My plans have changed as far as help with moving. Doug is coming here and we will be moving only the necessities and putting the rest of my things in storage. I don't really plan to stay in AR long. I really want to move back to Blue Springs. The landlord is unable to refund my money I gave her for the apt- which is understandable, so I plan to move there, clear my head, work, work, work and save all I can so that I'll have money to move/live in Blue Springs. We'll probably be in AR for the school year only. I feel a bit unstable (duh) and guilty for putting my kids in this situation where we'll only be there temporarily, but I think this is the best plan. The rent is cheap, I can work and make a lot (ha) and save a lot. I really want to be near my family and friends in Blue Springs.
Blake took my old cell phone to school- without my knowledge, and now I have to go to school today and talk to the teacher.I know and Blake knows not to bring valuables to school, yada, yada, yada. Whatever, I don't have time to sit and listen to the teacher lecture us. Believe me, I let Blake know how important it is that we don't touch other people's belongings without permission, and I made him write sentences instead of grounding him. Since these last few days are the only time he'll see his friends again, I couldn't ground him.
There is this nasty dust that blows out of the vent from the kitchen floor, and even though I sweep a million times a day, there's still a trace of it remaining on the floor. Last night, Maggie slipped and fell because of it and she hit her head pretty hard on the cabinet. She was crying so hard, she couldn't catch her breath. I wanted to cry with her because I remember how frightening it was to get hurt. Then all of a sudden, she stopped and took the ice pack off and said, "I think I'm going to live!"
I can't get over her! She is such a hoot. We looked at material (for her Fiona dress) yesterday but I don't think I'll start that project until we move and get settled. I did buy her some pantaloons for when she wears dresses. She doesn't like for anyone to see her panties so she can wear these pantaloons under her dress and it will solve everything, huh?

My plans have changed

Believe it or not, I posted some pics! You can view them at flickr or up there on the left in 'Our Life In Pictures' Thank you, Lisa for sending them.
She should be sending more and as she does, I will post them.
If you want an invite to flickr, just let me know-

We're back!!!!!!!!
Mood:  happy
Whew! I'm not as young as I was, but we sure had fun and we did a lot of walking! I was tired by the end of the day.
Blake was quite scared to ride the roller coasters but we went to cartoon town and rode the kiddie coaster. We also went on the log ride. Maggie really liked it! Overall, it was great.
The next time I go, I'm bringing lots of money, and a couple of changes of clothes! It was pretty hot and It would have been nice to change into clean clothes. I did however, wear tennis shoes. It's only obvious to wear comfortable tennis/walking shoes, isn't it? There were a lot of people in platforms, and flat thong-style sandals and I couldn't fathom how they were comfortable. Then again, I go back to my teenage years and remember that I wore what was popular, not comfortable.
The best value soda was a souvenir cup with refills for .99 We got that one for all to share for $7.99 and refilled it a couple of times.
I didn't mention that Brandon didn't go with because he would miss his girlfriend! I could have invited her, but I didn't know when we would be back, and I kind of wanted it to be a family thing. So, he stayed home alone and we ended up being gone the whole weekend. I left him money for food but he spent it on hair color and got it all over the carpet! I was so upset when I saw that because it doesn't come out! The carpet is a beige Berber and I'm sure the landlord will be happy to spend money to replace it when we move - NOT!
The landlord had to come to look at the ac yesterday. There wasn't any cold air coming out of the vents after I turned it on, and the compressor outside wasn't going on. I thought it needed recharging, but after a couple of hours of investigating, the landlord realized that a wire was just loose!
I'm so glad that I don't own my home right now! If this were my home, I wouldn't have been able to have anyone come out and take a look at the ac because I wouldn't have had money! ( I know, If I hadn't have gone to Six Flags, I would have money).
Brandon doesn't want to move and leave Katie. e says they're in love and want to live together. I had a dream last night that they had a baby and forgot about it and left it at the bus station. It shows that I think they're too young and irresponsible, right?
I told him yesterday that he isn't 18 until January 17. Until then, he has to live with me and go to school. Period.
Well, that's it for me.

I know I shouldn't be doing this, but we need it.
A mini vacation
We're going to Six Flags tomorrow. It's not too far from here, so we won't have to stay in a hotel or anything and I've got two free passes, so I won't really be spending much money.
You can bet your sweet bippy's that I'm going to be crying when the 1st of the month comes around and I don't have the rent money! I don't think the landlord will be forgiving.

The operating system Brandon installed on this piece of %&^#$...on this computer is called Linux, and it sucks!
I went to Walgreen's with my memory card from the camera, and had the pics put onto a CD. Then I came home to load the CD but I couldn't figure out what to click on to open the CD ROM drive! Brandon says that it won't work, so what the *#@@ is the point of having this piece of $^&*shit for an operating system when you can't even utilize anything? I can't load them at the library.

Needless to say, I am a bit pissed.

I have pictures of my mom and sisters # 2 and 4, my nephews and niece, her baby, and the hot men my sisters are happily married to. Also, sister #4's kiddo-s. My mom and sis said they would email the pics they shot, but they haven't as of yet.

I might just go ask Holly if I can use her computer to load them. I'm not really the type of person to go borrow other people's things, you know?
They (Holly and Don) offered to let me borrow their lawn mower in the past, but I declined and paid a kid to do it. I worry that something might happen if I borrow things from friends. Suppose I mow over a huge rock and break their mower! Then, I'll have to pay for it and I don't have money to do that!

I'm going to make Nachos Compuesto for din din tonight. Its a dish I converted from a Mexican restaurant in CA when I was 17. I guess the modern version would be similar to a seven layer dip. I layer 1/2 lb ground beef with 1/2 lb chorizo and seasonings in a 9 X 12 dish. Then layer whole black beans or beans cooked with bacon. Next, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, seasoned sour cream, and my own homemade salsa and serve with chips and cheese sauce. This time, I'm going to use pepper jack cheese in my sauce to make it a little more spicy. And while I'm at it, I think I'll put a jalapeno in my salsa.

Brandon probably won't even touch it. I don't think he's eaten since we came back from my sisters! He is in love for one thing, and when you're 17 and in love, you don't have an appetite for a while. He also thinks he's too fat! I'm going to have to post a picture of him (ha ha) to show how he looks.
I bought ice cream today to tempt him to eat. It's my fav - Moose Tracks. Hopefully when I wake up tomorrow morning, it'll be gone. He's like that. He won't really want to eat in front of me or others, but when he's alone he will. Is that a sign of a food disorder? I think so. When we get settled in AR, I'm going to take us all to get a much needed physical.

"Who is Doug?", you ask?
Doug is a friend of mine in Blue Springs. He has 2 kids - Keith and Courtney. They lived just down the street from us when we lived in Blue Springs (KC,MO). At that time, he was happily married, then, 2 or 3 years ago, his wife up and said, "I'm outta here", and left him with the kids! Those kids mean the world to him and he dealt with the divorce well (as well as anyone can) and moved on. I admire him because he puts his kids first. He stayed in Blue Springs so that he could keep them in the same school, with the same friends, and they've adjusted well. He has family in Springfield, MO and could have moved there for the support, but he felt it was more important to stay as stable as he could.
Keith and Brandon are the same age. Keith is thinking about college now, and what he's going to do with his life. Courtney is 16, I think.
He came to see us when we lived in AR last time. My kids sure like him because he gives them lots of attention.
Who knows, after his kids have moved out, and if I move back to Blue Springs, maybe we'll get together. I would like that!

Ok, I lied. No pictures up yet. I can't figure this out; Brandon installed some crappy operating system and uninstalled windows. I have tons of pictures, but I can't upload them. He tried this morning, yet couldn't master it either. I need my own computer.
I don't have time to mess with this system to try to figure it out. I don't know why he tweaked his pc the way he did, but it's his computer and he can have whatever system he wants.
I'm not going to let it bother me today. I've got other things to worry about!

8 more days until we move!
15 more days until Blake's 10th birthday!
29 more days until the rent is due again, and I only have half of it!
??? more days until the Jimmy breaks down and I won't have money to fix it.

About My Weekend
Mood:  happy
We had a great weekend! We stayed at my sister's house until Monday afternoon, then had to head for home. Pictures will be in the "Our Life In Pictures" up there on the left.
I stopped by to see Doug before leaving Blue Springs. He looks great and was happy to see us, as were we to see him. He asked why we didn't think to move back to Blue Springs instead of Arkansas. I didn't really have an answer for him. Actually, I didn't even think about it. Now that he wishes we would come back, and my little sister and her family are looking at property in Blue Springs, I might just stay in AR for the summer and move before school starts in the fall.
If my sister moves here from CA, then no doubt my mom will too because she is so emotionally attached to her grand babies and couldn't stand the thought of not being able to see them regularly as she does now.
It was really comforting to see Doug. I've known him for about 8 years now, and he's helped me through a lot of crap I went through with Dan. I could kick myself for not taking his advice last year. Instead, I did the opposite and went back to Dan with hopes that the relationship would improve, but that was when he beat the shit out of me and went to jail the first time. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't tell Doug I was going to drop the charges because he said he was truly sorry and it wouldn't ever happen again. So, I just stopped calling him. He couldn't get hold of me because I changed my cell # when we moved here.
I didn't know if he would even answer his door when I knocked on it yesterday. But he did, and we were both glad! Too bad I didn't take a picture of us so that I could look at it and imagine what my life would be like right now!

Now Playing: You're so vain - Carly Simon
I don't mean to be vain! My blog is the only place where I can talk about myself. I really enjoy it, too; it's therapeutic for me. I know that sounds silly.

I really need to use spell check from now on! I can't spell for the life of me! I was just reading some of my previous posts, and saw a lot of mistakes. Shame on me!

I will be renting a car for the weekend. It'll be much less stressful because I won't be worried about putting all those miles on the Jimmy, and I'm sure the a/c will be in great working order. I'm not even going to pursue repairing the a/c on the Jimmy as it wouldn't be worth it if I plan to get another car by next summer.

Maggie has been washing her toy dishes in the sink today. She loves to do that! I just need to find a way to get her to do all of the dirty dishes! He he. Today, she wore her St Louis Rams cheer leading dress and I said to her, "Maggie, let's see you do a cheer" She said, "I tan't! I don't have anyting to drink" She thought I meant a "cheer" as in a "toast". Later, when we were in the car, and she was cranky (to put it nicely), I asked her if she wanted a piece of watermelon candy. She brightened up and held out her hand saying, "Yes, please!" When I handed her the Jolly Rancher candy, all hell broke loose. She was expecting a real piece of watermelon! How confusing is that!

I cannot wait to see my mom and sister (s)- have I already mentioned that?! I am definitely bringing the camera and I won't let it out of my site! I will post when I get back home on Tuesday.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, EVERYONE!

Kansas City, Here we come

We're going to KC this weekend for my nephew's graduation. My sister(#4), her family, and mom is visiting Lisa (#2) from CA, and I can't wait to see them! I've never seen Cyllyns (#4) boys. Maggie and her oldest are about the same age.

Confused yet?

I'm thinking of renting a car because I'm putting lots of miles on this Jimmy and I need it to last at least until spring time next year. The air isn't working all that great either. I think we have some free days rental at Enterprise.

I need to make a dress for Maggie that looks similar to Princess Fiona's (Shrek) green dress. She loves to be called Princess Fiona! I'm sure I can find some material at Wal Mart and put it together for next to nothing.

I sure wish I had my own computer. I'm in Brandon's room right now, and Maggie is here with me. She is getting into everything! If things aren't put back exactly how they were, Brandon is going to notice! Hmmm, that might be a good thing; maybe he'll decide to have the pc back in the family room!

A is for Age - 39
B is for Booze - Grey Goose vodka. I also like the sweet drinks such as a Melon Ball, Tequila Sunrise, etc
C is for Career - Ready to get started one one! Right now, I'm a Domestic Engineer
D is for Dad’s name - Bob
E is for Essential items to bring to a party - I can't remember the last time I went to a party!
F is for Favorite song at the moment - I like them all.
G is for Goof off thing to do - De-Clutter something, or re-organize something. (yes, I'm crazy)
H is for Hometown - Born in Oakland, CA
I is for Instrument you play - Years ago, I played the clarinet
J is for Jam or Jelly you like - Apricot or peach. Thanks, now I want a peanut butter and jelly sammich.
K is for Kids - Five! Ben (21), Beth (20), Brandon (17 and thinks he's an adult), Blake (almost 10), and Maggie (3)
L is for Living arrangement - 1970's ranch-style house, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. I love it! Currently, living single with Brandon, Blake and Maggie
M is for Mom’s name - Earnestine
N is for Names of best friends - Cindy, Sharon, Holly
O is for overnight hospital stays - Several! One for each childbirth, contracted viral meningitis 3 x, strep infection, then my finger thing.
P is for Phobias - Getting my or the kids fingers smashed in the door!
Q is for Quote you like - Dance as if nobody's watching, Love as if you've never been hurt, and drive as if there's a cop behind you.
R is for Relationship that lasted longest - My marriage to Mike
S is for Siblings - Two older sisters: Mechelle and Lisa, two younger sisters: Cyllyn and Robin
T is for Texas , Ever been? - Yessim. I reckon we lived there in the '80's. Mike was in the Air Force and we lived in Abilene
U is for Unique trait - I can get almost any stain out of clothing!
V if for Vegetable you love - All! Especially broccoli.
W is for Worst trait - I'd say that I put others feelings before my own.
X - is for XRays you’ve had - teeth, head (MRI), hand
Y is for Yummy food you make - I LOVE to cook!! The last yummy thing I made was peanut butter cookies
Z is for Zodiac sign - Scorpio, I think. I'm not really into that.

Blake is really enjoying all the attention I'm giving him about his 'bicycle accident'. You know when you tell a story over and over, and keep exaggerating more each time? Now the tale goes: Blake was in a life threatening accident and he sustained a huge gunshot-looking hole in his hand, AND lived to tell about it!

Brandon passed night school! Whoo Hoo! I knew he would, and so did he. He was taking one of his favorite subjects: History. He thinks his teacher, Mr. Ebler is wonderful and so do I. As a matter of fact, it's my opinion that all of his teachers are wonderful.
Next week is finals for him and Beth too.

No luck with my title. I can't believe that I would misplace something so important like that. I'll need to send off for a replacement like I should have done a long time ago.
I did manage to get the Jimmy all cleaned inside and out, though. It looks great. I had to buy a new console-thingy: you know, the cup holder and compartment thing that goes in between the two front seats? The old one was broken; the compartment broke and couldn't close. This new one has a lock! I like it, and it was easy to install.

I hope I can bring this Dish Satellite with me when we move. I love it, and I don't think I can live without it! I seriously love to watch TV, but never can totally commit myself to sitting down and watching a whole program; someone usually needs me, or the phone will ring - you name it! So, instead i'll DVR it to view later, like when the kids go to sleep.

Made cookies. Peanut Butter cookies, and Oatmeal Scotchies. I froze most of them in the deep freezer and locked the garage! One way to make them last, huh?! Last night for dinner, I made a vegetable lasagna and ate tons of it! I made a vanilla custard for dessert but I used too much cornstarch because it was pretty thick. I never measure when I cook, unless I'm baking. I usually just 'eyeball' it.
Tonight, we'll probably just have the leftover lasagna for dinner. We'll be pressed for time because we're going to the shelter for a support group meeting, and then swimming at the Y.

Brandon put his computer back in his room because he loathes the distraction. We talked about it and I have to respect his feelings.

Mood:  sad

Brandon is taking his computer back. This means that I won't have a pc to use unless I go to the library or buy my own.
This is Brandons computer, and I have to respect his wishes to have his computer back in his room.

BOOOO HOOOOOOO
WHAAAAAAAAAA

There are only about two weeks left of school! Whoo Hoo! I am as excited as the boys are! We don't have anything planned to do for the summer, except to move. Brandon will probably have summer school to attend for part of the summer, and he's not really looking forward to it! I wouldn't be, either.

Blake had a bike wreck yesterday evening. I was taking Brandon to night school, and when I came back home I saw him walking towards our house with a sort of limp. We met at the house and he said that he flipped over his bike and scuffed up his hand pretty bad. My neighbor bandaged it up for him, and it looks as if he'll live. I love to 'baby' my kids when they get hurt.

Maggie NEVER likes her hair up in a pony tail or anything. She doesn't even like for it to be brushed! So, last night, when we were getting ready for bed, she said, "Mommy, I wanna ponytayo in my hair." I was shocked! I love to mess with her hair, but she never lets me! We sat in front of the mirror and she let me brush it, and put it in a ponytail. It didn't matter that a few minutes later, she wanted it out! Hopefully she'll want me to do it again today, and this time, I'll put it in 2 braids.

My finger has improved so much! I am so surprised because I thought it would look forever deformed. I think it's going to look okay.

Today, Princess Fiona (don't ask me why she likes being called that!) and I will be going grocery shopping and then making cookies.

I also need to take the Jimmy through the car wash; it's looking nasty! The paint on the hood is starting to bubble. I think I'm over my love for the Jimmy, and ready for an other SUV. I was daydreaming yesterday and thought of buying myself a car with my income tax return next year. I sure love to daydream!

I Got Tagged Again!!
Last time it was from Dj. This time, it's from Jenny-

1) Total number of films I own on DVD/Video Do you really want me to count?! I'd say about 60
2) The last film I bought: Home on the Range and Dumbo (both at the same time)
3) The last film I watched: National Treasure
4) Five films that I watch a lot or that mean a lot to me(in no particular order):

1- Forest Gump
2- Anything with Nicholas Cage
3- It's A Wonderful Life
4- Shrek 1 & 2 (Only because it's Maggie's current fav)
5- Toy Story 1 & 2 (I love Tom Hanks, and hope to marry him some day)
5) Tag five people and have them put this in their journal:

I have to find people! Any volunteers? Mary? Mrs B?
1-
2-
3-
4-
5-

I've Been Tagged!!
01. Total volume of music files on my computer? 7.57 GB - all Brandons!

02. The last CD I bought was? I cannot recall the last CD I bought for myself. I recently bought Lincoln Park for Blake

03. Song playing right now: Nothing. Later, I'll have the radio on a classic rock station.

04. Five songs I listen to a lot or that mean a lot to me (in no particular order):

I really like songs with meaning such as music from Martina McBride and Reba.
I also love to listen to music that brings back memories such as Aerosmith, Van Halen and The Rolling Stones.
I can't forget that I put on Sirius on the satellite and listen to classical music for most of the day. I suppose if I had to chose five, they would be:
Louis Armstrong: What A Wonderful Life
Reba: that 'Sister' one
Lynrd Skynrd: Sweet Home Alabama
Gary Allan: Can't Do It Today
Anything from Frank Sinatra

Which 5 people are you passing this baton to, and why.
Mary
Mrs B Because they haven't been tagged!

I'm Baaack!

What an exasperating trip! Although we had lots of fun, it's good to be back home!
Brandon made plans to spend the entire time with his friends there, and took the camera with him. I didn't realize the camera wasn't in my possession until I wanted to take a picture of the Arch. I immediately called him and asked if he had it, and was relieved to hear him say, "Yes" because I am notorious for losing things.
We looked for a hotel with a pool so that we can swim, but there were NONE! I swear, I called every hotel there. Actually, one place I called said that the pool would be open the following morning. I said, "I'll take a room" When we got there, she apologized and said that she thought it would be open, but she was wrong.
I should have booked a room in advance. I don't know why I didn't.
We went to the St Louis Zoo, and to Forest Park while we were there, and we sure had lots of fun!
I got everything from storage and brought it here. Today, I plan to go through it all and find my title.
Now that I emptied out the storage, that is one less bill I have to worry about.
Thats all for now-

Is it Ebay or eBay? I always thought it was eBay.

I've got lots to ramble on about

Christi opened her comments! I've been reading her blog for quite some time now, and I finally got to introduce myself.
Whoo Hoo!

I made the banana bread and of course it's all gone! It disapeared soon after it came out of the oven which isn't all too uncommon at this house.

There has to be some way I can be excluded from bidding on eBay to save my sanity and checkbook. I'm trying to find a way. Every time I go to the site to search how I can stop this impulse, I check to see what the current bid is for..oh, say Tupperware vintage creamer and sugar sets. Mind you, I have several sets already! Of course, I'll find a good deal and place a bid. Then, usually I'll win, or I'll be outbid and just to spite the person who outbid me, I'll bid a higher bid (knowing I don't need this item - my kids would rather have something to eat). So, yeah. I end up with all kinds of stuff that I have no use for.

Blake is going to be a great business man when he grows up. I say this because he came home today explaining how he turned a toy truck into $8.00! Here's the story:
"Our teacher gave us these miniture toy trucks today for participating in the cook-out and on the bus on the way home, Jason (the names have been changed to protect the innocent) offered me $8.00 for mine so I said, 'Okay' and we traded. Can I go to Speedway and get candy?"
Obvisouly, I need to check into this and make sure this kid had permission to trade.
Blake can turn anything into a profit! This is great because if I don't find a job right away when we move, Blake can come to the rescue and pay the rent!

We are getting ready to go to St Louis to get my things from storage. Hopefully my title to the Jimmy is in there so that I can get it tagged and legal. I'm too broke (thanks to eBay) to pay for a lost title, and I need my stuff from storage anyway, so I've decided to go this route.

I'm a bringin' my camera with me, so I'll have lots o' pictures to post when I come back.