VACATION TIME.....OCEAN CITY, MD - WATCH OUT!

So far, I am of the belief that I will need a vacation after this vacation. To see me pack for a cruise or a trip alone, is a treat. Get suitcase, throw in some essentials and out the door. With three of us and thegrandson wanting to take every toy and piece of clothing he owns - is driving me up a wall.

I have downloaded all of thedaughters music to the iPod, cameras are packed, of course there are more clothes than anyone needs, and we will definitely forget something. The plan is to leave here at 5 am tomorrow morning. Thegrandson can sleep in the back seat and he has his coloring and activity books, not to mention the PSP (and I bought a car charger to keep it active).

The dog has to go to the "boarders" tonight, and this should be interesting - she's in heat. Talk about great timing. I am hoping to get her spayed when we return home. The cat is going to have the run of the house the entire time. No humans or dog to attack - this may just be the catalyst to drive her over the edge. My neighbor is going to check on her Wednesday or Thursday to make sure her food is OK and that she hasn't run out of water.

I can't find my favorite beach cover-up and I'm about ready to bust a vessel. I keep it in the same place all the time, but for whatever reason - not there. Grrr....

I am taking my puter and I hopefully will be posting some pics from there. One cannot expect me to go through computer withdrawal for no reason. Even on cruises I have to get to the computer room at least every other day. This is a short vacation for me. I usually like an entire week, but we will be returning home next Saturday.

I have promised thegrandson that we will get a kite - of course that is an age old tradition - flying a kite on the beach. Let me tell you now...I will not be running to get it aloft. That would be tantamount to suicide. Death by boobs in the face. Arghhh...

Gotta run, more stuff to pack and organize. This may never end from what I can see.

Catch y'all tomorrow night after we get settled in. The eight hour drive won't deter me - I promise...I think!

OK - NOW IT'S OFFICIAL......

President Barack H. Obama is OFFICIALLY the POTUS!!! Jeebus...I'm glad that is over. I did not see it, but a friend told me that someone on (our favorite?!?!) Faux News made the comment, that Obama could officially be out of office, as the oath was screwed up. Well duh!?!?! So, the oath was re-administered in the Map Room of the White House, just to ensure everything was in order.

But catch Joe Biden's quip today.....



It appears that Pres. Obama was at first not impressed with the "joke", but upon closer scrutiny, I do believe he is holding back a chuckle. I would have been rolling on the floor laughing, but that's me! (Of course someone would have to then help me up again.)

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I honestly have nothing more to add - it's almost 9 pm, I suppose I should pack a suitcase, since I am leaving the house at 7 am. I'm such a "last minute" person. By the time I get the main bag packed, all that will be left will be the "toiletries" to add to the carry-on.

I'm tired, think I will say goodnight.........don't abandon me while I'm gone. I will be home on the 27th - and will be here bright and early on the 28th. So play nice and I'll be missing you all.

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

TODAY IS THE DAY - EGYPT BOUND!

Usually I am pretty well organized and can pack a bag better than most - that is if the object is getting the most in one - NOT necessarily keeping it within the baggage weight limits!

Theson has so many requests of things to bring him - and most are "weighty" items. Such as a power supply for his X-box, 2 bottles of Aveeno lotion (for Jules), 2 bottles of HOT SAUCE, blah blah blah. So yesterday afternoon after getting everything in my large suitcase, we were trying to weigh the damn thing and it kept registering at 56-59 pounds. With the luck I have, I went to the Internet to check out weight restrictions and fees - all the fees changed effective midnight LAST night. That's me - day late, dollar short! An overweight bag fee went from $50 to $100. Now doesn't that just suck? Back to the drawing board.

Thedaughter brought up 2 smaller bags (and I have decided not to take my tiny rolling carry-on) and we evenly distributed the contents. Each bag now weighs well under the 50 pound limit. Yippee! I will just carry a tote-like bag and my computer bag - and I am good to go. I never thought it would be this hectic - hell, I cruise every year and I guess it has just become a routine thing - but flying international is a new experience for me.

I may not get to Alexandria, as it is a 3 hour trip each way and theson will not be able to go with me - and I know he has a wonderful driver, but I don't know him that well and 6 hours travel time with a stranger does not appeal to me. We will see!

Still things to do, so I will try to blog from The Land of the Pharaoh's!! Everyone stay well and be back later!

Chickie - my heart goes out to you on little Chi-Chi's passing! Thinking about you.

LIFE SHOULD BE MORE CALM!! Maybe it's just ME!

Since Tax season ended, I thought I might get a break and some rest, but this is just not happening. Between, getting thegrandsons homework, baseball practice, the needs of friends and family - there is truth to the adage "no rest for the wicked!"

On my political view, with gas prices rising at a ridiculously fast rate, groceries keeping right on pace with fuel - what is a person to do? On Wednesday, Dubya (pain in the ass to most Americans) made another brazen statement - "We are not in a recession, just an economic slowdown!" Again with the SPIN!! Are there really a majority of morons out there, that believe what this man says as gospel? And we know how I feel about these "stimulus checks" - what a travesty. We wil never be in a position to repay China for the loans we have made (not to mention the other countries) and we are supposed to sit back and recite mantras to this babbling fool. I THINK NOT!

Here in the Ohio Valley, the economy has relied on coal mines and steel mills for employment and boosts to local economy. Now we are almost ghost towns. Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel was an icon in the steel industry for decades, until most of the steel contracts started being designated to China. The steel output from China has even proven to be of inferior quality - but in someone's infinite wisdom - trade relations are far better than taking care of our own.

My theory (for what it is worth) - we need a woman in the White House. Most women are in charge of balancing the checkbook and budgeting for the household, most women are the arbiters of all squabbles and conflicts within the home, and sometimes outside the home (usually with amicable results), women know how to stretch a buck (and also get more bang for said buck), and women can accomplish more in a given day than any man. The days of being subserviant have long passed - and face it -----it doesn't get worse than it is now.

I have always said that men suffer from short-sightedness. They (as a rule - but not all) generally make decisions as to how said decisions will effect themselves or others, for the immediate time - never for what the long-term effect might be. That must be a throw-back to men's need for immediate gratification....YUK YUK! (...and I'm serious!)

Hell, I am leaving in less than 2 weeks and haven't even been near my suitcase. I have decided not to take a lot of clothes, as theson has a washer and dryer - and I know how to use them. Lugging heavy suitcases is not my idea of fun. I learned long ago though, always carry a change of clothes (AND MAKEUP) in the carry-on - as luggage can always be lost. I leave on May 6th - I will probably pack...hmmm...that morning. I really hate to rush into anything. **my "woman" theory again...even when I pack last minute - I remember everything! I am the greatest!

Gotta run - things to do...take care and stay well...TTFN!