I could of killed her....
Today I went home at lunch to discover that Girl Kitty had climbed onto the entertainment center, way up to the top, and knocked off the flowers I still had that were left over from Grandpa's funeral.
I was reluctant to toss the flowers... even though they were past their prime. Having them there was comforting to me.
Not only were the wilted flowers beyond saving, the beautiful golden pot they came in was broken into 1900 pieces all over the floor. I almost started to cry...
Instead I picked up the pieces and threw them away. Then I ran the sweeper, and denied my urge to toss the cat out on her nosy, destructive little butt.
Oh what to blog... what to blog....
I'm not doing a whole lot lately, just hanging out. I'm still trying to get a 2nd job, this is harder than I thought. I work too late at Job #1 to be of much use to anyone any time other than Saturday and Sunday. I guess we'll see how that goes. Maybe I'll get lucky and win the lottery instead.
Ace and I are sorta house hunting right now. We have until the end of March, but we just want out so bad we can't stand it. We have found a few promising leads, but who knows if they'll still be vacant in 2 months... I doubt it.
Kitty cats are good.... still want to lay one me all the time. Sometimes it's nice, other times it's smothering.
My birthday is coming up, I'm not too sure what I want to do yet. I'll probably work that day though. I usually take off, but probably not this time.
I guess that's about all.... Maybe my creativity will be sparked a little later today.
When I say leave me alone...
....by gawd I mean leave me alone!
Friday night Ace and I are hanging out watching tv. He's laying on the couch, I'm sitting on the floor by his feet. He keeps taking his foot and flipping my hair... not so bad, but still pretty irritating.
Me: "stop it ace... stop it ace... leave me alone ace... that's not funny... "
Him: "Why do you always get so angry... I'm just teasing... here, I'll keep doing it"
Me: 'You better stop, I'll get you back... leave me alone"
So... he keeps on and keeps on....
What do I do? Pick up my 40 ounce plastic cup of ice water and dump it right in his lap. It was so friggin hilarious.... I've never seen him move so fast.... He jumps up and down trying to get all of the ice off of him, then charges into the bedroom to strip off the wet clothes and in to something dry.
Then he decides to sit in the boys room and watch their tv... so I get to sit on the floor in front of the couch... and watch tv in peace.
To Tan, or not to Tan...
... that is the question.
The little salon by my apartment is running a special for the entire month of January, a month of tanning for just $20.06. Get it? 2006... $20.06? I knew you would...
Anyhow... is it too early to start working on my spring tan? Will I look freakish cruising around at work in February with a golden bronze skin tan? It is a great deal... but it's still winter.
I just don't know...
I've been tagged....
Thanks Kid! Now I have a blog for the day:
My top 5 guilty pleasures.... (not necessarily in this order)
1. Massages. I don't get nearly enough of these.
2. Hot bubble baths by candle light.
3. Hershey kisses with almonds.
4. Forehead kisses from my honey.
5. Kitty cat purrs.
A cool morning
Last night the boys slept over. Their mom worked late, so instead of them being up past their bedtime they just stay with us and she picks them up before work the next day.
So this morning I'm up and ready, I wake up Ace, then go in the boys' room to stir them from bed.
I walk in, wake them up, and Taco says "We were good boys last night and stayed quiet. You didn't have to tell us to calm down and go to sleep"
Me: "That's right, you were good boys and did what you were told... I'm proud of you"
Then Tojo gets up, puts his arms up for me to pick him from the bed, so I do. He lays his head on me and falls back asleep! It was the coolest thing... very sweet. It has stuck with me all day.
That's it... just wanted to share.
Manders on a Mission
Ok... well our lease is up in about 2 months. We'll be moving into a house, which means we'll need buy a washer/ dryer, a lawn mower, and possibly a refrigerator. So... all that stuff is expensive.
I have decided to get a part-time job. I have filled out a few applications, and have my first interview tomorrow at 6 pm at Sears. Hopefully they will have a nice employee discount, because it will be a big help on a few of those big purchases coming up.
Wish me luck folks... after we get a house we'll have a big party for everyone. (and ourselves, of course.... )
A nice, kid-free weekend
This weekend was great, the kiddo's were with Ace's parents, so he and I took the liberty of doing absolutely nothing.
We went to lunch on Saturday at Lanna Thai, (tried for breakfast, but slept way too late) then ordered hot wings for dinner. Both very non-kid meals.
Sunday we did absolutely nothing but laundry at watch tv. Oh, and Ace played his Tiger Woods golf game.
We did realize that we have barely more than 2 months before our lease is up, so we'll have to look for a house ASAP. That's so cool... I can't wait. Apartment life sucks. It's noisy, crowded, and unsafe. I can't wait to get the hell out.
Anywho.... I guess that's it. Have a good Monday folks!
An update
Well yesterday was the funeral, so I was out from work all day.
It started at 2, but I was so antsy that Ace and I got there just after 1. D'oh..
I must say, it was probably the funniest funeral I've ever been to. The pastor's cell phone rang for chrissakes...
Granny was ok, she cried for a few minutes, but said her goodbyes and honestly was better than I thought she would be.
There were several big, pretty floral arrangements. He was surrounded by many family members, including his crazy twin sister. She's psycho... the only thing she said was that she didn't like the shirt he had on.
I saw my cousin's brand new baby, just 4 weeks old. I saw the estranged uncle, and tried to talk him into coming around more. I saw long lost relatives that I haven't been around in many years.
Oh, and my dad's new wife commented to me that his ex-wife (who was there with her son, my little brother) should have waited in the car, as if to say she wasn't welcome. I just responded "She knew my Grandpa too, and is the mother of his Grandson. She can be here if she likes"
All in all, it was a nice service. I feel like a huge weight was lifted off of me. Grandpa was sick for a long time, and I feel that we gave him a great send-off. My aunts, uncles, cousins and I have vowed to help keep Granny's spirits up, by grilling with her over the summer, taking her fresh flowers, and helping plant her a garden.
Thanks so much to everyone for the wonderful comments and words of wisdom. They were very much appreciated.
Mementos
Tonight is the viewing/ visitation for Grandpa.
I have picked up a couple of things for his casket. Grandpa loves sweets, mostly chocolate. Candy bars, pudding, cake, whatever. Chocolate was his only request. I picked him up an Almond Joy to be buried with.
Also, Grandpa spent his whole life milking cows. He always worked on a dairy, it's what he knew and the way he supported his family. I found (after searching high and low) a small dairy cow figure for the casket.
Things like this only seem natural to me. When a loved one dies, you give them a good 'send-off', packing the casket with things that remind you of them, things that give you comfort. Things, that if there is an after-life, make their transition a bit easier.
Not everyone feels this way. My boss and I spoke this morning and his family would never think to do something like this. Burials are sacred, the people are dressed up so they look their best. They are buried in their wedding ring, maybe a watch, but that's it. Fancy clothes and a bit of jewelry.
Not a favorite hat, or a candy bar, or family photo during a vacation. That is what seems strange to me. Different strokes, I suppose.
Yesterday was the day
As I previously posted, they unhooked all of the machines and medicines from Grandpa about 230 yesterday. I got there at 515, right after work.
Everyone was surrounding his bed, and his breathing was labored. Everything was taken off except the IV used to administer pain medicine.
We all stood around, I held one hand while my dad held another. We told stories about him, our favorite memories growing up. We talked about his addiction to chocolate and other sweets. We talked about all of their kids (my dad and his siblings) growing up in a house with no running water. We talked about him carrying an entire flatbed of 90# sacks of cattle feed on his back, one by one, back to the cattle pens at his dairy. We talked about how he would hold the babies every morning during breakfast. They had pancakes every day, and the babies would slop their hands in his syrup, he'd lick it off their fingers just to hear them giggle. He told my Grandma those giggles gave him the energy to work 16 hour days for 40 years.
At 6 pm my aunt, the youngest of their children, called the hospital. Due to an emergency in her immediate family she was unable to be there with us. She wanted to give her dad a message... She loved him, and would miss him for the rest of her life. Not more than 2 minutes later, Grandpa stopped breathing.
We all knew that was the end, and we started to cry.
Grandpa started breathing again, as if to say "See, it's not ok, you're not ready. No matter what you say, you're not ready to let me go".
Grandma asked us all to step out so she could be alone with him. She went to his bedside, kissed him, said she loved him, and told him goodbye. He stopped breathing again.
And that was it... 85 years of a hard life, 53 years of marriage, and too many memories to keep track of. A great man, a hard worker, a sweet daddy, a gentle grandfather, a loyal and loving husband.
The greatest man I've ever known passed away last night and nothing will ever be the same.
A decision has been made
Granny decided about an hour ago to take Grandpa off of the dopamine and oxygen. He doesn't like it, and neither do we.
It's just a matter of time before he's gone. I still can't decide if I should be at the hospital or not... My grandpa is a man that should never die. They just don't make men like him, and I just can't say goodbye.
Dear Shannon,
You started something fantastic... this morning Ace brought flowers to my office. (He's off work all day)
They are so beautiful, and smell amazing. I love them, and it has definitely helped to lift my spirits.
Thanks to both of you, and Ace, you just scored major brownie points.
Ready for the weekend?
Because I sure as shit am.
This week seems to never end.. and I only have an hour left.
Here's a recap:
I received a book that Ace ordered me online, it's In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. I haven't even been able to start it yet.
I've tried to do laundry, but for some reason the local laundry center is closed. Hopefully not much longer because I'm about out of clean undies. That's a scary thought for this girl.
The lovely Sunshine was accepted to college... congrats girl, although the bar you waitress at just won't be the same without you.
Grandpa's not doing well, and it's breaking my Dad's heart.
I joined the lovely online cult known as HNT. I was pleasantly surprised at all of my wonderful comments.
I have turned into human velcro according to the kitties. I can't walk in the door without one of them attaching itself to me. At least I know I'm loved... lol
Ace is close to finishing up week # 2 as a non-smoker. I'm proud of you babe.
I've passed the one month mark with no soda at all to drink. It's getting easier. Except when I'm stressed about something.
Ok... that's about all I think...
Update
I just spoke to my dad... Grandpa is being transferred to yet another hospital. 3 places in as many days. I guess no one realizes he's a sick old man.
Happy HNT!
Nothing is sacred at home with the presence of a digital camera....
Here's my boy
...napping on my butt.
I'm in love...
Yesterday.....
Yesterday morning around 730 my dad called, Grandpa was taken by ambulance back to the emergency room.
His breathing was very labored, and he was unresponsive (but awake) when my Granny talked to him. He's normally very mobile during the day, sometimes even too mobile. But when she tried to get him up and to the bathroom he wouldn't even pick up his head. So, she had him picked up.
He was transferred to a hospital in Tulsa from where he was originally taken because of the medicine required and the severity of his illness. His blood pressure is very low, so is his respiration. Unfortunately his temperature isn't low. He has a kidney infection, as well as an infection in the fluid surrounding his heart.
Granny said he hasn't wanted to eat (or chew) in the last few days. She's been giving him Ensure and baby food.
My dad and I spent all day with her yesterday as the hospital transfers were done, making sure they were both being taken care of and so Granny wasn't alone. My aunt came around 6, so Dad and I were able to leave. He's on his way back up there right now.
Now I must say... it has been said before by doctors that granny needs to put my Grandpa in a home. He's too much for one person, she needs to rest, let other people do the dirty work. She absolutely will not do it. I admire her strength. People are too quick to dump someone off in a home because of illness. She's not doing that. They have been married for 53 years, and she feels that no one will take care of him the way that she can. I agree. She's one tough lady, I hope at her age I am the exact same way.
Back to work...
Today is the first Monday at work after 2 in a row off... and I must say, it feels a bit weird.
I say we should all work 4 10 hour days, instead of 5 8's. It just makes more sense. We as a group need more balance in our lives, we are expected to spend too much time at work.
Maybe this could be the cure (at least in part) to stress, obesity, and the divorce rate. Less work, more relaxation. We could all go to work an hour earlier, stay an hour later, and in turn earn a 3 day weekend all year long. More time for family, traveling, hobbies, and fun.
Hmmm?
Manders' Rant O' The Day
Don't be a jackass.
If you go out to eat, even for lunch, at a sit down restaurant then you should expect to leave a tip. Even if you think the food is overpriced, that isn't the waitress's fault. They pay their bills based on your tips.
If you go out and spend $15 at lunch, leave $3 or $4 as a tip. Not 40 friggin cents asshole.
In conclusion, don't be a jackass.
That is all, thank you.
A little fashion tip...
For all the women out there ( and hell, the men too) who chose to wear sweatpants/ jogging pants/ velour pants/ knit pants/ clingy pants in public:
Please, for the love of God, look at your butt before you step out the door. If it's jiggly, cottage-cheese like, dimpled, or pimpled in any way, please change. Put on jeans, or give up on thongs and don some shaping underwear. They actually make it for situations just like this.
Nothing is worse than eating at Taco Bueno and seeing a 40-ish woman, pretending to be a 20-ish woman, in white sweats, dimpled from cheek to cheek. ....don't be that lady.
Football overdose
Ok, I've officially had it. Football nonstop on the goddang tv. There has been a game on every day for as far back as I care to remember. And I hate it.
Who needs that many stinkin games? Once and a while there's one worth watching. But the others? A waste of broadcast time. Gimme my Lost and Desperate Housewives back, please.
Oh, and for the record, I will never attend or root for a win by Florida State. The stupid Seminole fight song/ gay arm thing is really overdone.
That is all. Thanks.
Grass fires continue
Due to the dry weather all year, and now the unseasonably warm, windy, and STILL dry conditions, we've really been plagued by grass fires.
My dad's new place, and my grandparents' place are both in areas that would be considered high risk. (lots of grass and trees, minimal concrete) So, needless to say, I've been watching the news reports to see where they are, and where they might be shifting. It could be Manders, the Amazing FireFighting Lady to the rescue. (I'm a bit dramatic... I know....)
But nevertheless... this is a huge deal in OK right now. Hopefully we'll get some rain soon. No thunderstorms though, because those bring lightning, which brings even more fires...
