Saturday, January 28, 2006
New Year's Resolutions-Did Ya Keep Em?
So here's my list that I published before New Year's Day. I've read that January 24th is the "Most Depressing Day of The Year" as the holidays are over, the bills are coming in and we've broken most of our resolutions. Perfect time to go back and review, check off what I've accomplished, and work on what I haven't. Remember, your resolutions are for a YEAR, not a few days. How are YOU doing with YOUR resolutions?
1…. I resolve to give 100% of myself to whatever I'm doing. I want to be a better wife, mother, sister, friend, employee.
Hubs will have to answer this one. I'm trying.
2....I will organize my cabinets and pantry by the end of January (if I don't give myself a deadline, it won't get done)
Well, they say pictures are worth a thousand words. I took the picture posted at the end of the post this morning. You decide.
3....I will be more digital - that doesn't make sense to many unless you know my husband and saw all of the "toys" (mind out of the gutter, not those kind of toys...although....) that I'm blessed to have and are basically sitting and collecting dust!
Again-I'm trying. I have downloaded and posted pictures from my digital camera. I need to do better about actually taking pictures. I'm bad about that. I am currently sitting at my laptop, using my dual monitor to post, check email, and download stuff from the camera. The dual monitors come in very handy for this. I am listening to my IPod while doing all of this. I even created a "Play List" in ITunes. Now I have to figure out why my Ipod isn't syncing.
4....I will download the pics from my new digital camera more frequently than, um, let's not go there.
See comment above.
5....I will organize said downloaded pictures!
Honestly, I'm to anal to NOT organize them. Yup, everything tucked nicely into categorized folders.
6....I will make more time for myself and feel less guilty about doing so. (Yeah, add this to the list of resolutions most likely to be broken).
OOO, better work on that one!
7....I will hold hands and cuddle with my husband when we are together (all you people who don't like public displays of affection-sorry)
Yeah, not doing so good with this one either!
8....I will slow down and smell the roses!
Nope-no roses yet.
9....I will take a fabo vacation at some point during the year (without my kids) and not feel guilty about it.
Ahem. Cough. Yeah.
10..I will put money into my savings each payday (and try not to take it out before the next payday)
Score on this one! Been putting money in each payday (including December 31st) and haven't taken any out!
11...I will get the wheels turning on a new project that I have churning in my brain. Nope, can't tell you what it is yet!
The more I think about this project, the more I'm talking myself out of it. I have come up with a thousand excuses as to why this isn't a good time. I need to just DO IT! I will work on it.
12...I will attempt to make better food choices on a regular basis
Actually, so far so good. Down 5.5 lbs. and making much better food choices.
13...Saved the best for last.....I will join the new gym being built by my house as soon as it opens. I will then go to said gym at least 3 times per week!
Been checking the web every week waiting for the pre-sale information. I'm going to do this!
All in all, not too bad. I will work on the others. Oh, and here's the picture. Yeah, guess you all know what I'll be doing tomorrow!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
11:21 AM ::
4 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Friday, January 27, 2006
Stuff Portrait Friday!
I can’t believe that it is Friday already! This week, Kristine over at Random and Odd, has quite an odd list for us to put together. Pictures of…
1. Your Toys
2. Your Secret
3. Your Eyes
My Toy
This is one of the best inventions around, my Roomba vacuum cleaner. It is not a new toy, I’ve had it for a little over a year now and I use it just about everyday. It vacuums the floors and the carpets, then returns back to the charger and charges itself.
My Secret
After much thought, I decided to post a “black hole”. There are too many secrets to name…hehehe
My eyes
Oh geez it looks like I’ve been on a binge. Remember, I am not a morning person and I took this photo way too early in the morning (about 6AM). So if these eyes are the windows to my soul, then I need to draw the blinds (at least for a few more winks of sleep...LOL).
Did you play?
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
5:08 AM ::
29 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Remember, Your Teen Can Have a Bad Day
I was getting a little irritated (OK, I was downright pissed) at my oldest son yesterday. One of his teachers called me. I sent my son a text message asking him to call me at lunch. He didn't. My temper was mounting (OK, I was steaming). Finally, he called me while I was stuck in traffic driving home from the office. I was distracted by the traffic which was good for him as I wasn't in the mind set to "rip him a knew one." As he told me about his day, I was glad that I did more listening than talking. Here is his day in a nutshell.
2nd period-went to restroom. While washing hands, cell phone fell into sink and now doesn't work. Gets to his 3rd period class (chemistry). They were doing a lab. He slipped his class ring off while doing the lab so that the chemicals wouldn't damage it. Class ended, the lab wasn't finished. Teacher said everyone had to stay to clean up lab. Long and short, when he finally left to try to make it to his 4th period class which is on the other side of the school, not only did he forget his ring, he was late (according to him by 5 seconds) and the teacher wouldn't let him in. This is the teacher that called me. The teachers words to me were "M just missed making it to class on time and came as I was shutting the door." (This would line up with the 5 seconds as the teachers all close the door when the bell rings and anyone in the hall has to go to "tardy sweeps".)
By the time he finished, I was glad I didn't start our conversation by yelling at him. It's hard to remember that our kids have bad days also.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
8:44 AM ::
4 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Haven't Got A Darn Thing!
This has been a pretty uneventful week. Busy but unventful, and sometimes that is kind of nice. I do have a question to our blogger friends (because you are so talented): How do you upload animated gifs and quick time/real time movies to blogger? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:56 AM ::
0 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Five Lessons To Make You Think About The Way We Treat People.
Our friend from Germany sent this and I thought I would share.
.
1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. " In your careers,you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned hername was Dorothy.
2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 P.M., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car hadbroken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..It read:
"Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dyinghusband's bedside just before he passed away... Godbless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely,Mrs. Nat King Cole.
3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled is hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the icecream, paid the cashier and left.
When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies..You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.
In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables.
Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.
5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her."
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in the bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away".
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:19 AM ::
4 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
WINTER CLASSES FOR MEN AT THE LEARNING CENTER FOR ADULTS
Not that our hubbies need this ** wink, wink** but it's nice to know these courses are available. Enjoy!
REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY Tuesday, Jan.31, 2006
NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.
Class 1 How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation. Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 2 The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.
Class 3 Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice. Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 4 Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics. Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.
Class 5 After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM
Class 6 Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM
Class 7 Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum . Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.
Class 8 Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 9 Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.
Class 10 Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks? Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.
Class 11 Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing . Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined
Class 12 How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion ---Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.
Class 13 How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy --- Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.
Class 14 The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration. Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.
Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
10:30 AM ::
7 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
This Is An Awsome Story
NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said.
The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean, then forced back to shore when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.
"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park, told AFP.
"After it was swept and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added. "The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it would follow its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.
"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another. We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures of nature; Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:11 AM ::
9 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Light At The End of The Tunnel
Jeez. If it weren't for SuZan, this blog would be quite barren! I just love year end closing - NOT! I must say, after keeping my nose to the grind stone the past week, my in box is no longer over-flowing into my out box, and I only have six different piles of files on my floor instead of the 20 or so that have been there since the 1st. I think I've scared my co-workers away. This is high stress time in my world and I think I've snapped a few times more than normal. But, I'm happy to report that I'm almost done!
Add to the high stress time the fact that they thought my son had Mono or TB (they tested for both, he didn't. Just a bacterial infection). Now that he's better, dear daughter started complaining of a sore throat and just feeling bad all over. Someone stop the madness! There is not, repeating, is NOT enough Lysol in this world!
That is all. I just wanted to breeze by, thank SuZan for filling the gaps, and tell my blogger buddies I miss them!
Counting down to the Austin Blogger Blowout thinking that certainly living through this schedule calls for a little extra "fun"! Watch out Austin!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
3:28 PM ::
3 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY BABY BOY!
Unfortunately this is a belated birthday wish, G2’s birthday was last week but we all know that blogging (as much as we all enjoy it) has to come second to life.
This year you turned 17. WOW……17! It is still so hard to believe. It seems just yesterday that you were a tot. Cutting your own hair before a special occasion; painting (with black paint) in the living room while your dad and I were still asleep (spilling it and trying to clean it up); and then there was the time when you decided to hatch an egg in your room, you hid it well, but the smell gave you up.
It has been a joy raising you and it blows me away that next year you will be able to vote and begin life as an adult. It all went so fast. I do want you to know my son, how very proud I am of you. You have turned out to be kind, loving and fairly balanced (I say fairly because of your obsession with U of M…we are still puzzled).
Representative Riddle, Governor Perry & G2
.
Always be yourself and never change for anyone,
because who you are is absolutely incredible…
I love you son!
.
Go over to G2's blog and wish him a Happy (belated) Birthday
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
5:42 AM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Saturday, January 21, 2006
He Did Warn Me…
Yes, he did. He warned me before we got married. What was that warning you ask? He warned me that “the difference between men and boys are the price of their toys”, and I’m constantly reminded of this.
Here you see Big G's new toys, rock climbing equipment. Oh joy, so now before he jumps off a perfectly good rock (he loves rappelling), he is going to have to climb up it. {{Just kidding}} I’m actually very supportive of this for him. He has always wanted to go rock climbing and with our busy schedules it took him a year to go through all the training, so he is now ready for the next step (pardon the pun). However, I did suggest when the equiment came in that we examine his life insurance policy.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
9:40 PM ::
0 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Translate Your Blog!
I about peed my pants I was laughing so hard.
Try it!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
9:22 PM ::
2 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
NATURE
Nature has such a way of expressing herself!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
8:48 AM ::
2 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Friday, January 20, 2006
ROOTING FOR THE HOME TEAM!
Little David is in the fifth grade. Yesterday morning when the teacher asked the children what their fathers did for a living, all the typical answers came up: salesman, policeman, doctor, etc.
The teacher noticed that little David was being unusually quiet so she asked him about his father. "My father's an exotic dancer in a gay bar and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes they give him money and he goes in the back room with them."
The teacher, obviously shaken, got the other children busy with assignments and took little David out in the hall to ask him, "Is that really true about your father?" "No," said David, "He really plays for the Houston Texans but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids."
Lets face it, if you're going to "root for the home team" in this town, you better have a sense of humor!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
5:52 AM ::
5 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
My Handsome Little Man!
Him & his date!
All right, maybe he's not so little anymore, but he's still my man! My son M had to wear a tux for his first formal. The event was the "Brigade Ball", and I must say that the girls and their parents did a fantastic job of putting this together. My son had a blast! This group goes together to all of the events. My son has dated, hmm, I guess three of the girls in this group. His date for this event was strictly a friend. In fact, she kind of gets on everyone's nerves, but my son never wants to hurt anyone's feelings. He told me he was hoping to go with another one of the girls, but when she asked, he didn't want to hurt her feelings. What a good son! Enjoy!
Waiting to go.
Plotting with the guys!
Did you notice-M is the only one in white. He planned it that way.
Three of the girls he's taken to events.
The girls showing their legs!
P.S. He won "The most muscular" for the junior boys. He got up and strutted his stuff!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
8:25 PM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
IN A BLINK OF AN EYE...
In a blink of an eye, life rolls change. About a week ago, my Grandfather had a stroke. I went up to East Texas this weekend to help my Aunt and Uncle in any way that I could, care for my Grandmother, as my Grandfather was her caregiver, and also to visit my Grandfather in the hospital. It was more difficult to see him in his current state than I thought.
He is where he needs to be right now in a rehab hospital. He will get better and stronger, but his life will be forever changed. He has always been so headstrong and independent and this is going to be his biggest challenge. It did hit me this weekend like a ton of bricks how life rolls change when I tucked my grandmother in bed and kissed her goodnight, just like she use to do for me; and when I helped my grandfather from the wheelchair to the bed and instructing him on how he needed to move and what to hold onto (all the time thinking…who the hell am I to be telling him what to do).
I guess because I moved so much growing up, east Texas has been sort of my anchor. The two male roll models I had growing up were my Grandfather and my Uncle. I couldn’t have asked for two better people in that position. While I looked up to my Grandfather (he was always larger than life to me), it was my Uncle that who unknowingly made me feel accepted and valuable as a person. They say that human nature is reluctant to change the status quo. I would say they are right, but we don’t always have a choice now do we.
Thank you all for your kind words from Sheri's post. This is a part of life, and we all have to face it. There is never a "good time" and it is very difficult to prepare for emotionally. We just need to be there for each other, mostly just to listen.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
3:23 AM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
We saw this on
Nancy's blog. It's a classic!
- About 100 people choke to death on SHERI each year.
- It is bad luck to walk under SHERI!
- There is actually no danger in swimming right after you eat SHERI, though it may feel uncomfortable.
- Long ago, the people of Nicaragua believed that if they threw SHERI into a volcano it would stop erupting.
- More than one million stray dogs and half a million stray cats live in SHERI.
- SHERI is the male seed of a flower blossom which has been gathered and treated by bees!
- When SHERI is swallowed, she will enter the blood stream within twenty minutes!
- SHERI can squeeze her entire body through a hole the size of her beak!
- Twenty-eight percent of Microsoft's employees are SHERI!
- SHERI will give a higher yield if milked when listening to music!
- SuZan, from the movie of the same name, had green blood.
- Only twelve people have ever set foot on SuZan!
- Over 2000 people have now climbed SuZan, with roughly ten percent dying on the way down.
- Neil Armstrong first stepped on SuZan with his left foot!
- SuZan will always turn right when leaving a cave!
- Pound for pound, hamburgers cost more than SuZan.
- Bees visit over three million flowers to make a single kilogram of SuZan.
- SuZan is actually a vegetable, not a fruit.
- Europe is the only continent that lacks SuZan.
- The Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter is made entirely of SuZan.
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:46 PM ::
1 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Monday, January 16, 2006
Thank You Sheri...It Did Make Me Smile
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:40 PM ::
7 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Sunday, January 15, 2006
A Very Long Drive
Thank you all for your many kind words and thoughts. Unfortunately, poor Bradley got worse and we had to put him down today. The meds seemed to make him feel better, but it seems the cancer got to his brain. He started to have seizures today and after the last one which lasted about 5 minutes, he was very disoriented and uncomfortable. Like many of you said, we knew it was time. It was.
Our vet uses a 24 hour emergency clinic near our home. We called, explained the problem, and made the decision that we couldn't let poor Bradley suffer any longer. I didn't think I would be able to do it, but I did. I helped my husband put him in the car, I drove, helped get him out, then said good-bye. The staff at the clinic was very nice and understanding. They made the whole process as easy as possible. We were told that we could go back and be there with him, but we both decided we couldn't. We said our goodbyes. By this point he seemed like he could no longer see us or hear us. He was a "gentle giant" to the end.
Again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers. It was easier to do after seeming him in such a bad state.
I love you, Bradley! Thanks for all of your love and kisses!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:08 PM ::
10 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Life's Moments
When 2006 came in with a bang (yes, a real bang. We live outside of Houston where fireworks are legal. It was crazy!!), I had a sense of peace. That almost knowing that it was going to be a good year. Then things happen and I go "huh?".
I am a very "glass is half full" positive type person. You wouldn't be able to tell from some of my posts this year. Let's see, I've posted about being sick on New Year's Day, then about my "mommy melt down", and other than that, I've been too darn busy to post much.
I want to make sure that you know how lucky I am to have SuZan as a friend. She is awesome! She's the kind of person that listens to you and is concerned about your problems even when she has something going on on her end. She is usually the one that posts on the weekends only because, well, life with 3 kids tends to make for one crazy weekend!
SuZan has had some family stuff going on this past week. I don't want to share without her permission, but just know that she has a few mountains to climb. She is going to have a challenging weekend for sure. Please keep her in your thoughts.
For all of you pet lovers out there, you will understand what I'm going through. We adopted a dog about 7 years ago. His name is Bradley and he was a rescue. He is part lab and part German Shepherd. I've always called him my "gentle giant" as he's never shown his teeth to anyone, including our Oreo who could be quite annoying during the puppy stage. We knew Bradley hasn't been himself for the past year, but we figured most of this was due to aging (we think he's about 12). For the past 3 weeks his health has gotten worse. I could tell as I watched him that breathing was difficult, if not painful. He wasn't eating hardly at all and was very listless. Having a pet is like having a child. You know when something is really wrong. I had that feeling in my gut. I called the vet yesterday, shared the symptoms, and when I made the appointment, did so knowing that I may not be walking back out with Bradley.
The vet called and suggested that we leave him overnight for testing and observation. Knowing me as well as she did she then said if the best decision is to put him down, that would be based on her findings. This would have been much easier because then I wouldn't have felt like I brought him there for "the last time". I mean, at least when I left him, I wouldn't have really known that it was for the last time (yeah, deep down I would have known).
When we got there, the vet decided on doing a preliminary exam. This lead to testing. Then they brought Bradley out to us. He was so ready to go home and he wrapped himself around the legs of me and my husband and looked at us with those trusting eyes. The vet came out to talk to us and showed us his x-rays. He has cancer. His lungs are almost completely inhabited with the cancer. She said the blood work showed that his kidneys and liver appeared to be going into failure. She said the decision was ours as to what we wanted to do, but that our dog would not get better. She said she could make him comfortable, but not better. With him hiding behind me and looking at me with those eyes, there was no way I could leave him right then! I don't think my husband could either as his eyes were red and looked a little teary.
So we took Bradley home with some meds that will make him feel better so that we can say goodbye. The vet told us we would know when its time to put him down. I wanted the kids to be able to tell him goodbye as well.
I know now that I don't think I'll be able to be the one to take him for his final visit. This is how I'm reacting to an animal, I could never imagine having to go through this with a child. My mother died from cancer when I was 19. It was easier to watch her die because she was so sick and she told us that she was in so much pain, she was ready to "go home". My dog can't talk.
I hate to leave you with such sad thoughts, but other than maybe a drunken post tonight, there may not be too many posts until Monday. Of course, on a positive note, my son is going to a formal dance tonight and has to wear a tux. I can't wait to see how handsome he'll look and hopefully I will get some great pictures to post. Got to liven things up around here!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
9:53 AM ::
4 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Friday, January 13, 2006
Stuff Portrait Friday!
For Friday the 13th, Kristine over at Random and Odd, has delegated us to complete the following mission: Pictures of…
1. Something you're afraid of.
2. Your Lucky Charm.
3. Something Friday the 13th ish (get creative)
Something I’m Afraid Of
The first one is easy! Anyone that knows me knows that I am completely afraid of heights. I can literally “freak out” at the top of a ladder. So this picture (not me) represents what I am afraid of. My reasoning... well He did make me 5’3” for a reason.
My Lucky Charm
This one required some thought. I really am not a superstitious (is that even spelled right?) person so I had to dig deep into all of my quirks. So I guess this is as good as anything…clean underwear. You know how your mom always told you to wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident; even though we would all agree that if you get in an accident you probably would lose your bodily functions anyway.
Something Friday the 13th ish
Can you believe this scary place? The horrors, the smell, the total disarray! This horrible, scary place is my son’s room. I am amazed everyday that he makes it out alive. Heck, even the cat won’t go in there sometimes (well there is the lizard living in there too).
Did you play?
Happy Stuff Portrait Friday everyone!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
1:19 AM ::
22 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Fun With The Kids!
I came across this website when G2 paid me a dollar he owed me (under protest of course). The doller bill it was stamped with www.wheresgeorge.com, so being the nosy one that I am, I checked it out.
It turns out that it is a dollar bill tracking site. All you need to do is key in the denomination, series, and serial number of any US dollar bill, and if others have registered it, you get a report of where it has been. The bill that G2 gave me was in Denver in 2004. You can also have the site email you if your bill is registered again. I thought that this would be a fun activity if you have younger kids (well I guess for us big kids too).
They also have a site that caters to our Canadian neighbors. You can find this one at www.whereswilly.com. It looks like it does the same as the WheresGeorge site.
Good Luck!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
11:33 AM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Way Back Wednesday-I'm a Star!
Momma Duck wants to see us being a "Star" or at least acting like a big drama queen. Well, that's just about every day. But, I know we are all short on time, so I picked my favorite.
Picture this-it was winter of my fourth grade year back in good old Harrisburg, PA. We had to do yet another dreaded book report, but this time, we could act out our book report with a friend. You'll never be able to tell from the picture, but the book on which we did our report was "Freaky Friday". I dressed as the mother (yes, that is me in the blond wig) and my friend, Karen dressed as the teenager. It was classic. We got a much deserved "A" on the report.
Enjoy! Let us know if you played!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
12:01 AM ::
8 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
SENIORITY!
This Says It all
A very self-important college freshman at a recent USC football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his own.
"You grew up in a different, actually almost primitive, world," the student said loud enough for the whole crowd to hear. "We young people today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars... We even have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with light-speed processing ... and uh.."
Taking advantage of the pause for breath in the student's litany, the"wizened" one said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young... so we invented them, you arrogant little shithead!! Now.... what are you doing for the next generation??"
(I just love senior citizens!!!)
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:57 PM ::
2 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Monday, January 09, 2006
Mommy Meltdown-Update!
I told you I have a great husband. When I walked in the door, these were waiting for me on the table!
Then I walked into our dressing area to take out my contacts (oh, he knows me so well) and what did I find? Flowers and chocolate! All is well in Cypress!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
8:56 PM ::
9 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
So I Had Major Mommy Melt Down Yesterday
I sure hope I'm not alone. But, yesterday I hit the point of "no more!" No more dishes, cleaning, dogs, kids, cooking, bill paying, blogging, nothing! I had a major melt down. I feel bad that I didn't handle things better, but sometime emotions are very hard to control.
See, here's the thing. The build up actually started before Christmas. I felt like everything, every possible thing that involved Christmas fell into my lap. Then, we have the after Christmas crap with my sister, who gets very depressed during the holidays. She comes and stays with us every year, has her own melt down, tells everyone how unhappy and miserable she is, how much she hates Houston, etc., then doesn't understand why I'm thinking about booking a cruise and leaving for the holidays next year. I'm her only family, so I feel like I have to let her come. I want her to come. But now that my kids are getting older, they don't understand why she comes around if all of this makes her so unhappy. I kid you not, when she was yelling at Apple Computer, she told the guy, "You'll just have to forgive me, I hate the holidays, I hate where I'm at, I hate Houston!" Do you know how hard it was for me to not say "Then get the Hell out of my house!"
After the holidays, the schools don't really give you a chance to fall back into routine slowly. No, they come up and whack you in the face with you gotta do this, have this, be here, be there. I have three kids that seem to have to be three different places at once! Yeah, just call me the poster child for birth control!
Then there's my job. I handle all of the accounting. The end of our fiscal year also happens to be the end of the calendar year. Joy, joy, joy! Not only to I have my regular month end shit to do, I have year end shit to do while using an ancient accounting system. The man I work for doesn't want to understand why everything isn't done---YESTERDAY!
I work full time. I walk in the door every night & cook dinner or stress about what I can pick up that everyone likes, fits our budget, and fits into the schedule. I do the dishes. I make sure homework is done. I write the checks to pay the bills. I do the laundry. I clean the house. I do the grocery shopping. I go to all (or as many as possible) of my kids events. I do all of the yard work. I usually handle this, no problem. But yesterday, my kids said some hurtful things and that was it! The straw that broke the camel's back! Melt down city! I was to the point of getting into my car, driving far, far away, with no intention what so ever of coming back.
Don't get me wrong. I have a wonderful husband that puts up with A LOT! But he was raised in a home, with a mother who didn't work and did EVERYTHING! Please know that he has never complained about anything not getting done. Unfortunately, all of this stress is pretty much self-induced.
Now that my therapy session is over, I guess I'll get back to the grind stone. Thank you for listening!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
2:19 PM ::
7 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Celebrating Women's 2005 Blog Pick of the Year
It's Just the Coffee Talking
Behind every successful woman…is a substantial amount of coffee.
The votes are in, competition was tough, but in the end Meritt's votes topped the chart. I must say that I was impressed with all the ladies and their tactics for "getting out the vote" I learned a thing or two myself. Throughout the week everyone of the ladies carried the lead so this was a difficult decision for the voters too. Hence the reason that you could vote everyday and for up to three cadidates.
.
If you would like to see our write up of "It's Just the Coffee Talking" when we announced that Meritt's site was our Blog Pick of the Month for December 2005, go
HERE.
The Shake-down
Katy: Poop, Paxil & Pageantry 31 votes
Kellie: Mom is Nutz 20 votes
Mama Duck: The Kept Woman 28 votes
Ammie: Sleeping Mommy 17 votes
Meritt: It's Just the Coffee Talking 33 votes
.
So Meritt, by popular vote…
for your talent, humor and overall good cheer:
Celebrating Women Celebrate You!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
11:05 AM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Saturday, January 07, 2006
A Test For Us Old Kids!
This is a test for us, old kids! The answers are printed below, but don't you cheat. The sad thing is that I only missed 2.5 of the questions (even though some of these are before my time...LOL).
READY?????
Here we go!
01. After the Lone Ranger saved the day and rode off into the sunset, the grateful citizens would ask, Who was that masked man? Invariably, someone would answer, I don't know, but he left this behind. What did he leave behind?____________ .
02. When the Beatles first came to the U.S. in early 1964, we all watched them on The __________________ Show.
03. "Get your kicks, ___________________."
04. "The story you are about to see if true. The names have been changed___________________."
05. "In the jungle, the mighty jungle, ________________."
06. After the Twist, The Mashed Potato, and the Watusi, we "danced" under a stick that was lowered as low as we could go in a dance called the "_____________."
07. "N_E_S_T_L_E_S", Nestle's makes the very best _______________."
08. Satchmo was America's "Ambassador of Goodwill." Our parents shared this great jazz trumpet player with us. His name was _________________.
09. What takes a licking and keeps on ticking? _______________
10. Red Skelton's hobo character was named __________________ and Red always ended his television show by saying, "Good Night, and "_______________".
11. Some Americans who protested the Vietnam War did so by burning their____________.
12. The cute little car with the engine in the ba! ck and the trunk in the front was called the VW. What other names did it go by? ____________ &_______________.
13. In 1971, singer Don MacLean sang a song about, "the day the music died." This was a tribute to ___________________.
14. We can remember the first satellite placed into orbit. The Russians did it. It was called
___________________.
15. One of the big fads of the late 50's and 60's w! as a large plastic ring that we twirled around our waist. It was called the ________________ .
Scroll Down
ANSWERS:
01. The Lone Ranger left behind a silver bullet.
02. The Ed Sullivan Show
03. On Route 66
04. To protect the innocent.
05. The Lion sleeps tonight
06. The limbo
07. Chocolate
08. Louis Armstrong
09. The Timex watch
10. Freddy, The Free loader, and "Good Night, and may God Bless."
11. Draft cards (Bras were also burned.)
12. Beetle or Bug
13. Buddy Holly
14. Sputnik
15. Hoola-hoop
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
12:11 PM ::
6 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Friday, January 06, 2006
Teenagers Learning To Drive
Here's a snippet of the conversation in the car last night while my teenage son who just got his permit a few weeks ago was driving and I was, um, err, well, here it is.
"Son, watch your right. You're drifting."
No response.
"You're drifting again. You will drift in the direction that your looking. Try to find the center of the lane, focus on it and line it up with the center of the car."
No response.
"Can you tell where the center of the lane is? See how it's darker in the center. The center of my car is kind of where the wind shield wipers meet."
Son says "Huh. I know what I'm doing."
"Son, you really need to stay in the center. You're about to hit the car in the other lane!"
"Why do people keep saying I'm drifting to the right?!? I know what I'm doing. Just leave me alone!"
As we pull onto the street that's not so busy that leads into my subdivision, I noticed that we were drifting. I thought to myself that, if he does drift he won't do much more than scrape the tire along the curb. Suddenly "Bump, chug, bang, whip lash!"
"Son, do you see why we keep telling you that you were drifting to the right?"
His response: "Wow. Why did they make the curb stick so far out?!?" "Good thing I wasn't changing the radio station when that happened!"
Ugh!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
1:24 PM ::
7 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Stuff Portrait Friday!
WOW…it’s Friday again! Now Kristine over at Random and Odd, has assigned us our task and has made the following request:
Show me BEFORE
Show me AFTER
Show me your new favorite thing
I’m afraid I cheated on this one (hope not too many notice). This past summer I decided that it was time to clean out the guest bedroom and make it a guest bedroom instead of a dumping ground. I had a budget of $500.00 for everything (changed out carpet too), and this is how it turned out:
This is the BEFORE:
This is the AFTER:
Now for my favorite new thing. Big G is so creative every year for Christmas. This year he had two gifts wrapped together. One was the movie “Forest Gump”; after I un-wrapped it I wondered why he gave it to me. Yes, it was a good movie, but not one of my favorites, the second gift (can you guess?) was a box of chocolates. He kept saying…”you never know what you’re going to find in a box of chocolates”. Duh…I still didn’t get it…(I'm such a dork) sigh! My MIL who was in on it then asked me “aren’t you going to share?” Now I was really confused as it was 7:30 am. I finally opened the box and along with the chocolates there was this:
I have always said that Big G is the romantic one of the house…not me!
Happy Stuff Portrait Friday everyone!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
5:25 AM ::
14 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Don't Forget...VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!
The polls are still open and Friday will be the last full day to vote for Celebrating Women's 2005, Blog Pick of the Year. Just go over to our sidebar and exercise your right to vote!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
4:33 PM ::
0 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
January 2006 Blog Pick of the Month!
“I’ve gone to look for myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here. Thanks!”
Jana lives in Pennsylvania. She is a mom and home educator to four boys. Yes, that’s right we said FOUR BOYS! Sheri and SuZan love her attitude toward life. She states in her profile “I am constantly amazed by the unexpected turns life can take, and equally amazed by all the little things that are expected, but still wonderful.”
She enjoys reading and loves to write (she even wrote a 50,000 word novel in a month; now how awesome is that?). Through her posts we can see her wonderful humor. She can write about “Food, glorious food!” and even admit that she pretended to be Wonder Woman (and Princess Leia, Daisy Duke, and Julie from the Love Boat); and still keep up with Way Back Wednesdays and Stuff Portrait Fridays. So go over and say hi to Jana and the boys and help us celebrate her!
So Jana…Sheri & SuZan honor you as
Celebrating Women’s January 2006
Blog Pick of the Month!
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
6:25 AM ::
2 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Thoughts on Motherhood
Maybe I should entitle this "If I Knew Then What I Know Now". Don't worry, this is not going to be a complaint about motherhood. I was stuck in traffic. Not that uncommon when you live in Houston. I saw a pregnant teenager. She must have been about 15. She was walking hand in hand with who I guess was the baby's father. They couldn't have been more happy about their situation. This made me wonder. Though they may be able to care for a baby and tend to that child's needs, how are they going to handle the struggles that come along as that child grows, matures, and has other needs?
I'm sure I'm not the only woman who, during the birthing process, declared that this child would be the only child and castration of the father was definitely a thought. Yeah, I din't think so. Three children later...... You see, I believe that God gave us the ability to forget the birthing experience and enjoy the miracle.
After the birthing experience, you have the colic, the sleepless nights, the terrible two's, three's, etc. You think while your experiencing this stage "will I ever make it through?" Now that I'm the parent of teenagers, I can assure you that, not only will you make it through, you will miss it! Yes, you heard me, you will miss it. You will laugh at those humdinger tantrums, the up all nights, the lack of "mommy time".
So now I wonder, in a few years, will I be looking back at the "teenager stage" and laughing at some of the struggles we're having? I think my biggest stress with having teenagers is knowing what I did when I was a teenager. If my kids even try half that stuff.....I just don't want to go there. It's very hard for a parent to let go and let their teenager make choices and decisions on their own when you know that there is a better choice or decision. I often wonder if, when my children are older and perhaps parents themselves, will they look back and have fond memories of their teenage years? Will I look back with fond memories forgetting the yucky part of teenager rearing just like I did with childbirth? I mean, there aren't too many days that go by that I don't hear what a mean, terrible, unfair parent I am. There aren't too many instances that I hear "I love you, mom", or "you're a great mom", or "you are right mom, I think I'll listen to your advice."
What is the point of this post? Maybe to encourage the new mother, or the mother of toddlers that yes, it will get better. Maybe I'm licking my own wounds. Like I said, it's been a while since my kids have looked at me and said "I love you mom. You're doing a great job!"
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
8:05 PM ::
4 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
I think my cat needs therapy
Mercedes has had a difficult holiday season. She has had challange after challange thrown at her left and right. The first insult was that we dogsat again for six days over the Christmas holiday. Needless to say...she was NOT happy.
Riley just made himself at home since he had been here before. He also remembered to stay away from that cranky cat.
Funny how this is the look on her face, every time she would look at Riley. I think it is safe to say that she was not a "happy camper".
We can't forget the constant stand offs that would take place. They both did better this visit and would at least stand five feet from each other. As if this whole senario wasn't bad enough, the day after the dog left, G2 and I went on our road trip. She hates suitcases and kept crawling in and out of mine.
So you would think that things calmed down after our return. Not really, cats hate fireworks. We think she hid under our bed during the festivities, but we are not sure. She finally appeared on Sunday. Since all of this torture, she has been sleeping A LOT. Does anyone know of a good pet therapist?
Posted by Sheri & SuZan ::
6:04 AM ::
3 comments
Post / Read Comments
---------------oOo---------------
Our blogging buddies had a lot of questions about my Roomba, so I decided to write this post and hopefully answer your questions. I have had it for over a year now, and I can honestly say that it is my most favorite cleaning toy. You can purchase them at Linins & Things, and also at Bed Bath & Beyond. The cost I find reasonable (around $250 with the charger) because you would pay that and more for a decent unit. For new filters and replacement parts you can order online at irobot.com. As far as I’m concerned, for anyone who has to clean the house, and is NOT a domestic diva, you would like the Roomba vacuum by irobot. This little vacuum is wonderful especially since I have hardwoods and have a cat.
I can’t believe that it is Friday already! This week, Kristine over at Random and Odd, has quite an odd list for us to put together. Pictures of…
For Friday the 13th, Kristine over at Random and Odd, has delegated us to complete the following mission: Pictures of…
The polls are still open and Friday will be the last full day to vote for Celebrating Women's 2005, Blog Pick of the Year. Just go over to our sidebar and exercise your right to vote! 
