History In The Making

Funny what goes through your mind when you hear a camera crew is coming.

I need to get an appointment to have my hair done

I need a new suit

I need to loose 5-10 lbs in one week

I need fresh art work from Snow White

Need to go through the photo albums and update the pictures in the frames on my desk

Where is my coffee cup with the company logo?

Hide the can of Jones Soda Whoop A*s
- love having that on my desk
“You want what? When? Don’t make me open that can.” He,he,he!

Are all of my awards on the walls or do I have more in my filing cabinet?

My sister who cannot stop laughing at the fact her older sister might be on the History Channel along with such ancient marvels as Stonehenge. Ok, I am older than she is but not that much older. My sister, I love her humor! The documentary isn't about me, it is about the company.

Oh what the heck. It would just be simpler to call in sick that day. If Meredith V shows up with the camera crew I wont have to fake being ill. I just might throw up on her…on purpose (big smile).

The History Channel is sending a documentary crew from Modern Marvels to do a bit on our company so I think I am safe from Meredith.

Media Making Mountains out of Mole Hills...Again

Today I read a post about Mommies combining Happy Hour with Play Dates. This was a topic discussed on a nationwide morning show. I will not mention the name of the show because in my view a parent should not give attention to a child or other for negative behavior. My friends and I would not have alcohol served during a play date due to Society’s ever critical eye. There are people who abuse alcohol on a daily basis and could never handle drinking and watching their children (mothers AND fathers alike).

However, I do not object to how these mothers are enjoying their social time. They seem to be very loving parents who know their limits. As long as they are handling everything in a safe manner then why is it considered bad form?

Just because they have a drink in front of their children does not make them horrid parents. I know several parents who go out for a night on the town and come home after having a few too many. Sure, their children are with a baby sitter while they are out. Yes, the children are asleep when the parents come home. What if, God forbid, something should happen in the middle of the night? What about the morning when the parents are hung over and the parent who stays home still has to take care of the kids all day. You cannot tell me the day is going to be a wonderful day for the children or the parent. Why pick on Mothers having a social drink in the afternoon?

The media has a way of twisting things to hit as many hot buttons as possible. Controversy and making simple issues into sensationalism is how they up their ratings. What better subject than Parenting to bring out every angle and get people all riled up? People parent in different ways based on the specific needs of each individual child, culture, economic status, religion, family history and an abundance of other elements too numerous to list. No matter how you choose to parent your child(ren) there will be others who would do it differently. Not just different, but tear you a new one for not doing it their way. If you ask for advice on one subject you are bound to receive more than ten different views of the perfect solution. Think about how many new mothers roll their eyes at the advice of their own mothers. I know I did my share of eye rolling when I was a new mother.

I used to respect Meredith V but I now have a different view of her. How dare she take a fellow Mother and treat her like that! I was unaware the new network which hired her operated in this manner. This is not Maury or the Jerry Springer Show. They really duped this mother and shamefully

If Dr. Janet wants to ban mothers from a social drink at a play date here are a few others to add to her list:

Home Super Bowl parties
Any public Major League game
Family Barbeques
Christmas Dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner
Company Picnics
College Graduation dinner with Champagne toast
Weddings

The list goes on and on! I however do not have the same views as Dr. Janet. I will continue to take my children along with me for family outings and social events with my friends.

My view on others' parenting skills? I may not agree with everyone on how they raise their children but I will never say my way is the only way to do it right. To Melissa, I hope you see what a wonderful mother you are and say the heck with those who are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Your play dates are working for you and your friends. You are not the extremists (sloppy drunk), the radicals (uneducated, too quick to jump evil women) are worried about.

Loved this quote from BlondeMomBlog

“Mothers are an influential demographic, shaping everything from morning news show programming to advertising campaigns. This article notes that moms control more than 80 percent of household spending. This would be the perfect chance for a winery to bottle a 'Mommy’s Timeout' line. Hey, I’d buy it.”

I would buy a case just so I could give a bottle to each of my dearest friends on Mother’s Day!

Other bloggers who reacted:
Lahdeedahsworld

Silicon_Valley_Momms

Suburban Bliss (Mom who was Ambushed by the show)

I AM

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I am the baby born in Ceiba Purto Rico to a US Sailor and an Alien (non citizen from UK). Who had little pink bows taped on her bald head and refused to wear hats of any kind.



I am the child who played with mud pies and Barbies and frogs.



Who loved fire flys and splashing about in the rain and sitting in Dad’s chair with a big blanket and drinking hot coco after playing in the snow.



Who stored in my treasure box bottle caps and shiny pebbles that I was sure came from some pirate ship
Who dreamed of having a hundred babies or more and never thought she would be a career woman.



I am the teenager who took weekly photos of my sister and myself sure that Teen Magazine or Tiger Beat would make us famous models.




Who wore Loves Baby Soft and Mini Skirts and loved going to dances and hated that I had no idea what to do with Dep gel.



Who stole her mother’s car so my dear friend in need, Kaye, could catch her boyfriend cheating on her and then spent two week grounded.



Who dreamed of a large corner office in a mega corporation and knew she would be a wonderful mother to boot.

I am the woman who purchased her very first brand new car all by myself after 13 hours of negotiations.


Who loves my family and has three wonderful children and a good career to provide for my family.


I am the mother who loves laughter and goes crazy if I have to miss a school event
and whose moments of perfect bliss come when I see one of my children put their heart and soul into something they truly enjoy.


I am the Engineer who loves when a project comes together and avoids those who make the process longer than it should take and who is willing to give credit where it is due.


I am the woman who sees the lighter side of life and helps out without being asked and always remembers to say thank you.


I am the person who will happily answer the phone at 2 AM if you have a panic attack and then call you the next day to make sure you are doing well.


I am the woman who still loves to hug and kiss her parents and to receive hugs and kisses from my children no matter their ages but never forget those who are no longer around to receive them.

Who still longs to learn French and reacquaint myself with Gaelic.



I am the person who dreams of a week long vacation with my sister and antique shopping in Europe and is grateful for the loving family I have been blessed with
and who hopes to visit my relatives in Scotland and Ireland.





Owlhaven has this great form to use to creat your own I AM. Please visit her website and tell her I sent you.

Ever have a WTF day?

It has been a WTF kind of day and I am usually so very chipper. First on my list was work. I go into work thinking everything was fine. I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish today but my morning was abruptly interrupted. Not only did I have to give up my Friday off but I had to work on a last minute bid. The big wigs decided they had to have this contract and only I could make that happen. We gave up our family plans for the weekend and I made the bid. Come Monday morning everything should have run like clock work but I found out they fired one of the guys in my group! Ok, this would not have been a big deal had it not been for the fact they hired him to lessen my work load. My morning consisted of fixing everything he messed up and I had three more bid proposals to work out by Close of Business! Why did no one tell me he was let go Thursday evening after my meetings with him to officially hand over these proposals?

In my last job I was the ONLY person in my office who does what I do. Thus, I was reluctantly allowed leave if I came down with flu or my house was on fire. If I left work with the flu I was reminded over and over again how many dead lines were approaching. If I came in the office with the flu I was met with so many disgruntled "how can you come in like this and infect the rest of us?" The day I received the phone call from the alarm system company that my house might be on fire they reluctantly allowed me to leave. The man I laughingly call the Southern Gentleman (his view women have no minds but look great in a kitchen) said "I cannot believe she is rushing home to a burning building." How incredibly heartless considering my children were home from school!!!

Going from a company where I was the only person who does what I do to a company who has/had four men in my own group of co-workers who do exactly what I do...how is it possible that I am still in the same position when it comes to taking time off? You may think the job change would result in a larger work load and that is the reason for so many in the same field in my new location. You would be greatly mistaken in this thinking. I use to have 70 projects on the average but now have around 10 smaller projects as do each of my co-workers. I have worked hard at my job as always but it now occurs to me that it does truly take many more men to do the job of one woman. The men in my group talk daily about change but change in the direction of making their jobs more difficult and time consuming than it should ever take. I have to admit my male bashing today but I have yet to meet a woman in the same career position as myself. I am not meaning this to be male bashing...just venting about my co-workers and my lack of vacationing. They are males and neither I nor them can help it they happen to be in the same career as myself. Why is it that I can take on all their responsibilities when they are out of the office but the same is not true when I want one day off?

Ok, I am done venting about my work :-)

I pick up my the mail from my mail box and guess what...another state says I owed them back taxes but they forgive me. WTF again! I call the comptroller and treasury for that state and it was all a mistake. Breath in ...Breath out...nice cleansing breath. Next letter is addressed to my son so I put it aside for him to read later. Later comes and it is an insurance company saying they are setting a claim against me personally since we have no insurance. WTF??!! I have auto insurance on both myself and ManSon. I call the number in the letter dated January 3, 2007 and the number has been disconnected. I call my insurance company and they say they have never heard from this company regarding any accident. ManSon did have an accident out of state on that date but like the insurance company we never heard anything back from the other party and it has been months since the accident. My insurance company advises me to not contact the other party in anyway since there was never a claim made through our insurance. They told me horror stories of people and companies who make a killing on people who just pay the requested amount and ask for more money time and time again. My insurance company said to fax them the letter tomorrow morning. If I had thought before hand about sending this letter to anyone I would not have written on the letter next the amount of the demand "WTF". Well it has certainly been a WTF kind of day for me and it will be known by many more than you who read here. Oh well, the best of the best have these sort of days and worse.

Speaking of people who have had worse days, nothing is worse than a parent having to say goodbye to their child. I heard today that over this weekend a fellow Mother took her child to the ER with a high fever. Her daughter was only 7 years old and she passed away while in the ER. The mother was so distraught she had to be sedated. This very young, precious angel had been bitten by a tick a year ago and Lime Disease came a year later to take her away from her loving family. Another WTF moment! If you or any loved one has been bitten by a tick and there are no symptoms please make sure to tell your doctor and if you or your loved one has any symptoms later remind the Doctors of the bite.

Good news side of life, my children are fine and I am right now knocking on real wood. I am looking to purchase a new car, new living room furniture and I actually want to make new curtains for all the rooms in my house. I cannot seem to find what I want in the stores or they seem outrageous in price so the craftsmanship will be guaranteed with out factory delays. I also found a unique shop in town which is going out of business due to retirement. They have the grandest dresser sets (brush, mirror, comb and matching wall accessories) I have ever seen and they have house warming final touches. They are going to be especially happy to see me next week! I am going to buy sooooo much!! All that and my son found one of my favorite sound tracks. Ok so not a great find but music does make the world seem a better place during that 3-5 minutes you can loose yourself in the music.

Wishing all of you a Non-WTF day :-)

Pet Peeve # 1

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One of my pet peeves…

Why do they install paper towel dispensers up so high on the bathroom wall? Do they not understand that my hands are wet from washing them? Try as I might to get the stubborn dispenser to give me a towel before the water runs down my sleeves making its way to my elbow. Come on people it doesn’t take an engineer to install the paper towel dispenser. The only conclusion I can come to is… the dispensers are installed by people who do not wash their hands after using the facilities. ewww.

Monday, Monday

Monday morning I went to work and Snow White staid home with ManSon due to the holiday. I felt fine, no problems. I thought I was better given that I was fine all weekend aside from one ear a bit sore from the flight down and more so on the way back.

Tuesday morning I wake up, Snow White goes to school and me off to work. I wasn't at work long before I started to feel...well, like the world was slowing down around me. I soon realized I was very ill and took the rest of the day off. I went to bed with a 103.5 fever. ManSon picked up Snow White from school, made her dinner and went over her homework with her. He made me tea and even brought me popsicles like I use to do for him when he was little. I staid in bed the rest of the day and all night. I vaguely recall talking to my father on the phone but do not remember what was said by either of us. Force of habit to answer a ringing cell phone no matter what I am doing at the time.

Wednesday morning came and I was feeling no better so I took some cold medicine and called work. I explained to my boss that my work was pretty well caught up and I would be in later if the medicine had a good affect. An hour later ManSon woke me up to see if I needed anything. I told him to take Snow White to school. I called my boss and said there was not fit to drive so I would not be in the office today. I spent the day in bed and woke around 3:30 pm. As I looked at the blurry alarm clock on my dresser it occurred to me that it was almost time to pick up Snow White at school. I run...stumble around and ManSon comes to see what is going on. He tells me it is Wednesday and Snow White comes home on the bus from her after school activities. I nod and go back to bed but first set my alarm clock to wake me at 4:50 pm. Magically I wake up to the sound of the alarm and realize my fever has broken. The cats and I wait at the opened front door for Snow White's bus. Each time we hear a vehicle the cats perk up then we see it is just a car and not her bus. I laughed at the cats until I realized I was also doing this. Finally, the bus stops in front of the house and an angry bus driver tells me I need to walk to the end of the street where she is suppose to be dropped off. She complained that my daughter did not want to be dropped off way down the street. I yelled back at the driver that the school said she would be dropped off at our door or I would not have agreed to let her stay after school on Wednesdays. The bus driver continues to yell things that I cannot clearly hear. I finally said "Fine. Don't you worry about it. She wont be riding your bus any more. B'bye now. Have a wonderful evening." The bus driver is still shouting at me as we walk into the house.

I congratulate Snow White for standing firm in not getting off the bus at a stop neither of knew about. I told her how very proud I was that she did what was right. In this day and age I really don't want my very young daughter dropped off at a bus stop I cannot see from the house. Anything can happen and I want to do all I can to prevent anyone from harming my children.

Thursday morning I feeling well enough to go to work. I take Snow White to school and off to work with me. I was more caught up than I thought so it was a slow day for me, thank goodness. My boss was overjoyed to hear my voice. Now he could get the yearly goals out of the way and mark that task off his to do list. He is one of the top four bosses I have had in my life time and that is really saying something.

I called the school to let them know the missing library book was in Snow White's back pack all along and that she will no longer be attending the Wednesday after school activities. The lady who is head of the activities called and we discussed the exchange of words I had with the bus driver. She apologized and said I could pick up Snow White from school as soon as I was finished with work on Wednesdays. She also said she was definitely going to bring this to the attention of the principal.

My morning goes well then I realize I have had nothing to eat or drink all morning and it is lunch time. I drink two cups of tea and then have a bowl of what else...chicken noodle soup. Suddenly I am not feeling so well. My forehead starts to feel warm and I think back to Tuesday morning. I only had two cups of tea when I started to feel ill. I was determined to feel better so I pushed forward through to the end of the day.

I picked up Snow White, made dinner and chatted with my sister for hours. I felt much better and tomorrow I am going to throw out that tea!

Where did I go you may ask?

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Well, it turns out I am not Super Mom though I try to be. Every Mom has her limit whether she wants to admit it or not. What I found out is if you do not realize your limit your body will be quick to tell you.

I woke up one morning and thought my nose was broken. How in the world can you break your nose while sleeping? It wasn't a broken nose, just the beginning of it all. I have been ill ever since. I made myself believe as long as I could get out of bed in the morning, get Snow White off to school and me off to work I was not really sick. This went on for about two weeks.

Then it was time for our weekend trip. Since I was feeling a bit under the weather I thought we should ride with friends rather than fly. I have heard horror stories about people with a cold who flew and ended up busting an eardrum. Turned out our friends were not going due to their children catching the flu bug. It was all at the last minute and Snow White so wanted to go on the trip. I did what any mother would do...I booked last minute airline tickets.

In the past we have always traveled on non-stop round trip flights. Due to last minute travel arrangements we had one stop each way. I thought nothing of it. Most people must travel this way so how difficult could it be?

At one airport we saw a group of gorgeous women with their hair and make up done to perfection all wearing the same pants and matching jackets. I noticed a familiar NFL logo on their jackets and thought how great it would be to have a photo of Snow White and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders! The women were walking in two straight lines so Snow White and I decided to march right behind them. I politely said "Excuse me." with a huge smile on my face. The two girls at the end of the line turned around with matching beautiful wide smiles. While still grinning from ear to ear I asked "Are you the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders?!" The blonde's smile immediately changed to a grime pucker and did an about face with a perfect hair toss. The African American girl kept smiling, patted me on the shoulder and without a word marched on with the rest of the group.

I was perplexed, maybe they were the wives of the team members? I thought nothing of it as we went through another security screening. I thought nothing of it while we sat in one of the airport restaurants laughing about how much fun we were having. While waiting at the gate for our flight Snow White and I were chatting with a few other flyers when ...it hit me! The LOGO was not a STAR! It was a HORSE SHOE! I had to laugh at myself! Ok, the colors were right but I had related the sign of a Horse Shoe with a Cowboy. They were the Indiana Colts Cheerleaders not the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Oh well, next time I will make sure to ask someone else before approaching cheerleaders or athletes of any kind.


For the next few days I felt fine. A little bit of ear trouble but nothing like a busted eardrum. We had fun on our mini vacation and headed back home Sunday night. I check in the rental car only to hear we have less miles now than when we started. The man tells us to check in at the desk and tell them the car is not yet checked in. The lady tells me she is going to charge me for +50 miles. I laugh and tell her our trip to and from our friends was only 25 miles and showed her my map quest directions. She notices the mileage is less than when we started so she agrees to "wave" the +50 miles she was going to charge me. How very gracious of her huh? We arrived at the airport a few hours before departure in order to allow airport security enough time to sample my perfume, check out my wicked undies, and anything else they fancied in our luggage. Ok, I do understand the importance of airport security and I appreciate all their efforts. I haven't lost a pair of undies yet so I am still a happy camper.


We sat down to a nice dinner and looked over some of the photos taken over the weekend. We browsed the souvenir shops and found some fun things to do during our wait. I bought a few "keep 'em entertained toys" and a large pack of gum for the flight home. As boarding time arrived we sat at our gate only to find out the flight was delayed. Two other people came rushing down the corridor stating their flights had been canceled and this was the last flight out to our destination. Thoughts of finding a hotel and having to explain to my boss why I would not be there for my presentation Monday morning flashed through my head. This was not good, not good at all.

There was no one at the counter to ask questions. The person who takes our boarding passes had not arrived yet and it was time for boarding. An hour later the boarding pass person did show up to announce our flight will be delayed by another hour. It was bed time for us and we were both getting a bit sleepy. I kept telling myself I would take a quick nap on the flight home.

The plane came and we boarded quickly. Snow White had a window seat, I had the middle seat and a seemingly nice older lady sat at my other side. I instructed Snow White to wake me if she needed me or when the lady came by for sodas. I am pretty good about giving up arm rests to the person next to me and Snow White wanted the other arm rest so I folded my arms and almost dozed off. The seemingly nice lady started elbowing me! I looked up thinking what in the world is wrong?! She was flipping through a binder placing index tabs here and there at a rapid pace. Apparently unknowingly jabbing me each time her arm flew back as she flipped to the next section. I moved closer to Snow White but still the woman's elbow came at me again and again. Finally I sat straight up in the center of my seat waiting for that elbow to came at me just once more! I was going to grab her elbow and tell her through clenched teeth to put that darn book away until we land! She must have sensed the heated glare from my eyes since she immediately stopped working on that darn book. I was just about to close my eyes when to my surprise, Snow White jabbed me with her elbow! As I looked at her with my jaw dropped and about to say something not so sweet she sweetly says "The soda lady is coming." I smile and thank her very sweetly then order a coffee since I was not intended to sleep at all on this leg of the flight.

As we approach the next airport the stewardess announces that all connecting flights are on time and aware of our late departure from the last airport. She also states that we will have plenty of time to catch our connections. Snow White and I race down past two corridors to the end of the last corridor and catch our breath. Yeah! We made it! They were just boarding our section right now! Woohoo! We rock! Then I notice, this is the right gate but they switched gates on us!! That is when Snow White says "I need to visit the ladies." I ask her to hold it until we get on the plane since they do have bathrooms on board. She agrees and we make another mad dash down a few corridors to the correct gate. Everyone was on board but us apparently. We arrive gasping for breath and the boarding pass person looks at us like "what took you so long?" I hand over the tickets, find our seats and put her carryon under the seats in front of ours. Then we head to the bathrooms and wait in line. When we return to our seats there is a man sitting in Snow White's window seat. Apparently he doesn't understand English and appears to have never been on a plane before. Snow White said it was ok since she didn't really want a window seat. She was planning on falling asleep. So there we were, The Man at the window, Snow White in the Middle (she doesn't like isle seats) and me on the isle. No way was I going to fall asleep with some man sitting right next to my little Snow White! The man took out a coin and started doing magic tricks which thrilled Snow White. After all his magic tricks he gave her one of the coins and she gave him a stick of her gum. We later looked at the coin and found it was from Guatemala.

We must have looked dead tired when we arrived. Everyone wanted to help us with our luggage. We managed to get everything loaded in the car and drove for home. There is something about going to this one particular city, in all of the US, that catches up with Snow White no matter how we travel to and from. She always gets sick once. I guess it just wouldn't be a trip to that city if she didn't use the sick bag. I thought we finally made it without her being sick but just as she sat in her car seat out came the bag. We have made this trip during the morning, afternoon, evening, late evening, by car and by flights both non-stop and this one with one stop. We have taken long trips all over the US but this one particular city does it to her every time. This might be the last time we travel to that particular city although we love our visits while we are there.

Thursday Thirteen # 2

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POSSIBLE CAPTIONS FOR THIS PHOTO

1.But there was no parking outside

2. But Hunny, it’s too cold outside for my new truck

3. The “R” is for reverse

4. Dear, this one is the break pedal

5. But Dad, you said to give it more gas.

6. We need to work on your parking skills.

7. I told you your mother wouldn’t like us to just drop by. or
This is why my mother dislikes unannounced guests.

8. We tried to get your present under the tree but…

9. Sorry, my cell phone died and I wanted to let you know I would be late for dinner. Looks like I’m just in time.

10. Did anyone else see that house fall out of the sky and right on to Dad’s truck?

11. New truck + Student Driver = New window

12. When I said put the car keys on the table I meant for you to take them out of the truck first.

13. * No, it’s not tornado season. It’s student driver season. (My favorite)


This photo was barrowed from the Curmugeon who is holding a contest for best Caption for this photo.

Tooth Paste Poison!

This entry started out as a Bathroom Pet Peeve List then took an unexpected scary turn. Please supervise your young children when they are brushing with their fluoride toothpaste. This in no way means that your child does not need fluoride or should stop brushing their teeth.

When you were little did your mother tell you not to swallow the toothpaste when brushing your teeth? Mine did and apparently with good reason although no one told me the reason why. It was just recently while "trapped" in a bathroom at a hotel did I find the time to read the warning label on my daughter's Hello Kitty toothpaste!

"Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away."


My first thought is how much is more than used for brushing? Is there a limit? I usually put a dime sized blob on Snow White's toothbrush due to most of it being run off when she holds it under the faucet before putting it in her mouth.

"Directions
* Adults and children 2 years of age and older" Brush teeth thoroughly, preferably after each meal or at least twice a day, or as directed by a dentist or physician.

* Instruct children under 6 years of age in good brushing and rinsing habits (to minimize swallowing).

* Use a pea-sized amount for children under 6.

* Supervise children as necessary until capable of using with out supervision.

* Children under 2 years of age: Consult a dentist or physician."

Logo at bottom "Zooth, Makes Healthy Fun." I kid you not!

Same warning on my Colgate toothpaste and every other fluoride toothpaste I later saw in the toothpaste isle. What if you thought your child was just exuberant about brushing their teeth and did so 5 or 6 times a day? Are they addicts? Should we call the Poison Center? Snow White has two new teeth and very excited about them. I am putting all toothpaste in a child safety cupboard out of her reach. If she wants to brush her teeth it will be under adult supervision and dispensed in lean measure. From now on no matter how much is rinsed off under the faucet before it reaches her mouth.

Here is what I found...

Last Updated: June 15, 2006

Editor(s): David C Lee, MD, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, North Shore University Hospital and New York University Medical School; John T VanDeVoort, PharmD, Clinical Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota; Michael J Burns, MD, Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard University Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; John Halamka, MD, Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; and Asim Tarabar, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital

"Once absorbed, fluoride binds calcium ions and may lead to hypocalcemia. Fluoride has direct cytotoxic effects and interferes with a number of enzyme systems; it disrupts oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, coagulation, and neurotransmission (by binding calcium). Fluoride inhibits Na+/K+ -ATPase, which may lead to hyperkalemia by extracellular release of potassium. Fluoride inhibits acetylcholinesterase, which may be partly responsible for hypersalivation, vomiting, and diarrhea (cholinergic signs). Seizures may result from both hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia. Severe fluoride toxicity will result in multiorgan failure. Central vasomotor depression as well as direct cardiotoxicity also may occur. Death usually results from respiratory paralysis, dysrhythmia, or cardiac failure.


Frequency:

In the US: In 2004, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 24,180 exposures involving toothpaste with fluoride.
Only 440 cases were actually treated in the emergency department.

Mortality/Morbidity: One death from ingestion of fluoride toothpaste was reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers in 2002.

No deaths were reported in 2004.

Death may result from ingesting as little as 2 g of fluoride in an adult and 16 mg/kg in children. Symptoms may appear with 3-5 mg/kg of fluoride.
Estimated toxic dose for fluoride ingestion is 5-10 mg/kg.
Estimated lethal dose is 5-10 g (32-64 mg/kg) in adults and 500 mg in small children.
Age: Children younger than 6 years account for the vast majority of the cases. In 2004, this age group had a total 21,890 exposures, while adults 19 years and older had only 1213 exposures. "

Infants and children usually have accidental exposures.
I have to admit after having an onion bagel or the like for breakfast/snack at work, I brush my teeth then place a large dollop of toothpaste on my tongue and swallow it! I thought if it went all the way down the track and in to my stomach it would help mask the halitosis created by said breakfast/snack. My logic being the food was in my mouth, went down the track and resting in my stomach. This is not something I do frequently. It has been during instances such as when I was about to have a meeting and no mints available.

I thought my mother was telling me not to swallow the toothpaste due to any tartar or bacteria loosened during our in between dental visits would cause heart problems. Many people take prescriptions before going to the dentist to prevent bacteria from collecting on the heart.

For the full article go to: eMedicine - Toxicity, Fluoride : Article by Geofrey Nochimson, MD

Another useful link for all: www.aapcc.org/ American Association of Poison Control Centers

CHRISTMAS EVE

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Sunday was great too! Auntie D and I made a big breakfast for all. So big in fact it was Christmas breakfast as well. On Saturday we only exchanged family presents but not the big presents to my children. This prompted a little begging from Man Son and Oldest daughter to open more presents. I had to laugh each time they asked since they are not little children. Even Snow White was content with the gifts she received Saturday night. She pretty much thought that was all the gifts.

Man Son and Oldest daughter had made plans the day before with a few new friends at the mall. We took our time getting ready. We dropped them off at the mall to spend time with their friends while we ventured out seeking the little shops of town. We discovered all the little shops in town were closed so we traveled on to the outskirts of town. Auntie D and I giggled as we passed by an Astrologer Reading sign and thought about going in. Neither of us had any cash on hand so we went on ward. We had the notion if we passed by an ATM we would take out a bit of cash and then stop by on our way back. Auntie D even called them to ask the cost. It is $20 to $75 depending on which cards or what type of reading you wanted. We were a bit confused as to what each reading entailed. We pondered for a few moments during which time Man Son and Oldest daughter called to say "We are ready to be picked up." It was only 4 pm so we knew the mall was not closing, they were ready to go home. Back to the mall we went and picked up Man Son and Oldest daughter.

The late nights were really catching up to Auntie D and myself. Man Son and Oldest daughter were wearing me down on opening presents. After a bit of tidying up the house. I explained that I needed a bit of a nap which is unheard of. Yeah, me taking a nap? Isn't that what I do after everyone else is asleep and before I go to work? Anyway I told them after I get a little rest and if I received a lot of cooperation from them, then maybe we could open some presents. They agreed to keep the house to a normal hum and make everything sing like Christmas for Snow White when I emerged from my room. Auntie D and Bear also took advantage of nap time. After I awoke from my nap I was surprised to see Snow White was in bed and asleep! It was only 7 pm for goodness sakes! She was not use to all the late nights either. Guess she was as wiped out as we were.

Man Son and Oldest daughter helped me carry the Santa presents upstairs. Oldest daughter asked why she was carrying a large empty box up the stairs? I held in my laughter and told her not to question Mommy. Auntie D and I filled the stockings and laid out all the presents. Auntie D was surprised to see we were filling more than three stockings. She and I then took a Santa bag full of presents over to the neighbor who changed my flat tire the other night (will write about the flat another time). No one answered the bell so we just left the Santa bag on the front porch and went on a little walk with Bear.

On our way back to the house we stopped in the front yard chatting like sisters do. We looked up at the sky and she jokingly said "Look there goes Rudolph" as a plane passed by blinking a red light. Usually they flash between red and green or red and blue but this one only flashed red. We looked at each other and just knew both of us had the same idea going through our heads. I ran into the house and started shouting "Snow White! Snow White! You have got to come out here and see this! It's Santa and his reindeer!!" She looked groggy at first but then caught on to what I was saying. She ran for the door as I gathered up her slippers and coat. She ran right past the Christmas tree, all the presents and out the door on to the front porch. She started yelling "I cannot see them!" and Auntie D pointed to the tip of the tall evergreens. " I SEE HIM!! I SEE HIM!! I SEE RUDOLPH'S RED NOSE!!" she exclaimed as she jumped around full awake and so full of excitement! When we could no longer see the blinking of Rudolph's nose we went back inside. She was so excited she walked right past the Christmas tree with all the presents laid beneath.

Man Son, Oldest daughter and Snow White really loved what Santa had brought. Man Son's favorite gift was the Retro Atari. Oldest daughter found out there was a (place cool skater guy name here) skate board in that empty box she carried up from the basement. She wanted that skate board so much I even think she told the mall Santa just incase he had even a smidgen of pull. Snow White's favorite gift so far is her American Girl Bitty Baby doll and furniture.

What did we do after that? The children played with their wonderful gifts while Auntie D and I ....what else...we chatted into the wee hours of the morning as sisters do.

Later Saturday Night

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After everyone left Auntie D, Bear, Snow White and I went for a walk. It must have been around 8 pm. While on our walk we started an impromptu Caroling which we thoroughly enjoyed! If there were people peeking out their windows we did not notice them. Just before we arrived back at the house we decided it would be a grand idea to drive around looking at all the Christmas lights. First we would have to stop by Star Bucks for some hot drinks. When we were home we told Man Son and Oldest daughter our plans. Man Son would rather stay at home but would like us to bring back some Star Bucks for him. Oldest daughter gets ready and we head out the door. I am rather new to town and only know of one Star Bucks in the area which is located in the Target store. Auntie D is leery it will be open due to it being Saturday and nearly 9 pm. Oldest daughter and I convince her all the stores are open late due to the last shopping day before Christmas. YEAH Target is open! Sadly, Star Bucks had just closed. Auntie D and Oldest daughter convince me it would be a good idea to try the mall. There might be a shop there with at least hot chocolate. Before heading to the mall I convince them we should stop by the house to give Man Son the option of coming with us. We pick him up and head to the mall. Macy's was open until midnight. Most of the mall was open until either 11 pm or Midnight. We wondered around the mall to watch the mad scurry of last minute shoppers but really they were few and far between. Auntie D and I browsed the jewelry stores but nothing gave us the feeling of we absolutely had to have it.

We all met up at Macy's around 11 pm and were fixed on the jewelry section. I showed Man Son and Oldest daughter an oriental pendant which none of us knew the meaning of the writing nor did the Macy's associates. Man Son drew a picture of it in hopes someone we know might have the answer. You cannot purchase something like this without knowing the meaning. On the plus side Auntie D found a new stone, one she does not have, a Green Amethyst. This 3 karat, cushion cut stone caught her eye. She has always hated her birthstone but now that it is no longer constrained to its purple color she is happily seeking a Green Amethyst in a white gold setting. It was getting late and we did not want to keep the store staff from closing so we went home.

Being the sisters we are we staid up until after midnight talking about the day while cleaning up.

Thursday Thirteen #1

Thirteen Things I Need to do Before the New Year

1. Get new tires on the black car.

2. Take down Christmas tree and for goodness sakes put the children’s initials on their ornaments so we can remember who’s is who’s.

3. Clean out the cars.

4. Nail something anything on the walls. The last house we lived in I didn’t put anything on the walls until we had lived there for nearly two years.

5. Pretty up Snow White’s room.

6. Find Real coal for First Night. Prepare First Night Basket

7. Get my Lincoln.

8. Return videos (3 wks over due YIKES!) I did finally have time to watch them Sunday night.

9. Clean the house top to bottom.

10. Figure out vacation dates for 2007.

11. Buy Champagne for me and Sparkling Cider for the children.

12. Buy Holiday Crakers (tube package you crack open to revile crown and toys).

13. Come up with a Realistic New Years Resolution.


Thursday Thirteen Link

This One's for the Gipper ...um I mean the Curmudgeon

Curmudgeon here is your wish...ok not exactly but hey I tried :-)

Christmas Comes Early

Auntie D and Bear arrived Friday around midnight. I staid up to let them in and you know what happens when sisters get together. We staid up until around 2 am chatting about this and that. Even though we talk daily on the phone there is something about sisters seeing each other in person.

Bear was up at 6 am like always and Snow White followed soon after so there was no sleeping in for us sisters. Bear met Merril and Kitten for the first time. That didn't go so well at first but after awhile Kitten being either brave or stupid kept walking up to Bear. He thought they looked like big squirrels and wanted to have a bit of a chase game with them. I had never seen a cat actually bounce off the walls where they meet the ceiling before! Merril on the other hand staid in the safety of the laundry room. We made breakfast chatted constantly and went on many walks with Bear and Snow White. While we went about our day Man Son had the luxury of sleeping in. Oldest daughter was off with her friends this weekend to return on Sunday. After awhile Uncle C called and told us one of his workers lost a family member this morning and Uncle C will cover his shift Sunday. This means he and his family would be unable to come for Christmas. Our whole family has not been gathered together for years so it was very disappointing. I know it is not as disappointing as the afore mentioned workers holiday but still it was sad news to hear.

Auntie D, Uncle C and I started brain storming and came up with a plan. If he could arrange for someone to cover him today we would move Christmas up to today. I called Grandpa to see if they could make it today. He said he would check with Grandma and call me back later. We agreed to go on about our day until we heard one way or the other from Uncle C. Auntie D, Man Son, Snow White and I all went to the mall to see if there were any last minute tempting sales. That my dear friends was a grave mistake. At 2:30 pm Uncle C called to say he could make it if everyone else could make. I called Oldest daughter to let her know she will have to come home earlier than planned. When I called Grandpa he said Grandma was not feeling well when she woke up so they would need a little more time. If Grandma was not up to it he and Uncle L would come. I call Uncle C and say Early Christmas is a go. While all of this was going on we were taking our leisure at the mall.

Then it hit me my a brick wall! I only have a few hours to cook and get everything ready! My time had been shortened by a day and a half! There were a few items on the grocery list I still needed. The wrapping of presents was not 100% finished. Even though we moved three months ago there are still unpacked boxes here and there. Not one thing is hung up on the walls so my walls are bare. This will be the first time my brothers see the house so I want it too look nice. At this point I am in over drive and anyone who gets in my way will be bowled over.

Our first stop is the grocery store and I realize the list is at home on the fridge. Oh well, how hard could it be to remember what was on the list? Auntie D had some shopping to do as well. She manned the cart and strolled through the isles with ease as Snow White staid by her side. I on the other hand ran through the isles like a tornado picking up various items and making runs to and from the cart manned by Auntie D.

As soon as we are home I put the ham and pumpkin pie in the oven. I then put everything else in it's cooking container to be turned on at varied times. I then make a mad rush around the house and shout out orders like a drill sergeant. It all seems like a blur to me but I do recall saying "I will not repeat myself so listen up" and "If you stand still in my path is not a good idea." Yeah, that last one I remember because my sister laughed and said something like "get a hold of yourself woman". She then took Man Son, Bear and Snow White down to the basement for clean up detail. Later I realized it was to get them out of the drill sergeants path. After an hour or so I mixed the glaze for the ham, took the pie out and started the rest of the dishes. Since the first and second floor was almost perfect I took a bathroom break. When I went into the bathroom I heard Auntie D laughingly say "Look out Bear, don't stand in front of that door. It will fly open at any second and crazy woman will come out."

The house was looking very nice but I wanted to put out some last minute touches so I ran down to the basement to grab some festive fabric to drape over a few items in the living room. I laid out the good china on the dinning room table and set up a children's table in the kitchen. A few phone calls from Uncle C saying he picked up Oldest daughter on his way up and needed additional directions to the house. I laid out my plan to complete all the tasks with Auntie D. When Uncle C arrived I would give them a quick tour of the house then it was up to her to entertain them. I would then dash down to the basement and wrap the remaining gifts. She was laughing at me but happy to see I had slowed down and was a normal person again. Things were going well, then I realized the side dishes were still cooking so I yelled up the stairs "Auntie D check on the food!" I could hear her laughing as she yelled down to me "All taken care of." A few minutes later I heard the front door open and Grandpa saying "Merry Christmas!!" I was worn out but trying to wrap as fast as I could. I had only two more gifts to wrap when Auntie D came down stairs to say "They are starting to open presents. What can I do to help?" She wrapped one and I wrapped one and finally everything was done.

Yeah the gangs all here! Aunt S and the Girls brought a veggie dish with home made dressing as well as cookies and a red velvet cake they had made. The Girls LOVED the MP3 players and American Girl perfume we gave them! I was thrilled with the photo bag they gave me. A lot of the moms I know have them but I never bought one for myself.

Grandpa gave Snow White her very first American Girl doll! It was visible that her heart was caught up in her throat. Then she started shaking and soon after came excited screaming "its...BITTY BABY!!!"

Aunt S gave Man Son and Oldest daughter a maze game that when completed reveled a prize. In this case it was money. Man Son quickly solved the puzzle and proclaimed his victory to all. Oldest daughter was occupied with other gifts and said she would give the puzzle another try when not so many were watching. We passed out the remainder of the gifts and everyone seemed to have been given the perfect gift. There were three gifts inspired by another blogger lalaland. Her blog of going without power which meant without the ability to plug in her coffee maker inspired these gifts. Grandpa, Auntie D and myself each received a mini generator.

After the gift exchanges we sat down to dinner and wonderful conversations. Aunt S sat down to at the Children's table only to be greeted by a surprised Snow White saying "This is the Children's table. You are not a child." She laughed and joined the rest of us in the dinning room. I am not a person to eat sweets but I couldn't help myself when it came to the cookies she baked, they were absolutely delicious. Aunt S was a real pleasure to be around this holiday and I was so grateful they came all this way to spend an early Christmas with us. Aunt S and I have had a few ups and downs through out the years and I really cherish the "up" times. Her oldest girl just had her braces taken off and the youngest girl just had her top teeth fitted with braces.

After dinner Uncle C and Aunt S said they really had to get back home so Uncle C would have time to rest before going to work. Cameras seemed to materialize out of no where. Everyone wanted a group photo on their own cameras. The last time the family was all together Uncle L brought a friend who took the group photo. This year it was up to a tripod and camera timers. Auntie D's camera took photos in good fashion. Aunt S had a bit of a time with her timer. The first time she set it I said "RUN Aunt S RUN!" And Run she did. Then we waited but nothing happened. Second time she set it and as soon as she set in motion the camera went off. Then she said "Ok, I have it now" and ran towards us and the camera went off before she came around the tripod. Once again she went behind the tripod to try again and we were all hysterical with laughter at this point and Grandpa says "I've never seen Aunt S move so fast!" I am absolutely positive everyone was smiling in that photo! I could hear Aunt S herself laughing as the flash came once again. While the next camera was being set upon the tripod I took a few impromptu shots then told everyone I want to see those silly faces and they obliged.

There was one person missing, Grandma. She was too weary from traveling from Tennessee to travel again the very next day. After the series of tripod photos we called Grandma on speaker phone. When she answered we broke out in "We Wish You A Merry Christmas." After the first verse everyone stopped but Aunt S Oldest Girl which prompted the rest of us to continue through the next verse. In Grandma's voice it was obvious she was still under the weather and we had just woke her up. She was cheerful and glad to hear our merry voices.

Then it was time for goodbye hugs and kisses all around. Aunt S, Uncle C and the Girls had to get on the road. Grandpa and Uncle L had to get back to Grandma so we packed up their loot in their cars and thanked them all for coming. I even saw Uncle L give Aunt S a hug in the drive way and she had a happy smile on her face! Aunt S and I have our ups and downs but Aunt S has only had downs with Uncle L. This happy hugging right outside my house really made this wonderful holiday brighter!

Happy Christmas to ALL!! I hope all of you had as wonderful a Christmas as we did!

Still a few more days of Christmas to come...

Holiday Meme

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate? Nog (chocolate puts me in a coma)


2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps with special Santa Paper


3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house? Colored Lights


4. Do you hang mistletoe? Wow, I have forgotten all about mistletoe for a few years.


5. When do you put up your decorations? When the kids start to whine “So and so has their tree up” or when I start my Christmas shopping.


6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Irish Potatoes. Love seeing who will find the six pence.


7. Favorite childhood holiday memory: While driving across country we staid in a hotel over night. Each of us children took turns during the night to keep a watchful eye out the window and on our VW Bus. It was loaded with presents! Our Mother kept saying “Go to bed!”
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8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was 8 yrs old and found Mom wrapping presents in the middle of the night.


9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? YEAH!


10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Kids first and then Mommy evens it out.


11. Snow: love it or dread it? Love to play in it hate when I have to drive to work in it.


12. Can you ice skate? I haven’t tired in a while so I hope it is like riding a bike. Oh wait, I haven’t ridden a bike in a very long time either.


13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I big stuffed Little Foot, from The Land Before Time. He had a box of jewelry tied to each of his feet. I sill have him! Well, Snow White has him in her room. Also on the top of my favorite gift list is a gorgeous hand made jewelry box.


14. What's the most important thing to you about the holidays? Family spending lots of time hugging, laughing, talking and just enjoying themselves.


15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? I never have room for dessert but there is always pumpkin pie on our holiday dinner table.


16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Letting my children each pick out a new ornament to purchase every year. When they are old enough to be out on their own they will have a full set of ornaments.


17. What tops your tree?. Angie, the Christmas Tree Angel


18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving gifts? Giving! I love to see the expression on the recipient’s face when they open their gifts.


19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, and Away in a Manger.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS! JOYFUL CHRISTMAS! IT'S COMING!

Hip hurray!! Christmas is coming!! The family is coming!! I cannot wait for everyone to be here!

I did a little bit of grocery shopping in preparation of the soon to arrive guests. As the Christmas songs filled the store I found myself singing along and gliding down the isles in a semi dance style. Snow White reminded me of each guests preferences and we came up with a rather pleasant menu for their stay with us.

All that is left for tomorrow is to decorate the remainder of the tree. The bottom four feet of the tree is decorated and the angel has been placed on the top all due to Snow White insisting she will be the one and only to decorate the tree this year. The tree actually lights up the whole living room this year! She did allow her brother and sister to put their ornaments on the tree. Each of my children have "their own ornaments." Every year I let them pick out an ornament to purchase. When they are ready to move on and out of the house they will have their own set of ornaments. For their first Christmas after they move out I will buy them a Christmas tree, real or fake which ever they prefer.

I also need to collapse a few straggling, empty moving boxes which are now making their presents known in the house. I am looking forward to wrapping the presents we purchased from us to our guests. I take a lot of pride in finding the perfect gift for the recipient. I am looking forward to many ooohs, awws and happily surprised faces! Snow White loves the paper I picked out. It is winter white paper with gold ornaments/gold holly leaves/gold swirls and each roll is accented with pink glittering stripes/berries/stripes. Who would have thought in this little country town we would have found such great wrapping paper? Ok, as far as wrapping paper goes I am happy if it looks good but I was really happy with this great find.

The thought of hearing stories from "When we were children" and the in person up to date news on everyone just warms my heart. I also expect a few Traveler Warrior stories sure to make you not want to make the next year but hey they made the trip for Thanksgiving and still want to come for Christmas. That reminds me I need to make sure our calls to Ireland and Scotland are going as planned for Christmas Eve. It wouldn't be a fantastic holiday if it weren't for family phone calls! All I need now is for that gold and pink tree skirt to go on sale for 75% so I can buy it for $75.


I have been smiling for a full week! I am so excited about all that Christmas brings! Thank God (literally) for this wonderful holiday about being HAPPY!

Thank you to everyone who emailed me. Let's enjoy the smiles of HAPPY people... (I need tech assistance so please bare with me on placing your photos here).

Customer Service is Back!

I went to the grocery store to pick up just a few small but needed items like milk and bread. My son is home and I know he loves those little tuna and cracker snack packs but I couldn't find them in the new grocery store. I did find the Keebler Elf crackers and they were on sale 2 for $4.00 so I thought why not make Mommy Tuna Salad and buy the good crackers to go with it?

Well they rang up $3.49 then the discount came up $0.99. I bought more than I came in for so I was a bit bored standing in line and it occurred to me the crackers would be 2 for $5.00 instead of 2 for $4.00. It is only one dollar difference but then I start to think of what have I paid for in the past that might not have rung up the correct price? Should I keep paying for items I think are on sale but really ring up a higher price? When you go grocery shopping are you keeping exact tabs on what each item costs? I do keep a rounded off tally so I do not over spend. I remembered the crackers because it was the one item I did by on sale.

I went to the service desk and told the girl there the crackers were 2 for $4.00 but rang up 2 for $5.00. She looked over the boxes of crackers intensely then said she had to look for herself. Snow White and I giggled and horsed around while waiting. A few minutes later the grocery girl came back and said "They are 2 for $5.00", gave me back the boxes of crackers and motioned for the next in line.

I was tired, I wanted to go home, Snow White wants to eat dinner but I just knew the sign said 2 for $4.00 but I have been wrong just a few times in my life (insert a little laughter). I march back to the farthest end of the store where the display stand is and I am angry. Much to the dismay and repeated "you are going to get in trouble" from Snow White, I take down the "2 for $4.00" signs and march all the way back to the service desk.

During our jaunt back to the service desk thoughts of ...I will never come back to this store! They think everyone is a liar! There are 5 grocery stores just as close to my house! This store will not receive my business again and I will tell everyone I know, again. I did shut down a grocery store before (years ago and another story on customer service). Tonight this store was wasting my time and my daughter's time and what was that girl doing when she kept us waiting instead of looking up the price?!

I demand to see the manager and it just so happens she is next to the girl who told me the wrong price for the crackers. I place the signs on the counter and say "That girl told me these crackers were on sale 2 for $5.00 and I had to go all the way back there for me to realize she called me a liar to my face." Ok, that is what I wanted to say. What I actually said was "This girl said the crackers were not on sale for the price I thought and they actually were." The store manager looked over the boxes of cracker, looked at the signs and said "I was here when she told you." She pressed a few buttons on the register and asked me to sign a paper and gave me a five dollar bill. I was a little confused, I still wanted the crackers not a refund. She saw my puzzled look and apologized for their computer and personnel error. "Here is the amount you paid for the crackers and you get the crackers free due to our mistakes." I was almost speechless! All I could get out was a mere "Thank you." WOW Customer service isn't dead after all. I only wanted the dollar back because the crackers were on sale and they gave them to me for free because of the error. Ok, I know about the glitches in the computer programs retail stores use and the companies who supply them with the computer service sometimes offer replacement of fees if there is a problem but still WOW that was passed on to us instead of just refunding the expected sale price.

For a $1.00 difference this store said the Customer is Right and they did all the paper work in 2 minutes flat without saying they needed the history of your forefathers to offer you something comparable and then some. I would have been happy just to have the $1.00 refund due to me. I would have never gone back to that store again if I had not been floored by their end result Customer Service. I have not seen this sort of Customer Service since the early 80s when things went from Customer Service to "If you don't like it go away."

The other 5 grocery stores near my house just lost my business due to this one act over an expected $1.00 refund. The other 5 are friendly and I have had no issues with them at all but I am just overwhelmed to find a store where Customer Service is not just a sign.

Elephant Under Who's Chair?

The other night I was flipping through the channels and came across Bill Cosby doing a stand up. Ok, he was sitting down on a stool but it was early Cosby live so I watched and listened as Snow White worked on her home work.

Cosby was discussing his family. So many similarities with his family growing up as mine it was all down right side splitting funny to me. Snow White...well she just didn't get it. In one of his sketches he says his father blamed a "toot/Fart/cutting the cheese" on an imaginary elephant under his chair. My father also did this blame game on the elephant.

During a meeting of the heads of departments someone...passed gas. Most would have pretended not to notice and held their breath. Me? Well after watching Cosby I laughed and laughed! I attempted to say "Did you see where that Elephant under his chair went?!" If you had not just watched Cosby "live" you would not have understood my words in between my gasps for breath during my hysterical fit of laughter. I was so hysterical in my laughter I had to excuse myself. I went out to the hallway still laughing uncontrollably! Just after leaving the room it occurs to me... they think it was ME!! My laughter triples!! I cannot stop my laughing and it has grown louder and louder!

Darn that Cosby Elephant ..still laughing and all those big burly men think it was the little laughing girl who let out that enormous sound.

Christmas is Coming!!

Family Christmas will be at my house this year! Yeah! Oh wait, didn't I just do Thanksgiving? Okay, who volunteered me? Oh that's right it was all a phone in and I found out before Christmas. Yes, I am happy but hope I get to spend more time in the chatting and laughing than in just the kitchen this time. I am sure that will happen since more people are coming.

Hip Hurray for dear old BEAR!! He is not that old after all and he does not have cancer! He will be with us for a good while now!! Buggery on those meanies with their first diagnosis! Making my sister ill through out Thanksgiving with their misdiagnosis and the rest of us feeling helpless! MEANIES! {shaking my small fist at them in gesture}

Yesterday Snow White started off the ornament purchase this year. Each year I let my children purchase an ornament so by the age of 18 they have a full set of their very own. This year she chose Barbie in the 12 dancing princesses. I tried to steer her towards the Fairytopia Barbie who was dressed just as Barbie was when she met the Actress who plays Barbie in the same on stage musical. No, already have that Barbie before meeting her in person on Good Morning America so not really interested. I then pointed out the dancing Barbie from 12 dancing princesses which played music as she twirled on her toes in an arch way. Again, No, not interested. Well, I have always said they can pick their own ornaments. She did tell me that I could buy the musical dancing Barbie princess if that was the one I chose. Me choose an ornament? Really? I had not thought about that in ages!!

If I decorated a tree just for me when the children are all on their own...I want a pink and silver decorated tree. The tree will be a real honest to goodness tree, the first year. After that I want all my crappiest, over done, hand me down, outlasted their time ornaments, the ones my children picked out but wont put on there own tree on a fake tree with lights already installed. I want in the center of my hallway on the main floor my gold bell with the pull down pendulum decorated with real mistletoe that plays "Jingle Bells". On the inside door nob of my front door will be the small painted brass bells on a vibrant string cord. The wreath on my front door will be hand made or at least purchased by my children. The outside lights decoration will be a collaboration of my children's efforts and I am sure there will be a new way to hang up Christmas and Holiday cards.

What will I want for Christmas? As always...a photograph of all my children! I am just starting to realize we might not all be together all the time. Man Son was not home for Thanksgiving. First ever holiday he was not home with us. They do grow up so fast but I did not want to believe it.

As the whole family (State Side) will be at my house this Christmas please forgive me if I do not post for a while after Christmas. I am likely to be blinded by so many camera flashes going off!

Black Friday Cometh and Goeth

I staid up until midnight looking through all the flyers to see if there was anything I should rush out to get. To my surprise it was just like the last few years. The only things on a great discount and worthy of sleep deprivation were household items.

What happened to the "The kids have to have it for Christmas" items? I remember my first Black Friday shopping experience where my sister and I waited in a line outside the toy store at 7am just to buy the new Game Boy at a great discount!

The last few years it seems like this is the only day to get a really good deal on a TV. Now think about it. If you buy a new TV who is going to wait for Christmas to hook it up? Are you really going to wait more than 14 days (the usual set time for returns) to find out that TV doesn't do what they advertised it will do or if it works properly?

The top values I found in the circulars were TVs, curtains, dishes, rugs, vacuum cleaners, guest towels and just about anything you could think of to spruce up the house before Christmas. Um, no mention of gravy boats in any of the circulars.

The TV on the top floor might need to be replaced soon so why not get up at 4:30 am and pick up a 20" TV for $69 at Walmart which opens at 5:00 am. My sister also wanted a video picture frame from Linens and Things to keep the memory of Bear alive. Linens and things opens at 6:00 am. I also had to do a double take on the Target circular! They had ATARI on sale for $20. Ok the price was not the reason for the double take...it was the sheer thought that anyone would be selling ATARI !! Ten years ago or so I sold the Atari system my brothers, sister and I played with when we were children. Then came the "Mom are you crazy! Why would you sell an Atari?!" from a very young Man Son. I decide to make amends by putting Target on my list in an attempt to purchase this new ATARI with all the games inside the system.

I put the circulars for Walmart, Linens and Things and Target by my purse and set my alarm for 4:00 am.

Morning comes and I realize I have hit the snooze button a few times. I open my eyes a bit and look at the alarm clock. I then shoot straight to a standing position next to my bed! Oh My Goodness!!! It is 5:11 am!! Walmart is already open!!

I grab clothes, pull my hair up, grab my purse, jacket and cell phone! I was in the car at 5:13 am! Ok I forgot about my socks and shoes but I did have a pair of clogs in the car.

Wow, there is no traffic on the main road. No traffic at the stop light near the Walmart. I turn into the parking lot and Holey Cow!! I cannot believe the parking lot for the mall is just about full with only Walmart being open at this time!! I waste no time in parking in the first space I see which is way out in never land. I run to the entrance then run to electronics only to be told the TV I am searching for is in Grocery? The very nice Walmart woman holds me back from bolting and says "Let me make sure they still have them before you rush over there." She calls someone on her walkie talkie and they say there are 2 1/2 skids left. It takes me all of one minute to get to that isle and this very big Walmart man says "You people are like ants! You come out of no where in multitudes! We are sold out! They were gone just a split second ago! Please don't yell at me or hurt me!" Wow it must have been brutal in that one minute it took me to get from electronics to grocery. I felt really bad for him.

Oh well, the TV wasn't something I just had to have so on to the next store. I have two choices, Target and Linens and Things. Since my sister wants the video photo frame for Bear I opt go there first. I arrive in plenty of time since the store opens in 20 minutes. I was thinking "Who would be at Linens and Things?" Turns out there were many people wanting items such as the remote control dinosaurs, Ipod thing-a-magigs and what-nots must have been on a super sale! Non the less I was pleased to stand in line behind 30-45 others since the store had not opened yet.

While waiting in line I found those in front of and behind me were all very pleasant people full of the excitement of just living the moments of Black Friday. Some told me funny stories from the stores they have already visited. A very nice looking man and his friend attempted to quiz me on Ipods. I told them the only thing I know about them is it costs around $1 to load each song and all the fad crazed teens seem to want them.

The wait only seemed moments with such good company all around. I was in the store and over whelmed by the thought of picture frames can be any where! They changed all the displays and such from when I was here just a few weeks ago! I have to run because everyone else is running. I find an associate who tells me to go back to the front of the store to find the video picture frame. Darn it! Now I have to stand in a line that goes back to the side isles. Oh wait, some were standing here and some where standing there now I am no longer in line as the line shifted! Ok, at least I only have this one small item to tote around. Meanwhile there is a woman trying to handle her purse, a large Star Bucks coffee cup and two of the large remote control dinosaurs. She was right behind me in the first line which has now shifted so I help her maneuver the dinos right behind me. Her shopping buddy must have made the tour of the store for spontaneous sales items but came to the line empty handed. I am guessing nothing in the sales was really appealing. I, myself was only there because my sister has to work and really wants this video picture frame.

An older couple behind us mentions something about the flyer and we all start chatting about why we came to this store so early in the morning. I tried to avoid the reason I was there due to everyone being so chipper. I did not want to bring them down. We talked about where this store and that store was because I am new to the area. Then they all wanted to know why I was here instead of Target purchasing the ATARI? I told them the sad story of Bear and then it was my turn at the registar, thank goodness!

I get to the register, the lady happily rings up my one item purchase and then it happens! I CANNOT FIND MY CREDIT CARD!!! I fumble through my small purse but still cannot find it! I checked before I got out of the car to make sure I had it! I then look at the cash I have on hand...I have $43 which is not enough for the $84 video frame!! The cashier allows me to run to my car to check if it dropped out on the way to the store. My thoughts go to OH MY GOSH I lost my credit card in the parking lot! OH MY GOSH did I look away from the cart at any time while in Walmart!! I get to my car and see nothing of my credit card on the way to my car!! I open the car door and what do I see....MY card!!! I quickly jaunt up to the store and the cash register to find only the women behind me have cleared the cash register! The older couple allow me to but in before them to complete my sale. Woohoo! I managed to actually get the video picture frame and no unknown person is out spending my money on Black Friday.

I call my sister while I I rush over to Target for the ATARI. I tell her that I got the picture frame and she tells me she over slept. Good thing I called her! I arrive at Target and find the WHOLE parking lot is FULL!! I have to park across the street and run to the store! I rush in and see a check out line forming to the back of the store. I ask where the ATRI is and to my pleasant surprise I arrive before the last 10 are taken off the shelves. I wait in a small check out line in electronics where one of the electronics employees tell me "You can pay for this item up front." I quickly tell her "That line is near the back of the store now so I will take my chances waiting behind this one person in front of me." I am comfortable, I have already purchased the very needed video frame, have the ATARI in my hands and I am only one person away from check out.

I was very pleased to have pleasant people all around during my Black Friday shopping. I still felt bad for the Walmart man. I hope he had a better rest of the morning.

It doesn't take me long to purchase the ATARI and head for the exit. Then I see the Star Bucks! I so wanted to go in there for a Mocha espresso but I knew I was about to crash. Two late nights in a row? I needed a little sleep time. I return back to the house by 6:50 am to cook breakfast for everyone. My parents wanted to leave by 8:00 am so they could be at their house for the walk through of the side walk estimate at their new house.

Grandma and Grandpa had their breakfast while the girls slept in from their late night. The girls woke up and proceeded to books and TV while Mom took a nap.