CATURDAY AND THINGS..............

To end the Saturday post - no more CATS...just the Miss Teen South Carolina 2007 (remember her word salad of an answer at that time)? Apparently she hasn't gained any new brain cells since that time. This is too funny - and she is sooooooo DUMB!!



OK - heading into town - to see what is going on, on this last day of filming in our town. The film crew will be heading to the "next town" north of us (Martins Ferry) for another week of shooting, then farther north to Mingo Junction. This has been interesting and fun, and since I have thegrandson today, he might enjoy some of the events of the day.

Have a great day.........later.......................



DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY: PAST THE VELVET ROPE (FRIDAY POSTINGS)

HAIRCUT TIME!

Now, a smart person would have cut this boys hair yesterday or before - so his hair would not have had to have 3 pounds of hair product applied, for his Halloween costume!

Considering the Dennis the Menace cowlick he wakes up with every morning - this cut was long overdue. I'm old school and would chase thegrandson in the mornings all prepared to spit slick the cowlick...but he would have no parts of that. I tried to explain to him it is a "mother thing" - but nah - no spit!

Mommy and her clippers!!!

The fallen tresses.

His forced smile - but he LOVES the cut!

All ready to sweep off the floor!

I'm tickled Denver is no longer "undefeated" - makes playing the Steelers a little less exciting but still a very interesting game to watch on the 9th.

Back to watching "The Proposal" now...I highly recommend this movie, it is fucking hilarious!

Later all...............(I'm scheduling this to post by early morning.)


DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY: PAST THE VELVET ROPE (FRIDAY POSTINGS)

STILL MAKING IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG.......

BUT FIRST....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THEGRANDSON.........NINE YEARS OLD TODAY!!! WOOHOO!!!

Juggling all we need to cram into today has been fun, to say the least. After school, we are hoping to Skype UncleZ (theson) who is still in Egypt, so he can watch thegrandson open his presents and give a personal wish. He will be speaking to another Uncle also later this afternoon. Then off to dinner, a place of thegrandson's choice, then home for cake and ice cream with the neighbor kids. **Then my nervous breakdown. Pictures later!

**********************

Now for the wingnuts who are just "making everything up as they go.." President Obama is making a speech to the youth of our country next Tuesday, and these fukktards, with their never ending LIES, are trying to turn this into an "indoctrination via TV" of our youth. Good grief...and we all know how the mass of wingnuts fall lockstep in line with their dubious leaders.

It was certainly OK for Ronald Reagan to address the school children, which was broadcast live, in November of 1988. I do not remember an uproar over that. In Reagan's speech, he discussed a great deal of "policy", which is one thing Obama is avoiding. But that means nothing to these blithering idiots. Oh, sometimes I forget that Reagan is on a pedestal with these loons, no matter that he gave arms to Iran, kept his head in the sand on the AIDS crisis and heaped an incredible debt on this nation, unlike any seen before that time. Hey Ron - that "supply side economics" really worked huh??

Michelle Malkin has made the statement "parents have every right to worry about their children being used as Political Guinea Pigs for Change." Right Michelle, and your head is sooo far up your ass, you will never see daylight!

From Newsmax:

"The fascist in chief is taking his special brand of brainwashing to the classroom. Keep your kids home. I think this man is a threat to our basic unalienable rights. I don't want him indoctrinating my children. Seriously."

Some say he is going to preach personal responsibility and socialism to the kids. DUH??? Wouldn't they be polar opposites?

According to reports out of the WH, Obama is going to speak about citizenship, personal responsibility and civic duty to K-6. The high school students will hear about the same things plus enforcing goals in their life and persistence. Now, any of these may make the "spin" of the right, but these are essential elements in everyones life or at least they should be. I see nothing here about POLICY.

Reagan did the policy speak. Anyone remember George W. Bush's first televised press conference, where he asked all school children to send $1.00 - to be used to help the children of Afghanistan with food and medical supplies? I do!! Now, is that policy or civic duty?

While Bush was in office - we, who opposed him on just about every turn, did not have to make up lies - everything was evident. The lies being perpetuated by these lunatics (anyone who reiterates all the lies) is more prevalent than I can ever remember. Even when confronted and corrected on their falsehoods...they still keep it up.

I personally have no problem with the POTUS addressing the school children about their civic duties and education needs. We shall see what happens next Tuesday, I guess. Attendance may be down at some schools because of those with half a brain, so the only losers will be the children.

Much to do, I shall return.........later............

ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR...BEGINS!!

The common question on mornings like this is "where did the summer go?" It is the first day of school, and thegrandson is off and running for a day of getting back with old friends, a new teacher and a pretty good outlook for the coming months. We will have to wait and see how long that may last.

As for the summer passing quickly, he had actually reached to point of total boredom. The strange thing is that he essentially has played with two neighbor kids most of the summer - until three days ago, when kids from one street over, started coming over here to play. Why couldn't they have meandered over here weeks ago?

Going back to school on a Monday seems really strange to me, because my kids always started school on a Thursday. This allowed the teachers to organize and set up their classes before the onslaught of students. I haven't figured this out as yet, unless the school system is starting early to get in their "snow days" up front. I'm sure I will get an explanation or theory at some point in time.

This may be a great time to sneak back in bed for a few zzzz's, something I cannot do during the off-school months.

I shall return........later...........

ON A HOT SUMMER'S EVENING.....THE TENT PROJECT...

Thegrandson woke up first thing this morning, saying they were going to put up the tent and sleep outside tonight. I'm like...UH-HUH!!! Well, the project began at 7:30 P.M. Helluva time to start something like this, but we did it anyway.

Theson bought this tent summer before last, and thegrandson has been dying to "camp out" again. Poor little snot, doesn't realize that camping out to his mother, means a Holiday Inn with no room service and a broken ice machine. This could be interesting !!!

Here's the little soldier, so proud of this accomplishment. I made a great foreman...I gave excellent guidance in the setting up of the tent.

I can't wait to see who chickens out and comes in the house first.....I know who it would be!!! Thegrandson is a die hard - does that give it away??? Thedaughter says the first clap of thunder or bug bite - her ass is in the house. What a weinie!

More on this tomorrow.........later.................

SUCH A LOVELY HOLIDAY CHORE.....

When I asked thedaughter's friend (Jayme), if he could power wash the decks and stain both, he never missed a beat before saying "yes." I do believe now, he would wish that he had re-thought that answer. Strange, how in our minds this could be a relatively easy task - but in actuality, he is on day two, and will finish the power washing part of the deal. No staining will even start till tomorrow.


It is amazing how good the wood looks (upper part) after being cleaned of the old stain, dirt and grime. This picture is of the back deck which was completely cleaned yesterday. My friend is still diligently working on the front, as I type. Eight hours total to clean the back deck, and he has been at it since 10:30 am this morning, on the front (6 hrs.) We agreed on a set price and he is sticking to that, but said if anyone asked him in the future, or even myself in 2-3 years, he would be charging considerably more. I understand that.

Thegrandson is at the age, where I feel he can "sort of" lend a helping hand when necessary. I gave him the hammer, and asked him to go along behind Jayme and pound in any nails that he saw were raised. This lasted at least an entire 10 minutes, before boredom set in. Since he was getting wet from the over spray - he found a trash can lid and decided to make an adventure out of this task.




Thegrandson is playing scarce today - there's more fun at the neighbors, in the form of a water gun battle. I'll let him get away with it for now, and probably tomorrow, as I don't really think I want him to be a "stained" mess.

I am "babysitting" tonite so thedaughter can attend and REO, Styxx concert. I told her I want paid though. I watch thegrandson endlessly while she works, but if she is just going out to have fun - pay me. She kind of balked at the whopping $5/hr I am charging, but that is just too bad.

I may have to blog more on Sarah Palin later, as I definitely would like to be included with the mass of bloggers she wants to sue - since she is, of course - the VICTIM of mainstream media and all. Dr. MVM has aptly put his head on the chopping block, and I wouldn't want him to stand alone.

One thing that I ponder...she is now saying that she is being ragged on because she is "answering a higher calling.." WTF is that? She's going to become an evangelical nun or something? Give me a fukking break.

Enjoy the day and I shall return.........later...........

MY BRAIN IS EXPLODING - FROM ALL THE NEWS & STUFF...

So, I decided to just deal with pictures from the vacation before commenting on all the bullshit news. (tongue in cheek). I have posted the vacay pics at flickr site if anyone want to check out the fuller figure club at the beach! Hey, at this point in my life, I couldn't care less - I just wanted to get away.

I had to take a picture in the car as we were hading to OC, as we had 2 cell phones, an iPod, a radar detector and stuff all on the dash - and I commented to thedaughter that our dash alone was worth a pretty penny.

Not even ten minutes after we checked into our room, I got a phone call - it was a young man's voice and all he said was "get out of the room, the cops are on their way!" WTF...we hadn't even burned one yet! Paranoia sets in, as I am super tired. I complained to the manager at the front desk that I was not impressed with getting prank calls immediately upon arriving in our room. They apologized and said it wouldn't happen again - like how are they going stop something like that? I was hoping this was not going to be a portent of things to come. (It wasn't.)

This is my ultimate favorite picture...thegrandson flying his kite. I put it together and he just took off and did an amazing job of getting it to soar! When he first got the kite up in the air, I was impressed...then I realized the tail was still balled up - yet he got it very high. He did even better once we unraveled the tail and let it fly!

There wasn't one single decent sunrise to film though. Every morning looked like it was going to storm (yet only stormed on 3 occasions), but by noon all was clear.

I'm going to have stop here, as I have some things to tend to, but I will add more later. Have a great day friends...enjoy the weather! (Hope it is good for all.)

FIRST VIDEO UPLOADED....

Thegrandson was totally excited about being able to sleep on his OWN sofa bed on vacation. So we figured he was old and big enough to open and close the damn thing. It was hysterical to watch him. I am uploading the "closing" video now. I may add to the end of this post in a little while.



OK - here's the "closing" of the sofa bed...rather brief compared to the big opening! My grandson cracks me up - he is such a hambone!!

A NICE RELAXING DAY YESTERDAY...

My very good friend (and sometimes bodyguard), invited me out to his house for a picnic yesterday, and after putting him off on many requests, I agreed to come out. Primarily it was to be mostly adults, and I told him I would have thegrandson, and he assured me he would have ways to keep him occupied.

I explained to him that in order to come out to his place, to me it is like planning for a trip. It is a total of 34 miles from here, mostly interstate, but then 5 miles of backwoods country road. But the day was lovely and I can only refuse so many times, because he has mastered the art of "laying on the guilt."

Windy, as I have called him for 30 years, built a beautiful home near Piedmont Lake, and has over 140 acres of beautiful wooded property. He has worked quite hard to make this a dream location for himself and his children and grandchildren. The picture above is a zoomed in shot of the man made pond he has constructed and stocked with fish. (That would be thegrandson in the center - totally amazed at all the beauty). Here is a normal shot taken from the deck which runs the length of the home.



When we arrived, I was glad to see two of his grandchildren come out to greet us, as thegrandson would now have someone to "play" with, while the adults gathered. When Windy asked his 11 year old grandson to take thegrandson for a ride in the dune buggy - I thought thegrandson would explode with glee.




Windy has constructed roads all over the property for the dune buggy and quads. I have a video of thegrandson getting on the quad, with the life vests - heading down to the pond for a swim. Windy's daughter supervised the kids while swimming and got some terrific pictures, which she will download and email to me maybe tomorrow. Thegrandson had no swim trunks, so underwear sufficed - and he was happy as a clam.

I have to admit, I left here yesterday with some trepidation, that I would not be able to enjoy the company of my friends, as I had to watch thegrandson. The day could not have turned out any better. For all the hesitation I have had to go out there, Windy's daughter assured me she is there most weekends - and I know I could drop in ANYTIME - even stay the night if I so desired. After we return from vacation, I would imagine that we will be spending some time at "the farm" this summer.

I have to note, Windy (like me) is a stickler for manners. All the kids say "yes Pap, no Pap, the please and thank yous of course. Thegrandson has been prompted this way since he could talk - so he fit right in. At first he was in awe of everything around him, he made a slip up here and there, but he became attuned rather quickly.

Windy and his "first" ex-wife, and my husband and I - all had children close to the same age and we spent a lot of time together during those years. Since my husband died, he calls me at least once a week, we do lunch occasionally, and he was there for me when my husband and twin sister passed away. When he married for the second time - I advised him against it - I was right it didn't last. (Did I gloat - yep!) He now has a girlfriend, and she and I get along well. Bottom line - if I needed someone by my side in an emergency - Windy is my man.

Thegrandson fell asleep in the car on the way home - so I knew he was totally exhausted by all the fun he had. That makes for a good day!

Remember our troops on this Memorial Day - and I shall return....later........

THEGRANDSON'S SINGING DEBUT...AHHHHH!!!

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WHAT A RACKET..."AS SEEN ON TV!"

Thegrandson has been nagging us to get some contraption he has seen on Nickelodeon - a commercial, mind you...a toothpaste dispenser of some sort. As he was getting ready for school this morning, he came rushing in and grabbed my remote to change the channel, so I could see this wondrous object. God forbid, I would miss my morning news FIX.

After trying to explain to an 8 year old, that I was not ordering this "thing" off of TV, as the shipping and handling fees are ridiculous. I further tried to explain, that hopefully before he starts driving, we should be able to find it at Walmart or someplace, less extra fees. He's not buying any of this.

So I began to have all these images running through my head, of some things I have purchased (in store) of these "As Seen on TV" items.

The concept of this "spinning" container holder (plus 3 different sized containers) is a good one. I believe it was one of those $19.99 bargains. I still have the "spinner" and one tiny container, and very few of the two other sized containers. The problem with this item is not the holder, but the quality of the containers it holds. When they hit the floor they crack into at least fifty pieces - and guess what...you can't replace them. So I now stash a few other items in this piece of garbage.

I liked this one so much, I ordered two more - for Christmas presents. And yes, I did do the mail order process here. If I had to decry one drawback it would be the cleaning of the blade part and inside the top. It comes with a plastic comb like tool to reach these places, but it still involves - work.




I do not and will not purchase this purse. Although it looked like a great idea as the woman on TV unloads and then repacks 150 items into the small space...it is all done with mirrors. One of the mothers at a baseball game last summer had this purse, and I commented that I was considering ordering one. She said "watch this," and proceeded to unload her purse onto the hood of her car. She had keys, cell phone, small wallet, change purse and a brush. THAT WAS ALL that would fit into the damn thing.

Now give me a break. I want to invent something so simple and get rich quick like these people. All this thing is, is a bathrobe being worn backwards. And I never blissfully answer my phone while wrapped up in a backwards bathrobe. As P.T. Barnum said, "there's a sucker born every minute," and the purchasers of this "Snuggie" are all suckers. Of course that won't bother the inventor/marketer at all, as they are enjoying all that $$$ while sipping their Margaritas in the Caribbean.

I did pick up a pair of these Tater Mitts at the local CVS as an impulse buy. After the first use - I threw them in the garbage. They are like Playtex Living Gloves, with little sharp rocks glued onto the palms. the weight of the gloves alone was probably a pound. They didn't peel a single potato, but put nice chunks into the veggie.

I'm just one big sucker at times, I guess. The ultimate, most painful item I ever purchased, which looked extremely fantastic as presented on TV was...the Epilady!!
Guaranteed to give a close shave, that would ensure you wouldn't have to shave again for longer periods of time. Right!?!?! It ripped the hairs from underneath 4 layers of skin and into the muscles. It would suck your tongue down and out your legs. Pain??? That doesn't even begin to describe the nightmare.

So little grandson, this toothpaste dispenser you desire so very much, will have to wait till I hear that it has been tried and tested over a long period of time. I have to figure out a way for him to realize that actors that present these items on TV, are just that - ACTORS. And salesmanship is also - just that!!

Well now...I have babbled on the mundane for a ridiculously long time, and I have to finish the laundry, get a bath and off to a baseball game at 6 pm. Fingers crossed, NO RAIN. Have a great one. I may return....later.....

JUST A SATURDAY SO-SO POST!!

This has been a laid back Saturday, and after we returned home from thegrandson's baseball game (they won 17-4), I immediately go to Google Reader to catch up on the blogs while I was away.

This one stood out - like a bolt of lightening. I was laughing so hard, I had to go through these pictures one by one a second time. Yes, that is MY son's face, superimposed on all those characters. Then when the "pope" picture appeared, I was like "oh hell no!" He is so very NOT pope material. This was posted by one of theson's very best buds - and I am sure he will appreciate it very much - and get a big chuckle also.

While "stumbling" around the interwebs, I found this:



Now, I don't speak, much less read French - so I can only assume (bad thing to do) that this is an ad for bacon or other cut of pig meat. But how appropriate during this "flu" season. If you ask me...this is one psychotic porker!!

At thegrandsons baseball game this afternoon, of course the conversations all led in one way or another..to this "swine flu." Now, it seems that the CDC or powers that be are calling this the H1N1 virus. I've read what this all stands for, but it was also Greek to me. Another assumption on my part, is that by trying to get the media and public away from saying "swine" flu, has some degree of lessening any danger. Or it could be since the pork industry is close to the panic point, because people only listen to others and fail to research this issue themselves. EATING PORK DOES NOT CAUSE THIS MALADY!

And here's another antiquated advertisement:



What else can I say. Someone had a perverse sense of humor - back then. Well, it's been real folks, but I am a little tired and believe I just might go stretch out on the bed and watch some nighttime television. I was still up at 3:30 this morning, and finally just got up at 7:30 am. I really need more sleep than I actually got. Have a great evening and mahvelous Sunday...when I shall return.

Later................

I SHOULD KNOW BETTER AT MY AGE....BUT!!!

I have stated many times that I have actually "let my house go" during tax season. I start work early in the mornings, and more often than not, continue till quite late in the evenings during those few weeks. If I had to weigh my favorite activity between the two - work would win out every time.

I took a couple of days off and did NOTHING, but then reality set in on Friday. I tore my kitchen apart, rearranged some of the furniture and washed everything. Thedaughter supplied some assistance AFTER she awoke at one in the afternoon. Trust me, this was an ALL day chore, and we finished around 9 pm.

Yesterday, thedaughter worked 9am-7pm, thegrandson played outside all morning - till it was time to leave for baseball practice at 3pm. By that time, I had my bed down off the risers, all the hidden items under the bed were removed, windows cleaned, bedding in the wash - again I moved a dresser and the bed, and two items completely out of the room.

I could not get out of my car while the little critter had his ball practice. I have managed to piss off my back to no end. Not whining here, but I have had triple bypass and the breast bones never healed. I was allergic to the wire, so when I move my shoulders in certain directions - it feels like the bones become overlapped. This hurts. In 1980, I had back surgery and massive work was done on four lumbar vertebraes.

I had no problems whatsoever with my back till October 2007. I fell over the cat one day, while in a rush - and I fukked up everything that was corrected with the prior surgery. I can't stand for long periods, sitting for long periods is also quite painful. To make a long story short - I am in pain 24/7.

But the cleaning and household chores have to be done and I can't afford a cleaning person, and heaven forbid my daughter would jump right in and help. She manages to yell at me for doing all these things, but I can't wait till the mood swings her - to get it all done.

I won't even mention the arthritis that thrives in every joint of my body. Just another pain to remind me of my age.

There is NO cleaning on the agenda for today - it would be tantamount to suicide. I do have to follow through with the laundry I started. Other than that, thegrandson can entertain himself, and I am going to veg out. The only difficult chore will be figuring out dinner and getting it prepared.

I have all my candles lit (love my candles), and the sun is shining (temporarily), and I need to heal.

Have a great day all...I shall return later............(I've griped enough!)

P.S. Theson has returned from his R&R in Scotland (I believe), but haven't heard from him as yet. I know he had a great time, as his high school friend met up with him in Edinburgh and she even took 2 extra days off (more than planned) to spend time there. I know he will communicate soon - or else!!