I reject your reality and substitute my own

These are posts from my old blog... there are many of them, but I just wanted to keep them somewhere... so here they are:


2004-06-27 06:31:26
So- I guess I should dive in head first with this thing. I can't promise this will always be interesting- but I promise that occasionally you'll be entertained. Today Ty and I went to a picnic that some people from Weight Watchers online threw. I hadn't met any of them, but I talk to them on a daily basis online. It was a blast. Ty and I are pretty sheltered here in Bremerton. We don't get out that much and we don't meet new people ever. I think we forgot how to socialize, but it was just like riding a bicycle... easy as pie. It's crazy to me how if someone knows that they have something in common with you, they will open right up to you. These people had no idea who I was or what I was about, but there they were welcoming me into this group just because I'm fat. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I think it's great! At Josh's graduation Aliya spotted a girl that was about her age (4) and within five minutes they were friends. Aliya had no problem asking her how old she was and then went on to compliment her dress. I thought about this yesterday when Ty and I were at Applebees for dinner. There were so many people our age just hanging out and I thought if I did what Aliya did... they would think I was mentally unstable and run for the hills. I wish it were easier. Okay- I can easily see how this is going to be addictive and my husband may never see me again. I tend to have a lot to say...


2004-06-27 06:01:52
Well hello there! This is my first post/entry in my first blog on my first web site! I have Dad to thank... he created this for me. He is amazing!! I am still in shock. It's beautious (yes that's a word... don't you trust me?)!! This all began yesterday if you can believe it. I asked Dad if he thought I could create my own blog since my hubbie tends to be busy. That's when he offered to do it for me. One day later I have this amazing site. Who woulda thunk it?? I'm still a little unsure which direction I want to take this. Am I writing to myself or someone else? If I push this button is it really going to put a strike through the word? Am I deserving of my OWN site? Does anyone care enough to visit me??? ...uh oh, I just went cross eyed... shouldn't think so much. (note: thanks Austin Powers for the whole cross eye line!) I can't guarantee this will be my last post of the evening... but I want to see how this is going to look. Sure hope I can fix if it doesn't work out the right way...



2004-06-27 18:40:12
Today will be fun. My old friend from St. George, Jamie, that moved to Bremerton before we did is going to bring her 2 kids over and we are going to go to a really cool park by my house. Afer that Ty & I will BBQ some chicken skewers, yum. Then I will have lots of time to play around with this thing. I am forcing Ty to listen to Amy Grant on the digital cable music station. It's funny. He claims he hates it, but 2 minutes into the song and I'm seeing his foot wiggle to the beat. BUSTED!


2004-06-28 00:23:31
After hanging out with Jamie, Cole and Clay I decided to make a dessert pizza with a meringue as the "dough," custard as the "sauce," coconut as the "cheese," and bananas as the "toppings." The meringue has to bake for 3 hours, so I am killing time in between then. Plus- it's only 4 points a slice (weight watcher speak). My mom would be so proud!!! I'm pretty good at cooking, but I don't enjoy it all that much. Probably because of the clean up. Anyway-the pictures are posted from the picnic yesterday. I can't believe how skinny Ty has gotten. His dad is coming to visit in a week and he is going to be so shocked.



2004-06-28 04:49:49
I was driving around today and there was a man on the side of the road with a sign saying that he was out of work and needed money. Someone made a comment that the man probably had an SUV parked around corner. It reminded me of something I had read in a book somewhere... it said that what someone does with the money you give them is not for you to judge. I like that. I know that most of the people begging for money don't actually spend it on the kids they supposedly have back home and that they haven't always ran out of gas and are trying to get home. But what if they do have kids back home starving and what if they really did run out of gas? Do you really want to make that judgement? I don't. Also- there was a gal at the WW (weight watchers) picnic I went to named Jane. I talked with her for a good hour about her BEAUTIFUL bernese mountain dog, her name was Gigi. When everyone was leaving I went to tell Jane goodbye and thanks for letting me salivate over her dog for an hour. I remember telling her and another gal "drive safe." Well, I didn't realize the weight of these words when a few hours later I was checking the board where everyone posts and I learned that a car had run a red light and t-boned Jane's Volvo. Luckily she is okay and she says she owes that to her Volvo. But- it just made me really think... ANYTHING can happen. ANYTHING! You always hear, "live as if this is your last day alive." But- does anyone really live that way? How can you? It would take a lot of work- but I really want to remind myself of this everyday so that I can at least try.



2004-06-28 16:28:40
Well- Regardless of my best efforts, my dessert pizza failed miserably. The meringue stuck to the foil and wouldn't come off. SO- ty and I ate some of the toppings and threw it out. I felt like crying... I must be a glutten for punishment however because I am going to try the Buffalo Chicken Pizza tonight. We'll see...



2004-06-29 01:33:29
I got some Allegra to help with these nasty allergies, but so far today it hasn't been working at all. I think it's grasses that I have a problem with because everytime I have difficulties, it always says on the news that it's a bad grass day. Today was the highest it's been this summer, so that would explain why I have a killer headache and I'm all stuffed up. How did the buffalo chicken pizza go? Not as good as I would have liked. It turned out perfect, but I didn't like the flavor too much. Ty loved it though, so at least one of us did. So we had cable put into the "bedroom" that is now the office last week. The guy that came to install the cable lines draped it across the front of our neighbors property (we live in townhouses). Also- he drilled a hole in the wrong wall. He put putty in it, but we now have to paint over it. So- we called them back to fix. The same guy showed up today, obviously thrilled that we had issues with his work. He was very defensive, but eventually ran the line across the bottom of the property and that made my elderly neighbors happy. Most elderly people are like grandparents, so nice and happy. Not these people... The man, Stan, spends his days standing behind the screen door on the front of the house. When someone walks by or drives by, he peers outside and stares. Whenever Ty and I get home he will peer at us while we go inside. It's creepy because it's like he doesn't understand that we can still see him. The lady, although she was nice in the beginning... has turned against us. She says things that shouldn't come out of an elderlies mouth. She said to me today "you're lucky you kids are so nice or I would have come over and yelled at you" (referring to the cable line stapled to the back of her proprty). Hmph...



2004-06-29 16:07:52
Uh oh- today is WI and I am not looking forward to it. I was down last week, but so far today I am showing the same as last week. I have no idea why I am stuck at this weight. I do an hour long work out everyday, maybe only taking one day off a week. I eat SO good. It's like my body just can't let go of the chubs. Ty and I even started jogging at night Sunday. I am proud of us. Who would have thought we could jog? HOWEVER- I am not letting that get me down today because I just learned that I have Monday off! Yippee! *happy dance*happy dance* I am so tired of my job... it's boring and lonely. But, I don't know what else to do. I want to go to school, but if I do then Ty will have one more reason to hold me hostage here in Bremerton (just teasing, I'm not being held hostage, don't call the cops). :) More later...



2005-05-05 17:57:04
Maggie is standing at the back door scratching... when has she ever been able to go outside? Never! Why does she think all of the sudden I'm just going to let her out? She's a fat, handicapped lazy cat. Does she think she can stand up to the hard knock cats of the B-town neighborhood??? Doubt it.



2005-02-01 16:28:44
I hadn't been home for more than a week from our holiday vacation when Amy's baby tried to make an early escape. The doc put her on full bed rest, which isn't possible for a mother of a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I decided that instead of having a leasure trip after the baby was born, I was more needed to be a stand in nanny while Amy was on bed rest. I learned a lot from this experience, some things more comical than others. From Aliya I learned: "why?" is a valid question to a 5 year old and "because I said so" ISN'T a valid answer to that question. This answer will only be followed up by another "why?" And if you chose to answer the same, your conversation could be repeated for an endless amount of time. And YOU will be the one to give up, 5 year olds don't give up on anything. 5 year olds reserve the right to change their minds at any given moment. If they have already placed an order for lunch, it is NOT too late for them to change their minds and want chicken stars instead. Also, if they are bored and want to go home, the second you start packing everything into the car to take them home, it's not too late to decide that they changed their minds and would rather stay at Nanna's house afterall. "Extending the truth" in order to avoid a tantrum is NOT lying. From Landon I learned: 1 year olds don't have the ability to tell you that they are upset because of extreme circumstances... therefore, should he throw a shoe at your face, it isn't vicious- just a cry for help. And a kiss from him will not only make up for the bleeding nose, it will make you love him more. Dimples will make you forgive anything. Naps are a blessing from God that no one should take for granted. Cringe on the inside when they fall down- don't let them know that you are worried they may have a fractured skull. If you say "oh, bonk" in a chipper voice there will be no tears shed and they will get up and go on about their business. However, if you scream in terror, they will cry for an hour realizing just how hard they hit their head. BUT- most of all I learned that my sister has the most amazing kids I've ever met. I may be a little biased, but I'll bet anyone would agree. They are smart and funny and caring. I was amazed at how a 5 year old could sense when you were having a hard time and would come up and hug you and tell you that "me and my mommy both think you're doing a good job." I loved being a pseudo-mommy and more than ever, I can't wait to be a real one.


2004-07-02 02:27:20
Today was H.S. day. Not my favorite day. I used to like it, but the girl that was helping me moved to another day because of her schedule and that left me all by my lonesome. Well, today I was cleaning off the cart and getting it loaded with buckets of bleach water before going to clean when Rene came into the laundry room with another lady and said the 7 most sweet words ever: "I have a helper for you today!" The heaven's opened up exposing beams of light around this sweet ladies face. The harps and piano's began to play and angels motioned as if to present this woman to me. It was very spiritual. I just about gave her a hug, but I didn't want to scare her away. Usually it takes me until 11:00 to get out of there... I got out at 9:45. She has no idea how grateful I was for the help.



2004-12-14 19:43:56
Happy Holidays from Ty and Misty! Life in the great Northwest was particularly uneventful in 2004; however there are a few things that deserve mentioning: Bremerton, although we often lie and say we live in Silverdale to free ourselves of Navy ties, is interesting to say the least. The abundance of bad drivers and "Bremelos" (you might have to Google that one), little culture and limited entertainment sources has been challenging. However, we have found many good points, amongst those being: living in the rain shadow has given us many more sunny days, we are closer to camping and rent is a lot cheaper. Ty continues to amaze us all with his determination for continued knowledge in computer networking and beyond, the list of titles he can add to the end of his name is getting nauseating. His "geek speak" has hit an all time high and Misty has been forced to listen to endless conversations of megabytes this and hard drive that. Our office has been equipped with a server rack, which is completely necessary contrary to Misty's initial opinion. Misty, now a Radiology Certified Coder, can not only add a RCC to the end of her name but has continued gaining knowledge of her own source of geekdom in the Radiology world. Working from home has given her the freedom to have a more flexible schedule but is also reportedly a lot more boring. We added a new edition to our family, a kitten by the name of Starbuck, aka Bobblehead, aka Demon Seed. We picked her out of a litter that was a) born out of season and b) full of kinked tailed kittens, she was the only "normal" one. These should have been clues that she would be a "special" kitten. Poor Maggie Mae (our 5 year old cat) has not enjoyed being an older sister to our little terror. We have also lightened up a bit since last year. It appears that moving away from my mom and therefore being away from home cooked meals and eating out every night isn't that great for the waistline. In addition to eating better, we also have accomplished a lot of fitness goals. Ty has officially joined Misty's gym after a lot of coaxing and eventually a BIG kick in the pants. Both of us are running over 2 miles most every day and are personal friends with the elliptical machine and other torturous devices. In the last 60 lbs Ty has lost, he has realized: he has very bony ribs and is no longer comfortable to cuddle with, he no longer has a butt and somewhat resembles a frog with trousers on (hehehehe), and low fat can taste just as good as a Big Mac. In the last 45 pounds Misty has lost, she has realized: she still hate cooking (thank you Dream Dinners) but can deal with it as long as Ty does the dishes, boys lose a lot faster than girls and the pre-weight loss pictures were actually correct, not just shot from a bad angle as once thought. All of this being said, we would like to wish you a very Happy Holiday Season! We will have the pleasure of seeing most of you this year for Christmas, we are very excited about that!



2004-12-17 16:10:54
I could not be more in the holiday spirit this season. I don't get to go home very often for Christmas, but this year I am SO fortunate to be able to spend the season with my family. I don't know if they know how much I love them and how much this trip means to be, but it's going to be amazing. There is no way for me to enjoy it enough. I wish I didn't have to sleep so I could just absorb everyone more. There will be no way for me to hug the babies enough or talk to my family enough. I am going to try so hard to get in as much time as possible with all of them and make sure I let them all know how much I love them. I am listening to Christmas music right now and feeling so caught up in the spirit. It's going to be absolutely magical and I'm sure there is going to be lots of Christmas miracles. I have figured out that anyone who doesn't like this time of the year is just an unhappy person. There was a long period of time where I wasn't the happiest and I more than dreaded the holidays. I never thought I wasn't a happy person, I just thought everything was over-commercialized. Boy, was I wrong. Sure a lot of the season is caught up in commercialization, but it's all where your heart lies. I couldn't ask for anything more than I have in my life right now. It's not often that you meet the person you KNOW you are supposed to be with. I am married to him. I have a big, wonderful family that I love so much. I am so blessed to be so close to my brothers and sister. I don't think I ever understood just how important a family is, but I SO get it now. These are the people who support me and always say the right thing. These are the people who call me out of the blue when I am having a bad day, like they knew. Just being around them settles my mind and relaxes my spirit. I have such a sense of spirituality these days as well. When things don't go the way I would have hoped for I just take a few minutes and tell myself that there is no way for me to not be happy with my life because in doing so I would not be trusting in God's plan for my life. This is the biggest comfort to me. This is the season to celebrate this plan and our lives. My wish for everyone is to feel a sense of peace that they may not feel everyday. To have trust in God's plan for their lives and rejoice in this plan. I am just so happy and excited, I can't express it all. The hope I feel and the happiness I feel overcomes me.



2004-07-03 07:55:21
Isn't insomnia great?? Ty is upstairs sleeping, but for whatever reason I can't sleep. I guess I must just feel bad for going to sleep by midnight on a 3 day weekend. Don't get too many of those around here. Plans for the weekend are picking Jess up tomorrow, then seeing Fahrenheit 9/11. Coming back to Silverdale for the night. Sunday is Sarah's birthday, so I think we will be over at her parents house for a bbq. Monday will be recover and relax day. I also have to work a few hours. I know that's a surprise to everyone. Me working on a holiday weekend. Crazy concept, I know. Dad's been sick the last few days. I'm sending out "get better vibes," I hope he gets them. Guess I better head to bed...



2004-07-06 19:44:17
How did the weekend go by so fast? I was so busy, I didn't have enough to time to even write. Friday- Ty and I just hung out... we had championship Monopoly tournaments. I won 3-1!! The last game we played we changed it to a midevil theme with Euro's. It was hilareous. Saturday- Ty and I did a kickboxing tape and then headed to Federal Way to pick up Jessica. Then we went to Renton to see Fahrenheit 9/11. It was a very controversial documentary. Of course I know that there are 2 sides to every story and that this is just one side. My thoughts do tend to follow in the lines of the documentary though. I am not a Bush fan. I also am not very political. However after seeing that movie I am absolutely going to vote this election year. So after the movie we went back to Silverdale and hung out with Jess and Adar. Sunday- we headed to Sarah's parents house back in Federal Way and had a blast there. They barbecued and then there was cake and ice cream... it was bad. I think I will probably gain at weigh in tonight. But- it was so worth it. We had championship ping pong tournaments. I am not very good, so I was more of a cheer leader. It was a great day. Monday- we did much of nothing. Went grocery shopping and hung out being too lazy. I did get in a jog and an ab video. Okay, back to work.



2004-07-07 05:40:53
Welp- weigh in didn't go as good as I had hoped for me, but Ty lost another four pounds!! I am so excited for him because he got his 10%!! I stayed the exact same. But- considering all the good food and fun I had, it was worth it. Ty and I went to the high school track today and jogged 2 laps and walked 3. It was good. I am proud of myself for all the exercise we have been doing. It's been difficult to work so hard and not have the rewards that I think I should have with losing weight, but it'll happen and I will have worked harder than a lot of people for it. Well- sleepy time is getting near. I guess I better get to it.



2004-07-08 18:52:52
I have a killer headache and I want to crawl into a dark hole and sleep for 3 months.:evil:



2004-07-09 02:16:30
I know this sounds crazy, but ER gave me some great advice today. Jason lost his job, mom gained 3 pounds, great grandma is dying (maybe), I'm having job woes... all of this is just adding up. It's like all the planets are aligned against us right now. UNTIL... I was watching ER today and there was a lady on there who has HIV and had just found out she has hepatitis C as well. She was a nurse there and later that day she was stitching up a man who had cut his hand. The man began talking about how there are no accidents and everything happens for a reason. He cut his hand so he could meet this lady. He also said something that really hit me. He said, "maybe all these things aren't happening TO you, maybe they are happening FOR you." Could it be? Could everything that we view as bad be really GOOD? It's a difficult concept to grasp and I doubt it will make everything better when I am feeling down... but I think just the thought (even though I can't prove it to be true) will get me through. I know that I can't call Jason and tell him that maybe there is a reason he just doesn't understand yet... that would be patronizing him. But, I wish I could show him the future. I wish I could just make his uncertainty go away. Mom said to me yesterday that it stinks hat she has to feel the pain of her children. I always knew that I felt HORRIBLE when something bad happens to any member of my family... but I never looked at it like that and she's right. The reason I fel horrible is because I am feeling their pain. Seems simple enough, but I just hadn't thought about it like that before. I hope Jason makes it through this. He his so smart and has so much potential... I hate that he has to have so many obstacles stacked up against him. It's not fair and I wish I could take a few of them away.


2004-07-10 01:28:15
It was cleaning house day at the Walker residence. It was also competition day. Mom and I were having a hard time getting up the motivation to clean our houses, so we made a wager. We would both take before and after pics and whoever did the most and better job would get a gift certificate to Applebees for dinner. I am placing my bet on ME! I scrubbed and scrubbed like my life depended on it. I even got Tom's bed made up. My toilets are spotless, you could eat off of them... well, maybe that's pushing it. You could definitely feel sanitary about sitting on them though. :razz: I just tried to call mom and she's not answering... I think she is afraid. And she should be. BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!! mwaa ha ha ha ha:twisted:



2004-07-12 18:39:35
Day 2 of being all alone. I haven't been writing because if I do, it will just be poor me type of negatives. I know that all of my feelings of abandoment and desertion are intensified right now so I am trying not to play into them. Hmmm... maybe that's why I haven't called my family. I know that I am unstable and if I allow myself to think or talk about it then it will downhill from there. The worst part is that I can't even talk to Ty. They are off in Canada somewhere, so they can't call. Therefore- I am kind of just left in the dark. I hope they are okay. That's it... not letting myself go there anymore.



2004-07-13 23:10:16
I got the whole back of my poncho finished, noticing it was a little small... I READ THE PATTERN WRONG!!! 4 whole days of knitting the back of this dang thing and now I have to take it all out and do it over. Oh well- this happens every time I try to knit a big project and it always turns out better because the first time I work on something it looks like a novice knit it. The second time it turns out better. Plus- I have been using straight needles and I think I will switch to circular so I can get a better idea of the size. Live and learn, live and learn, live and learn... then repeat.



2004-07-19 22:06:39
I guess I've just been too busy being happy Ty is back to write. We haven't done much but we DID go to the drive in Saturday. We saw Anchorman and The Terminal. Anchorman stunk but The Terminal was really good. You'll never believe it, but after I began my poncho again, Starbuck took off with the row counter one night and now that I have gotten into the pattern again I have to start all over once again. I have searched the whole house for the dang counter and can't find it anywhere. Starbuck makes me very angry sometimes. ...she's just a baby, she's just a baby... This weather is going to kill me. It may only be a few weeks out of the year that it gets about 90, but it's a few weeks of literal hell. I can't sleep, I have a hard time working, it's been hard to exercise. I can't figure out why no one has air conditioning. It would be worth not using it all year, just to have during these passed few days. Back to work.



2004-07-21 04:26:22
Today was weigh in and I was only down .4 lbs. Kind of a bummer since I think I worked harder tan a .4 loss. Of course I used my AP points. I'm going back to 2- 1 hour work outs a day without using flex points or activity points. No fun for me. Ty lost 2. something and has 33 lbs total loss. That's crazy. I'm so proud of him. We bought a ping pong table today. Some people were selling it in the newspaper for cheap and we have been looking for one. I'm excited because it'll be fun to have people over to play. Oh wait... we don't know any people. Someday when we move back to Utah we can have people over to play. blah.



2004-07-22 21:32:08
I've been so irritated these last few days. I know it's because so many things are happening with my family. Landon had surgery and Amy had her first appointment for the new baby. I just want to be there and be apart of everything. I know Ty is irritated with my less than pleasant mood... but I don't know what to do to make it better. For just a few weeks I want someone else to live my life and let me take a vacation. Maybe someone else would have more success than I am. It's so bloody hot here. It's in the 90's and I am sitting here with no A/C, DYING! I'm swollen up like a balloon and stinky. It's been hard to sleep at night too. I don't mind heat, but this is ridiculous. It's not supposed to get this hot!!



2004-07-23 14:08:34
I was so hoping he wasn't behind this, but his behavior is so odd... I guess I'll wait to know for sure. We, as a society, are getting crazier and crazier. This kind of crap wouldn't have happened 10 years ago, at least not so often anyway.



2004-07-23 16:48:32
Sometimes I am just sitting here working and get the feeling that eyes are watching me. I look around and Maggie has snuck in the room and is sitting there staring at me. It's kind of creepy!



2004-07-23 19:09:39
It's a very hot 90 degrees out there and I feel like I am going to die. The cats too, both are panting... I've never seen a cat pant before. Must be really hot.



2004-07-23 20:26:39
I hear what they say Such good goings on No, I can't make it Everyone is sorry Building up events What would it feel like? I can't have my own I have no future Touch no one Keeping to myself Don't bring them down They are so high I see it right there Squinting to see Shut out again me



2004-07-28 00:10:04
It's my one yesr anniversary with Ty today. It seems like just yesterday we got married! I can't believe it's been a year. I am so lucky I found such a great guy! We aren't really celebrating because we're just not really that type of couple I guess. I know that Ty loves me and that's all I really need. He did bring me daisies this afternoon and got me a card and a 2 week trial membership to a gym here to see how I'll like it. I walked in this morning and I hadn't ever been in there so I asked the guy to tell me where things were. He was less than friendly and so I left to explore for myself. By the time I had walked around everyone was staring at me so I left. I'll go in tomorrow and actually work out now that I know where things are. This weekend we are going to the beach. I am excited... I hope the weather is good there. It's always freezing when we go. I told Ty to bring his tennies so we could jog along the beach. We'll see how that goes! Okay- we're leaving for weigh in soon. I hope I lost some weight this week. It's been hard to keep my motivation with this plateau I've been on. I know everyone has them and I can't be upset about the 27 pounds I have lost so far!



2004-07-30 02:40:09
Well, I did yesterday. Ty and I decided that we would go to Zoopas yesterday. All day long we were getting so excited for Zoopa. I even got on dwlz.com and planned out my points. Well, we drove, in traffic, for about an hour, finally walking towards the door only to see a CLOSED sign. Needless to say we were so disappointed that we weren't thinking properly and pulled up to Chevy's. But, I was a good girl. I ate a 1/4 of a burito that I asked for no cheese on. The only thing I ate a lot of was black beans, rice and pico de gallo. I had a 1.4 loss on Tuesday. I was excited to get a big loss after so many maintains and .4 losses.



2004-07-30 18:54:55
Great Grandma died today. I knew it would happen, but she has held on for so long that I wasn't really expecting it. I am still in shock... I never thought she would go.



2004-08-17 17:56:21
I got my clothes ready for the day and placed on the bathroom floor this morning. Got in the shower, business as usual. Get out of the shower and go to dress when I notice the underwear I got out was MIA. I go in the bedroom, looked on the floor... can't find them ANYWHERE! Search the bathroom up and down... when it hits me. Starbuck. She has the uncanny ability to take the things I need the most and hide them. Remember the knitting counter incident? She had been in the bathroom while I was showering. I find Satbuck in the bedroom closet... sleeping. Oh, cute little kitty. So where are my underwear? I search in her favorite hiding places, under the bed, behind the door, in the corners. ARGH! STARBUCK, where are my underwear?!?!?!?! She's no help. I remembered that I had left the office closet open. Ran in the office and there, tucked underneath the sleeping bag... MY UNDERWEAR!!! Dang you Starbuck!! I'm going to close the door next time I shower.



2004-08-04 14:12:27
I had a NDE last night. I was asleep and I thought I was dreaming, but I felt like I couldn't breath. There was all this pressure on my chest and my abdomen... like someone was pushing on me. I woke up thinking it was just a dream... when suddenly I realized it wasn't. My air flow was so limited and I was struggling for breath. I opened my eyes and what did I see? My 50 pound cat had climbed on my chest while I was sleeping. I started laughing so LOUD because I honestly thought there was something wrong. Nope- just my fat cat falling asleep on me. It was very comical!



2004-08-16 15:18:36
I took a brief vacation from this thing only because I have been very busy. But, looking back on it though, I don't know what we were doing to be so busy. My Great Grandma passed away a few weeks ago. She'd been sick for a very long time, so it was bittersweet. They've been telling us for the last 4 years that she was going to pass, but she just held on. Grandma Jeanne said Great Grandma asked if she could go with her... so sad. I hated to see Grandma so upset. Ty and I went to Eugene, OR for the graveside service. I was so glad to be there and meet extended family that I wouldn't have otherwise met. They were a funny group of older people. Ty and I could hardly keep in our laughter at times when everyone was discussing their recent hospital trips and their new orthopedic shoes. Which, by the way, Grandpa got Medicare to pay for this shoes because of his diabetes. Now, that's thrifty! At breakfast the day of, Grandpa gets a phone call... Grandpa is nearly deaf. "IS THIS MY YOUNGEST SON. SHAWN?" He screams. Suddenly... the restaurant goes quiet and everyone is staring. Grandma smacks him and tells him he's yelling and Grandpa passes the phone to one of the many cousins we met while in Oregon. Ty and I were looking at each other, just using every last ounce of energy not to burst out laughing. I love my grandpa. He is SO funny and cute. I wish I could see him more. He makes me laugh with all his quirks. Well, after the phone call, it hits me.... Shawn. Uh oh- didn't know him and his family were going to be here. Ty hasn't met Shawn yet, but luckily I have told him stories to prepare him. Shawn, all 7 feet of him and his family walks into the IHOP and walks around hugging everyone. I look at him and say "HI!!" He shakes my hand. Doesn't recognize me. That's strange... I just saw him about 5 years ago. After about 5 minutes of talking with Grandma, they both look over and it hits him... oh, Shelly's daughter Misty!! Yep, that's me. Meanwhile, Sahwn's youngest child is running around in p.j.'s, going to every table and shaking hands. Dawn was deeply involved in the conversation, didn't notice. So we go out to the parking lot to get everyone on the same page. Grandpa gets in his truck for a piece of paper and Shawn follows. Shawn leans over and WOO NOW! The sleeveless t-shirt isn't quite long enough to cover up what his pants are showing. Ty and I look over at each other once again trying not to laugh. And with that vivid picture in our head, we travel to the hotel so Shawn and the kids can get changed. Grandpa is freaking out about the time and continues to get into the car threatening to leave without them. At record speed, 2 adults and 3 kids are changed into their church clothes. And just like that, we're off. The service was beautiful. Great Grandma was known as Aunt Toots to all the cousins and at one point they burst into the song by which she received that nick name. It was very moving and powerful. Such a silly song, but a lot of meaning. I sat next to Grandma, my arm around her trying to give her some comfort. It was very nice to get more history and hear stories about my Great Grandma. The memories I have of her are from only 4 or 5 years ago when she was first put into a home. I couldn't stand to see her in a place like that, so I went in almost everyday for a few weeks. Since her long term memory was so vivid due to the Alzheimer's, Grandma gave me pictures to take in and Great Grandma went through and told me SO many stories of her life. I wish I would have written them down, because now... I can't remember. After the memorial we went back to a hotal suite. We sat around and talked about our memories. At that point the comedy began again. Shawn and Dawn go to get some food for their kids and their car breaks down. So, after they get the car back to the hotel, Shawn opens the hood and starts looking around to see if he can fix it. Dawn came upstairs and began to tell us that there is a broken belt. But, they just barely paid $2,000 to have it fixed at the college. She was sure there was some sort of warrantee. Once again, very hard not to laugh. I'm not sure why it's so funny that the local college was responsible for the car not functioning... but I'm laughing right now. :) When we were getting ready to leave Dawn asked if I ever go to St. George. I told her I'd been going down about every other month or so. She asked if I went alone and I said yes, most of the time. She said that I should call her and her and the kids can keep me company on my drive. I had no idea that she meant if I drove. I don't drive that far by myself! Ty would never let me do that. I thought that was comical that they assumed I would drive. Dawn informed me what we could just pick up some Benedryl to knock the kids out while we drove. I don't think I'll be able to make that trip for a while. Okay- that was my trip. I'm sure more happened, I have a very bad memory. I'll write more later.



2004-08-27 19:55:42
Josh and Jason are going to college. I could not be more proud of both of them. I tell everyone! James is in the 10th grade (I don't believe it) now and driving! Jason is 20 now and is married with a darling little girl Caydence. I know that his life veered off the course he had initially thought he would take, but he is a much better person for it I think. I've seen him change so much. He is the best father. I hear stories from my mom about him taking Caydence outside and pointing things out, explaining things to her. Even though she's too young to understand, it just shows what a good daddy he is. Caydence is so lucky to have him. Now he is enrolled in college in St. George and it just brings tears to my eyes with how proud I am of him. Luckily he got a lot of financial aid and won't have to pay a dime. If I had to classify him, I would say he is artsy smart. He has very unique outlooks on things and is very deep. He deserves a lot more recognition than he gets, he works so hard to provide for his family and to improve their future. He's such a stand up guy. Josh is 18 and is going to Weber State, he's moving there on Saturday. He's going to live on campus and have the time of his life! He is a lot different than Jason. He is shy and sort of introverted. Going away to school is a HUGE accomplishment and for that he is my hero. I wish I would have taken that route instead of being a chicken and not thinking I was good enough. I know Josh is scared to make this move and to move so far away, but I know he'll be okay. His future is so bright and he is such an amazingly kind person. He has this heart of gold and just is genuinely interested in people. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. I wish so badly I could be there to help move him up there. I am going to live vicariously through him for the next few years! He's dang smart too! James is 15 and is the cutest thing in the world... just ask the entire female population in St. George. They'll tell you! I can't believe time has flown by so much. I still have this image of him running around in diapers when we live in Colorado. Doing all these cute things we "trained" him to do. Now he is a strapping young man that can probably bench press more than he weighs. He plays football and runs track. There are people constantly trying to recruite him to their sport. The only thing is he suffers from constant migraines. They never go away. I feel so bad for the kid. He is such a trooper though! Plays sports, hangs out with his friends and held a physically demanding job all through the summer. Despite numerous tests he suffers on. I pray that they are able to find something that works soon. I miss them so much....



2004-08-27 23:45:40
It's Friday and I love Friday's! No more work until Monday (excpet for a few minutes tomorrow morning). We are going to the county fair, since it is only 1/4 of a mile away! We're walking! I haven't been to a real fair. Us city folk are used to city fairs. There is no livestock or rodeos. Just some carny folk with rides that look like they will fall apart at any given moment! But there's going to be a petting zoo, yipee! I can't wait to touch a goat or a llama. It'll be awesome! With that I will leave you with a jig: It's Friday up in here Can't wait for the skies to clear Too bad I live in the Northwest Where it's nothing but a rain-fest We're going to the county fair Lots of stuff to do there There will be livestock and a rodeo Makes me want to say "holy toleto" So have yourself a merry little Friday Cause it's the day you get to play James has his first football game He's gonna put the other team to shame! I'm spent....



2004-09-03 03:59:31
Just had to share because I am making such huge strides with my work outs... I push myself further and further everyday and it feels so much better than eating any ice cream or french fry ever could. It's so empowering and energizing and freeing (is that a word?). I look at where I started and I see me not even being able to run 1 whole lap without being so winded I would cough. At the gym I wouldn't even turn the resistance up on the elliptical or bike. Now I'm at level 6 resistance on the elliptical and 8 on the bike and I just ran 1.5 miles. It brings tears to my eyes because I can see what my efforts have done... not only in the mirror but statistically as well. I just have this indescribable feeling... I guess it's pride. Yep, that's what it is. I am proud of myself. Wow... haven't felt that in a while.



2004-09-09 19:19:34
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- A man who tried to shoot seven puppies was shot himself when one of the dogs put its paw on the revolver's trigger. Jerry Allen Bradford, 37, was charged with felony animal cruelty, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday. He was being treated at a hospital for a gunshot wound to his wrist. Bradford said he decided to shoot the 3-month-old shepherd-mix dogs in the head because he couldn't find them a home, according to the sheriff's office. On Monday, Bradford was holding two puppies - one in his arms and another in his left hand - when the dog in his hand wiggled and put its paw on the trigger of the .38-caliber revolver. The gun then discharged, the sheriff's report said. Deputies found three of the puppies in a shallow grave outside Bradford's home, said sheriff's Sgt. Ted Roy. The other four appeared to be in good health and were taken by Escambia County Animal Control, which planned to make them available for adoption



2004-09-14 18:53:30
I recently registered to vote for the first time. Living in such a political city- you can't help but hear about elections and realize how important it is to vote. However there was legistlature passed that says you have to choose a party before you vote in the primaries and you have to vote within that party. I am extremely offended by this and think my right to vote has been severly limited. So, I am boycotting the primaries. I will vote in the general election since there are no restrictions on that and also there will be a vote on whether to keep this in place. I know it will not pass because they are predicting to have a 25% drop in voters for these primaries because of this.



2004-09-17 17:59:39
Just wanted to make sure I stated for the record that I am a huge Counting Crows fan and would love it if at some point in life I could see a CC concert. This is my numero uno request.



2005-04-08 19:56:26
It's really ours! Every spect of rust in the stove, every exploding water pipe, every single spider...



2005-04-08 20:48:34
until you look like this



2004-09-23 20:38:39
I was just getting some laundry out of the basket and I looked down and what did I see??? A spider. As I was screaming bloody murder, I realized no one could hear me... except my cats that have hidden under my bed. Dang fraidy cats. I stopped screaming and I had this feeling like this was THE spider- perhaps he was in my pj's when I put them in the hamper. *chills* Suddenly that music from the old west movies started to play. I ran into the bathroom and grabbed a wad of tissues, reciting to myself "I'm a big girl, I can do this." I ran back into the office- spider is still there. Minutes pass and I'm just staring at him- I'm pretty sure at least one of his 8 eyes are looking at me. Suddenly- I made my move. I darted towards the hamper and SQUISH- I win. I run back into the bathroom, all the while screaming, "OOGIE, OOGIE, OOGIE." I toss the spider tissue into the toilet and flush... it's over.



2004-09-24 17:34:37
It's Friday. Ty calls me "Friday Misty" on Friday's because I do a complete turn around and have tons of energy and just want to play. I finally feel better today. No more sickies. I did my 2 mile jog this morning and felt great. Except for one thing. My nose always runs when I jog. No matter how much I blow it before I begin. Today- I'm jogging, trying to wipe my nose without grossing out the lady next to me. When out of no where... a snot bubble. I don't think I've had a snot bubble since I was 3 years old. What the heck!! I do not want to be working today.



2004-09-27 15:31:20
Friday night was spent in the ER. What the heck is happening to me? Ty and I went to dinner at Red Lobster, I ate blackened salmon, veggies, shrimp and cocktail sauce and a green salad. After that we went to TCBY and got some frozen yogurt. While at home, I was stuffed- so put my yogurt in the freezer. Then I sat down to watch Dateline. That's when it hit me. I have felt it before, I actually had felt it just 2 weeks prior after eating Applebees and 2 weeks before that with Applebees again. Only this time it got worse. Usually after expelling the toxins I begin to feel slightly better. This time I didn't. The pain was 9/10- I couldn't move. I was laying on the bathroom floor begging to die. And I'm not being dramatic at all. It was horrible. I didn't know what to do. In between crampings, I called my mom (yes, I still NEED my mommy). She thought it would be a good idea to go to the ER. Since I had no other idea as to how to make it go away- Ty took me in. The ER was very nice. They led me right back and gave me heated blankets. They took my vitals- I changed into a gown and waited for the doctor. The doctor came in and said that they want to give me an iv to give me fluids to prevent dehydration and also some anti-nausea medication. Usually the idea of this would have made me get dressed and leave. But at this point, I didn't care what they did. I didn't care if they stuck a million needles, as long as it made me feel better. So- the iv was put in and 2 liters of fluids were pumped into me as well as 2 doses of anti-nausea and a tube of morphine. They didn't diagnose me- they think stomach flu, food poisoning, food allergy. I think it has to be an allergy. Ty thinks it's an allergy to shrimp. I don't know why ALL of the sudden I would develop this allergy, but I can tell you I won't ever eat shrimp again. I'm going to make a doctors appointment this week so my doctor can try to help me figure it out. I never want to go through that again! So- party animal turned into sickie, and a Friday night was ruined. As well as camping plans for Saturday night. Oh well...



2004-09-28 17:11:50
I just walked out on the doorstep to see 2 LARGE spider carcasses sitting there. Very dead, but very strategically placed... about a foot away from each other so I have to step over one or the other to get into the doorway. I know why they put them there. To show me that they know what I have been doing with my toxic spraying efforts and that there is still a full fleet of them waiting to pounce. This was a scare tactic and I am not backing down. Idol threats will not deter this war... I will walk away victorious. Do you hear that spiders? I WILL BE VICTORIOUS!



2004-09-29 17:55:27
On my way out to the doctor's office, I asked Ty if he would get rid of the 2 dead spiders on the front porch. He grabbed the broom and followed me out. I got into the car and was pulling away when I saw Ty jump into the air and run inside, closing the screen door. I look at him and he mouths to me, "THEY'RE NOT DEAD." I'm now convinced that they were "playing dead" and that it was all a ploy. I know what they were expecting. They were expecting us to inspect them closely and right when we got within pouncing distance WHAM! they would have jumped on our chins. But- we didn't fall for it. We are too disgusted by their nastiness to get that close, wait, I should say I AM too disgusted with their nastiness because after I got home from the docs Ty had taken close up pics of a big one. I must stand firm and resist the forces plotting against me...



2004-09-29 21:21:56
I've had so many doctors appointments lately I wanted to let my boss know I was okay... just having some tests done. So I emailed her and told her that I have an ultrasound on Friday. Ultrasounds usually mean something else, so she said "stomach and not uterus?" And I replied with, "Yes, Teri. 76700, not 76805!! Ha-ha!" She wrote back that she was just teasing and I said I know, it was funny. That's funny huh? Don't get it? Welcome the coding world.



2004-10-01 22:03:45
Ty sent me an article that Lorri Hacking's body was possibly found. For her families sake, I really hope it is her. I know it must be hard for them to not have any closure. I can't tell you why this story has effected me so severly... at the mere mention of the story my eyes instantly water. I cried as I read the story today. The only thing that gets me to stop is to think that she is with God now and that's never a bad place to be. :wink: However, I watched an interview with her mom on Oprah and I just feel so aweful for her. No mother should ever have to wonder where her daughters body is, no mother should ever have to worry that the man she gave her daughter away to would do something like that. There is so many things wrong with her death. I think about our similarities... we are both around the same age, both newly weds, both following our husbands dreams. I know she loved and trusted her husband as much as I love and trust mine. The difference? Her husband is a compulsive liar and a murderer. I think about the fight they had when she found out the truth and I thank God that she was asleep when he made the choice to end her life. Writing this is so difficult because I am so attached to this story. I pray for her family every night that they may have some peace and I pray that they might not think about the manner in which she was taken away from them and that she is remembered how she deserved.


2004-10-03 23:44:51
I miss my dad. He used to be at home working all day so I could chat with him whenever I wanted and now he is working out of the home and I can't ever talk to him. Plus he is so busy that he can't read this very often and comment to me... I just miss my dad today...



2004-10-05 01:45:57
Last night, Ty loaded up the dishwasher and started it. I had one more utensil to get in so I pulled it open... Suddenly I see a raging flood come straight up into my face. The door was only open for about 3 seconds since I have lightening reflexes, but in that 3 seconds, so much water had shot up at me that I was drenched, as was the ceiling and the floor. Water had shot so far up my nose I was sure my brain was flooding. Ty thought it was just the funniest thing in the world! What the heck? Aren't washers supposed to be equiped with an automatic shut off when you open them up in the middle of a cycle? Apparently not the 1979 machine that is our dish washer. I'm so glad we have state of the art technology in my house.



2004-10-06 16:04:07
I had a dream last night that Ty and I had a little girl and she was about 5 or so. We were putting her in bed and teaching her to pray every night. We were telling her that God already knows everything that she wants and everything she wishes for... so instead we pray for all the things we are thankful for. She started to pray and said she was thankful for Maggie and Starbuck because they didn't scratch her today. Isn't that funny? It seemed so real...



2004-10-07 15:23:26
money changes people (whether you have it or not)...



2004-10-29 19:36:30
You line my pants But no one can see It's like a secret Between you and me My pants are brown but you are striped pink If they only knew What would they think Hidden from the world The only time even I can see Is when I take off the pants and squat to go pee



2005-04-12 20:10:16
I am thinking of having a talk with mother nature. We are NOT the rainiest state, contrary to popular belief. I'm not sure where we rank, but I know New York has more rain fall than we do. HOWEVER- we have more rainy days because we don't get torrential down pour... we get a steady sprinkle. Back to my talk with mother nature... I am thinking she needs to consolidate. Dump rain in buckets for a month, get it all out at once... it'll probably feel good to clean house and get rid of all that nasty moisture within a few months rather than most of the year. Here is the rough draft of my letter: Dear Mother Nature: First I want to thank you for making Western Washington so pretty. Even though we share a state, I do chuckle at the sad saps that have desert and nasty winds on the Eastern side. My complaint is in the AMOUNT of rainy days we have. I don't suppose that I would really know any different and not be writing this correspondence if you didn't feel it necessary to taunt and tease us by throwing in a warm sunny day in between the nasties. But you do throw in those warm sunny days, so I'm wondering if you can get rid of your rain stockpile in a few short shifts. Say, 3 months out of the year, just give it us. We can take it... we've had years of experience in drainage and such. I think we have a good system going. By doing this, we will have more sunny days and perhaps it will cut our suicide rate... because let's face it, it's quite large. Thank you and I hope to hear back soon, Misty P.S. That was a funny trick you pulled yesterday when it was sunny and I put the groceries in the back of my truck, then suddenly you turned on the rain and I had soggy bread when I got home. Still laughing about that one!



2004-11-02 22:08:32
I am going to be voting for the first time today after work. I'm really excited. This is how I stack up on things: I-872: Yes- This will make it so whoever got the most votes (for partisan races), regardless of party, will be sent to generals. I think that's only fair. I-884: Yes- This will increase sales tax by 1% with the money to go to certain education programs. I will not notice 1% and considering it will go to teacher raises as well... I'm all for it. I-892: Yes- This will put more slot machines in places such as bowling alleys and bars to lower property taxes. The slot machines won't be put anywhere where there isn't already gaming, so I am okay with it. Plus, since I am planning on purchasing a house, I would like the lower property taxes. Referendum 55: No- This will create charter public schools. It has been denied numerous times and I'm just not sure it's the answer for public schools. I-297: Yes!!! This will clean up the hazardous waste and make it a priority. Some of this is nuclear waste and absolutely needs to be cleaned up. Fireworks Ban: YES!!!! This will ban all sales and use of fireworks by anyone other than a licensed pyrotech. I hate hearing fireworks outside my door and wondering if my house is going to catch fire. Plus- there is so many tax payers dollars that go to extinguishing firework inflicted house fires. I don't want to pay for others negligence. President: John Kerry. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the major one is that he will end the tax loopholes that give credits to American businesses sending jobs over seas. Since my job has recently been threatened by this, it's a MAJOR concern. Senator: Patty Murray. Although this one is a toss up. I really like Nethercutt as well. But- he doesn't want to end the out of country job tax break. I just can't vote for that. They say "to meet the expanding clientele" bull crap. To meet the financial support of large companies. Can't do it. Governor: Christine Gregoire. However I would like to vote for no one because of how dirty this race has become. Disgusting. The rest I pretty much will just vote within party because I know nothing about them. I know that's kind of awful and I will probably be burned at the stake- but I think that's how a lot of people do things. I know the democrats views and mine tend to fall more in that direction... so. Anyway- who ever reads this: don't stone me or anything. Just my opinions and in order to get my thoughts straight before I vote... I had to put it all out in front of me.



2004-11-18 04:17:00
The Dore family of Kingston, WA were blessed this past week with having Extreme Makeover: Home Edition at their house. The reason for the makeover was because of their living conditions. A while back, their house caught fire and burned to the ground. There was nothing left. Mrs. Dore, a widower, and her children were forced to move into an unfinished shed that had no heat, no bathroom, no insulation, nothing. They had an outhouse with a sheet for the door. The insurance money wasn't enough to rebuild. First of all, it breaks my heart that a family was living like this in my own back yard. I can't believe that a family could have that much heart to live like that for so long. I'm SO glad that they were given the opportunity to have a new home made for them. Also- it's a B&B now so they can make enough money to support a new home. But- I was very disappointed when Ty read me an article about the neighbors and how much they were inconvenienced by the crew and the building. I completely understand that they were put out and their everyday life was taken away from them. However, for them, it was a WEEK... for the family, it is a LIFETIME! How can they not keep in mind what this means to the family and how can they publicly announce how inconvenienced they were so the Dore family will read and feel terrible about what they put them through? It makes me sad...


2005-03-04 15:57:41
I am going to be petitioning the makers of NyQuil to put a new warning label on it's night time cold medicine. Last night Ty and I both took a dose of the stuff and an hour later realized we hadn't paid rent. I quickly wrote a check and we drove it over both feeling the drowsying effects of the toxic pills. After safely arriving home we went into our drug induced comas for the night. After returning from the gym this morning, our property management company called and said, "we got your check this morning... but you made it out to Windermere... our company is Pickett." DOH! The new labeling I am requesting will go as follows: Amongst our request that you do not operate any heavy equipment, please do not write out any checks under the infuence of our medication. I think that will save future users from looking like idiots.



2005-03-22 15:50:26
I love the new "skin" of my blog. Thanks dad! Very whimsical and cheerful! Which suits me don't you think? Okay, okay... touch of sarcasm. But it's who I'd like to be at least. I'm getting a lot better. Ty doesn't tease me about my pessimism very much anymore. That's always good. Plus, what do I have to be pessimistic about? Recently we have purchased a home. My VERY first home. My family has always been "nomad"-ish. Not really staying in the same place for very long. I don't think that's a bad thing at all though. I was able to meet lots of different types of people and see lots of different climates and places. Plus, I wouldn't have met Ty if everything in my life wouldn't have happened the way it did and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world. Ty and I have such contrasting histories. He was basically born in the house he grew up in. There are height markings that him and his family have done since he was little. Not only that but he grew up in a VERY small town with a farm. Although I lived in Cedar City and St. George, I still think I am more of a city girl. But buying a house means that I HAVE to stay in one place for a long time. It's kind of terrifying and exciting all at once. I'm excited to turn the corner and open a new chapter. This whole house buying thing began because of Ty. Since it's how he grew up, he didn't feel like renting was really being secure and it wasn't a "real" home. Now, it's turned into more me than him. I'm so excited to own an entire house. Every blade of grass, every piece of tile... it's all mine. Well, techinically the banks... I guess. So, less than 2 weeks and we'll be moving in. I can't wait.



2005-03-25 04:50:36
Packing is so much more than boxing up your crap. It's a chance to get rid of all the junk that you have acquired throughout your time in your current dwelling. It's amazing all the things that you hold onto for one reason or another. So far I have disposed of numerous VHS tapes that no one would ever watch, including me. Good thing is the are gone, bad thing is I've only boxed up 3 boxes so far. My guess is the garbage bin will be mighty full by the time I'm packed. I am a self pronounced pack rat. It's not my fault, it's genetic. My grandfather is the packiest of all packrats. Nothing is too miniscule to hold onto for him. I don't look at this as a flaw of his however, it's one of the things I love most about him because he can find value in anything. Whether it's the 1940's stationary bike that the neighbor had on the corner to be picked up by the garbage man or the Glad Plug In refills that he bought on sale even though he has yet to purchase an actual plug in. It's part of his charm and I love him for that. I think it skipped a generation with my mom, the only thing I can recall her holding onto is magazines. Not the worst of offenses in my book. Fortunately I was given the ability to throw things away. I may hold onto them for a while, but when it comes to either lifting a heavy box of stuff I don't need or throwing it in the garbage where Ty will be the one to carry it away... I'll take the latter. Ty has his own inner pack rat as well, but lucky for me he doesn't remember holding onto things so I can get rid of whatever it is and he will never know the difference. Should I be divulging such secrets? Probably not...


2005-03-25 04:57:00
I want to publicly announce that I, nor my chin, has forgotten about last year. I want to make it known that we are both still holding the grudge and there will be mass carnage. BEWARE spiders, BEWARE!


2005-03-25 18:12:58
Quit making excuses and accept responsibility!!!


2005-03-26 03:08:29
I recently bought a slow cooker and the first thing I made was vegetarian chilli, it was SOOOO good and I even made up a recipe for low fat corn bread. SOOOO yummy. So today I tried to make Chicken Paprikash. Blech.... it was bland and just generally nasty. Tomorrow I will try Tuscan Chicken Pasta... sure hope it's good.



2005-03-29 21:30:55
You go to hit the maximize button and you accidently hit the big terminal X button?



2005-03-29 21:33:23
I wish I would have seen this fairy prior to my tattoo... then I'd have a pretty fairy throwing daisies. Instead I have a naked lesbian fairy with evil green eyes. But I'm okay with it because the tattoo represents so much more than a naked lesbian fairy...



2005-03-31 04:19:06
It's really ours! Every cubby hole, every blade of grass, every fiber of carpet...



2005-04-04 17:08:51
So the weekend was a blur. Moving was fairly painless, unpacking was and is extremely painful. But kind of exciting because I know that it's my house. Totally different feeling. Ty's parents have been heaven sent! More things have gotten done in 1 day than Ty and I could have accomplished in months. It's also really nice to show them the house and take pride in what we have invested in. After all this is over, I'm sleeping for like a week straight. I'll wake up to work, but other than that. Nappy poo for me!!



2005-04-05 21:54:44
Apparently, a few home owners ago, they let the septic over flow and didn't have it fixed right away. So as a punishment, the lawn has multiple tubes sticking out of it. Might as well put a big red A on our door...


2005-04-12 21:22:49
Sometimes I get so bored that random thoughts enter my head. In the last few minutes I've had the following run through my brain: should I white wash my deck? sugar free syrup clumps in chocolate milk when will Ty be home today? heat is a good thing I didn't drink enough water today I wonder what I look like to other people how would you know if you had cancer? proactive makes my face dry not enough people email me not enough people read my blog There are others, but you can see how none of these have anything to do with the other. I think I'm trying to keep my brain entertained...

2005-04-12 22:24:30
sucks way more than downwards rain.

2005-04-13 19:37:14
Time and Time Again- Counting Crows. I wanted so badly somebody other than me staring back at me But you were gone gone gone I wanted to see you walking backwards And get the sensation of you coming home I wanted to see you walking away from me Without the sensation of you leaving me alone CHORUS: Time and time again Time and time again Time and time again I can't please myself I wanted the ocean to cover over me I wanna sink slowly without getting wet Maybe someday, I won't be so lonely And I'll walk on water every chance I get (CHORUS) So when are you coming home sweet angel? You leaving me alone? All alone? Well if I'm drowning darling, you'll come down this way on your own I wish I was traveling on a freeway beneath this graveyard western sky I'm gonna set fire to this city And out into the desert we're gonna ride (CHORUS) I can't please myself and I can't please nobody else time and time again time and time again time and time and time and time again I can't please myself. no no no no ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everytime the weather changes from good to bad to good to bad... it's Counting Crows time and I just can't get enough. Especially August and Everything After. My fav album. I thought my CC Cd's got lost in the move. I emailed Ty in panic and he said he has the cd case I was looking for. I am ready to buy them all over on iTunes right now because all I want to do is listen to CC. I have Recovering the Satellites with me, but I've listened to it about 3 times now and I'm ready for more...


2005-04-19 19:39:48
It's hard to feel glum when the weather is bright and sunny... but I'm managing just fine thank you.


2005-04-20 20:02:02
My least favorite emotion is disappointment... I have a terrible habit of believing people will follow through the way I would... I have entirely too much faith in people.



2005-04-22 21:33:05
I used to think I'm a bad driver... I came to this conclusion because everyone was always getting mad at my driving. I came to realize today that I'm not a bad driver- I just obey laws. Throughout my neighborhood, the speed limit is 25 mph. I obey it because it is that, a neighborhood. There are kids riding on bikes, people walking, there are even multiple schools in our area where the speed limit slows to 20 mph between the hours of 7:30-4:30. I obey this as well... So everyday as I drive to my house I am passed by people that must be going 40-50 mph. And as they pass they have the nerve to flip me off. If they don't pass then I get other hand gestures attempting to hurry me along, that won't ever happen, so save your energy. Apparently I should know that their time is more important than a childs life or perhaps a family pet that might run out in to the middle of the street. Well I am about sick of self absorbed people. Speed limits are their for a reason, not to piss you off and make you late. This is my neighborhood and now being a home owner, I am more involved and more interested in the well being of the people in my community. Slow down, leave your house in time to get where you are going and you won't have to rush... and even more than all that... STOP FLIPPING ME OFF. stepping off the soap box now...


2005-04-25 03:28:24
It was such a long weekend. Friday I had SO much fun going to a local pub down the road and watching my neighbors band. I met some really good people that I hope to make friends. Since we are having a bbq on Saturday I'm hoping to get some of them over along with Jess and Sarah. It was a late night... which means we slept in way too long on Saturday. I never listen to the stupid weatherman, however I went against myself and betted on Saturday being 74 and sunny. Ty and I got to Home Depot and by the time we got back to the house it was getting cloudy and about to rain. We hurridly put in the plants we bought and then planted ourselves on the couch and watched Spanglish. I love that movie! So today we decided we needed to get way more done. We went to Target and Lowe's (which will NEVER happen again) and came home to work! Ty planted his hops and got a few other misc projects done. I re-painted the bathroom (a-freakin-gain, thanks Ty for knocking the mirror down and chipping it) and painted the inside of the front door the same silver sage color. We both got tons of weeding done in the yard. We sprinkled down some weed n' feed last weekend, but all it has seemed to do is kill the dandelion flowers... not the roots. There must be 500 of the suckers in our lawn, so we have to pluck them out by hand. It's going to take forever. ahhhhhhhh... then we have to put down this neon green stuff in the holes, so our lawn looks really trashy right now. As much work as it is, I love it. I am never bored and don't really have much time to sit around and do nothing. There's always projects to work on and we have SO many ideas that we want to do. It's going to take years to get this place how we want it. Our other neighbors have 2 dogs, Ray and Koda. Ray is way too smart and figures out how to get out of the fence all the time. Well today he got out and his parents weren't home so Ty and I kept an eye on him and played with him throughout the day... I went inside to paint and when I came out I asked Ty where he was and the guy down the street was taking a walk and Ray just followed him up the street. So he said he'd look after Ray for a while. So when the neighbors got home I raced out and Ray was in the back of the truck. I said "oh good! you found him." He said the guy up the road flagged him down. I began to tell him where Ray was escaping, being very friendly and happy since we haven't really met these people, they're introverts. Right in the middle of my talking he grabs Ray and says "come on Ray." I was shocked... I just turned and walked back to my house. They didn't thank us for keeping an eye on him or for figuring out how we got out, for putting him back in a few times... nothing. Lesson learned: never judge a book by it's cover. Allergy update: went to the doc and got 3 new medicines. I have samples right now, not really looking forward to how much this is going to cost me. One of them is an asthma medicine.... she says it works for allergies too, but kind of odd. She also said that if this doesn't work than my only other option is getting 1 shot a week... not going to happen. I'm supposed to not start the asthma one unless the other 2 don't work after a week... so far I haven't seen a difference, but I have been extremely shakey. It was really hard to paint with my hands trembling. Might have to call her about that. Really hope this works.


2006-03-21 15:25:43
If you had a 37% approval rating at your job, wouldn't you be fired? ...I would.


2006-03-21 16:31:13
Our cat, Starbuck, will be 2 years old next month. She's always been the smarter of our pets and not very loving at all. She would rather hunt you than hug you. She watches everything and you can see in her eyes that she's always trying to figure things out. Well, she figured out something that I don't think any other cat could figure out. We have an attic at the top of our stairs. There's a ladder that goes up to a hinged door. Since there is no latch on the door, we keep it shut with a t-shirt stuffed between the ladder and the door. A few days ago Ty and I were winding down watching tv and kept hearing noises from the attic. We looked up the stairs and the tshirt was on the ground. We looked in the attic and there was our little Starbuck. Since then we have caught her to see how she is getting up there... turns out, she is climbing a ladder, just as a human would, clawing at the tshirt until it falls down and then opening the door. Mind you, this door is about 10 times bigger than she is. I need to figure out how to teach her to do things that would benefit me... :)


2005-06-22 15:23:21
Things have been so busy lately. I never could have imagined that buying this particular house would change our lives so drastically. It's so odd how just buying a house was the precurser to soooo many different things. Before moving here I was on the verge of giving up out here in the great northwest. Not because I didn't love it up here, but because we were so alone. Since then I have gained the most amazing friend base. These people will never know the happiness they bring me and how much they really saved me. I will forever be in debt to them for this. Regardless of how much I tell them and how I try to be a good friend, they will never really know what accepting me into their circle has meant. I don't know how people can believe there isn't a higher power. There was no reason for us to get this house. The people who had a higher offer really had no reason to back out... it really made no sense. The things they were asking for they got in cash vs. having to do themselves but our realtor told us that she had never seen anyone back out for that reason. To add to that we had put offers on numerous other houses and our realtor had never asked us if we wanted to be in second position for any other houses than this one. It's like we were supposed to be here and despite numerous obstacles, here we are... right where we are supposed to be.


2005-05-13 14:31:49
Wow, the last week has been a big blur... It all started a few weeks ago. There were lots of clues, yet I was oblivious to all of them. Amy mentioned that Neal was taking a weekend off (which NEVER happens), no one would talk to me on the phone. Everyone was really brief and avoiding... I was beginning to think that my family had forgot about the stray mutt of the litter out here in no man's land. On 5/4 Ty tells me that he has to go to Seattle the next day for work to look at other hospital systems. Believable enough... flags went off when he said he had to take the car because everyone else that was going had trucks and he didn't even clean the car. If people from my work were going to be traveling with me, I would have cleaned the car. Also- I asked what time they were leaving for Seattle and he said early... but I remembered that he had an interview the next day at 9:00, so I mentioned it to him and he was a little startled and said, "oh well, I guess we'll have to go after that." Whatever, I didn't think about it too much. About 10:00, Ty sends me an email saying that Kathy from work wants to come over to the house after they get back to see what we have done with the place. He asked if I could get the place clean. Well, I completely misread the email and thought he said BEFORE they left, so I scrammbled around cleaning and showering and making myself presentable. When I got back to my computer I read where it said after they get back and breathed a sigh of relief... now I could spend a little more time cleaning. That day my dad was talking on line to me for a really long time and looking back, it was a little suspicious. Not that we don't ever talk on line, but he seemed to be pretty anxious about something. Yet, I remainded in my own little bubble not thinking anything about anything. Ty called a few times that day asking if I had cleaned and I said yes, just lightly. He asked if I cleaned the bathroom and I said I wiped it down and he said "what if they have to use the bathroom, I want it to be clean." At this point, I'm ready to kill him. Who is he to tell ME to clean the house when he tells me the day OF that people are coming over to see the house?? He should have planned it better. Around 5:00 he called and said they'd be there in about an hour... I was very bored and sat outside re-writing my notes for work and talking to Cain. About 7:00, I see the car pulling up. As they pulled in front of the house I saw someone waving frantically at me in the back seat of the car. I thought to myself "that really looks like Amy, I thought Kathy was older." So, I waved back thinking this lady is really happy to meet me. Then I realized, wait... that IS Amy. At this point, I don't really recall what happened. I remember crying and being extremely surprised and shocked and scared... I really didn't know what was going on, it was too much for my brain to comprehend. Slowly it sunk in and all the lies unraveled in my head. My family is nothing if not blabber mouths... how the heck did they pull this off? Without me even having a suspicion?? That's crazy. All the excitement was very shortly thereafter ended by a phone call from my dad saying James passed out while driving and had been in a car accident. That really put a damper on things and we were all really worried until we got the news he was okay. After that, we had so much fun. I finally got to go to Poulsbo and do some shopping at the cute boutiques there. We went to Westlake and Pacific mall... more shopping. I took them to our favorite restaurant here, The Boat Shed. It was the most amazing weekend and I will never forget it. As much as I hate being surprised, it was definitely worth it to have them here. I wish it could have lasted longer. As I sat on my deck after taking them to the airport I just kept thinking, "did that really happen?" Were they just here this morning? I've got pictures to prove it...


2005-06-28 16:04:54
I must be getting old, I just saw a music video that offended me.


2005-07-01 15:32:35
WASHINGTON - Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court said Friday that she is retiring after 24 years on the bench. It's because of women like her that I am given the opportunities I have today. Strange to think that I was a year old when the Supreme Court received it's first woman... politics have come a long way. I wonder why politicians stay in the government until they a. die or b. are dying. They don't retire at a usual age... Sandra Day is 74 years old! The only 74 year old employees out of politics that I see working are greeters at Walmart. Interesting. Anyway, it'll be very interesting to see who gets her position and what that will change since she was the swing voter on many key issues.


2005-08-03 02:08:39
It was mine and Ty's 2 year wedding anniversary last Wednesday. We went to Dream Dinners and then out to a nice dinner at Spiro's... When we got home we had a voice mail from my father in law telling us Happy Anniversary and he also told me how much he loves having me in the family and he couldn't ask for a better daughter in law. It was the sweetest thing to hear... I instantly teared up. Truth be told that I really couldn't ask for better parents in law as well. Ty and I are so perfect for each other that you would think the luck stopped there, but it doesn't... I was blessed with a second set of parents who support me and love me more than I could ever have hoped for. Hearing that voice mail made putting up with my husband for 2 years worth it. hahaha... just teasing. Seriously though, it was one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me...


2005-08-17 15:33:05
Things have been so dang busy lately. We've had our puppy for about a month now and I am definitely getting a taste of what a toddler must feel like. I can imagine that she is just about as expensive as a child as well. Our house is now equiped with 2 baby gates, a kiddie pool, chew toys (compare to teething rings) and puppy food (compare to baby food). Also, she's starting puppy preschool next week. I had no idea how expensive having a puppy would be. adoption fee: $300 first vet visit: $100 frontline: $50 second vet visit: $77 spay: $130 baby gates: $50 puppy preschool: $89.95 That's not to mention food, toys, bones, treats, etc. Wow... looks a lot worse when you put it all down on paper. The first year is always expensive is what everyone tells me. She only has one more vet visit next week when she gets spayed. Then she'll only being going yearly. We have been potty training (mostly successfully) and teaching basic obedience. I can't tell you the pride you feel when you say "lie down" and she actually does lie down. Knowing that you taught her that is just amazing. This weekend we have a huge camping trip planned with lots of our friends and their kids and dogs. It's going to be a blast. All the women were even smart and came up with a shopping list we divided up so we don't waste food and we can all have the same meals. Rachel is planning some craft projects for the kids and I know Tully will love hanging out with his friend Kietz and she'll get to meet Pete and Molly's dog McGruff. We'll be on a lake so we're buying floaties to float around on the water. I'll definitely be putting on sunscreen so I don't get burned again like I did when kayaking. Brandon and Liz are bringing their boat, so we'll probably go out on the boat a bit. I'm really looking forward to it. Better get going... I'm hoping to make more time to write more often.


2005-09-07 23:10:01
Friday, September 2nd, 2005 Dear Mr. Bush: Any idea where all our helicopters are? It's Day 5 of Hurricane Katrina and thousands remain stranded in New Orleans and need to be airlifted. Where on earth could you have misplaced all our military choppers? Do you need help finding them? I once lost my car in a Sears parking lot. Man, was that a drag. Also, any idea where all our national guard soldiers are? We could really use them right now for the type of thing they signed up to do like helping with national disasters. How come they weren't there to begin with? Last Thursday I was in south Florida and sat outside while the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over my head. It was only a Category 1 then but it was pretty nasty. Eleven people died and, as of today, there were still homes without power. That night the weatherman said this storm was on its way to New Orleans. That was Thursday! Did anybody tell you? I know you didn't want to interrupt your vacation and I know how you don't like to get bad news. Plus, you had fundraisers to go to and mothers of dead soldiers to ignore and smear. You sure showed her! I especially like how, the day after the hurricane, instead of flying to Louisiana, you flew to San Diego to party with your business peeps. Don't let people criticize you for this -- after all, the hurricane was over and what the heck could you do, put your finger in the dike? And don't listen to those who, in the coming days, will reveal how you specifically reduced the Army Corps of Engineers' budget for New Orleans this summer for the third year in a row. You just tell them that even if you hadn't cut the money to fix those levees, there weren't going to be any Army engineers to fix them anyway because you had a much more important construction job for them -- BUILDING DEMOCRACY IN IRAQ! On Day 3, when you finally left your vacation home, I have to say I was moved by how you had your Air Force One pilot descend from the clouds as you flew over New Orleans so you could catch a quick look of the disaster. Hey, I know you couldn't stop and grab a bullhorn and stand on some rubble and act like a commander in chief. Been there done that. There will be those who will try to politicize this tragedy and try to use it against you. Just have your people keep pointing that out. Respond to nothing. Even those pesky scientists who predicted this would happen because the water in the Gulf of Mexico is getting hotter and hotter making a storm like this inevitable. Ignore them and all their global warming Chicken Littles. There is nothing unusual about a hurricane that was so wide it would be like having one F-4 tornado that stretched from New York to Cleveland. No, Mr. Bush, you just stay the course. It's not your fault that 30 percent of New Orleans lives in poverty or that tens of thousands had no transportation to get out of town. C'mon, they're black! I mean, it's not like this happened to Kennebunkport. Can you imagine leaving white people on their roofs for five days? Don't make me laugh! Race has nothing -- NOTHING -- to do with this! You hang in there, Mr. Bush. Just try to find a few of our Army helicopters and send them there. Pretend the people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are near Tikrit. Yours, Michael Moore MMFlint@aol.com www.MichaelMoore.com P.S. That annoying mother, Cindy Sheehan, is no longer at your ranch. She and dozens of other relatives of the Iraqi War dead are now driving across the country, stopping in many cities along the way. Maybe you can catch up with them before they get to DC on September 21st. P.P.S. PLEASE, Mr. Bush.....do the right thing and step down. You are hurting the world. If you love this country more than blood money, PLEASE let us find a leader we trust, like even a little, and RESPECT. You, Sir, have NONE of these things!


2005-09-09 14:33:31
Things have been so busy the last week, I'm very looking forward to Saturday night/Sunday. I have nothing to do! It all started last Saturday- I spent the entire day cleaning the house from top to bottom and going shopping for groceries for a bbq on Sunday. Saturday night Jess & Phil came into town and we went to the Manette, then heading to the Panda for kaoroke. It was SOOOO much fun. We were the only ones there just about and just had a blast. Sunday Ty got up at 6:30 am to pick his parents up and I did last minute cleaning. We had a bbq that night with all our friends and fam. It was fun to get everyone together. Monday was Bumbershoot, it wasn't as fun as years past, but it was still a really good time. I just love spending time with the family. Cain (my hero) watched Tully for us while at Bumbershoot. When we got home Ty noticed Tully had eaten yet another pair of my underwear. I didn't think anything of it, but when I talked to Cain, he told me he had to wrestle a pair of my undies away from her. I was so embarrassed. Then he said "they were really cute!" I'm sure my face was beet red. Later Tully pooped out a gap tag from my undies. ARGH! She's so gross. Tully is doing well, she's sprouting like a weed. Last week she was ALL body and no legs, this week, she's all legs and NO body. It's fun to watch her grow and behave better. Right now she's shredding my credit card offers... who needs a shredder?? I began guitar lessons last night with Willy. I'm pretty excited, but today my finger tips are numb and tingly. No pain, just completely numb... really weird. Willy is a very good teacher and is self taught. I am ALWAYS the first to self teach... I do better that way, but for some reason, I couldn't get the guitar. So I have a lot of respect for Willy. I miss my family-I need to head to Utah soon. Of course it's going to be REALLY hard to leave my puppy... Not sure how I'll manage that.


2005-09-15 14:50:18
On Monday I had called in sick to work because I wasn't feeling well, but soon it came to my attention that Tully wasn't feeling well either. She had vomited a few times before I even got out of bed (of course I didn't know until I stepped in it). She refused to eat any food and most of the time drink water. When I finally did get water into her, she would immediately throw it back up. Not only that, but she was really lethargic and would stammer when she walked. She hung her head down and just looked sad. After a call to the vet, they told me to bring her in. She was beginning to become dehydrated, so they had to admit her. Now I understand that some people aren't pet people and they think it's silly being upset about an animal, but I'm not like that. My pets are my kids (for now)... I work from home so I am with them ALL the time. Tully and I hadn't been seperated for more than 3 hours at a time and that was only once or twice a week. Everything she knows I have taught her. When the vet told me she was going to admitted, I lost it. I was so scared... didn't know what was wrong with her... didn't know when she would get better. Anyway- after 3 LONG days, she's finally home. Poor thing is starving, but can't have food until 7:00 pm tonight and even then I have to mix like 5 kernels with water and make a mash. Also- she can only have 5 licks of water an hour... Speaking of which, it's time for her water. Thanks to everyone who listened to me vent and cry. And thank you for all your prayers.


2006-01-17 15:24:59
Last night I ate 3 oranges for dinner. The thought of eating anything else made me want to vomit. Pregnancy is so odd!



2006-01-25 21:25:23
I have had the worst heart burn and Tums were not working at all. When I asked my doctor about what I should do, he said I should use Mylanta. I think this was just a sick joke on his part. Mylanta is the worst tasting thing I have ever tried to swallow in my life. Last night I almost threw up all over Ty when I took a swig. Pregnant women have the most senstitive stomachs ever... why would he recommend something that is sure to throw off a gag reflex?



2006-02-01 15:52:54
Would you like to know what you get when you make a decent living, paying your own way in this world? What being middle class and not relying on government assistance gets you? How about what you get when you aren't rich and don't have tax exemptions made for you? The answer? Although you have given the government 11% of your income over the year... you get them wanting 1 more percent. That's right. After paying over $11,000 during the year, you get the government wanting $1000 MORE. But there are deductions you can make, you say. Of course there are and we have worked hard this year to make sure we have them. We purchased a house. So all of our interest was tax deductible (which there was $10,000 worth because we don't make enough money to save for a huge down payment so we had to get a 2 year interest only loan on one of our 80/20 loans) and also because we own our house and I work from home we got to deduct the square footage of the office as well as utilities. Not to mention we deducted the tax from purchasing my new car... We have tried to live out the American Dream and let me tell you... there is NO reward. If we made $25,000/yr we would not only get government assistance for a down payment on a house and special interest rates on a loan that we could afford, but also if we started having kids when we were 18 and not waiting until we could afford them we could get free food, milk, formula... it would be great. We could pay very little into taxes and then get all of it and MORE back at the end of the year. Tell me... what is the reward for paying your own way in America?


2005-12-14 15:24:52
I seriously think Nyquil should be a controlled substance. Here are the transcripts from my conversation last night with my doped up husband: Misty: We need to clean the house for our party this weekend. Do you think you can do the floors and clean the litter box? Ty: Yes Misty: You'll have to wipe the whole area of the litter box with a disinfectant wipe, it smells. Ty: You smell Misty: Do you realize how juvenile that statement was? Ty: I think my blankets are inside out Misty: No, they aren't Ty: Yes, yes they are. Check them, are the fuzzy things inside or out? Misty: They are out Ty, go to sleep Ty: No, I can stay awake and talk -moment of silence- Ty: SSSNNNNNNOOOOOORRRRRREEEEEEEEEE



2006-04-17 15:36:27
I sneezed my nasty, toxic cold germs all over the IRS envelope. Ty and I have tried to think of ways to stick it to them... mailing them $702 worth of pennies (they only accept credit or check), perhaps mailing a letter of discontent. All of the ideas we had I'm sure would get us audited, and whereas I know we are accurate in our return... I'm afraid I'd spit on the auditor and get arrested. Ok, ok! So I know my toxic germs won't make it to the IRS and get anyone sick, but this is my fantasy so leave it be!