Monday, November 27, 2006

life is too short....

Yesterday, a cousin of mine was taken off life support and passed away. He was only 22 years old. He had been driving on wet roads and skid out of control, then hit a telephone pole and a tree. When the ambulance arrived, his heart was still beating but he was not breathing. He had broken his back and neck in 6 different places. He was put on life support, but the injury to his brain was too severe.

Please......WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS!!! He wasn't wearing his, or he might just still be alive!! My heart goes out to my family in this time of loss. What a tragedy.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

maniacs at the mall.....

I have to say that the day after Thanksgiving sales are about a madhouse. Is it really worth the pulling of hair, the scratching out of eyes, the gnashing of teeth to save $10 on a Christmas toy?

A Mervyn's employee of mine said that there were 1,000 people there at opening to get some MP3 players that were really crappy, but CHEAP, and they were running UP the DOWN escalator. Some lady almost fell, so he hit the emergency stop button to prevent injuries, but it gave everyone running up it a nice jolt.

Target had some cheap Lego sets, and people were nearly killing each other to get them. How ridiculous!!

I did get a "free" tree at Home Depot that I am very happy about. It was $29.99 and I get a $30 gift certificate from them in the mail. That is cool.

The kids and I finished decorating, and I am done shopping except for a few minor things. I have six days off coming next week, I have to wrap presents before the kids see them. I have to finish some scrapbooking gifts, then I can sit back and enjoy the holiday season. I do enjoy the giving atmosphere of the season, but I don't like how commercialism has kinda taken over.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

productive day....

I have to say that today was productive, I got most of the Christmas decorations up. Hubby was gone with his brother the entire time, so he got out of it. The kids were excited as we didn't have a tree last year and spent the day at a hotel. (It wasn't fun at all.) Everyone in CA living around us came to the conclusion that Mormons don't believe in Christmas.

My mother started a few Christmas traditions.... every year she bought us dated Hallmark ornaments. I have some from the 70's, and continued the tradition with our kids. I am missing one from the oldest from 1992, I hope it turns up. It's fun, but the kids are always fighting about who has what, so I took the time to label them this year.

Everything is mostly done except for the ceremonial hanging of the beloved Hallmark ornaments on the main tree, which we will do on Friday. I need another tree for the living room with the fireplace. I may wait until the day after..... We all also just noticed that the tree we have used for the last 17 years is smaller than we remember..... but it still looks OK. Maybe the day after Christmas I will get two more trees....HUMMMM?? Even though there won't be much under the trees, the house looks cute after years of accumulating Christmas decor. Fun.

pre-mad?

So.... we are going to Ryan's mother's house tomorrow. She has allowed a cat into her home, an animal that I am deathly allergic to. I will be sick less than 5 minutes after walking in the house. She says that it doesn't roam the house, but what people don't understand is that the dander DOES roam the house.

What is funny is that my husband knows that I will suffer through it at her house much like I do at my cousin's house. I am in my cousin's house only long enough to sleep in the room that the cats are forbidden in, and I still get sick. I get up and leave the house immediately, and return only to sleep. I drug myself up with allergy medication, but my allergy to these worthless animals is so severe that it doesn't help much.

With that said, my husband was mad at me today.....I asked him why and he said, "I know that we are only going to be at my mom's house for a couple of hours and then we are going to have to leave." Then, he starts mocking me by immitating my voice when I am sick and not able to breathe due to severe asthma, "uh, thanks for dinner...we have to go now....I can't breathe."

I said to him, "wait a second, you are mad at me for something that I haven't even done yet?" Why aren't you mad at your sister for bringing it into the house, which would also be about as ridiculous. Yep, that is what I have to live with.......

Saturday, November 18, 2006

fat lady vs airline seat

OK, I know this is rude, but it is a serious problem.

There was a lady that was easily 400 lbs on the airplane with us. I watched her board before everyone else.....which spared anyone who might have been sitting on an aisle seat as her passing would have deprived them of whatever was near the edge.

I watch her get in her seat. She doesn't fit, so she moves the arm rest up to fit and cannot put it back down. I watch as people board the plane. She has to use the restroom, and she has to back into the bathroom as there will be no room for turning once inside. She doesn't lock the door, and some unexpected gentleman walks in on her. He is, most likely, at least partially blind, now.

She returns to her seat to find that two other young girls have now occupied their seats next to her. She attempts to squeeze back into her seat, but cannot get in without much effort, then there is not room for her as she occupies almost the entire seat next to her.

Luckily for the two girls next to her, the plane was not full and they were moved. Why didn't this huge person have to buy two tickets? What would the airline have done if the plane were full and she wouldn't fit in her seat?

Another thing, the airlines are now nazis about how much your luggage weighs. If it is even one pound over, you must remove it or pay extra. Me and all my luggage, plus my flight companion AND his luggage, didn't weigh at much as her alone. If you have to pay extra for luggage, she should have to pay extra for weighing down the plane, using two seats, and causing the plane to use extra fuel. Oh the injustices.....

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

life is about to improve?

Well, congrats to Ryan on finishing his dissertation!! I believe that life is about to improve for all of us. :) I get to work less overtime, once we catch up, and Ryan gets to have a real, normal life. I am sooo excited, but surely not as excited as Ryan.

On another note.....today on the airplane, there was a lady that was sooo huge.....she could barely fit in the aisle. She went to the restroom, but didn't lock the door. Some poor, unsuspecting man opened the door on her. (Though I am not sure how he got the door open.) I heard him gasp, and apologize. I am sure he is going to need some therapy. I was going to give him Ryan's number..... :)

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

dissertation jitters

Well, Ryan is defending his dissertation this morning. I hate that there is so much riding on this one meeting!! He was a little anxious last night, and I am feeling it this morning. I keep looking at my watch, and time is going by so slowly. Good Luck, Ryan!! We LOVE you!!!

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

she's a maniac, maniac

Well, I just did my timesheet and the last two weeks I only worked 125 hours, as compared to the 147 the previous two weeks. Whew!! The only bummer is that I didn't get to spend any of the last check on fun stuff, so maybe this next one...... well, who am I kidding? Oh well, I am very grateful that I have the overtime should the need arise.......