So, the window and the tree survived the ferocious winds last night. Whew. Seriously, I had great fears about that window.

From what I've been reading, and what I've heard talking to my son up in Michigan, everyone got hit with that front. Thankfully, we got no snow from it.

In contrast, today seemed almost scary calm. There was pretty much no wind at all, barely  a breeze; the sky was clear and blue; the sun was out bright. It was cold, but not so bad, y'know? Can't help but feel that something wicked is coming this way.

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When I talked to my youngest son today, he mentioned the possibility of moving back down here after he's out of school. I'm greatly encouraged by this. He says it probably won't be until late summer, but that's okay.

#1) I really enjoy his company

#2) I'd have a better peace of mind if he was here

and the most important #3) It would mean my wonderful sister would have to move out because that's HIS room and she's merely "borrowing" it while he's gone.

Also, he's all signed up for night school now, which means he should graduate on time. Yay.

And, that's about it for now. Just a little quickie.

Y'all have a great day and a better tomorrow!

Hot damn! Looks like the National Weather Service was right! I have Weather Channel Desktop on my laptop and I get alerts from the NWS whenever they're issued. We've been under a wind advisory for the past couple days, and beneath each notice there has been a note about the weather headed our way because of a front coming in. One of those "notes" mentioned steadily dropping temps and a "wintery mix". Well, we got it.

It was almost 60 degrees this morning when I went to work at 5:45. At 1:30 I was able to take a smoke break outside without my jacket on. It was getting cloudy, but was still warm. When we left an hour later, the temperature had dropped  20 degrees. Driving home, it was so windy that when I stopped to fuel up, the door was nearly ripped off after the wind hit it. Then there was a little drizzle that became sleet, which stopped when I was nearly home. Right now the temp is showing 27 degrees. Yay.

This has been a real shitty month for weather. We've had temps above 70 and down to 7. And now they're predicting that Thursday night, going into Friday (the end of January, beginning of February) we could get a nice little nasty storm with possible accumulations. Of course, even if it does happen, I won't get a 'snow day'. Bummer.

I was actually thinking about how great a 'snow day' would be this week...but then I realized I haven't worked a full week this year. We were off the first week of the month, then I was sick the last two days of our first work week; the following week we had a half day on Friday; the next week we were off Monday for MLK Day. So, if we wind up NOT having school because of the weather, that marks a record for me. An entire month of full time employment when I didn't work an entire week at all.

I'm sitting in our den. My desk is against the wall that has the window on it. The window is old and in poor shape. I put plastic up but the wind still whips through it (maybe I should have put it on the outside as well). Anyway, it is so windy outside that the window is rattling and the curtains are swaying. I'm just waiting for it to blow in. Yippee. And, out in front of the window is the tree Bryan climbed a couple years ago (you can read the entire account on his blog somewhere in the archives) to cut down branches and limbs that were broken during a winter storm... every time we get bad weather, we worry that the tree will fall on the house. So, before the night is over I could wind up boarding up a window or more. Again.. yippee.

And the temperature has just dropped another four degrees in the couple minutes since I started writing this. Wonderful.

So, I hope wherever you are you're safe and warm. Y'all have a great day and a better tomorrow.

I have just been totally grossed out. Damn curiosity anyway!

Sometimes it's better not to know, but NO! I just don't learn.            

As most of you know by now, I've made a new e mail account. I've had that old one for over six years now... it's time to get rid of it. Unfortunately, there are e mails Bryan and I sent each other that I have to copy before I can get rid of it completely and that's time consuming. Plus, there's the whole transition thing.  Also, I need to check into seeing if deleting the e mail account will delete this blog since that's the one I used to create it.

The thing is, as I explained in the announcement I sent out, I'm sick of that last name. It's weird, actually, the way I feel about it. It's like having his name is the last little string still connecting us and I want that connection completely and permanently severed. The fact that we're still legally married means nothing to me; the marriage was over long before I left and quite honestly, it's only when I hear references to the word "husband" that I remember I still have one of those. I don't think of myself as a married woman.

So, because the boy is almost out of school now, and I decided I wasn't going to proceed with the divorce until he was out of school (so he can still be insured), it's time to seriously look into getting it started. Found out I can get all the paperwork I need online. I found one website that offers all the necessary documents for under six dollars. Another one for under thirty. I think, though, that I can actually just go to the courthouse and get them for free. Need to call about that. However, it costs something like $239.00 to file the documents in court in my county. Still, that's a hell of a lot cheaper than it cost Bryan for his divorce. Mine should be very simple, though. There's no property to divide, no kids involved, and we've already gone on with our lives. It's just a matter of making the split legal.

I will definitely be taking back my maiden name.

A few little odds and ends going here:

Got up to 53 today. Woo Hoo.  Just two days ago the high was 8.

My sister is still driving me nuts. I know... my fault for saying she could stay here. Any Karma points I had hoped to gain by that feat are gone now because I bitch about it all the time. Seriously, just having to look at her makes me batty. I see that fat face and that big square body and all I think is: sit on your ass and eat some more,  ya cow! Not that I'm  skinny by any loose standard of the word, and I don't mean to imply that I think I am...  it's just that I am so sick of her just sitting around, watching TV, and eating.  She seriously thinks my dog talks to her - using telepathy, I guess. I mean, I love my dog, but he's a dog.  He's smart and amusing, but he is definitely incapable of having a human conversation with anyone - even telepathically. And she can't understand why he runs to me as soon as I get home, and stays with me the rest of the evening. Hello?

Staying on the topic of crazy sisters: the other one has chased away yet another roommate. She didn't "kick" this one out like she did me and Bryan, but she may as well have. She claims there are no hard feelings - on her side, but admits the ex-roomie might not feel the same. Gee, I wonder why?

My son finally got to see "Cloverfield" tonight. I talked to him after he saw it and we compared notes, so to speak. He pointed out some things that I hadn't noticed. Little scenes at the end of the movie. So I went to Youtube to check them out, and still didn't see what he was talking about. Oh well.

And with that, I'm outta here. Y'all have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Call it restless brain syndrome...or call it whatever you want. Doesn't matter. Or, maybe it's just a simple uncomplicated instance of slight ADD. Easily distracted. Bored. I don't know. Then again, it could just be this thing I have about leaving things unfinished. Whatever. Also, there's the very real possibility that... (I forgot what I was just going to type). OH! I remember now! It could just be that the winter blahs have set in and I'm losing interest in a lot of things. Well, not everything. Anyway, I write a few lines in the story I'm working on, then I decide there's something I have to see online, and that's it... I'm done writing. As for my afghan.. got it nearly half finished. Six of twelve panels are done, so I guess it's not really "half finished", since I still have to crochet another six panels, cross stitch five of them, and weave them all together. Whatever.

Got a real nice E Mail from Big Boss this afternoon. She thanked me for the great job I'm doing at the junior high. Then she asked if I'd be interested in earning some extra cash helping out with her catering gigs. Hell yeah, I am.

So, all this rambling is just to get to the funny I found while "stumbling" this evening. Seriously, dudes and dudettes, if you use Mozilla (and why aren't you? it's 101% better than IE) you need to add-on "stumble upon". It is, however, highly addictive. There is a bad side to it, for me, if you add it ... and you happen to have any of the same interests I have checked... then all these funnies I find and decide to share you will probably have already seen.

And, without further delay, here it is for your amusement:

European English (Humorous)

An interesting commentary of some of the strange spelling constructs in American English. Many of these strange constructs have bedeviled spellers (and me) for many years.

The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British and American government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement. Consequently, they have adopted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as European English (Euro for short). In the first year, “s” will be used instead of the soft “c.”

Sertainly sivil servants will resieve this news with joy. Also the hard “c” will be replased with “k.” Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the second year, when the troublesome “ph” will be replased by “f.” This will make words like “fotograf” 20 persent shorter.

In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expected to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible. Governments will encourage the removal of double leters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent “e”s in the languag is disgrasful and they woud go. By the fourth year peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing “th” by “z” and “w” by “v.” During ze fifz yer, ze unesasary “o” kan be droped from vords containing “ou”, and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinatins of leters.

Und after ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German lik zey vonted in ze first plas.

Brrr.....  Baby, it's cold outside!

When I first moved down here, Bryan told me that the last two weeks of January were the coldest of the year. This is my second January here and so far he's been right on. The good news is that I just looked at the ten day forecast on Weather Channel Desktop and it's gonna get in the 40s starting Saturday. Low 50s on Sunday, even. Whew.

This morning was one of those cold mornings you don't really notice when you first walk out the door, despite the fact it was only 8 degrees F. It was after I was in the truck, backing out the drive, trying to turn the wheel when I got on the street that the cold was realized. You know that feeling if you drive in cold climates... the steering wheel is nearly froze and uncooperative. Then, driving towards work, it was like sitting in an ice-box.

When the kids started coming in, I felt so bad for most of them. There's only one junior high and one high school in the city where I work, and they're nearly across the street from each other on one side of town. Most of the houses are on the other side of town or near the freeway, which means several of the kids have to walk a mile, or close to it because there are no busses in the district. I was cold enough in my truck, and it least it warmed up and I was cozy after a mile or so. One of the boys came in with tears on his face from the cold! Most of them were numb.

The district hires busses for the elementary students who live too far to walk, but even they have to wait out in the cold for the bus to arrive. It's ridiculous.

Can you believe it's almost February? That's another thing I noticed when I looked at the ten day forecast. The last two days are in February. Wow. The older you get, the faster the time goes.

So far, I'm really liking the new school. After tomorrow I'll have put in three weeks and there's not a single thing I don't like. I go in, I know exactly what I'm doing and when I'm doing it every day. The people I work with are very pleasant. It's one of the only places I've worked where everyone performs as a team. As for the other school - found out Lillie took all this week off and isn't coming back until Tuesday. The woman who comes in to work even when she's sick and should stay home, who prides herself on never missing a day... took over a week off after getting saddled with the one worker nobody wants in their kitchen. Most of us are speculating that she's searching for a new job. Of course, this could very well be something she's planned for a while and it's just coincidental... okay, sure.

I hope, I hope, I hope that I qualify for that tax rebate I've been hearing about all day and read about earlier. It would come in very handy, for sure. I have to write out a nice little check tonight to send up to my son for night school so he can make up the credit he lost. The fact that I'm pissed off because this should have been taken care of last summer - it was paid for and set up -but didn't happen because Mr. Wonderful decided he "couldn't handle" my son anymore (it takes actual parenting skills and involvement to raise a child) ... well, that's almost irrelevant. Almost.

Plus, because he's a senior this year, there's Prom to pay for in May. Not to mention the trip up there for his graduation in June. And needing to pay for his cap and gown yet. Oy vey.

Anyway... Spring isn't that far away now. Yay! We'll soon have two months of comfortable weather and won't need the furnace or the air conditioner! Double Yay!

Y'all have a great day and a better tomorrow.

Where have I been? What have I been doing?

Let's start from tonight and work backward. We just got back from watching "Cloverfield". Holy Mother of God! I'm not going to go into detail, but in case you live in a cave and haven't read anything on this here internet thing...it's a movie about a monster that destroys Manhatten. It's shot in documentary form, a lot like "Blair Witch Project", but a whole lot better. We, Bryan and I, came to the conclusion that this is a movie you're either going to love it or hate it. We loved it. Well, maybe 'love' is a little strong. I really enjoyed watching it. However, if you're going to see it, don't wait for it to come out on DVD - it's one of those movies that absolutely MUST be seen on the big screen.

When I first heard about it, I wasn't interested in seeing it at all. Sounded like another one of those insipid Godzilla movies that are just too outrageous to have any basis in reality. But then I read a full page review on it today...don't have the link to it, but it intrigued me. And yes, it really doesn't have a basis in reality, unless you totally stretch your imagination, but it was still intense. The reviewer I read didn't really like most of the characters in the story except the guy running the camera...  that character is the one I liked the least, so it's all a matter of opinion.

Anyhow, if you like movies that make you go "Holy shit!" and "Oh, fuck! I can't believe what I'm seeing!" - movies that make your heart race ... movies that you don't want to watch a certain scene but you know you have to... then this is one to see. It's the first time I've liked a movie that has been so hyped up in the media.

If you're curious about the monster or anything else about the movie, and you have no intention of seeing it, message me and I'll tell you about it.

****************************************************

What else? Okay, my sister is driving me nuts. The first few days she was home all she did was sit on the couch, watch HGTV all day, and eat. Seriously. Every day I'd come home from work and she'd be sitting in the corner of the couch, wrapped up in a quilt, watching TV. Nothing was done around the house. Despite the fact she'd been here all day, making no attempt to even look for a job (and finding employment was her excuse to move here), I'd have to clean.

Finally, yesterday, I informed her that she was responsible for cleaning the kitchen. Every day. Guess she's one of those people you have to give instructions to because they don't know enough to do anything unless they're told exactly what you want. Me - I see something needs to be done, I do it. Unless I just don't feel like it. But usually, I do it. Other people don't even notice that a thing needs to be done.

It just pisses me off.

She has an appointment Wednesday at the mental health clinic. A nice long meeting. As far as I know, the doctor who was treating her at the psych hospital is the same one she'll be seeing there. That's good.

I never did get around to calling her social worker.

**************************************************************

Here's the reason I haven't been writing a lot here: I have a writing project I'm working on for myself. "A writer writes." That's what I've been doing.

Also, I decided I wanted to get into crocheting again. So, I have an afghan I'm working on. When it's finished it should be pretty freakin' awesome! It's made with 12 panels all weaved together. Six of the panels have a cross stitch design. So far I have 4 fully completed panels, including the border, one panel without the border, and one cross stitch nearly finished (forgot to pick up one color of yarn I needed).  I'd show you the picture from the website where I got the pattern, but I've altered it a bit, so it's not going to look like the picture when it's done.

The cross stitching took me approximately five hours for one panel. If you've ever done any counted cross stitch, you know why it took me so long.

Anyhow, when it's done, hopefully in another week or so, I'll post a picture of it.

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Been   ~brrrrrr~ cold here lately! Think it was 8 most of the day yesterday, got up to 20 today, but the breeze made it feel colder. It's the last two weeks of January, and those are always the coldest here. I remember last year, when we were living out in BFE, in the country, it was cold, but not this cold. I don't believe it ever got below 10 then.

Also, last winter, by this time we'd had three big snowstorms with ice and snow. So far this year we've only had the one snowstorm, and it wasn't as bad here as it was elsewhere. I'm not complaining. In fact, this year I'd like to have a couple biggie snowstorms just because it could mean school being called off... and snowdays are way cool.

Anyway, hope y'all are staying warm. Have a great day and a better tomorrow.

With every good thing, there must be a bad. Then again, I'm not so sure this "bad" is all that bad, really. At least not for me. It provides a little excitement, I suppose. I mean, we should always look at the bright side of things, right?

I work with, in total, three older women and one older man. They are all great. Every day when I go in to work, I know exactly what I'm doing and when it needs to be done. I don't get yelled at or talked down to, or feel like I'm anyone's whipping boy anymore. It's a very relaxed working environment, zero stress. That part is wonderful.

Things are done a whole lot different at this school than the other one, too. Completely different, as far as how lunch is served. Blah, blah...whatever. So, the "problem" isn't with the work, or the working environment. Well, I guess it is, sort of, though.

Man, oh man! It's the kids!

I left the one school that everyone agrees has the most well-behaved students to go to the school that the local Police Department says is the worst in the district. Remember, this is the junior high. We're talking seventh and eighth grade - 12, 13, and 14 year olds (although quite a few look like they're 17).

At breakfast this morning, there was a fight between two boys. I was at my station, looking out at the kids sitting at the tables, next thing I know one boy is crawling over the legs of some students and going after another boy, then they're in a fight. The other kids are clambering around to get a better view, climbing on top of the tables, getting in the way of the teachers who are trying to get to the boys to break up the fight. When the dust settled, three or four boys were escorted out of the cafeteria.

Then, during second lunch, I look over and two girls are fighting. No one climbed on the tables this time, but when the girls were separated, one of them started fighting with the teacher who was trying to get her out of the cafeteria. He managed to get her settled down and taken to the office.

During third lunch, a little girl walked in and I had to look twice because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. She had to be at least five months pregnant. She's in seventh or eighth grade! I know it happens, but it's just so weird to see a little girl pregnant.

After lunch, a cop came into the kitchen and told us he had just finished sending someone off in a paddy wagon. Don't know if it was one of the boys or one of the girls, but someone got sent off to juvie. I would imagine the other kids are all suspended for at least a couple days.

We have cameras set up in all four corners of the cafeteria. Now I know why.

If you've ever read the book "Up the Down Staircase"... that's what this school reminds me of. It's a trip, for sure.

I knew going in I was going to be working in a less-than-desirable place. It's the same city where Bryan lived some years ago and had to leave because his house had been "marked" by a gang. I just wasn't expecting the junior high to be worse than the high school.

Anyway, that was my day.

Oh, on a side note: Lillie called me Monday afternoon, at home. She wanted to know if I had requested a transfer. I told her the truth: no. What I left out was that I got transferred before I begged for one. I didn't tell her that I knew before we went on break that I was leaving, because no one else knew until Monday morning. Anyway, then she went on for a few minutes as if we were great buddies and had a great working relationship and Big Boss ruined that. I told her that I was only doing what I was told, but I liked where I was.

She absolutely HATES the guy sent over to replace me. They fight all the time. I heard that the teachers have called Big Boss complaining about how loud it is in the kitchen now. My replacement is on the Safety Committee, too, so I met him Monday at our meeting. He can't stand her, either. It's a win-win for everyone except them. And none of it is my problem or concern anymore. At least ... not yet.

Got a feeling that in the coming weeks there's going to be even more shake-ups going on.

Have a great day day and a better tomorrow!

Ahhh. I feel 85% better today than I did yesterday. The infection broke this morning....absolutely gross! There's still some in there, but not like it was at all. I'm thinking by Sunday it should be pretty much cleared up, but I'll still take my pills like a good patient. Part of me wants to hord a couple away in case I need them again...but I won't.

I did not sleep the day away as I feared I might. I was up at nine, took another nap for about an hour this afternoon, and all is good. Got a little light headed later in the afternoon, but I think that was more from not eating than...well, it probably had a little to do with the stupid head congestion wacking my system up. Either reason, I just bent down, took a lot of deep breaths, and was okay. Then I sent Bryan out to get us dinner.

I did not get the opportunity to call the social worker today. I pretty much have to leave the house to have a conversation of any kind without my sister listening in. And I didn't get dressed today so I certainly didn't go anywhere.

Nothing bugs me more than people listening in on conversations that aren't any of their business. Seriously. I mean, if someone is talking in a very loud voice around you, you can't help but listen, but in a low conversational voice? When someone in the house is on the phone, I usually try to tune them out. And if I'm on the phone, I usually leave the room unless I want whoever's in the room to be party to the discussion...like if I'm talking to my parents or to my best friend and we're just bullshitting. However, I could be in another room with the door closed and my sister, who must have super-human-hearing, would hear everything. Even if I whispered. About the only time she doesn't seem to hear is when you're talking directly to her.

Anyway, I'm not up for running a marathon (not even when I'm feeling 100%), or even taking the laundry out of the dryer and folding it, but I'm much much better than I was. Okay, the laundry thing is more about not liking to do it than how I feel, but that's beside the point.

So, y'all have a great day and a better tomorrow!

All day yesterday at work I was downing apirins because my face hurt from this sinus infection. I came home yesterday afternoon, took a pain pill and more aspirin, then another pain pill and a Benedryl later...the pain was at a 7 even drugged up.  I was in bed between 8 and 8:30, but probably didn't get to sleep until close to 9 because it hurt so bad.

When my alarm went off this morning, I got up and started getting ready for work. Got as far as putting my hair up, then it was just too much and I crawled back under the blankets. At six, when I was supposed to be to work, Bryan told me I needed to call in and brought me my phone. Big Boss wasn't real happy, but there was no way I could work feeling the way I was. I stayed in bed until nine and only got up because Bryan called and said he'd found a place to take me, was coming home to do just that.

Turns out that at a Walgreen's not real far away, they have a walk-in clinic that doesn't charge real high for non-insured people. Less than a doctor's office would charge, that's for sure. There's another clinic, but I would have had to wait 2 weeks to get in. Anyway, there was barely a wait at all.

I have an acute sinusitis infection. I pretty much already knew that.Was running a very low fever, not enough to say it was even a fever, really. I was given a script for antibiotics, which I have to take twice a day for the next 7 days. I'm also supposed to take 600mg of ibuprofen 3-4 times a day, and sit with my head over a bowl of boiling water.

I'd said I wanted to go to work tomorrow, but when the doctor found out where I worked, she said nope, not gonna happen. I can't go back until Monday. Not that I'm contagious, just because of the pain I'm in.

We came back to the house and I sat down on the couch with every intention of going to Walmart to get my script filled when Bryan left to go back to work. An hour and a half later I woke up, still wearing my coat. That's when I got up and went out.

Also had to pick up my crazy sister from the crazy hospital today, so I went and got her after I filled my prescription. Got there about an hour earlier than I had planned, wound up waiting 45 minutes in the lobby there while her meds were filled.

Didn't get to talk to anyone... like her doctor or social worker. Not that I really felt like talking to anyone, but there's information I wanted. I asked her what the verdict was and she replied "I was severely depressed." Gee, I don't think so. I also told her that I was told she isn't bi-polar, which seemed to be news to her. Maybe it won't hurt so much to talk tomorrow and I'll call her social worker and ask him what the deal is. Seems to me that if she's going to be living in my home, I should know what to expect.

I just know that I feel like crap. As long as I don't move too much or touch my face it isn't real bad, but it still hurts. If a stray hair touches my skin on the left side of my face it's not good, either. This isn't the worst one I've had as far as the puffiness goes, but I don't remember it hurting like this before. Seems to be something I get every couple years or so. Yay, lucky me. The one annoying thing, besides the pain and the fact that I look like a chipmunk on one side of my face, is that the puffiness has extended to just below my eye and if I glance down I can see it - and my glasses sit on that little mound, leaving a red spot.

Anyway, that's it for me tonight. Despite the fact I slept for nearly twelve hours last night and took a little nap once today, I'm feeling exhausted. I wouldn't be surprised if I wind up sleeping all day tomorrow, too. As much as I hate sleeping that much, because it feels like a wasted day, I'd rather sleep and feel better than stay awake and feel the same or worse.

This is the price I'm forced to pay for it being 70 degrees when it's supposed to be 30. Thankfully, it's back in the 40s now. Never thought I'd ever think that phrase, let alone say it out loud or type it for other people to read. If it would stay in the 70s, that wouldn't be so bad...it's the going from 32 to 70 in 36 hours that messes me up.

Y'all  have a great day and a better tomorrow!

I am Legend:  **** I enjoyed this movie. As I mentioned before, the plot isn't real believable, but if you overlook that, the story is good. I got half way through it (watching it online) and paused it when it got to one particular scary spot - and I went out to where youngest son was and told him to just tell me how it ended because I was too scared to finish it. He shamed me into finishing it and I'm glad. This same thing happened to me when watching Identity; I got into it and there was a scene that was disturbing, so I quit watching and a girl I worked with told me that the next opportunity I got to see it I should watch it all the way...glad I did because that's another worthwhile watch.

Catch and Release:*** this is a movie about a woman whose fiance dies just before they get married and is buried on the day that should have been their wedding, then the story unfolds from there. I liked it. It's just a movie about finding out who you are. Chick flick, so if you're in the mood for one, this would be a winner.

The Fountain: YUCK. No stars. I thought maybe it was just me, but Bryan didn't seem to get it, either. It was too deep for me. I like a movie that makes me think, but not one that leaves me feeling like I just wasted an hour and a half.

Marie Antoinette: ** If I could add a half star, I would. It was entertaining, I learned stuff. Watch it if you like historical movies, otherwise choose something else.

Enchanted: *** This was a fun movie. Granted, I was a wee bit tipsy when I watched it, but I would have liked it anyway. It was entertaining and I laughed.

This Christmas: *** A movie about a family that gets together at Christmas - the first time they've all been together at one time in several years. Has some hokey moments, but change some of the circumstances and it could be about any family. I liked it.

Dan in Real Life: * Didn't particularly like this movie. It had potential and could have been a lot better, but it wasn't. I didn't feel like I wasted an hour and a half, but had there been something better to do, I would have.

Music and Lyrics: *** I enjoyed this movie. Of course, I like most Hugh Grant movies. I don't think I've ever watched any of his movies that weren't light and fun. Sometimes that's all you need.

Meet the Robinsons: ** Wasn't real impressed with this, but it wasn't the worst or among the worst movies I've seen. If you have kids in the age range of 9-12 you might want to watch it with them, otherwise, don't bother. It's no Monsters, Inc or Ice Age.

Away from Her: *** I just happened to see the previews for this one on another movie and thought it would be worth a watch. I was right. Kind of a chick flick even thought it's told from the man's perspective. It has a plot similar to The Notebook - the wife has Alzheimers' and it's how the husband deals with it. I liked it.

Why Did I Marry You?: *** Another Tyler Perry movie. I'm not a big fan of his movies mostly because they feel preachy. This one isn't quite as preachy as some of the others, but it's still there. It's pretty good. I probably would have liked it better if the bootleg copy I watched was better quality and didn't come with heads popping up and a built in laugh track complete with audience feedback. Anyway, if you want to watch something that makes your life not seem so bad, watch this.

The Nanny Diaries: ** Again, a bad bootleg and there was a portion missing, which probably would have given it more meaning, but from what I saw, it was okay. Nothing to rush out and rent, but if you can't decide on anything else, watch it.

Back to work today. Usual time today, but starting tomorrow I go in a half hour earlier than I'm used to. I can deal with it.

Got there this morning and the girl I'm replacing was there, which totally freaked me out. I thought "Oh, no! I have to go back to Lillie!" But I didn't. Whew. She went to her new position after some initial confusement.

I think by the end of this week I should have my new routine down pretty good. There's really not much to it. At the old school, lunch started at eleven and was over by 12:10. Here, there are four lunches; begins at eleven, ends at 1:15. Almost everything is different.

Anyway, it's a lot more relaxing here than it was at the old school. So far, first impression is that everyone is really nice here at this kitchen. I think I'm going to like it.

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Woke up this morning with the left side of my face all puffy. It still is. Sinuses have decided to drain into my cheek. Lovely. Hurts just a little bit right now. Time to get out the salt water rinse and swish it around. I just want this shit to clear up because I don't want to bitch and whine about it being 70 degrees in January in Missouri, which it has been for the last three days, which is why my sinuses are messed up.

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I have to go see my sister tonight. I promised her I would and that I'd bring up some things she asked for. I don't want to go, except to hopefully see her doctor. Doubt I will, though, since visiting hours are from 6-8:30 and he's probably gone for the day.

I talked to her Saturday for a couple minutes. She's telling me that she's "really depressed", which is NOT what the social worker told me. Either one of them. She claims the doctor switched one medicine from 50mg to 150mg. I'm having a hard time believing that.

Anyway, maybe if I can't see her doctor I can at least meet with the social worker.

I'm still very upset with it all. Very. If she feels she needs to create this type of melodrama in her life, good for her, but it's bullshit that she dragged me into it. I said she could stay with us, look for a job, and remain with us until she was able to get on her own. I never said, "Hey, why don't you come on down, fake a suicide threat, and drag me into the bullshit you enjoy."

With gas prices the way they are, the last thing I want to be doing is running all over town, too. It's fifteen miles to the hospital from here, not exactly a hop and a skip. Hell, she's not paying for the gas, so why would she care? It's like we'll probably never see the money spent on her bus ticket here, either.

Argh!

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That's it for now. I've been watching a lot of movies lately, so I might have a movie review coming up soon. One thing I'll say about that is this: Go see "I am Legend". It is a really good, scary movie...but not gross. You have to overlook the fact that the premise is a little far-fetched, but if you ignore that, you'll enjoy the movie.

Y'all have a good day and a better tomorrow!

Okay then...  feeling a little less stressed today. Still pissed, but at least not stressing over it.  Talked to her social worker, the one assigned to her now, and it was enlightening. He pretty much agreed that she's trying to play the system, as I suspected.

Here's the deal: I know there are people who have real problems. Real mental problems. Real depression.  And anything I might write about my sister and her "mental" problems is just that - it's about her and her only. Anything I write about mental problems is strictly my opinion on how it relates to her.  I just want to make that clear.

Anyway, nothing is new on that front. Except that she told her doctor she's hearing voices. Whatever. No, they don't particularly believe her, either. And her doctor is taking her off all her meds, starting from scratch and giving only what he thinks she needs, if anything. She'll be there at least until the middle of next week.

And enough of that subject.

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Met the Big Boss over to the school where I'll be working when I go back on Monday.  Twice as many kids.  Slightly bigger kitchen. Found out exactly what I'll be doing, and there won't be much cooking, if any. Possibly some baking. Mostly I'll be running the cash register and running reports, helping with the orders. I've been informed that as mean and nasty as Lilly is, Andre is the exact opposite.

Here's the catch: the only people who know that I've been transferred are the bosses and the girl I'm replacing. No one else knows. So when I go in Monday, it's going to be a surprise to Andre, the head cook at the school I'll be going to. And it's going to be a surprise to Lilly when I don't show up...and even more of a surprise when the guy replacing me does show up (if he does, I've been told he's not reliable). Big Boss told me she's hoping that by putting "the two people I can't stand the most" together that one or both will quit.  I guess one can dream.

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The boys are back in Michigan. Youngest one and "the group" (his closest friends) had plans of having a be-lated New Years' party upon his return. Now they can't find a place to host it. Sucks to be them, lol. 

Their train was nearly 2 hours late getting in to Detroit. Guess there was a hold up in Chicago...not a "hold up" as in "put your arms in the air and gimme your money" kind, but some type of delay.  Was also quite the shocker to get home to all that snow.

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Y'all have a good day and a better tomorrow. I'm hoping this cold will clear up sometime in the next couple days.

I was informed by a case worker at the psych hospital today that I'm "generous" and "patient". Which pretty much, as far as I can tell, means that he's impressed I didn't kill her. Or maim her. Or kick her out.

Okay, let me back up a few hours here, so y'all can be in the same chapter I'm in, if not on the same page. The boys went back to Michigan today. Waiting on a call that says they arrived, which should be coming soon. Anyhow, we had to have them there at 4am CST. I tried to get a nap in, didn't really work. Almost as soon as I got to sleep it was time to get up. Anyhow, we pile in the clown car (aka: the truck), I'm squished in the back this time, behind Bryan. Yadda yadda...we get there okay. The train leaves exactly on time. We drive back home, it's five in the morning.

Bryan decides to stay up since he has to leave for work in an hour and a half anyhow, and he had a nice long nap. I claim my living room again by cleaning it up. I sweep, re-arrange the furniture back the way it goes, mop the floor. Then I go to bed. Bryan lays down with me for a little nap...the alarm goes off at or around six-ish, he goes to work.

I set my alarm so I'm up by noon. Hate sleeping that late, but I needed some rest. I get up, decide to do laundry. I find Bryan's wallet that has been missing for at least a week, call him and find out he's about ready to leave work. I put a load of laundry in the washer. My sister, who had gone to bed around 11 last night, decides to get up.

Bryan comes home, we're in the den. I hear my sister on the phone in the other room. She'd been making calls since she got up. In fact, just before Bryan got home she told me she was trying to find help getting her meds... and that worse case scenario, if she checked herself into a psych ward she could get them. Anyhow, that didn't really register with me until she came into the den and handed me the phone so I could write down some directions. I take the phone from her, thinking "what the fuck?" which, it turns out, was an understatement. The woman on the phone informs me that my sister told her she's been having suicidal thoughts and has a plan- which means she needs to go to the psych hospital emergency room and get evaluated. Yay.

The thing is, I don't believe it for a minute. Not even for a second. This is just her way of manipulating the system to get what she wants. At the risk of jumping here and there, looks like the system might have beat her.

We take her to the hospital. She's taken in to see a case worker, who talks to her. Then he came out to talk to me. This man, in the course of less than an hour, has her down pat. He described her to me as if he'd known her all her life... he told us things I've tried to explain to Bryan. At one point he said he wanted to describe her in a way that was politically correct and I told him there was no need, so he said "She can be pissy." To put it mildly. He explained that she needed to see the doctor and the doctor would decide if she was staying, "And then she can see what it's really like to be around crazies," he said, or something to that effect, which was meant to imply that he, too, thought she was trying to play the system. He mentioned the fact that she's been on some serious meds; that she's showing signs of mild depression, but nothing that would warrant the heavy meds she's been prescribed.

Anyway, cut to the chase: she's in the psych hospital. I'm supposed to be getting a phone call either from the doctor or the case worker tonight for an update. The nurse told me that my sister will probably call...but I'm not so sure I really want to talk to her right now.

I am pissed. I know, that sounds harsh, but you don't know her. I do. It's my opinion that she's been seeing doctors and therapists and whatnot until she found one that would put a label to her behavior so she can say "this is the reason I'm the way I am," instead of stepping up and admitting she's a manipulative bitch because she chooses to be. I'm pissed at her for playing everyone, I'm pissed at me for accepting it and giving in to let her stay here and drag me into the melodrama that she's created.

Y'see, I've been doing a little research since she's been here. She does not and has never shown any signs of being bi-polar. None. Not even the littlest. One doctor told her she has a split personality. No, don't think so; her "split" between being nice and being a bitch is just part of her controlling nature. There's a reason my brother and I called her "Queeny" when she was growing up... because if we'd called her "Bitchtress" we would have gotten grounded.

Anyway, I just needed to vent. I could go on, but why bother? What a great way to start out the year. Yay.

I meant to write yesterday. Hell, I meant to be cognitive and awake yesterday. Instead, I spent much of it sleeping and the rest existing in a semi-fog. No, I wasn't hung-over. For about the past four or five days I've been fighting off what I hope isn't a cold, taking OTC meds. When I was drinking Monday night I was fine; no coughing, no runny nose, no sneezing, no congestion. Does that mean I should remain highly intoxicated for my health? Anyhow, that's why I didn't write about what a  nice time I had Monday night.

Now I can. I think.

Bryan got home around 9:30, we hopped in the car and drove the few blocks to his cousin's house, bringing along snacks and drinks. There was his cousin, his cousin's new bride (they eloped on the 28th), their kids, one of their neighbors, and a couple friends. Not a big party at all, but enough people to say it was a party. We drank, we played cards, we talked and joked and it was just a really good time.  So, if what you're doing on New Year's Eve when the new year comes in is truly indicative of what you'll be doing the rest of the year, then I'll be having a good time in the company of people I like being around.

At midnight, CST, I looked at Bryan and said "Oops, I'd planned on calling Judy an hour ago to wish her a happy new year." So, he picked up my phone and called her. Yes, he was drunk. Yes, he slurred his words together. A lot. But, I did get to wish her a happy new year. I even called his sister and wished her a happy new year! 

His sister....  omg. *shaking head in wonderment*. I read her blog on her MySpace and ... all you can do is shake your head, lol. Talk about Drama Queen... she definitely takes the crown. I think she's one of those people who aren't genius smart, but probably have a few good ideas and points... but because she's such a pot-head those really good thoughts get jumbled. Anyway, she thinks she's being profound and philosophical, but it comes across as bullshit mixed with Woe Is Me.  As long as I don't have to live with her I can tolerate her - to a point.

That's how I feel about my own sister, too. The tolerating part. My sister, however, is like a lost puppy dog who has to be where you are, following to make sure she hasn't been put out. She's annoying, like a fly that buzzes around all the time, but if you go about your business you can forget she's around. And at least she doesn't try to spout out things to make her sound smart. And she doesn't act like she's a teenager... more like an elderly relative you have to keep around until they move on to the rest home.

The boys leave in less than 24 hours. I'll be sad to see the youngest one go, but as for the oldest... I'm counting down the hours. We had enough food in the house for their stay... it was gone three or four days ago because of him. He doesn't ask if he can have anything... if he sees it and wants it, he takes it. Not just food. Anything. I truly thought that because of the trials and tribulations he's been under the past few months that something would have triggered in his head, some little something that registers: hey, I need to be more appreciative of the good things that come my way and not take advantage of what is offered. But nope. It's the same as it's always been: I'm entitled to whatever I want that is available. All the reasons I had for not wanting him living with me came rushing back like an avalanche and I'm not feeling guilty anymore. I refuse to even entertain that emotion where he's concerned. Sometimes you really have to let go to move on.

Anyway, rather cold here today. No snow, just a bit on the chilly side. However, I looked at the ten day forecast and it's showing 65 on Monday, when I go back to work, and in the 50s and 60s all week, until Friday when it goes down to the high 40s. Mind blowing.

That's it for my random rambling today. Y'all have a great day and an even better tomorrow!