Blah...

Okay so I have disappeared for a brief time but I am back. :)

I have been sick over the last few days. Not just me but my family has been sick too. Everything from vomiting and diarrhea to double pneumonia and ear infections. I have had to deal with the 1st two which has made life very unpleasant. I hate throwing up more than anything in the world. It gives me a horrid headache.

So over the last few weeks life has just been life. Nothing exciting or new. Well my son did turn 14 a couple of weeks ago. Damn that makes me feel old :) All he wanted was a bunch of Mizzou stuff so that is exactly what he got. And then he got to go to the movies with some of his friends. He was happy though and that's all that matters.

I am just ecstatic though. My son has been doing great in school! Last year this time he was failing everything but with all of the changes in our lives over this past year he has improved greatly. A's and B's. He did have 2 C's but I can deal with those! Life is good in that respect!

Here are a couple of pictures of my nephews on Santa's lap.




I love seeing screaming kids on Santa's lap :) It reminds me of a picture of me and my sister. She was screaming her head off while I was looking perturbed! I need to find that picture cuz its a classic!

Well that's about all for now. I am going to head for my couch and stare at my tv as I feel like complete crap! Take care everyone!

I 'Heart' Lots of Stuff

It's been awhile since I have posted anything at all so I thought, What the hell....Do one now! Oh and I started a new blog, so I hope I am forgiven for not keeping this one up to speed. If you wanna check it out, click here: Nothing But Funny Commercials.

Does the world stop when someone doesn't post for awhile? Nope it doesn't. But I remember blogging at least once a day for months and having avid readers and then I stopped. I am still amazed at the amount of people who will still come to my blog even though I don't post alot anymore. So let me say, Thank You and I am sorry....


You know what? I 'Heart' Cooking. But lately it has been so ungodly hot that the last thing I want to do is turn on my oven. I am seriously having withdrawls too. I think Blu is going to wither away before long. ***sigh*** Poor guy. I feel like I have been neglecting him. But if I tried to turn the oven on he would probably yell at me because of the electricity bill. Can't blame him there..... Oh no! A Revelation! I need to go to Culinary Arts School...





I 'Heart' Popcorn. Today I am craving popcorn. Really freakin' buttery popcorn from a movie theater. Damn... I think my mouth is actually watering. How sad is that?? Why can't I have one of those huge theater popcorn machines here at home? I would be in heaven! Oh and I would have a completely enormous ass. Look at me? I have lost a ton of weight and now I am talking about having something like that in my house... SAD!!! But I still want one Damn It!





I 'Heart' Movies. So now I am having a love affair with Blockbuster. We signed up for the Blockbuster Online and I am officially obsessed and in love. We have movies all of the time. It's so cool only paying $15 a month and getting to watch a ton of movies. What could be better? New stuff. Old stuff. Doesn't matter. We never pay for anything. They send them to us and we take them to the store for more free ones and while we are watching those they send us more. Do you have any idea how cheap this service is? I mean you walk into a Blockbuster and just to rent a movie is $4.95. Gimme a break! Damn I love this service! Did I say that I love this service???





I 'Heart' Creepy Movies. I realize that is pretty much what I said above but I have to tell you, we have watched some rather intense movies lately. If you have not heard of Hard Candy, I suggest you watch it. Well if you are into psychological thrillers and crazy people. Ever since I saw this movie a week ago, I can't quit telling people about it. This movie will take you to a place you never imagined you could go. The only thing I will say about the movie because I don't want to give it away is this: Internet Predator and a 14 year old girl! Yikes!

I 'Heart' Swimming Pools. Literally right outside our door is an inground pool! Do you know how much I love that? We did a lot of swimming the last few days. Especially since its been so damn hot. I mean today alone the temperature is supposed to be 99 degrees with a heat index of 110 degrees. Crap. Who needs a stove when I can go outside and cook on the sidewalk?? Now watching Blu, my son and my nephew doing crazy dives off the side of the pool is fun!!! It's all about who can make the biggest splash while posing. I need to take my camera next time. Everything from the Captain Morgan to the Model or the Monk. Yep, I need to pictures.


I 'Heart' Funny Stuff. I am refering to some of the forwards I get in my email. Check these out! This is called 'Time's When You Should Never Hyphenate Your Name'

Now it's time to get ready for work!!! Have a most wonderful day everyone!

xoxoxox

Chalice

A Long Winded Post

Okay so I am a complete slacker! Here I go and post my 5 questions and get a couple of you who want questions and what do I do? I go and disappear....again....! I know I completely suck! I have no good excuse other than the fact I am exhausted and the motivation to write just disappeared. Plus we have a million things going on.

Where to start??? Well today I am excited and nervous all at the same time. Michael's kids are coming into town today with his parents. This is the first time I will meet them and I am just a little bit nervous. Why? I really don't know because from everything I have ever been told they are pretty much little "Michael Clones". Here is a picture Michael posted on his blog last year of him and his son's so you can see exactly how much they look like their father.


My son is overly excited about them coming to stay for awhile. He likes the prospect of having 2 younger brothers. He has already made all of these plans for the 3 of them! We are going swimming and to Worlds of Fun and Here and There... It's incredibly cute! We are going to have alot of fun together so I can't wait for them to get here tonight.

Michael and I have been working like mad-dogs. He ended up basically kicking everyone all over the place at work as far as getting a bonus. How much he will actually end up with I don't know but the managers at work have dubbed him 'Money Mike'. It cracks me up :) As for me, well I got a bonus last month but no where even close this month. It happens..... Hopefully next month we will both take home the big bucks!

Tuesday night we went to Harrahs and gorged ourselves on All-You-Can-Eat Alaskan King Crab Legs. This has got to be one of the best foods in the world besides lobster. Then again, if it came out of the ocean I am pretty much game at eating it. So the 3 of us sat there in the restaurant for almost a good 2 hours doing nothing but eating. Afterwards, the 3 of us were so stuffed we could hardly walk and our stomachs hurt so much I thought I was seriously going to explode..... But what do you do when it's $22.00 per person to eat at this buffet??? That's right you stuff yourself exactly the way we did.

Last weekend I had such a good time! I got to watch my new nephew Paul. Michael and I had a blast sitting around with a 3 month old. It brought back so many memories....





Now I would like to say something to Varsity Jock. You know when I was going through my questions and answers I left out my blog buddy VJ! VJ... Can you forgive me? Huh? Do you wanna come to my little Island to hang out and party??? And I never did tag him either so I would like to take this moment to post a few questions for Mr. VJ so he can consider himself tagged and that way he will feel all warm and fuzzy and stuff inside :) **snicker** So here you go VJ.... HAVE FUN CUZ YOU ARE TAGGED!!!

1. You have been given a million dollars to throw an enormous party. Who would you invite? Where would it be? Would you have bands there and if so who?
   
2. Tell us all about your craziest Rugby story. I know how good you are now I want to know the craziest thing that has ever happened while you were playing.
3. I want to know about your dream vacation. Where would it be and what would you do while on it?
4. If you could be like any Celebrity in the world who would it be and why? And as a little bonus question, if you were allowed the opportunity to date any Celebrity who would it be and why?
5. If there was one thing about yourself that you could change what would it be and why?

Now I must move on to Aunt Jackie and Scarlett! I am sorry it took me so long to get your questions so I apologize! Because it took me so long, as a punishment for my neglect, you can come up with a few mind-benders for me if you would like. Here are your questions:

1. If you could have your choice of a dream job what would it be and why?
   
2. You are given 1 million dollars to plan a Bloggers get-together. Tell us where, when and what your party is all about.
3. You can choose bloggers to spend 6 months locked in a house with. Who would these people be? Why would you choose them and what kind of place would this house be?
4. Tell us the most scared you have ever been in your life and what scared you so badly.
5. If you could change one thing about your life what would it be and why?

So there you go.... Now I think I am actually out of little things to talk about. Sorry if I disappeared AGAIN.... Just know I may be scarce this week but its because we have alot going on this week but we will post some pics of all the fun later...

XOXOXO
Chalice

Nuthin' But Stuff

This weekend was another one of those weekends where we ended up having a ton of fun just hanging out together.

I love weekends like this...

Friday night after picking Michael up from work we all watched "The Gridiron Gang". Talk about a tear jerker of a movie. I love these feel-good movies like this but when you can't quit crying while watching can drive you crazy. My son ended up falling asleep in the floor with his blanket and pillow about 1/2 way through it. Even at the age of 13 he is still very sweet looking when he passes out like that.

Saturday night Michael and I went to see Grindhouse. What a trip of a movie that is! I loved it! The way they put it together like something out of the 70's just made it that much better. It was funny to see what looked like little hairs on the screen along with all of the fuzziness and grain. So if you really like old cult classics, I suggest you go and see this movie because it is definitely worth the 3 1/2 hours in the theater.

Yesterday after eating a huge late breakfast we all got dressed and went to Water Works park to see their Disc Golf Course. Michael first introduced me to disc golf awhile back. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's playing golf with a Frisbee type disc except the disc's come in all sorts of different weights. The object of the game is just like golf in the sense you have to get the lowest score possible after the 18 holes. But they aren't really holes. They are baskets with metal chains wrapped around them to grab the disc when it hits so it falls directly into the basket. Definitely a cool game. You can check out some info on it here. So here in the next couple of weeks we have decided to buy some discs so all of us can go out and play. It should be fun as well as a hell of a work out considering the courses are very hilly and have lots of trees.

But today, its back to the grind. Back to the lovely world of collections! I don't mind Mondays so much though because I get to only work 4 hours instead of a full shift. Very nice way to start the week :)

Have a terrific day everyone!

Just a Good Thought....

Lately, I have been having entirely too much fun! Wait! That doesn't sound right? How can I have too much fun? Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing......

So I will start over....

Lately, I have been having So Much Fun!!!

Life is so crazy. There are so many things happening in my life lately that most people would run screaming down the street pulling their hair out as they go. I do need to correct part of that statement..... Our lives have been that way. I have to mention Michael and my son in that because they are as affected by everything as much as I am. Besides, we are a family and families deal with everything together right???

But regardless of how crazy, monotonous, hard or whatever other descriptive word you can find to call life I am just happy as hell because we have managed (and pretty darn good if you ask me) to stay focused and positive. We have found the fun in each other.

It doesn't matter if Michael is doing some crazy ass jig in the middle of the living room floor or my son is telling one of his off the wall jokes, its always fun.

There was a time when my outlet of fun was sitting on this computer. It didn't matter what I was doing it was my source of entertainment.

Now things are different.

I share my life with someone who makes the world fun. He is silly and unique. The bottom-line is this... Michael is himself.

He spends time with myself and my son. What else could we ask for?

Now don't get me wrong, I still love getting on the computer from time to time, but nothing like before. I use to spend hours and hours on the computer every day but now, not even close. I have a great family to occupy my mind and time.

And you know what? For the first time in a long time, I truly believe all of us are happy.

I refuse to sugar coat it all though. I won't make you think we are some perfect sitcom family because its far from it. We have our moments of sadness and tension. But who doesn't? We have just kept in mind that none of that really matters as long as you have family and friends who love and care about you. We make it through the rough times by talking about and then making sure we laugh afterwards.

There once was a time when I hated life but guess what? I love it now more than ever.... And believe it or not, happiness really isn't that hard to get. You just need to sit back and enjoy the world around you. Take it in and try not to miss a thing. But most of all, try and make it fun. Be silly. Act the fool on occasion! And always smile :)



These are a couple of picture from when we went down to Crown Center weekend before last. A day when fun and silliness reigned supreme!

Just a Really Incredibly Fun Day

It's been awhile since we have gone out, with no plan of doing anything at all and had a really good time.

So around 3:30 yesterday I had planned on going grocery shopping at a couple of different stores and that was it. Well in turn we ended up driving all over town with the camera snapping pictures and we had a wonderful time.

My son tried to get out of going with us, but Michael and I drug him along.... and much to his surprise, he had a ton of fun. The only thing everyone needs to know about Michael is simply this, no matter what he is doing he makes sure it is the best time he could ever possibly have. He lives by the rule that life is too short to not make the most of everything you do. Always laugh and always smile.... And now that my son and myself are seeing this everyday, its nice to just let go of all of the rules and have a good time.

The best thing about driving around with no plan and a camera is you really see some incredible things.

The first place we went to was the Chinatown Food Market by the City Market area of downtown.



I love going to this place. You see the craziest and coolest items. Not to mention that everything is fairly cheaply priced for the amount you get. I ended up buying some crawfish which ended up with us having a huge crawfish boil last night. Talk about some damn good food. I love food that lets you get messy so this was perfect... I also ended up buying some LoMein Noodles and meat filled Dumplings... Damn I love this food....

However, its just fun walking around and looking at all of the imported items and then heading to the back of the store where they have the live seafood. My son couldn't decide whether to be really grossed out by everything he saw or just be in complete awe... It was hilarious...





After leaving there we drove around for awhile. We saw everything from graffiti and murals on buildings to a Ferrari that my son is convinced shall one day be his.



We ended up down at Crown Center and Union Station. My son had not been there in years so we went everywhere. First it was into the Crayola Store where we played with some colors and made some pictures....





We ended up in everything from stores with nothing but model trains, to toy stores and candy stores.



Then we left and wandered through the sky walk tunnels. My son was in a world of his own and I loved it. He has been stuck in a world that is filled with a computer, a telephone and tons of girls calling my house. This was good for him... He got out and saw the world and loved it...







Did I mention that Michael likes to pick up on hot chicks in my presence???

***SNICKERING***
Pickin' up on Cardboard Chicks....

Now back to the post at hand....

Opening your eyes and looking at the world around you is a good thing. It can make you appreciate what you have and give you a yearning for the things you don't have. It can make you realize how good you have it and how lucky you are to have the people in your life that you do have. It makes you thankful to simply wake up each and every day and just breathe....

We had a truly great time yesterday and these pictures here are only a sampling of it all. My life is a good one. Yes its filled with chaos and craziness from time to time, but hey... I smile, I laugh and I love..... It's all good :)

Dude Mom

So off and on this past week I have felt like someone ran me over with a car. I hate that feeling because when you really start thinking about it, it would have been better to have actually been ran over. You would have had a reason and fully expected to feel like complete and total shit instead of it coming out of nowhere and smacking you upside the head... Ughhhh....

Praying to the Porcelain Goddess is truly a horrid experience. I don't hardly ever have to do it but when I feel it coming I get a little anxious and overwhelmed. That deep feeling of dread starts taking over and then WHAM......

Blechhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

And did I mention I had the worst neck and back pain I have ever had in my entire life. I have had a stiff neck before but this was unreal. I was actually crying it was so bad. And you know what, it still hurts a little bit. Nothing like it did Friday and Saturday but its haunting me a tiny bit...

Today I feel no better. I don't know if there is something going around or if its something I ate or what. I know my son wasn't feeling really well yesterday and Michael had his moments(for the most part he was great) but for whatever reason, it really kicked me in the ass. Poor Caleb was lying in the floor and looked like hell....


While Michael was having a good old time listening to his music and messing around....



I refuse to post a picture of myself in this light because, well, I just don't want tooooo. Just trust me on this one, its scary as hell.... If I were standing on the beach, dolphins and whales would beach themselves in protest. If I go outside and stand on my porch, cats will hiss, dogs will growl and birds will fall from the sky. I feel sorry for those who must be in my presence at work later today....

Besides feeling like shit, my weekend wasn't bad at all. My son has found a home on MySpace and spent much of the weekend going, "Dude! Mom! You have to come and see this video I am putting up!" Its nice to know I have a nickname... I have dubbed myself DudeMom... Kinda has a nice ring to it don't ya think??

NV, this is to you...I meant to get on the webcam a few of times but I didn't and for that I know I suck. I seriously didn't have the motivation. Actually slugs had more motivation than I did. When I wasn't doing my running around this weekend my ass was planted on the couch, staring aimlessly at the television. Yes I enjoyed watching Borat and a couple of other movies but sitting there doing nothing got to me a little bit. I did manage to do a million loads of laundry but still... So all I ask, is please don't hate me :( My mind truly wasn't in it and if I had got on there I would have been as exciting as spending time mopping the floor. Actually you probably would have more fun doing that.... Can you forgive me??? Please???

So now I must get ready for my day. Damn I wish it were still the weekend! I could really use a dose of my bed right now but alas, the work week has begun once again...

Oops...... I stole these from Michael, who stole them from others...

'What will your obituary say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Why Do They Grow Up So Damn Fast...

Maybe its because I hate watching my son grow up so fast..

Maybe its because I don't want to know what is going on in his 13 year old mind..

I don't know...

But tonight I have heard more about self-discovery than I really want to know about...

FUCK...

Why does my son take 30 minute showers??

Why does he spend all of his time talking to girls on the phone???

Why is he obsessed with boobies???

YIKES....

I feel like I am going crazy here..

So what happened?

I am sitting here trying to read a few blogs and do some commenting but its a little hard when I have Blu talking about my son doing a little "getting to know himself". I'm sorry.. I know its truly a natural thing but being his mother I just don't want to hear about it. I am not naive. I know he is probably loving himself in more ways than one but I really don't want to know about it. I don't want to hear about it and I don't want to think about it.

Is that wrong?

NO!!!

I am thankful, however, he has someone in his life he can go to and talk about this stuff with. That alone is very comforting... especially knowing this kind of subject is something he would never in a million years come to me with and even if he did, I don't know how in the world I would even begin to help him with it. Its no secret, boys are different than girls so giving him a girls perspective on things would be of no help at all what-so-ever. So Thank GOD for Michael because without him my son would probably be a complete and total mess... And I mean mess literally here.. GROSSSSSSSS... BLECHHHHHH... **giggles**

Damn life is so crazy and simple at the same time.. Interesting and complex... **sigh**

A Snow Day

Today it started snowing! I love the snow! It creates a peaceful and serene feeling yet makes you want to roll around in it and go sledding. Here are some pictures from us driving around in it all today :)

I really enjoy the snow a great deal but today was better because I got to watch Michael revel in it. Tomorrow we are going sledding and I cannot wait. I should have some interesting pictures for you too...

Caleb armed with an Air-Soft rifle on his way to the car...

Michael enjoying the snow :)

An Evil Menace

Once upon a time in a little town in Missouri, there was a sweet little doggie and his name was Loco. Loco was so cute with his soft black fur sprinkled with a few dashes of white. Just setting your eyes upon this sweet creature will make your heart melt.

Loco got his name because he is very much like having a crazy and very much deranged squirrel being set free in your home. His hyperactive behavior doesn't always sit will with his owner but she loves him just the same. She should have known something was amiss when Loco came home and she found out he was part Schipperke and Keeshond because those breeds of dog are known for their off the wall and crazy behavior.

Most of the time Loco was quite the good dog but there were many times when he seemed to lose his mind. He would get this crazy look in his eyes and his owner could just tell he was plotting and scheming something. It was during those times that he destroyed many items in his patient owners home.

Last year the destruction was almost unfathomable. He ate everything he could get his little paws and teeth upon. The list is a long a tedious one indeed and includes everything from shoes to Christmas presents and occasionally the cat. He also loves knocking over the Christmas Tree completely so his owner has something to do. He is so thoughtful in that way. Always wanting to make sure his loving owner has plenty to keep herself occupied.

This year Loco has out done himself. So far he has eaten a few Christmas Tree ornaments during this festive time. Loco always wants to make sure he does his part to make the holiday season a cheery one by adding his own personal touches.

Only time will tell what Loco will eat over the upcoming week but whatever it is, I am sure it will send his owner to the edge of insanity :)

The End...

***I would like to make it known he actually has not eaten my cat but he does like to torture the poor little guy!!! I'm surprised my cat even has any hair left....

Now with that being said, here are some pictures of my menacing but oh-so-cute animal and my son :) As you can see Loco has been dressed appropriately for Christmas with his sweet red velvet bow....

A Long Long Long Day

What a long ass day this was!!! After taking a visit to the local vampires (LabOne for blood work), my sister and I had planned to do just a couple of things and call it a day. Well my mother called and the next thing I know we are running all over the city shopping.

Now my sisters and my mother all LOVE to shop! I, however, did not inherit the shopping gene from my mom and Thank GOD because I would been more broke than I already am and living in some cardboard box underneath a bridge.

I hate to shop so much that I avoid going to any sort of mall or stores all together if humanly possible. So being out today among the crowds was indeed torturous. It's amazing how many people are so rude during this time of year too. And I just don't understand it. It makes no sense. Seriously, what's the point?????

I did manage to get some shopping for my son done today so that made me feel just a little bit better. The nice thing about my son is that he never really asks for much. But at the same time, it makes him a little hard to shop for. Even though I know all of the things he really loves and wants its still a little difficult. Only because he is always one to insist that I do not spend money on him. He is such a good kid, kind and always considerate of others. I couldn't ask for a better son. I know I have raised him right.

So now that this long ass overly exhausting day is over, I feel like I am about to collapse. As a matter of fact, I think I am going to make myself a drink. Hell I may just make a couple of drinks tonight. Its been awhile......

Sand, Sea Shells and Memories

I have really missed doing the blogs. I had a great one not so long ago but personal problems I was having in my life sent me spiraling out of control and I deleted it. It was something I regretted not long after because it was my outlet. It was my personal journal. It was my life.

But no more. I am back and I am happy! No matter what I am going through in my life I know without a doubt my life is good. I have a terrific family, my incredible son and a wonderful friend in NV. But there is one more in my life who has meant so much and that is Michael, my best friend, my strength, my one and only, my forever and always......Simply, the love of my life.

While I was at my lowest in the last couple of weeks, everyone mentioned above did everything they could to help me get my strength back and become even stronger than I ever thought possible and for that I say 'Thank You'!!! Everything all of you have done for me means the world and I will never forget it...... I promise you that.

Recently, I have had to really look at myself and decide what was most important to me. Anyone who has done that knows how truly hard it is to sit back and examine yourself underneath a microscope, not leaving anything unturned. These last few weeks were in fact the hardest 2 weeks of my entire life but now that its all over I am moving forward and will never look back again.

Unfortunately, I shut everyone who meant something to me out of my life during this time and that is what saddens me most of all. I listened to no one except someone who did nothing but lie and manipulate me in the worst of ways. And to think I allowed it to happen.

During those couple of weeks I received a package in the mail that made it all so clear. When I pulled the package out of my mailbox I immediately ran into my bedroom where I could be alone and opened it. Tucked inside were the following items: A letter, A very unique Zippo lighter and a quaint little box. I opened up the little box and gazed upon the smoothest sand I have ever seen and some sea shells.



Michael, thank you for sending me these and reminding my darkened mind of what is truly important in my life. I love you so much.... You saved me from myself when I needed it most and for that I will always be thankful. Always know it was never you that I doubted, only myself. Getting this package sent my mind back to when you were here with me. Every second we were together flashed before my eyes in a matter of seconds..... It made me feel safe, warm, comfortable and most of all loved! Now as you have said to me so many times lately, 'Let's get this party started!' cuz I am more than ready....

So rest assured everyone, I am back and I am happy... Life is good!