Sicky

I'm a sicky. I have had this thing that has recently been diagnosed as a viral infection for almost 2 weeks now. Fever, ear pain, sinuses, mucous. Yes mucous. I said it. One of the most disgusting words in the English language and not only have I said it but I have it. Ewww.

I'm home today because well I just feel crummy. My body is yelling at me loudly that I need to rest and well I am listening. Not entirely, mind you, but I am listening. I was torn between going to work or staying home with my DH and DS (who by the way are healthy - the little dears). Sometimes I think work is more relaxing, but then again home has the bed. The nice comfy big bed with the pillows and the blanky. Love the bed! Love! Love! Love the bed!

So in the decision making process the bed cheated and I decided to stay home. So that's where me and my mucous are - at home.

SOTT 17

Why would I feed wildlife when they are picking plants?
Can't they just eat the plants they've picked?

Public Transportation

I have started to ride the Park & Ride. I have to get up a half hour earlier so that I can get to the pick up site and get in line to wait for the bus. Yes, I said wait in line. I get there about 20 minutes before the bus arrives and already there are about 10 people in line. The reason is so you can guarantee that you have a seat and won't have to stand the whole way. Which I did on way home on the first day I rode (and it wasn't pretty - 45 minutes on a bus that stopped and started and broke quickly and sped - I was a wreck).

Main thought #1. Public transportation wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so public. I am the first to admit that I am spoiled in driving to work. I can leave when I want, listen to what I want and am comfortable as I am driving. I don't have to listen to other people complain, I don't have to be careful not to move to much to annoy the person next to me and I don't put my life in someone elses hands as he speeds down the highway.

Second thought. I think people would be more concerned about the environment if it wasn't such a pain to be a conservationist. It's hard to see the plus side of saving the environment by all of us not driving when I am sitting next to someone who needs a shower and a breath mint.

To be honest I am not really putting up with all this for the environment. I'm doing it to save on gas and wear & tear on my car. I admit it - I'm doing it for selfish reasons. The plus side is that I am also helping the environment. Which if you listen to the news is what everyone should be concerned about. (Tangent: I'll worry about the environment after I know that my bills are paid and that my family is safe.)

Anyway, if we are strongly encouraged to take public transportation, why is the transit authority getting rid of routes and reducing their force. More and more people are taking public transportation because of gas prices, so buses are overcrowded (we had 15 people standing the whole route this morning). So again the business mentality is to cut routes and buses. I just don't get it. But then again I don't get the fact that gas is almost $4.00 a gallon.

So it comes down to what is more important to me. Saving money so that I can pay my bills (which have also skyrocketed) and give up some personal space and comfort OR spend $50 a week on gas and be able to sing to the radio.

Oooo - tough call!

Tangent To You Know Who

I know you read my blog and all I can say is listen to the song playing by Natalie Grant.

The past is past! I will stumble, fall down, I will make mistakes and face heartache - BUT I will NOT be moved!

Now feel free to go on with your day!

Wendy

I Love My Family

Darling Husband and

Darling Son (Pre Florida - he's taller & leaner now) and

My two men

SOTT (Sign of the Times) 16

I love the clam chowder and the buffalo chicken sandwich.
I just love Denny's. I wish a Denny's would live near me.

I Love My Cats

Leo - Senior Fluffy Butt who is a scaredy cat and oh so full of love. Regal little thing isn't he. Likes: catnip, treats, the shaking of the treat jar, a clean litter box (or else), licking salt off of Michael's arm, plush toys (don't ask) and tuna. Dislikes: hates to see the bottom of the food bowl, lawn mowers, loud noises and anything that is new and strange to him.

Little Bit - mischief maker where you can see it in his eyes when that streak hits. My tuxedo kitty, who I saved from the outside world and who better stop scratching my furniture! Likes: listening to the voices in his head, being outside on the porch, head butting, snuggling (but on his terms), swatting sister on head as she passes by, being in high places, potatoes and green mousy. Dislikes: sister can be annoying, not being able to go outside when he wants, being brought back inside.

Mika - conceited princess, high queen of the world. Cranky little babushka girl. Likes: red yarn balls, chasing red yarn balls, getting red yarn balls out of magic drawer, putting red balls in water bowl, looking cute, getting attention, cuddling up to one of the brothers. Dislikes: When red balls disappear or get wet, not getting attention, when brother won't play or snuggle, being touched when in finicky mood.

I Love Weeds

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered" Ralph Waldo Emmerson

I Love My Camera

Love it, adore it. I would probably take my camera everywhere if I could get away with it. Unfortunately sometimes it is not practical - of course that has not always stopped me. Even though I love my camera I am not opposed to upgrading. However the one I have an eye on is almost $600 and well somethings are more important. For now I am happy to be clicking away and sharing. Here are some recent photo's.

Sign of the Times 15

Leaving the typical sign of the times - here is one of those "Here's your sign" things... or maybe it might be more of "You might be a redneck.." thingees. But either way I think it might be a sign of the times. :-)

http://www.macon.com/
Reunited couple's nuptials highlights 13th annual Redneck Games in Dublin
The redneck couple made it official Saturday.
Rawni and Rob, aka "Robo," tied the knot.

A judge from Perry handled the nuptials before offering to read the newlyweds their rights.

Rob tossed his bride's Dixie flag garter belt into a crowd of clinking beer cans. The pair had their first dance to "Hold My Beer," performed live by Lance Stinson Band. Then they dove into the mudhole, hand in hand.

It was beautiful.

Why get married on a stage at the 13th annual Redneck Summer Games at Buckeye Park in East Dublin?

" 'Cause we're rednecks. It seemed like the appropriate place," said the new Mrs. Robert Sprague, "and we get to be on TV."

The CMT channel will air the ceremony this month on the My "Big Fat Redneck Wedding" reality television show. The couple signed up for the program through a WQZY (Y-96 FM) radio promotion this year.

Rawni met Rob when she was a fifth-grader in Pennsylvania. They dated in high school but eventually lost touch, going their separate ways and marrying other people.

In 2003, around the time of Rob's 20th high school reunion, he found her on classmates.com.

She was his date. The high school sweethearts rekindled the flame. They became engaged last October during a race at the Talladega Motor Speedway.

Rawni, who works in wellness at a Warner Robins assisted living facility, said she wasn't going for one special look as a bride.

Her vintage wedding gown, heavily beaded and white, covered a triangle-top bikini in a Confederate flag print and barely exposed the not-new tennis shoes she wore.

Hairdressers from the Mane Craze salon in Warner Robins styled her tresses into Shirley Temple curls that dangled down over her bottle cap earrings.

Connie Mosley, Rawni's maid of honor, and Kerri Short, a bridesmaid, ditched dresses for denim mini-shorts and red and white checkered mid-drifts.

All three women donned long acrylic nails painted in a flag pattern, which matched the bride's bikini and her dumbbell navel ring.

Rawni carried her bouquet of silk red and white roses in an empty Jack Daniels whiskey bottle. Her bridesmaids followed suit, carrying their flowers in Coors Light and Bud Light cans.

"He was always the one," Rawni said about the man she was to marry.

She soon would meet him on that stage, where he stood in a white three-piece suit - vest matching Rawni's bikini - and a white cowboy hat.

Nearly 8,000 people attended the Redneck Games on Saturday, said James Stinson, president of the East Dublin Lion's Club, an event sponsor along with Y-96, WMCG (104.9 FM) and WDBN (107.5 FM).

The games, which poke fun at "kuntry" culture, feature activities such as Bobbin' for Pigs Feet, Armpit Serenade and the ever popular Mud Pit Belly Flop.

Stinson said all proceeds go to local schools, community groups and Lighthouse, a charity for the blind.

Eric Outler won Bobbin' for Pigs Feet, where eight people bobbed in troughs of water for raw pigs feet.

Somewhat small in stature, Outler said the fact that he pulled out 14 feet in two rounds is a big deal.

"Unless you're a big guy, you ain't got no big mouth," he said.

The festival went until midnight. There was a Miss Redneck competition, bands played on and more rednecks became one with the mud.

"I needed a detoxification of my skin," said Beth Lewis, who walked around barefoot after jumping in the mudhole with her two young children.

Lewis said she drove 97 miles from Griffin to attend her first Redneck Games at the suggestion of her uncle.

She said she was proud to be a redneck and plans to return next year.

"Being a redneck means being country and living your life to the fullest with what you have," she said. "It's a good thing."

The Boy is Back

YEAH! The boy is finally back. He looks taller, skinnier and wonderful. I tried not to cry when I saw him get off the plane, but I failed. I admit it I cried a little.

He's back with lots of stories. He had a good time, but he is glad to be back home.

Thank you Lord for bringing him back safely (because I know this was a challenge). And most of all thank you for bringing him home.

The Corporate World

The corporate world is an amazing place. Full of dreams, fantasy and unrealistic ideas. I'm not sure what happens once regular people start working in a business environment. Some people just seem to lose their minds completely, some dwell between reality and fantasy and others, well others become just plain weird.

Take my office for instance. We were once normal everyday happy people. And on some days you can even get a glimpse of what we were like when we were not shoved into offices and cubes and made to dance at the whim of some maniacal dictator (usually those days are Friday after lunch).

Ok, maniacal dictator may be too strong (maybe), but there is truth in that statement. You get a whole bunch of people together and put a few in charge and BAM things are bound to change (not necessarily for the better). Things happen to people. I'm not sure if it's the brainstorming sessions, the unrealistic deadlines, the endless meeetings or what, but people stop thinking normal and start thinking "corporate". It's quite scary.

Again, take my office (please...) . In my department we have 3 people that handle all of the conferences. One of these people has decided to leave and go back to school (to be a lawyer of all things). Now a normal person (people) would hire someone to take that persons place. Hah - wrong. The business people have decided to divide that persons work out to the remaining 2 people. With no incentive like more money or anything else. The perks are that you get more work, more travel, less time for yourself and your family, and you might get a thank you, but only if you are a really good girl.

Now that's not the insane part. What's insane is that the 2 remaining workers are going to do it with a minimum amount of fuss. Can you believe it? I mean when did 2 starting equalling 3. It must be business math. OR there has to be something in the water cooler or in that coffee that is supplied so readily.

Anyway, it's just another day in the corporate world. Where good ideas go bad and bad ideas run rampant. However, if I start hearing "Join Us, Join Us" and people start walking around with glassy eyes and are drooling - well then I think I might ... well at the very least I'll shut my door. After all there is only so much one person can take.

Letting Go

I know that sometimes you just have to let go. I also know that sometimes that is easier said than done. I also know that I was so not ready to let go.

What am I talking about you ask...

Well, my son, my only child, the little boy that I love so much has been on vacation in Florida. In the beginning it was only going to be for a week. That week went by and they asked if he could stay for a couple more days. A couple more days turned into a week. They asked again if he could stay a couple more days until after the 4th. Now it is another week. So in all he will be gone 3 weeks.

Ok, now I understand that I am being emotional and I understand that I need to get over it. I am also willing to say that I might be overreacting. But I know how I feel.

I know he is having fun and this is his first time away from home for more than 3 days. I want him to have a good time and I am even enjoying having time without him.

So what's my problem? Deep down I knew this was one of those moments that were life changing. I knew that this was going to be a transition from the little boy to the full fledged teenager/man. I think I figured that a week wouldn't really bring on a big transition. However 3 weeks is a different story.

There are moments in everyones life where there are changes and you can maybe pinpoint when certain things have changed in yourself or in others. One of mine was when I went to visit my brother in Pittsburgh when I was 14. This trip is one for Patrick. I know when he comes back he will be Patrick but I really think he will be different, more grown up.

Not that it is a bad thing - I just wish I knew this was going to be that transition time. I just was not ready. I just wish I had more time to prepare, to get used to the idea. I think it is mostly that I feel that I will have lost part of him. This is his step to grow up and become a man and I have to accept it and I will in the long run. But it is sad to me that this is one of those steps that he has to take and is taking it without me, yet I know it has to be taken.

But I am still sad. Despite the fact that I know it has to happen. I guess it's a mom thing.

Sign of the Times 14

What are they trying to say?