Karrie's Box of Thoughts

2006-11-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

Karrie, you just lost your job after 22 years. You’ve been kicked to the curb starting December 5th, what are you going to do now?! I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!

No, not really. But I and the family are going to Denver for Xmas with my family. And though it will be nice to spend the time with them, my present is ………. THE OTHER JOE!! *happy dance – happy dance*. I get to see Mr. Joe Sakic, #19, center and Captain for the Colorado Avalanche play at home! Usually we’re in Denver during the summer and only get to go the Pepsi Center to buy Av’s gear. But this time we’ll be there during hockey season and I get to go the Pepsi Center and see a game. *Happy, Happy Dance!!*

Other then that………nothin’. Been doing the kid thing. Taking them from here and depositing them there and then we repeat. But it’s all good. Except the weather, which is still crappy.

I’ve taken a couple of days off work because frankly, I’m getting sick of it. You’ve got one side with the “Business as usual” mentality. This camp consists of upper management that knew about the layoffs months in advance and lined themselves up new jobs within the company before we got the final word. Then you have the “F*ck you, what are you goin’ do? Fire me” mentality. This camp is mostly made up of the normal group of whiners that have been bitching about everything since day one and now some how feel vindicated. And then there’s us in the middle. Those that just want to get the job done and move on. We had our bitch session and moved on. Nothing’s going to change, it is what it is so let’s just do the job and be done with it. We in the middle are sick of the other two sides and are unfortunately the ones doing most of the work. Oh well, keeps us busy and we’re the better group for it. As of today, only 8 more working days……

So that’s about it.

Take care all and I’ll see ya around the WWW.

2006-11-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

This and That.......

Let’s see….. Em has started physical therapy – she’s had a problem over the last couple of years with her knee popping out once in a while. It’s happening more frequently now so we had her checked. Patello-Femoral Syndrome is what she has. Her knee cap is moving all over the place. That along with her fallen arches is unfortunately the result of all those years of dancing. So now I have one more place to drive her to weekly. She’s has managed to work hockey and boys into the equation – the therapist she sees is the sports therapist for the Everett Silver Tips hockey team (bitter rival of my beloved T-Birds!). But they’re hockey players and she’s in heaven. I’m soooo pleased *sigh*. Other then that the big excitement was Jackson High winning the food drive for a Seattle radio station and having Frankie J do a concert at their school OH*MY*GOD – How Super exciting! They did raise 3000 lbs of food for Northwest Harvest, so that was cool.

Speaking of the Northwest – We’re under water. Glub, Glub, Glub….. Worst rain and flooding in 10 years. And more is expected. There was so much water in one river that it actually changed the course of the river. Gooood Times. Some of the views from around here:

Glenn – Glenn – Glenn – Glenn…. I love Glenn. I love the fact that 11/2 was Glenn’s birthday and his father HAD to buy him new ice skates and a helmet. $300 ICE SKATES and $120 HELMET!! Most of you know the story of Hockey/Hockey gear vs Def Leppard in my house so I won’t bore you (if you don’t I’m sure if we meet and I’ve had a few, you will). So anywhooooo – I get a call from hubby saying he wants to get skates and a helmet – cool, sounds good. So he sez “okay, skates will be around 299….” I’m sorry, did you say $29.99…. “….nooooo $299.00? WTF??!! Are they gold plated?! “No, but there Vapor 30s and there really cool! Oh and I found a killer Bauer Helmet too!” Are you 11 years old too? And then it hits me and I hit him with it –Did I tell ya DL might not tour the US next year; they may do Europe….. “Oh…really?” Yes, so when you see my renewed passport in the mail…NOT A PEEP out of you!! “…….Um, gotta go! – click.” Hehe. So the girls at work are asking me if he’s actually going to buy the gear. Hellooooo! Dude knows me, dude knows I’m hitting the road and hookin’ up with the girls at some point. Of course he bought them! I love Glenn’s birthday presents (and so did he!) and I’M SET!!! Lol!.

Au revoir pour l’instant!! (I’m practicing my French!)

2006-10-30T11:45:00.000-08:00

Friday Night Lights

So this little story is a week old, but oh well. So you know (or should know by now)my passion is hockey. But coming from a football town growing up, I still get the twitch for it. Well last Friday I was twitching like crazy! It was homecoming for Jackson High School and as a freshman; Emily got to be a part of it. So off we went to Memorial Stadium.

Now I personally have not been to Memorial since I was in high school! It was kind of odd and the memories came flooding back. It was weird being there as a parent as my parents were back in the day. Same freezing wind, same crappy bathrooms, same PA system that you can’t understand – although I swear the guy doing the announcing was the same dude that did the games back in my day! But this time is was Em. The dance team performed Michael Jackson’s Thriller and KICKED ASS! They had the moves down and the crowd loved it. It was cool to see the kids cheering them on. The team got to hang with the cheerleaders and the band and hold the banner that the team busted thru at halftime. It was fun to watch Em be a part of it like her mom (I was a band geek – but a REALLY COOL one!) I’m thrilled she’s jumped right in to high school life and is enjoying it. It can be a stressful time and I’m glad she’s gotten a good start. And it seems that her little brother is doing things the way my little brother did too. A lot of the kids Em goes to school with have younger brothers and sisters Glenn’s age (just like me and my brother), so they spent the game bugging the older kids – yup just like in my day! My mom really got a kick out of that – another chance for her to point out what goes around, comes around.

So now along with hockey, it looks like football will be joining the line up and we are going to do the all American ritual of Friday night lights. There’s a buzz that they’re going to do the basketball games as well *sigh*. I can smell the gym socks now....

2006-10-17T08:06:00.000-07:00

Good GAWD! It's alive!

Yeah, it me. So yeah, it's been awhile and I won't start from my last post and bore you with all the details. Here's a few highlights and lowlights.

So the traveling continued. Managed to catch 8 DL shows this summer. Would have been 9 but I wasn't able to go to the show in Ames with Jules. And that I'm truly sorry. This summer was an east coast thang and I had a blast. I honestly had no desire to hit the east coast before, but now can't wait to go back! I do believe I managed by the second time around to figure out the toll booths, the obscure signs and the Dunkin Donuts vs Starbucks ratio (Jules, there's hope for us yet!)

Starbucks.... I have caved to the man! The last time around at the Mohegan Sun there was just enough downtime and reading opportunities that I hit the Starbucks grab my books and enjoyed. Now I've joined the masses and made the stuff part of my morning routine - Bastards!

The morning routine includes the mom taxi to school (with enough time in between to hit Starbucks). For Em it's being a freshman in high school *shudder* and she's loving every minute of it! No worries there about her fitting in. She made the dance team and was hanging with the girls at camp and school all summer, so she just slid right in like a pro. She's been practicing like crazy because they will be competing at the state level at the first of the year and are performing at the prep assemblies and football/basketball games until then as practice. They're doing Michael Jackson's Thriller for Halloween and the Homecoming game and I have to say, they're pretty good. Glenn is in last year of grade school. Because of his late B-Day (November) he's a year behind most of his friends who went up to middle school. But he's still having fun "ruling the school". He made the peewee rep hockey team so he and dad start their travels in November. He's very excited and we're super proud of him making it as a '1st year'. They start checking in peewee and that's something to get use to! Glenn got moved to offense and it's a little weird seeing a defenceman pop him one.

Hubby - Hockey, Hockey, kids and hockey, work. 'nuff said.

Me, well good and bad. The trips and shows being the good and the great. But other then that it's not been too fun for me this summer. I came back from the first trip out east to a mess at work and myself in a mess physically. The combination pretty much had me in tears and buried under the blankets for the rest of the summer. Personally, things are much better and I won't dwell on it. Professionally, I can't say the same. Effective Dec 5th, I'm out of a job. The office I work at is being closed. 140 plus people will be out looking for new jobs. I'm one of them, I have 22 years with the company but we all know that means nothing these days. And honestly, there's nothing internally that I'm interested in. I have 20 weeks of severance and with the cash savings plan - I've got about a year. I'm looking at other options and not going to jump at the first thing. It's not the pay I'm focusing on, but the flexibility. That's what I'm going to miss the most. After 22 years, I (and the family) have gotten use to a certain amount of vacation and leeway to work around outside activities. And yes that means my summer DL trips. Bottomline (to a point), I'm going to be selfish. I don't want to give up those things that I've come to love doing and I'm going to try and find a way to save it. If I can't, I can't. But I'm going to give it a hell of shot first! We'll see.

Of course I'm not going out quietly. I have already sent out a memo telling everyone to drag out every decoration they've got and get them up. We won't be around for Xmas so lets do it now. Any and all holiday decorations are out and about. It looks like a Party City store vomited!! I love it. Also planned is a monthly potluck (we have so many different ethnic backgrounds at work, we have great potlucks!) and I have planned the "Pink Slip Party" for a club the weekend after we close. We have two guys at work with bands and another who has a friend with the club to party in!! I've never done things the conventional way and I'm not staring now!!

Toodles for now!

2006-07-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

Howdy!

Just got off the road from the first shows of the DL tour!
You guys are in for a treat!!

Enjoy! *I'm now going back to bed*

2006-05-11T14:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with

sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with

Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid saying, "It's

okay honey, Mommy's here."

Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end

soothing crying babies who can't be comforted.

This is for all the mothers who show up at work with

spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses

and diapers in their purse.

For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies

and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who

DON'T.

This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies

they'll never see. And the mothers who took those

babies and gave them homes.

This is for the mothers whose priceless art

collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors.

And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal

bleachers at football or soccer games instead of

watching from the warmth of their cars, so that

when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they

could say, "Of course, I wouldn't have missed it for

the world," and mean it.

This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in

the grocery store and swat them in despair when they

stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before

dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten

instead.

This is for all the mothers who sat down with their

children and explained all about making babies. And

for all the (grand)mothers who wanted to, but just

couldn't find the words.

This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their

children can eat.

For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a

night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one

more time."

This is for all the mothers who taught their children

to tie theirshoelaces before they started school. And

for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to

cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns

automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a

crowd, even though they know their own offspring are

at home -- or even away at college.

This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to

school with stomach aches assuring them they'd be just

FINE once they got there, only to get calls

from the school nurse an hour later asking them to

please pick them up. Right away.

This is for mothers whose children have gone astray,

who can't find the words to reach them.

This is for all the step-mothers who raised another

woman's child or children, and gave their time,

attention, and love...sometimes totally unappreciated!

For all the mothers who bite their lips until they

bleed when their 14 year olds dye their hair green.

For all the mothers of the victims of recent school

shootings, and the mothers of those who did the

shooting.

For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who

sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their

child who just came home from school, safely.

This is for all the mothers who taught their children

to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely

from a war.

What makes a good Mother anyway?

Is it patience?

Compassion?

Broad hips?

The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and se w a

button on a shirt, all at the same time?

Or is it in her heart?

Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or

daughter disappear down the street, walking to school

alone for the very first time?

The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed

to crib at 2 A.M. to put your hand on the back of a

sleeping baby?

The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M.

when you just want to hear their key in the door and

know they are safe again in your home?

Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your

child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a

child dying?

The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our

thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through

diaper changes and sleep deprivation...

And mature mothers learning to let go

For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

Single mothers and married mothers.

Mothers with money, mothers without.

This is for you all. For all of us. Hang in there.

In the end we can only do the best we can.

Tell them every day that we love them.

And pray.

2006-04-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!!

2006-04-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

***Proud Mom Moment Alert***

While it's still there.... http://lynnwoodtigers.com. The Boodge is the one in the pic for the 3rd/4th grade players. Got his first goal on Saturday!

2006-04-01T14:31:00.000-08:00

Those words they have you type in when you're trying to buy tickets on Ticketmaster ~ Do you think they would count if you were playing Scrabble? Hmmmm.........

2006-03-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

A new priest at his first mass was so nervous he could hardly speak.

After mass he asked the monsignor how he had done.

The monsignor replied, "When I am worried about getting nervous on the pulpit, I put a glass of vodka next to the water glass. If I start to get nervous, I take a sip."

So next Sunday he took the monsignor's advice.

At the beginning of the sermon, he got nervous and took a drink.

He proceeded to talk up a storm.

Upon his return to his office after the mass, he found the following note on the door:

1) Sip the vodka, don't gulp.

2) There are 10 commandments, not 12.

3) There are 12 disciples, not 10.

4) Jesus was consecrated, not constipated.

5) Jacob wagered his donkey, he did not bet his ass.

6) We do not refer to Jesus Christ as the late J.C.

7) The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not referred to as Daddy, Junior and the spooky.

8) David slew Goliath, he did not kick the sh*t out of him.

9) When David was hit by a rock and was knocked off his donkey, don?t say he was stoned off his ass.

10) We do not refer to the cross as the "Big T."

11) When Jesus broke the bread at the last supper he said, "Take this and eat it for it is my body." He did not say "Eat me".

12) The Virgin Mary is not called "Mary with the Cherry."

13) The recommended grace before a meal is not: Rub-A-Dub-Dub thanks for the grub, Yeah God.

14) Next Sunday there will be a taffy pulling contest at ST. Peter?s not a peter pulling contest at St. Taffy's

2006-03-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

My Life

Buried with crap at work, ditto at home.

2006-02-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

A Friday Giggle:

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter.

She picked up mething off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

"Why?" my daughter asked.

"Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs," I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?"

"Uh," I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff.It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.

"Oh, I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test,you have to be the daddy."

"Exactly," I replied back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.

Have a good weekend everyone!!

2006-02-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

It’s seems the world has gotten along quite nicely without a blog post from moi. But I’m sick of looking at the same old thing myself, so I guess I’ll post a little something.

Basically it’s been work, work, and work. Extremely busy….. I get home just in time to get things ready for the next day and then jump back I car to take Emily to dance. By the time we get home, I’m ready for bed. What an exciting life I lead *yawn* even I’m bored.

We got thrown a bit a twist from Glenn’s direction. Seems Lacrosse practice started a month earlier then any of us anticipated. Instead of starting in March, we all got an email the beginning of February. Luckily (or unluckily) half the team is currently playing hockey with Glenn so when he doesn’t show, he ain’t the only one! But, the coach is a hockey dad himself, so he understands. But it means the boy-child is going nearly every night, which I’m not to keen about.

Boy-child has had an out of town hockey tournament nearly every other weekend since the New Year. Emily and I haven’t been going, we’ve had T-Birds tickets for every weekend and Em will not give up the chance to see the boys! And between you me and the fencepost, I prefer not using the vacation time right now and saving it for other things later this year. So Dad and the boy have had some lovely bonding moments out on the open road. And Mom and the girl have had some lovely bonding moments boy-watching @ Key Arena. I have to say that the girl and me have made some awesome entrances; Kent has been riding with another dad to some of these games, which leaves his oh so cute fire-engine red Ranger 4X4 sitting in the driveway just itching for moi to cruise down to Seattle in it! Add to that a certain CD that sounds killer and the girl-child and I have a blast on the ride down.

So life is what it is right now. I’ve been popping in when I can to see how all of you are doin’ and I hope all is well.

Chat Later!

2006-02-13T08:25:00.000-08:00

I've been too busy to write up something myself, but I heard this on National Public Radio and it gave me a giggle.

WHAT I’D SAY TO THE MARTIANS
by Jack Handey

People of Mars, you say we are brutes and savages. But let me tell you one thing: if I could get loose from this cage you have me in, I would tear you guys a new Martian asshole.You say we are violent and barbaric, but has any one of you come up to my cage and extended his hand? Because, if he did, I would jerk it off and eat it right in front of him. “Mmm, that’s good Martian,” I would say.

You say your civilization is more advanced than ours. But who is really the more “civilized” one? You, standing there watching this cage? Or me, with my pants down, trying to urinate on you? You criticize our Earth religions, saying they have no relevance to the way we actually live. But think about this: if I could get my hands on that god of yours, I would grab his skinny neck and choke him until his big green head exploded.

We are a warlike species, you claim, and you show me films of Earth battles to prove it. But I have seen all the films about twenty times. Get some new films, or, so help me, if I ever get out of here I will empty my laser pistol into everyone I see, even pets.

Speaking of films, I could show you some films, films that portray a different, gentler side of Earth. And while you’re watching the films I’d sort of slip away, because guess what: the projector is actually a thing that shoots out spinning blades! And you fell for it! Well, maybe not now you wouldn’t.

You point to your long tradition of living peacefully with Earth. But you know what I point to? Your stupid heads.

You say there is much your civilization could teach ours. But perhaps there is something that I could teach you—namely, how to scream like a parrot when I put your big Martian head in a vise.

You claim there are other intelligent beings in the galaxy besides earthlings and Martians. Good, then we can attack them together. And after we’re through attacking them we’ll attack you.

I came here in peace, seeking gold and slaves. But you have treated me like an intruder. Maybe it is not me who is the intruder but you. No, not me. You, stupid.

You keep my body imprisoned in this cage. But I am able to transport my mind to a place far away, a happier place, where I use Martian heads for batting practice.

I admit that sometimes I think we are not so different after all. When you see one of your old ones trip and fall down, do you not point and laugh, just as we on Earth do? And I think we can agree that nothing is more admired by the people of Earth and Mars alike than a fine, high-quality cigarette. For fun, we humans like to ski down mountains covered with snow; you like to“milk” bacteria off of scum hills and pack them into your gill slits. Are we so different? Of course we are, and you will be even more different if I ever finish my homemade flamethrower.

You may kill me, either on purpose or by not making sure that all the surfaces in my cage are safe to lick. But you can’t kill an idea. And that idea is: me chasing you with a big wooden mallet.

You say you will release me only if I sign a statement saying that I will not attack you. And I have agreed, the only condition being that I can sign with a long sharp pen. And still you keep me locked up.

True, you have allowed me reading material—not the “human reproduction” magazines I requested but the works of your greatest philosopher, Zandor or Zanax or whatever his name is. I would like to discuss his ideas with him—just me, him, and one of his big, heavy books.

If you will not free me, at least deliver a message to Earth. Send my love to my wife, and also to my girlfriend. And to my children, if I have any anyplace. Ask my wife to please send me a bazooka, which is a flower we have on Earth. If my so-called friend Don asks you where the money I owe him is, please anally probe him. Do that anyway.

If you keep me imprisoned long enough, eventually I will die. Because one thing you Martians do not understand is that we humans cannot live without our freedom. So, if you see me lying lifeless in my cage, come on in, because I’m dead. Really.

Maybe one day we will not be the enemies you make us out to be. Perhaps one day a little Earth child will sit down to play with a little Martian child, or larva, or whatever they are. But, after a while, guess what happens: the little Martian tries to eat the Earth child. But guess what the Earth child has? A gun. You weren’t expecting that, were you? And now the Martian child is running away, as fast as he can. Run, little Martian baby, run!

I would like to thank everyone for coming to my cage tonight to hear my speech. Donations will be gratefully accepted. (No Mars money, please.)

2006-02-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Oh Well..... At least it was a decent game to watch.
Congrats the the Steelers and their fans.

2006-01-22T20:39:00.000-08:00

2006-01-19T09:55:00.000-08:00

By an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have
two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is
the one I saw in my own second-grade classroom a few
years back. When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell.
So I always have a few sessions with my students. It
helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell
is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model
airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like
that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or
limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to
school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright,
very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to
the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her
sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. "This is Luke,
my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his
birthday. First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of
their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's
stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine
months through an umbrella cord."

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and
I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder
with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

"Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying
and going, 'Oh, oh, oh, oh!' " Erica puts a hand
behind her back and groans. "She walked around the
house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!'" Now this kid
is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.

"My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies,
but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the
Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like
this. Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.

"And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept
in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up
and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!" This
kid has her legs spread and with her little hands are
miming water flowing away. It was too much!

"Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and
'breathe, breathe.' They started counting, but never
even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my
brother. He was covered in yucky stuff, they all said
it was from Mom's play-center, so there must be a lot
of stuff inside there."

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and
returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the
loudest. Ever since then, if it's show-and-tell day, I
bring my camcorder, just in case another Erica comes
along.

2006-01-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

Guess what?! The rain is still here…. *sigh*.

Although I hear that other places around here have actually seen a strange glowing orb in the sky shooting off strange rays of light! But where I'm at it's still wet. And we don’t have access to the computer program we need around here, so I thought I’d update this.

Um, rain. No hockey games for the boy this weekend so Boodge went to a friend’s house. He pretty much camped out there until Sunday. More rain.

Sunday we had a T-Birds game. And guess what, Miss Em is over her depression – Surprise, Surprise!! The new goalie that was part of the trade was in at goal and when a fight broke out between the teams; he ran right over and got into it. Don’t see the goalie do that much and it sparked a bit of interest in the new guy. As predicted, on to the next….. More rain.

Stayed up WAY to late on Sunday night and watched the 2-part Farscape movie. It was on until 4:00am. I managed to jump into bed and pretend to be asleep, just as hubby’s alarm started going off. Drifted off to sleep for real to the sound of…..rain. I had Monday off and so did the kids, so we went to the movies and saw the Chronicles of Narnia. More rain.

So….. Yes Cali-Kim, come on up and be shocked and amazed at the ‘fro that is my pre-Diva hair! Aqua-Net DOES NOT cure all! Kim-terp, I took SOME pitty on the hubby…some. Don’t want to leave the impression this could happen all the time, it would just confuse the boy thing. Lol! RE – Take the rain back! Really, you can have it. We really don’t want it anymore. REALLY! And thank you Miss Patty for offering to take some of this dampness – but I know how your ‘chinook’ weather can be. You’ll probably get your fair share here soon! Lol. And thanks for all the words of wisdom ‘bout the girl-child. I knew she’d snapped out of it.

Off for now. Must try and get something done, although with all the down time everybody is doing nothing but talking about the Seahawks. And Miss Jules, as I predicted – I snuck a peaked at the game, just as things went downhill in the 4th. So I was told to leave the room ‘cuz I was jinxing things again! And low and behold, things went right again. So much for the luck of the Irish!

Chat later!

2006-01-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Rain, Rain go away…..

Even for Seattle, this is too much. 26 straight days of the stuff. I’m getting a wee bit tired of the flooding, the mudslides, and feeling damp all the time and let’s not even get started on my hair!! I’ve just started saying yes when people asked if I got my hair permed, why fight it.

Honestly, we really don’t get all that much rain up here, it’s just always gray and people assume its rain. According to CNN: “Though Seattle is famous for its rain, the city's average annual rainfall from 1970 to 2000 was 37.07 inches, compared to 49.71 inches for New York City.” Aha! So there! “Seattle natives often joke that it's easy to spot the tourists and transplants when it's raining because they're the ones using umbrellas.” Well this time we’re all lugging them around. It’s just gross around here.

Things are even grayer at my house. I have a thirteen year old drama queen going through the first (of many) lost crushes. One of Em’s favorite players has been traded (any of you who’ve been around know about our infamous “walks” between periods at the T-Birds games…) She’s been mopping around all week, wearing his picture pin and being very dramatic. I haven’t said a word, I know what it’s like and know better then to try and fix it. Her father on the other hand is in a total stupor. He walks around with this dumbfounded look on his face trying to figure out her problem. He asked me and I simply told him – She’s 13 and a girl. She will get over it when she gets over it and there’s nothing you can do about it - he’s such a guy! Lol! Sunday we have our first game “post-trade”, we’ll see how it goes.

And I’m off. Gotta go check on Hubby. Found him this morning squatting in front of the dishwasher. When I asked him if he was going to empty it or just move the dishes with his mind he informed me he couldn’t get up ‘cuz his back was messed up. So I have to be nice to him now I guess….. hehe!

Have a Great DRY weekend everyone!!

Chat later.

2006-01-09T09:48:00.000-08:00

It’s hard to get children in to the car with big heads……

But I will forgive them THIS TIME, because they had every reason to after this weekend.

The fun started on Friday night when we went to the T-Birds game. We happen to sit by the father and grandfather of one of the players on the opposing team, but after chatting it up with the hubby (he was wearing my Sheffield Steelers jersey, which was a great conversation starter!)We all became fast friends and they really got a kick out of my little budding NHL star. So they asked Boodge if he would like to come down to the locker rooms after the game to meet the team. Oh twist his arm!! Hubby had a hockey game of his own that night and had to leave the game early, so the task fell to me to get the boy “backstage”. As he’s leaving, hubby has the gall to ask “you can get him to the locker room or the busses, right?” *snort* after the look I gave him, he was quite contrite. So I ‘managed’ to get Glenn down to ‘meet the guys’.

It must have given him a bunch of confidence because the next day at his game, he was on fire!! I’ve never seen his little legs pumping like they were this weekend. He’s playing defense this year, and when the other team was heading down the ice, he was right there. Switching on a dime and skating backwards with that little zigzag and popping the puck away. Covered the net when he needed and not once in those two games did the other team score on his line! The parents around me were very generous with their compliments on his performance. He really shined out there! And this was another team from Canada! Finally we won against the Canadians! (Love you Patty and Jude, but it was pretty sweet! Lol!)

Not to be outdone, DJ Em was doing music and has a new bunch of fans. I was standing there at the end of the game and noticed some of the other parents pointing at me….hmmm, now what? Well, next thing I know the parents from the visiting team are heading my way and heaping ooooodles of praise on my girl-child for the music she did during the game! Wow! Thanks very much! So I head off to help her and hubby with the post-game clean up on the bench and of course let her know her dj skills were well received. Well on the way back to the locker rooms, the entire coaching staff for the team we played (and the older team that came with them) stopped Kent and couldn’t stop RAVING about Em’s music. Telling Kent they had not seem music that well done at this or any level of junior hockey! That she was NHL caliber! Well, the same thing happens at the game on Sunday. And after the game (which we won - sweeter!) they went on and on again AND THEN asked if she would play at their game when we went up there in two weeks!! I had to tease her about now having ‘out of town’ guest appearances….. Were we going to have to get her a tour bus? At which she replied, ‘well if you're nice, I might get you an ‘all access’ pass to the booth’….smart ass little DiT!! Oh and soooo my daughter!!! Hehehe!

Chat later!

2006-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

Well Everyone, have a GREAT WEEKEND!!

Other then that, there's really not much to report. I'm working on getting a new birth certificate and have been going back and forth with that most of the week. Looks like I won't be getting it before next weekend so the rest of the family will be traveling to Canada again for another game without me. On the upside, it is a 3 day and it will be nice to have a extra day to myself! lol.

I think I have snow-blindness. Okay, not really but I have been staring at an excel spreadsheet I'm trying to create here at work all week and it's driving my eyes a bit batty. So I'm glad for the weekend to rest the peepers a bit.

Speaking of work, I can't seems to look at comments on my blog or some of the others out there. Some work, some don't. So I have been taking a peek at what up in all your lives, just haven't been able to say Hi! I can go directly to my account with Haloscan and view mine, but of course not yours. I can see them at home, but I have been so busy that I can't always find the time to check in. Anyhoo! Hello Everyone! I'm still thinkin' about ya!!

And on that note, I'm outta here. Got to call Mom about something relating to the Birth Certificate drama.

Talk to you later!!

2006-01-04T19:26:00.000-08:00

It was twenty years ago today...........

Yep, it's my anniversary!

I was of course a child bride, I couldn't possibly be THAT old! *snort*

Love ya, Kent! Here's to another twenty (and more!)

2006-01-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Again!!

Well it's a new year and I'm back. Yippee, uh? Oh well. So I won't bore you with the details, there aren't many. Christmas was nice, quite but it seems everyone was happy with their gifts and it was nice just the four of us hanging around eating junk food and playing with the stuff. The day after (or boxing day), the family went to Canada. I say the family, because I didn't.

Seems that where I thought my birth certificate was and where it might actually be are not the same. I couldn't find it and therefore couldn't get over the border. We called customs and it was 'possible' but no guarantee because of the heighten security for the holidays and the World Juniors (hockey, people). So we decided not to try. So I guess I'll be getting in touch with Shawnee County, KS and getting a new one. As predicted by moi, we got royally spanked by the canadians (go figure) but it seems the #1 team has a record of only having had 7 shots on goal against them up to that point and our boys managed to get 5 on them, so they took pride in that. And of course when a bunch of 10 year olds are involved, the best part was the pool and playing 'shinny stick' in the hallways. So a good time was had by all.

And where was I.......I was hiding out! I shut everything down and did what needed to be done around here but never gets done. I finally unpacked all those suitcases, cleaned the carpets, and all the other stuff that might be considered 'spring cleaning'. Boy did it feel good. In between I burned a ton of music - everything from A Long December to Ziggy Stardust and just chilled.

But, I've missed you all and have decided to peek my head out and see what's up with y'all.

And until 'that band' decides to come out and play again, I will have my hands full with my life long obsessions: Family.

My Dancer:

My Hockey Player:

As for the upcoming year...I hope and plan on hookin' up with my favorite gal and travel pal and making the summer another one to remember. (Yup, those luggage tags were a hint! LOL!)

And here's to hoping we all meet up along the way!!!

The best memories are those that include all the friends you meet along the way!

Here's to a GREAT 2006!!

2005-12-23T07:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

I'm off for a while. Boy-child has a hockey tournament in Canada between Xmas and New Years, so I'll be heading north.

I hope you all have a great Xmas and New Years and I hope the coming year is full of lots of chances for us all to hook up the way we did this year. 2005 was one of the best times in my life and I loved every chance I got to meet up with so many of you!

Much love to you all.

And one last little cartoon................

2005-12-20T18:30:00.000-08:00

When I saw this, it was perfect!

Jules ~ Have the very happiest of birthdays!!

2005-12-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

2005-12-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

2005-12-14T08:37:00.000-08:00

2005-12-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

2005-12-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

2005-12-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

*Stands and takes a bow*

Yes my dahlings, the shopping is done!! I just have to wait for a few things to roll in that I ordered online and I can stick a fork in it and call it done. Wooohoooo!!!!

I normally wouldn’t be so damn pleased with myself. Normally I would be waiting till the last minute like the rest of humanity. However, I have yet another trip to pack for. I get to spend the entire week between Christmas and New Years in Vancouver BC for a hockey tournament! Merry frickin’ Christmas to me! I love to watch the boy-child play, but an entire week? And the week after Christmas? So that means hitting the border on a holiday weekend, both ways!! And we’re staying somewhere that has been nicknamed by previous teams as the “pink palace”. I’m doomed…..

So for the next couple of weekends I’m going to relax and do the holiday things I never seem to have time for until AFTER the holidays. I think this weekend will be tailor made for some new and old holiday movies and plenty of popcorn!

Chat later.

2005-12-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it sucks being the Mom……

We’ve had snow off and on over the last few weeks, just a few flakes and a light dusting that melted before you could say “Ooooooh, how pretty!”. But yesterday and last night we got over an inch! (you in the east of here pipe down!) Unfortunately it didn’t stick to the roads and cause the driving hassle that cause those school delays.

Poor me (she said sarcastically). After watching the news this morning it became clear that there would be no “snow day”. Awwwwww *snort* One look out the window told me that, but I did the official Mom thing and checked the ticker. And so it was with a heavy heart that I went to wake up the children..... *sigh* ............ AND YELLED:
“Hey kids wake up! There’s still snow, but guess what?! Schools open!! One more day of learning!! Isn’t that great?!! Yeah!! School Rocks!!!”

If only I had thought ahead and set up the video camera to capture their adorable faces has they came out of their rooms… Just precious!! *snicker*

Have a good weekend! They're predicting snow here this weekend!

2005-11-30T08:41:00.000-08:00

"I want your used Turkey oil! Call......"

I saw this sign on the side of the road on the way to work. It makes me curious and frightens me at the same time.

2005-11-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

Christmas shopping, Harry Potter and Hockey.

And that was my weekend.

I try to avoid shopping on Thanksgiving weekend because those crowds drive me nuts. But because we had other things going on, I ended up popping in and out of the stores at odd hours and managed to avoid the hassles. So the shopping is nearly complete! Hubby and the kidlets got the decorations out and spread about on the Friday after Turkey day and I should have the shopping done by this weekend. I think I might actually be able to enjoy this holiday season – it’s a Christmas Miracle!

Harry Potter – Friday met the rest of the Family and saw Harry Potter. Thought it was good. As the books get longer, it’s harder to cram everything in. Personally I think Em and I spent the whole movie watching the Weasley boys. Is it wrong to think the Weasley twins are getting cuter and cuter by the minute?! Probably, okay moving on! I did a “Classic Karrie” and bit it big time on the way back to my car. And there was no alcohol involved, imagine that! They re-paved the parking lot and with it being dark and the fog I didn’t see that the re-paved it a bit unevenly until I did a face plant! I now feeling it in my back, have some sweet bruises on my hip and ass and a lovely gash on my elbow. Oh well! Like I said – Classic Karrie…..

Hockey - Haven’t said much about it but my T-Birds are playing again and of course we’re there! This weekend we had Saturday and Sunday games, so it we spend most of the weekend at the Seattle Center. Of course around this time of the year it’s decorated for the holidays so it’s not a bad place to spend the weekend. However….. If the only hockey you’ve ever watched and or played is the video game kind….. DO NOT sit behind me and drive me insane!!!! Grrrrrr! But other then that, it was of course too fun to ‘do the walk’ with Em and be there to catch the drool (what is Mom for after all if not to make sure the DiT doesn’t make an ass of herself – LOL!).

And with the exception of a bit of rain on Friday and a bit of snow(!) on Sunday, it was cold and clear all weekend and my hair looked FABULOUS!!!!! Hehe!

Chat later!

2005-11-25T11:23:00.000-08:00

To know me, is to know my hair…..

A little side note before we return to the story; I had mentioned on the Domain that if Cali-Kim makes it the next time around she needs to be initiated. I realized later that part of that initiation would be the process that my hair goes through. It seems every time we meet up on one of these adventures there’s at least one ‘newbie’ to my hair.

Here’s the deal; I have natural curly hair. Not a little curl either, but kinky-tight curls. I have a process that I go through to get it straight (or at least straighter) and anyone that’s been around me has heard the question “are my bangs ok?!”

So it’s always a treat to see people’s reaction to the ‘fro’! Jules, Patty, Rhonda Elizabeth, Tara and now the 6-pack have all watch in horror as my hair does its thing. People are quite stunned by the difference between what step in to the shower and what comes out! LOL! It’s really funny to watch people watch my hair dry! So, to all of you that I plan to see the next time around ~ be warned!

Ok, so after that rather boring ramble…… Saturday in Vegas:

There’s this little strip mall at the corner of Harmon and Paradise called the St Tropez Market. Half ‘am/pm’ and half liquor store…..bonus! For the cost of one drink, you get a lovely bottle of pre-mixed Margaritas, TGIF’s Mudslides or whatever that will make 8 drinks. Bonus! Bonus! So the afternoon was spent at the newly arrived ½ of the 6-pack’s room. There was a wedding reception going on, so we had drinks, music and good talk ~ just girl stuff ~ bathrooms, curling irons and so on…. *smirk*

We had heard enough of Miss Tara bragging about her Karaoke skills, so we took up the challenge and decided to listen to Miss Tara do it live! Unfortunately when we headed to the Tropicana, there was no Karaoke and the bands in the lounges were dullsville. So off again to Mandalay Bay and their charming Coral Reef Lounge. They had a great band playing R&B, Blues, Rap and Funk. Great stuff to dance to, but my poor body was feeling the effects of 80’s night. Those new wave moves were fun to do at the time, but came back to haunt me later! So it was fun to just sip drinks and watch Tara and Jackie do their thing on the dance floor. The next day was the ‘big event’ and we all wanted to be ready for the concert, so we called it a day (or night as the case maybe). A quick trip to Tara’s hotel to pick up her stuff and the 4 of us headed back to our room for a bit (and I do mean a bit) of a slumber.

Bright and early @ 4:30am Sunday we start rolling out of beds, couches and chairs pulled together to make beds to greet the day and the band……

Chat later!

2005-11-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

2005-11-17T15:35:00.000-08:00

.: DivaCon :. What else could it be with all of us in town!
It never ceases to amaze me how much fun we all have when we hook up! The weekend started with me landing on time and with all my luggage! A major coo after a few screw ups at the airport this summer. Although next time we WILL be taking the shuttle and not a cab…Jules. Lol.

Off to our hotel and hooking up the Miss Tara! Our hotel had very reasonably priced room service and after hemming and hawing over where to go for dinner, we just decided to ‘order in’ and just get down to the chit chat! Nice, relaxed and a perfect way to kick things off.

Off to Mandalay Bay and the House of Blues. It was ‘Flashback Friday’ (‘80’s music) and they had a killer band, the Spasmatics, that lit the place up! Came out dressed like the dudes from Revenge of the Nerds and brought the house down. I must say, with the exception of another bass player I know, I didn’t mind when this one strutted his stuff in my face! Literally, in my face! We were right in front of the stage. Lol. And speaking of that other bass player, the HOB has a great supply of hairspray in the bathrooms and “SAVin’ it up!” was a must. So ½ of the ‘6-pack’ danced around on the dance floor, in the bathrooms and ON STAGE! Oh hell yeah, you know when the girls are invited up, we’re going!! What a blast!

Of course this made for a long night and after a short nap *snort* we are woken up bright and early by the other ½ of the now infamous ‘6-pack’. As Jules has said, it was one of those rare times when you meet someone and it just clicks! And to click X3…… too cool!

The "6-Pack"

Well they needed to hang out because it was too early to check in to their hotel, Jules and I weren’t raring to go anywhere anytime soon, so a nice morning of being lazy and getting to know each other was the order of the day! Miss Tara showed up and the 6-pack was complete! One of the best times I’ve had doing nothin’!! The stories, the laughs….. But eventually our travel weary guests had to check in and catch up on some must needed sleep and we needed to make a much anticipated lunch date. Miss Jackie came with us and off we went to the Pink Taco @ the Hard Rock.

And there sat the original Vegas Bunch!! Miss Patty, Miss RE, Miss April and we were off! The Pink Taco has some lovely concoctions to wet your whistle and we all partook! This is a group of Divas you can just order up some Margaritas and Toquitos and ask “So what’s been happing?” and just start talking about stuff. Love that, love you guys!

The "Vegas Bunch"

Jules ~ I hope you don't mind I snagged the photos, they're just too good.

Well, Chat later.............

2005-11-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

Still recovering.....

So Jules and I did the math; in 3 days we ate 3 times and got a grand total of 5 hours sleep. AND IT WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!!

Chat later....

2005-11-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

*Big Grin*

What a BLAST!! The concert was great, there are no pics. Except this one I took with my phone before it went “T.U.” Em just staring. It was pretty much the look she had all night. She was in awe and a little shell shocked! Lol.

The whole world managed to keep the secret about our front row tickets from Em, except the nice security guy at the floor entrance who said as clear as day “First row! Nice!” I look over at Em and she’s not paying attention so I think we’re in the clear, until we start walking down towards our seats and she grabs my arm and sez “Mom, did he say first row?!” *sigh* Yep, we’re sitting in the front row! “Are you cereal?!!” (Translation; are you serious?!!) Yep! And the guys that were working security were great; they made a big production of being impressed when they saw how excited she was. We needed wrist bands for the first three rows and they made a big show out of making sure everyone saw she was getting one.

The rest of the night reminded me of the first time we took her to Disneyland. She was excited about everything. And my excitement came from just watching her. She clapped, yelled and sang along with everybody else. After the show, the head of security came up and asked who she learned all the words from? Seems he was watching her from the side of the stage and was getting a kick out of it too, told her he was impressed - she did good! She was thrilled!

So I spent most of the night watching her and just giggling over her reaction. I really didn’t even pay much attention to the actual show, couldn’t tell ya if it was good or not and could have cared less, the show for me was happening right next to me. And I can truly say it was the best show I’d ever seen!

And when some guy on stage (think his name was Joe) mentioned they’d be back (maybe in the summer) that girl’s eyes did light up….. Looks like there’s going to be some more shows in our future!

But the next show is for me, and that’s Vegas Baby!! So I’m off!!

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!

2005-11-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

All about ME!!

Ok.

Halloween done - Check!
Glenn’s Birthday – Check!
Glenn’s Birthday party – Check!
Tuesday – DL with Meems – Check!
Friday fly to Vegas…..CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

I’ve cleared out all those pesky ‘family’ related things and it’s all about ME!! Well, Em’s going with me to the concert on Tuesday, but that’s going to be such a blast it doesn’t count. You see, the DIT (Diva In Training) doesn’t know Mom got FRONT ROW!! She thinks we’re back in the 11th row. Dede and I aren’t saying anything. It’s going to be a blast to see the look on her face!

And Dede and I just found out her neighbor won tickets from the radio station and will be in the 4th row! So now we’ve got people in the 1st row (another group from our neighborhood) the 3rd row and the 4th. We got this thing covered. And I’m rollin’ on the floor laughing at these people! Giving me grief about the band, but the minute tickets go on sale, they all bought ‘em!! Should be fun.

Well chat later! Much to get done this week!

2005-10-31T08:44:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween~!!

Well my Halloween celebrating started this weekend with Dede’s annual party. Miss Jules, you were represented once again. But due to a snafu on my part, I didn’t get pics. Some were taken by others; I’ll have to round up one. Yes, I had a screamin’ busy Saturday that had me up at the crack of dawn (after a very late night at Dede’s finishing up the decorating) and decided to have a bit of a lie down before the festivities. I crashed big time and woke up ½ an hour before the party. Not good! So things were a bit frantic and I forgot my camera. Good time though as usual!

Part of my costume was actually from the Seattle Opera. Last weekend Dede and I went to the Seattle Opera’s costume sale. I don’t know how well this will turn out; I took it with my phone.

The sale started at 10:00am, we got there at 9:30 and we are about 500 people back (and people, I am not used to being that far back in line!) It made the local news, by 10:00 am it was around the block and snaking its way up Denny, which is a major downtown street. It took 3 hours to get in…..for nothing. It had been picked clean. But there were some interesting pieces we picked up to use later and I found the shoes I needed for my costume this year. We actually had fun, we stood in line with these two gentlemen who had us rollin’ with stories (the impromptu thong party on the houseboat that got weird(?) when the duck hunters showed up….RIOT!!).

Anyhoo, kids have their costumes too. Glenn will be super original and go has Scream. BUT, he sez his is different ‘cuz his is the bloody scream mask and he’s wearing a wig….VERY original (I think he looks adorable, but I’ll never tell him that and spoil it). Basically he and the rest of the neighbor boys are going to race through the neighborhood and then head over to Dede’s to scare the little Princesses and Buzz Light-years’ into wetting their pull-ups by jumping up from behind the headstones in the front yard.

Em and her friends are going witches. Again, very original! But each girl picked out a different kind of witch. After pouting over the fact Laura got to be the “Rock Witch”, Em picked the “Goth Witch”. Of course I couldn’t pass up the chance to mention that she had the raccoon eyes down (she's in “that phase”), for which I got the look and we moved on. She looks adorable too, but mums the word.

So Halloween is almost done. November 2nd will be Boodge’s birthday, so this weekend will be his “thang”, then Dede and I are taking Meems to the DL concert on Tuesday, the 8th and then it’s all about MOI!! Vegas, Vegas, Vegas! But, I need to focus on the rest first. So I must be off!

Chat later

BTW - Had a pumpkin decorating contest at work. Here's what my team did, ON THEIR OWN! I didn't come up with the idea, but I guess I did inspire it.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone!

2005-10-24T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yep, this is how my day has gone so far...... Just a continuation of last week.

Hope you're all having a better start to your week!

2005-10-19T10:21:00.000-07:00

It's funny and it matches my background......

2005-10-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

I just want to say THANK YOU once again to all of you for the birthday wishes!!!

2005-10-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to Moi!!!

Ok, normally I wouldn't even bring it up. But looky what my team did to my cubie at work!! *Sniff, Sniff* and T-Birds colors too!

I thought I would add a pic of the sign I had to put outside my cubie. When they started to advertise DL was coming to the Event Center, everyone has been coming up and asking me if I knew and was I going....... Yeah - DUH!!!! At the bottom it sez "Yes, I'm going!"

2005-10-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

HELL YEAH!!!!

2005-09-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hockey Mom is back.

Yep, this weekend officially starts the hockey season around our house. Boy-child plays 3 games this weekend, my beloved T-Birds’ home openers is Saturday night and Sunday afternoon Kent and kidlets will be going to the Totems.

Girl-child is doubly excited about this weekend because its boys and hockey and she’s been pretty much in solitary confinement/lock-down for 3 weeks. (I won’t even go into why, I’m trying to forget the whole thing) So here we go!!

I’m fighting the crud that Hubby was soooooo sweet to share. And since I have no time to curl up and hide, I’m muddling through. But if this throbbing behind my left eye doesn’t let up I may be looking like our favorite pirate. Oh well, there’s a hell of a lot worse things happening in the world so I’ll stop the bitchin’.

Plans have been made for Vegas… mostly. I’m crossing everything I’ve got hoping Kim T can still make it!! Sad that E*V*I*L Kim can’t (Next time! – We keep sayin’ it, but one of theses days IT WILL HAPPEN!). And everyone else seems to be popping up with their confirmations, so this should be fun and interesting….mwahahaha.

Before Vegas, the Tuesday before to be precise, I’ll be going to the show @ the Everett Event Center. And my concert buddy will be the girl-child! Well Dede’s going too, but nothing like having a Diva with me! Meems is very excited to finally get to go. She bugs me all the time and I put her off with the comment “If they play Everett, I’ll take ya” And damn their evil hides, look what they go and do! But her enthusiasm is a bit contagious and just what I needed, since I’ve become a bit road weary.

Normally, I make it a rule never to listen to the band before a show, so it’s all “fresh” when I see it. But we’ve gotten in to the habit of listening to the CD’s in the car on the way to and from dance so the girl knows them better. She’s a fan (Slang is her favorite). But she doesn’t know them word for word and I told her if she looked like one of those weirdos you see lip-synching BADLY, I had no qualms about kicking her to the curb! LOL! But she seems to like doing it ‘cuz when I picked her up Wednesday night (after a lovely chat with Jules – mwah!) she jumped in the car and asked “What are we listening to tonight Mom?!” And it wasn’t in that 13 year old sarcastic tone! So I’m getting excited about us doing this one together.

And Miss Patty! Excited for you and hope all is well. BTW, I bit the bullet and threw Boodge’s stink bomb Calgary Flames hat in the wash (used one of those hat thingys) and it came out stink free and clean!!! He really loves that hat and sez it’s his good luck charm and helped him get on the Rep team, so I’m glad it was saved! The “C” is actually white….who knew! It’s been gray for so long.

Have a GREAT WEEKEND Everyone! Hope its busy and adventurous or slow and relaxing, whatever you’re wishing it to be.

Chat Later!

2005-09-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

*****WARNING!*****
*****PROUD PARENT MOMENT*****

It is with great pride that I announce that the boy-child made the cut and is now an official Squirt-Rep!!! Basically this is the “select” team that represents SJHA in the state conference. So making the team is a BIG DEAL! Boodge put his whole heart and soul into making it this year, so I am one proud hockey Mom!!

This also means that since it’s the state conference, guess who gets to do more traveling!!

I’m doomed to never unpack those suitcases!

Chat later.

2005-09-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well $350 later…. I have a new alternator and my car is running again. Yeah! Can you guess how excited I am? Crap! Like I needed this right now. Oh yes, what a lovely evening last night was! Well, parts of it were – Since I was stopped dead in my tracks, I was able have a nice long chat with Jules. A nice silver lining to a rather dismal evening.

My oh my! Are my kidlets beat this week. And it’s only Wednesday. Em started dance classes again this week and she has come out red-faced and panting like a dog. I have NO sympathy! I told her practically everyday over summer vacation to keep up with her stretching and at least do the Pilates video a few times a week. But NOPE she didn’t.

Glenn has been in squirt-rep tryouts since Saturday. Everyday he’s had to battle it out. Last night when Dad and Glenn picked me up from my poor dead vehicle, the little guy was wilting. He’s totally beat and he has possibly two more days of this, if he makes the cut. If he doesn’t make the cut, he has to go back this Saturday and Sunday for “C” evaluations for the “in-house” hockey teams. I would like to feel bad, but there’s hubby telling him “I told you so”. Because while I was warning Em not to just sit around all summer, Hubby was warning Glenn he had better do some “dry-land” work to keep in shape. Neither one of them did squat! So now they SUFFER! HaHa! I know, we’re evil. But, we’re also right.

And now I must be off. Had to hitch a ride to work with Dede and came in late. Oh and while we’re driving in I checked messages on my phone thinking it might be the dude about my car. Wrong! It’s my mother saying she just wanted to check in and btw dad’s going in tomorrow for a “procedure”. Something to do with the arthritis in his back. Great! So I guess my lunch will be spent trying to find out about this “procedure”.

Chat later.

2005-09-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

This week marks the official start of the 9 months known as “It’s all about the kids”.
School, Meems dance – She’s taking 4 classes again and at some point performance/competition team will start too, and Boodge’s hockey – Squirt Rep tryouts were all this weekend, guess we’ll see where he ends up this week. Also the Hubby’s hockey starts up again this week too. Let the fun begin.

I don’t complain, why bother. And the martyr moments to come just get added to the stock pile of brownie points earned by Moi that keeps everyone’s mouth shut when Mom announces she’s headin’ off somewhere. Which I will be soon, and they aren’t sayin’ a word!! Hehe.

Weekend was spent with all of us going in different directions. Well, I went in one direction and the rest of the fam. went in another. Friday was spent buying B-day gifts for friends and family. Just me wondering around picking up things here and there at the mall., *sigh*. Saturday was Boodge’s squirt rep tryouts and then they were off to the grandparents for a B-day party. But I had already committed to another B-day party for a friend and couldn’t make it. Guess who had more fun?!

Sunday had me up at the crack of dawn for try-outs again. Since I missed Saturday, I said I’d be there Sunday. Stupid after the night before, but there are some more of those martyr points! I did find that I can pick up the Strawberry Margarita mix (w/Jose Cuervo already in it) at the local liquor store. This, I think, will come in mighty handy in the future! I mean, all I need is a glass and some ice and most hotels have that, right?!

Kids broke free for the afternoon and headed off to their corners. Em in front of the computer and Glenn off to Dede’s house to play with her 10 year old terror. I guess Dede had to chase them out of a tree, for which Glenn will be getting an earful. He’s already broken his arm and he’s not going to like sitting out the hockey season with a cast! Hubby and I completing blew the afternoon watching old movies! Ok, one was a classic old movie – Fred Astaire in “The Band Wagon” and the other was a classic – Elvis in “Spin Out!” Now Hubby clued me in that this was the movie the cult classic cartoon “Speed Racer” was partially based on and so it was fun to watch together picking out the similarities and laughing our asses off making smart-ass remarks (we do that…..A LOT!)

Kids and Hubby then headed back to the ice rink again for the Washington Totems (the high schoolers, not by beloved T-Birds!)season opener. Yes!! Sunday afternoon hockey and the afternoon to myself is BACK!! And that’s a VERY NICE way to end the weekend!!

Chat later!

2005-09-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

What else, what else….

Well I have to say I personally enjoyed to Bryan Adams shows. There was something about the outdoor setting and his songs that just seemed to fit. I thought it was a nice combo.

Grrrrrr! Why-oh-why does JTE have to wear the sleeveless shirt?! Or if he’s going to, get up a little earlier and hit the gym with Phil and Viv! I’ve seen the man wear a nice, normal t-shirt and a pair of jeans and look fabulous! And then he steps on stage, and those arms are exposed….GRRRR! I have “Oprah arms” and know to keep them covered, that’s all I’m sayin’

Because of the above, I became quite fond of looking at Viv. Hmmm…..(yes, I’ve gone to my happy place for a moment) …………………………………………

As much as I like the way (most) of the boys look on stage, I’m a wee bit sick and tired of seeing the same outfits over and over again. I mean, on the last tour at least they seemed to switch between a couple of different things. Now I'm not saying I liked what they were always wearing, but at least it was different.

Sugar packets and PSSOM…..not as clever as some people think. Especially when people decide it would be a riot to pour the sugar packet on the people in front of them. Really, what the f*ck are you thinking?

I have total sympathy for those who travel often. You see those looks on their faces, I now understand them.

While it’s been pretty much been established that flying can cause puffiness….why do the airlines pass out salted peanuts?!

I have decided I really like having a seat to plant my butt for the show. Granted that is if my butt’s not completely numb and/or puffy from the airlines and too much driving. And I really need to be in the first 5 rows. Yeah, I’ve decided to become picky.

Now when it comes to G/A – I happen to find it’s just fine to stand off to the side a bit and avoid the crowd jammed in the middle and still have a great time. Ok…. It’s the Viv side and that might have something to do with it – maybe.

And that’s all for now.

2005-09-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

There will be plenty of descriptions of La Crosse/Chicago floating around out there. So I thought I would just pulled out some random thoughts about everything that comes to mind about the whole summer of living out of my luggage.

First off all - Yes, I've been living out of a suitcase. Or 3 to be more precise. I have 3 stacked up at the foot of my bed. Because I never quite had the time to unpack one, before I need to pack another. Sounds weird, but I'm going to a concert with the same band......I can't wear the same thing! So at some point, I'm going to have to get that sorted out before the tower topples and hurts someone, namely moi!

Why is it necessary to drink yourself to the point of getting arrested and miss the concert? If you think about it, this was mostly a general admission tour; so you stand in line all day, get shit faced and then get kicked out….make sense? But I think for the most part, the ones getting the drunkest are the annoying “Def Leppard? There still around?” people. They only show to hear “Pour some sugar on me” ‘cuz it’s the only song they know and annoy the rest of us!!

Port-a-potties, Ugh! G/A means standing around in line with no ‘facilities’. Unless you’re oh so lucky to get a port-a-potty. Some venues were gracious enough to provide more then one. Kansas City was not one of these…. 1 damn pot to piss in. Nasty!

Billy Squier sitting in a chair playing a guitar and singing whatever and however the hell he wants does not pump the crowd up for what’s to come. Ok, he wanted to go acoustic. Fine. But when playing your “hits”, at least sing a version and tempo similar to the original so the crowd you’re annoying can make an attempt to sing along and get in to it! Most annoying!

It is possible to feel uncomfortable being at too many shows. Ya know, if you go to enough shows and stand around in the same general area; you can get the distinct impression people think you’re a stalker. Now the only saving grace is the fact the person who goes with you is different (and the reason you went to that show in the first place). But still, you do have a tendency to get a bit paranoid people are looking at you funny.

Canada has Vexx!! This is by far my new favorite concert beverage. And the fact you get it with ice, a straw and in a cup with a lid….. Oh C*A*N*D*A!!!

Nothing – NOTHING can’t beat the sight of a 5-6 women standing in a row against a barricade grabbing their boobs and not facing the band! This happened in Chicago when these two escapees from the farmyard were going at it and Kim, Jules, Jess, I and a couple of girls hangin with us along the fence were describing this pleasant *snort* display to other people.

More later as I think of it.

2005-09-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again: A - I love you more then my luggage!! Seems there was some "misinformation and miscommunication" on our Canadian trek and Mr A was under the impression that I was mad at HIM! Him? No, not HIM! But the nicest hug and a late night bull session and I think a few things have been cleared up and truths exposed.

Sound a bit cryptic? Well I don't want to air all the dirty laundry and hopefully there are those out there that can figure it out and read between the lines. In the light of a new day, you have to giggle when 'posers' try and mess with the true Divas.

Well I'm running on 2 hours sleep, but worth every minute of it! Kim and Jess, hope you made it home safe and you're SLEEPING!! It was GREAT to hook up with you guys!! Let's do it again sometime. Maybe in a few months.....

More later.

2005-08-31T22:11:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Well as you might have guessed - I'm back. Well at least for a while. Next up Chicago. Wait, make that La Crosse, Wi AND Chicago. Aren't Jules and I gluttons for punishment?! But how could I not take advantage of spending some more time with my favorite travel/concert pal!! Okay she's my favorite pal - period. Girl, I'm sooooo ready!! *psst* Kim, can't wait to hook up with you and Jess too!

A little bit about this trip. Fun and tiring(not just physically but mentally). But what a ride! I'm so glad I got a chance to visit my favorite Canadian city - Calgary! And I felt right at home with all the rain. *snort* Yeah, you can imagine the hair issues. It was great to meet Patty's sister and I was so glad to be there for her first DL concert. She rocked the house and did us proud!

Kelowna is another of my favorite places. We skipped the rain and the weather was beautiful. Joe had mentioned they had taken a boat ride on the lake during their day off and I can see why. The boy-child had hockey camp in Penticton, which is at the south end of the lake. So during the bands day off I headed down to visit with the family. Patty joined me and got to say hi to her birthday sista, Em.

Off to Vancouver and barely got to town in time for the show. We headed out from Kelowna without a place to stay in Vancouver and thanks to Tammy for finding a hotel for us. Just happen to have a hotel advert. on the back of her ticket and got us great rooms. I've never really been a big fan of Vancouver, so I didn't mind it being a short trip. Bittersweet too, it was the end of the road for us. Rhonda, I'm so very, very glad we got to do this! Not seeing each other since 2003 was too long. I loved our Kelowna late night talks! And a big THANK YOU to Patty for all her hospitality while in Edmonton and Calgary. I know I really appreciated it and thank you for everything! *hope you feel better*

One bright spot of the Vancouver show was the chance to meet up with my buddy Dimas( thanks Bud for buying me a couple of my new favorite concert drink......VEXX!!) He took some pics at the show and shared them with me. And I think I'll share a few with you. Although I think I'll be posting most over at The Domain. We've been discussing (ok, lusting...) about our favorites and I thought I'd taunt them with some good ones. (Rhonda - He got some VERY nice pics of the Viv/Phil and Viv/Sav combos....get over there in the next few days!)

I know it's not much, but my partners in crime - Rhonda Elizabeth and Patty - will, as usual, have great stories to tell.

2005-08-19T12:32:00.000-07:00

Oh Canada.....

Off to visit our neighbors to the north. Have a great weekend and a great week!

2005-08-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

I'm admitting defeat. I'm throwing in the towel.....

I'm just not going to be able to post anymore about the great Mid-West Adventure. Time is running out and I have to get ready for yet another trip!! So I'm just going to move on. Jules has been great about keeping everyone up to date, so we'll just leave it at that. Thanks Jules!

So next up - The great Canadian Adventure!!

And then......Chicago!! Yep, a bonus adventure with Jules!!

So I'm off..... Lot's to do!!

2005-08-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

What a summer……

Back in early spring it appeared the summer was shaping up to be a relaxing time of the year. A chance to catch one’s breath and re-charge after the hectic school year. Boy, I should have had my head examined back then! What was I thinking?!

From June 1st ‘till now it’s been quite a ride. The first DL show in Portland, the wedding in VEGAS and then the great mid-west road trip! It’s no wonder that the family and the co-workers have a look of surprise on their faces when they actually see me around!

I haven’t been around here or anywhere “net” wise in a while. I’ve been working on a little project closer to home, namely myself. A little birdie told me I was up for a promotion and office politics being what they are, I spent the last few weeks playing “the game”. The official announcement was made the Friday before heading off on my next adventure and I am now the head of my department within our department. (Does that make sense? Anyway, I’m running around like a crazy person, what’s new?) So with this new responsibility, my first move is to up and leave for a week;

The great mid-west adventure: Well things couldn’t have started off on a more relaxed and happier note! The hubby decided to take the kidlets camping up in our beautiful mountains the weekend I was leaving, so I had a nice quiet Friday and Saturday to get things in order. And then at 10:00pm Saturday night, I decided to check my flight status for my departing flight @ 6:00 am. And right out the window goes the relaxed part of my weekend! Seems the airlines had to do a crew change on my 6:00am flight, which meant missing my connecting flight in Denver. Needless to say, after spending the better part of the night scrambling around trying to get my flights figured out, I was dead tired, frustrated and ended up with a flight that got me to my destination 5 ½ hours later then anticipated. The biggest let down being the fact I missed my opportunity to meet the little “DIT”, Emilee. (That’s my nickname for the 2 “Ems” – Divas In Training.) And then of course my luggage - *sigh* One of the reasons I so dislike connecting flights is the chance your luggage doesn’t connect. And true to form, this is what happen. I made it to Kansas City, the most important “Bag of Products” (essential to all Divas) did not…..*sigh* an hour later it arrived. Could have been worse I guess, but it pretty much blew any chances of making it to Davenport.

On to Lincoln! And more on that later…….

2005-07-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

Howdy Strangers!

So let's see:

** Mom and Pops have been here and gone. I spoke to them earlier this week and they're all moved in to their new place and Mom has begun to bug me about coming out to Colorado for Xmas. Pay for it and get me tix to a Av's hockey game and I could be tempted!

** That's right....Av's hockey!! How nice it will be to see both my favorite Joe's the fall!! The family is of course going nuts over getting to see MORE hockey. When we will find the time, I don't know. I did threaten to stick a board under the cushions on the couch to avoid the permanent hole that will be made by their butts sitting there all season. Oh well, free up some time for me to do my own thing if I want, like maybe some more traveling.

** Trips, trips and more trips. So I've got a trip to the mid-west coming up with Jules! CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT!!! And then the great adventure through Canada! Another can't wait experience! The hubby and kidlets will be up in Canada at the same time for Glenn's hockey camp so I get a bonus and get to spend some time with them while we're in Kelowna. I love to take off in the car ( or in my case the Mini-Van or "Mom Wagon") and just throw the luggage in the back and go. No set plans, other then the basics and just seeing where the day takes ya!

** Speaking of trips.... Someone on The Diva Board has posted that DivaCon '06 will be coming up in the spring.... So you ladies have fair warning to start making plans!! Pop over and say Hi!

** Took the kids to see "The Music Man" this week. It was a local production, but really good and fun to watch. Thanks to their well rounded, highly cultured parents (LOL) the kids knew the show already and had a lot of fun singing along. Of course girl-child (the dancer) was totally enthralled and can't wait for "Cats", which is coming in November.

Well need to run. It's Friday and I need to get things wrapped up here at work so I can get the hell out of dodge! No great plans for the weekend, just some family time and getting little things done here and there. So whatever you all have planned, have fun!!

2005-07-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like I'll be out of the loop for a while....

Right after I got back from Vegas, Grandma and Grandpa descended on poor little me and I'll be dealing with the invasion for at least another week.

After 3 years of traveling the US in an RV - Mom and Pops have decided to settle down a bit. Spring/Summer in Castle Rock, Co with my brother (they always did like him best! *wink*) And Fall/Winter in New Mexico. Classic "Snow Birds". So they're up in my corner of the world packing up and getting things out of storage for the official move south.

So for two weeks I'm spending some quality time with the family and making myself scarce. The kids the first week of summer vacation setting up a new basketball hoop in the drive-way, a croquet course in the backyard and Glenn's new passion-Lacrosse in the front yard. They are keeping themselves, their parents and grandparents VERY busy!!

I hope everyone had a great 4th! My neighborhood sure did it up right and non-stop the entire long weekend. I found things in my yard in the daylight that I know I didn't light up, so things were flying from everywhere! I'm still wondering what the goop is I found on my windshield this morning...ugh!

Have a great (short!) week everyone!! I'll be lurking....

2005-06-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to say it with pictures.......

2005-06-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well it's here!

I'm Vegas bound my lovelies!!! Of course nothing much has been accomplished, but somehow it always manages to get done by the time I go. Frantic day and half ahead of me and then R*E*L*A*X.

Of course I think about you all and wish you all were joining us. Next year, make sure you catch the Vegas talk early and plan on coming!! DIVA-CON needs you! We are so much more fun then those other "cons" you hear about. Hehe! Until then I will hold up the high Diva standards *smirk* and raise a martini glass in your honor!!

Take care ~ Have a great week and weekend!!

2005-06-09T14:15:00.000-07:00

And this is why I love him!!

I forwarded Hubby a email from a friend about the NHL strike talks and the possibility of a season next year.

He emails back:

As a matter of fact, I was just reading about that, eh? I think there actually will be a season next year...Center Ice(tm) here we come!

So I sez:

Well then, if there's a fall/winter DL tour you won't even know I'm gone!! *wink*

And he comes back with:

And you are...?

I LOVE IT!! Daddy knows how to keep Mommy happy!!!

2005-06-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

Well I have once again backed myself into a corner and I'm scrambling around to get ready for yet another trip! Off to Vegas in 8 days!! And of course since it's coming up on the end of school here, the kids have a million and one things that are happening at the same time!

Emily's big end of the year dance recital is the weekend I'm in Vegas (and you know she's been milking that!! My little Diva wannabe!) So of course she has dress rehearsal the Thursday I fly out. And of course Glenn has his school "Animal Habitat" night on Thursday and of course the Hubby has to find a way to be in two places at once (and you know he's milking that too!). Now dress rehearsal means full costume (with proper shoes - 4 different pairs and accessories), hair and make-up. Hubby turned a bit green when he saw everything we hauled out! But, I've let the Dance instructor know Dad's flying solo and she's going to make sure everything looks right. And Dede's on call for any emergencies that only a Mom could handle. I will be sipping my Martini in Vegas waiting for the phone calls.....

So all I have to do before next Thursday is:
1) Go tonight to get my dress altered.
2) Meet up with Cindy and Brian on Friday to pass along somethings for the DL concert in Madison
3) Meet up with Patty in Surrey, BC on Saturday for the Pyro show.
4) Make sure I have all the stuff for my trip - probably not!
5) Em tossed out the fact she has a band concert next Tuesday...Thank You!
6) Work late on Monday and Tuesday so I can get out early on Weds to:
7) Get the nails done, pick up dress and whatever else needs to be done.
8) Finish up Glenn's project for Animal Habitat night - the Bobcat! ( Hubby and I think it looks like Rudolph the red nosed reindeer - but he likes it!)
9) Pack and have Em do a bag check to make sure she has everything for her costumes and write it down for dad. 'Cuz he has no clue when it comes to that stuff.
9) Thursday morning get the kids to school and run by Glenn's school to see his display. Glenn got special permission for Mom to come in and see everybody's projects since I couldn't come that night.
10) Off to the airport........

VEGAS!!! So if I'm not around, I hope you miss me a little.

And to give you just a little more about our great time at the Portland DL show: I'm not going to say much. Except that we happened to meet up with some really nice people that hooked us up...BIGTIME. Basically we never stood in a line, and spent the entire afternoon backstage, on the side of the stage and here, there and everywhere from 5:00 pm until 1:00am. Not trying to be so secretive, but these really were some great people we ran into and they deserve their anonymity. But man, we sat at breakfast at about 1:30 am after the show, just shaking our heads!!

So, I'm off - Take care!!

2005-06-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Well the show was great! The guys looked really good. Including JTE, the pics out there don't do him justice. He does looked better. The show was true to the 85 minutes, so don't expect to hear it all. I'm not a rabid Bryan Adams fan, but I'd have to say his set was good also. I think he does a pretty good live show. So, I hope everyone has a much fun as we did. It was great start to the new tour. And from what I heard, the guys were pleased.

The NW Chapter of the DIVAS kicked off the new tour with a bang! I am not kidding when I say I am wiped out!! I need to crash. But I won't leave without posting some pics. Sorry most of them are from the behind or side. That's what happens when you're watching the show from BACKSTAGE!!!

Enjoy.... (We did *wink*)

Some more pics and a more on how it all came about later. When I can see straight!

**Kim ~ Have a awesome time!! I would love to know what you think when JTE walks out...(If he's wearing the same thing)

**Jules ~ Oh girl, we have some serious airtime in our future. We'll have to talk this weekend. Em clocked me at 45 minutes to get it out when I got home and that was the edited version!!

Have a GREAT Weekend everyone !!!

2005-05-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

Man, it's been busy around here! As usual.

But around the chaos, there have been some nice family moments. Stocking up on those, since I'll be gone so much this summer! Portland, Surrey BC, VEGAS, Baby!! and the Canadian road trip for DL in August. I'm hoping to squeeze in one more *fingers crossed*

Had to get through Hubby's birthday. The girl-child's birthday is coming up on June 2nd. I needed to get ready for the Portland DL show. Meem's student/teacher/parent conference is the day of the concert, so Hubby as to handle that himself.

But, they both got new Gizmos and Gadgets for their B-days so they've had their faces in front of the computer playing around, I doubt they'll even know I'm gone.

Of course we have had fabulous weather the last week. Upper 80's and not a cloud in the sky....until today. So, of course it will rain the day of the concert. Perfect!!

But super news on the DL front for the shows in Canada me and some of the gals will be hitting..... Just call us the "3rd Row Girls"! We all got 3rd row tickets for Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna and Vancouver! So that week in August is going to be a BLAST!

We'll better scoot out of here. I'm trying to get out a little early to start my drive to Portland before the traffic get really ugly.

Kim, I got a new camera this weekend. I might be able to get a shot or two for ya.

2005-05-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

I really am more of a "hands on" kind of gal.... Keep the smut to yourselves people, I can just see the smirks!!! But honestly, 3 hours sitting in a meeting discussing a processing change on the computer that takes place on Monday. Just let me be pleasantly surprised and get back to my life!! Grrrrrr!

Although I have managed to be surprised a few too many times this week. Monday night it was the girl-child popping up to say she needed to be at school an hour early to catch the bus for "BandFest"....... uh? Totally missed that memo! And then as I was dropping the boy-child off this morning, he jumps out of the car telling me he gets to play an instrument at the choir concert tomorrow night. Again, where was I?! I really think my mind is elsewhere..... Birthday parties, DL concert, concert, concert, concert, and concert (yep, so far I think I might be hitting at least 5) and VEGAS, VEGAS, VEGAS BABY!!!

Happy "Hump Day"!!!

2005-05-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

Raccoon Update.....

He's fine. Poor thing had a cut on his leg, so they got him to the vet. Raccoon is back in his natural habitat, as are the roaming engineers! LOL!

And I think that's all for now. Monday is always so crazy! So here's this.....

2005-05-13T13:04:00.000-07:00

So Hubby has supplied the photo of they day.....

Appears they had a raccoon trapped in the building this morning and had it cornered in the managers office while they waiting for the trapper dude to come get it.

Bunch of engineers can get a jumbo jet in the air.... But go all "Griswold's Family Xmas" (the squirrel in the xmas tree...) when they get live critters in the cubies! LOL!

Have a good weekend everyone!!

2005-05-12T11:37:00.000-07:00

I have no time.... so I'm going to just post some little things to make ya giggle for a while. Enjoy!

2005-05-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's day. We had our traditional early dinner @ Anthony's with Hubby's parents.

And I went thru my traditional scramble to find something for the girl child to wear. It never fails. The girl wears nothing but the standard jeans/sweatshirt that every other clone at her school wears and she's grown out of her "dress her up and take her out" clothes. And of course every year I refuse to do anything about it, thinking it's Mother's day, the "Better Half" *snort* or the girl herself will think of this prior to the morning of Mother's day. Of course not. So I hold on until the AM and then ask the question, get the blank looks, grab the car keys and hit the store. I know, it's my own fault. But every year I try.

But once we were properly attired, dinner was well worth it. I love Anthony's. It sits on the waterfront and has a lovely view of Puget Sound. You can sit and chat, have a great meal and watch the ferries going back and forth from the islands. After dinner it's time to take a walk along the pier. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, it's VERY Pacific Northwest. Hehe.

Talk to ya soon!

2005-05-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to you all.

2005-04-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

DJ Em is in da house!

This weekend was the "Badger Bash". The end of the year blowout for the Boodge's hockey team. Glenn got his trophy, Kent got his coaches gift; a REALLY nice v-neck pullover that goes with his "official" SJHA warm-ups with Coach Kent embroidered on it. And then there was this speech made by the team mom - She rambled on about how the team was always pumped and ready to play thanks to the great effort of the Badger's official DJ.... Emily! And there's my Meems standing there in the middle of a bunch of 9 and 10 year old boys whoopin' it up for Em! She turned EVERY shade of red, let me tell ya! *Sniff, sniff...tears*

The team gave her a really nice official SJHA baseball hat with the Badger's logo and "Badger's DJ" embroidered on the back. She even got a big thank you in the team video for all her work..She was tickled. She loves doin' this for Glenn's team and has gotten quite a rep around SJHA for doing it. It's become a given that whatever team Glenn's on, his big Sis will be cueing up the music at the games. She has even done it for the SJHA tournaments and her dad's tournaments too.

She even has my intro music ready when I show up. See the guys (and Em) have to get to the games an hour early. Moi, of course does not show up until game time. So when Meems see me, she always plays Def Leppard. That's the boy-childs cue that Mom has arrived! I love it, my entrance set to music!

The rest of the weekend was packed with B-day parties and sleepovers. Boodge had an impromptu play date at a friend from schools house and Meems had a slumber party. So late afternoon on Saturday, I'm out running errands when Dede calls to see what I'm doing. Seems she wanted to get out and do some running around herself. But I had already escaped. On my way home, Hubby calls to say Boodge is sleeping over at his friends house and he was heading to the ice rink to watch (since his leg is still "booted" up) his team's game. (There $275 I'll never seen again. Paid for the summer and he's sitting most of it out!) Hmmmm.... so no one was going to be around. I'm heading home, Dede lives around the corner... so instead of going straight, I take a left and let myself in. "OK, so where are we goin'?!"

So there we are, two Mom's from the 'burbs, cruising around in the minivan shopping for kids birthday presents on a Saturday night!WoooHOOOO!!!!

Oh well, there were some good tunes on the radio and it was just nice to get away.
And now I'm off to serf the 'net to find dance shoes. I was handed one of Miss Sue's infamous white slips of paper saying Meems needs two different types of shoes (that she doesn't have) for the recital in June! FIGURES!!!! Grrrrrrr!
So....TaTa for now!!

2005-04-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

"I'm on my way to emergency to have my ankle x-rayed..."

*Sigh* And this was what triggered my week heading downhill....AGAIN. After realizing I wasn't having a leg spasm and it was just my cell phone vibrating, I saw that I had this text message from the Hubby. I excused myself from the meeting I was in to find out W*T*F had happened .....

Seems Hubby pulled "A Karrie", as my beloved family calls it, and took a bit of a stumble on the stairs at work and screwed up his ankle. He now has a boot and crutches. The thing that sent him over the edge though was the doctor telling him he was off skates for at least 4 to 6 weeks. No Hockey league this summer, I guess. *whispers* Personally between you and me....I'm glad. I could use a break.

Not to be out done... Em was in the backyard before her dance class Wednesday night, kicking around the soccer ball with her brother and twisted her knee. No dance class, just another trip to the walk-in clinic. And now she's hobbling around with her knee wrapped and on my old crutches. (They don't call it "pulling a Karrie" for nothin'. I'm so accident prone, I could start a medical supply store with the stuff I have in my garage.)

At this point I'm seriously considering locking Glenn in his room to avoid further catastrophe.

Another then that... well not much. We had some really nice weather this week. It's not like we had a heat wave or anything but the sun was out and I hope Kaelen got to enjoy some of it while he was up here.

I have come to the conclusion that there was a hell of a lot of procreation going on in 1991 and 1994, culminating in every friend Em and Glenn has having birthdays in April and May! I swear, they both come home every day pulling another party invite out of their backpacks. Slumber parties, bowling parties, swimming parties, roller skating parties, ice skating parties, parties at the Experience Music Project (better known as the EMP) and even rock climbing parties. Geez, people! Just get your kid a cake and leave me alone! Sorry.... a weeeeee bit stressed and cranky. I mean, I have a Vegas trip to plan! I don't have time for this! *that would be the "Me Me - the Diva" coming out, uh?!* LOL.

And speaking of Vegas, my dress arrived Miss Jules. And that was the only bright spot for the week, so I'll end it there.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

2005-04-05T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well, are ya sick of looking at the boys?!

Well, it seems Jules is....LOL.

Geez, how could you be? They are so adorable!! But I have been sooooo very busy lately. The time seems to be flying. As a matter of fact, I noticed I started this draft on 04/05/05, and still haven't got it done. Lame, I know *rolls eyes*

But enough about that.

What else is up:

*Em's on notice - Get the grade up in science and math or no dance next year. When the report card says "working below ability" then there is room for improvement and she knows she better deliver. That's the deal. So a little extra credit work from the teachers and girlie is getting busy. We'll see. If not, I've got an extra $115 dollars to play with next fall. *snort* Who am I kidding, the girl needs braces too, so I'm not going to get ahead anytime soon.

*Em's taking over the the family blog. Hell - I can't keep up on my own these days, what was I thinkin' trying to start another one! So from time to time, you'll get a taste of our lives from her perspective.

*Glenn's been having a blast spending the mornings before school over at Dede's, hangin' with her son. A little TOO much fun it seems; the two of them got busted when it was found out they are letting the neighborhood kids come over when they were told not to. Although just between you and me, I give them credit for trying to get through a loophole. The rule is: No kids in the house before or after school until Dad gets home. They figured technically, this did no include the garage. Like I said, I gotta give 'em credit......

*Hubby's hunting around for a new hockey league to join. The one he was part of as changed there rules and so he's looking elsewhere and feeling lost. The one he's seriously looking at would have games once a week @ 10:45PM. Which means he's not home until almost 1:00AM and then getting up at 4:30AM for work. And he's oh so lovable the day after!! But, he just bought another 7 game playoff package for the T-Birds, so I don't know when the hell he planned on playing anyway. So we'll see.

*Kids were on spring break last week. Not much to report there, but they Kidlets did spend the last half of the week at Kent's parents. A few days was enough for everyone though. I love my in-laws to pieces, but man it's work to be around them for too long. They're just from another time and place and balancing things out gets to be mentally taxing. But the kids stayed for just the right amount of time. The only thing a could get out of Boodge is that they saw the big boat at the museum, which I'm guessing meant they went to the Museum of Natural History. All I got out of Meems was that they ate alot of ham.... Ok, whatever.

*And moi? Well, trying to keep track of the rest of my brood, keep my head above water at work and deal with whatever people toss in my way. Other then that I've spent a lot of time at the dentist because I had a filling break, which meant I lost part of the tooth, which led to having to get a crown, which meant time away from work and we're back to that trying to catch up thing!

I did have a great time on Friday. Dede pulled together a "Bunko" night and got about 8 of the neighborhood gals together. We don't play for money or prizes like the hardcore players do, basically it's a reason to get everyone together and have a couple drinks, munchies and some girlie talk. So it was a nice way to end a very crappy week.

But, T-Birds are up 2-0 against Kelowna in the 2nd round of the playoffs and thanks to Hubby, we got tickets. So I'll get the jailbait fix on Tuesday night. (I did check and technically that foursome are all 18 and over, so if nothing else.....it's legal! *wink*)

Have a good week everyone.!!

2005-03-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

Can you blame her?!

I mean look at them!! They're adorable. I swear, it's all I can do to remember some of these cuties are jail bait!! Taking "The Walk" is no great torture for moi, let me tell ya!

2005-03-25T09:58:00.000-08:00

The walk.....

It soooo high school but.....

To set up the scenario: Add 1 pre-teen girl, hockey boys between the age of 15-20, and the circumference of the Key Arena and you have "my between periods shits and giggles" during a T-Birds hockey game. Location, Location, Location is also important; Our seats are nicely situated in the lower bowl of "The Key", 8 rows up from the visitors bench and one section over from where the players, not playing that night, sit and take stats. To get to our seats, you have to go down a flight of steps, we have our own bathrooms and concession stand and it's quite nice. Those flight of steps also lead right down to the doors that lead to the locker rooms.... and so:

First we MUST arrive at least 1 hour early for the pre-game warm up on the ice. Girl-child then scans the ice to see who's not suited up for the game. Next, we wait for the official announcement of which players won't be playing that night. A quick glance over to section 125 confirms we have players in sight. At this point, my part calls for me to turn to Girl-child and ask "Are we doin' the walk?" the response is always the same, "Oh YEAH!".

Let the fun begin! The end of the first period comes and the position of our seats means that by the time we hit the stairs up to the main concourse, hockey players are coming down to head to the locker room. Check, First contact!

Next we have to walk around The Key at a leisurely pace. Now, there are times when we have the bonus of trying to spot a certain goalie the Girl-child has a crush on at school, but usually it's just "the walk". By the time we get around The Key, certain players have come out of the locker room and are heading back to their seats. But of course they get stopped by fans or the "rink bunnies" all dolled up to impress. And we have our second sighting! Girl-child is happy for another period and we do it all again. Although 'tween 2nd and 3rd period we make a stop and get ice cream. Hehe.

Actually, I can't complain. It's great that she even thinks it's cool to hang around with me and feels OK giggling about boys with her MOTHER. That's something you hold on to as long as you can.

Although the latest addition is a 16 year old that was drafted out of the Bantams in.....Calgary, AB! (Miss Patty! *wink*). Now I did that math alittle quicker then Dad and when Em piped up and said, "ya know he's only 4 years older then me!" Hubby had a bit of a melt down! LOL!

And my next chance to "walk" is Saturday. The playoffs start and we surprised the kiddlets with tickets.

My brother called out of the blue last weekend and told me they're coming up from Denver and should be here by Sunday, so I suppose that will take care of the Easter plans.

So all of you have a great weekend and a Happy Easter!

2005-03-21T15:09:00.000-08:00

And a few more:

Cameron Bancroft, currently on "24":

Tom Arnold,covering the event for his show
"The Best Damn Sports Show Period":

Storytime: All day, all you saw was Tom Arnold stuffing his face. So at game time they're going to do the ceremonial puck drop and don't have a puck. Smart Ass Moi pipes up and gets a giggle from everyone when I sez "See if Tom has a spare DingDong you can borrow!"

And a lovely smirk and laugh from one of my favorite guys on TV right now,

Mr Paul Guilfoyle, Lt Brass on CSI:

I LOVE this guy! I can't explain it, but I do. I almost became one of those "OhMyGod! OhMyGod!" fans standing there talking to him (very nice looking fellow in person, BTW). Of which there are no photos of because the rest of those people I claim as Kin were too busy getting autographs from the hockey players to think of Mom!! Oh well, he did very graciously sign something for a friend at work, which made her day. Since I'm not an "OhMyGod!" fans, I will just keep my memories.

More later......

2005-03-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Crazy Weekend!!

So I'm just going to jump in:

The Microsoft Hockey challenge was this weekend along with the 2 final home games for the T-birds before the playoffs......Guess what I did this weekend?!

So I'm just going to throw out random pics and thoughts for the next few days.

A few of those in attendance for the celebrity game:

Troy McClain of The apprentice:

Michael Rosenbaum of Smallville:

Scott Wolf of Everwood:

That's all for this lunch hour.....more later!

2005-03-17T06:35:00.000-08:00

2005-03-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

Let's just jump in to it.....

Some of the doin's around here for the last couple of weeks:

Meems has added Derek and Eli to her ever growing list of hockey crushes... I find this out when she text messages me before, during and after the games. She did get me though when I text'd her back about turning into a "Rink Bunny" and she zing'd me back with a comment regarding my future Def Leppard plans.... At that point I decided to end that round with a quick "Driving-can't text!" Oh well, at least she's keeping me in the loop! LOL. Poor Dad, his little girl is growing up.....

The Boodge's hockey year is over. They lost in the first round of the playoffs. They're still practicing together though, so he's still having fun with the guys. He has also added coaches asst. to his resume. He asked if he could help with the beginners squad and is now spending most of his Saturdays on the ice helping out the little ones. He's having a blast.

Work is crazy. The lead of my group flew the coop again and I've been holdin' down the fort. This time she DROVE to Vegas. *PLEEEEZ* A very boring 19+ hour drive to save money on air-fare. So.....Instead of a peaceful 2.5 hr plane ride (roundtrip) and a room for 3 nights for about $450 (if she'd made reservation 2 weeks ago when I told her to!) Her trip went something like this: 19+ hr boring drive and $400 in gas and a room overnight, $500 for 2 NASCAR tickets, $600 for 2 nights @ a strip hotel when she got there'cuz she never made any reservations and it was NASCAR weekend! Yesterday I had to sit through the bitchfest about how tired she was. But in the end, getting to say "I told you so...." PRICELESS!!

I have been spending time getting re-acquainted with my dental office. I broke a filling awhile back and have been going back and forth getting ready for a new crown. In my spare time, I've managed to get my dress for Vegas ordered. But it's on backorder, so hopefully by the first part of April, I'll be getting it. So Vegas and DL tour plans have been taking up my internet time. Which has been depleted now that Dede's around more often. Crap, all she wants to do is talk and have lunch and talk.... LOL! Oh well, the novelty will wear off soon enough.

Off I go! Have a good one.

2005-03-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

So.....

Yeah, so I was going to post something a little sooner then this. But I had one of those rare lazy weekends and took full advantage of it!!

So the Canadian Immigration story: When we were at the T-Birds came a few weeks ago I noticed the 3 Musketeers plotting again *snort* They're so obvious! So when I demanded to know what's up, they had decided to make a run for the border and catch the Totems, or Tots as Em as dubbed them. A nod to the movie Napoleon Dynamite, I'm sure. You're going to Canada to watch the Tots....Fine by me. Have fun, I'm staying home. Call me when ya get there!

Off they go by 11:30am Sunday, plenty of time to make it over the border and to the game by 1:30pm. And so I get a call.... "So you made it?" silence..... "Not quite" silence.... "Where are you?!" silence.... "Canadian Immigration" EXPLOSION... "You didn't bring the kid's birth certificates did you?!" silence.... "Um, no..." And so I ended up scanning their birth certificates and emailing them to Canada! Oh and then he calls me to tell me they don't need them, 'cuz they're listed on his insurance card and they'll take that. Isn't Canada nice!! So I sez "Well, keep them 'cuz ya still have to come home, and I might just call someone at the not so nice US border and tell them not to let the stupid people back in!" "Gawd, Frickin' Idiot!" (There's my own nod to Napoleon!)

Side note on getting to Canada without your child's birth certificates: I few years back (Ok, quite a few years back) Meems was about 3 and I was preggers with the Boodge and we all went up north camping. Grandma and Grandpa had a new motorhome and so Meems wanted to ride with them. Not a problem, 'til we got to the border. There sat the motorhome in front of us for the longest time.... When we finally pull up the guy is just laughing his head off and asks if the little girl in the motorhome is ours? When we say yes, he looks at me and proceed to inform hubby that he agrees with my daughter and he should sleep on the couch! WTF? It seems that when Meems was questioned she wouldn't shut up and kept talking and talking. Finally telling the guy that her daddy snored really loud and that her mommy sometimes ended up on the couch 'cuz she couldn't sleep. And she didn't think that was right 'cuz mommy was going to have a baby and she was going to have a baby brother and be a big sister and on and on and on... The guy said he figured with all that info, she was where she belonged!

Really, how did I get involved with these people....

2005-03-01T14:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, where were we?

Oh, to finish up the tournament weekend.....Sunday we had planned on just coming home and not staying the extra day. Wanted to get the hell out of that town ASAP. So I wasn't too surprised to see everyone packing up and running things out to the car before Boodge's 6:00 AM game on Sunday. When I commented on how impressed I was with their motivation that early in the morning I was rewarded with some odd and nervous looks from my 3 roommates... "What?!" I asked...."Um, well we thought if we got everything ready and left right away, we could get home in time for the Totems game...." OMG! Haven't you people had enough hockey?!?! Obviously not, because we managed to get our butts back over the mountains, they switched cars and off they went. And left the van loaded with crap for me!! But, I hauled everything out and put it all back in it's place so there wasn't a thing for them to do. I figure it never hurts to score the "Mom the Martyr" points!! LOL!

And back to last week. To review: Work, Dance, Hockey, School, blah, blah, blah........

Friday a friend at work treated us to a "Last Supper". She's having the stomach surgery to lose weight and treated us all to her last meal. I got to thinking about it later.... So she's going to lose all this weight and we're left struggling to get rid of the pounds we packed on eating that night. I swear we must have gained 10 pounds.... Italian, so of course it was low on carbs *smirk*. And going over to Dede's later and watching her try on all these new clothes she bought for her new job.... (in a size smaller!!) did not help....Bitch! Oh well, I can give her plenty of grief starting today...Yipeee!! Dede and I are together again to reek havoc on unsuspecting world! Suckas!!!

There is a funny little story about the Canadian Immigration Dept that took place over the weekend, but I think I'll save it for later.....

Toodles!

2005-02-28T13:22:00.000-08:00

Catching up.....

When last we talked, we were on our way east of the mountains for another hockey tournament..... That's one weekend I'll never get back. I really wasn't looking forward to this one for a lot of reasons - I've made this trip to Spokane way too many times in my past to visit my "grandparents'' of which I really don't have any fond memories. I believe my grandmother still lives in Spokane, but I didn't look her up. Which gives you an idea of the situation with that part of the family. We had heard about the referees in this tournament from some other teams that came to our tournament and they lived up to their reputation...THEY SUCKED!! To the point official complaints were filed with the league. Good times....

Oh and our team - not good. Chalk this up to the Refs and the indoor pool at the hotel. I mean really, booked the team into a hotel with a pool and tell them they can't swim 'cus it will wear them out..... Duh!! And I tried!! But we're talking about 9/10 year old boys at their first out of town tourney. So I sat on the Boodge and tried to make him rest *snort*. But he looked at me with those baby blues when he heard the rest of the team thundering down the hall, I caved! Why fight it, it's not like my kid alone is going to win the next game 'cus he got "well rested" ...screw it. I got sick of looking like the mean mom! So they all went down together. And frankly, after the hits, punches and sticks to the throat these kids took (and no calls by the refs!!!) they deserved it. If for no other reason then they did not retaliate, not once. They were pissing mad after the games, but during the game they didn't hit back. So swim away!! At least you'll have one good memory.

The rest of the week was typical....Work, dance, hockey, etc....

More later about this weekend but really, aren't you sick of me talkin'?!

2005-02-18T11:19:00.000-08:00

Yes people, I know there is no HOCKEY!!!

One never knows how many people actual pay attention to you and your interests. But I now *sigh*. EVERYBODY has made a point a stopping by my cubie wanting to know how I feel about there not being any hockey. I don't feel any different people, I knew this was happening at the end of the season last year, so I'm doing just fine. Besides I got plenty of hockey:

Boodge's regular and all-star teams: Go Badgers!! Go SJHA Squirt All-Stars!!

SJHA's Midget/Junior B: Go Totems!!

Hubby's Everett Adult Rec League: Go Evergreen Speedway "Black Shirts"!!

Hubbys' new acquisition: FOX Sportsnet college hockey: Go....Whoever!!

And of course, my beloved Seattle Thunderbirds: GO T-BIRDS!!

We don't have time for the NHL...... ( I do miss my Joe. But if I get really desperate to see him I can scoot up to Burnaby, BC and track him down. But, I'm not a stalker, I NOT!! LOL!!

But I can't scoot up there this weekend, we're heading east of the mountains to Spokane for a hockey tournament that Boodge is in - see, the hockey fun never ends......

I'm so looking forward to spending my 3-day weekend with these people!! *smirk*

Have a good one you guys!

2005-02-15T12:42:00.000-08:00

Monday...All Ready?!

Where did the weekend go? Oh yeah, see the post below.....

Weather forecast: Rainy and 45 degrees. And so the heavens opened up and drenched us with....Snow! Yep, it's snowing. It's been warm and in the mid-60's but now that I have to go over the mountains for a hockey tournament this weekend, it's going to snow! Figures!

Started this yesterday as you can see, but I had a "Valley of the Dolls" moment at work and went home to puke in private. I think I took my vitamins and some Excedrin too close together and on an empty stomach and tossed my cookies. Best to to that sort of thing at home, so a bailed. I hope everyone else enjoyed the flowers that were delivered from Hubby for Valentines day!

Did manage to get my taxes done yesterday when I came around from my stupor. Yippee, money back for Hubby and the kidlets' trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (or Boodge's hockey camp, they can't decide), my trip to Vegas and what ever else touring *cough* I mean traveling (where did touring come from?! *wink*) I may do this summer. So that's all good...

Boy, will I be glad when Dede finally shows up here. It'll save me time on the IM. Then I'll have more time to devote to all of you! Hehe! *MWAH!*

So there was a little gift at my desk when I got in. A fellow DL fan here at work passed along a BBC recording of DL from 1995 with a few songs on it. Jules, you would have LOVED the acoustic guitar!! *wink*.

I better go....things to do.

2005-02-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Stuff....

I hate "cherry-pickers"!!! Not the kind you actually use to pick cherries. No I'm talking about those wonderful "co-workers"/"team-mates" that I see everyday pick thru the files and snag the easy ones and leave the shit for, oh I don't know.....MOI!! It is really pissing me off this week. Must be PMSing - or maybe I just SICK OF IT!!!

My dryer is history..... Repair guy showed up and it's toast. It would cost over $500 to fix it, so I guess I'll be at the laundromat again this weekend. Hmmmmm, ya think it would look weird if I showed up at Dede's for the Friday night visit with a load of wash for the dryer? Maybe if I time it right.......

I will NOT miss another work-out!! If you popped over to the Domain
and check out the "Need some motivation..." thread, you'll know what I mean!! That and Vegas is in 17 weeks and Jules is asking me about dresses. Would be nice to fit in to one!! 17 weeks.... it sounds like a long time, uh? But it goes by fast! It seem like just yesterday it was 20 weeks. (Ok technically it was 3 weeks ago, but you know what I mean!)

So we had a party after work at a local bar for our beloved Matt. Of course I can't leave early because everybody else did and left 4 damn files that needed to get to the funding dept before 5:00pm. Of course everybody's attitude was "oh well it can wait 'till tomorrow". No it can't!! Our customers don't give a shit it's somebody's going away party and why should they have to wait 'cuz you want to party?! Let's hope a good case of karma kicks them right back in the ass and someone takes the same attitude when they want something!!

Ok let's see: Friday: go grocery shopping since I wasn't able to on Thursday, suppose to drop by Dede's... maybe I'll drag her along, hopefully she won't grab all the goodies off the shelves like the kidlets do...although she does like her midnight snack - hmmmmm) Saturday: Boodge has a 7:30 am game in Tacoma @ "the meat locker" (swear to god -that's what it is; a converted meat locker they turned into an ice rink!) Drop Boodge off @ Skippy's birthday party (that's right, the kid's name is Skippy. Now out loud say"Skate Skippy Skate!" Now, how ridiculous do you feel yelling that! Welcome to my world, cheering from the stand @ Boodge's games). Hubby can't do the b-day party, 'cus his hockey team is skating on the main ice @ the arena on Saturday...Oooooh ain't that impressive! Would be if I didn't also have to go looking for a new dryer GRRRRRRR! And since I don't have a dryer, I'll have to go to the laundromat (how lucky am I that they're open 'till 10pm) Sunday: Got to get my hair done ( I have my appts set up 'till my Vegas trip in June) and then my nails. If I don't get the laundry done Saturday, might need to finish that up. Sooooooo......

The rest of you have a nice, relaxing, boring, lazy weekend for me!!

2005-02-07T08:39:00.000-08:00

A few highlights from my life......

Well the hand-holding continues at work. A much beloved co-worker is flying the coop and heading to San Diego. Sadness reigns supreme here at work. It was a week of emotional highs and lows.

The roller-coaster ride continues at home. Add to the normal whirlwind of hockey, dance, hockey, dance, blah, blah, blah..... My dryer completely fell apart! Lost the seal and the drum kept catching all the clothes and completely trashed them, left grease marks and tore them up!! Unfortunately, it was a load of Hubby's whites.... On a lighter note, I ran into him in the the bathroom while he was getting ready for his hockey game and he was wearing a pair of these not so "tighty whiteys". "Um Hon, are ya sure ya want to go in the locker room with that "skid mark"? (I asked ever so sweetly..) He was not amused (if the language he was using was any indicator) I thought it was funny. And so my weekend was spent at the laundromat catching up on the wash. Good times!

After writing out $420 worth of checks for Hockey tournaments, dance recital costumes and other related crud (can't wait for the bill to fix the dyer) - my husband decides he needs more hockey to watch on tv and calls the cable company to add Fox Sportsnet to the cable lineup. Cuz really, how can he survive without watching the Wisconsin Badgers take on the Michigan Golden Gophers! *MAJOR eye roll here* Guess I'll be getting online and seeing what channels I need to dump. Hell, I'm not home to watch 3/4 of them anyway!

And of course such a lovely week couldn't end without a classic Karrie stunt: Did you all enjoy the SuperBowl? I hope so...cuz I spent the 2nd half of it LOCKED OUT OF MY DAMN HOUSE!!! Oh yes, classic! The hubby and kidlets were at their Sunday afternoon fight-fest, better known as the Totems hockey game. I was enjoying my Sunday afternoon "Yippee! Nobodies home!" and went out to the car to get something I had forgotten. I slammed the front door and it immediately hit me......NOOOOOOOO!!!!! Sure enough, hubby had locked the door behind him when he left and I was screwed! On the home security side; after exhausted effort, I can say that the average person can not break into my house. Yipeee!! And it was just my luck that everyone of my damn neighbors was at someone else's house watching the game and I was stuck there in the driveway all by my wittle lonesome. *sniff* Oh well! The car was unlocked, so I cleaned it out a bit, found my book that I've been reading during lunch @ work and the kids book light they use when they're reading in the car and snuggled in and waited for the rest of the family to get home!! Gawd!! My life is truly lame at times!

But, I would rather end this ramble on a happy note and tell of the one bright spot in my weekend. Friday night @ Dede's this week was a celebration! My co-pilot in the "PTA Posse" will be making the leap and transferring to my department @ work! *Happy Dance, Happy Dance!* Much hand holding required to make this happen and it had been a rather stressful week waiting for this to come together. So Friday it was great to have all the posse together, Dede's hubby making VERY tasty beverages, and lots of giggles!!

I'll try and remember that feeling cuz if today is any indication, this week is going to be another dooozy!! Vegas! Vegas! Vegas!...... It can't come fast enough!!

Hope you all have a GREAT week!!

2005-01-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

Yawn.....

I'm just pooped. What a crap week it was at work. A lot of hand holding and drama. So I've spent most of the weekend just veggin' so I can get my ass out of bed and do it again Monday.

Went to the T-Birds on Saturday night, they played the SilverTips - You know that phrase "We need more cowbell!" After playing those yahoos and dealing with their fans, trust me, there can be too much cowbell!! Grrrrr..... That is all those dorks know how to do is ring those damn cowbells! To no avail - we won! Anyway I took some pics of my boys with my camera...again.....

Meem's goalie: Mr Brian Bridges (She do have the biggest crush on him!)

Oh! And speaking of Meems; I found this pic and don't know if I ever posted it. Meems did a project on Rick Allen for music class (Inspirational stories - Think you guys can figure it out why....) Since the rumors out there there may be a tour, why not show it.....

Ok, peeps 20 weeks until Vegas!! The weekend is June 16 - 20! The countdown is on! Well Divas?? Any takers?! Whose up for it?!?!

2005-01-24T21:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, I spent the weekend holding Dede's hand (don't ask, more later, maybe...) and Hubby decided he had to burn CDs all weekend. When I could, I spent the rest of the weekend trying to clean up the crap picked up on a virus scan I made the mistake of doing.

I've been covering for the dept lead at work and I'm buried in reports. And no Kim, I'm not screwing them up!! I created the damn spreadsheets after all, so I actually know what I'm doing! I'm a good "back-up"! *wink*

Basically, I'm beat and quite frankly sick of staring at a computer screen. So I'll pop in when I have time. I'll be lurking though....So be nice!! *wink* *wink*

2005-01-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

Thank you!!!

Yeah! Guess who has Hysteria for her ringtone?!! Yippeeeee! Big thanks to you guys for suggesting D-D-N! And a huge thanks to Jules for your suggestion, Kenters got his Zepplin ringtones from there (of course one of which his his ringer ID on my phone..)

I had a chance to play around with these sites while I was home today with the Boodge. It was his turn to get the crud that's going around. I think the weekend took alot out of him and it caught up with him. What a morning, he's sick - Meems is hobbling around because SHE twisted her knee at dance class Monday night and so I needed to help wrapped her knee, write a note to get her out of PE, call work, Dede, Kenters and the school to spread the word. Geez, I swear it's more work to stay home then go to work.

Now I haven't been able to surf around much, so a couple of shout outs:
(I didn't get to you all, but I've been keeping up with ya! signed "The Lurker")

Kim: E*V*I*L did go BOOM! Poor baby! Your bruise is as pretty as the one Kent got when he got nailed by a puck in hockey game. Plan on seeing that one for awhile, those ones like to stay around. **psst* Ya know, you can have them tighten those skate wheels so they're not so slippery - STOMP*STOMP*STOMP!! Hehe

Traci: Pics of the "new do"!! Please!!! And this "boys touring in June" better not interfere with our plans for Vegas! I love 'em, but I love my DIVAS too! LOL

Mizzz RE: Yup! No hockey, well NHL at least. I've got more hockey right now then I know what to do with! So I'm not suffering tooo much. And big "THUMBS UP!" for getting out there and getting on with your life! Kudos and keep it up. (Don't pay attention to that above mentioned reference to Meems twisting her knee in dance!)

KC: I'm SOOOO happy that things went well with you! ((BIG HUG)) Hubby's right and your lucky to have him, and he YOU!!

Kimterp: Cheer up Girl!!

Miss Gina: Glad to see you out and about. Come out and play more often!!!

Miss Teach625: I hope I see you out there in cyberworld. I always enjoyed your wit. I hope all is well!

Miss Patty: I hope you stay warm up there! But, I know you will. You have such a warm heart it can't be anything else!! Hope things aren't so crazy at work and you aren't having to work as much!

Jules: I hope you're feeling better about things and you enjoyed the time off with hubby!

Oh and for Kenters: Please excuse the pic of Hubby. It seems that the lighting and angle of the pic I took, makes him appear to be ready to give birth at any moment. This is not the case and, as they say on those car mirrors: object may appear larger then they actually are....

So Weds we're moving desks around so I'll chat later! Have a good one Everybody!!

2005-01-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

How I spent my 3 day weekend.....Words and photos by Karrie.

Freeeezing my arse off in a ice rink, that's what I did!! This weekend was "The Artic Blast" winter hockey tournament. Mother Nature decided to have the weather stay with that theme and we had freezing temps, freezing rain, snow and nasty wind.

For 3 days straight starting Friday night I had to play nice and sit there being supportive. Ok, so I did enjoy most of it.... The kids always love these things and have a blast. We have teams from Canada and eastern Washington show up and I have to admit that Boodge's hockey club puts on a good tournament. But there really is no rest and by the end even a saint's nerves would be frayed.... And no one has EVER mistaken me for a saint!!

Highlights for the Boodge were 1 goal, 1 asst, 4 penalty minutes (real proud of that one! *rolls eyes*), taking a chunk out of his tongue and a cut on his chin from a high stick. The best part for him was the blood, of course! Oh yes, loads of fun for mom!

Meems had her moments too - One of the refs goes to school with Meems and spent the game smiling at her! Dad loved that on two levels - 1) As Boodges coach, he wanted to ring his little neck for missing penalties and 2) as Meems Dad, he wanted to ring he little neck for smiling at Meems the whole time! I loved it! She also does the music for the team, and she decided she didn't wanted to do it for the late 2nd game. The kids revolted and swarmed her to do it again. Lucky Mom kept the music in the car just in case..... hehe.

We were beat by Sunday afternoon. Home and in bed early and we still didn't get up until after 10:00 this morning (had the day off - Yippee!)

Here are some pics, took them with my new camera phone! Not bad, this little phone could come in handy!

DJ Meems!

Oooooooh the BLOOD!!

Oh and speaking of phones (we were earlier, remember), if anyone spots a Hysteria ringtone for a Motorola V265 cell phone, let me know, PLEEEEEZ!!!! I can't find one and it's the only one I REALLY want! Figures.....

Anyhoo, have a good one! I'm off to surf the web for Vegas stuff.

2005-01-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

Brrrrr.....

It's cold up here! Not has cold as some places, so I won't complain....much! Not a drop of rain in sight, just snow. We got snow on Saturday and Sunday, only a trace on Saturday and about 2 inches on Sunday. Buy hey, snow around here is snow.... and with all the hills and trees, it can be a bitch! And since it's so cold, it's turned into a lovely sheet of ice. Soooo much fun! Nothing like trying to keep your car on the road and hoping you don't get hit with a snow/ice bomb dropping from a tall evergreen tree!! Good times. More snow predicted for Weds, we'll see.

But, like I said...I know it's worse out there so I'll shut up!

And I'm driving myself nuts watching too much on Las Vegas! I WANT TO GO NOW!! I can't wait, June, June, June. Until then, I guess I'll just keep watching all those Vegas shows and consider it research.

And speaking of research, I've gotta go. I made the stupid mistake of trying to come up with a new form to make life easier around here and now they want to roll something like it out to rest of the sites around the country. So I'm on a "committee" (don't you hate those!) And have been handed a huge research project. And another e-mail letting me know I've been selected for another "committee". Grrrr.....

Whatever you're getting drenched with, hope you aren't too effected. Stay safe out there everyone!

2005-01-06T09:27:00.000-08:00

Have you ever spoken and wished that you could immediately take the words back..or that you could crawl into a hole? Here are the Testimonials of a few women who did...

FIRST TESTIMONY: I walked into a hair salon with my husband and three kids in tow and asked loudly, "How much do you charge for a shampoo and a blow job?" I turned around and walked back out and never went back. My husband didn't say a word...he knew better.

SECOND TESTIMONY: I was at the golf store comparing different kinds of golf balls. I was unhappy with the women's type I had been using. After browsing for several minutes, I was approached by one of thegood-looking gentlemen who work at the store. He asked if he could help me. Without thinking, I looked at him and said, "I think I like playing with men's balls."

THIRD TESTIMONY: My sister and I wer e at the mall and passed by a store that sold a variety of candy and nuts. As we were looking at the display case, the boy behind the counter asked if we needed any help. I replied, "No, I'm just looking at your nuts." My sister started to laugh hysterically, the boy grinned, and I turned beet-red and walked away. To this day, my Sister has never let me forget.

FOURTH TESTIMONY: While in line at the bank one afternoon, my toddler decided to release some pent-up energy and ran amok. I was finally able to grab hold of her after receiving looks of disgust and annoyance from other patrons. I told her that if she did not start behaving "right now" she would be punished. To my horror, she looked me in the eye and said in a voice just as threatening, "If you don't let me go right now, I will tell Grandma that I saw you kissing Daddy's pee-pee last night!" The silence was deafening after this enlightening exchange. Even the tellers stopped what they were doing. I mustered up the last of my dignity and walked out of the bank with mydaughter in tow. The last thing I heard when the door closed behind me were screams of laughter.

FIFTH TESTIMONY: Have you ever asked your child a particular question too many times? My three-year-old son had a lot of problems with potty training and I was on him constantly. One day we stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch in between errands. It was very busy, with a full dining room. While enjoying my taco, I smelled something funny, so, of course, I checked my seven-month-old daughter, and she was clean. Then, I realized that Danny had not asked to go potty in a while,so I asked him if he needed to go, and he said "No". I kept thinking, "Oh Lord, that child has had an accident, and I don't have any clothes with me." Then I said, "Danny, are you SURE you didn't have an accident?" "No," he replied. I just KNEW that he must have had an accident, because the smell was getting worse. Soooooo, I asked one more time, "Danny, did you have an accident? "This time he jumped up, yanked down his pants, bent over and spread his cheeks and yelled, "SEE MOM, IT'S JUST FARTS!!" While 30 people nearly choked to deathon their tacos laughing, he calmly pulled up his pants and sat down. An old couple made me feel better by thanking me for the best laugh they'd ever had!

LAST TESTIMONY: This had most of the state of Michigan laughing for 2 days and a very embarrassed female news anchor who will, in the future, likely think before she speaks. What happens when you predict snow -- but don't get any....a true story. We had a female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked: "So Bob, where's that 8 inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too they were laughing so hard!

Now, didn't that feel good? Pass it on to someone you know who needs a laugh.

2005-01-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

"Karrie, there's a delivery at the front desk for you......"

Yup, I got flowers!! Very pretty flowers, a nice bright bouquet. Very nice on a cold winter day (we may get snow on Thursday). Oh and the reason for the flowers.....

Today would be mine and the Hubby's *cough, shudder* 19th Wedding Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary Kenters!! LOVE YA!!

2005-01-03T11:54:00.000-08:00

Happy '05!

Well, I guess it's time to get back to normal. Ugh! But actually, I'm ready. I was barely able to button my pants this morning after the week long munchfest! And I actually ache in places I never thought I would from laying on the couch and watching movie after movie!

Yes, we finished the James Bond marathon, and afterwards got hooked on playing "Scene it!" (The 007 edition, of course).

On New Years eve I received what Hubby called my "major" Christmas present. I thought the new CD player I got for my car was pretty cool.... But then I saw the Sheffield, South Yorkshire address on the return label and was intrigued to say the least. It was an official Sheffield Steelers hockey jersey!! That's right Sheffield has a hockey team in the English Elite league and my FAB-U-LOUS Hubby managed to find someone to get him a jersey for little old moi!!!! There was a slight miscommunication about the size and the thing is frickin' HUGE! OH and Patty, Yup! The colors are as bad as we thought, hehe! But who cares! And Hubby talked to the lady at Seattle Junior Hockey that does the numbering and lettering for their jerseys, and he's having "Elliot and #19 (My other Joe (Sakic)'s #)" put on it! So it will officially be my "Joe(s) Jersey!! I LOVE IT!! It was the sweetest thing in the world for him to put that much effort in to getting it for me! MWAH! Love that man!!

Hubby and I spent a good portion of the end of the week playing with his new cell phone (I'm still waiting for mine!) Why, because we just did not think it was right that a 12 year old had a cooler phone then her parents!! Imagine me getting bent out of shape about that! LOL! So now we have cool flip phones with cameras. I figured the camera would be fun for those impromptu moments...ya never know when one of those moments like the Steven Tyler commercial might happen. And since I lose everything BUT my phone (I leave that one to someone else...*wink*), I should be safe. And they are super cooler then Meems' new phone, so there!! I'm pathetic, I know.....

And now back to work! Everyone have a great start to 2005!!!

2004-12-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Bond, James Bond.....

Hi everybody! Hope you all had a relaxing and joyful Christmas! We are into our annual, Christmas to New Years, James Bond marathon and we're up to Thunderball. Not one of my favorites (too many "underwater scenes that drag on *yawn*) So of course since it's not my favorite, it's the Hubby's!! And I must suffer through. So I thought I would sneak away and say Hi!

I did need to jump on and see if the swap was successful for Meems' new flip phone. It is possibly to still make a moody 12 year old girl smile!!! LOL! Swap was a success, and so she's curled on the couch watching the movie and punching in all her friends numbers!! Boodge is curled up next to her, kind of under the weather. He's has the sniffles and doesn't feel so hot. He had all-star practice the day after xmas, Joy!, and has another practice tonight....We'll see.

I'm just piddling around the house this week, not great plans, just relaxing and try a re-energize. It will all start up again next Monday, so I'm taking advantage! I stopped at the grocery store last Thursday and spent WAAAAY too much money on tons of junk food for this week, I managed to leave there without purchasing anything with any nutritional value - YIPEEE!! I have been rolling out of bed - very late in the morning - and working out. I had to compensate, I do have to fit in my pants come next Monday after all!!

Talk to ya later, when there's another drag in the marathon! Have a good week!

2004-12-23T13:13:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!.......And how to make soup.

The last call from home...

"Hi Mom!"

"Hi Boodge..."

"I'm making lunch, how do I make Double Noodle soup?!"

".......*sigh*"

"Mom?"

"Do you have the can?"

"Yup!"

"Are you holding it in your hand right now..."

"Yup!"

"See where it says DIRECTIONS?!"

"Yup!"

"Weeeeellll......what does it say?!"

* A full minute later, I swear it took a minute!*

*OH! Add 1 can of water to 1 can of soup!"

"Goodbye, Glenn..."

"Bye Mom! Love ya!"

I'm of the opinion that too many candy canes make you stupid.

Have a VERY Happy Holiday Everyone!!!

2004-12-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

If your going to call and try to cover your butt, get your story straight....

*answering the phone*

"Mom"

"Yes, Em....."

"You got a package from Amazon, is Glenn getting a Milan Hejduk for Christmas?!" (the action figure, not the person).

"Why did you open the package, Em?!"

"Cuz, we thought maybe it was a present for you..."

"Was it address to me?!"

"....Yes"

"Then it was something I ordered and not a present, right"

".....Glenn told me to!"

"Glenn is 3 1/2 years younger then you, a foot shorter and I know you can take him still, I've seen it! So, why are you all of a sudden listening to Glenn?! And did he see it?!"

"....no"

"Let me get this straight, a package arrived addressed to me from Amazon, you thought it was a present for me and thought you had better open it after your younger brother told you to, (although you have never done what he's told you to do before). And although Glenn is the one bossing you around all of a sudden, he didn't actually take part in the opening of the package and didn't see what was in it?!

"...um, yeah"

"Great, cuz guess what you're giving Glenn for Christmas!!! And lucky thing he didn't see it, uh?!"

"....um, yeah..."

"Bye, Em"

"Um, bye Mom"

3 more days.......

2004-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

Have a WONDERFUL day, Jules!

2004-12-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

The regrets of answering the phone....

"Mom?"

"Yes, Em?....."

"Would you tell Glenn to take a shower, he smells!!"
*in the background, boy-child yelling "I DO NOT!!"*

*sigh* And so begins Christmas vacation.......