Karrie's Box of Thoughts

Monday, May 31, 2004

Yep! - That sums up the weekend!

And it was just fine. I had just wanted to putter around and so did the rest of the family. The weather helped out, it was windy and rainy the whole weekend (It's a holiday weekend, it's going to rain, this is Seattle and that's a given!)

So, Saturday was the combined birthday party for Kent, Emily and Grandpa Laughlin. Sunday we went to see Shrek2 and today was just getting caught up on things. Kent and the kids were either in the garage playing hockey/soccer, playing video games or watching the Stanley Cup finals (which is why hubby is wearing the 2 flame hats and has the white towel in the pic). And let me just say, when you go out to the garage and there's your husband (all 6'3" of him) wearing rollerblades and a hockey helmet and giving you that "What?" look - It's just best to get what you need out of the freezer and turn around and walk away. When he makes it that easy to be a smart-ass, well... It just takes all the fun out of! So, I did my puttering and FINALLY got the the image hosting fixed for the family blog and spent the weekend getting old and new pictures up. If you're interested click the link for The Fairly Odd Laughlins (I won't linked it here and put you on the spot LOL!)

And that's about it!! I just got the last load of wash in the dryer and I'm catching up on some TV and computer surfing and off to bed.

Oh! And Miss Patty - Our Canadian Diva has joined the blog family...check it out at Patty's Slice of Life

Have a great week everyone! And hey! It's a short one!

As told by moi8:36 PM ...

Thursday, May 27, 2004

Nope, not tonight....

I wasn't going to post.... (much) tonight. Thought I would give you guys a break, LOL! But when I popped on I was put in a pretty crappy mood, so I think I just skip it.

Have a good Friday though!

As told by moi9:52 PM ...
Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Ahhh Azteca ....

Azteca is a mexican restaurant chain up here and one of our favorite places to go. And so we went there tonight for Kent's B-day. I did manage to sneak out and get a little something for the poor boy. I caught him last night rummaging around the sunroom for a book to read during lunch at work. Seems the new area he's in doesn't have computer access - GASP!! Ding! Ding! Ding! So off I pop to Barnes and Noble for a gift card and "Somewhere in Ireland a village is missing an idiot" by David Feherty, one of our favorite golf commentator. Ta Dah!! Birthday saved! And the bonus of a few more present to come. (if they come, Grrr!)

Today was also Meems parent/teacher conference, I thought. Seems they've decided to mix things up a little this year and instead we participated in the experiment known as a "Student-Led Conference" Basically: No teacher involved, just you and your child "discussing" their achievements (or lack of achievement if the conference next to us was any indication). So about 4 of these conferences were going on at once. We come in, sit down at a table - Student on one side and parents on the other. All these kids whip out these "portfolios" and proceeds to do their best to convince us all they had learned something, became enriched and are well on their way to Harvard. I felt like we were at a Trendwest seminar and they were trying to sell us timeshares in Maui! LOL!

I'm so/so on the "new way"...We'll see. Now I have to say that we are truly blessed with two kids that really love school and get great grades. And a peek at Meems' ITBS (that's right Jules - The Fucktard Iowa test!) shows she's doing GREAT! Above the national average in all areas but math. Math *sigh* Not her Mom's greatest subject either. But! Here I am, working for a bank and crunching numbers all day, so I'm not worried! Which leads me to my last little story:

Meems had this test that she totally tanked on. We were "discussing it" in the conference and she was blowing it off. She thinks it's done and yes, she didn't do good, but it's done and she didn't need to worry about it anymore. I'm trying to tell her she's only in 6th grade and this kind of stuff will be brought up again and she had better know it. Truthfully, none of the three of us could figure out what the answer was to this one question, so Kent raises his hand (like a good little student) and the teacher "monitoring" the conferences comes over and proceeds to explain what the answers should have been. AND THEN she says "That's one to know, there is always a question about it on the W.A.S.L." AHA!! Meems and Kent had that look - " Oh Great, she's right" (When am I not ... LOL!) And we are going back and forth with the comments and joking around and the teacher is looking at us like we are the oddest group of people she has every met!!

YES WE ARE!! The name of the family Blog is "The Fairly Odd Laughlin's ~ Yep, we're odd! But really, what's normal??"

And we would have it any other way! Have a great Thursday everyone!

Oh!! Did I mention - Girl-Child's birthday is actually next week. We just celebrate hers, Kents and Kent's dad's at the same time because they are so close. And the official date - June 2nd! The same as our Canadian Diva Patty!!

As told by moi8:08 PM ...
Tuesday, May 25, 2004

Getting through today on 3 hours of sleep and I'm done! However...

Phew! I did it, I got the car lubed and that's all! Not as easy as it sounds at the place I take my car to. See they like to "up-sell". And I wasn't going for it this time, not like the last time!! Ok, last time I really did need the new wiper blades, the chip in the windshield really needed to be be taken care of (wouldn't want it to become a crack, would we - No, of course not!)and sure the car is dirty, we'll take that car wash too!! (well they did vacuum the inside, seemed kinda stupid to not wash the outside - geeeeez!) I know, I could have gone somewhere else, but they really are nice, fast and open late (it's Tuesday, I have 3 1/2 hours to kill while Meems dances) and it's attached to this huge gas station that has EVERYTHING and reminds me of those truckstops you pull into when you're roadtripin'. I LOVE ROAD TRIPS! **sigh**

And since I had time I got Meems' birthday presents taken care of. She gets a new CD/MP3 player with FM (cuz she's likes her radio stations), a pair of "noisy pants" (as the hubby calls them - lined sweats) a new pair of PJ bottoms (she as sooo outgrown the old ones) and a couple "Bobby Jack" t-shirts. All the clothes on sale too - can't beat that! And a cd player holder/belt thingy and a necklace from brother. Done!

Now, if only the Hubby's stuff had made it here on time..... His birthday is tomorrow. EEEK! I'm sure he'll understand. And hey, I got the car lubed and that was all!! Look at all the money I saved!! That should count for something. Think it'll work??? Yea, I don't think so either.... Well to coin a phrase by our own Miss Julie H. - CRAPMONKEYS!!

And I'm off to catch up on some ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

As told by moi9:29 PM ...
Monday, May 24, 2004

Just a little rambling before I go to bed....

I guess I just can't keep up, I try and I just can't. *Sigh* I would love nothing more than surf through all the blogs and boards I like all day long. But I have a family, a job and life off the computer that takes up a lot of my time. As it does with all of us, I know! But maybe I've taken on too much or reached out in too many directions..... As much as I try to keep in touch, I seem to slip farther behind.

You know, I sense the freeze, read the comments and Yep, I have a group I hang out with the most, a "clique" if you will. But hey, this gang as been with me since the start and they mean a lot to me. These guys reached out to me and made me feel welcome. I'm talking the boards, not blogs. I will always remember that, and appreciate it. I see it on other boards and blogs, people that "buddy up" and just seem to click. That's cool! I happen to think it's great to find that connection. Especially with someone clear across the country or even the world that you would probably never have had the chance to meet if you hadn't connected in cyber-space. Maybe I have spread myself thin(me thin, I wish!) and haven't been able to keep up with the "whole" world. But I try and have some of you "linked" for a reason, to try and keep connected. And as is required it seems: "THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT ANYONE SPECIFICALLY"

I've been accused of trying to be "everybody's friend" and maybe that's it. In trying to be everybody's friend, I'll end up no one's. I don't know ......

Look, like the title says, this is just me rambling. I have this feeling gnawing at me and I read people "getting things off their chest" and just wanted, no needed to do the same. And if you read this and think "What is that psycho bitch going on about" Don't mind me... It's my blog and just like everyone else in cyber-world, sometimes you just need to get things off your chest, whether they make sense or not. It's what's bottled up and what I need to let go of.

You can't see it, and I really should get it back up, but this blog is called "Karrie's Box of Thoughts" ~ A nice little place to put all those things clogging up my head and keeping me up at night....... and you know, I want to sleep.

And so with that, I'm off to bed. Have a Great Tuesday everyone!!

As told by moi10:37 PM ...

It's Monday - I'm functioning and let's go from here....

Ok, I think I'm getting over the sickys and ready to get back to a normal life. Kent got a wild hair this weekend and took on the garage so I took on the house and cleaned from top to bottom, a good idea I think, out with the bad germs!

I think I'll skip talking too much about the trip to Vegas, we all pop in and out to the same boards and blogs and I think you've all probably got the gist of things.... Except to say; I had a great time getting together with everyone and had a blast! Even if I had done nothing but huddled in my room (which did happen a couple of times) it would have been worth it just to get to spend time with my favorite roomie, Jules!! Love ya girlie! MWAH! Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVED hooking up with all the crew!! I have to say, I have managed to find a great group of people out there in this big old world and I'm glad for those times we actually get to come together in person. Time to start saving for that next DL tour so more of those opportunities will be there!

I think that's it for now, it is Monday and my official first day back to work and so I've got some catching up to do!

Bye for now!

As told by moi8:47 AM ...
Thursday, May 20, 2004

~*~ Ok, I won't take it personally...~*~

I've been sent home...Some very nice, well meaning (I'm sure) people kept coming by my desk telling me I looked like CRAP and told me to go home. And so I did, if for no another reason then to get away from well meaning people...

**psst..yes, Vegas was fun!! What I remember...(The head's a little cloudy right now)

As told by moi10:23 AM ...

**Cough,cough ~ sniffle, sniffle....**

I'm sick. What was thought to be the "Absolut Flu" as been upgraded to a full blown cold. 2 days in bed and no voice....
I'm going to try and get through work and go bury my head back under the covers... *cough, sniffle, hack, wheeze*

As told by moi8:35 AM ...
Monday, May 10, 2004

Last post for awhile....

Looks like I have everything rounded up and just need to get packed and I'm ready to go. Now, lets hope the flu that the girl-child currently has will leave mom alone!! Yes, the plans for Mothers day went slightly off course when Meems came down with the flu and spent most of the day in the bathroom. Poor thing!! And with my luck, it will probably hit me at about 35,000 feet just as my plane levels off on Weds. But, we shall see....

I did manage to scurry around and pick up the things I needed for a little surprise I thought I would leave for the Family while I was gone. Last time I took a trip, it hit my little guy kinda hard and he missed his mommy. So I wanted to leave a little something for when he got home from school to take his mind off of it. Now I know what will happen while I'm gone; Dad and the kids will be kickin' back on the couch playing video games, watching movies and eating popcorn. Occasionally they will feel adventurous and go to the ice rink or roller blade/bike/scooter to the school and play ball. No Prob!! Mom's away playing, why shouldn't they! And I'm lucky to have a hubby that likes nothing more then hanging around with his kids. So! I have gathered up a gift box of goodies to surprise them with filled with their favorite candies, lots of popcorn, a gift card to Blockbusters, gift cards to Toys-R-Us for 2 new video games and gift cards to 3 of their favorite place to eat. I'm going to hide it Weds morning and when I drop Glenn of at Sue's I'm going to tell him about where to find the surprise when he gets home from school. (Making sure he's clear it's for EVERYONE and not just him.) I think they'll like it!

Might sound extravagant to some, but I figure Hubby's on his own with the debit card and would probably do something similar anyway. This way at least I know the checkbook won't be totally out of whack when I get home because of debit transactions he's lost the receipt for. (This is not a poke at husbands in general, just mine who has a history of this...)

Anyhoo! Everyone have a GREAT week!! I'll see some of you later on this week and the rest I'll be thinking about! Steph, Tal, Kim, Julz and Kim ~ I will be raising my glass (many times) in your honor, my dears!!

Take Care Everyone!!

As told by moi9:00 AM ...
Friday, May 07, 2004

What a nice Surprise!!

I got a nice little arrangement of spring flowers delivered today @ work from the Kids and hubby for Mother's day!! Hubby likes to have them delivered here so everyone knows are wonderful he is ~ I make sure that they do!

As told by moi11:16 AM ...

Ah....Friday

So last night I stop by the store before heading home and got the grocery shopping done. Of course no one is around to help me unload it when I get home. As I head back outside to grab some more bags I see this blue minivan zip past the front of the house - in reverse. It's Dede and she saw the back of my van open and thought she'd stop and say Hi. What a typical "Burb" moment!

Bonus was we stood out there chit chatting long enough for the rest of the Fam to get home and unload the rest of the groceries. Ha! And they thought they would get out of it. And it looks like a dinner invite and some clothes swapping has also come out of it. So my after work Friday plans are to pop over to the neighbors for a neighborhood BBQ (which looks to become an indoor event if the rain keeps up) and seeing what Dede has in her closet that I can steel for Vegas. She has already put dibs on some of the new clothes I got so it's only fair. LOL.

Another busy weekend ahead - whats new. Saturday will mean alot of running around and I have an idea for a little surprise I want to leave for the family while I'm gone, so I have that to take care of. Mothers day on Sunday, so it will be brunch @ Arnies with the in-laws. Love Arnies, typical puget sound restaurant overlooking the sound and the ferries coming over from the islands. We always have a great time when we go there.

So I think that will do it!! Have a GREAT Friday and weekend all, and Happy Mothers day!

As told by moi9:24 AM ...
Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Ok ~ Let's TRY and put a positive spin on this...

So sad, My Av's (and Patty's) are out *sigh*. So I am going to be big about this and say "GO Flames!" I would really like to see Canada get back the cup. And now I'm free to concentrate on Vegas and not have to find a sports book while I'm there to see how the Av's are doing. Thanks so much Colorado for taking that worry off my mind *rolling eyes now..*

I have to give credit to the Hubby - I got a call yesterday on the cell while I was at lunch, about 2:00. "I'm running by the store to get wax paper for Meems cookies, do you need anything? I have to run to the store, pick up Meems and Brendan at school, get started on the cookies, get dinner going and then leave by 4:30 to get Meems and Booge to dance and hockey..." I couldn't resist.... "Yeah, could you run by and pick up the dry cleaning, I need the new JD Robb book from Barnes and Nobles for the flight to Vegas, we need some disks to download the fix for the worm on the computer so run by Staples, Booge wanted to "dress up" for the field trip tomorrow to see that play so throw his stuff in the wash, make sure you hang it up right away so it doesn't wrinkle 'kay, Oh and run by Dede's and give her back her rolling pin 'cuz I found ours .... DEAD SILENCE ..... I decide to put him out of his misery - " I'm kidding! I was going to take care of all that while I waited for Meems dance classes to get over" "THAT'S NOT FUNNY!!" Yes, it was. And it's nice to know I'm not the only a wee bit frazzled these days..... And bless his heart, he forgot to read all the directions for Meems cookies and didn't know the dough had to chill.... We got home about 9:00 last night and there he was in the kitchen baking cookies!

BTW, the cookies are from an Argentinean recipe and part of the on-going school project form hell!

As told by moi8:12 AM ...
Tuesday, May 04, 2004

Just a few thoughts...

Stayed up and watch "10.5, The Big One!"..... 'Nuff said. Luckily I was switching between that, Family Plot and The Restaurant (Rocco, Rocco - pull your head out sweetie and stop pouting!) Yep, basically I did NOTHING and loved every minute of it! Looks like I picked up the Sasser Worm, but I just kept the computer off, curled up on the couch and said "screw it!" (or words to that effect, nod,nod,wink,wink)

Patty, Patty, Patty - I have a great pic of Glenners I need to get up just for you! Can't say all the Flames fans were in Calgary! Glenners was decked out in all the Flames gear you got him and he even made a banner! I told him I'm using it against him when we go to the Pepsi Center this summer!

Well gotta run - Have a great day everyone....

Only 2 more Tuesdays 'till Vegas!!

As told by moi8:20 AM ...
Monday, May 03, 2004

Fine! I surrender!!

So now on top of everything else I have a virus on my computer at home! Of course now that my parents having stopped their RVing around the country and have parked their butts for awhile, I can't get pics up on the family blog! I managed to get to Meems dance recital on time this week, got lots a pics and there they sit, trapped in the camera. ** Heavy sigh **

So I think I'll just concentrate on trying to get things working at home and call a time out on my blog for awhile, things are pretty hectic anyway. I will of course being popping in on the Diva Domain so come by and visit us there.

Have a happy week !!

As told by moi8:15 AM ...