We survived!

Well, the big "scare" of 6/6/06 is over....Miss T asked me last night why all the kids at school and some teachers were talking about this.  So I pointed out to her the "demonic" meaning of the sequence of numbers....she didn't want to hear it.  I also said "isn't it past 3pm?"...."see nothing happened" so it's all a hoax.  Nevertheless, we did see a serious coincidence with the Sept 11th world trade center....911....an emergency number sequence.  Leave it to some sicko's to do that 911 on 9-11...so I wouldn't put it past the same or similar sicko's to pull off a 666 stunt......or would that just be too obvious now.

I have a new job description to add to my resume........the boss brought in 4 pair of pants for me to affix a button and mend the pockets where his keys had poked through........ we are now officially the "office wives".  It is funny this circus I work for.

I received the official summer schedule for dance yesterday.  Thursdays are to be the mandantory "ballet" classes for all competing company members who are in lyrical, jazz or ballet company.  Tara also wants to pick up a hip hop class too and get back into acrobatics.  I'm glad for the acro, she is very limber, I  mean, this kid can get BOTH feet behind her head at the SAME TIME!  Just kills me!  At least the summer program will give her the opportunity to "try out" the hip hop to see if she really wants to do this.  There's not much "soul" in her moves if ya know what I mean....not too much rhythm there.  But she is very gracefull at ballet/lyrical (Mz Drama Queen) and quite the sassy Jazz kid.  The director even mentioned that she'd be great with a Jazz solo...Miss T has that lean dancer line body..not chunky, actually her ribs and hip bones stick out like mine did at her age.....oh those were the days.  (I graduated HS at 105lbs; 5'7" they called me Twig)

School has just 2 more days left...YIPPEE!!!!  After dance last night we went to Lisa Jo's fav CB for dinner, then I went over to Target to look for some teacher gifts.  I picked up some cucumber mellon candles, some note pads and a pen for each teacher. 

Also yesterday morning I did a Boo Boo.....I was rolling along my way to work enjoying Barbara's CD, hitting the repeat button, just as happy as can be.  I realized when I was 2 miles from the office that I was supposed to go to an attorney's office NEAR MY HOME that morning........turn around, go back!  Mind you we're talking 15 miles one way.  OH well, that just gave me more time to listen to Barbara's awesome CD, so not much of a loss there!!

I should be happy to be going to the beach house this weekend.  We'll be there from Friday through Tuesday, so don't send out any APB's on me....I'll be soaking up some sun, relaxing and reading hopefully.  Maybe a little fishing.  Maybe even my Mom will bring up my nephew....how fun.  I am so glad my parents picked up another beach house....we were devastated when they sold the other one.  (can someone say "spoiled"?)  I've looked around my house and I see all these things that I need to do...and should be doing instead of going over to the beach.  SOMEBODY SLAP ME!  I'M GOING TO THE BEACH --- THIS MESS WILL BE HERE WHEN I GET BACK!

I did stop by the Bernina (sewing) place yesterday because they advertised a week of beginner sewing that Miss T was interested in doing....but they are all full with a waiting list!  But while I was there, boy did I spy some nice machines.  I do need to get rid of the one I have (Satan's spawn) and replace it with one of these push button, do it all for you machines.....sweeeeeet.  At the end of the summer classes they sell the student machines at about $100 off their retail....I'll be pondering the purchase.  They also will do classes on serging...I have a new (bought it last August) White serger and I would LOVE to take the classes so that I can get the most out of my machine.

I should probably make myself a "to do" or "want to do" list and post it where I can see it complete with a picture of the deed.  Motivational list kinda.  It should start with CLEAN UP THE HOUSE AND GET ORGANIZED FIRST! so that you can do the Want To list.  I don wanna.............

OMG! I'm Blown Away!

Upon my arrival at the homestead, I checked my mail and OH YES!  My CD was here!  If you have not ordered yours yet SHAME ON YOU....if you're still waiting patiently by the mailbox it is so worth the wait.

 

We have a star in J-land.   This bouquet is for you my twin sister....I am so proud of you BARBARA (mastersBlynn) Confessions Of An Angel Waitress and I am totally blown away by this CD!  Is it live or is it Memorex???  That voice...OMG!  And to think people, we knew her when........  And she was worried about singing back up last month -- Puh-leeeez!  Get this CD....I'm gonna need another soon one because I know I'm gonna play this one until it is worn slap out.

I found myself ready to jump on a plane for TX and give her a great big hug.   My eyes just welled up with pride and I could feel just how much fun she was having.  (Now, I'm jealous) I was toe tapping and head nodding.   She is the lady you'll see riding in her car, top down, singing at the top of her lungs, sunglasses on, hair in the wind! 

RICK!  You are so lucky....take this lady out somewhere special for your big time anniversary coming up soon (#25).  Let her walk around with her eye candy while you beam with pride....YES, this IS the lady you hear singing in the Post Office!  And she's gonna be a star!

 

Sunday Night

So here we are at the end of another weekend.  Friday I had a meeting with the dance studio about the summer schedule and the upcoming recital.  The competing company dance mom's always meet with the Director and teachers to go over a few things and see where we can improve.  One thing I know we need to stress is for the kids to stay together when it is close to time to perform.  At the last competition the kids were about 3 numbers from going on and one little girl runs off to get her MOM!  Help...I was running around trying to find her!  Geesh!

After the meeting I called my friend Holly to see if we were still on for dinner.  Oh yes!  We met at a mutal favorite restaurant only to be surprised to find it scarce of people --- very unusual, people are usually waiting for a table.  We ordered our favorite dishes and to my surprise (again) it was not good....the cheese seemed to have seen better days, so I complained.  Didn't have to pay for it and they gave me free turtle cheesecake too!

We strolled around the local WM just looking around.  My Mom called and said "if you happen to see a swing" get it for my nephew.  Holly is a computer guru..so we talked tech stuff and about gadgets and about my computer needs at home.  My system is, well, in need of a face lift!  I'm putting things onto a zip drive just in case it decides to go to the great beyond for puters.

Saturday, Miss T was to go to a birthday party at an outdoor pool.  Unfortunately it was cancelled due to rain, but we didn't get the call.  So another kid was also nearby (who didn't get the call either) and I said "let me take them to the YWCA to swim then I'll take her home" and the Dad said Cool!  Easy enough. I let them swim for about 2 hrs then took the girl home. 

Back home we grilled steaks for dinner..Miss T's request.  My Nanny came over to eat with us.  Then I was off to Mom's to deliver the swing and run through her computer programs for her...clean some things out and show her some things like POGO and frappr.com....plus I was able to show her my lil bro's myspace blog site....interesting info on there.

Sunday was lazy.......Tom cooked a delicious breakfast.  My bestest friend in the whole wide world, Cindilouwho, was able to find a buyer for her camper, which has been sitting in my yard for 4 years.  So they came today while I was shopping to take it away.  Boy does the yard look lonely now.  But I'm glad it's gone.  I found a picture for the spot over my piano and DH picked up a nightscape of NY City.  I also got one for Miss T's room with kitty cats on it.

Tom called his daughters tonight, got voice mails on both, but then an immediate call back from the youngest.  She had a surprise for him...she is moving to California with boyfriend!  They've just bought a house and she'll be going out there in August.......wow!  She's only 23.  The oldest girl is 30 and she's just this year moved in with her boyfriend and they are planning to marry soon...no official word yet, but I'm sure it will happen.  They don't talk to me......long story, not my fault, honestly!  I'm not the wicked step-Mom.  They're just misguided kids thanks to their Mom (Lanny - you'll understand that one!). 

Tom's relationship with the girls was damaged many, many years ago and he's been trying to repair it.  Some 7 years ago the oldest hung up on him after calling him ugly names because he wouldn't "give" her an apartment that he and X still owned.  Spoiled brat....he tried to explain to her that 1) you just don't "give" these things and 2) the divorce said it had to be sold.....HELLO??!!  She quit talking to him and me.  Tom sent her a letter to explain it further and we never heard from her again.  It wasn't until hubby's sister was getting married in 2004 that the wheels were put into motion to get back on track.  No, they didn't come to the wedding.  By that Christmas they were back to talking to their Dad, but it was like a "walking on eggshells" kinda talk.  They have not seen each other in 10 years.  Can you imagine?  The girls didn't even go to their G'ma's funeral in 1997 (in FL).  They have not seen any family members (on Dad's side) in 10+ years until last year when the oldest girl went to see Tom's niece last Thanksgiving at the urging of their Aunt, Tom's sister.

Well, I didn't mean to go there with this entry, but there you have it in a nutshell.  Dysfunctional Families R Us!  We're like a friggin soap opera with all our drama and divorces and remarries and attitudes ..... step's here and biological's there....and don't forget about the twin that you've never met, Barbara and Lisa Jo....................

Love to all in J-land!

 

I'm In

From Lisa Jo and Lyn & Phil here goes my cost of living and fav's:

Lyn, Brits blog, has a cost of living list in her journal and wonders if its different all over the US and England so here is my North Carolina cost of living list:

  

These are all average prices they could give or take little...

Gallon of gas/petrol $2.65 (on Thurs)

loaf of bread $2.00 (Merita Old Fashioned)

Gallon of milk $2.50

Newspaper .... $1.50 on Sunday; $0.50 weekdays

Median house price in my neighborhood $180,000 (rural coastal)

Electricity bill- average $100 per month

water- Don’t pay for ….yet

phone- hmmm home service with Internet $83

cell phone – we have 2 …$100 per month 

School lunches - $10 per week, and that’s packing a lunch;  $2.50 if she buys

box of Cereal – about $2.50

Local county   property tax-$800 per year

Movie tickets -$4.50 before 6pm.....$6.25 after 6pm. 

 Garbage/Refuge pickup- $63 every 3 months

weekly average grocery bill- $150 and that doesn’t include going out

cat food-$4 per month

Pizza take home or delivery is usually around $14 

 

Phil the Thrill, IT IS WHAT IT IS, wants us to list these shows in order that we like them from 1-10. The shows are:

Seinfeld, Friends, I Love Lucy, M*A*S*H, Andy Griffith Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, Home Improvement, Get Smart, Will and Grace, Three's Company

10.  Will & Grace

9.  Get Smart

8.  M*A*S*H

7.  Seinfeld

6.  Friends

5. Three’s Company

4.  Andy Griffith Show

3. Home Improvement

2. Everybody Loves Raymond

1.  I Love Lucy

 

Rock me like a HURRICANE!

OK so I snagged it...........but how befitting that on this first day of Hurricane season, that the Carolina Hurricanes WON the Eastern Champs!!!   The EYE is coming.................. 

 

Now, I'm not so sure about my NY Yankees right now....last I peeked they were tied up......hmmmm, think they're gonna give this one away.....

                         

Here's hoping for a win!......Sharon 

My 50

 

JUMP ON IN, EVERYBODY'S DOING IT....

50’s of Me

 

1.) Favorite Girl Name: well, Tara of course

2.) Favorite Boy Name: Michael

3.) Favorite City:  DC
4.) Favorite Country: U S A

5.) Favorite Color: RED

 6.) Favorite Food: Italian

  7.) Favorite Store:  Bealls

8.) Favorite Clothing Brand: Liz Claiborne & Bill Blass
9.) Favorite Smell: baking bread

10.) Favorite School Subject: yeah right
11.) Favorite Season: Spring/Summer

12.) Favorite Animal: Stuffed

13.) Favorite Website: AOL Journals

14.) Favorite Game:  I Spy
15.) Favorite Makeup Brand:  Clinique

16.) Favorite Book: Coloring

17.) Favorite Movie: hmmm Beverly Hills Cop I

18.) Favorite Song: not one in particular
19.) Favorite Male Singer: easy, Rod Stewart

20.) Favorite Female Singer: has to be Tina Turner

21.) Favorite Actor: wow, there’s so many talented ones…..

22.) Favorite Actress:  ditto 21
23.) Favorite Dog Breed: what’s the name of that one that doesn’t bark at night???

24.) Favorite Ice Cream:  Butter Pecan and Chocolate Ripple

25.) Favorite Soda:  Sundrop

26.) Favorite Juice: Grape (fermented of course)

27.) Favorite Hot Drink: coffee

28.) Favorite Holiday: Christmas

29.) Favorite Craft: sewing, crochet
30.) Favorite Gadget: let’s see, cellphone, computer, kitchenaid mixer, microwave
31.) Favorite Baseball Team: NY Yankees!
32.) Favorite Basketball Team: none

33.) Favorite Hockey Team:  Carolina Hurricanes
34.) Favorite Football Team: football stinks! Hubby likes NY Giants, daughter Panthers
35) Favorite College: DUKE

36.) Favorite Perfume: Ralph Lauren
37.) Favorite Number:  4
38.) Favorite Musical Instrument: piano
39.) Favorite Childhood Toy: dolls & matchbox cars
40.) Favorite Cartoon: SpongeBob; Fairly Oddparents, Jetson’s
41.) Favorite TV Show: Everybody Loves Raymond, I love Lucy

42.) Favorite Time Of Day:  3pm

43.) Favorite Candy: Hershey’s milk chocolate
44.) Favorite Car: paid for and running

45.) Favorite Designer (Accessories) Label: no clue……
46.) Favorite Computer Program:   windows of course

47.) Favorite Collection: Music

48.) Favorite Type Of Graphics: funny & animated
49.) Favorite Hair Color:  Dark Brown

50.) Favorite Nail Color: OPI pinks & French Manicure

 

Can U Say Stoooopid!?

When was the last time you did something stupid?  For real, come on you can tell us.

Well, today my necklace had caught my hair and I pulled it out and proceeded to toss the broken hairs out the window..........

.................

and I rolled the (automatic) window UP on my OWN fingers.  HUH??  Tom was with me and I expected him to say something to me and laugh about it, but nooooooo he just sat there quiet....I said "didn't you see that?" and he said "yeah..."  and I said "well, you didn't say anything!".  I am so all over him when he does a dummy that I honestly expected him to run with this one!  Bless his heart........