Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Black Friday...Observations and other thoughts

Last year was the first time I did the whole Black Friday at Midnight thing.  A couple of years earlier I went to Walmart at 5AM but that was only because our furnace was out and I thought it might be warmer there than at home.  Yeah, decided never to do THAT again. 

Last year my nieces, Lexi and Ally, along with my friend Leslie, went out for Black Friday.  First we went to the movie and then to Target at midnight.  It was fun and we got stuff we needed and everyone was in good spirits--none of that pushing and shoving you see on TV.

This year I didn't have much to get, but the girls wanted to go again so we formulated a plan.  Walmart at 8pm, the Twilight movie, then the mall at midnight.  My sister, Marne, decided to go too, but only 'cuz she wanted to see the movie.  She really had no desire for the shopping.

I wish I had taken a camera to capture the look of HORROR on Marne's face at Walmart.  It was pretty crazy, crime scene tape everywhere--not because of crime, but to keep the shoppers all in line for whatever it was they were after.  You want the TV?  Go hang out on the frozen food aisle.  Oh, you want the iPad...you head over to the dog food aisle.  You get the idea.  I was after DVD's...they were in the deli by the bacon and bologna.  Ran into my cousin's wife there, I had never met her before so that was nice.  My cousin was in the TV line...

Cruised out of Walmart, went to the movie.  We were early for the movie.  I was starving.  Seriously, McDonalds would have made a fortune if they had been open.  Walked past PF Changs and Red Robin...no luck.  All closed.  We guzzled down some energy drinks and a pizza before the movie started, and then had some diet coke and popcorn.  My poor stomach.  The movie was good, glad that series is over.  On to the mall...

The line at Old Navy...OMG...I took the girls one time to Old Navy for $1 flip flops.  We waited in line so long I needed a hair cut and was a year older by the time we left.  The Black Friday line...it was WORSE.  We turned around and left.

Here is the sad part about my BF shopping.  I bought hairspray, it was half off.  I bought a new shirt, for myself, it was on sale.  I bought room deodorizer at Bath and Body, it was on sale.  I bought one small gift, otherwise everything else was stuff I would normally buy because I need it, but cheaper.  Really?  How lame is THAT?  And on top of that, there were a zillion people just hanging out, standing around.  NOT shopping.  Why were they there?  I think I saw more teenagers than anything, don't we have a curfew here?  They are just loitering around, drinking Starbucks (it was open but had a line clear out the door!!!)...so weird.

Oh, and the line for Victoria's Secret?  Horrendously long...people waiting for all eternity to buy a bra that likely cost $85.  No. Thank. You.  Hollister, or one of those teeny bopper stores, had the shirtless dudes at the entrance, but there were so many people I couldn't even get my Cougar on.

We were out of there and I was home in bed by 230.  I'll probably do it next year, if the girls are up for it.  At least I get to cross a movie off of my list each year!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

Apparently I have been busy because it's been a couple of months since I have updated my blog.  A lot of things have happened, some happy, some sad...

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving I've been thinking about all I have to be thankful for.  A two of my friends have suffered the horrible loss of their husbands (and in one case, her husband and young son).  I can't imagine my life without Tommy and Adrian, so I am very thankful for them, the loves of my life. 

My heart and thoughts are with Cara and Pearl, Tami and Chloe and Ethan, Sherrill and the Rudas...family is everything and the loss of family is unfathomable.  My thoughts are with them this Thanksgiving as they gather with friend and family and remember those who are gone.

I'm also thankful for a lot of other stuff, aside from my immediate family:

The Real Housewives of Adams County, who provide tons of laughs and fun.

Susan, my fellow democrat, who drank with me on election night whilst we sweated the results.

Loud Mouth golf clothes, because they are bright and fun.

Rhoda, my snuggly little dog, who I adore.

Vodka...enough said.

Botox, so I don't look like such a people hater all of the time.

My nieces, Lexi and Ally, who allow me to know what it would be like to have daughters

Modern medicine, which helped Tommy with a small nervous tic problem, and made him a much happier child.  Man, I love that kid.

Modern medicine, which helps me with pesky problems like hormones and hot flashes and makes me a much happier mommy.

Vodka...oh yeah, I said that one already.  OK, I'll be specific...Flavored vodka...

Bacon

All of these little things get me though the rough times.  I couldn't do it without family, friends, and apparently booze and pills.

I love you all, enjoy the frenzy of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, and send out some good thoughts to my friends during this most difficult time of year.

Muah!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Another birthday...

I'm starting to enjoy birthdays again. After a rough time in my 30s, birthdays are fun again and something to celebrate.

Think about it...
At 5 you start kindergarten
You are a teenager at 13
Get your driver's license at 16
Vote at 18
Woohoo drink legally at 21
Car insurance goes down at 25--unless you are me and crash a lot and get your car stolen a couple of times

It's pretty much down hill from there. No birthday milestones, you just get older and saggier and if you are still single turning 30 is like a scarlet letter. But lots of good stuff happened in my 30's, I got married (whew) and had a baby and kind of came into my own.

When I turned 40 I embraced it. No dreading of birthdays and celebrating with friends. So tomorrow I turn another year older and have 4 days of fun and celebration planned.

Below are some pictures of birthdays past:


My original BIRTH day
 
First birthday, check out the jazzy high chair
 
Second Birthday, same jazzy high chair
 
Third birthday, that is a Lemon Torte from Vollmers, and those are my dad's sideburns. 
 
Another birthday, Raggedy Ann cake (a recurring theme)
 
Probably a Raggedy Ann cake, check out the pink clogs.  My love of clogs exists today.
 
Another Raggedy Ann cake
 
Birthday in first grade, Julie Jamison, do you see yourself?
 
Who remembers birthday parties at McDonalds, dang that was good cake
 
Hot pink leisure suit!  That's Shari Sword for those who went to Central

Another Raggedy Ann cake
 
Not a Raggedy Ann cake
 
Thank God someone stopped taking pictures of me with cake.  Or, this is the last one I could find.  Check out those blue daisy dishes!!
 
So while I am pretty sure I won't have a Raggedy Ann birthday cake tomorrow, I will have a fun filled weekend with my hubby and son, good friends and family.  Happy birthday to me!!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

We are raising a proud little Democrat

It is not a secret in our house as to which side of the political fence we sit.  Adrian and I talk about politics, watch politics on TV, etc.  Four years ago we sent Tommy to pre-school in a t-shirt that said "Obama Bama Bo Bama" on it, I thought it was awesome.  One of our friends (Russ, that would be you) was not amused.   That's just how we roll.

We don't have a shirt for him for this election, but if he gets one it will be because Tommy wants one, not me airing my political views through my child.

Anyway, the other day we were in the car and the conversation went like this:

T:  Mom, that car has a Romney bumper sticker on it
Me:  Yep, it sure does
T:  I don't like Mitt Romney
Me:  Why not?
T:  Mitt Romney tells lies. 
Me:  Where did you here that:
T:  On the TV.

OK, one, are the politicians now advertising on Disney XD because that's about all he watches, and two, I didn't know he was that observant.

Me:  Well, even though I don't particularly like Mitt Romney you can't believe everything you see on TV.  Those commercials can be deceptive.
T:  Mom!  Romney is a 'publican and 'publicans TELL LIES!

At this point I am not going to argue, the kid would argue over the color of the sky, so I am trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.

T:  Mom!  Did you hear me?  'publicans tell lies.  Brayden says that Obama is a liar and I told him that the 'publicans are liars and we got in an argument about it (Yes, Tia, if you are reading this, Tommy was talking with your Brayden).
Me:  Tommy, it's not appropriate to discuss politics at summer camp.  People lose friends arguing over politics.
T:  But MOM!  Brayden and I argue about everything!

It's going to be a long run-up to the election.  I hope I don't get any calls from angry parents!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Open letter to the creep who stole my debit card number

You are a King Jackhole.  Seriously get off of your ass and get a job that earns you your own money so you don't have to steal from hard working people like me.  I hope you get caught and go to prison where you will become some bad man's (or woman's) bitch.

Thanks to you I now have no debit card.  It's a good thing my husband watches every transaction that goes through our bank account like a hawk.  Normally an iTunes charge wouldn't raise suspicion, however a $21.98 purchase did.  Dude, what did you buy?  I'm guessing an app on how not to be a jackass...

Meanwhile I had to call the bank, also known as India, to speak to someone named "Frank" who sounds more like Apu from the Simpsons.  Frank tells me to contact iTunes, which I have just told him I already did and that they are the ones who said the card was used fraudulently.  He is not understanding, I do the stupid American thing and just talk louder, since volume makes things easier to understand.  Finally he gets it and sends through the claim and cancels my card.  Tells me I'll have a new card in 10 business days.  He has obviously never met me and doesn't know that my debit card is my lifeline.  He then offers to expedite it and I'll have it in 3 days.  OK dude, why the frick didn't you just offer that to me in the first place????

Adrian is loving that I have no debit card.  No debit card = no spending.  I had to use his card to get gas the other night, beg $7 off of him to buy lunch the other day, lucky for me there was a BBQ at work today so I didn't need any money.  It's like not having one of my arms, the only thing worse would be to have my iPhone taken away from me.

You identity thieves and credit card stealers really are the scum of the earth.  Someday there will be a way to find you and you are going to get yours.  Your new cellmate Butch will make sure of it.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Things not to do or say to a really hormonal menopausal woman

Here is some backstory. Because I'm so young (ha ha) my doctor won't put me on full on HRT. Apparently it causes bad Osteoperosis and I really don't want to be Hunchback Heidi in my later years. Instead I take regular old birth control pills but back to back for three months and then I stop for a week. I call that HELL WEEK.

Hell week is bad for everyone. Me, my husband, my child, coworkers, friends, mail man, checkout person at Hobby Lobby, you get the picture. It's like a demon has invaded my body for a solid 7 days.

Until you live this yourself you have no idea how horrid it can be. I have a week long headache, I think nasty thoughts, I snarl, I drink vodka. Hell week has varying degrees of hellishness and this past week was a doozy. While I wallowed in my misery I compiled a list of things that really set me off this week and I'd like to share them with you.

1. When a HG (Hormonal Gal) states that she's literally crazy without her hormones don't reply "really there isn't much difference when you take them and when you don't" and then say it was a joke.

2. Do not rip open the bag of English muffins leaving a hole in the package. You are not a caveman. Open and close the bag in the appropriate manner.

3. Do not call your mom "mother of the year" when you don't get your way.

4. Do not insinuate that I am not a team player.

5. Do not hide the Midol.

6. Do not pull a bait and switch.

7. Do not ignore my texts and phone calls.

8. Do not hide the chocolate.

9. When I ask for multi-seed Crunch Master crackers in a yellow box do not bring home focking Ritz crackers in a red box.

And for the love of all that is holy DO NOT ASK ME WHY I AM CRYING. I don't usually know why and don't have an answer. So do us a favor and don't ask.

That pretty much sums it up. I know it sounds like my hubby said some wrong things this week but I spend more time with him than anyone so he had more opportunity. He also did some really nice things and tried to make me feel better so he does get let off the hook a bit!

Today is a new day and the start of my hormones and I already feel like a new person. I'm good for another 3 months but then...watch out.