Happy New Year

May you all be safe, sound, and with the ones you love tonight.

Bring on 2010....

Wordless Wednesday

Milestones

It's a milestone day here in the Mustang household.

Mustang Girl is going out on her first "official" date. She's gone on group things where boys happen to be present, she's had boyfriends.

This one, though, is smart. He asked MM's permission to take her on a date, as her Christmas present. He even called here yesterday, to discuss the details of it, with ME.

She is clueless as to where they are going, what they are doing. He is even bringing her ROSES.

I find myself giddily excited about this, because, I have not really gotten to experience a whole lot of milestones with MG. She was 12 almost 13 when I met her, grown, really. Walking, talking, eating, using the bathroom properly. There are few and far between milestones after a kid can do all that. This is one of them. Its a big one.

I remember my first date. Ironically, it is almost identical to what she is doing, today. Lunch, and a movie. I didn't get flowers, though. I remember my Mom telling me to "order the chicken", and not the most expensive thing on the menu because you don't want to spend all the boy's money. (I will not have to give her this speech, nor would I. He is taking her to a sandwich shop for lunch :). I liked chicken, (still do) so that wasn't a hardship.

So, it's a Milestone Day....

Post pick up edit

The boy brought her red roses, beautiful. She was totally flustered, didn't quite know what to do with them, handed them to me! So she is out on her date, and I get to enjoy the pretty flowers, LOL

Monday brain. again.

And a short return to what we can possibly refer to as "normalcy", maybe?

Most of the festivites are over, and I am grateful for that. They were fun, This Christmas was actually one of the more laid back ones I can remember in a long while. No one's sink backed up, no one was fighting with anyone, and we got home before midnight. We had the fun of attempting a large family picture, (which I have not seen the results of yet), and the kids alternated between that high decibal present frenzy, to the high decibal too tired to function frenzy. This year, we had a 10 year old, 6 year old, 4 year old, 2 year old and a 7 month old. They were doing laps....

As far as New Years, well. I never have been a big NYE party girl. Not even as a kid. For me, it is kind of anti-climactic. If we stayed home, had a nice dinner and played Scrabble until we either fell asleep or it was midnight, I'd be fine. The last few years we've gone to Mr. and Mrs. Kilts house, I imagine that is a possibility again this year, nothing's really been decided, as of yet.

So, today is Monday. We have some fun for later this afternoon, MM's brother and his family are dropping in for a visit, from sunny Arid zone ah! (Hi MM's sister, when are YOU coming for a visit?) and it will be nice to see them. MM has gone back to work, and getting out of bed was tough. I got up with him, because, hey. Apparently, I STILL can't sleep in. (I did yesterday, it was heaven...)

Happy Monday, all

argh! I'm broken!

I cannot, for the life of me, SLEEP IN this week!

It's not right....

I am not supposed to be getting out of my warm bed, early in the morning, when no one else is out here but me, the smelly dogs, the temperamental cats, and the fish who just don't seem to care as long as I feed them, damn it!

Why?

silly brain, doesn't it know I don't like to think at this time of day?

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas, to all of you, I hope you are all safe, sound, and happy...

from our house to yours

Wordless Wednesday

Queen Tuesday, Christmas Style

1. What is the most annoying Christmas song?
for me, honestly? Jingle Bells, because it's SO REPETETIVE. Kids usually just sing the chorus over and over and over and over, until I want to jingle THEIR bells. Sigh.
2. Name one annoying thing that happens to you each time you get together with your family during the holidays. Without fail, somewhere, in our family, a sink backs up. This year, it was MINE at Thanksgiving. That, and my Mom burns the bread...

3. What is eggnog? Think about it. Does anybody really know?
I just so happened to be watching "Good Eats" before I came to work, and Alton Brown MADE Egg Nog. So, I do actually know. But I should leave it a surprise for the rest of you.
4. Don't take this personally but there are lots of fruitcakes walking around. Have you encountered any real live nuts lately?
Hello? I work in a hospital. Fruitcake, for me is a year 'round treat. Matter of fact, I am eyeballing one right at this moment.
5. Why were the nine Lords a'leaping in those annoying tights???!
Because their twigs and berries are outlined for all the world to see, and by jumping and leaping it focus' your attention to their attributes. Those Lords are shameless
6. What is the most annoying Christmas gift you've ever received?What did you do with it??
I don't know it is really annoying, but it IS odd. Someone gave me an ornament gift one year of a white cat, dressed in a big, fluffy crinoline dress. It is disturbing. But yet, it is hanging on my tree. ( In the back, though)
7. Let's admit it: Christmas, with all its splendor and goodwill, can also be a pain in the royal patootie. How do you plan to circumvent annoyances this year and enjoy the season? I don't know that I successfully circumvented the annoyances, but, I do remind myself daily how lucky I am to have what I have, and tell myself to be grateful, because I have people that love me, that I love in return, and that I still have family close enough to celebrate with, and I can choose to avoid the stress. But I admit sometimes it's difficult....

As usual, for more fun, go here

the meanderings of my tired mind on a rainy Monday

Rainy day Monday, and Christmas is a few short days away. I know that you all are feeling the same kind of time crunch I probably am. As much as I love this time of year, I also love for it to be over.... I worked last night, work tonight and tomorrow, too, then I am off for a few days, and we go to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. This year's celebration is kind of bitter-sweet, what with my Dad being diagnosed with lymphoma, again, and, well, my Grandmother is getting older, and I have to remind myself that as much as I would like her to, she can't live forever. Makes me sad thinking about it, though, so I am just going to enjoy all these days and minutes that I have, and not focus on anything negative. Besides, I gotta go to sleep soon and I don't want to have sad dreams.

Speaking of dreams, I dreamt yesterday (as I was napping for work) that Mustang Girl came home with SEVEN new piercings. (right now she only has her ears pierced). It was a strange dream. So when she left to go with friends yesterday I hollered out to her "No new piercings!!"

"ok" she answered, confused as hell. I still haven't told her about that dream. Poor kid.

Alright, I have meandered on enough, for a monday, and I've been up all night.

Good Monday to you all...

Friday Mieography

This was a tough one!

I couldn't find any online information on this lady, so I had to fly all the way to Finland to interview her.

Why Finland?

Because we ALL know that Mr. and Mrs. Claus live in Rovaneimi, Finland, don't we?

So, Mrs. Claus.... here is her mieography, straight from my interview with her.

She was born in a little, tiny village, somewhere in Sweden, in a year she would rather keep to herself. Her parents named her Kristina Maria, she was the second of four daughters. Her mother was the town blacksmith, and her father was the local schoolteacher. He educated all the children of their village, and made sure they had a very thorough education!

Kristina had her heart set on going away to college, and becoming a school teacher like her father, for she loved children. When she was there, she got a taste of what life was like away from her small village, and though she had fun initially, she found herself getting in trouble, and having poor grades. Fortunately, for her, she met a very nice young man, named Nick, and began to spend her time with him. She graduated from college Magna Cum Laude, with her teaching degree. By this time, she and Nick were in love, and he wanted to marry her. Before he proposed, though, he needed to tell her of his destiny.

Kristina was shocked and amazed at the fanciful tale he wove for her, about him being the heir to THE Santa Claus. He told her if she chose to honor him with her hand in marriage, they would HAVE to go live in Rovaneimi, with the elves, and reindeer, and that the magic of their home meant that they would live, a very, VERY long time, until it was time for him to choose to step down, and find an heir of his own.

She loved him, so she bravely accepted his marriage proposal, and went with him to live in Rovaneimi. They have established quite a compound there, and Mrs. Claus has devoted her life to educating the elves during their downtime.

She does not speculate about how much longer she and Nick plan on continuing their role, she only tells me he has not found an heir, yet, as he is being very selective.

Wordless Wednesday

Queen Meme Tuesday

This meme is called
The Ex Files

1. When is the last time someone did something EXtra-special for you? I broke my favorite coffee mug this summer, the one I take to work, that says "Goddess, Formerly Princess". It really bugged me that I broke it. MM snuck to the store I got it from, and came home and set it on the counter behind me, and when I turned around, SURPRISE! I loved it, still do.

2. Name one EXciting thing that happens in your life daily. I get to help parent a teenager!

3. Tell us the good, the bad and the uglies of your online EXperiences. The good? I met MM online.... The bad? I met a lot of toads before I met MM... the ugly? Um... those toads again.

4. What makes an ordinary day EXtraordinary and EXceptional? Different things, really, but anything that makes me laugh a lot makes an exceptional day for me

5. Name one embarrassing incident you had to EXplain to your mother when you were a child. Why I answered the door naked when the water guy came to give us fresh water. And why we got free water for 2 months after that... *grin*

6. If you could FedEX yourself anywhere in the world,
where would you go? Back to Paris

7. Who would you like to EXray and why? The Elephant Man, because I bet his films are cool! Or maybe, Mulder.. (but not Scully)

For more fun reads, go HERE

mixed bag

Oh my brain, it does hurt.

Going back to work tonight after 2 nights off, I am still tired from the three I worked last week!

On the plus side, though it was beautiful, the rain we got all weekend long washed away the foot of snow we'd gotten on Sunday and Monday.

We are also "dog sitting" this week, we have Mr. Kilts black lab mix, Lulu, gracing us with her presence. She is a sweet girl, not the high energy level of our dogs. She is obviously confused by their energy level, and doesn't quite like it when they get too bouncy around her.

One of my pregnant fish gave us a few babies, this last week, too. I managed to save a whole 2 of them. (2 is MORE than enough). They are cute when they are little tiny things! Hard to see, though. Right now they are living in a smaller, separate tank.

Oops gotta go, dogs barking

happy Monday

Absent

minded?

Been a blog slacker this week. I've been working, and dealing with life issues, such as being sick, myself, and something that I've not been free to really post about, until now.

Some of you may know that my Dad had cancer, about 6 years back. Lymphoma, in his stomach. It was a rough time, for all of us, but him especially.

He is a tough customer, though, and beat that cancer back.

But it is back.

He has been complaining of a sore throat, for a few months, now. After jumping all the hoops that have been established in our fine, medical community (cough cough) we've finally got a diagnosis.

Lymphoma.

again.

The actual location of the tumor is the base of his tongue, believe it or not. Large-ish, walnut sized, maybe bigger?

He kicked it once before

He will do it again.

In the mean time, everyone send your best thoughts and good karma his way. He deserves it, I know I am prejudiced, but I've not met a man his equal. (MM is on the right path, though ;))

Wordless Wednesday

This meme is called
You Are On Your Way


1. You are at a party in a very bad mood. There is an obnoxious guest with a camera snapping pictures of everyone in sight. Do you allow the photographs or ask them to stop? I would probably smile politely, for ONE photo, and if the guy persisted, I would more than likely leave because I shouldn't be at a party in a bad mood. Or, I would "accidentally" toss a drink, or worse on him.

2. You are shopping and watch the lady beside you at the jewelry co
unter slip an expensive diamond ring in her purse. What do you do? Honestly? I would rat her out. Stealing is not okay. I'd probably feel more compassionate towards someone stealing food, but a diamond ring? Nope.

3. You are on your way to a black tie affair and running late. You are the guest speaker at this event and everyone is waiting for you. A police officer pulls you over for speeding. Do you make up a story or tell him where you are going and try to talk your way out of the citation? Tell us your excuse. My Nursing license is right next to my drivers license. Most cops really hate to ticket nurses, especially in their hometowns, because we have long memories, mwaa haa haa. I'd probably just cry, because, knock on wood, I have NEVER gotten a speeding ticket.

4. You are on your way downstairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa Claus left. There are no gifts under the tree. He leaves a note that reads, "You've been VERY naughty this year."
What did you do??! Cried on a cop ;) or lied to him. Um, what didn't I do might be a better question. Is Santa going to visit us in the dungeon?

5. You are halfway through a first date with someone you really like. Suddenly your ex walks in and sits down at the table beside you. What do you do? Have an even better time. But I would probably try to speed up the date a little until we left the restaurant. Or better yet, complain to the waiter that the guest they just seated smells like a distillery (which would be true) and ask to be moved.

6. You are on your way to meet a billionaire. She is going to give you enough money to live on for the rest of your life IF you can answer this question correctly: Which came first the chicken or the egg? Absolutely the egg. God wanted to see if he could make such a smooth, oval object produce something as funny looking as a chicken. Its his own personal joke.

7. You are on your way to the sun and moon and stars for an intergalactic vacation.
You crash into a rainbow.
What do you find in your pot of gold? The miracle cure for Cancer.

as usual, for more of the Queen's fun, go here

So I had this blogpost all planned in my head kind of about Christmas lights, tree preferences and nosy cats, and cats who let you do just about anything to them.

But then last night happened.

My body does NOT like the antibiotics prescribed me, and last night was very, very unpleasant.

And I feel like I've been hit by a semi today.

So until I feel better, here is this, because anything is better than whining about being sick:

It is true

Nurses make the WORST patients.

I have been fighting off this silly respiratory infection for weeks. Refusing to admit defeat. But today?

I admit defeat.

There isn't enough thera-flu in the world that is going to win this battle.

I can't even clean the floor with the dry mop without getting winded.

And MM has pointed out to me that he can hear me "crackle" when we lay down to go to sleep.

And, I am not hearing the way I should.

the list goes on and on.

(not really)

but I gave in. Called the doctors office. They are seeing me today at 3:30.

Damn.

I hate going to the doctor....

Post MD visit

Well I guess I don't do anything halfway, I appear to have the mother of URI's, and was given antibiotics, the offer of the really hefty cough syrup (which I turned down, I hate being hung over) and instructions to go home and nap, not to work for the next three nights... So, URI 1, Mielikki 0

Wordless Wednesday

Still toiling away in the Queen's Dungeon....

1. What is favorite item to shop for and why? Um, wine glasses, because they make so many different kinds for so many different things, and its funny to me that we can't just get an old jelly jar and be happy with that.

2. Quality vs. Price. Will you buy off-brand replicas at a discount store or must you have the real thing? Why or why not? If the off brand replica looks good/tastes the same, yes, I will buy it. I very seldom got anything that was "name brand" as I was growing up, we couldn't afford those things. But I was clean and well dressed, anyhow. I just don't, and never have put much stock in that kind of thing. I'd rather spend the money on other cool things, or MORE cool things...

3. Have you ever asked a sales clerk to remove something from display if it is the last one in the store? Tell us what special something would make you strip the clothes off a mannequin.
(which begs the question...Are all mannequins born naked?) I have, on occasion, asked for the very last one of something, as long as it isn't flawed or broken, why not?

Something that would make me strip a mannequin, hmmm? A big, warm comfortable hand knit sweater. I love anything that will keep me toasty warm...


5. I really don't care if a guy goes shopping with me. I'm in my own zone and always have a plan. Are you an alone-shopper or would you like to have company? OK I have given up all hope of ever getting out of the dungeon. I REALLY hope you're sitting down, my Queen.

I don't like to shop. It gives me a headache. I am a 'get in, get out' shopper. I do love to give presents to my loved ones, and am all about finding the right gift. But the actual shopping? *shudder*. Alright, I know... throw away the key.....

In answer to the question, though, I like to shop alone. I can get it done faster...

6. Have you ever done anything other than actually try on clothes in a dressing room? (I have no idea why this question followed the previous one. Ahem.) Um. No. See my answer above. I avoid dressing rooms like the plague...

7. Do you like or do you get annoyed when salesclerks and store management follows you around asking "May I help you?" a million times? (I have no idea why this question followed the previous one.) I don't like being stalked by anyone in a store. However, when I do seem to need help, I can never seem to find any of my stalkers. It seems like they can sense when you need help, and then all disappear...

8. Create your very own store-brand name. (ie; Toys 'R Us, WalMart) What would YOUR establishment's name be?

*Sarcasm* would be the name of my establishment. There would be nothing in it....

For more fun, go here