My Life with Dogs, Part 2

Now, Maggie. My little Magadog. Maggie is much simpler than Louie. She is a happy little dog who is quite possibly the sweetest girl ever. She can totally kick Louie's ass, though.

Maggie
a.k.a. Magadog, Magalope, Mags, Magpie, stinky, freak-a-zoid, and little shit-fucker.

Maggie was such a cute puppy. She had one ear that flopped over, and one that stood up. She was so tiny and impish. We were worried that Louie was going to steamroll her with his big clumsy clod-ass, but when we brought her home, she took off after him! She chased him and he would have to jump up on the couch to get away from her. Maggie totally took over from that point on.

Maggie shit everywhere, every day, for the first year of her life. She would shit in her crate (and all over herself) at least twice a day. That damn dog got so many baths. We called her stinky. She also has Seborrhea, a skin condition that makes her fur oily and smelly. (Louie doesn't smell at all.) So, she is always a mess.

Maggie is a complete and total SPAZ. She is like a squirrel on crack. She is always running and jumping all over the place. She actually runs circles around Louie and slams him against things. She also jumps OVER Louie all the time. It is quite amusing, especially when Louie attempts to catch her, which of course never happens. It is much like Wily Coyote and the Roadrunner.

Maggie turns around in circles when she is excited, we call it twirling. She will twirl to go outside, she will twirl when I am filling her food dish or water bowl and she will twirl when I say, "Let's go bye-bye". When it is treat-time, though, she jumps HIGH up into the air and rams my butt with her head. She will ram your ass too, if you get near the treat jar. The jumping is why we call her Magalope. (Antelope, Magalope, get it?)

Maggie wolfs her food down in, like, 15 seconds. I'm not kidding. Then, immediately afterward, you had BETTER LET HER OUTSIDE QUICK or shit will start flying out of her butt. She gets all panicky if I am out of the room when she is finished, and starts ramming the back door with her head. Perhaps I should get a doggy door, but then we run the risk of all the mountain creatures coming inside.

Maggie loves her toys, and she doesn't destroy them like Louie does. Her favorite toy is a fuzzy purple and black tiger-pig thing we call "Pigger". She carries it everywhere and uses it as a pillow. Humans can touch her toys, but God help Louie if he so much as looks at them. Maggie is downright scary when she is pissed at Louie. She is as quick and fierce as lightning, and Louie just yelps and runs. He is such a vagina.

Maggie loves to cuddle. She will bury herself in you on the couch, the bed, or wherever you are. She wants to be warm, and she will NOT move. Even if you want her to. I could sit on her, and she wouldn't move. She is a fabulous bed partner. She keeps your feet warm. She is always up for love and is eternally grateful for any and all affection. Maggie has never been aggressive or pissy towards her humans, and she HATES fighting. When Jim and I are in an argument, she barks at us. She wants everything peaceful. Sweet, sweet, sweet little thing she is.

Maggie is an attention-whore. Don't think you can ignore her. It's impossible. She will back up into your hands for a petting or lick you until you acknowledge her appropriately. Maggie is also FUCKING LOUD. She has this extremely high-pitched squeal-bark thing she does when the doorbell rings. You cannot shut her up, and it is worse than when you set off the house fire alarm. (Having both the alarm going off and Maggie squealing at the same time makes you want to kill yourself.) People are always like "OH MY GOD SHE IS ULTRASONIC". It can be very embarrassing, but she is so darn cute when she is looking up at you wagging her tail, that you soon forget about it.

Maggie is the life of the party on the 4th of July. While Louie is hiding behind the toilet from the fireworks noise, Maggie is in the back yard running around in big wide circles, barking non-stop at the pretty sparkly lights. She is very happy, and very excited. She will ram the door until you let her out and will stay out there all night long. I have to go pick her up and drag her inside to rest and get a drink of water, so she doesn't have a heart attack.

We love our Magadog. Once, when she was really sick and the vet put her on antibiotics for 6 months, I would periodically cry while waiting tables thinking about her. I got really good tips when I explained this to my customers, especially if they were "dog people".

It is true, I have two dogs of the same breed, but two dogs that are polar opposites. They are both so full of personality that every day is a new adventure. You really never know what is going to happen next. I wouldn't want it any other way. My kids, Louie and Maggie.

My Life with Dogs, Part 1

Besides the last post, I haven't been dog-blogging lately. Its time. Now that I am home more (not working two jobs), I have really had time to pay attention to the little furry fuckers. It is NOW that I have chosen to attempt to explain them to you in all their quirky glory. Louie will be first, then Maggie on the next post.

Louie
a.k.a. Lou, Lou-dog, Lou-Master, Lou-Bear, Bear, Boo, Boo-Bear, Assbag, dumbass, fucker and fuzzbutt.

Louie is an island. He is complex, cynical, highly intelligent, clumsy, adorable, stubborn as hell, moody and funny. I love him so much it hurts.

Louie will pretty much eat anything, and he is totally preoccupied with anything edible. He especially loves to put his face in my dinner plate when I am eating on the coffee table. (Much to my chagrin.) If you accidently leave any food on the coffee table, you can just forget about it. Louie 'checks' the coffee table every morning upon waking. Louie can be on the other side of the yard, or totally asleep in his crate, but if you open the refrigerator, Louie will be on you like a fly on shit. If you make him "go lay down" and stop begging, he will lay facing you, staring a hole through you with every bite you take. This drives Jim batshit.

Louie likes to ignore me on purpose because he knows how much it pisses me off. I like to lay on the couch and watch TV, and I like to have my furries lay with me to keep me warm. I will call him and call him and call him. It is though I do not exist. Sometimes I have to FORCE HIM to lay with me and he will commence immediately to looking as though someone has licked all of the red off of his candy with his ears out sideways instead of straight up. (This is what I call "Yoda Ears".) Once I give up and let him go, he will either lay beside the couch or wander down the hallway into his crate, sulking. If I get up, however, he follows me everywhere and will invariably plunk down beside me wherever I end up, even if it is on the toilet. I never pee alone. He wants to be NEAR me, but not touching.

When I take a shower, Louie plops his two front paws on top of the tub, moves the shower curtain back with his nose and watches me. He will lick my legs if I let him. He is a total perv.

Louie is extremely vocal. Louie play-growls like he is possessed. He barks for no reason. When he wants your attention, he will sway from side to side on his front paws while sitting, then whine and 'talk' to you. He SOUNDS like a Pitbull, but he runs from spiders. In the morning, if he believes you have slept long enough, he will bark in your face and "dig" your blankets off of you.

Do not disturb Louie when he is sleeping or eating. He has a total hissy-fit.

Louie gets VERY excited around new people. He loves people, especially kids. Watch out, though, because he head-butts in all of his excitement. When I come home from work, Louie licks my face and jumps on me for about a half an hour. THEN, he will ignore me.

If you do anything to upset Louie, he will spite-piss right in front of you. (Like, every time I give him a bath.) Louie pees like a bitch, he never lifts his leg. He also looks really funny when he poops, it's like he can barely balance. Then, when he is finished pooping, he "pumps" his tail to get every last dingleberry out.

Louie will play with Maggie, but he is slow and clumsy, and can't take a corner to save his life due to the fact that his back legs are too long. Its pitiful. He also tries to hump Maggie all the live-long day, but she won't have it. He gets all frustrated and barks at her.

Louie is a homophobe. When you stick a thermometer up his butt, he SCREAMS IN HORROR. He also wails and carries on to no end when I clip his nails. I'm sure the neighbors think I'm skinning him alive when he makes these noises.

Louie will disembowel any toy given to him just outside of 30 seconds.

Louie likes to steal my underwear and hide it in his crate.

Louie likes to find good smells in the yard and roll on them. He rolls on insects, frogs, cat shit, vomit and old, rotting grass.

Louie is constantly running into things like flowerpots, kitchen cabinets, the coffee table legs, me, the fence, etc. He is not blind, nor does he have cataracts. He just doesn't pay attention, and he trips over himself.

When I am crying, Louie licks my tears.

If you go to pet Louie on the head, it will ALWAYS end up as a belly-scratch. He will totally manipulate you.

Louie "huffs" and "sighs" just like a human.

When Louie is scared, he "hugs" you. Either that, or he hides behind the toilet.

Louie freaks out over flies.

Last, but not least, Louie smiles.

Welcome to My World

NOTE: This article is 100% true, and I'm not kidding. I laughed so hard and nodded my head through the entire thing. Read until the end, especially if you are thinking about getting a Cairn Terrier.

TOTO: The Other Side of the Story (by Michele Stadnik)

So, "The Wizard of Oz" is your favorite movie, you just LOVE Toto, and have always wanted a dog just like him. A dog who's small, cute, lovable, and doesn't shed all over your couch? You've done your research and learned that Cairn Terriers are (take your pick):

Good with children.
Friendly.
Loving family dogs.
Adaptable to living in small apartments as well as large homes.

Well, YES and NO.

Probably NO ONE ever told you that Cairns will almost INVARIABLY:
Chase squirrels.
Chase bunnies.
Chase bugs.
Chase bikes.
Chase paper fluttering down the street.
Chase anything that moves.
Chase things that aren't moving, just to GET them moving so they'll have something to chase.
Bark at cars.
Bark at bikes.
Bark at birds.
Bark at trikes.
Bark at trucks.
Bark at the phone.
Bark at fireworks.
Bark at thunder.
Bark at the doorbell.
Bark at the doorbell on TV.
Bark to hear themselves bark.
Bark just to get your goat or get your attention.
Or both.
Bark sometimes just because it feels so damned GREAT TO BARK.
Dig up that mouse hole.
Dig up your tulips.
Dig up your roses.
Dig up your lawn.
Dig under your fence.
Dig under your shed.
Dig up your linoleum.
Dig up your carpeting.
Nip at people's feet if you haven't redirected their intense prey drive.
Nip at your hands too, if not trained properly.
Try to control their universe and everything in it, INCLUDING YOU.
Will succeed at this unless YOU intervene. And even then, they'll try again. And again. And again, and again, and again, and again.
Lunge at other dogs on leash.
Lunge at people, unless trained not to.
Lunge because it feels good and they're in a hurry to get where they're going, and you're the only thing holding them back from experiencing the next exciting adventure around the corner or around the world.
Bolt out any open door in the blink of an eye.
LET ME REPEAT THAT: THEY WILL BOLT OUT ANY OPEN DOOR IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.
And won't return until they're good and ready.
Sometimes not even then.
Refuse to come, unless they want to.
Refuse to sit, unless they want to.
Refuse to stay, unless they're bored silly, and if so, that's the BEST time to move around to stir up the action anyway.
Refuse to stop barking, unless there's something in it for them, like a fabulous treat.
Refuse to do what you want at the PRECISE moment that it's most important that they do, like when you're trying to show off how obedient and well-trained they are. (Which is, of course, a grand delusion on your part.)
Nor, it seems, has anyone told you:
A Cairn can never, ever, ever be trusted off-leash, EVER.
Not even for a second. Regardless of how well-trained you have deluded yourself into believing he is.
That all the dogs you've had before and have trained so well don't matter, if they weren't Cairns.
Because Cairns are different.
Very different.
That they're generally NOT the best breed for a home with small children.
That one bears repeating: Cairns are generally NOT the best breed for a home with small children.
That Cairns WILL shed a little (or a lot) if you don't groom them properly.
That they're relatively resistant to housebreaking. (Don't expect them to be housebroken in a week, or even a month.)
And even when you think they're housebroken, if they've got something else on their agenda at the moment, they're likely to conveniently "forget".
That they are affectionate, on their terms, not yours.
That they are stubborn and hardheaded, not to mention incredibly independent.
That obedience training is a necessity, not a luxury. And that it's just the FIRST step in the process.
That you should read the previous sentence again and forget everything you think you know. If you haven't owned a Cairn, it doesn't apply.
That they were bred to hunt and kill, and their intense prey drive can NEVER be trained out of them. Toto may not have KILLED those flying monkeys, but that's only because Toto KNEW they were fakes. Otherwise, they'd have been dead, not merely outwitted.
What they SHOULD have told you is:
They're wonderful for THE RIGHT OWNER
They're loving, IF YOU LOVE THEM, TREAT THEM WELL, AND HAVE EARNED THEIR RESPECT.
They're smart, PROBABLY SMARTER THAN YOU.
They're sweet, WHEN THEY WANT TO BE.
They're funny, VIRTUALLY ALL THE TIME, IF YOU ENJOY DEMENTED, DEVIOUS, DEVILISH HUMOR.
They're good with GOOD, WELL-BEHAVED CHILDREN WHO HAVE GOOD, RESPONSIBLE PARENTS. And if they haven't had a bad experience previously with ill-behaved kids. Otherwise, it's a recipe for disaster.
They're strong.
They're hearty.
They're brave.
They're relentless.
They're devious.
They're insightful.
They're indomitable.
They're energetic beyond description.
They're intelligent beyond belief.
They're the BEST dog you'll ever own.
BUT they just may be the WORST dog you can imagine.

THAT PART IS ALL UP TO YOU!

Oh, and by the way, Toto was actually a GIRL!

I know you don't care.

"The Hills Have Eyes 2006" was awesome. Fun, fun, fun! Lots of messed up shit in that flick! It will never be the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but it will be a DVD that I buy! I can't wait for the uncut version. If you have a squeamish stomach at all, don't go see it. If you are demented and cuckoo like me, don't wait another minute! Go now!

I took my stepson to see it. (It was HIS request, don't judge me.) His comment was, "That was messed." After the movie, when we were all standing by the car, this older woman (in her 50's or 60's) was all giddy and running (shuffling) through the parking lot in a pair of neon green flip-flops. She ended up running right towards us and getting into this Alfa Romeo waiting for her with her husband in it. She yells at us "Did you like the Hills movie?" (She had a foreign accent, Mexican I think.) She was laughing and jumping up and down. She exclaimed that she loved it so much, the gore and the blood and all of it was "so neat". It is so nice to know I am not the only wacko woman in the world. We talked to her for a while, totally amused. I told my stepson that if he wants to date, that his date has to go through "one night of horror films with me". If she screams and wimps out, he is not allowed to date her. If she has a good time, thumbs up! He said to me, "You aren't kidding, are you?" LOL.

In other news, there is no other news.

Holy Crap, He's 14.

My stepson just had a birthday. He is only two years away from the whole driving thing. God help us all.

They are making another one!

OH, SWEET MOMMA! October 2006, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning"

The Hills Have Eyes 2006

I am so excited to see this movie I can hardly stand it. It looks absolutely disturbing and brutal and I'm trying to find an advanced screening somewhere. I am one of those kooks you find at a horror convention, but really, I have a wide spectrum of interests. For instance, I also want to see "8 Below", a Disney movie based on a true story about doggies. So THERE. But getting back to the blood, WOW, loved the preview, and the stills provided are wonderfully horrifying! I have been disappointed in every horror flick I've seen since the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I'm *really* keeping my fingers crossed for this one. Jim is excited too, as we both are horror film fanatics. Him not as much as me, but still. What a perfect match we are.

Tube City, A Photo Essay

So, I've told you before how awesome my company is, right? Well, to celebrate a milestone they gave us last Friday off and took us up snow-tubing at a local ski resort. The awesomest part, though, was the OPEN BAR.

Some explanation is needed to fully appreciate the chaos that it was. I work with mostly boys. Crazy, adolescent, and very competitive boys. We broke every single rule and paid dearly for it. To start things off, here is the beautiful mountain. Yes indeed, it was a beautiful day. Beautiful and 6 whole frigging degrees. (-38 degrees with the wind-chill factor.) NEGATIVE 38 DEGREES. My world tends to hover between 40 and 75 all year 'round. This was quite a shock to my poor little system. Nevertheless, we tubed in pure ice. It doesn't look steep in the picture, but HOLY CRAP IT IS.

You really must pay attention to the signs in these pictures. One sign reads "No Loose Clothing, No Long Hair Exposed and No Scarves." Signs, Bah! I had on an unzipped coat, a scarf, my long hair blowing in the wind and an elf hat. (A snowboarding hat.) Up the rope tow I went. At the top, you are supposed to roll to your side off of the tube, then grab your tube and go down the hill. Well, my hat got caught in the rope tow, took it off my head, then the wind blew my hair around the rope tow cable, and around, and around and around it went. The rope tow is a constantly moving cable. The rope tow drug me by my hair up the mountain and bashed my head against the metal wheel pulley. I have never been so scared in all my life. I have never screamed so loud in my life. The rope tow took a chunk of my hair for a souvenir. That tuft of hair went 'round and 'round the rest of the day as a tidy little reminder of how much of a total and complete utter idiot I am. I also had a nice little goose-egg on my skull. No matter. A-tubing-I-will-go.

In the photos, you'll see me skidding to a stop in the ice, looking much like the Michelin Man (or the Pilsbury Dough Girl, whichever you prefer) with my four layers on, but also looking ever so girly in my forbidden pink scarf. Next, we have the "Please Stay Off the Walls" sign. But where's the fun in that? The operators called my coworker Phil's accident, "The best crash we've seen all season." Everyone survived, some of us were just more maimed than others. Phil has a broken rib, and I have a bald patch and a throbbing head. After all of our painful fun, I had many coffee nudges. Alcohol saves the day, again.

Post Valentine's Day and Other Shit

Well, the hubby and I finally got a romantic night together. I fixed him Schnitzel (his favorite) the night after Valentines, but we actually went out to dinner for the first time in months last Saturday. I had a gift certificate left over from Christmas that we used because otherwise we would just be digging through restaurant garbage bins.

We went to "Anthony's Home Port" on the waterfront. I got to face the beautiful sunset (because I'm the girl!) and sip on a glass of Syrah while Jim had a microbrew. We started with Calamari, then I had a blue cheese and baby shrimp salad, and he had the chowder. Then, I had top sirloin and coconut prawns and he had blackened rockfish. Pretty yummy. I finished with a Bailey's and coffee. The best part, of course. We skipped dessert because Jim insisted on stopping at Krispy Kreme. No complaint here! Yeah, I totally gained about 10 pounds in 1 night. Shut up.

I don't have the pics ready yet, so I'm postponing my post on snow-tubing with my company last Friday until later tonight. It was fun, there were injuries (including me of course) and I think we are all banned from the mountain. Stay tuned.

Why Now?

Prepare yourselves for a serious post, folks. I know.

I cut and paste the following information from the "AO Report". I thought it was interesting and it made me think.

Consider the following elemental facts/details that have, are or in the process of transpiring:

#1. The Iranian nuclear crisis, itself and all the wacky, radical statements the newly elected Iranian president has made. It's almost as if the guy is begging to be attacked. If you were trying to guide your nation to secretly develop nuclear weapons so badly that you could taste it, why would you make a string of statements that would so inflame the rest of the world that they would rise up to eliminate your nation's chance of achieving the goal of making nuclear bombs before your nation finishes the program development and have built up an inventory of bombs to protect yourself. It is almost as if the Iranian president wants to be stopped before the nation can succeed in being able to make nuclear bombs.
Something just doesn't quite add up in this crisis. We can't quite put our finger on it, but it just isn't quite right. Why provoke a fight before you are ready? Unless there's more to it than meets the eye? Maybe they already have a lot of nuclear weapons? Maybe, the rhetoric is a trap to lure America and then close it with a huge nuclear counterattack or a preemptive attack? Maybe it is a staged situation that allows Russia and China to nuke the USA? Or maybe its simply the newly elected Iranian president is not playing with a full deck of cards? Maybe the Iranian President doesn't have the sharpest pencils in the box? Maybe as a kid he watched too many 3 Stooges movies and moronism rubbed off on him instead of a talent for humor? Or maybe he's just a plain, old-fashioned, demonically possessed person? Why this guy? Why now?

#2. Osama bin Laden (OBL) out of the clear blue sky delivering an audio tape warning the USA of more attacks to come. Why now?

#3. Recent reports of Middle Eastern men attempting to purchase cheap throw-away cell phones from Walmart and other discount stores. Such phones can be used anonymously and thrown away. They cannot be traced. These were incidents reported in Texas and California by newswire reports and other major news media sources. These are facts if we are to believe the wire reports. Why now?

#4. A recent foiled attempt at the Canadian border to smuggle weapons and perhaps a bomb into the United States. This is a fact. The exact details however may be in doubt and it has mysteriously dropped off the major media's radar scope. Why now?

#5. Rumors of other terror incidents that were interdicted in the nick of time by US officials including possible WMD events. Such activities were halted, supposedly just in the nick of time. These are merely unsubstantiated rumors in and of themselves. We don't know if such rumors are/were true, but they'd surfaced in some circles in the past thirty days or so. Why now?

#6. Reports that the US government is conducting a second nuclear terror strike drill again focusing on a pretend nuclear terror event against Charleston, South Carolina, just like the one conducted in the summer of 2005. It is a three-day even scheduled for 1/31/06 thru 2/2/06. Keep in mind, that on 9-11 the U.S. was conducting several terror exercises simultaneously at the same moments that the real thing was happening. Was that accidental, or a case of synchronicity, or planned and staged to coincide by one or all parties concerned? Why now?

#7. Recent newswire reports of sudden US Air Force and National Air Guard units being suddenly and immediately deployed to the Middle East to undisclosed locations. These are facts. They cannot be denied. Why Now?

#8. DEBKAfile reports are citing especially reliable intel sources which have evidence that concludes Iran will be able now to make a nuclear bomb by the first of March. While DEBKAfile has been right on target on many occasions, their sources are not always correct. They are also reporting from their sources and also internal Iranian dissident sources that Iran will explode a nuclear bomb in the next 60 days or less. These Iranian insiders are also reporting that Iran is moving its long-range missiles into positions that put Israeli targets within range of those missiles. Furthermore, these missiles are mobile and are moved every night to avoid being sitting duck targets by US or Israeli air strikes. Why now?

#9. WorldNetDaily's Intelligence Report "G-2" is reporting that the USA and Israel will launch air strikes against Iran before April. Let me repeat that "before April." Why now?

#10. Israel's military and political leaders are making contradictory statements about the Iranian situation. One direction of comments states that Israel cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons and will do whatever is necessary to stop Iran. There are now opposite view statements. Some recent Israeli “intel” assessments concluded that Iran will pass the point of no return by the end of March. Those statements were followed by statements of Israel's readiness to attack preemptively if necessary. There were statements by Israel’s top leaders that Israeli forces have now finished preparations and training for strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. All of these gung-ho for war statements can be painted against an earlier statement on Thursday (before the release of the Osama audio tape) by Israel's Army Chief of Staff. The top army general stated that it was not Israel's responsibility to attack Iran, but rather if an attack must occur that it be made by other nations, hinting that it should be the United Nations or some other joint venture of other nations. He made it clear that any military action on Iran should not be involving Israel. Now, why is this sudden reversal? Or is it a reversal? We find this to be an extremely curious dichotomy. Why now?

#11. We've also been privately informed as well as noted online reports in discussion forums of families unable to contact their loved ones serving in the military for the last few days. Also reports of sudden changes in orders and not being given permission to discuss their new assignments, suggesting that a possible, genuine military operation might be developing. We find this interesting, but on its own, it probably doesn't mean much, but we still ask the question, "Why Now?"

#12. The NWO crowd and the Bush administration is watching their plans for dictatorship starting to unravel over the inability to get the Patriot Act permanently renewed. Instead, it was temporarily extended until the end of January. Why the end of January? Also, the administration is coming under fire for revelations of illegal wiretapping and spying upon civilians by the CIA and NSA under Bush's direct orders. After all this time of crazy activity and the NY Times sitting on the story for a year, why release this information at this time? Why Now?

#13. In response to the Bin Laden message, Homeland Security held briefings with key officials of various state and local government leaders and Los Angelies has put that city's LAX airport under a heightened state of alert. Why Now?

#14. On 1-19-06, French President, Jacque Chirac warned that any terrorist nation that carried out a terrorist attack against France might be punished with French nuclear attack. Why Now?

#15. Iran's crazy president made a sudden visit Syria to meet with Syria's president to discuss the escalating nuclear crisis. Syria reaffirmed its support of Iran. Why now?

#16. Note that Russia and China Oppose US Military Action against Iran. Should a WMD attack against America by "terrorists" develop on the Continental United States, Russia and China could not oppose a military retaliation unless they were prepared to go to war against the United States. However, without such an event, Russia and China still seem bent on preventing any attacks on Iran, any time soon. Why? Why Now? They have a great economic stake in Iran plus any military strikes could release radioactivity that depending upon weather and wind currents could contaminate their nations.

#17. Iran is about to introduce a new economic threat to the United States. It is an Oil Commodities Exchange (called a bourse) where the trade of oil futures contracts could be made using the EU Euro currency instead of US dollars. Such a move could destroy the US economy within a matter of weeks or months, triggering the possibility of stock market crashes as well as bank collapses. There is some debate as to how much of a threat this would be to the US economy, but we think it could be enough of a risk as to alarm and threaten the power base of the Bush division of the NWO crowd. Why Now?

#18. Al Qaeda's number two man, Zaman al-Zawahiri filmed a video recently that was released on 01-06-06. Why Now? The release of this video, according to one very well-respected terrorism expert (who reportedly briefs US government leaders at a the highest levels) says that every second video by al-Zawahiri is followed within 30 days by a major Al Qaeda terror strike. This is significant because al Zawahiri released an earlier video back on October 23, 2005, so that the 01-06-06 video is the second video and thus is signaling another attack is imminent. The question is where in the world that attack will occur.

#19. This may seem a bit superfluous but the date of release for OBL's audio message is 1-19-06 or when reversed is 60- 91-1 or more significantly is 911. We mention this because there seems to be a pattern and fascination by the "terror" gang with occult numerology as found in Freemasonry and Illuminism. To us, this date suggests perhaps something ominous is developing. Why Now?

#20. 13 days before this latest OBL audio tape surfaced, OBL's #2 in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri's videotaped warning was released. That was on 01-06-06 or a difference of 13 days between the release of that tape and the OBL audio tape. 13 is an extreme-ly occult symbol of the Illuminati. 13 is perhaps the most critical number of all. Keep in mind, that Islam is a religion that at least on its surface is opposed to occultism. Why now?

#21. The highly popular and critically acclaimed, Oprah Winfrey television talk show devoted its show on Monday, 1/23/06 to Nuclear Terrorism and 1/24/06 devoted to the Bird Flu threat. The shows dealt primarily with how people can and should prepare for potential disasters. Why now?

Alas, my favorite holiday has arrived.

Let me just say this, Valentine's Day (VD) is not a REAL holiday because I have to go to work.

I woke up today in a foul mood. My account is overdrawn, I am running late, my lip is split, I can't walk because I have had to wait tables the last few days (got called from the old restaurant to pull some shifts) and my feet/calves/legs were not ready for it, I have a dentist appointment and I am working approximately 15 hours today. I will see my hubby for about 5 minutes when I get home, and then will commence to crashing on the bed from exhaustion, stress and general mental illness.

Oh, and I spilled my iced mocha (all 24 ounces of it) ALL. OVER. MY. SUV. which will now smell like sour milk. Have I ever told you how much I hate February, especially the 14th? Damn you to HELL February!

Piercing Eyes

Conversation I had with my husband this evening:

Me: How would you describe my eyes?
Jim: Piercing.
Me: Piercing?
Jim: Yes. Piercing.
Me: What the hell does that mean?
Jim: It means they are wise, intelligent, knowledgeable, intense, beautiful crystal-clear blue, and able to see through my bullshit. Piercing.
Me: Is that sexy?
Jim: Oh, hell yeah. Unless you are pissed.

Things Stressed Women Say At Work

-Okay, okay! I take it back. Unfuck you.
-You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing.
-Well, this day was a total waste of make-up.
-Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after.
-Do I look like a fucking people person to you?
-Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose.
-Why don't you try practicing random acts of intelligence and senseless acts of self-control?
-Sarcasm is just one more service I offer.
-Do they ever shut up on your planet?
-Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't gone to sleep yet!
-Back off!! You're standing in my happy place.
-Don't worry. I forgot your name too.
-I work 45 hours a week to be this poor.
-Chaos, panic and disorder. My work here is done.
-Ambivalent? Well, yes and no.
-You look like shit. Is that the style now?
-Aw, did I step on your poor whiny-assed ego?
-I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.
-If assholes could fly, this place would be an airport.
-Look in my eyes. Do you see one ounce of gives-a-shit?

Cuss-Fest 2006

The Seahawks would have won without the fascist fucking referees. So many bad calls. I don't even like football. That is all I have to say about that.

A Superbowl, A Windstorm and An Earthquake

Ah, there is indeed some excitement here in the Seattle area. As most of you know, the Seattle Seahawks are in their very first Superbowl this Sunday. This place has completely gone nuts, and it shows. I was watching the news the other night and some idiot from the word go was actually walking around downtown Seattle with 10 thousand dollars IN CASH in his pocket looking to pick up two tickets to the Superbowl. That's Seattle for you. I can't pay my power bill, and someone is going to drop 10K in cash on a stupid football game. Now, don't get me wrong, I am excited to watch history taking place, but COME ON. First there is the price of the tickets, then the airfare, then the hotels (which I hear are NOT reasonably priced for the event), then the parking (which I hear is around 100$) and then the food. Twenty bucks for a hotdog anyone? If I sold my house, I might be able to attend. Sheesh.

OK, now are you ready for some irony, or some Murphy's Law, or whatever the hell you want to call it? Yeah, we are supposed to get some crazy windstorm Saturday. They are predicting 40 mph winds with gusts possibly up to 70 mph. About a million men will be having heart attacks if we lose power and/or cable for the game. I will be laughing.

We also had a nice little earthquake yesterday. Only a 3.3, but it shook up some people. Fun, fun, fun!

Today

Today I saw a dead rat in front of a sandwich shop. I ate there anyway.

Today I am recovering from what I perceive as an exploded tumor in my head. Yesterday I had the worst migraine EVER. It sucked. No more tumors, please.

Today there are officially one hundred billion things on my 'want' list, and I officially have no money and a ruined credit report. SHIT.

Today I wanted to jump rope, but I am too afraid of my tumor coming back.

Today I am having an acne breakout on my chest, and I only own scoop-necks, V-necks, and general shirts that make non-boobie-having-asses jealous. Awesome.

My Next Adventure in Reading

Midlife Mamas On The Moon. I can't find a negative review ANYWHERE. I am especially excited about this concept, "Lose Weight with your Eyeballs", LOL.

I am Betty Grable

I took this stupid online test, and apparently, I'm "Betty Grable".  The ultimate girl next door, the perfect girl for most guys, pretty yet approachable, and beautiful yet real.  I don't know if I agree with this, but OK.  What famous pinup are you?

I've still got it!

OK, so I was doing a little grocery shopping yesterday after work and apparently when you aren't wearing a wedding ring and you use a grocery basket to shop instead of a cart, men think you are available. Now, before you think I'm a big whore, the whole not-wearing-the-ring-thing is not intentional, I just forget to put it back on in the morning, and sometimes I'm too bloated because being a woman can suck. You also have to realize that I live in a small town, and everyone is friendly and talkative. Not a whore!

So, I was meandering up and down the aisles and this guy was kind of following me. I stopped in the frozen section and picked up a lasagna. The guy asked if those were "any good" and I looked up and said, "Yeah, they are, they're really good". He struck up a conversation with me about stupid random shit. I didn't think much of it, he just seemed friendly. I'm also not so good-looking that I automatically assume a man is hitting on me just because he is talking to me. It was the end of the day, too, and I looked like a trainwreck per usual.

I continued shopping and he went the other way. A few minutes later, we ran into each other in the Mexican food aisle. He looked up and smiled at me and said, "Hello again!". I said "Hi" and chuckled like anyone would do. I picked up the all-fat refried beans. This must have been the selling point because it was then that he apologized for being so forward and asked me out. This is where it gets funny. I'm sure I looked like one of those cartoon characters where their jaw drops to the floor and said something really intelligent like, "Huh?" Yeah, that's what I said. I was in a little bit of shock, you see. Sometime between him telling me that I was beautiful (which really threw me off) and telling me that he was a newly retired Navy guy, I managed to blurt out that I was married. He said "darn" and other stuff I don't remember due to the fact that my brain was fogged in, and I was still trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

I'm not sure how long I held the refried beans in my hand, but my ego was totally doing back flips. When I got to the checkout counter, I told the girl that I just got hit on. I told her what happened talking a mile a minute I'm sure and said I couldn't wait to go home and tell my husband! (Yes, I am freak loser who told this to the check-out girl.) She laughed and said that her husband would kick her ass if that happened to her. I retorted with, "Yeah, because YOU are cute and young and perky, I am old and fat and married, and am going to tell the whole world on the internet."

Jim wasn't all that thrilled, though, which made me giddy. I can't help it.

Earthquake Warning

Sorry guys, I know how much you love this stuff, but if I don't post it, and it could have helped someone, well, you know. Guilt and shit.

It is a serious earthquake warning for Southern California (7.0 or greater is expected from a scientific perspective within a week), a letter was even sent to Governor Arnold. USGS is down right now, probably due to high amounts of activity. A "main signal" is what they are waiting on to make the final prediction of when and where. There was a 5.6 magnitude off the Oregon about an hour ago, as well. It is always a good idea to stock up on supplies, even if it is a false reading. Be safe.

For whom the bell tolls.

So, during a short nap, I dreamed of a big, huge gold bell being rung and suddenly awoke. This is what the "Dreammoods" website has to say about it:

Bells: To hear a bell in your dream, represents a warning or a call to order. It may also be a signal from your unconscious to prepare you for whatever is happening next. If the bell rings and never stops, then it suggests that you are experiencing extreme anxiety.

My assessment: My life is probably getting ready to go off the rails. Neat.

Slowly climbing out of the depths of hell.

The end of 2005 and the beginning of 2006 have been rough, to say the least. My sleeping patterns are almost back to normal now, but I am still dealing with the whole dry-heave thing every morning. I don't know if its postnasal drip or nerves. Probably both. In any case, it's really fun.

Thanks, everyone, for putting up with this angry/whiny/psycho/depression thing I've had going on. You have all been so great and encouraging! I will be back to my normal cynical/sarcastic self soon, God-willing.

There is no happy medium for me.

I either can't sleep, or I'm in a coma. I was in a coma this weekend. It went something like this: Sleep. Get up and eat something. Go back to sleep. Get up and check my email. Go back to sleep. Get up and eat again. Sleep. You get the picture. The dogs are grumpy about it, and I didn't get anything done. I am still sleepy this morning, as if I somehow 60 hours of sleep over the weekend wasn't enough. My internal clock is completely FUBAR. Are you sick of me talking about my sleeping habits yet?

Sleep, beautiful sleep.

I slept for SEVEN WHOLE HOURS, people. However, it was from 4pm to 11pm, so I'll fucking be up all night anyways. Gah.

So, I'm going to get Diablo Cody's book as soon as I can find $18. Consequently, SHE has had insomnia too, it's weird, I've talked to about 5 people now who have had it in the past week. It must be going around. Maybe we all have the bird flu, and this is one of the symptoms.

The joy of being a CrazyDogMama.

After a shit day, I come home. One dog pisses on floor, the other dog pukes. The piss-dog tries to eat the puke-dogs puke. I clean it up and dry heave in the kitchen sink because I haven't eaten all day due to stress. I have a beer. I will probably be "Sleepless in Seattle" again tonight because my anxiety level is off the charts. It might be rubbing off on the dogs. Somebody kill me now.

Sleep happens.

I finally got a few Z's. Not many, mind you, but a few. I went to bed at 10 pm last night after taking a sleeping pill and didn't wake up until 3 am. Five hours is better than nothing! Light looks like actual light today instead of orange, glowy shadows, and my ears have stopped ringing. THANK GOD. I have decided that it's not really 2006 for me until next week, when all the Christmas food is gone, and I am no longer zombie-woman. Then, and only then, will I revisit my resolutions. Until then, rational thoughts and good eating are dead to me.

This is what happens when I have Insomnia.

I do have some serious insomnia. It is 5:18 am in the New Year and I haven't been to bed. It's been this way for 5 days now. I nap a little during the day, but that's it. Usually, I sleep too much so I don't know what to do with myself. The house is quiet. Everyone is asleep. The dogs even gave up on me. This is bad. I'm pacing, listening to my iPod, and blogging. The strangest stuff goes through your head at 3 am.

Anyway, I found this little tidbit from "Palm Tree Princess". It's some sort of "MEME" thing. Whatever that is. Happy New Year.

1. What did you do in 2005 that you’d never done before?
Paid some bills late. Gah.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Kept some, totally screwed some up. Yes, I have resolutions, more like goals.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope. Thank God.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope. Thank God.
5. What countries did you visit?
None. I never go ANYWHERE.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
Money.
7. What dates from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 20th, leaving my job of 10 years. It was scary and quite freeing, I was severely stuck in a rut.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I quit smoking for a few weeks.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Gaining more frigging weight.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I suffered more mental illness, and I had a really bad cold. I also fell down some stairs and really messed up my ankle, then I fell off of a ladder and slammed my head into a coffee table.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Sony Laptop.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine, of course.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Mine, of course.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Damn credit card companies and that really awesome espresso stand down the street.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My new job where I get paid lots more money for doing less work.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
'Feeling Way Too Damn Good' by Nickelback. I don't know why.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?
Both, for different reasons.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Eating correctly.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating poorly.
20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Um, its January now, so I have no idea.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
Yes. With my iPod Shuffle.
22. How many one-night stands?
100. Kidding, I'm married, with morals.
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Invasion.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, I still hate all the same people.
25. What was the best book you read?
'While I Was Gone" by Sue Miller, but I still haven't finished it.
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I don't know, I guess I listened to Hoobastank for the first time, and Nickelback.
27. What did you want and get?
Portable printer and a bonus from work.
28. What did you want and not get?
Respect from Louie and Maggie.
29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Probably "The Devil's Rejects".
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 34 and I went to Scrapbook camp. Shut up.
31.What one thing made your year measurably more satisfying?
My year was not measurably satisfying in any way.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
Like I have a fashion concept. Nudity, mostly.
33. What kept you sane?
I am not sure I have ever been sane.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None. I hate celebrities and public figures.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Duh.
36. Who did you miss?
Some friends from my old work.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
All the people I work with now, they rock.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
I should never get on ladders.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I don't feel like it.

Starbucks Coffee Liqueur

This is the Yummiest Yumness in the History of the World. It is going to be a very good evening.

When you smell like gingerbread.

Men follow you around and buy you flowers.

Being girly.

Despite my recent fixation on everything horror, I am still a girly-girl. I got some perfume and body lotion for Christmas! In fact, here is some body butter I got that makes me smell all yummy. "Gingerbread Body Butter", OMG.

The kid and his loot.

He got a "PSP" for Christmas. I don't even know what it is. Some kind of gaming thingee? I'm so out of the loop.

The Year is almost over.

What a year. The new job was the biggest change, because it was a major move out of my ten-year comfort zone. I'm super glad I took the leap, though. It's not just that it is more money, which is great, but I found out that I don't have to be afraid anymore or feel trapped. It's like I was co-dependent with my job! I have more confidence, and the future doesn't seem so bleak. Yes, I'm still suffer from anxiety, but that is going to happen no matter what job I have. I don't know what 2006 holds, but I'm looking forward to finding out! Right now, I'm just going to enjoy some days off with hubs & the pups. Hope everyone is enjoying time with their families.

Wolf Creek Review

There are good points, and there are bad points. All in all, it was well done, but it left me wanting. The storyline was good, the musical score was great (creepy) and the acting was really good. It took a while to get going, but I can't complain about that because so did the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. What made me angry was all the editing. I did some research on the deleted scenes, and damnit I don't understand why they didn't keep them in! The movie was short, and with a slow start you didn't get to see enough good stuff. What was there was good, but when it ended, I'm all like, that's it? I need more blood! I need more spinal cords ripped out! Just when it gets all juicy, it ends. I found a deleted scene where one of the girls go down a mining shaft looking for one of her friends and finds all kinds of disgusting stuff. That is what horror film fanatics go see the movie for, dumbasses! Stupid editors. Stupid movie studios. They ruin more flicks that way. Remember when the movie studios got in trouble for films like "The Exorcist"? Remember when it was up to the individual on whether or not they HAD to wear a seatbelt? Fucking communist bastards.

I need to see this one.

"Wolf Creek" came out on Christmas day. If it wasn't for that family of mine, I totally would have gone to see it. I will probably be seeing it today, even though I will probably have to sell blood to afford it. NINE fricking dollars to go see a damn movie. How worth it though, when the previews say, "Best horror flick since the Texas Chainsaw Massacre"? Yeah, they sold me with THAT line!

Best Christmas Present *EVER*

My Mother-In-Law knows me well! Leatherface! The action figure! Complete with chainsaw and armadillo! LOL!

Christmastime at Crazydogmama's

We are all ready. Presents are wrapped, dogs are washed and wearing their jingle bells, camera batteries are charged. We ate massive amounts of lasagna for dinner and watched "A Christmas Story", "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", and all the "Friends" Christmas episodes. Ahhh. Tomorrow starts our celebrating. We are going to my in-law's house for Christmas Eve to open presents and have dinner with my stepson, and then we're spending Christmas morning and Christmas dinner with my parents. I will be exhausted. This is my first Christmas in a long time without smoking, and I'm really hoping my stress level stabilizes. If not, alcohol and Lexapro will have to do. I took a picture of our tree, and the dogs with their bells on. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas y'all!

An Explanation, a Thank You, and an Ode to My Butt-Warmer

Oh Butt-warmer, how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways. While snot is flying, rain is pouring, and traffic reports are blaring, you warm my ass like no other. I love you so. You made it so I sang this morning, "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire". I don't know how I can repay you for your kindness.

OK, back to sanity. I'm feeling better today, and my butt is happy. I want to thank all of my blog-readers for being so kind and I want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY HANNUKKAH or whatever you celebrate! You have made me smile this week.

Now for explanations. What the hell was I talking about yesterday? Well, here it is. Life is short. Life is too short to waste on a bad mood, which is what I've been in what seems like, an eternity. There are lots of things I want to do in 2006, and yes one of them is to get back into shape, but more importantly, I want to appreciate what I have more. I have a nice home, I have a loving family, I have a great husband who, even though has been a booger this week, is truly a great man that I love with all my heart. I have many blessings that I take for granted, and I don't want to do that anymore. Jim and I had a long talk last night about the state of the world and the state of our hearts. He wrote me a love letter for Christmas. He was going to type it up all nice and put it in my stocking, but because I have been in such a funk, he decided to give it to me last night. It was so cool it made me cry. It was full of fond memories we share. He ended it with "You are my lobster." For those of you who are "Friends" fans, you'll know what that means.

Here's to all of you, may your New Year be awesome!

Love, CrazyDogMama and the Fur-Butts

Ch-Ch-Changes

I need to make some. Smoking was a start, now it's time for some big ones. I am not sure exactly what yet, but I know I'm tired of being depressed and angry all the time. Getting back in shape is definitely one of them, but some sacrifices will have to be made to get there, and it will take lots of hard work. There are people who may not like some of the changes I will make, but OH WELL. Quitting the restaurant job and getting a new day job was a good change for me in 2005, but I need to make better use of the extra time I now have. This past week has been a shitty one for me, on many levels, but the pity-pot is getting pretty darn old. I want to smash it to pieces. Look out, people, here comes CRAZYDOGMAMA!

Adding to the Christmas Joy

I have the freaking flu. It started last night, the metallic taste in my mouth, the surreal feeling, and the sneezing. This morning upon waking from the NyQuil induced coma, I had a fever. Lovely. I'm working from home today (sort of) and drowning myself in Top Ramen because I can't have chicken soup. (It makes me poop funny.) The dogs are happy because Mama is home. They are curled up by my feet here at the computer. I have 2 Kleenex boxes, 2 bottles of NyQuil, my Top Ramen and a big, stupid blanket around me. I just sneezed and got snot all over my laptop monitor. Oops. Nice. The phone is ringing off the hook, and I don't care. Damn solicitors. and bill collectors. Leave me alone, its Christmas, and I'm sick! I think maybe it's time for a nap.

A Little "Grinchy"

Apparently, I'm all Bah Humbug this year, which is VERY uncharacteristic of me. I'm usually singing Christmas songs at my desk driving everyone crazy. It could be that I'm completely broke, or that I don't feel good, or that I just quit smoking or, well, any number of things really. I'm just a little blue this year. Someone (no name on it) left me a little present on my desk this morning. It is wrapped pretty with little gold chocolate coins taped to it. Someone is trying to cheer me up. I'm opening it even though it says, "Hands off until Christmas". Oh, and by the way, if I hear ONE more radio report of someone getting pissed over the word "Christmas" I am going to find that person and scream CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! in their face for an hour while beating them with a tube of wrapping paper until they are unconscious. Fa-la-la.

It's a box of little Almond Roca Balls! How sweet! I don't hide my emotions very well. In fact, I am quite dramatic about everything. Shocker. I'll try to be better; I promise. I'll wish everyone a very Merry Christmas in between crying spells.

Um, Hello?

OK, none of you fuckers have commented on my new AWESOME CrazyDogMama banner. A friend of mine helped me with it because I am html-challenged. It looks 'clear' to me on my work computer, but fuzzy on my home computer. Let me know what you see and tell me how pretty. Or not.

I have nothing to wear.

Company Christmas party tonight. A dinner cruise with an open deck. Its 24 degrees outside, Jim has bronchitis and I have nothing to wear, which is the real issue. It is an open bar with no drink limit. Another problem.

Endearing or Gross?

Every morning when I step out of the shower, there Louie is, tongue ready to lick my legs. I don't know whether he is thirsty, if bath water tastes yummy or if he has just missed me during that long 20 minutes. It is a true mystery. Nevertheless, he does it. Every time. At first, I thought EWW! Dog saliva on my newly washed skin! But now, I look forward to it. He always comes running in as soon as I shut the water off. Don't judge me.

New Experiences

Let me tell you, with no nicotine, and very little caffeine in my system, things look different and feel different. I can breathe, but I can't think. I have been staring at my blank blogger screen for 10 minutes now and I just can't get my fingers to move. Work is slow right now and jamming a pen into my eye is starting to sound like a viable option. I don't want to talk to anyone in particular, but I want to talk. I want to ramble. About nothing, and everything. I don't feel like myself, but for the first time in a long time I have clarity. CLARITY.

Definition: clarity, lucidity, pellucidity, clearness, limpidity - free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression.

That really doesn't sound like me, does it?

I had no 'plan' to quit smoking, I just did it. I had wanted to do it for a long time, and had thought about it quite a bit, but there was no, "I am going to quit on such-and-such day." I just thought to myself, "I don't want these anymore" at 5 pm on the commute home one day last week. I smoked for 15 years. It was defining on some level. Who the hell AM I now? Holy crap, I am one of those nonsmoker people.

It's been a whole week and 2 days.

Since I've had one of these. It's very hard.

Saturday Morning at Crazydogmama's

We woke up to surprise snow. Watch out for the yellow spots! I took a picture of my cheesy-eggs, maple bacon, and toast with real butter, because who eats healthy when it snows? Me wants BACON.

Why I should not be allowed to drive with a camera.

I finally got my snow, but it didn't stick around for long.

As the famous "Dooce" once said, "Deck the Motherfucking Halls"

We didn't get any snow. It's all rain. I'm very disappointed. I stayed up late like a 4-year-old, waiting for the snow, that would never come. Damn weatherman. I had the hot chocolate ready and everything, with little marshmallows in it. I hurt my back AGAIN. I have no money. Don't talk to me today. I'm cranky.

Brrrr

It was 24 degrees outside this morning. This is highly unusual for us in November, AND there is a chance of snow tonight! I love the snow! (As long as it doesn't inconvenience me.) I'm sitting here eating a nice warm bowl of oatmeal while trying to remember that the long weekend is over, and I need to work now. Poo. I think I was asleep more than I was awake on Saturday and Sunday, but here comes Monday and it feels like I need toothpicks to keep my eyelids open. Go figure.

Important Question

How do you gracefully remove potato chip crumbs from your bra when the bathroom is occupied?

Answer: You do not. There is no dignified way to reach down into your bra and remove tiny barbecued potato chip crumbs in public. I speak from experience.

Garage Poker

Once upon a time, it was a boring Friday night at CrazyDogMama's house. She and her husband are so pitiful that they decide to play Poker (in the famous garage) with just each other because they apparently have no friends. What was even more pitiful was that CrazyDogMama lost and had to do the dishes. ANYWAY, I have to tell you that Poker is worse than frigging Monopoly. It takes FOREVER. I think we went through 3 packs of cigarettes and a case of beer. You know it's bad when you start betting the black chips when all you have in your hand is a pair of 2's, just to speed things along.

I've been learning "Texas Holdem" too, which is cool, except that I keep forgetting to flip over the cards when I'm dealing and keep WANTING to flip over the cards when I'm NOT dealing. (That could be the beer, though.) Yeah, it's looking like Saturday night will be CrazyDogMama's revenge. I wonder what will be at stake tonight.

100 Things

If you follow my Blog, you may already know some of this stuff, but read it anyways because what better way could you spend your time?

1. I had REALLY crooked buck teeth when I was young. (Got braces)
2. I will not eat meatloaf. Period. Not even yours.
3. I am geographically challenged.
4. The movie “Prophecy” scared the SHIT out me when I was young.
5. I like to smell my dogs; it is a comforting smell.
6. I hate (and I mean HATE) it when someone spells ‘lose’ with two O’s as “loose”. It really, really bugs me, people.
7. Since we have been together (12 years now) I have not been apart from my husband for more than 5 days, and only once was I gone 5 days.
8. I like meat served rare.
9. I don’t like old movies. (Black & White)
10. I don’t think infants are cute. Sorry.
11. I am allergic to cats, wasps and Sulfa.
12. I have worn Estee Lauder cosmetics since I was 16.
13. I have jumped out of an airplane seven times.
14. I still can’t drink Bourbon. (Not since I was 16, anyway.)
15. I have had food poisoning 3 times, from Mayonnaise on a Subway sandwich, from sausage on a "Little Caesar's" pizza, and from grocery store sushi.
16. I got the chicken pox when I was 21.
17. I hardly had anything to do with planning my own wedding. My bridesmaids did most of it for me.
18. I hate thong underwear.
19. I love thunderstorms. I made my husband turn the TV off the other day so I could listen to one.
20. My favorite vegetables are onions, peppers, squash and asparagus.
21. My favorite herb is cilantro.
22. I hate creamed corn, peas, water chestnuts and most kinds of mushrooms.
23. My blood type is B+.
24. I was born on a Friday.
25. I have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington.
26. The song "Worlds Apart" by "Jars of Clay" makes me cry EVERY. TIME. I. LISTEN. TO. IT.
27. I don’t mind the rain and I know how to drive in the snow.
28. The colors in the front room of my house are red, orange and purple.
29. I would rather email than talk on the phone.
30. All my DVDs are in alphabetical order.
31. I can gross anyone out. Guaranteed.
32. I love theme and amusement parks.
33. I don’t really like popcorn, but I’ll eat my husband’s when I’m at the movies.
34. I hate arrogance. I cannot stay friends with someone arrogant.
35. I hate the month of February.
36. I could eat (good) Italian food every day.
37. I am a total klutz.
38. I don’t like fruit by itself. It has to be in or with something else.
39. I’m claustrophobic and have arachnophobia.
40. I only make the bed when company is coming over.
41. I have to wash my bath towel after every use. It's just a thing with me.
42. If I don’t get AT LEAST 8 hours of sleep, just forget it.
43. I love fuzzy martinis.
43. My favorite "Atari" game was "Adventure".
44. Don’t put nuts in my dessert.
45. My favorite flowers are Tulips and Stargazer Lilies.
46. I hate riding a regular bike, but I love motorcycles.
47. I love 70’s music.
48. When I laugh really hard, tears roll down my cheeks uncontrollably.
49. I couldn’t belch (loud) until I was 25.
50. I was in a Spelling Bee once. I lost.
51. I drink milk with pizza.
52. I saw "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in the theatre 7 times.
53. I am always pulling my underwear out of my butt.
54. I like the smell of gasoline.
55. I use Mentadent toothpaste.
56. I use the ring that my cell phone came with. I am not going to change it.
57. I don’t know how to sew.
58. I hate musicals.
59. My favorite Dean Koontz book is a toss-up between "Intensity" and "Watchers".
60. I don’t wear earrings very often, although I have tons of them.
61. I can sleep anytime, anywhere, unless I have insomnia.
62. I like to cook.
63. I don’t like to garden.
64. My favorite time of year is the Fall.
65. I love Christmastime.
66. I learned how to play poker last summer.
67. I still don’t know how to play checkers.
68. I made up a game called “Keep off the Floor” when I was little. It was like ‘Blind Man’s Bluff” except you had to crawl around on the furniture and never touch the floor. I always got everyone in trouble playing it.
69. “The Brave Little Toaster” is the best cartoon ever made.
70. I like to crack my knuckles.
71. I hate shopping for clothes.
72. I put Tabasco on everything.
73. I don’t use hairspray anymore. In the 80’s, though, I went through a can a week.
74. I like having long fingernails.
75. I really want to visit Santorini, Greece.
76. I used to sleepwalk.
77. I talk in my sleep.
78. I remember my dreams every night.
79. I can’t put eye drops in my eyes.
80. I sweat A LOT. ALL THE TIME. I hate it.
81. I hate dirty or stained carpeting. I am always obsessing about my carpet.
82. The fitted sheet on my bed is always messed up or coming off. I never fix it.
83. I cannot sleep with more than one pillow.
84. I know all the words to "Take it Easy" by the Eagles, and it is uncanny how much I sound like Axel Rose when I’m singing "Sweet Child ‘O Mine".
85. I really must have croutons on my salad.
86. I take my wedding ring off at night, so it won’t rip the bed sheets, and often times I forget to put it back on in the morning. People always ask me about it and I say, “Sometimes I’m married, sometimes I’m not.” They don’t know what to say to that.
87. My husband is a war veteran.
88. I use the butt-warmer button in my car in the summertime.
89. I have to have the air-conditioning on in my bedroom every night. Even if it 2 degrees outside.
90. When I am sitting, I bounce/jiggle my right leg up and down continuously like a jackhammer. It drives everyone nuts. I can’t help it.
91. I used to have a really cute squeaky girl-sneeze; now it is just loud, obnoxious and messy. My husband really misses my cute sneezes.
92. I don’t like “The Beatles”.
93. I don’t like “Elvis”.
94. I am usually always wearing something black.
95. I can’t keep lipstick on, I subconsciously lick it off within 5 minutes.
96. If I am trying to find an address when driving, I can’t have the radio on because it is too distracting.
97. I hate wearing a seatbelt.
98. When I talk on my cell phone too long, my hand/arm goes numb.
99. I wear perfume every day.
100. I have one tattoo.

Flying in a Cessna

I got to go on a plane ride yesterday on my lunch break! One of the engineers I work with is a pilot, and he takes turns giving us all rides, and it was my turn today. So fun! First time I've been in a Cessna without jumping out of it. LOL! In the photos you'll see Seattle and Lake Washington.

Halloween 2005

Theme: Drunken Disco Bliss of the 70’s. Don’t even ask, Jim was dressed up as Captain Spaulding from “House of 1000 Corpses”. (Well, SHIT the bed!) He rationalized that the movie plot took place in the 70’s, so it was an allowed costume at the 70’s-themed party. I especially liked the “Bob Ross Happy Trees” T-shirt. Later in the evening, Jim decided to wear my wig. He makes a lovely blonde, no? It was frightening.

Baby Boom

Everyone seems to be having babies right now. Bloggers, neighbors, celebrities, everyone! It's like nature is on a baby binge. I don't know whether to congratulate you all or send my condolences. I know, I know, a baby is a gift from God, but STILL. Its freaking me out! Everywhere I look there are baby heads! I must tell you, though, that I had sympathy-heaves for you this morning. I woke up and had dry heaves for like, an HOUR. No, I'm not pregnant, don't go there.

Angry CrazyDogMama

So, what the hell is this new trend (that makes me want to chain them up and throw them in my crawlspace) where older kids come to my door on Halloween wanting candy WITHOUT A FUCKING COSTUME ON? They don't even say "Trick or Treat"! People are saying that if you don't comply (give them candy anyways) then your house or car will get vandalized, or some such shit. REALLY? BRING IT. I'm going to stay up on my roof all night with a pellet gun and pick off the first motherfucker who comes near my house.

Lou-Dog

I love him so much. He is so damn cute.

The Best Invention Since Bacardi

The "Tide to Go" pen. That's right, people. That new little stain remover pen that, in all its glory, has become a staple for CrazyDogMama's purse. Now I can pretend I'm normal and walk around with no food stains on my boobs! It's so wonderful! I'm worried about my co-workers, though, they won't be able to make fun of me every day. Well, actually, I'm sure they'll think of something. It's certainly not that difficult.

Haunted House and Lack of Caffeine

I feel like I crawled to work this morning. I refrained from stopping by my favorite little coffee stand today because I've just been too out of control with it. (What was I thinking?) I'm having oatmeal and a protein shake instead. But I'm dying from no caffeine. My weekend ending up being way busier than I thought it was going to be, so I am a total zombie this morning. I didn't get a damn thing done I wanted to get done, and its leg/back day today at the gym. That means squats, lunges and dead lifts. I'm a little whiny about that, but what's new.

Jim took Billy to a haunted house this weekend, and I so wish I could have been there to see those two scream like girls. (I was having a girl's night out.) Anyway, the house apparently had different rooms with different movie themes. One room was "The Exorcism of Emily Rose", one room was the little girl from "Poltergeist" touching a TV, one room was a mad doctor cutting some woman to pieces, one room was from "Saw" with two men chained up next to a dead body, and finally there was an actual well that had the girl from "The Ring" crawling out of it. All through the house people were grabbing at them and some guy was running around with a chainsaw. What fun I missed!

I'm sorry, but it was funny.

Oh. My. God. Did anyone see the new episode of Southpark last night? I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I suppose it really isn't funny, but yet it was.

Dude standing on top of his house in the flood:
"Hellooo? Anybody? We would like to be rescued now, please. Any day now."

Jim and I must have rewound the TiVo like, 50 times. Then, the end. That's when I spewed Pepsi out of my nose. I know, I'm probably going to hell.

Wilma, Surface, and the Shambles That is My Kitchen

First things first. I read this morning that Hurricane Wilma is not only close to breaking records because we are on "W" in the alphabet already and hurricane season isn't even over yet, but it is actually the strongest hurricane on record now with sustaining winds at 175mph, AND it went from 75mph winds to 175mph winds OVERNIGHT. What do you bet they will end up having to reclassify this at a Category 6 hurricane soon?

Surface. Why do I like that sappy-ass show? I was so excited when little Nimrod tapped on Miles' bedroom window, then crawled in bed with him. What I wouldn't give to have a little sea monster crawl in bed with me.

And finally, my poor kitchen. Last night, hubby and I decided that we wanted Thanksgiving food. We realize we will be making all of it again in a month, but we wanted it now. So, we made it. Every single dish I own is somewhere dirty in the kitchen. On the stove, in the sink (stacked ever-so-carefully, mind you) on the table, EVERYWHERE. Burnt marshmallow dishes. Gravy spills. Little fragments of stuffing everywhere. I am not sure when we will be cleaning it up. Maybe never. Maybe we will buy new dishes. It is so utterly disgusting. But it was mighty tasty.

MEH.

I am just not happy today. We took poor Magadog into the vet last night, and what do you know? She has "Dry Eye", and some sort of major infection. $365 later, I'm in a pissy mood. The poor little thing is just having one issue after the other and I'm going bankrupt. I woke up so tired and depressed. Other than the vet trip, I'm not really sure why. I think I need a vacation or something. I haven't spoken to anyone yet today (physically), it's been more like, "Hello internet, how are you?"

Its dark and dreary outside, usually the kind of day I like, but not today. We aren't even having a Halloween party this year because it's on a Monday, and everyone seems busy the weekend before. No haunted garage this year. I just want to go home and sleep. I think maybe I will.

Krusty McEyeballs & Technotronic

Monday morning, time to update my iPod for the work week. I have added the song "Tough" from "Technotronic". Don't laugh now, save it for when I tell you I used to teach aerobics in college, and I used this song. For those of you have good musical taste and don't know what the hell I'm talking about, that song is from the "Pump up the Jam" album. Remember that song? Yeah. I'm also fighting with my iPod because iTunes isn't doing what it is supposed to do. I have ZERO patience, and my coworkers are staying clear until I figure it out. (We all share our music and I'm nervous because I also uploaded an "Eminem" song and AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds".)

I'm also taking Mags to the vet AGAIN today. Criminy. That dog is such a problem child. Her little eyeballs are all crusty and goopy. We have been calling her Krusty McEyeballs. No wonder I never have any money.

The CrazyDogMama Combo

I have often wondered if my favorite pizza joint would add my pizza combo to their menu. It IS a small town. "The CrazyDogMama Combo" would include pepperoni, green pepper, jalapeño and pineapple; as-is, no substitutions. (Yes, pineapple, shut UP.) It is just like me, sweet and spicy. Ha! That way, I could just call up and say, "Could I get the CrazyDogMama Combo delivered please?" It would save so much time. My husband likes regular combos, like pepperoni, sausage, mushroom and olive. Bah! The up side is I always have a whole pizza to myself.

With the exception of his bad taste in pizza, my husband is the SHIT. This morning as I was leaving the house, he handed me a CD that he made for me. (Aww.) The cool thing about it is, the first song on it was "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire. HOW SO VERY APPROPRIATE FOR ME! Other songs included "The Road to Hell" by Chris Rea, "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen and "Song to the Siren" by "This Mortal Coil". It is *so sweet* how my husband has embraced my insanity.

They're coming to get me.

Last night my husband and I were having a cigarette in the garage when we hear a very low flying helicopter. We didn't think too much of it at first since we live right next to a small airfield, but then we heard it again. We peaked our heads outside and lo and behold, there was a black helicopter hovering and circling our little housing development. Again, and again, and again. We saw other neighbors poke their heads out, too.

Now, you must understand, the conspiracy theorist in me was totally going bananas at this point. I couldn't find anything about it coming off the internet wire, and Jim wouldn't let me call anyone to find out what it was. We figured there wasn't a looney on the loose because the helicopter wasn't shining any lights around or anything. I still have no idea what the hell, and it is BUGGING. THE. SHIT. OUT. OF. ME. There is probably some rational explanation, but those are always famous last words, right?

New Phrases

Upon reading Diablo Cody's new post at "The Pussy Ranch", I have discovered some rather distasteful phrases THAT. I. LOVE. and here they are:

"...a vile whore who'd emerged from Satan's colon."

"...big sweater muffins." (Referring here to big boobs.)

ROFLMAO!

Bark-Fest 2005

At approximately 5 am this morning, all hell broke loose. Maggie sleeps with me every night, all cuddled up next to my butt, and the first time my alarm goes off, she barely lifts her head because she knows I will be hitting the snooze about 16 more times before I haul my ass out of bed. Louie was banned from the bed a few months ago because he likes to pee and act like a jerk if you so much as get a toe near him when he is sleeping. Well, the idiot that I am, decided to slowly give Louie back his bedroom privileges because I missed his furry little butt. It was working out OK until this morning.

For some reason, when my alarm went off the first time, Louie completely lost his mind. He jumped straight up, barked his head off, and when I rolled over to bash the snooze button, he leaped off the bed and started barking LOUDER, which in turn sent Maggie into a tizzy. I screamed for them to shut up about 400 times to no avail. It was like they were barking at each other to shut up. They WOULD NOT STOP. 20 minutes went by, and they were still barking as if someone was in the house trying to kill us. (Although they probably wouldn't bark for THAT.) I gave up and put the covers over my head. I forgot about my husband who had fallen asleep in his recliner in the front room.

All of a sudden, my bedroom door FLEW open, and the wrath of Jim began. First, he yelled at the dogs and sent them to their crates. When daddy speaks, everyone listens. I actually wanted to go into a crate. THEN, he yelled at me and wanted to know why I was letting them bark. Peeking my head out from under the warm covers, I managed a very innocent "I tried but they wouldn't stop". I knew it was lame. Jim retorted with "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET YOUR LAZY ASS UP AND PUT THEM IN THEIR CRATES?" Silence. Then I said, "because it is too cold". I could feel his eyes on me boring through me like laser beams. "Sorry." I'm thinking maybe I'll make him a nice dinner tonight so that he won't divorce me or barbecue the dogs.

Believe me yet?

Sumatra earthquake killing 250,000 people, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, Pakistan earthquake, bird flu epidemic preparation, the "Ramadan Offensive" terrorist threat. (Ramadan is Oct 4th through Nov. 2) I don't know about you, but when I was growing up, the news just wasn't this scary, you know?

I'm all upset.

I just checked my "who links to me" statistics and a bunch of you who used to link me are not anymore and I'm all upset and wondering why. Now, the optimistic side of me is thinking that some people must have a bandwidth problem, or whatever you call it, and they have to minimize their links and it's not personal. However, the realistic and very cynical side of me is thinking, "They hate me, I use the word "motherfucker" too often, I'm boring, I scare people with my earthquake rambles and I have to quit this blogging thing because it is upsetting my self-esteem."

Ok, maybe that is the psychopathic, need-to-take-your-meds-now side of me, but still. IT COULD BE TRUE. The weird thing is, I have received no hate-mail recently and my stats for # of visits is on the increase. Maybe I'm overreacting. Nah. I never do that. Hey, do me a favor. Link to www.crazydogmama.blogspot.com so that I can report to my therapist that all is well.

Why I am a piss crank today.

1. The doggie urine cleaner I bought yesterday for 8 bucks exploded in my new SUV.
2. I was charged for 2 cases of Diet Coke at Costco instead of 1 (losing another 8 bucks), and there is not a FUCKING THING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.
3. My hair is all twirly and out of control.
4. I spilled olive oil on my shirt and can't get it out, and I'm walking around the office today looking like I'm lactating.
5. It's only Wednesday.
6. I'm not sick, but I am choking on my snot, nonetheless.
7. I'm sweating even though it is 50 degrees out today.
8. My socks don't match.
9. My pants are too long.
10. I'm broke until the 14th.

New reasons to lay on the couch.

"Surface", "Invasion", "Supernatural", "Threshold", "My Name is Earl" and "The Ghostwhisperer". CrazyDogMama is in DVR heaven. I *really* like Surface and Invasion. You see, this is a big deal because I rarely watch regular TV. Usually, you find me on the internet with my eyes glazed over or sleeping. I HATE, let me repeat H-A-T-E reality shows, although I've been known to watch "The Biggest Loser" on occasion. I tend to fast forward through most of the competition stuff and the whining & complaining, though. I just don't give a shit if they get to talk to their family or if they are having a mental breakdown. Suzy downing the 48 milkshakes was cool, however, I totally wanted to hi-five her.

Can anyone say sugar high?

The following is what has been sucked into my face today, much like the scene in "Poltergeist" where the big "throat" is sucking everything into it from the bedroom:

1. Huge triple-shot iced mocha with whip. Not nonfat. (Caffeine IS a food group, you know.)
2. Powdered donut with raspberry filling. (Fruit!)
3. Large glass of milk (Protein!)
4. Huge piece of birthday cake. (Not my birthday, but I'm chalking this up to a carb serving.)

It is only 11 am. Time for lunch!

I will be severely crashing around 2 pm. I am not putting my food into "Fitday" today. We're just going to pretend this day never happened, K?

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER

Hurricane Rita

Pray for Texas and Louisiana, people. This isn't looking good. 170 mph winds? Yikes! Has anyone spoken to Yogagirl? I think she is in Houston or somewhere close to it but is on vacation right now. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I don't know about the rest of you. Divaquest, you alright? You are all on my mind. I love my peeps!

Absent

I've been absent because Maggie's ass exploded, and I fell off a ladder and smashed my head on the coffee table. No shit, people.

Last week, my poor little Magadog was sliding her butt on the floor, so I knew it was time to express her anal glands. So, I picked her up and went to do just that. What I didn't know was that she had an infection and when I went to squeeze her ass, it burst. In the wrong spot. I was totally freaked and started yelling and crying, and Jim started yelling, "What did you do to the DOG?" (Which did not help.)  There was blood and panicking by the humans and an actual look of relief on Maggie's face. After a nice trip to the vet with penicillin shots, antibiotics and a trendy little cone for Maggie's head, I finally relaxed. I felt really guilty, though, even after the vet assured me that I was just trying to help her. I have convinced myself that I am the "WorstDogmamaEver". I did receive my punishment, however.

After much warning from my husband to stay off of the ladder due to my extreme clumsiness and lack of balance, I did it anyway and fell backward and smacked my head on the coffee table. Ow. It hurt like a motherfucker, and I'm surprised I'm alive. That is all I have to say about that. I do have some cute pictures of Maggie in her cone. (I call her "Funnel Face".)  I will post those soon.

The Best Reason for Getting Hardwood Floors

FYI: BOOM! = Doggy Face-Plant

Once we (and by "we" I mean Jim) finished the installation of the hardwood floor in the kitchen, the best part was not to enjoy the prettiness of our new floor, but to watch the dogs get used to it. We let the dogs out of the crates once done, and I really didn't need to turn on the TV at all that night. Maggie came racing into the kitchen and BOOM! Then Louie, BOOM! Then, slide and BOOM! After going potty in the rain: Clickity, clickity, BOOM! Slide, BOOM! Make the dogs do tricks for treats: Sit up, fall backwards, BOOM! Clickity-clackity, BOOM! (Complete with hysterical, evil laughter from humans.) Startle the dogs on purpose: Clickity-clackity, slide, BOOM! This is true revenge for all the pooping and peeing on my floor, you little fuckers!

This is not good.

I had a dream last night about finding skulls and bones of humans buried in someone's backyard. (Not mine.) I was of course freaked out about having this kind of dream and had to go to "dreammoods.com" to find out what it means. Here is the verdict:

Skull: To see a skull in your dream, symbolizes danger, evil and death. Alternatively, it represents the secrets of the mind. You may be keeping things hidden.

I'm thinking that maybe I watch too many horror movies. By the way, I really liked "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". Went to see it Friday night. It was a court room drama with flash backs. I thought it was well done, intelligent and thought-provoking. There were only a few disturbing images, which was nothing for me, not at all like the original "Exorcist". I like to follow real-life stories about these kinds of things, so I was giddy about doing research. The girl's real name is Anneliese Michel. Freaky little story.

Race Day

We went to what is called "Race Day" last Saturday. It is a bunch of Cairn Terrier owners in the Pacific Northwest who get together and "race" their doggies and other fun stuff like bobbing for hot dog pieces. It was a 2.5-hour road trip, and a confirmation that my dogs are truly retarded. Here is the photographic evidence:

#1, #2 Four dogs get stuffed into the boxes shown (like racehorses), then pelts are dangled in front of the little windows in the boxes, then the door is lifted up, and you watch the dogs chase the pelts that are being reeled with a fishing pole toward the finish line. That is the way it is SUPPOSED to work. What you see here is Louie, finally coming out of his box after the race is over. When the doors were lifted, the other 3 dogs burst from their boxes and took off running, but from box #2, there was just a big fat LOU-ASS sticking out. That's right, my dog was turned around BACKWARDS. I was laughing so hard that I couldn't breathe. When he finally figured out that the box was open, he turned around and trotted out with a "Hey, what's happening?" look on his clueless doggie face. He may as well have just taken a dump. Maggie, who is not as retarded, ran her way to second place. She is the one on the far right. What makes her semi-retarded is her sharp right turn at the finish line into the net. In full run.

#3 I thought for sure we'd clean-up in the hot dog contest since they usually suck the ceramic off their bowls every night trying to get the last crumb of kibble. Nope. My dogs apparently just like the taste of hot dog-flavored water. Couldn't get them to dunk their face under the water to get the hot dog piece. Sigh.

#4 Stick a fork in Louie, he's done.

#5 Oh, and for extra fun, we put in laminate flooring this weekend. See how pretty?

My awesome work, and the awful world.

My work gave us all iPods today! I don't have one, and been wanting one bad, so I am over the moon thrilled! We just hit a milestone, and instead of a t-shirt or a hat they gave us technology. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

On the downside, I was very depressed watching the news last night. I can't imagine what it is like to be out of home, a job and to wonder if my friends and family are alive while watching my hometown be destroyed. I feel a little guilty opening my iPod box while I see people standing on top of their houses clutching their dogs for dear life. I think we should all do our part to help, I'm researching ways now. It could be us some day. As most of my readers know, I am not much of an optimist when it comes to the planetary changes we are starting to see. The West Coast needs to prepare for earthquakes and volcanic chaos, those on the East Coast more hurricanes, those in the middle, tornados, and for all of us, terrorism. I think it is just a matter of time before we see nuclear activity. I don't like this prognosis, mind you, not one bit, it's just that I have a bad feeling. I have had this feeling since 2003. A sense of urgency is the best way to describe it. Pray, people, pray. If you don't pray, START.

Who's the Boss?

Conversation between Jim and I last night:

Jim: "I'm going to have to kick your ass."

Me: "Yeah, like you could kick my ass."

Jim: "Stop trying to be Jane Wayne."

Me: "Then stop telling me you are going to kick my ass."

Jim: "Then stop yelling at me."

Me: "Then stop mumbling."

Jim: shakes head and walks away.

Ding! I win!

It's Time.

My dears, the time has come for me to stop with the iced mochas, the bread, the cheese and the TEN THOUSAND TORTILLAS I have been eating per week on my Mexican food binge. It's time to go back to six meals per day of lean meat, veggies and fruit with only water and black coffee to drink. It is also time to get my butt back to the gym 6 days a week instead 2 here, 1 there. I don't know why it has to be so damn difficult. But then again if it were easy, we would all have 6-pack abs. Anyway, wish me luck, I tend to get all crabby and whiny the first few weeks back on the program.

What's on my iPod.

CrazyDogMama's "Magamix" (Maggie, Magadog, Magamix, get it?)

1. Take it Easy - Eagles
2. Calling All Angels - Train
3. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big & Rich
4. Vertigo - U2
5. The Joker - Steve Miller
6. Crazy Love - Van Morrison
7. I Wanna Do it All - Teri Clark
8. We Are Family - Sister Sledge
9. When Love Comes to Town - U2
10. At Last - Etta James
11. Crazy - Seal
12. The Reason - Hoobastank
13. Orange Crush - R.E.M.
14. Losing Grip - Avril Lavigne
15. Its a Sin - Pet Shop Boys
16. Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty
17. Let Your Love Flow - Bellamy Brothers
18. Friends in Low Places - Garth Brookes

How is THAT for eclectic?

One ear up, one ear down.

Louie is very expressive with his ears. I wonder what 'one ear up, one ear down' means.

Memory Lane

Here I am circa 1990 or so, on a steady diet of "Munch 'ems", beer and cigarettes. I also look very confused. Gee, what a surprise.

Ezmerelda

Finally! A pic of Ezmerelda (my SUV)! I loves her, she's pretty and has a butt-warmer.

Brain Food

See, I told you ice cream was good for you!

My Precious

The company that is slowly conning me out of my retirement.