I'm an Asteroidea

I've become that blogger. You know, the one where you go and check their blog to see what's up and it's the same damned thing you have already read like 2 weeks ago. My deep apologies.

Good day boys and girls. Can anyone tell me what an Asteroidea is? Asteroidea sound it out.
Ass ter o idea. If I were to guess I would say a smart ass that has all the answers. Wrong. It's a starfish. Well I think I have become an asteroidea - in both my definition and the literal meaning. I went to the doctor yesterday because I can't hear out of my left ear. I had a sinus infection a year ago and it clogged up my ear. I like to say it happened after I got married, makes for a funny story. But that isn't the truth. Hubby and I make an odd couple, he can't hear out of his right ear so together we have to make sure at restaurants we sit on each others "appropriate" side, it's a good thing I like to drive or we'd never hear each other in the car.

Back to the story. So after 1 year and 5 doctors later they figured out what is wrong with me. I have to have my adenoids taken out and a tube put in my left ear. There is still a 90% chance I can gain my hearing back. Ok, what does the starfish have to do with anything? If anyone knows anything about starfish - they regenerate. So you can chop off one of their arms or flange's or whatever you call it and it will eventually grow back. Well back in 1987 it was a traumatic time in Little Rachel's life, she had to have surgery. Her adenoids and tonsils were large and must be taken out. Now, 20, - yes exactly TWENTY years later my adenoids have reappeared so large and in charge that they are the cause of my ears not draining. And because not one of the doctors caught this, my ear has become progressively worse and now has a cyst in it. The cyst can be a serious thing, but we don't know anything about it until the doctor goes in and checks it out. So I will keep you updated on that, but don't want to alarm anyone.

Now that I know I'm a starfish - I'm not saying I am going to chop off my appendages to see if they grow back, that would be ridiculous - but pretty cool if it happened!

I learned a lot about starfish or "sea stars" while looking for a picture to post. Pretty odd little creatures. Check em' out if you have a second. Starfish

So mad my stomach hurts

Have you ever been so mad that you could throw up? Well it's not a fun feeling. I got a call a bit ago from my husband and he informed me that we may have had our old house sold, but the nut job across the street scared the poor buyer away. My understanding is that it was the persons 4th time to look at the house - she was there this last time by herself and the fat re-re lunatic across the street approached her. He creeped her out so bad she went back to the realtor gave them the keys and said - NO THANKS, I can't handle living across the street from a guy like that.
I went over there a bit ago to release the wrath of Rachel on his ass, but fortunately or unfortunately - however you want to look at it, he wasn't home. I fear it would be best if I yelled at him as opposed to when my husband gets home this weekend. Hubby doesn't hold back when it comes to the weirdo across the street, but if it were anyone else he would show a little more respect. So, now that freaky pee in the front yard guy has run off potential buyers I'm on the edge of losing my sanity. Help.

I'm supposed to post 10 things no one knows about me.

Mel-o-Drama posted this game on her blog and I thought it was neat. I too will try to think of 10 things no one knows about me.

1. When I was 5 my brother gave me a wedgie in my favorite pair of pastel heart panties and hung me on the door knob. I was stuck there for a long time until one of his friends helped me down. Ruined my favorites and tore them a little - I have never forgotten.

2. I lived with my dad from 4th grade to 1/2 of 8th grade in SugarLand, TX. It's where they made Imperial Sugar.

3. I had a baby sitter once when I got home from school and I didn't know her, so I locked myself in the garage and told her to leave because she was a stranger and after about 30 minutes she didn't know what to do, so she left. I couldn't get in trouble because I did the right thing by not letting a stranger near me or in my house, but she really was sent there to take care of me. Soon after - I got a nanny.

4. I watched my step-dad die from lung cancer and he had never smoked a day in his life.

5. My favorite holiday growing up was Juneteenth (June 19th.) It's the day that slavery was abolished and I would eat the best bbq you have ever put in your mouth and be the only white person beside my grandma and dad there enjoying the festivities.

6. I had a cat that Santa brought me when I was 6 named Marshmellow Popcorn Cuddles Childers and he was my best friend.

7. I went to a NKOTB concert (for those of you that don't know - New Kids On The Block) when I was 10 and my dad dropped me off at the Astrodome alone with 574,924 million people and I found my way to where my friends were. I was extremely independent at a young age. Afterwards we had a limo and everyone thought we were NKOTB leaving and were banging on our car.

8. I've lived in South America and Spain and have seen more parts of Mexico, Europe, and Central America than I have in the United States.

9. Someone hit my car once and tried to blame me, but once they found out who my brother was they apologized and gave me all their information and wished me a great day. My brother was really mean growing up - hence #1.

10. I was the manager of our dance squad in high school.

Post a comment if you decide to play the game too.

I'm a winner! "Best Valentines Day Ever"

I never read the local paper, but catch it online sometimes. Well tonight I needed my friends email address and knew he had an advertisement online and I could get it there. I log on to the site, and read the headlines

Car Burns:Total Loss
Book Signing
Scholarship Deadline Today

Then for some reason this one headline sticks out to me

Leanne Lawrence Wins: Best Valentines Day Ever

That name doesn't ring a bell, but I click on it anyway wanting to know what the "Best Valentines Day Ever" meant. Well it has a picture of this girl and I do end up knowing who she is (she works at my insurance agents office) and so I read on all about these other winners from little stores around the Square and HELLO, there's my name. I WON a burt's bees make up kit! They misspelled my name, but that's ok with me. The irony is I don't wear make-up, but it's still cool. I'm a winner! I went in the store the other day, my good friend Tasha works there and we were standing there talking and I asked what this registration box was for, she said I don't know some give away. So I just stuck my name in there not even knowing what it was. Ta Da - I win! Too bad I didn't win the registration thing I signed up for at Christmas for $500 free gas - but shoot, I am happy with any winning.
So, it's like 10:00 pm and I call my husband and tell him my name is in the paper and I won something! He was like, oh yeah, I saw that earlier and forgot to tell you. UGH! What a dumb a$$ to forget to tell me! I'm gonna go google what exactly a burt's bees make up kit is. I'm excited!

I survived

This weekend I survived many things.

*Annoying conversations
*Bad drivers
*1 yr. old birthday party
*nothing valuable breaking
*Extended family of In Laws and kids
*Divorced people being in the same room
*pinata
*toys
*balloons
*streamers
*not finding any snakes under a boat
*my husband driving and talking with his hands
*finding clothes that fit in my closet
*balancing my checkbook
*falling asleep in my recliner with 8 mischievous adults in the room
*waking up this morning

I really want to do something productive outside this afternoon, but I also want to go to bed at 5:01pm and rest until tomorrow morning. I am beat. I don't think kids are feasible at this juncture in my life, and I can't rewind time to have them when I had more energy, nor do I want to rewind time. I will admit for like 1.25 seconds I thought it would be sweet to have a kid around, then when the toys came smashing into my sofa table and kitchen cabinets and pianos were being opened and banged on - my mind changed...yes, that fast. I am still exhausted and there hasn't been a toddler in sight for over 48 hours. Our house is not child proof with 4037 kitchen cabinets, hard tile floor, stone fireplace, stereo-speaker-TV wires strung about and plantation blinds that touch the floor. Definitely not child proof. Husband did handle it well when a 2 year old went pulling on his speaker covers, yes the speakers that cost more than my car. I am all about disciplining other peoples children though. That may make me the "mean lady" but if you can't get your butt in gear or cause me to have a panic attack because you think the arm of my couch is a horse with a hard tile floor below you. I may take action. So parents or parents to be, I love you and I will love your kids - I may love my own kids one day, maybe - but just don't think I'm the "mean lady" - I just don't have patience, but I am a good person and mean well. Just look at that face - how can you not just want to squeeze it!

Why I'm not a mommy

There are many many many many reasons why I don't have kids at this point in my life. I won't get into all the reasons, but I just discovered a new reason today at lunch. My niece will be having her 1st birthday party at our house tomorrow. I needed to go get her some fun toys for this glorious occasion, so I went to Wal-Mart. There are billions of kids toys, and I was trying to make sure they were age appropriate, I didn't want to get her anything a 5 year old can barely figure out. I was extremely disappointed to see the Power Wheels they had were for ages 3 and up and the trikes seemed stupid to me. So I called my sister in law and she said - get anything Leap Frog, she'll love it. They have a whole section of Wal-Mart dedicated to this Leap Frog stuff...so then I went and distinguished which age area I needed, punched all the buttons and made the cow moo - and the pig oink - the car vrroom, and then this cute little Alphabet Pal Caterpillar caught my eye. It has different settings where you can play music, it says the letter when you push on a specific leg....but then it has another setting where it pronounces the letter. So I press on A and it says Ahh, then Buh, then Kaa, Duh, Eah, Fuh....I pressed the F again to hear Fuh again. Then I thought it would be funny to press the F and the K, but Leap Frog has out smarted the adults as well. What it does is say "Fuh", then when you press the K it says "Ha ha, that tickles. Kuh" So it won't say it together. So of course I had to try every curse word I could think of. Another one it does it to is Ass. "Ahh, Ha Ha that tickles, SSS" It lets you do Sss hh Ihh tah, but that's like 4 letters at one time. Seemingly it's just the 2 syllable words.
This is reason number 46348759838402 why I'm not ready for kids, because I make good toys try to be bad.

New Tactic
I am going to try out a new mind tactic for losing weight. If I go into my closet and try on everything and then what doesn't fit I have to move to the side....I'm gonna be left naked. Seriously, today I have on these pants that I didn't think I could get buttoned, and I did, but that doesn't mean they fit. They don't give me a camel toe or anything, but they aren't too cute. I seriously have 2 pairs of pants I wear out in public and a few dress pants and the rest are like jogging pants. Ridiculous. Then my shirts. A lot of my shirts seemingly shrunk...oh wait maybe that's just my big gut lifting them up.
So back to my tactic...if I see that I can't wear the majority of my clothes - that is bad. Then on top of that I am poor and can't go out and buy new clothes. So my only option - lose weight. Which is the smartest for more than just my clothes not fitting, it's good for me health wise. I accidentally ran across this workout dvd that I think would be fun zumba. I love the music, but I have a special place in my heart for Latin American dance music, and it would be like dancing - and I like to dance. So, I think I will purchase it and try to fit back into my old clothes. The Zumba girl's website that I posted started in February 2005 and lost 65 lbs by July 2005. Amazing. I really want to get motivated and I'm having to try to trick myself into it, but that's hard to do. So I will try the closet trick and see if it works....I'll let you know - hopefully by Monday I will let you know the closet inventory count. (T-shirts don't count)

No news is good news, right?

I don't have much to say, but I know I had to post something before all of my fans went away. I know a couple of things, but I can't tell you any of them because I keep secrets really well. Don't you hate it when people do that? Sorry. So, I don't have any news. Last night I went to my in laws to wish my father in law a happy birthday. Those visits always turn into 4-5 hour ventures. I ended up installing Windows Office 2007 on my sister in laws new laptop and setting her computer up for her, etc. Have any of you guys seen the Word 2007? Wow, it took me a few seconds to find the save button and had a lot of clutter at the top. It will surely take some getting use to, because I'm sure "it's the new black" and we all have to know how to use it. Excel and PowerPoint didn't look much different. Shut, up! Who am I? Man, I am sounding like a computer geek.

And scene.....(we'll pretend I didn't just have that conversation)

Ok so anywho, what else is going on? Oh yeah! Hubby's bday was Monday so I got a cake for him on Sunday at our Super Bowl gathering. See pics of speedo man and him licking speedo man, priceless. I'm a random wife, this I know. But you have to admit...it's funny.

I got my hair cut today - I don't think I like it. It looks nothing like the pictures above that I showed the chick, she should be beaten with a hair brush. Give me a couple of days to play with it and I'll get back to you on how I feel.

I am no longer a virgin to the "Kosciusko Haircut".....nuff said.

Here are the birds that adorn my bird feeder quite regularly. There are about 5 or 6 others that stand below the feeder and they throw food at/to them. It's funny. Anyone know what kind of birds they are? I'm not up to snuff on my avian classification skills.

How to Save A Life...

Save my life, please. I want to go hear The Fray tonight, just found out they were playing about an hour away and tickets are still available. All of my friends, yes all 3 of you, have become responsible adults and that leaves me to be the lame ass with no priorities.

I have been thinking...last night triggered the thought process. Chip and I were checking out our friends blog furniturefootnotes and it's his business site. Chip thought it would be funny to tool around and post a comment with my name and a comment that I was drunk and some obscene return email address. Well he hit submit and really did it. We cracked up laughing and then decided to call ol' Jack and tell him what my husband did a) because it's his business site b) because my name was associated with it and that's not cool in Small Town Baptist Belt, MS that I was drunk, which I wasn't....yet. We got a good chuckle, but it was the beginning of a realization that maybe we are immature. Is that a problem? Are we just kids at heart or really don't have our priorites straight? But now that I can't find any friends on a whim like when I was in college to go out with I can't help but feel like I have lost my skills. I don't think I'm stuck in the late 90's early 00's....am I?

I do have things that I am looking forward to: Thursday, my friend Lisa and I are going to eat dinner and catch a movie in Jackson. I am excited for a change of pace and hanging out with a familar face! (No, I didn't plan on that rhyming.) Then, possibly this Sunday watching the Super Bowl in my fun stomping grounds, "O-Town," and hang out with my fun responsible friends in my fun old hood. Hubby and I have to discuss further but Yocona River Inn was mentioned in that conversation followed by, but we are poor. So, maybe I'm not too far fetched from feeling like I'm a college kid again. Broke and looking for fun 24-7. Mmmmm, Yocona.

Today is my Katie Lou's 7th birthday!!!

This morning we went on a nice walk and smelled every strand of grass and every leaf along the way. I remember when I first got my Goosey. All of her brothers and sisters, little tiny poofy cute little Lhasa's were running around one tackling the other, one chewing on lamp cords and being funny little pups. But then there was this one little girl that wasn't poofy because slobber from her siblings made her hair mat down and not fro up into a little snowball. She was the last out of the cage and came directly to my side and sat down by me on the floor. She didn't want to romp around, just wanted to be near me. I picked her up and placed her in front of me, but she waddled back to my right side and just sat there. I knew she was the one. I said - this is her, this is the one for me. Both my ex-boyfriend and the dog breeder were questioning why I didn't want the other dogs that were playful and little poofballs and not the sickly looking runt like the little white one to my side. I just knew it from the start she was with me until the end. We got in the car and she was scared to death - rode between my neck and the headrest the whole way home. I got her home and she pooped on my roommate and I gave her a bath. She looked just like a little rat when she was wet, still does. I blow dried her hair and she was a poofy little princess. She gained her self confidence and became the Queen of my world.
We've been through a lot me and my Lou, most things no one will ever know about. We've been through boyfriends, heartache, loss, college, my trips abroad, trips to TX, roadtrips down the Natchez Trace, grooming fiascos, movie marathons, long mornings laying in bed, marriage, moving, bringing other dogs into our routine, long hours by my side as I work, and way too many other things to forget.
Most people think I'm absurd for loving my dogs as I do, they are just dogs Rachel. Sorry, I just wish it were that easy to say. My dogs, especially my Lou has stood by me even if I was wrong or having a bad day, she's been there when I've had wonderful days and some of the most important times of my life. She's kissed away too many tears and has made me laugh too many times to just consider her a dog, she's the ultimate and knows me better than anyone. She knows when I'm upset and just need her to hold me and she knows when I'm happy and runs around excited for whatever that wonderful thing in my life may be! She's taught me many things like slowing down for just a minute and smelling that pretty spring flower, going for the gusto, responsibility, how to love, how to forgive. It's amazing my little girl has had such an impact....but she's just a dog? I beg to differ, she's my strength. As I sit here typing this blog I have grateful tears of happiness for having her and re living all she's helped me achieve...and you know what she's doing? She sensed my emotions, barked for me to pick her up and is now sitting up here on my desk licking my eyes. That's what it's all about. My happiness is her happiness and vice versa. We know that we can't live without each other, and to me - that makes each morning worth waking up and our love unconditional. Herz my Goose.

So my little one, I look forward to the many many more birthdays we have to celebrate and thank you for being you.

I made it!

Surgery went well and I am still recovering. I'm able to move about and shower and what not - I pushed it a little yesterday, but both hubby and I were getting a little stir crazy so decided to get out about town. I think I watched over 10 movies by Sunday and comprehended maybe 1/2 of them. Thank you pain meds :) The people at Baptist Hospital were wonderful. Chip and I tried to make jokes the first hour in the waiting room because we were both soo nervous all we could do was crack up at stupid thing...for example - there is a big screen TV that has a patient number and status that family members can keep track of their loved ones. I thought maybe they would post how things are going up there and Chip was like - "No, this is where you place bets on the patients that are going to make it - like horse racing" We were delirious and trying to make the best of this stressful situation. Cracking up tears rolling down the face laughter. So, they called me back and prepped me for surgery. My husband is "goobed out" to say he least at any hospital thing...for heaven sake he about flipped his lid walking by the gift shop - the teddy bears gave him the heebie jeebies he almost had a panic attack. So we went into the holding room where they put the IV in as he faced the wall and covered his ears. Once the IV was in my left arm and Chip would only touch the tip of my finger on my right hand - it's like he thought the needle was going to shoot out of my left arm and out my right hand fingertip? Then the anesthesiologist came in - Dr. McCloud - more like Dr. McHeaven...I was hoping I wouldn't say anything ridiculous to him once they gave me the "margarita" as he called it. Evidentially I did some some funny things because I had everyone cracking up in the OR before surgery. I remember one of them saying they were glad to have a happy drunk! Then they put the "oxygen" over my eye and the nurse cracked up and that's all I remember. Wheeling me into recovery was extremely funny. I finally came to and there was a cut out heart with glitter around the edges and in the middle it said "I love U" - I asked the guy in recovery if my husband made that for me - he said "Why, yes he did" I sat there for a minute and as serious as the day is long said, "you're silly, no he didn't he's not that creative." Then I asked if the digital thermometer box on the wall was where you put your dentures when you have surgery. So after a nice shot of morphine and the fire in the pit of my stomach was put out (nausea) they took me back to the holding area where my Chippy came. I asked him if I won the trifecta on the surgery races and he told me I did. So, long story short - I did say some silly things, but none of them too revealing, that I know of.
Chip said that everyone in the waiting area thought I was having some massive detailed surgery because nurses kept coming out and letting him know how I was doing every few minutes. Then when surgery was over - the surgeon came out and talked to him. He said everyone kept staring at him because no one was coming to talk to them about how their loved one was doing. Then yesterday I get a call from the Hospital asking how I was feeling. I was extremely impressed. I saw the doctor that referred me to the surgeon yesterday in my outting and told him what a great experience it was and appreciated Dr. Cummins and Baptist Hospital. I had a really good experience and will definitely write them a thank you note. I don't think people write enough thank you notes these days.

Chuckle.

I had to have a chuckle on msn.com today. There was an article on Rachael Ray and comfort foods like her mac and cheese. Then to the right of that same box where the article is located is the healthy section on finding the Right Diet for You ~ and keep that new years resolution. Mmmmm. I watched the Mac & Cheese video because my new years resolution is to stay positive and things like mac & cheese make me happy. Dare to be different - the losing weight thing is so cliche and I say that at least 10 times a year like it's some great big breaking news - I'm Going On A Diet! Why say it again on the first day of the year and lie to yourself? Plus I also found this article Own a Pooch? and since I have 3 dogs - does that mean I am 3 times more likely to be "pudgy"? My favorite part of the article is when it says,"pet owners tended to be middle-aged, have less education and more health-risk factors." Good thing they are talking about the Finnish or I may have taken offense to this article. (wink)
Now my dogs can join the worlds fight against obesity by taking a new drug to make them skinny. Slentrol Oh what a tangled web we weave.

Tomorrow is surgery day - so I probably won't post and if I do then it will be fun for all of us to read due to the large quantity of pain meds I plan on taking - Should be interesting. My fear is not of the surgery itself, but what I am going to say to people when I am not fully aware of the words comming out of my mouth. I do have secrets and I hope they don't become exposed!

Preparing for Friday

Yesterday I went to Jackson to do my pre-admission stuff for my surgery Friday. It really didn't take as long as I thought it would and everyone was so nice there at Baptist. The nurse that took my blood had been there 27 years and she did not look a day older than 30 and had a 31 year old daughter. How did she get such great genes? I needed to know her secret, but she didn't have one. The questionnaire lady was really nice too, she wasn't pushy nor interrogating about medical and family history. She got the facts she needed, answered the questions I had and then sent me to the financial lady. The financial lady was so nice and let me know the most I would have to come out of pocket and she had the most beautiful complexion. I swear, I know I keep going on and on about these women's appearance, but it must have something to do with stress and lack there of? They were so easy going and happy and ready to help me in anything I needed. It really says a lot to me, their customer service is exceptional. Even the receptionists were joking with me and making me feel welcome. I hope my surgery experience is just as great as the pre-admission.
After the I left the hospital I went to Barnes & Noble and saw the Mississippi Magazine Bridal edition. I called Susan to tell her how beautiful her and D's page was, read up on a lot of books, couldn't decide which one I wanted so I left and went to Huntington's Grill. I figured, what the heck - why go home and sit and watch TV. CSI doesn't come on A&E until 10 or 11 anyway. :)
I like going to places and meeting random people. I met the Head Master of a local private school and we talked for a while. He wants to implement an International Program and we talked about foreign countries, the kids, the experiences. It was a nice intellectual conversation. One that none of my 3 dogs can carry on with me. After a glass of wine or two I decided - they took blood from me and I hadn't eaten, so I probably needed to not order another glass and head back to the Land of Koz. On the way home I checked back in with my friend Amy, she had a hysterectomy yesterday (she's 26). She was on some good pain meds and doing well. Then my Mere called me, she was in Houston doing a charity thing for the Rodeo. She's Miss. Do Everything - I admire her and her will. She's definitely a giver. And ALWAYS knows how to crack me up and make me feel better. That's what friendship is all about. We are definitely "soul mates" as she put it in the beautiful toast she gave at my rehearsal dinner. Life wouldn't be good if it weren't for people like that in your life. Everyone needs them. tear....tear...

This whole not negative thing.

Ok, so I know I just posted like 30 minutes ago about my new found attitude. But you know what, there are just somethings that you can be pissed about. Like trying to make your blogspot not look like blah white paper and then deleting all of your friends blogs under links. So, if you are reading this and you are not under my links...please post a comment and give me your site so I can repost it! Sorry! I did end up finding some from others peoples site I knew. Thanks peeps!

Happy New Year!

So, my new years resolution is still the same ol' same ol' cliche stuff like - lose weight, save more money, yadda yadda yadda - but this year I am adding something new. So many changes have happened in my life this past year - some good some bad, but it has really changed me. I'm not saying this is for the best either. So, my new new years resolution is to change my negative attitude. I have a friend that is such a Debbie Downer (like that Saturday Night Live skit) and I feel like I have turned into her and I really am not happy with it. I know how my attitude effects others and I don't want to be "that person". Now just because I am working on this doesn't mean I remember to stick by it 24-7. It's my resolution - I am trying to resolve this issue within me, so just bare with me. :)

I went to Alabama the week after Christmas and found my hubby an apartment. It's a nice little one bedroom - he calls it his bachelor pad. He called me last night (his first night there) and we were kind of sad that it became a reality he was there for real. I guess staying in a hotel for 3 months doesn't really feel like a place to live.

This year will bring a lot of hurdles to jump and obstacles to cross, but that is why my new improved attitude will help me though it. Lord, just give me the strength. This new year will be a challenge for me in every aspect.

As for the losing weight. I am in 2 weddings - one in October of this year and one in March of next year. So I have about 10 months to shape my ass up. I say as I just ate 3 of Paula Dean's Georgia Cookies, can't find the recipe online to post, but her new cookbook - a must have.

HAA!! I almost forgot the funniest thing over the holidays. We had a Christmas party the Saturday before Christmas and had a great turn out. A lot of fun people. To sum things up ...the person that never drinks threw up all over my back patio and the person that drinks often threw up all over the side of my house. I guess that makes for a good party? And I would have been throwing up all over if I'd of had to clean up the vom, but my dear friend Tasha gets the medal of honor for hosing that nastiness down. I thank you Tasha with all of my heart - really - there is no way I could do it for you. Just a little take away from the party - according to drunkard #1 (no names mentioned for the safety of the individual) we have brought back the words "Holmes" and "Boss". Here is an example on how to use these words in the same sentence. You have called your local game warden at 11:30 pm to find out the limit on the hooded meganders (aka. flying nuns) and you have to leave a message. "Hey Holmes, this is drunkard #1. If you could give me a call back that would be really Boss. Thank you." So kids, that is your lesson of the day. Please use your new vocabulary every chance you get - that would be really "boss".

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Just want all of my readers (all 2 of you) to have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year! No big plans. I have off Friday the 22nd to January 1st. We are having a Christmas party at the new digs Saturday night and then Sunday and Monday Christmas with the In-Laws. Tuesday thru Thursday I'll be in Alabama looking for Chip a place to lay his weary head. Then come home so he can go to "Mountain Man" for the weekend - his friends deer camp where they hunt, drink beer, play cards and don't shave for 3 days.

I'm a bad daughter - I am not going to the homeland during the holidays a) I'm tired b) it's a hustle and bustle, then just turn around and fly back - the type of trip you need a vacation from your vacation. c) I want to go to Alabama to see what my husbands alternate life is like.
I think, I hope that my family understands.

I'm looking for New Year's Eve trouble (since I'm not a mountain man), so let me know what you have up your sleeve!? I did receive an invite from an old friend to a party, but I'm not sure that's what I'm going to do. It needs to be something inexpensive, I have property taxes due in January. Man I am such an old Mamaw. lol

Ta Da! It's me, I'm here - Not Lost!

Wow, I haven't posted anything in a month. It's not like I've been busy, or haven't thought about it. I have no excuse. I live in my nutshell and focus on the routine. Though, I did break out of my shell Tuesday night. I went to the Golden Moon Luna Bar - the golden ball at the top of the building in Philadelphia, MS. It was fun, met some funny people. Julie the bartender was a fun lady. She was from Chicago and you could tell she likes what she does. Then I met Billy Jack the Mega Touch and Pool Table sales guy. I met Charlie the retiree that took great interest in what I do for a living. Then there was Jim, the ass that was soo cocky that even my bitchyness couldn't make him budge. Jim is the guy that has "The Tribes" 401-K. The tribe is the casino - it's an Indian reservation and the reason why there is a casino there without being on water. After Jim told me what he did, I being polite and trying to find a common ground with this stranger, informed him my husband was a broker. This was when things got deep and his arrogance shined. I found his boastful attitude quite amusing - it gave me the opportunity to put on my sarcastic smart ass face, which I haven't had the chance to do in a while. Once I let him know I was not impressed nor taken back with his endeavors he said, "Rachel, I like you, you're witty. Have you eaten dinner?" (Well actually he called it supper, which gets on my nerves anyway) I informed Jim I had not eaten dinner. He invited me to go to dinner with him, which I gracefully declined, turned to Billy Jack to my left and rolled my eyes, as he laughed uncontrollably. If I would have had to spend 10 more minutes around Jim the 401-K guy I may have thrown him off the top of the golden ball. I told my husband about Jim and he said, you should have taken him up on dinner, and made him take you to Phillip M's (this fine restaurant we like to eat at, but can't always afford to do so) . The night was so much fun though - I cut up, drank, met new people and got to be a bitch all in the same night. That is rare! I felt like the me I know. I was feeling sort of pathetic going there by myself, but am certainly glad I did. I needed that get away, solo or not!

Next week I get to go to Oxford. I always look forward to seeing all of my friends. There is a party there Tuesday night, but I wasn't going to go to until Thursday for my company Christmas party. If I can find someone to watch my 4 legged monsters I may can do both! That would be a treat. I'm sort of excited about next week. I get to go to Oxford see everyone, see Susan and Daniel's new house, then come home Friday because my friend Juli B. is having a party that night and then our friend from Nashville is coming to town and decided she was having a party at our house Saturday night. So, I will literally have to pencil everyone in this next week...have your people call my people - we can do lunch. (ha, one week of fun things to do has made me a snob)