Happy New Year!

For anyone who plans on going out tonight - PLEASE have a designated driver, or just stay where you are if you can. :-)

I hope that everyone has a good time tonight and is very safe. See ya next year!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Ring Tones and The Mall

I've been saving up 2 items I wanted to blog (actually 3 but I'll do the 3rd one later) so I figured I'd combine them together.

Since Mr. M and I have been rather broke we didn't celebrate Christmas this year. I didn't even put up Christmas at the house, although I did a little decorating at the office. And since we didn't do Christmas there was no need to go to any of the malls or stores during that crazy period of time. But yesterday we finally went to the mall, why do you ask? I needed to get my supply of 2008 calendars.

I've finally learned that if you wait till after Christmas that they cut the prices to 50% off so I got 3 for about the price of 1 1/2. It was great. I have a Bev Doolittle to put in the study at home. Then I have to have my daily cat calendar for work and then a wall calendar for my office that has those 3D images that you stare at to see. Sorry don't know how to explaine that one very well. Oh well.

My 2nd topic... Ring Tones. So Mr. M and I went out today to a store and I was reading a book on iPods - mainly to see how I can score free music... I'm still looking into that. ;-) And I hear the famous ditty from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" with Clint Eastwood. You know the song I'm talking about... Now I'm in a store that sells music and movies and stuff so I really don't think much about it and then I hear the famous "hello?" and realize it's someone's ring tone. And I kind of chuckle to myself thinking that one is kind of cool. Then not a few minutes later I hear what I believe is a Kelly Clarkson song and turn in that direction and laugh for a different reason. Not because of the song but because it's a guy who has the song on his phone... ok whatever you like.

However hearing at least 2 phones go off in the store does bring me to another little gripe. You're in the store... either turn off the phone or turn it to vibrate. When I go anywhere I turn it to vibrate, no one wants to hear my phone ring. If I believe that someone might actually want to get a hold of me then I'll put my phone in my pocket so I'll actually notice the vibration. Otherwise, I have voicemail and I know how to call you back.

OH... which just now brought me to another gripe (sorry this one was not planned when I first started this post!). I do love that movie theaters now post the 50 million requests for you to turn off your cell phone while you watch the movie. But I guess people think that texting is okay. Well you know what? That bright light that has now blinded me is not! We went to a movie recently and there were a few empty seats next to me. A couple came and asked if they could sit there and we said sure. Then Ms. Thang texts right in the middle of the movie. I make the obvious noises of disgust while looking at them. Finally they got the hint cause Mr. boyfriend was kind of trying to get her to stop. Now she did actually have it on vibrate because I could actually hear it every time she got a new message it. So she gets another message and she whispers to her boyfriend, "do I even dare?" he evidently told her no because she finally stopped.

Okay now I'll get down off my soap box. :-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Welcome 2 New Blog Friends

I'd like to welcome 2 new bloggy friends to my links located over there on the right...

1. Mike with Ozark Photos
2. Salty with Country Captures

I found Mike through Lara's blog and have really enjoyed all the great pictures he posts. Then I found Salty off of Mike's blog and am enjoying all of his pictures as well. So I decided to add them as a link to mine as well. So welcome guys!!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Merry Christmas!

Well another Christmas has come and gone. I had my sis and mom over for food and games. We really did a non-traditional celebration this year. We didn't do the normal turkey or ham and fixings thing. We had fried pork chops, fried potatoes and onions (yummy!) and a few other things.

Unfortunately we had a small accident right as we sat down to eat. My sister spilled her kool-aid on the floor, and yes it was red! M&M was laying under the table and it spilled right in front of her. Evidently she likes red kool-aid cause here she is helping us clean it up. I couldn't resist I had to run and get the camera. If you look closely you'll see a little got on her little head.

Afterwards we had naps... gotta love naps!

Then we got up and played Clue and then we showed mom how to play Gin Rummy. She did fairly well.

All in all it ended up being a good day. So for those of you who celebrate it... Merry Christmas!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Update on Mom

Well mom finally got the results back from the test for the mass on her back. And it's as we expected, it's cancer from the breast cancer she had many, many years ago. There still is no word on "how long"....

She seems to be doing relatively well though. Her appetite seems to be decent, better than it was before she went to the hospital. She ate well while she was here for Christmas so that's a good sign.

She's scheduled for surgery on Thursday, January 3rd to remove the mass that's sitting on her stomach. So this should also help her appetite. We'll see if they give us any other updates as it seems hard to get any news from anyone. So much so that at this time we still don't know what time on Thursday she'll have her surgery. I'm sure she needs to be there right in the middle of rush hour traffic. Yeah! ;-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Christmas Lights to Music

Although we haven't decorated I still love to look at the houses around me and in neighborhoods I go through. I received this video last year and I swear I've posted about it before but I can't find it. So if I did and you've seen this... well enjoy it again! :-)

This is a video of a guy who synchronized his lights to music. I think it's just outstanding and fun to watch.

I also found this link on snopes.com that gives all the facts of the guy who put it together and there are a few other videos listed on there you can check out if you enjoyed the first one.

Merry Christmas!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Christmas Meme

My best friend sent this to me via e-Mail so I thought this would be fun to share with my bloggy friends. If you play just let me know. I won't actually "assign" this one! :-)

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping, with lots of tape!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually after Thanksgiving, but I haven’t even gotten it out yet this year. :-(
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the day after New Years
5. Do you like egg nog? Yummy, and I’ve been craving some I must go to the store.
6. Favorite gift received as a child. Hmmm… my Barbie horse, house and remote control car (not received at the same time) and my unicorn blanket, which I still have and take with me on all road trips.
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have a small one that I purchased when I lived by myself, and now I have a large one that we got from hubby’s mom when she passed away
8. Hardest person to buy for? Sometimes everyone!
9. Easiest person to buy for? Hubby… he tells me “exactly” what he wants
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Sweaters from my aunts or grandma
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Grinch who stole Christmas
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Sometimes I pick up stuff through out the year.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, but I want to recycle a wedding gift! :-)
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Limited to just one? Turkey, dressing, noodles and “green stuff”
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? On tree, clear
17. Favorite Christmas song? Adam Sandler’s “Happy Hanukkah” – truthfully I’ve never thought about what is my favorite Christmas song
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? That’s funny you ask this one, I was just quizzing hubby the other day. But yes, I do.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I like morning, but hubby can’t wait so it’s usually Christmas Eve
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Everyone asking for money (bell ringers at stores, work… )
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Well my tree is purple and silver, does that count?
24. Favorite at Christmas dinner? See #15.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Lots and lots of money! :-)

Merry Christmas everyone!
~ Wolf Lover Girl

Make A Snow Flake

A little holiday fun and a happier post than the last two.

My brother sent me the following link where you can make your own snowflake! I've done 5 already! And I've viewed the gallery of other snowflakes and man there are some good ones out there.

Hope you enjoy!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

One Item Down...

Well long story short... we found a temporary home for mom's dog. A friend of mom's wants to take him but doesn't have a fence yet. So until then she has a friend who's willing to take him. She houses animals all the time and didn't want us to stick him in a kennel at the vet (which mom kept suggesting to us) or to put him in the SPCA (which was unfortunately an option).

She got to my mom's just a minute before I got there after leaving the hospital. She was very nice. I rounded up all the dog toys and took his new toy out of his doggie stocking for him to take with him.

We (Mr. M) and I helped get all the stuff in her car and that's when I finally lost it. I know that my mom really loves that dog. And I guess it's finally a realization of what's really happening. Although I know its the best thing it's still not that easy to deal with.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

It's Not Looking Well...

So mom called me on Friday (well technically it was Saturday) morning at about 3:30am saying she was in a lot of pain again and could I take her to the ER. So I got dressed and drove out to pick her up. Took her to the ER and luckily we didn't even have to sit in the waiting room, we went immediately to the back.

Evidently she hadn't been eating in about 2-3 days and she'd been nautious but of course there was nothing to come up. And then she was in pain but she couldn't take any of her medicine because she had nothing on her stomach and even if she took something she would just throw it up anyway.

Everyone we were in contact with at the ER was extremely nice and helpful. They gave her some medicine (found out later it was Morphine) for the pain and some medicine to settle her stomach. It went into effect immediatly! Boy was she loopy!

She finally got admitted to a room around 3pm. When they finally got her all set up with IV's to help with her dehydration I finally went to call my sister and brother. I didn't immediatly get a hold of my brother but I did my sister.

I had to give them the other news that my mom had given to me while we were waiting in the ER. She finally got some of her test results back from previous appointments. She has 3 big masses and 2 are for sure cancerous. There's another in her back that they aren't for sure yet but they pretty much think that it is as well and they think that it's a result of her breast cancer she had many years ago.

She's not really wanting to fight it. She said that she fought it back when we were kids because we were still kids. But now she's ready to go. When it's time she wants to go to a hospice to live out her days. There's a leasion (or something) on her liver or kidney, I can't remember which, and she kept telling the nurses last night that if that was for sure going to kill her that she didn't want any other tests ect done on the rest of the stuff... there's no reason. I did ask her if they've given her a timeframe and they haven't.

Sis did come out last night and stayed with her for a while. I finally went home after stopping first at moms to walk her dog. Her neighbors came out to ask for an update. They got worried about her when they hadn't heard or seen her all day. So they called the police and had them go in and check out her place. Then they had the police call around to see if they could find her and that's how they got the number to her room to call and check on her. Mom has a friend that will hopefully take the dog. I would offer it up but I don't think that M&M would take it well. Sis lives in an apt so that won't work. I finally got home about 10pm or so. Ate, took a shower and went to bed. Oh and did get a hold of my brother and filled him in as well.

We went back out for a few more hours today. She was doing and looking really well. The medicine really helped her. She was able to eat and they gave her some medicine last night to help her sleep. she said she slept so good, they woke her up about 5am to take some blood and she was able to go back to sleep.

She's supposed to have an Onocologist and Eurologist (Dr's) come see her tomorrow. I'd like to be here but they (nurses) dont' know what time they'll actually be there. so tomorrow will be played by ear. I already had the day off because mom had a scheduled appt to see a Dr. and I was taking her in to see them.

And how am I about all this? Surprisingly I'm doing ok. I am upset about the fact that I will loose my mother, but I also know how much pain she has been in lately and I know it won't get any better. Of course I sit back and wish that I'd spent more time with her doing stuff... I assume that as the time really comes near it will be harder for me, but for now I guess maybe I'm just numb.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

My New Heading!

I've been wanting an array of wolf pictures as part of my heading so I've been working on it the past 2 nights. I think it turned out pretty cool, what do you think?

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Pet Peeve - School Zones

Not that we have them, but that idiots don't know how to abide by them....

This has been irritating me more and more that past few weeks. I know that many people speed but can't you just slow down for these few little feet? Whatever you're in such a big hurry to get to will survive you watching out for kids. Once you get past the school zone you can speed all you want and if you hurt or kill yourself in the process that's fine but at least the kids have a chance to grow up and make their own mistakes or make it big!

There are 2 zones that I have to go through to and from work every day and I've been making mental notes of what I've noticed.

1. Most people tend to speed through these zones more in the afternoon than in the morning.
2. Most of the people who are speeding are on their cell phone.

I'm sure it doesn't help that there is a traffic light right in the middle of these zones. I think after sitting at a red light some of these people forget they're sitting in a school zone and just take off. Then some of them have that lightbulb go off and they slow down again... some just keep going.

Now it's funny that I've been thinking about this the past few weeks because I was watching on the news last night and they mentioned that one of the local cities has passed a law against cell phone use while in a school zone and it's on (so weekends speed away). And another local city is working to get their law passed.

So people... please slow down... whatever it is it will still be there...

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Finally! I'm finished

For the last several months I've been reading the Little House on the Prairie series of books. I have to tell you I thought they were outstanding! I really enjoyed reading how things were done back then. And well it made me realize just how "lazy" we are and how we have it made.

To see what their work ethics were from morning to night is just incredible. I would often think as I read them that I wished I grew up in those times. How dedicated they were. And for the most part, what a great community and hospitality they offer their neighbors and town folk.

Now I'm sure most of you have watched the Little House tv show and I was so expecting to see some of those stories in there. Well of course it's tv so most of that was made up. However several things were true. Mary was blind, Nellie did exist and she was a b*tch as portrayed in the show. It's amazing that she was a schoolteacher at the same time she was still in school. However she only taught like 6 months total and then when she got married she was a house wife.

My favorite book of the series was, "The Long Winter". The Ingalls family had moved to a new town that was being built, De Smet, South Dakota; and the longest winter storm had hit and not only was the Ingalls family not really ready, neither was the rest of the town. But they got through it, obviously, but wow!

My second favorite was, "These Golden Years". These are the years when Laura was teaching and Almanzo Wilder was courting her. And of course Nellie tried to get in on that.

My least favorite two, "The First Four Years" - these are the first four years after Laura and Almanzo got married. I was excited to read this but evidently when the information was found for this book it was still as a draft that Laura had hand written. It hadn't gone through all the stages that I'm sure a written book goes through. The second least favorite was "On the Way Home", here Laura writes her daily log of their wagon covered trip with Almanzo and their daughter, Rose, from DeSmet to Mansfield, Missouri. It wasn't really a story, but more of a diary so not that interesting to me as the others.

I know there are others out there and I'll eventually read them. I'm starting to research on the website that is dedicated to Laura and Rose because I'm now all interested. It didn't really say when she wrote the books so I'd like to get an idea of when they were actually done.

But now that I'm done with these I had nothing else to read. Mr. M had finally purchased a book and now he was sitting up in bed reading and I had nothing! He had bought the "I am Legend" book, you know the one starring Will Smith (yum)? He says it's been very good. Now the funny thing is it was written many, many years ago... so of course he wasn't driving around in a nice Mustang Cobra as depicted in the commercials ;-). But I understand they wanted to make it more this century. Well I thought I would also like to read this before I watched it on the big screen, and well I didn't want to wait till Mr. M was done with his because I didn't know if I would have time. So I bought my own book... and it is good so far.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Bad Parents!

I just found this article on CNN.com about people leaving their pets at their foreclosed homes. Now obviously these people really don't care about their pets. There is no way that I would be able to leave mine anywhere. My pets are like my children. And I know that most people who have pets think the same way. So if you loose your house are you just leaving your children there too?

~ Wolf Lover Girl

My Prediction - Update!

So it's back to work after a nice long Holiday! And there is one person in my department who is just.... what's the word I'm looking for?... well they're kind of useless. We call them the Roach and it really has a couple of reasons. They like to mooch food off everyone but never offer to buy and replace it and they mooch off your time.

So here is where my prediction comes in. The Roach will come into my office and start spilling about some drama that undoubtedly occured over the Holiday. Their phone will ring and they'll run out to catch it (because they don't want to rely on their voicemail? Maybe they don't know how to use their voicemail? Or maybe it's because it's one of their friends that they'd like to retell their drama Holiday story to) OH! And never once will they ask how my Holiday was.

I'll keep you informed.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

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Update November 27, 2007 - 8am

Ah! I'm so good. Well the Roach didn't come in yesterday because they had jury duty. So first thing this morning came to tell me about that. Then right into thier Turkey day with the family which surprisingly wasn't bad. And then a "well I guess I best get to work and check my email."
As soon as they left they went to someone else "HEY! So how was your Thanksgiving?" That was the Roach asking the other person. I just had to laugh because not once did this person ask how mine went.

This person irritates me so much sometimes that 2 days last week before the Holiday I was keeping up with how much time they were on the phone with friends and family or chatting with someone about non work related topics. I just don't understand how this person gets away with it. One of these days an anonymous message will appear on the bosses desk.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Thanksgiving Weekend

Well it's the day after Thanksgiving, and 3 more wonderful days of not going to work!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it was very small and simple. My sis came over with me and Mr. M and we cooked the Thanksgiving meal and ate and visited. Then we all laid down for the must have nap, it was great! I woke up thinking that maybe sis was up and possibly bored and she was still asleep. I went and turned on the news where they were saying we were getting a bit of bad weather, but luckily it wasn't under freezing so nothing will stick. I never saw anything bad.

I went and woke up sis and we made another plate of food. Mr. M finally got up and just went fot the dessert. Then we sat down and played Mexican Train dominoes. I really like that game, I learned it from Mr. M's mom, so when she passed I had to have her game set. We played for several hours until it was finally getting a little late. So sis grabbed a few leftovers and went home.

Mom decided not to come because her medicine is still making her sick and she never knows when she might have a bad moment and she said she would just feel more comfortable at home. I really do miss my brother though. I was really hoping to go home and see him and my nieces. I was just thinking to myself that it's been a few years since I've seen them. I had a hotel booked and everything but money just isn't good right now so that idea was cancelled. I doubt I'll be able to see them for Christmas either. Maybe sometime in the summer might work...

I hope that everyone had a great and safe Thanksgiving, where ever you are.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Pet Peeve - State Flags

Okay so here's another one of my pet peeves and I saw it yesterday.

Regardless of which State you live and if you've chosen to fly your State flag you should learn how to fly it correctly. Everyone (in the United States at least) knows how to fly the U.S. flag correctly so why should your State flag be any different?

Maybe I'm just making too much of a deal of this... or maybe I just love Texas so much that it gets under my skin.

So for all you Texans out there that missed this day in Texas History back in middle school or if you just moved here and didn't know... This is the correct way the Texas flag is flown!! (Note: red on bottom!)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Sun Dog

So last week as I was driving home from work I saw the most interesting thing in the sky. I kept looking at it wondering what it was (which is kind of bad since I was in rush hour traffic). I was rushing home as fast as I could so I could get my camera and take a few snaps. Unfortunately by the time I got home it was gone (and no, I'm not talking about UFO's, but I do believe in them - different story)

So I get to work the next day and I'm telling my friend, Texas Grind, about it and she knew exactly what I was talking about. She too had seen it! And she said they talked about it on the news - it's called a Sun Dog. She being the photographer was able to catch a few snaps before it went away so I'm waiting to see her shots on her blog sometime soon. ;-)

Until then, I did go online and looked it up. So here are some pictures I "borrowed" from Wikipedia.

This is a picture of what I saw on my drive home. I thought at first that the sun looked really interesting, then I noticed that the sun was to the left of this "thing". Then I thought wow, a small part of a rainbow. And it's like there is an open "box" in the clouds that this shows in. It was just really cool.

Texas Grind told me that this is what it's supposed to look like. That would have been really cool to see.

Here's complete details from Wikipedia as to what a Sun Dog is, but the short and sweet: A sun dog or sundog (scientific name parhelion, plural parhelia, e.g. "with the sun") is a relatively common halo, an atmospheric optical phenomenon mostly associated with the refraction of sunlight by small ice crystals making up cirrus or cirrostratus clouds. (also "borrowed" from Wikipedia)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

It's my birthday - give me a dollar!

I might have posted this before... if so, sorry here it goes again...

I don't understand the "tradition" that when it's your birthday that people pin money on you. When I see someone in the hall (as I did today which is why I'm writing this) I just smile say "Happy Birthday" and walk on. There is no need for me to give you a dollar because of this, especially if I don't know you. Truthfully I view this as very trashy. My view of course.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Time Change

Time changes are usually great, however when you forget about them it's not so great.

Yep, we forgot that the time changed last night. I remembered on Friday and ever told Mr. M that we needed to remember. Mr. M has an outstanding outing every Sunday morning with a friend. So this morning he gets up to do his thing and he calls me asking "what's the time?" I'm like it's blah blah, then he asks again "what's the time?" I'm thinking to myself maybe his cell was cutting out when I told him so I say again it's blah blah... then one more time he asked me "what's the time" and as I start to answer it dawned on me - the time changed last night.

So needless to say Mr. M was at his destination a whole hour early!!! And as he put it, an hour that he could have kept sleeping... hee hee.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Halloween - - - RUINED!

Okay, so let me back up a little...

I mentioned in a previous post that mom has been having a few problems. She's been having considerable pain and was waiting to see a Dr. Well on Monday afternoon she kept calling me like 50 million times trying to get a hold of me. Finally I called her back and she asked if I could come over after work to be with her because she was having anxiety attacks all night and day. So I did, stayed kind of late. She had an appointment with another type of Dr. on Tuesday afternoon to help her with this.

Tuesday: I got home and decorated a little in the front of the house. One of the reasons why I love having a new house is the fact that I get to participate with Trick or Treaters. Where I grew up it was kind of out in the country and there wasn't anyone who ever stopped by. Granted last year we did a lot of decorating but it was also in conjunction with a Halloween party that we threw. We were unable to do it this year because we couldn't afford it, we had helped mom out of a pinch which put us in one... so Mr. M didn't want to decorate. However he did take most of the stuff to work and used it at his cube. Mr. M was so upset that we didn't have a party that he didn't even want to do Trick or Treaters.... I did. So we already had a bit of candy and we bought two more bags to add to it. I had the bowl all nicely set out by the door ready for Wednesday.

Wednesday: I had a good day, our job participates in several different ways. Our deptartment decided to participate in the costume contest as a whole. So we all came to work in our PJ's bringing a stuffed animal and/or a blankie! It was a little wierd walking out the front door in my pajama's but I think we looked great. (although one of the ladies in my dept decided to take the whole pj thing a little too seriously... she decided not to wear a bra! ICK!) We'll find out tomorrow who wins this contest.

So I just walked in the door of the house and let M&M out to do her business when the phone rings. I figured it was Mr. M calling to say she was finally coming home but the display said mom. And something told me I shouldn't have picked up the phone... but I did. Mom asked if I could come over again, she was on new medicine and it was making her nausious (sp?), dizzy and light headed. Her neighbor was over there as she was talking to me. After a long pause I asked her, "How long do you want me to stay? Tonight is Halloween" Mom, "For a long time... Can't Mr. M take care of it tonight?" Long pause again and not very enthusiastically, "yeah, I guess". I mean it's my mom... how do I say no? Mom, "how long before you get here?" Me, "well I just got home and let out the dog, she has to finish her thing before I can leave."

I got off the phone and was royaly pissed. I was screaming and slammed something, I scared the poor cats. I went to my room to change into jeans because I wanted out of my pj's and just started bawling. I've been looking forward to tonight and now it's ruined!!!! I went and sat outside with the dog for a while because it was a beautiful day and I was in no hurry. She wanted me to stay late so why hurry?

Finally I left. I was a good girl and put on a happy face and acted like everything was peachy. I mean what's the use of telling her? She, right now, thinks it's all about her. She told me what had happened the last two days and the new drugs she was taking and how they did/didn't effect her. Then she had me call a pharmasist to tell them the story and ask a few questions. Basically it came down to she needs to eat when taking these pills. So we spent the evening watching tv and doing small talk. I finally left her place at 9pm. Halloween was officially over. Oh and Mr. M did not do the Trick or Treaters.

OH and to top it all off.... on my way to her house a little rock or something hit my windshield and put a little knick in it. So yet another thing on my car that I won't be able to fix.

I was doing good all night, although half my drive home I don't remember because I was just kind of in a daze. As I got into my neighborhood and seeing the decorations just pissed me off again.

Mr. M understood why I was mad however he told me, "you only have one mom and most likely many Halloweens left".

True, but I can still be angry!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Seagull stealing Doritos

So I was checking out one of the best websites out there, truthorfiction.com, to see if there was any new information that I might be interested in and found one that was so cute that I had to share.

In this video there is a seagull that goes into a little shop and steals a bag of Doritos. Evidently it does it all the time... and then shares it with other birds! It's just too cute... you must take a look.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Cell Phone Use

So I had a Dr's appointment this afternoon and as I'm sitting in the lobby of the Dr's office waiting for my name to be called this gets on her cell phone and starts chatting away like noone else is there. You know how it is in a Dr's office. Everyone is silently reading thier magazines waiting paitently.

She happened to be sitting just diagnol of me and I just kept shaking my head in amazement. I kept trying to read my magazine but it's kind of hard when you have Ms. blabbermouth sitting next to you chatting on the phone. I got to hear the famous, "hello? hello? can you hear me?" Something about her uncle calling to check up on her... I didn't intentially try to listen to her but she didn't try to whisper and mask what she was trying to say.

Then after she got off the phone I guess she didn't have anything better to do than to play with it. I'm not sure if she was texting or if she just was playing with all the lovely features she had on her marvelous phone!

I tell ya... people are just oblivious when it comes to their cell phone. I've mentioned it before I think that people walking around with their blue tooth things stuck in their ears are idiots. I just love it when a lady comes into the restroom to do her business and chats on the phone. I've mentioned this before as well, my toilet has a mysterious way of flushing alot when those people are around... just strange! :-)

Here's the funny thing. Right before I signed on to write this blog I noticed an article on MSN about Cell Phone Manners... how very appropriate. And he mentions most of the things that I said and I agree with everything else he said. I'm sure you do as well, but here's the article if you're interested in reading... and maybe learning if you're one of these people.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Dallas Race for the Cure

This past Saturday was the Dallas Race for the Cure by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. A small group from my job met up in the early morning to walk together. It was a little windy but luckily not really cold. One of the girls in my department has recently had a minor surgery so she wasn't completley up to par to walk the 5K so I and another lady walked the 1 mile with her. When we were finished we walked around to all the booths for all the wonderful free goodies.

I usually walk with my sister and my mom, but sis had other plans not realizing the walk was this weekend. And well mom hasn't really been doing too well. She's been having some health issues and the Dr. has been kind of looking at her past cancer history. It might have something to do with the medicines she took way back then. I just know that it's been a real struggle because of her pain she has not been able to work. And she's been waiting well over a month to even see a Dr. and trying to apply for disability to help with expenses. Until then she's been going to local churches and charities to get some assistance and what they can't provide she's been coming to her children. None of us are rich and it's putting a strain on us as well.

Anywho, if you've never been to one of these they have all the survivors wear a pink shirt and pink hat to help set them apart. I really liked the saying they had on their shirts this year so I had to get a picture of it (above). There is a Survivor tent available just for survivors and their immediate family. They have breakfast available to them. Of course you can't get in unless the survivor is there with you.

Those that I rode to the Race with had other things to do that morning so we left before everything was really done. I know they always have a gathering with all the survivors coming up to the stage... it's really an awesome site to see all those women and men up there. It makes me cry every time. In the past the Race for the Cure didn't really allow men to participate but they since have opened it up and I've seen more and more men there.

Mr. M and I went to On the Border last night for some munchies and they are helping as well. You can sign a pink coaster to put up in their window for $1. They also have t-shirts to buy where some of the proceeds go to the Komen Foundation.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

"Frozen" Lunch

Okay, I just have to share. I just finished one of those lovely frozen dinners for lunch and it was actually very delightful!

Disclaimer: Not that I'm on a diet... I choose my dinners based on what looks good in the picture. :-)

They have these new "South Beach Diet" frozen entrees and I picked up the "Penne & Chicken in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce with Broccoli". I have to tell you it was really good!

I'm always a little hesitant about the chicken in some of these dinners but this one seemed good. And the flavor was just delightful.

So, I had to share! :-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Two Facts

Fact 1: Just because I'm drinking a Sprite at the bar doesn't mean I need to "tell you something"
Fact 2: "Skinny" people gain weight too!

Okay, we'll start with the first one. I'm not much of a drinker, never have been and probably never will. I usually have 1 day a year where I just get really toasted and that's it. I enjoy a good margarita every now and then though but I don't always have to have something to drink. Well Friday a few of us got together to celebrate Mr. M's birthday. When I got there I ordered a margarita. After I was done with it I didn't want anymore and started drinking Sprite. Two reasons: It didn't seem that strong so why waste my money on a watered down margarita and two I just didn't want to drink anymore. And of course it was Mr. M's birthday so that makes me automatic designated driver (as if this is really any different than any other time we go to the bar..)

So a bit into the evening I get another Sprite and one of the ladies who was with us leaned over and asked those famous words... "Sprite? Is there something you need to tell us?" with a big ole smile on her face. Yep, I don't feel like drinking so I ordered a Sprite, thank you. Doesn't help we were in the middle of baby talk with another lady there who's child is about 5 or so. Sigh.

Fact 2: I've never, ever said I was fat! Granted I know a few years ago (before I met Mr. M) that I was probably a bit too skinny. I look at pictures of back then and am a bit amazed. Not that I did anything. My best friends mom was always trying to get me to eat more to put some weight on me. So yes, I needed some weight.

Okay, now that I've been with Mr. M (since '99) I've put on over 25 pounds. Okay... so I do gain weight. I get so tired of people at work making comments like "go ahead and try that cupcake and tell me what it taste like, you don't have to worry about it..." Really? Again, I'm not saying I'm fat; however I would like to loose a few of the extra pounds I've put on. I don't need to loose all 25 that I've gained because I don't need to go back to what I looked like... but a few would be nice.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Welcome!

I'd like to welcome two new friends to my blog site!

1st one is "Z"... he's a friend we spend time with who decided to be "cool" like the rest of us! ;-)

He's located within the Common Sense? link below.

2nd one I discovered last night, Life and Times, I'm not sure the guys name yet as I haven't completely gone through his blog. I do know that he lives near London. I think that's what intrigued me!

So I added both of them as links - welcome!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Most people who know me know that I support Breast Cancer Awareness. For those of you who do not... now you do! :-) And in place of my normal wolf picture I will keep the pink ribbon in its place to mark Breast Cancer Awarness month.

Although I support the fight to find a cure I'm not sure if many know why I'm such a strong supporter. My mom is a breast cancer survivor. She is a 15+ year survivor!!!!

I'm very lucky that she survived and try and catch the Susan G. Komen Dallas Race for the Cure every October. Sometimes I'm able to donate but not make it to the walk but at least they got their money. I've yet to sign up this year and I know that it's quickly coming so need to stop procrastinating.

I have to tell ya though, when my mom found out she had it I was in High School around my Sophomore/Junior year. And you know how you are back in that time of your life. I was so mean and pissed. I was mad because it was "my time"... I should be enjoying these days but instead everytime I was around anyone all I ever heard was, "how's your mom doing?" I would silently yell to myself, "why don't you ever ask about me? I'm going through this too!"

I had to take her to get those horrible Chemo therapy and radiation treatments and hated that as well. I remember by the time it was my graduation she had pretty much lost her hair so she was wearing a wrap and had a neck brace on and I was just embarrased to be seen with her.

This was also the time period when you learn to cook from your mom and of course she was way too sick to cook for us. We got most of our meals from church members bringing something by, or of course fast food. This is one of the reasons why I'm so self concious about what I can / can't cook. If I do try to cook I would have someone (a few years back) make snide comments about "oh! you cooked?"

Granted I've grown up a lot since those High School years and realized what an ass I was. I've sat with my mom and told her sorry for the way I treated her. Of course she's mom so she forgave me... but I still remember how badly I treated her!

So to all of you who have survived - Congratulations and stay strong!!

To those of you who have lost someone to this horrible disease... my deepest sympathy.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

We still live among idiots

Okay I must have been behind a rock a while back when the whole Jena, LA thing happened. First time I heard about it was on Wednesday on the news when they were discussing the protest that was to be held on Thursday. The news I was watching didn't give much details, to make me understand, why it was really being held. I went online and tried to find more information on Thursday to get a bit more clarification and it's interesting how you find different information depending on where you look. Luckily I had my best friend, the Queen P, explain it to me. :-)

Okay so to today's idiots. Evidently last night in a town near Jena we had a couple of dumb f*cks hang a couple of nooses off their truck and drive around town. You really didn't think that someone would say anything to you? Are you just asking for a beating? Did you think it was funny? As quoted in the article, "It's 2007, and we still have fools acting like it's 1960." Idiots!

Here's the article I found on CNN.com: or click here for the link to the story.
ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana (CNN) -- Authorities in Alexandria, Louisiana, arrested two people after nooses were seen hanging from the back of a red pickup Thursday night, the city's mayor told CNN.

Alexandria is less than an hour away from Jena, Louisiana, and was a staging area Thursday for protesters who went to the smaller town to demonstrate against the treatment of six black teens known as the "Jena 6" in racially charged incidents.

Police say the 18-year-old driver of the truck was charged with driving while intoxicated and inciting to riot and also may be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor -- the 16-year-old passenger.

As police were questioning the driver, he said he had an unloaded rifle in the back, which police found. They also found a set of brass knuckles in the cup holder on the dashboard, according to the police report.

The passenger told police he and his family are in the Ku Klux Klan, the police report said. He also said he had tied the nooses and that the brass knuckles belonged to him, the report said.

At least one of the nooses was made out of an extension cord, according to the police report.
Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said those arrested were "from around Jena" and not in the same parish as his city.

The police report says a crowd of about 200 people, mostly African-Americans, watched the arrest take place.

Roy said the incident is "not indicative" of Alexandria and that local authorities will look into the matter "completely, thoroughly and transparently."

A photograph of the truck was sent to CNN by Casanova Love, 26, who said he's in the U.S. Navy. He's visiting his family in Louisian.

Love said he was standing outside a club with some friends Thursday night when he saw the red pickup drive by slowly with two nooses hanging from it.

He said the truck continued up the street and passed by a large group of Jena 6 protesters standing outside a bus stop. Police then pulled over the vehicle.

Love explained why he sent the photo to CNN: "People need to see this. It's 2007, and we still have fools acting like it's 1960."

State police estimated at least 15,000 people gathered in Jena on Thursday to protest what they consider unequal punishments meted out in recent racially charged cases.

One involved the hanging of nooses from a tree a day after black students sat under what had been an informal gathering place for white students. The students involved were suspended from school for a brief time.

Another was the beating of a white student that resulted in six black teens facing charges that include aggravated second-degree battery.

I was almost run over by a School Bus

I thought those big mirrors on the side would be of great help. Maybe they should actually use them. He noticed me before anything happened. Sigh!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Tid Bits

I know it's been awhile since I've posted so here's a bit of everything that has happened in the last several weeks.

About two weekends ago Mr. M and I had my mom and sister over for dinner and cards. Mr. M. threw some steaks on the grill and I made some fried potatoes and onions. They were very excited as it had been many years since they'd had fried potatoes and onions as well.

As Mr. M was grilling C-Girl was outside enjoying the day. We don't usually let her out that often because she likes to eat grass, come in the house and puke! So Mr. M had the duty of watching her. Well she decided to make herself comfortable in our jungle, we hadn't mowed in like 2 weeks. So Mr. M grabbed the camera. You can tell as each picture went that she just kept getting more and more comfortable.

"I swear mom, I'm not eating any grass!"

She ended up coming in after we checked on her again and she was eating grass! Luckily we caught her early... no surprises for us!

We sat and played Hand and Foot which our friends TG and her husband taught us a while back. We've grown to really like it.

I was out with my mom Sunday and noticed that the Halloween candy is out already. I'm a sucker for any type of candy. One of the most common candy is the Candy Corn, but there's a new type!! Caramel covered apple flavored! And it's scrumptious! :)

I've been cleaning out my closet. Went through all my clothes and took out everything that I don't wear anymore and did a bit of trying on everything else to see what fit and didn't fit. I currently have 2 bags of stuff that I will give away. I'll find some ladies shelter to donate it to. Next project is the shoes. Mostly which ones I don't wear, I don't think I'll have any problem with those that don't fit!

I went with the CD and her husband on Friday afternoon to watch her belly dancer instructor do a little show. It was really fun. The first dance was her with a candle-opera (I know that's not the right spelling, but am too lazy to look it up). Well she had it on top of her head with candles lit and danced like that. That was a cool opener. It was really a fun show.

Oh, we came home last week to find blood on the bottom edges of our spare bedroom and master bedroom doors. We have no clues as to what really happened but here's my theory. M&M chased C-Girl, as she always does, and potentially drew blood. C-Girl was trying to get away and knows that sometimes if she pushes on those doors they'll open (we keep them shut during the day) and that's how the blood got there. We also found a little bit along the edges of the cat door. There were no blood drops anywhere on the carpet. We checked both cats and found nothing. We checked the dog and nothing. As I was cleaning the blood from the doors I told Mr. M that I felt like I was removing evidence - I watch too much CSI! :-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Almost Friday Funny

Someone in my office sent this to me today and I just had to share.

Strange Questions That Will Always Remain Unanswered.

1. How do blind people know when they are done wiping?

2. Could it be that all those trick-or-treaters wearing sheets aren't goingas ghosts but as mattresses?

3. If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

4. Is there another word for synonym?

5. Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do practice?"

6. If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a planecrash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?

7. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

8. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

9. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone willclean them?

10. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remainsilent?

11. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

12. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys andapes?

13. How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?

14. What was the best thing before sliced bread?

15. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown too?

16. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

17. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

18. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have a "S" in it?

19. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "asteroids"?

Always Remember...

NEVER FORGET!

It's really a good thing for me that this day falls in the middle of the week, kind of, otherwise I would take the day off and watch anything and everything that has to do with tributes and re-showing of that horrible day 6 years ago. It wouldn't be pretty and I know it's just unhealthy.

It really does seem like it was just last year that it all happened, I can't believe 6 years has gone by already. Everyone, of course, asks do you remember where you were etc? And like I'm sure many do - I do! I'm sure I posted this already... but here it goes again.

I remember what I was wearing - I was looking really cute! Long black skirt with a grayish-silver top and black boots. I thought I was cute anyway! ;-) I remember someone making a comment to me "are you going to a funeral are something?" I wonder if she remembers saying that? How unfortunate those words were said on that particular day.

I've assisted in many training classes but this was the first one that I was actually teaching. My class was out stuffing envelopes and some of them were finishing up thier final test. The training room is right next to the break room and all of a sudden the tv was soooo loud outside our door. I go out there to tell them to turn it down and there was this big crowd of people out there. And they'd brought in another tv than what was normally in there. I asked someone what was going on and they tell me a plane hit the WTC and I was thinking a prop plane, I didn't realize till much later that it was a passenger plane. The day unfolded in a haze, I still remember it mostly though. I did have one lady in the class who had a family member living in New York who worked for the fire department. I told her she could go home if she wanted, I really understood. But she stayed cause truthfully, what could she do?

When I went home I got out my flag and put it up on my back porch, I still lived in an apartment. I sat out on the hill looking up in the sky in amazement at how clear it was with not a plane up there, I mean I live in DFW with one of the busiest airports. And of course just cried. I was glued to the tv for days watching all the footage. I remember a few days later watching the news and they mentioned they had evacuated the Empire State Building cause they thought there was a bomb in it and I just started crying again.

I read today somewhere and they were asking if there should be a memorial every year or how long should we do this? Really? I don't have anyone I know that was lost that day but I imagine everyone who did would like to do something to mark this day for as long as they can. Let them have their one day.

I did get to visit NYC last year in October on a quick day trip. Of course the first thing I did was visit Ground Zero. They've started building so I didn't really get to see the "footprints" of the buildings. They have pictures of wreckage and things. There are a few people there talking about all their conspiracy theories about what really happened that day. I've actaully watched one video and some things do make you say hmmm... The one thing that really pissed me off was the people out there selling their knock off shit. Purses and junk. And right in front of signs that tell you not to buy things from people out there. Hello! This is a sacred place, do you really have to set up shop there?

Anyway... that flag is now in a flag case on my fireplace mantel, unfortunately it tore. I know you're supposed to burn it but it means a bit too much to me. I really do think of that day at least once a day. I try to quickly think of something else as it will immediately make me tear up and make me cry - kind of hard to explain when you're at work. :-)

So to all of those families and friends who lost someone - I'm sorry and I'll never forget.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Another wierd dream

One of the things that I dislike about living in DFW is that I have to see all this stuff related to the CowGirls. I saw an ad with Jerry Jones and you see his big ole honking Superbowl ring.

Why do I mention this and what does it have to do with my dream? A big ole ring was in it.

A bit of background, my parents are now divorced after 30 years of marriage. So it was wierd that in my dream we were having a family "vacation" together going camping in a camper. Everyone was there: me, my sister, my brother, mom and dad.

So it's at the end of our little vacation and my dad finally gets tired of being around us and wants to get a room at a hotel or something instead of being in the camper with us. I don't remember everything but remember being in a church and my dad kind of going off on us. And he made a comment waiving his "ring" saying that it's knocked plenty of other heads before. I remember making a comment "is that a threat?" and he just smiled.

The only other thing I remember in the dream is that I told my brother and sister that I wanted to leave that night even if I had to rent a car to get out. But I didn't want to leave my mom behind? Of course I don't know why I couldn't have just taken her with us? What am I renting a car that only sits 3?

Wierd huh? I just don't know where that came from... I have a few Dream books but have no clue how I would look that one up. I guess I definitely need to look up "ring".

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Puzzling

Sis and I went to visit mom for a few hours on Monday afternoon. Mom had a puzzle she was working on. Sis was mesmerized and worked on it the whole time we were there. I worked on it a little but made myself stop because I know how addicting they are. It was really cool too cause it glowed in the dark.

Well I decided I wanted to work on one at home. I figure I can spend a few hours a night working on it instead of sitting in front of the tv. So I went in to our closet to see what we had to choose from. Ah! An Indian one will do. I also have a Bev Dolittle but figured I'd wait to do it. Here's a link to some of her art. Would love to have one of her pieces!!!

So I opened the new puzzle and threw out the pieces on the table.

Here's what it will look like when I'm done.

I actually had Mr. M sitting and helping me. Maybe we'll finally have something to do together. :-)

Can't leave the table till at least the edge is put together. Funny how when you can't get it to fit correctly you make statements such as "we're missing pieces". Mr. M stuck it all together and said it was finally finished, then I showed him the few pieces that were still remaining. Then it's "we have too many pieces!" LOL - ok. So we finally got the border complete and I think that's enough for tonight.

We bought some clear plexi glass a while back just for puzzling. I put it on top of the border to help with any accidental cats getting on the table and pushing them around. The rest of the pieces went back in the box for now.

So this should be fun for the next few days or weeks.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Con or No Con?

So Mr. M and I were sitting at Fuddruckers today having lunch and as we're sitting there enjoying our burgers this "pregnant" lady stops by our table and hands Mr. M a piece of paper. He reads the paper and says, "sorry, no" and hands it back to her. She turns to me and starts to hand it to me. I just tell her no.

As she's walking away I asked Mr. M what it said, I didn't even read it when I said no but I figured if he didn't want anything to do with it neither did I. So he tells me it says something to the effect of "please help, I have 2 kids and need help to get them diapers and things. Can you help?"

I'm like what? This is a restaurant you can't come in here and solicit like that. Now I don't know if she really has 2 kids or if she really needs help, and if she does I feel bad but you never know.

THEN we see another lady in there at the same time doing the same thing!!! And wouldn't you know it she too was pregnant! And by the looks of their "bumps" they looked like they got pregnant at the same time.

So Mr. M gets up and goes to the counter to find an employee and tell them about the ladies out there soliciting for money. Mr. M wasn't the only one I noticed someone else bringing out an employee as well. These two ladies did get some money from about 2-3 people before they left though.

We saw them walking down the street as we left. We looked to make sure they were still "pregnant" and they were.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Fried Potatoes and Onions

When I was growing up our family always made fried potatoes and onions. This might be a Southern thing only, I'm not sure.

But for those of you who don't know what this is: basically you take a potatoe and cut it into slices. You also take an onion, remove the outer skin of course, and then cut it into quarters. Heat up some oil, fry the potatoes (I like them crispy, you do them how you want) and then add the onions for a bit.

I haven't had any in soooo long because Mr. M "doesn't like them". So I'm reading the Little House on the Prarie series of books and they mentioned fried potatoes and onions and I've had a craving since then.

So we went to the grocery store today and determined we were grilling steaks tonight so I decided I was making myself some! It was heavenly! And all of them for myself!!! Although I didn't get the potatoes as crispy as I really wanted them. Oh well I guess I'll have to try it again later (still have one potatoe and onion left to use) :-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

8 Things About Me

I'm so behind in fulfilling my meme that I was tagged to do almost a month ago by Lara.

Rules:
A. Each player lists 8 facts/habits about themselves.

B. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I love to sleep! If I could, I'd sleep all the time. But if I'm required to get up and do something I'm one of those that gets up and goes. No pushing the snooze button for me.

2. I'm always cold! For this reason I'm always wearing jeans (that and because I'm also very white and I don't want to scare anyone). Besides I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of a gal.

3. Although I don't shave often, because I'm always cold and it becomes useless, when I do shave I shave the tops of my toes! Yep, I guess I have a bit of Hobbit in me.

4. I LOVE the smell of rain and listening to a thunderstorm. If I could I would open the windows everytime it rains, but Mr. M has really bad asthma and it's not good for him. Now I don't like to drive in the stuff because I've been dramatized by being in a very bad storm where the hail was as big as baseballs. One hit my windshield so hard, I just knew that another one was going to hit in that same spot and come right at me. I was so glad to get out of that storm.

5. I love reality tv. I'd have to say the two that I will never miss is Survivor and Big Brother. Mr. M hates it badly.

6. The only reason I can't wait for the summer is to make sun tea. I'll put out a pitcher with tea bags out on the front porch before I leave for work. When I get home from work I'll bring it in and add tons of sugar and drink this till it's gone and repeat the process. My sister calls this my "brown sugar water". It's such a Southern thing. But it does make the 100 + temperatures worth it.

7. I love the mountains of Colorado. Our family used to go every summer for vacation. Just the feeling of that nice clean air on you is very erotic... ;-)

8. I grew up with a very bad sweet tooth (see #6). When I was in High School I worked at a local amusement park in the cotton candy concession stand. I would just make the stuff and eat it right out of the pan. I'm sure my dentist loved me. Mr. M says I eat the weirdest candy. Right now I have a bag of candy that I bought yesterday. Mr. M was upset because it had nothing in there that he would eat. I think it has to do with my mom when she was pregnant. She said she used to eat sweets with me but didn't with my brother. He hardly eats anything that is sweet - not even cake!

Okay, now I have to tag 8 people? Man it was hard coming up with the above 8 list, but coming up with 8 people just isn't gonna happen. I don't know that many people who even have blogs. So here we go, those that I tag:
1. Queen Paula
2. Texas Grind
3. Computer Diva
4. Knatolee

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Battle at Kruger

You have to check out this video.

Mr. M saw this video on one of the World News reports and recorded it for me. It's absolutely amazing so I had to go out and find it on YouTube.

Basically there is a tour group out on one of those Safari tours and one of the guys on tour shot this video. I just checked it out again and it's had over 14 million hits. I'm sure having it on the evening news had nothing to do with that. ;-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Why give them the pleasure?

So our company is over budget. Again. What does this mean to me?

Well back in April they made all of us in Admin go out and help stuff envelopes a set amount of days a week. We don't have to do it this go round. Yet. However we do have to go out at a moments notice if there is an influx in mail coming in.

Monday is usually the busiest day so I took this past Monday off. Granted I had something that needed to be taken care of. I could have done it on a Friday and had a 3 day weekend that way but I figured I would choose Monday. I chose correctly as there was an influx in mail.

So I got to thinking, I really have a lot of vacation time so I decided to take the next two Mondays off. I figure if I can't get any of my real work done then I'm not going to be there to help you stuff envelopes.

Hire decent people then you wouldn't need us. Plus if you're so d*mn busy and need help then you need to get everyone out there helping. I have two people in my dept alone who are ALWAYS excluded from assisting. Why? That's a great question. We don't know! Plus there are a few Supervisors that are excluded. Why? Evidently because they have a few work at home agents on their team. What does that mean? Who the hell knows. I guess if the agent has an issue and calls their Supervisor they're there to help. Well that's a load of crap because they're always out and about chatting with each other.

Anywho. So this Monday I have no real plans. Although my mom is not working on Monday so I might see if she wants to get together. Or I could just sleep all day! :-)

Side Note: That lovely tropical storm, or whatever it is, that was to hit the Southern part of Texas has moved it's way into the DFW metroplex and we're getting some rain. Nice!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

My Stupidest Moment

Hey guys! Long time no post! :-)

I don't know why I thought of this... but I was thinking of this on my drive in to work this morning.

Many years ago when I had a roommate she had met a guy. Not sure where just know she met him. She evidently didn't like him anymore and instead of telling him she just called the phone company and had them block his phone number so he couldn't call our apartment anymore.

One afternoon I was at home (I had weekdays off) and she was at work. The phone rang and I got it. It was him! I had never met him but I knew she blocked his number so I was a little surprised that he was on the phone.

He asked if we were having phone problems and I said no. I don't remember how it happened but it was finally determined that he had called the phone operator and asked to be put through to our number so I told him what my roommate had done. I didn't know why she did it nor why she didn't just tell him.

Here's my stupid moment... So then he asks me if I wanted to go out for lunch. I said yes. Okay... my roommate no longer wants to talk to you. I've never met you before. This is the first time I've ever even talked to you. And I said yes?

Nothing happened. He picked me up and we went to eat. He was a tad bit older than I and noone knew that I was going out with him for lunch... how stupid was I? Seriously I think to myself about how badly that could have turned out.

So for that, I label this under the "Idiots" section... see we're all an idiot one time or another.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

TEACHERS BEWARE!!!

Okay I'm driving in to work this morning listening to the radio and they mentioned something I had not heard of that affects teachers so I thought I would pass it along as much as I can so those of you who are teachers will be aware of this change. (I know that was a horrible run on - teacher's don't shoot me!)

The IRS has implemented a new law on those who have annualized salaries. I had no clue what that was but it was explained that in the example of a teacher they work 9 months and can either opt to receive payments for those 9 months or have it paid out over 12 months.

Well for those of you who opt to have it paid out over 12 months will receive a new 20% tax. That's right 20%!!!!!!

The DJ's on Mix 102.9 (Dallas station) said they were watching the news last night (I believe they mentioned Fox 4) and saw this. In the news segment they went to the Dallas IRS to get more information on it and they had no clue of this new tax!

And supposedly you can waive this new tax but you have to fill out a form BEFORE the school year starts. If you fill it out after the school year starts there are penalties involved. When the news called the IRS to ask what type of form should be used they didn't know if there was an "official" one that had been approved yet. Boy they have it together huh?

Sorry I've not done any research on any of the above details. I just sat down at my desk and thought I would share what they mentioned. I know that Mix 102.9 was getting calls from some teachers who potentially knew about this so maybe they might put something on their website later. Otherwise, if you're a teacher - you might want to do some research before the new season begins!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Making Ends Meet

Okay I was half way paying attention to a show that came on tonight, I think it was called "Family Secrets" or something like that.

They were talking about a single mom of 3 who was missing. Her brother and friends were out looking for her every day trying to find clues. People from the community were helping as well.

Of course she's a single mom so she's doing what she has to do to "make ends meet". I understand this and I applaud every single mother out there that does this. I truely do not know how you do it and stay so strong - although I know there's a break down every now and then but that's what your friends are for. ;-)

Now for this lady to make ends meet she learned how to do massages. And evidently offered "extra ammenities" with her massages for the right price. Evidently when the community heard of this less and less showed up to help search for her. Okay, she's still a single mom with 3 kids who still need her. Regardless of what she does for a living you should still try and find her. Now if she had killed someone or was a rapist or something like that then I could see giving up the search - not worth my time.

But the real reason for this post was because of something else they mentioned. If you're doing everything you can do to help provide for your kids and all then don't you think you should give up your $6,000/month house? Yep that's right, they said her house was an estimated half or 1 million dollar house. Maybe that's what you should be giving up. Live within your means. What are you thinking? I understand you want comfort for your kids, but seriously you can't find that in a house for less? Plus they were showing the kids in their play room... they obviously were not lacking in toys. Maybe they too should learn to live a little less off. sigh.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Happy 100!

This is my 100th post!

Wow! I never thought I would actually be into blogging this much to actually make it to 100. I had to go back and see when I started it and my first post was December 2, 2006. However I did technically start with another provider and then moved here. But it wasn't much before this one.

Why did I start? My friends Computer Diva and Texas Grind had blogs and always talking about them. So I thought, okay I'll give it a try maybe post something here and there. I find myself thinking of posts I need to include and what I'll say in them when somethings going on.

Take for example what happened today...

On my way home I call Mr. M to ask if I should stop somewhere to get us something to eat, we've not been to the grocery store yet and running low on something decent to eat. I wanted a salad and Mr. M suggested Jason's Deli. Now I like Jason's Deli but I'm not a fan of the one close to our house and today didn't help their case. As a matter of fact I will NEVER go back to this location again. What happened?

I get there and put in our order to go. I pay and sit at a booth close to where they are supposed to call out my name when it's ready. I'm sitting there and I notice the two orders behind me get their food already which makes me wonder why mine is so hard to get done. Just as I'm getting up to go say something I notice the girl who took my order reaches behind her for a ticket and is like "oops!" and gives it to the guys who puts the food together. I hear them say "no tomatoes" so I naturally think it's mine because I asked for that on my salad. Then I notice that they're done and the couple who was sitting in the booth in front of me pick up that order. So I sit there just a tad bit longer thinking that maybe they're working on mine and they'll call my name any minute now. Nope! So I get up and show her my little receipt and say, "um.... my order???" And the girl? "Oh, sorry, we misplaced the order slip and it will be out in a minute". I have to go sit back down because I'm about to explode! A few more minutes and I get my stuff. Truthfully when it was done they should have brought it out to me where I was sitting, but no the little girl calls out my name, puts the bag out on the counter and kind of is like sorry. She did happen to mutter another quick "sorry it took so long" "yeah right" I mutter and walk off. I then take out all my stuff and grab my salad because I'm going to the salad bar to put more stuff on it (I ordered a Chef Salad). I'm sure they were kind of looking at me like who is that crazy girl with splashes of purple and green in her hair. You're lucky I didn't go off on your *ss and make a scene. Mr. M asked why I didn't say anything. I just couldn't because I know that I was not going to be able to control myself. But again I emphasized with him that we would NOT be going back there.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Day Out With Sis

I spent most of Saturday out with my sister, Rogue.

We got together relatively early, but not too early so we could sleep in. I got to her place and chatted with her as she got ready. We had no pre planned plans so everything was up in the air. By the time we left her place we had an agenda!

First it was off to lunch at La Madeleine's. I actually had it the day before with some friends and I wanted more! So sad. Although they didn't seem to have it together on this day. They didn't have things out to choose from to eat, when you asked it was kind of ho hum. But we did enjoy ourselves and we stayed there just chatting an eating for a nice long time. Oh and I had to have some hot chocolate with mint. I know, it's July but it tastes so yummy. It's my coffee.

Then we were off shopping. First we went to a music store where I bought the soundtrack to the Sound of Music (I know... but I love it!) I brought it to work but I don't think I can listen to it because I'm afraid I'll just start singing along.

Then it was off to Sam Moon and I bought two pairs of earrings and a necklace. This was my first time to visit them, they were very busy. We'll have to go back because I love earrings and such.

One of our final stops was to the mall where I went and bought some green and purple hair extensions to put throughout my hair. I've always wanted to have some and sis had some blue that she was wearing. So we went to buy mine. I'm wearing them today at work and surprisingly everyone likes them - or so they say. Hubby called me Rainbow Brite. LOL.

I really enjoyed spending the day with my sister. I need to do it more often. So we both agreed that we need to try at least once a month to get together.

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Simpson's - The Movie

Okay, I'm not a big Simpson's fan. Actually I never watched the show until I met Mr. M. But we went to watch the movie today and I tell you what.... it's funny as hell!!!! You crack up the entire time. Of course I won't mention anything from the movie that you probably haven't seen on a commercial. My only advice... do stay till the credits are done. :-)

Oh and one last thing...

Spider pig, spider pig, does whatever a spider pig does... look out! Here comes a spider pig!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Video of the Blast

Okay I looked at that article on CNN from my previous post and there wasn't really any good video. So here is some great raw video from one of our local stations.

There's no sound but you can just the canisters exploding in the air and flying yards away.
In the beginning of the video you can see a person running from the building.

Just amazing!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Explosion in Dallas

Dallas made the national news!

If you're not from here and didn't see it, here's the article from CNN. I haven't completely read the CNN article because I've been watching it all afternoon on our local news. If there's video you need to check it out because the explosions they show are just incredible.

Basically it was a bunch of little gas tanks that caught fire and went up like bombs, I guess you could say. The place that went up is right at an exchange of two of our busiest highways. These explosions would send debris yards away and into the highways.

Needless to say everything around there was evacuated and all of the highways in that area were completely closed. I believe it started around 10 this morning and as of this afternoon all the highways were still closed. I'm SO glad I do not have to drive anywhere around that. What horrible gridlock.

Luckily only 3 people were injured - no deaths. However I do find it funny that one of the first things I heard when the news broke - "is it terrorists?" Is this how we live now? Anytime anything bad happens we automatically assume it's a terrorists attack? I understand we should always be on the look out for something fishy and stuff, but my dog escaping from my fence is also not a terrorists attack (that's just an escape artist at work! hee hee)

~ Wolf Lover Girl

One Week Update

It's been just over a week that I've been on the Proactive so it's time for a small update.

The supply I received is to be a 30 day supply. Interestingly the bottles are kind of small, in my opinion, and I'm kind of afraid I'll run out. But they seem to think it will last.

Although they mention they add no fragrances I think the toner is a bit smelly. Not real bad but couldn't it smell like roses? Okay, I guess that would defeat the purpose.

I've been using the stuff religiously in the morning and in the evening on my face, neck and chest. It definitely has cleared up a lot of my problems I had on my forehead. Although it did seem to create newer and bigger ones. One was right in the middle of my eyebrows so I looked like I had a "dot" there. They are clearing up. I'm sure it goes with the package, get a little worse before you get better.

So all in all I'm happy with the product and will of course continue to use it!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

Weekend Trip - Inner Space Caverns

Mr M and I took a day trip to Georgetown, TX on Saturday. The main goal of the trip was to tour the Inner Space Caverns. It's a little over 3 hours from Dallas and the weather was great.

I've been before but Mr. M has never been to any type of caverns before. I figured I would start him with these and work our way up. I'd like to eventually take him to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. I've been there several times and I love it.

Our trip started a little later than what we really wanted, but there was really no big rush. We got there and did the tour, which lasts about an hour. We were told that we were lucky because they are expecting to be closed for the next 6-8 weeks. They're expecting to be flooded out. Our tour guide showed us where there was water that day but the day before there had been none. Then we went to another section that they usually give you a flashlight and you can explore a little on your own, but it was roped off because the water was way too deep already. She flashed her flashlight in the water and you could see the reflection of the path and things wwwwaaaayyyy down below. It was amazing how deep it already was. She pointed above us to a line that was left from the last flood in 1997 and she said that's probably where it would be this time too. The water in the caves are 98% pure and even the flooded water that will soon be there will also be 98% pure. Can you imagine?

After the caverns we "looped back" to the Candle Factory. Queen P and I visited there several years ago. I wasn't as impressed with it this go round though. Then we headed down the street to grab a bite to eat at this little diner built to resemble a diner from the 50's. It was okay food. Afterwards we went to the little Georgetown square and looked in some of the antique shops. We also visited their little book shop in the square and of course all the buzz was how many people were lined up down the street the night before to get their Harry Potter book (2,000).

We decided to drive on back home. When we got back in to town we decided to stop by On the Border to grab a small bite to eat. That turned out to be a horrible experience. The waitress spilt our water (a little on Mr. M), she never replaced it. The Sprite I ordered tasted like it was missing its carbonation or something so I asked for another. Many, many minutes later she came back with one and it tasted worse. We finally got our tortilla soups and I was finally able to order a Coke, which I don't normally drink. She kept checking on all the tables around us but us. Then she came and told us that she forgot to put in our order for our quesadillas. Truthfully we were kind of full by then because we'd been eating chips while we were waiting. Our check was half off but we were kind and left a small tip.

But I was glad that Mr. M finally got to see the caverns. :-)

~ Wolf Lover Girl