Something Random as well…

 

My best friend that lives far away posts ‘10 random things for a Friday” every Friday.  Well, ALMOST every Friday, as sometimes her life gets in the way, and she forgets that I’m patiently waiting for her post every week.  I’ve been trying to come up with a blog for every day, but sometimes I’m too tired to type, or I can’t get my thoughts in any order to make sense.  SO – I’m going to try a ‘random’ post – I’m not sure how MANY random things I’ll come up with, and maybe it won’t even be random.  Maybe it will turn into a story or something. 

1. I woke up with Pink Eye this morning.  At least I think it is.  I had to pry my eyes open, and they were as red as my mouse pad…Avery’s antibiotic eye drops for HIS pink eye seem to be working.  Then again, it could be allergies.
2. I was up at 6:00am this morning b/c my eyes hurt, but also b/c I couldn’t get this girl out of my mind.  As a mandated reporter, I had to hotline someone this morning.  Sadly, they told me that since we hadn’t heard her OR the guy say any contact had been made – and we didn’t SEE anything, they couldn’t take the report.  WTF?  She’s 12, and has a 25 year old “boyfriend”. 
3. My husband ‘put his foot down’ today.  In light of my ‘firing’ he asked them to stop calling me asking for help.  I’m okay with that, except she always helped me through the years, and I love her dearly.  I think I’ll call and apologize.  BUT, then again – I wanna say, “ask the pastor – he knows everything about how to run an office”.
4. Tristan got home from camp today.  I asked him if he had a good time.  He said yes.  I then asked if he stayed out of trouble.  He answered with, “yes, mostly”  *This is me with an eyebrow raised in Mr.East style”
5. Speaking of Mr. East – my daughter was dusting the living room last night and dropped the carousel that he made that Mr. Gum gave me.  It broke one of the horses off, and shattered my Seville glass.  Kent says the horse can be fixed.  The seville – notsomuch.
6. I currently have about 2 dozen HUGE zucchinis and yellow squash on my counter.  I’m sure what to do with them.
7. The pool is clean.  And by clean – I mean Kent SCRUBBED it, vacuumed, and put in plenty of chemicals.  It no longer smells like the creek.
8. My eyes hurt.
9. Yesterday was my last day at work.  I have a few reports to finish, and emails to forward, but other than that – I’m officially unemployed. 
10. I’m placing an Avon order next week.  If you need anything – give me a call.
11. 5 days until NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK in St. Louis.  Every time I remember that, my heart skips a beat and I smile a big, cheesy grin.
12. It’s Friday night, and we have no plans.
13. I think I’m going to stop at 13, b/c it makes people freak out.  I think it’s funny.

Virgo Horoscope: Yearly Overview

Wonderful things are in store for you this year, Virgo! You're experiencing tremendous feelings of rebirth and, as you release old ways of expressing yourself, you'll find yourself walking into all kinds of new experiences. Virgo loves to make sure everything is clear, concise and methodical, and this will help make it easy for you to graciously receive and beautifully adapt to the growth you are experiencing. You'll feel very peaceful with the changes happening both inside and outside of you, and you welcome the opportunity to express the new knowledge you gain.

There's a renaissance going on within you that seems to have been asleep for sometime now. You discover where the doorway is and are ready to consciously find new meaning in your life, and to manifest who you are in your own way. Mentally, culturally, instinctually and spiritually, you'll be going through incredible transformation this year. Your fresh take on life will give you the ability to manifest a new reality. You take a big leap forward as you share these changes with others.

A re-emergence of your inventive and creative self will give you new ways of taking action and bringing your talents into the world. You will feel secure, safe and centered, which allows you to achieve anything you want in your life. You will feel more spiritually balanced in 2009 than ever before.

WOW!!!  Did you just read that?  I know horoscopes are a bunch of bologna – but still.  Being very ‘peaceful’ with the changes that are happening – that’s not me.  At least not until recently. I’m truly at peace now with the direction my life is going.  God will provide.  I have no doubts!

For those of you that KNOW me, you know how miserable I have been for the last year.  Constantly disrespected, looked down upon, judged, etc….led to a very dark time in my life.  The HIVES that I experienced towards the end were just the outward physical signs of the stress my body was under.  I can’t begin to explain the effects that were going on inside my head, and my heart.  Anti-depressants, anxiety medication, and Benadryl were a normal part of my daily life.  I couldn’t function without them – mostly b/c without them I was covered in hives from head-to-toe, but also b/c of the depression that was consuming me.  If you’ve never experienced depression (and that means REAL depression – over time) you won’t have a clue what I’m talking about….for those that HAVE experienced it – God bless you for getting through it.  If it weren’t for my husband and my kids and my bestest friends – I wouldn’t be here.  If I didn’t take a nose-dive off the balcony, I would have stayed in bed forever.  Thank GOD I found reasons every day to get up and do what I had to do.

After visiting with a pastor from my NEW church, I realized that God was telling me to leave that job, and HE WOULD PROVIDE.  I made the decision on Wednesday to quit.  I wasn’t in the office Thursday, and HE wasn’t in the office Friday – so I planned to quit the following Tuesday when we had our ‘staff meeting’.  God told me to call the committee – I was still too scared to do it.  SO – God forced my hand!

I’m not about to bad-mouth or trash talk any of the people I knew in my ‘former life’.  That’s not what this is about – but I do want to say a few things about why I am where I am, and where I’m going.  I worked a job for almost 4 years.  NO ONE had complained about the job I was doing.  It started with little ‘differences’ in the former boss and new boss.  All complaints about ME – personally.  My habits, my dress, my lifestyle, etc.  NOTHING was ever said about my job performance.  EXCEPT that I needed to find more work to do….

After four years – to the day, I might add – the committee comes into my office that Friday and says that ‘it’s not working out with you.  We’ve met with the pastor, and you haven’t changed, so you’re out”  They demanded my keys, told me to get my stuff and that they would mail my last check so you ‘don’t need to bother coming back’.  If this were ANY other job in the world – a job where I could steal files, or clients, or insider information – I would understand.  BUT – this was my CHURCH.  These people were my FAMILY.  In fact, one was my Deacon Family’s wife…..strange.  To be so degraded, humiliated, and insulted…..by people claiming to be doing ‘God’s Will”.  God would NEVER have treated me that way.  NEVER.

In hindsight – this is the greatest thing that could have ever happened to me.  I found out who really cares about us – and let me say – it’s not anyone at that place – with the exception of the Chairman of the Deacons.  He was the ONLY one that has called me since my departure….and he was livid that they treated me that way.  His words were, “If we as a Deacon body would have known about this, we would have insisted on you staying – you’re the best we’ve ever had”.    With that exception, I know that I can leave this place of ‘worship’ with a clear conscience. 

Since leaving this job, I have found the opportunity to go back to school!  My ‘other job’ ended b/c of budget cuts, so I qualify for the ‘displaced workers program’ through Ozark Action.  They will help with school costs, mileage, and babysitting expenses.  I also qualified for a Pell Grant and loans if I need them.  I may also be getting *some* unemployment, so that will help.  I’ll start substituting in the fall.  I may try to find some other part-time work, but I really want to concentrate on my studies – I’ll be taking full loads each semester, and they don’t look easy!  I’m going to be getting my BS in Human Services.  I’ll be able to work in the substance abuse field, or domestic violence, or social work.  This was my original goal when I went to college right out of high school! 

I should also mention that our family has started attending services at Westside, and we have felt SO welcome, so loved, so WANTED.  AND – I actually know what it’s like to attend a service where the Holy Spirit is EVERYWHERE.  My kids LOVE their classes and Kent even likes it!  WOOHOO!!!  I have never felt more secure, and positive about my life than I do right now, this minute.

Will I still have issues with depression?  Of course.  Will I let it get me to the point it has this last year???  NEVER again.  Have I even needed a xanax since my departure?  NO WAY!!!  That’s the best part! I have struggled with doing this blog for a long time, and I realized that I have nothing to be ashamed of.  I didn’t do anything WRONG.  The sinner in me wants to throw out insults and tell you things that were said and done, but what good will that do? 

I also want to say thanks to my friends and family that HAVE stuck by me, supported me, were my ‘shoulders’ this last year.  Most of you don’t know how low I was, but you knew I wasn’t ‘right’.  Thanks for not giving up on me. 

Now go back up and read my year’s horoscope.  Fitting, eh? 

living with a 15 year old girl - Google Search

I dare you to Google that phrase. DO IT.

THANK GOD I have the daughter I have. I was recently complaining about the attitude my daughter had, and the way she SCREAMED all the time. I realize that 15 year old girls do this. I know b/c I used to BE a 15 year old girl. There are a few differences that I must explain.

1. My mom NEVER laid a hand on me, but I KNEW (instincts?) that she wouldn’t hesitate to back-hand me if I cussed at her or raised my voice for very long. Make your point and run….that was my philosophy. Krysteena has NOT learned this yet.


2. When I was 15 – I really did KNOW EVERYTHING. My daughter, of course does not. How do I know…b/c as a 33 year old – I know EVERYTHING. Unless I don’t know it – then my mom does. *giggle* And I can admit that NOW…


3. I am very thankful that my daughter isn’t anything like I was at her age. I was a year older in school – so that’s part of it, but I also didn’t have the supervision she does. My mom worked two jobs and was very rarely home. I took advantage of that. Trust me, I know what she COULD be doing, and I’m thankful she isn’t.


4. When I was a 15 year old girl – the world was a very different place. The worst thing that could happen at a party was a few people snuck off to smoke some dope…..NOW – don’t get me started on the trends – METH, prescription drugs, etc…I’m glad I work in the field I work in now – Krysteena is very smart.


5. As a 15 year old girl – I didn’t have little brothers to help take care of (thanks mom!) and my older brother was 7 years older, so he wasn’t around while I was IN school bringing my friends home. It’s a hard balance to keep your friends away from your brother. Didn’t really work – look who my brother married!!

After googling that phrase – b/c of a discussion we were having here – I realize that I am truly blessed to have the mature, responsible, smart daughter that I have. She could be stabbing people. She could be wanting to be preggo (fat chance, she never wants THAT), or she could be into drugs…But she isn’t. And she says it’s b/c of who raised her. :) Yep – that would be ME – oh, and her dad….;)

To sum it up – my daughter is the most beautiful, smart, witty, charming, gorgeous, funny, sarcastic, and WONDERFUL daughter a person could ever have. I’m lucky to have her. And, when she’s in her 30’s and comes to me with ‘stories’ – God, grant me the serenity to laugh it up and compare stories…..BUT PLEASE, don’t let that happen! ;)

Isn’t she gorgeous??? I love you Bug!

~ Misty

If only I could see…

     I have sneezed more times in the last 30 minutes than I have all week.  Obviously, there is an allergen around my house.  The neighbor is mowing out back – maybe that is it?  The windows are closed though…I haven’t touched any of the animals, and it started before I ate anything.  I really hate this.  I was forced to take a benedryl AGAIN, b/c my eyes are so red, itchy, and swollen – I can hardly see to type this!

     SO – I had the best weekend EVER.  I spent the night with my bestest friend Sara in KC and got to hold and love on my Sam-son-ite.  :)  There is nothing better than baby neck sugars.  And her bed is SO comfortable.  I may move up there, just to sleep in it every night!  We went out for sushi (thanks for dinner Fra!) and we ordered a few rolls.  We thought, ‘that should do, if we’re still hungry we can get more”  RRiiiiiggghhhhtttt….He brought out one dish, then another.  I asked about my tamago – he said it would be out soon….then brought THAT dish.  “Oh, and you girls realize you have another one coming, right?”  “WHAT!!!”  There was NO WAY we could eat all that food!  We ate until we needed to be rolled to our car, and saved the rest.  It made the trip home, and Kent and Tristan feasted like Kings last night!  Here are a few pics…

Now THAT is sushi.

     Saturday night I went to Joey-Joe’s house.  We hung out, watched a movie, then went out.  I went to my first GAY bar.  Wow.  Wow.  And I watched a drag show.  THAT was cute.  And by cute, I mean – strange.  Weird even.  It would have been better if the lip syncing would have actually matched the words.  *giggle*  After seeing this new environment…I have a few thoughts.

1. You do NOT go to a gay bar to meet women.  I only saw a dozen or two women in the place and maybe four of them were gay.  And I am only assuming this b/c they were kissing.  And they liked it.
2. Gay men are the ‘bug light’ for fat chicks.  I mean NO disrespect to any of you.  I, myself, am a fat chick who was at that bar with gay men.  I was quickly informed it was MY job to find people for the ‘gay’ I was with.  I’m assuming that’s why they were there.  To make their friend look better and remind the “prey” of why they turned from women.  *giggle*
3. The longer you stay at the bar, the more nekked the men get.  Why is it okay to take off your shirts as the night goes on?  I guess that’s the equivalent of the women stripping in a straight bar.  I only know ONE person who did that every night she was at a bar…and it was more than a shirt.
4. Men in this bar do NOT look at your cleavage.  Don’t bother.  The women don’t either – they are all straight.  I was totally out of my element.
5. The Gay bar has better music.  They do, I admit it.  AND – they have HUGE video screens to show videos as the night goes on.  SO – I spent a LOT of time watching the screens.
6. It is totally worth it to go to a place like this with someone who KNOWS the bartender.  He will make you really good drinks, and you don’t even have to ask for them.  He just knows. 
7. It’s really weird to realize that the tattoo you want, is currently residing on the back of a really HOT gay man.  And it looks much better on HIS back, than it ever will on yours.

     Alright – those are my thoughts.  I should also mention – that the bar was just off of Rainbow BLVD.  Yep – Rainbow.  Go figure.  I tried to take a picture to show that, but it didn’t turn out.  We were in the car, it was raining….you know the story.  So, I think this longest blog ever should make up for the days I was gone and didn’t blog.  I have a few more ideas and will work on those later!  

~ Misty

WOW...the PRESSURE!!

I’ll NEVER criticize Caro-lyn for not posting every WEEK on her blog. I didn’t write one DAY and someone was complaining. Huh. I didn’t realize I had anything important to say, that someone would miss it…..
Nothing REALLY exciting to blog about. I went to church tonight – my first Wednesday at the new church. The music was AWESOME. My problem – I don’t sing. When there are a 100 people in a service, no one notices. When there are FIVE – people notice. I explained (to those who listened) that I “sing like an angel” Easily translated to mean = Only GOD would like it. :( I was completely overcome with the Holy Spirit, and realized how wrong I was to complain about the ‘powers that be’ at the ‘old church’. I need to re-think my thoughts….How do you stand up for yourself, but not put anyone down? I KNOW I didn’t do anything wrong, but simply saying, “He just wasn’t that into me” isn’t a great answer in response to why I’m not there….
SO – I’m writing a blog in response to someone mentioning that they were reading, and waiting…now, if only I could get PAID for this. Huh.
Kent is home from work. Showering, and drinking his ‘nightly beer’. I’m having a glass of wine and waiting. That is one positive about not going to work…I can stay up and see my husband every night!!! WOW….actually have conversations!! Who knew you could have more than one night to CONVERSE????
Going to KC tomorrow – pictures of baby Sammy to follow. I miss that baby SOOOO stinkin’ much – you couldn’t imagine! And I have promises of an eventful Saturday night at another friend’s house. I’m excited to be away from here – depression sucks when you are STUCK in one spot – I’ll miss the kids, but enjoy the ‘break’.
So….Kent’s shower just shut off, and I’m tired of typing…so, time for conversations. I’ll post pics/blogs/something this weekend. I’ll leave you with the pic of sammy I love, and have as my desktop…..

~ Mistry

NEW KIDS....What could be better?

SOoooo……I put off blogging tonight, in hopes that something awesome would happen. Guess what???!!! Nada.

SO – in honor of the Margorie…..*giggle* reading my blog….I give you pics from the last concert. AND – let it be known….Krysteena and I will be watching NKOTB live in St. Louis on JULY 1!!!!! In the first 20 rows!!!!!!!!!!! I KNOW!!!!!! RIGHT!? I have to post the old pic of Margie in my room…..

And the pics I took FOR Her…..

and for me….

For Krysteena….

And of course – the PROOF that I’m the BEST mom in THE WORLD…

If I ever did anything right….it was introducing NKOTB to my daughter. :) Yeah, I’m a dork like that! LOL

SO - July 1 - who's going???

We are not that OLD!

Got an email today that one of my friends from high school had a heart attack and was in the ICU.  Wow.  Could have knocked me over with a feather.  He’s only, what, almost 35?  He’s getting an angioplasty tomorrow.  Yeah, and he’s only 34!!

Of course, thinking about that made me think of old times on the block with him.  He moved into the house across the street from me when we were in 5th grade.  Their family kinda adopted me – or I adopted them – or something.  I was there all the freakin’ time.  I can’t tell you how many games of monopoly we played, and hide-n-seek!!  We played all freakin’ night!  Thanks goes to his big sister for the ‘truth-or-dare’ game we played when I got my first kiss!

I’ve been thinking a lot about that family this week anyway, but this was a wake-up call.  His sister was my Maid of Honor and I haven’t even met her babies!  Time to stop making excuses, and MAKE time to see them.  Why does it usually involve a BAD thing to get us to open our eyes and get back in touch with people?  Probably b/c God knows I don’t do subtle well – He smacks me upside the head quite often.

SO – here’s YOUR wake-up call (and it isn’t bad for YOU)!!  What are you waiting for?  CALL THEM, write them, email them, fax them, tweet them, facebook them, myspace them.  What’s stopping you?  In today’s world, with the choices of communication we have – why are you NOT talking to them???

My prayers go out tonight to keep you safe in God’s hands Lee.  And to comfort your beautiful wife and kids.  Lord, be with the doctors tomorrow, and keep Lee safe.

A NORMAL day in our household...

So….I slept until Noon today – no surprise there. I’m NOT a morning person, and staying up all night playing with my blog and facebook and finding games online will keep you up late. OH – and I usually wait up for Kent on Friday nights, as Saturdays USED to be my ‘sleep-in’ days. So, I get up….get my coffee and head over to see what everyone is doing on facebook today. Just as I’m getting ready to update my status (and thinking of something creative is getting to be hard) I say to myself, “Self – what are we doing today? Spending the day by the pool or cleaning?” And my self answers, “I wish something exciting would happen today”

Yeah – I actually thought that.

Between those thoughts, I screamed reminded the boys that they shouldn’t be horsing around in the kitchen. I’m not kidding – TEN seconds later – BLOOD curdling scream.

THIS is what happens when you ignore your mother play with your brothers in the smallest kitchen in the world.

THANK God we didn’t have to do stitches. They glued it. But still – an entire day in the ER. As I text everyone about what’s happening – Uncle Kev says, “TAKE PICTURES!!!” So…I do. Rogan says, “Why are you taking a picture for Uncle Kevin?” I say… “ummm…..so YOU can see it too” He was happy with that.

Close up – it had two little holes. Now mind you, I would NOT have taken these pictures the first 5 times I did this…(Avery has had stitches THREE times, Tristan once, and Rogan twice now). Tristan and Avery had stitches in the same week, with the same doctor. We got there and he hops on the table and says, “I’m ready” I begged Dr. Shaw “PLEASE don’t hotline me!” He was laughing too hard to take me seriously…. “boys will be boys”

Last time, they wrapped Rogan in a sheet – and my MOM cried more than I did, and had to leave the room. Rogan told everyone, “They wrapped me in a sheep” So, today – no stitches – no sheet. He says when we get home, “Mom, I like this glue stuff – they didn’t have to wrap me in a sheep for the glue”. With that, I was assured that he wasn’t hurting anymore. And the finale:

And if you were wondering - yes. Rogan got a new 'Cars' toy afterwards. Made his day.

What's the difference between Mayonnaise & Miracle Whip?

The Dilemma: Two thick white dressings with similar flavor in similar-looking jars are bearing down on you from your refrigerator, and you’re asking yourself just one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?
People You Can Impress: deli-goers and anyone killing time in the checkout line.
The Quick Trick: Taste them both side by side. The sweeter one is Miracle Whip.
The Explanation: In 1756, the French under Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis, duc de Richelieu, captured Mahón on the Spanish-held island of Minorca. In honor of this victory, the duc’s chef created a new dressing for his master: Mahonnaise. It wasn’t until 1905, however, at Richard Hellmann’s New York deli, that Americans got to taste the goods. But boy, did it catch on! Within seven years, he’d mass-marketed the condiment as Hellmann’s Blue Ribbon Mayonnaise.
To be frank, mayo is one of those love-it-or-hate-it things. The lovers know that, in its most authentic form, mayo’s a pretty simple affair: raw egg yolks, oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and spices. Not much room for improvement.
But in 1933, Kraft Foods though differently. Inventor Charles Chapman’s patented emulsifying machine allowed regular mayonnaise to be evenly blended with cheaper dressings and more than 20 different spices (plus sugar). The result was Miracle Whip, which debuted at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Promising to create "Salad Miracles with Miracle Whip Salad Dressing," the Whip was an instant hit (Note: It’s not known if the dressing is responsible for any non-salad-related miracles.)
The main difference between Miracle Whip and mayonnaise are the sweeteners: high-fructose corn syrup and sugar are the fourth and fifth ingredients, respectively, of Miracle Whip.

Yeah – that is what caused the great 15-yr-old-meltdown of June 12, 2009. Now – to repair my eardrums…..And for the record – she HATES miracle whip (I love it) and she loves mayonnaise (I hate it). I still think it’s responsible for miracles. No matter what they say. A sandwich just isn’t a sandwich without the great taste of miracle whip salad dressing…..right Bubby?

My first blog…

I have a blog.  And I’m USING it.  Carolyn will be so proud.  Forgive me while I play.  I’ll get this all down.  And then you can laugh along with this crazy house!