone ... we had a credit on our electric bill this month (we're on the monthly budget plan), so instead of telling Gizmo about it, I decided to say nothing and pocket the extra money for myself. Hey, seems only fair, as it is where else can one live for just the cost of utilities? This is my "pay" for putting up with a not so empty nest. 

So, where does Star Trek come into this?? I bought a Star Trek uniform shirt with the money!! The Next Generation style shirt. I'm sooooo ready now for the International Convention (I.C). next month. Or I will be when the shirt arrives next week! And I'm definitely gonna need it since the CS (Commander of STARFLEET) has personally asked me to participate in the Honor Guard Ceremony!!

I still need to take pictures of the crafts I've done. Especially now that they're going to be donated to the "Ferengi Flea Market" at the I.C. I'm hearing all proceeds go to the American Diabetes Association. Of course I'm gonna donate!! 

*****End Star Trek*****

Not a lot else going on here today. I need to get ready ... we're going to Brother Deere's house for Daddy's birthday celebration a little later today. They will be meeting Gadget for the first time today. I sure hope she is over whatever got into her at the fireworks. Or this could be a birthday Daddy won't soon forget!!

*****

Enjoy your Fourth!!