Been Outta Touch
Hey Ya’ll Out There!
Sorry it’s been so long since I blogged (husband says that’s not what I am supposed to call it, but I am writing it anyway. I am a rebel. I loner.)
Guess I holed myself up for the winter, and now I am done hibernating. Wish I could announce some wild plans that had been keeping me busy, but alas non. No eagle hunting in the Inner or Outer Mongolia or anything. Just laziness.
This spring/summer I am looking forward to: going to minor league baseball games (Go Looks!), being in the yard (if only I wasn’t so tasty to the mosquitoes), Strawberry Festival in Dayton, and re-doing our bathroom.
Our bathroom is one of two rooms that have hardly been touched since we moved in. We gutted the kitchen, tore down mounds of wallpaper, and painted every room except the bath & laundry. Now finally we’ll tackle the bathroom. Keep in mind we have an old house and the previous owners, while nice, thought they were great handy-people. You can see from the pictures how much work needs to be done. I don’t think it has changed since the 1950’s, after being built around 1930. My favorite is how you break your kneecaps in order to use the facilities. And I am really short, so I feel for anyone who lived here before me over 5′2″.
This bathroom has the worst layout I have ever seen. I wish we could be in an ugliest bathroom contest or something. The colors are good, it’s just the plastic fake tiles and screwiness that throw me. Don’t they have a show called fix my bathroom please somewhere?
Wish us luck. I have it all up in my head, and my poor husband will have to bring the ideas to fruition. Plus we’ll have to stay somewhere else for a couple of days. We will probably need some bandages.
Vote, Voting, Voted
Voting is just something I have always done since I could. When I first went to vote, it was a primary, and the volunteers thought I was just there with my mom. I absentee voted in college, and re-registered whenever I moved after that.
When I started working at the blood center, I found out that there is a tie between people who vote and people who volunteer donate blood. Apparently civic duty is tied to volunteerism.
I just feel like if you don’t vote, then you can complain, and I like to complain! But I am getting really sick of all the campaigning, especially the negative ads.
I already know who I’m voting for, and will probably try to early vote, but my husband has a theory that if we do that then someone will get caught (with a prostitute or something, a la Gary Hart) and we will have already cast our vote. So maybe I’ll wait for the actual day. It’s coming up fast!
411 is written on my forehead
Apparently I am a very approachable person. I am the one at the grocery store who people will talk to. These are random people, not people I have ever met before. I guess I actually smile, or look people in the eye, so they think I am a nice person. But in my head I am going “don’t talk to me, please!”
I was most outgoing for superlatives my senior year of high school. This is all an act. I am really a shy person, who forces herself to talk to people, and act nice. Or loud or weird. That is how I get through a lot of situations. Just act like you really don’t care, and people think I am so outgoing!
I sing and dance in the aisels of our neighborhood grocery, sometimes just because I am there everyday, and it’s like an extension of my safe zone so I forget other people are there, and sometimes to embarrass my husband or step-son, and sometimes because I really don’t care. I have heard people snicker at me when I am singing along with the elevator music in the store.
My husband says no matter where we go I always know someone. We can’t really go out without me saying hi to people. I meet a bunch of people through work. I can’t help but remember their names, and personal things, like “is their cat okay from when I saw them at the vets?” or ”how did they like that stew recipe in the paper?” Sometimes I can’t remember anything but that I know them, and to ignore them is rude, so I say hi and it comes to me either while I’m talking to them, or right after, why I know that person. So between all the strangers I meet in stores, and people we bump in to at stores, I am amazed we get any shopping done at all!
People think I know where things are a lot in stores. I don’t dress like I work there, but I get questions like, “where is the bathroom?” “do you know what aisle marshmallows are on?” or “where is the sale rack?” Do I look like a Target person? Why would a lady with a purse on her shoulder and no vest know where anything was in a store? Plus I will have a buggy, and a husband with me! When I shop I look for actual people who work there, and usually ask them first “Do you work here?” Just in case they have a fetish for colored vests.
So I must subliminally have 411 on my head, and it disappears when I look in a mirror. And I really don’t shop that much, so I’m not a regular anywhere, except at the grocery, where I do know many of the first names of the people that work there.
So if you need help at a store, just look for that crazy nice lady. I’m the one singing or humming or whistling uncontrollably. I look approachable, so it’s probably safe to ask me a question. And the scary thing is I will help you find those marshmallows.
“Sugar and Lard Most Popular Blog” in our household
My husband’s blog, Sugar And Lard has had more than 300 viewers since its inception. He has many unusual links to other blogs he finds interesting on his site.
My site, What’s one more, has only had 100 viewers as of today. I refuse to check out other people’s blogs, except for Scott’s, and stand firm on this issue when we talk about how many people have gone to Sugar and Lard as compared to What’s One more. Sugar and Lard is my only link.
Scott thinks I need to link to blogs I find interesting. This is the problem, I am on the computer all day at work, and don’t really enjoy logging in every night at home. Scott on the other hand, doesn’t get to look at cyber space very much at work, and likes logging in at night.
I secretly am afraid I will become hooked to checking out other blogs, and spend way too much time looking for their new posts. It’s enough for me to write my own stuff, and just hope all you guys will check me out once in a while.
Scott wants me to market my blog more, like he does, with all the other “cool” sites. I spend all my day marketing stuff at work, so to do it on my off time seems tedious.
So to the few who have gone to my blog, thanks! Sometimes when I check out my blog stats, I worry about you guys. I have had quite a lot of strange referrals, like husband slaves, but hey, whatever floats your boat!
Hello New Couch, Goodbye Ol’ One – UPDATE!
UPDATE!
Here is a picture of the new couch!
Today my husband and I purchased a new couch. It is about time since our old one is falling apart, smelly and gross. This is due in part to where I bought it over 5 years ago, a cheap buy-all-your-room here place, and because we have 2 dogs and 2 cats who think it is their couch.
Plus I eat dinner on it about every night, so I am in part to blame.
For the old couch I went for big, big, big rolled arms and length with upholstery. I guess I thought bigger was better. More for my money per square inch. In a month the arms were squeaky and I could tell it was a piece of crap. And the cushions were lumpy in a matter of months too. Okay, it was my first furniture purchase, and I had to do it all by myself.
The new one is compact, leather and hopefully very durable. It is made by Flexsteel, so time will tell if it holds up to its name. Luckily I had my sweet hubby to bounce things off of, and we have very similar tastes, or it would have way more difficult.
It will be 30 days until the new one is here, and I can’t wait for the smell of old rawhides to be gone from the living room! Plus I won’t be embarrassed to have people over.
footnote:
I realized as I cooked dinner that the color of our new couch is crimson. Is this a coincidence since my husband is from Alabama?? Also is it a coincidence that the one other couch we were considering was orange, and the only reason Scott did not like it was because of the color of the couch?? And a big portion of my family went to UTK – Big Orange????
Cat vs. Dog
I love all animals. It pains me to see any animal hurt, or dead on the road. Unfortunately I see it a lot where we live.
At our house we have 2 cats and 2 dogs. My step-son also has a pet python, but he doesn’t live with us. I’d let the snake live here, but I am not sure how long he would survive in our household.
A debate occurs often between my husband and I on which is better, cats or dogs. I am for both, but lean towards the feline candidate. Scott is definitely all pro-dog. He calls the cats vermin.
A huge part of the discussion revolves around which butt of the animal is the worst. Scott hates that the cats show their butts proudly. Trust me, I see plently of dog butt around here too, but it just doesn’t bother me. Scott seems to think cat butt is worse than dog butt.
And when it comes to who cleans out the litter box, it is always me. Scott cleans up the yard after the dogs. It is – to me anyway – way worse to have to clean up a whole yard, but not to Scott.
Scott will tolerate the cats, and I think secretly like them sometimes. Just don’t make him look at their tails!
He thinks they are on a secret mission to drive him nuts. They rub his legs when he gets out of the shower, talk incessantly, and weave a path down the hall just when he is trying to get by. And they love to jump on the kitchen counters. They shed to bother him, and it is the bane of his existence when they knead dough.
Of course all my fur children are angels, so I think they never do anything bad. Especially when one dog ate the arms off the couch, or they bark in the middle of the night, or have an “accident” on the carpet. Or if anyone throws up! Perfect little angels.
Just ask Scott the next time one of the dogs barks at the wind. Angels!
One Year And Still Kickin’
Saturday we celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. It will also be five years since our first date. As I’ve said previously, I am spoiled, so when we became engaged, the only date I wanted to get married on (besides anytime in October) was September 23, the anniversary of our first date. October was out because we have a huge event at work in October, and my future husband is crazy swamped at work that same month. October is my favorite month, but hey I am just the bride, so apparently I didn’t have a say about that month.
A bunch of people have said to me the first year is the worst. Okay, if this is as bad as it gets, it will be gravy at year 50! The hardest thing was when my husband broke his leg and was not able to walk for three months. Trust me, that was very hard on him, and me, but really it wasn’t that bad on me. I was just glad he didn’t break his neck!
When I told my mom of the selected wedding date, she about croaked because it fell on a Friday. Apparently I inconvenienced everyone by having it on a weekday, even if it wasn’t until 8:00 p.m., so the gang could get there after work. Oh well! At least I didn’t turn into a Bridezilla!
Speaking of the tv show Bridezilla (on the We Network Sundays at 10 p.m. ET), I forced my now husband to watch it with me so he could see how bad it could get, and wasn’t he glad he wasn’t marrying one of those controls freaks. Actually I think it helped me to not take things so seriously during the planning months. I really only lost it one time during a bridesmaid fitting. I swear just once!
One of the harder things for us to figure out in year one has been how to merge our checking accounts and pay bills. It is so hard after many, many, many years of only being responsible for your own money, to merge that in to our money. If someone knows a trick, let me know. I have heard that finances are the top problem spot for couples, so it’s nice to know we are normal. Okay, at least in that arena.
For all of you who think you won’t ever find your better half, and want to, quit looking. Trust me, I was not looking for my sweet husband when we met. But I did know he was the one for me. I used to get so mad at my sisters when I would ask “how did you know he was the one” and they would say “I just did.” Well they were right, you just do. And if you’re looking, it’s like a predatory animal that can smell the fear on the animal he is about to eat. If you are looking desperate, and acting desperate, then you smell desperate, so it’s harder to find someone to go out with. So quit looking and just have fun.
And to my husband, Happy Anniversary! It was the best party I’ve ever been too!
Looking Forward to More Time With My TV this Fall
Very sad title, but true. I am looking forward to spending more quality time with my television. I am so sick of re-runs! I can not wait until “The Office” & “Earl” come back! My husband and I were sceptical of the American “Office” but were pleasantly surprised. The British “Office” was so hilarious we did not think it could be topped. Usually when American TV producers get a hold of a British show, they ruin it. Luckily for the good ole USA, they did not with this one. I think it’s because the original creators had a hand in the US show. A home run on all fronts: writers, cast, etc. for both shows. I just wish Fox would have gotten a clue with “Arrested Development”. That was a very clever show! So sad to see it go, but we can now see it on DVD!
For those of you worrying about me and my relationship with the tube, I also love Fall for the weather, so I plan on much hiking and bike riding. October is my favorite month, and September’s weather has been completely awesome so far!
But Thursday nights are all about me and my tv.
Poor Little Spoiled Middle Class Girl
I am spoiled. My parents have said it. My siblings have said it. All my closest friends know it, and I am admitting it to the world. 
My Great Grand Mother, Black Headed Mama, & me 1970
I knowI am spoiled. I am the baby of the family. My other friends that are babies of their families and I like to lament about being the babies. We never were christened, or have baby books, and finding a picture of us by ourselves is like finding the holy grail. Our parents were tired by the time we came along. Firsts might have had to be the strongest, paving the way for the rest of us, but babies are always compared to their older siblings. “Why you must be so-in-so’s baby sister, I hope you are as good a student!” UGH!
Now as an adult, you’d think I would have given up being spoiled. No way! I like to relish in it! When we have a dinner party, my poor husband slaves away in the kitchen while I ask him to pour me more water, because I am getting parched! My friends all shake their heads in disgust. Oh she is so spoiled.
My parents are afraid Scott will get sick of me and I’ll be back on their doorsteps. But secretly, when no one is watching, I like to spoil him too. That is what makes our relationship work. We both want to make each other happy. So if he’s too tired to cook, I’ll take over the reigns. And trust me, the man never has to clean the bathroom or do laundry. My meals might not be as gourmet as his (I like to call my cooking housewife cooking – the dishes harken back to 1950’s TV wives’ casseroles like Tuna Fish & Egg Noodle Surprise, which my husband had never had until I introduced it to him) but dang it, we’re eating something hot!
He is currently creating a blog about all the things I won’t eat. Like lamb, veal and chips that have already been opened. The lamb and veal are recognizable refusals. Those are baby animals that no one should eat (including my husband, but well, I did get him to relent that a lamb is a baby animal one day, so maybe I’m making progress on that issue) but the chips???? Duh, it’s because I’m spoiled!
Body Fluids Save Lives
Yes this sounds like a gross statement for a blog title. It’s just an evil way to make you read this. Grossness runs in my family, so don’t ever ask my Mom about something at the dinner table. She’ll have everyone running screaming in disgust.
Today was the first time I ever apheresised (is this even a word?). Apheresis is where you give red cells, plasma, and/or platelets. Whatever component of blood that is not needed goes back into your body, along with some saline to rehydrate you. Today I gave 2 units of platelets and 1 unit of plasma.
It makes me feel good that I volunteered to donate blood today. I usually donate whole blood (you can do that every 8 weeks), which means I donate red cells, plasma & platelets into one bag, but the lab has to separate the components. When you apheresis the components are already separated.
What I gave today will go to help people with cancer, burn vicitms, and other people facing a trauma. It’s important to donate. It saves lives, it costs me no money, and it’s a way I can help other people who need help in the most important times of their lives.
The hardest part was getting me to sit still for 1 hour. Luckily where I donate they have e-chairs where I can surf the net, watch a DVD or TV. It made the time go by faster. My husband donates also. He donates red cells, 2 units at a time, and can do that every 16 weeks. I’m too short to try that, or I would.
Now go out and donate some body fluids people!
