Tis the Season.

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was great. It was so nice to be off and just relax some. The week sure went by fast. Does anyone watch the Macy's parade anymore? I still do. I love to watch the cheesy singers. They have to lip sing and it looks so fake. I like to make fun. Alyssa absolutely love it. It's a tradition so I watch it. My mom, sisters and I along with my sisters boyfriend and Brett's cousin (Megan) went shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Megan and I left at 4:00AM to began our day. We all had made our lists the day before and knew exactly what we wanted to buy. Megan and I started out at Kohl's and then met everyone else at the mall at 5:40. I know it's crazy but we really have so much fun and saved alot of money. The holidays are suppose to be a time of peace, love and good will towards men (Yeah right). People turn into monsters while shopping. I could tell several stories. Some lady accused Megan of stealing her paper towel in the restroom. Stupid. My patience runs thin during the holidays. People over 45 should not be allowed to run registers. Plain and simple. Stores should know this. I actually stood in line for 45 minutes trying to check out at Sears. And there were only about 8 people in front of me. I was so frustrated. But my $20.00 DVD was worth it. I guess. Stores should also have more cashiers, happily ready to service customers. Be cheerful and polite. It's YOUR job. You chose it. Tis the season.

My Baby Is Two!

Alyssa is two! Her birthday was Saturday. She was so cute. We had alittle party at Chuck E. Cheese. She was really excited to see some of her friends. Thanks for all who got to come. We had a busy day. I'm looking forward to the three's already. These terrible twos started alittle early. HAHA.

No work for me next week. And man am I excited. Not much going on just taking some vacation time before the end of the year. I like to save most of my vacation for this time.

Tomorrow is little Alyssa's 2nd birthday. We are taking her to Chuck E. Cheese. (I know~~ sooo much fun) We are arriving early hopefully to beat the crowd. Then maybe on Sunday drive down to south Georgia to see some of Brett's family.

I can't believe that it is Thanksgiving already. Eventhough I hate winter I am glad that it finally turned cooler for the holidays. It wouldn't be the same in 90' weather . Will anyone else get up at 4:00 am to shop on Friday? My mom, sisters and I usually do this. I really don't know why. Tradition I guess. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

And now a rare appearance from......

Visits

The visit out at Scottish Rite went good. The x-rays showed no further development with the OI. Eventhough it is still noticeably present in the long bones of her body. (Arms and Legs) it wasn't shown to be in any other bones. There were no new fractures or breaks. Praise God! I was glad Brett was there to ask any questions that he had and she answered every single one. She said that Alyssa should live a pretty normal life. (Might have more breaks than others). We just don't have a future soccer or softball star. She can't play any contact sports of any kind and NO TRAMPOLINES. The doctor said that she checked the Scottish Rite database to see if she had had any other breaks since our last visit and was shocked to see that we hadn't considering that Alyssa is so active.~ you're telling me~ She suggested that we get Alyssa into some kind of activity (swimming, dance, acting, modeling) early so she would have some kind of interests so she wouldn't feel like the was missing something later. Bottom line: The good news is that it hasn't showed up in any other part of the body. We have to follow-up with the orthopedic in December and he will decide when the next x-rays should be (probably in 12 months).

Today is the Day

Ok! So today is the day that Brett and I have been waiting for for 3 weeks. We have to take Alyssa back to Scottish Rite to get the results from her x-rays that were taken in October. We've been taking her condition (OI) one day at a time. Everyone seems to think that I have been really, really calm about her bone dysplasia. Don't get me wrong I am upset that she was diagnosed but I look at it this way..... I can't change it. Only except it. Deal with it and adapt. She seems to doing well and hasn't had any more broken bones. **Knocking on wood** Alyssa is a very smart, determined little girl and seems to adapt to any environment. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I will keep you updated.

Weekly Update

Last week was a little busy and out of routine for me. Trent received his report card last Monday. He did extremely well. **Warning: Bragging Here** He got the highest in every subject that kindergarteners could receive. S's (Even in conduct) I was so proud. He seems to be adjusting really, really well and learning a lot. Wednesday night was "Girl's Game Night" On an average ten, friends from high school/college get together once a month and play games. We used to play Bunko, but we have recently switched to Texas Holdem. I have been watching Bravo every week to learn the game. We all are learning , except for Heather, who makes a living playing on weekends. Yeah! I lost. I haven't been able to go a lot but now that Brett's off nights it makes it easier. Brett did have his colonoscopy on Friday. Everything *laterally* came out fine. So that's great news.

Ode to Brett. He had a colonoscopy today........
HOW TO POOP AT WORK> > We've all been there but don't like to admit it. We've all kicked back in our cubicles and suddenly felt something brewing down below. As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORK POOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.> >

CROP DUSTING> When farting, you walk really fast around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.> >

FLY BY> The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. P eople may become suspicious if they catch you constantly going into the bathroom.> >

ESCAPEE> A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

JAILBREAK> When forcing a poop, several farts slip out like a machine gun. This is> usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do> not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare> everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.> >

COURTESY FLUSH> The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.> >

WALK OF SHAME> Walking from the stall, to the sink, then to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you out. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.> >

OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER (O.O.T.C.P.)> A colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an O.O.T.C.P. enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under their arm. Always look around the office for the O.O.T.C.P. before entering the bathroom.> >

THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N)> A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of O.O.T.C.P.'s, and identify SAFE HAVENS.> >

SAFE HAVENS> A seldom-used bathroom somewhere in the bui lding where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.>

TURD BURGLAR Someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work. If this occurs, remainin the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.> >

WATERMELON> A poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on while someone else is in the bathroom, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.> >

CAMO-COUGH> A phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.> >

ASTAIRE> A subtle toe-tap that is also used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you> are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is> occupied. If you hear an Astaire, leave the bathroom immediately so the> pooper can poop in peace.> >

HAVANA OMELET> A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough in conjunction with an Astaire.> >

UNCLE TED> > A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An Uncle Ted makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees

Please study this Survival Guide and implement them into your daily routine!

Hate Updated

Hate - verb- "To feel intense hostility or animosity toward"
Hate is a strong word, one that has caused great rifts in our society and great pain in many relationships. It's also a word that most of us utter nearly every day. I don't actually "hate" anyone that I know, but I hate dozens of inanimate objects and certain things that pop in on my TV. So I have compiled a little collection of a few random things that absolutely make me want to scream. It's nice to be able to vent . Please add comments.

Recently Added:

-Ketchup Packets
These little ba*#$%ds should be #1 on this list. I like ketchup. I especially like it with fries. The thing is, I only get about five fries worth of ketchup out of every packet. If I have a plate of fries, that means I need to awkwardly open and squeeze out SEVERAL ketchup packets to enjoy my meal. Those things arent always easy to open. I will estimate that it takes me 20 seconds to rip open and squeeze out each packet (as your hands get greasy, it becomes more difficult). I am wasting several minutes doing this.

-Commercial Employees
I go to places like Target, Best Buy and Home Depot quite often. You probably do too. The service at those places is almost always horrible, but you wouldn't think so judging by the commercials. How come in the Best Buy commercials they portray well-dressed, well-groomed middle-aged employees smiling and giddy about helping out the customers? I've never had an experience like that. Usually, I have to hunt down some long-haired teenager so I can ask him some question about my I-Pod.

Another time I approached an employee at Home Depot and asked for help in finding something. It has occurred to me that Home Depots slogan is "You can do it. We can help." Can you really? My mind flashed to the commercial. A proud and excited, yet flustered father stands in front of some lumber with plans in his hand. Out of nowhere, an outgoing and amiable employee comes over his shoulder and says, "Oh, youre building a tree house huh? Let me help you with that!" Where is that man? I never can find anyone.
Commercials showing happy and generous employees at these stores are just as false as perfectly melted cheese, crisp lettuce and fresh-grilled burgers in Wendys commercials. The burgers in reality are lopsided, mushy, and greasy.

-Subscription cards
Okay, has anyone ever actually plucked one of these from their People or TV Guide, filled it out and mailed it in? I hate these things. It's hard enough to find the article I'm looking for without these things getting in my way and falling out all over the place. You know. I'm siin the inthe doctor's office waiting to be seen. I pick magazine and a subscription cards falls all over the floor. That just gets on my nerves.

-People Who Don't Pay Attention While Driving.
I don't like when I'm in the turning lane behind some dude who isn't paying attention and I miss the turn errow or light. Some of these motorists are out of control. If you can't talk and drive at the same time, save your conversation for the home or office. Come On People!!

-Commercials About STD's

I'm fine with commercials during my favorite TV shows. They are also great for bathroom breaks and other distractions. But to see a person professing dieseasediease on TV and asking for help or plugging new drug is very annoying. The last thing I want to see while I am enjoying a nice meal infront of the TV is someone recalling their itchy, burning problem. There's just something about it.

-"I could care less"
People- stop saying it. It doesn't make sense. Say, "I couldn't care less." Tell other people to say it too. Help the cause.

-Time between Season Finales and Season Premiers.

Come on guys. End the suffering. During the summer months there is absolutely NOTHING on TV. Everyone come on over to my house because by the end of the summer I will be able to perform any kind of plastic surgery or makeover you want. I have learned them all by watching Discover Health and TLC over and over and over. By the Way... Did you know that someone could have a two hundred pound tumor and don't know it?

-$4.03
The other day at lunch my total came out to $4.03. There wasn't a little penny tray, and although I sighed and gave the cashier that "help me out, man" look- he didn't offer to just take my four dollars. So I had to give him five dollars and had to take 97 cents. Hate that. Why do they price things to come out that way?

- Self Check-Out Lanes

Ok. If you can't follow directions dont even try it. Listen people if you dont already know the self lanes are suppose to be swift transactions. So if you have 15 or more items please, please use the full service lanes. I can't even count how many times I have waited and waited for some moron to finsh his transaction.

-Teenagers Who Think That Itty Bitty Clothes Are Cool.
Are you kidding me? It looks horrible. Every time I see this violation it takes all of my strength not to walk right up to them and say "Did you know that your belly is showing, try not to use the heat when drying your clothes!" Poor Alyssa! If this is cool she will not be. What gets me is that someone has to be buying such things. Some parents today are a mess. Do they just not care? I would never let my child walk out of the house. Which lead me to......

-Parents Who Think Their Child Can Do No Wrong
Again~ are you kidding me???? Over and over again I see this. And Yes they can. Take off your blinders and wake up before its too late. I'm sure Ted Bundy's parents thought the same thing.

-Women With Hairy Toes

Since hopefully most women already participate in body gardening, please go the extra step and shave that big toe. Enough Said!!

-Chain Letters

This includes snail mail or email. I don't want to participate in any form. I believeeleive in "send this email to 7 friends within 10 minutes and your wish will come true" crap. So don't bother.

-Plastic Ties

If you have children or grandchildren you know exactly what I'm talking about. Why must every toy ever given to my children have these. It takes more effort to remove the toy from the box than it should. I am so tired by the time this gets done. Children become inpatient waiting for their new toy. ~~~Although I wish I had invented them.~~~~

Added:

-Multiple Receipts(Thanks Shanna for reminding me)

Why must all stores do Don't? Dont give me a gift receipt unless I ask for one. There is nothing more annoying that buying two items and getting 5 inches worth of receipt. Like she said!! Save the Trees.

-Christmas Before Halloween

It wasn't even Halloween and yet the local stores have their Christmas stuff out. What is up with that? Can't we enjoy one holiday at a time. It goes Halloween, Thanksgiving then Christmas or Hanukkah. I went to Garden Ridge the other day to look for Harvest things for Thanksgiving and there wasn't any. Just Santa Claus stuff. And 94.9 was even playing Christmas music all weekend. It takes the magic away for me.

That's all for now but I plan on updating this list periodically. Please forward me some more "hates" to add to the list.

Why Mommy's and Daddy's Differ.

Do you know why Mommy's and Daddy's differ?
1. Mommy's have routines and like to stick to them.
Daddy's do not. ~ I, for one, have a routine at night and in the morning. And I stick to it by the minute. If something throws off my routine I feel really, really rushed. Alyssa is to go to bed between 8:15 and 8:30. Alyssa and I had an understanding about this. ( It only took 1 month but she had it down.) But Daddy goes and throws her routine off. Daddy's little girl. That's what she is. Every night he lets her fall asleep in our bed then tries to move her to her room. Parents~~~~This will create a monster. Before his shift change she was asleep by 8:45. Not anymore.
2. Mommy's at all times usually know where their children are.
Daddy's do not.~ I worked all last weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. On Sunday mid-morning I get a phone call saying "You won't believe what your daughter has done!" Now she's "my daughter. " My little artist had taken a thick permanent SHARPIE and decided to add "color" to my kitchen cabinets, drawers, table and door. "Where were you?" I thought. Enough Said!

Speaking of Alyssa~ I received another "love note" from a worker at her school. (It was a sub and not her regular teacher) The note said that Alyssa was being defiant. Defiant? What does that mean for a two year old? I know that Alyssa's little personality is coming out and she is testing her boundaries. But defiant is such a strong word for her age. Dont you think? I just shook my head. The next day I did confront the sub. And we talked it through. Alyssa is being very, very difficult right now. She is definitely going through the terrible twos. Our eating out days are coming to an end I'm afraid.

*Apologies to Julie and Rodney for Alyssa biting Macy at school**

The Flash and Minnie Mouse

By the end of the night Alyssa could actually say "Trick or Treat!" She even started to point to houses yelling, "Candy! Candy!" Yeap, Halloween is just not what it used to be. I can remember groups after groups of children knocking on my door when we were little. I guess with the world like it is today its a good thing that churches have their "Fall Festivals and Trunk or Treat" But going from car to car in a parking lot just seems to take the fun out of it. This year, since we don't live in a neighborhood, we did the house to house thing with Brett's cousin and his family. So here they are Flash and Minnie Mouse.

Brett went as a Tech Football player

and Keith was Mr. Clean again this year! (HAHA)
Here's a group shot of Willie Wonka, Anakin Skywalker, The Flash and Minnie Mouse.