tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73558752024-03-07T03:45:00.538-06:00Welcome to my life, sorry about the messI have more drama in my life than TNT, and less humor than TBS. It's my goal in life to find the humor in the drama and ignore the drama in the humor.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.comBlogger757125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-5121125688059478912010-08-24T12:35:00.002-05:002010-08-24T12:39:31.695-05:00I'm no longer hereI am sorry blogger/Google landed you here. This is my old blog. I'm no longer here. But don't worry, you can find me at my new home (well, my current home).<br /><br /><a href="http://msbatman.com"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Welcome to my life</span></span></a><br /><br />Hope to see you there.....Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-50037321012976719352008-03-23T06:54:00.002-05:002008-03-23T06:56:54.085-05:00I have moved<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://somethingrotten.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/relocatinganimals.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://somethingrotten.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/relocatinganimals.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you happen to stop by here (by way of a Blogger link from a comment I left on your blog) you should know, I'm no longer here.<br /><br /><br />I'm <a href="http://msbatman.com">here</a>!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-89869386595515743492007-04-17T12:01:00.000-05:002007-04-17T12:43:33.521-05:00Just Venting and Ranting<span style="font-style: italic;">*DISCLAIMER* This is my personal blog. My On-line journal. I choose to make it public and choose to allow people to read it for entertainment purposes. After all, my life is just a camera crew shy of a reality TV show...or a soap opera... your choice. The views and opinions expressed here are just that MY OPINIONS and are therefore covered by the First Amendment and Freedom of Speech. If you don't like what I write here, feel free to click that cute little X in the top right hand corner of your computer screen and see your way out of here. If you chose to stay, understand these are my opinions. You don't have to agree with them, but you can not shut me up.</span><br /><br />Having said that, I am going to rant here. A lot. So sit down, get comfortable, and hold on. It's gonna be a bumpy ride.<br /><br />I got an email today from C1 regarding my blog.<br /><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >In the interest of keeping things between us civil and the lines of communication open, you need to stop writing about me. While you are certainly free to express whatever opinions you wish, making false statements and omitting facts to make yourself look better is an entirely different matter. If you should choose not to stop, I will be forced to defend myself by whatever means my attorney and I deem necessary.<br /><br />I have written several scathing replies to this email but never sent any of them. Why? What's the point? To argue a moot point with him? I have the right to post what I want, and I'm not going to argue with someone who thinks he's always right.<br /><br />But, I do need to get this out of my system. I do need to formulate some response just so I can move on. What better place to do that than right here. so you all can enjoy my amusing wit. (besides, if I leave it in my email drafts, I'll be tempted to send it.)<br /><br />My comments will be in Red. Just so you know.<br /><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">In the interest of keeping things between us civil and the lines of communication open, you need to stop writing about me.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In the interest of keeping things civil and the lines of communication open? Uh yeah, the lines of communication only seem to go one way. From you to me. You dictating to me how I am supposed to live my life, and parent our child. Our divorce has been final for over 10 years now. Last time I looked at the papers, it says that I was granted the same freedom you were... and that is the freedom to live my life free from any harrassment and interference from you. So WTF? Here you are telling me what I <span style="font-weight: bold;">need</span> to do. You, had you *asked* me to stop writing about you, I would have considered it. But since you have told me what I <span style="font-weight: bold;">need</span> to do, well, who the fuck are you to tell me what I <span style="font-weight: bold;">need</span> to do? </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">While you are certainly free to express whatever opinions you wish, making false statements and omitting facts to make yourself look better is an entirely different matter.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Making false statements. If you would be so kind as to point out which false statements you are specifically referring to I will either <span style="font-weight: bold;">A)</span> Defend the validity of those statements or <span style="font-weight: bold;">B)</span> take them down if I can not prove them. As for omitting facts to make me look better... Hello? My blog, my spin doctor. I'll spin the situation any way I see fit and yeah, you can bet I'm going to spin it in my direction. Feel free to post comments of your own on here disputing my version of things. Feel free to start your own blog and spin things in your direction. I think you suffer from a GOD complex, in which you think you are God, and you can control me, my actions and my life. I don't believe in God. Therefore, I don't believe in you. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">If you should choose not to stop, I will be forced to defend myself by whatever means my attorney and I deem necessary.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Defend yourself from what, pray tell? Exactly what/who are you going to defend yourself against? People you've never met? People who read my blog. OK, first of all, I don't use your real name. Therefore the only people who could possibly know your true identity are those who are close to me in real life. Those people already know you, and have formed their own opinions of you. I'm sure they are closer to my opinion of you than they are to your own opinion of yourself. But they are free to form their own opinions because..guess what? They have their own minds. And there is nothing you can do to stop that. There are I'm sure, a lot of other people from around the world (Yes <span style="font-weight: bold;">around the world...the whole entire world</span>) that read this blog. They don't know you from Adam, or Joe Blow on the street. And I'm sure they don't care to either. This is a place for me to vent and it's for entertainment purposes only. Defend yourself. It's a well documented fact that the Supreme Court of the United States has failed time and time again to legislate and control what is on the internet. Why? Yeah, because to do so would interfere with everyone's freedom of speech. Just because you don't like what I say and don't agree with what I say does not give you the right to stop me from saying it. The only right you have in regards to that is to once again, click that cute little X in the top right hand corner of your computer screen and see your way out of here.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-50132444271950761402007-04-05T09:10:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:04.335-06:00Thursday 13 #13<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag99CcSt8eSAMjPbF38lu_xuAY4D2qgtRosC7clTQ8ZxyaIJ5TMzSXp_MOUNYm2K8dDc76BcVHajjHTkxr-f7vn2MYpEPdYmXP25jEh92yhIioUkO4-FE-Wjc4_1NhItZnpDM/s1600-h/TT2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgag99CcSt8eSAMjPbF38lu_xuAY4D2qgtRosC7clTQ8ZxyaIJ5TMzSXp_MOUNYm2K8dDc76BcVHajjHTkxr-f7vn2MYpEPdYmXP25jEh92yhIioUkO4-FE-Wjc4_1NhItZnpDM/s400/TT2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5049946451659455426" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:130%;" >13 Stupid News stories I read this week.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"> <p class="MsoNormal">1. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070405/ap_on_fe_st/botched_surgery">VA Patient has wrong testicle removed</a>.<span style=""> </span>Can you say malpractice?<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">2. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/sign_flap;_ylt=AjwQt0EMVREf9535qYWtOsgsQE4F">Mayor chases rivals wife over sign</a>.<span style=""> </span>Not the best election campaign tactic to use.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">3. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/horseback_dui;_ylt=As6b4JkJXsI3gODao6UrZmssQE4F">Woman on horseback charged with DUI</a>. But ossifer, he’s the designated driver.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">4. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/mooning_student;_ylt=Amc5H8JejXuA0fJkqSU.oZgsQE4F">Student who moons teacher sues school district</a>. Geez some people just can’t take a joke.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">5. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/quiznos_coyote;_ylt=AjYeMUBUHu8IAZ1mJidOho4sQE4F">Coyote visits Chicago sandwich shop</a>.<span style=""> </span>He was hot and tired from chasing Roadrunner.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">6. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/baby_metallica;_ylt=AvhRJJNV1lDAs22QLsWZak0sQE4F">Couple fights to name baby Metallica</a>. That kid is so gonna bitch slap them when she gets older.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">7. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/my_name_s_bubba;_ylt=AtxQ0MisUurVQ2fjfYB4UIQsQE4F">Judge OKs trucker’s new name: Ynot Bubba</a>.<span style=""> </span>I guess Dumbass McGraw was taken. Oh, and Hey, I’d like to meet Metallica.<span style=""> </span>I think you and her parents could be great friends.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">8. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/court_dui;_ylt=Ao.OtngN2MUY13plvVhTmyUsQE4F">Man arrives at DUI hearing drunk</a>.<span style=""> </span>At least he’s consistant.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">9. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_en_mu/people_keith_richards;_ylt=AmIbL.RfhQwTFP0Fb1mbg.csQE4F">Keith Richards: I snorted my father</a>.<span style=""> </span>We know this is a lie, he would never cut his coke with anything.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">10. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/mexico_bus_monkey;_ylt=AvE.uiq_2EbULFwm9ilSnZYsQE4F">Kinkajou flees zoo, bites bus passenger</a>.<span style=""> </span>They are taking this pokemon thing way too far.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">11. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070404/ap_on_fe_st/japan_decomposing_bodies;_ylt=Aj.CQhhz9mpEhFLaRO0pyrMsQE4F">Japanese police probe decomposing bodies</a>. It’s a nasty job but somebody has to do it.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">12. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/toe_left;_ylt=Al.ci4GnrXFcfRTWDVT5qaYsQE4F">Deputies but toe and tow together</a>. Hit and run? Yeah, I don’t think so.<o:p><br /></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">13. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070403/ap_on_fe_st/negligent_dancing;_ylt=AhXgiRUwvVTUHpZfhQ5EUgIsQE4F">Chicago suit charges ‘negligent dancing’</a>.<span style=""> </span>My guess? This is not the first time she’s been dropped on her head.<o:p></o:p><br /></p> </div></div><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Beckyjams&postid=05Apr2007&meme=tt"></script><br /><br /><center><a href="http://thursdaythirteen.com/">Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!</a><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/thursday+thirteen" rel="tag">View More Thursday Thirteen Participants</a><br /><br /></center>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-85916316565773398442007-04-03T15:39:00.000-05:002007-04-03T15:42:28.560-05:00If you want to knowIf you want to know where I've been lately, email me, I just might tell ya.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-27434672524584108062007-03-29T14:51:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:04.476-06:00Thursday 13 (#12)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3znDok9QORXkR_TxSbuI5AsZ9QAvtyFUzJdl1a3ooHToZckd-CY3XNrR6gSCcy0-wQvgnNR6ybQ4QKuRM54jtdXqGNTyoI3VgUWRxAFIe06zIDC4tCCqZ7xnULpeVMeJtwHh/s1600-h/glassofwinett.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3znDok9QORXkR_TxSbuI5AsZ9QAvtyFUzJdl1a3ooHToZckd-CY3XNrR6gSCcy0-wQvgnNR6ybQ4QKuRM54jtdXqGNTyoI3VgUWRxAFIe06zIDC4tCCqZ7xnULpeVMeJtwHh/s320/glassofwinett.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047436961463618306" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">13 Things that are on my desk</span><br /></div><br />1. A plastic cup from the cafeteria that Newt drank Sprite out of the day she came to work sick with me.<br /><br />2. A empty Rockstar can from yesterday.<br /><br />3. A half full Rockstar from today.<br /><br />4. My travel coffee mug<br /><br />5. A now empty Mr. Pibb bottle<br /><br />6. The lid from the above mentioned soft drink bottle.<br /><br />7. The empty wrapper from my Little Debbie Peanut Butter Bars (breakfast/lunch)<br /><br />8. My flat iron. (Humidity is a bitch on my hair, no matter what I do)<br /><br />9. Kalisha's Mirror (so I can flat iron my hair from my desk instead of the Ladies room down the hall)<br /><br />10. Nail strengthener.<br /><br />11. Nail file. (a girl's gotta look pretty at all times)<br /><br />12. A pack of gum with only 1 piece left in it.<br /><br />13. Flyers for the craft show this weekend.<br /><br />(Did anyone notice there was not a single bit of <span style="font-weight: bold;">work</span> on my desk. Such is my job).<br /><br /><br /><strong>Links to other Thursday Thirteens!</strong><br />1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://thursdaythirteen.com/">Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!</a><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/thursday+thirteen" rel="tag">View More Thursday Thirteen Participants</a><br /><br /></center>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-23680071665556181002007-03-22T08:11:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:04.638-06:00Thursday 13 (#11)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5V3F3aKTsYJzo1QDMmNuDb_5gYIVJlwB_TLcdnDulUrFIibljxcEH18zKiIhgqtZVSwXaaCm2pBtjVKJLHG0xDSr7UJRrADfJJA8yoY6hwBJQ9X9NDGsPfjrsHIhiXS4taEp/s1600-h/thursdaybanner3.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5V3F3aKTsYJzo1QDMmNuDb_5gYIVJlwB_TLcdnDulUrFIibljxcEH18zKiIhgqtZVSwXaaCm2pBtjVKJLHG0xDSr7UJRrADfJJA8yoY6hwBJQ9X9NDGsPfjrsHIhiXS4taEp/s320/thursdaybanner3.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044736225297699954" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">13 Reasons I love Spring</span></span><br /></div><br />1. NO MORE SNOW! Read through the archives of this blog, read all about my hatred of Mother Nature this winter. I know, I once said "If it's going to snow, it better snow so damn deep nobody can get out. Baring that, then stay off the roads and the sidewalks." Little did I know someone was actually listening, and decided this year, it was snow asshole deep. That will teach me to open my mouth again.<br /><br />2. Spring Showers. Rain. I love the smell of the earth after it rains. Everything is washed clean, and fresh, and the earth and grass and flowers smell so much more pungent.<br /><br />3. The smell of freshly cut grass. Bring on the rain, so the grass will grow, grow, grow. Then people will have to mow, mow, mow (I live in an apartment complex...no yards, no grass to mow).<br /><br />4. Spring Training. That means, soon, it will be Baseball season, and the Cardinals will be once again rocking Bush Stadium (and what's up making that place smoke free? It's an outdoor park!)<br /><br />5. Sandals. I am tired of socks and shoes. Tired of boots and chunky heals. I want to wear my cute little strappy sandals.<br /><br />6. Pedicures. With cute little strappy sandals, you have to have cute pedicures with bright colors. Nothing says spring like 'Carribean Experience' on your tootsies.<br /><br />7. Capris. Gotta have some cute little capris to go with the pedi and the strappy sandals.<br /><br />8. Daylight Savings Time. Yes, once my body has adjusted to the new schedule, I love it. Why? There's still daylight when I get the kids home, and that means we have time to go out and snap off some pictures. I've been away from my camera far too long.<br /><br />9. Motocross. Scooter has his first race of the season this weekend. He hasn't been on his bike all winter and I know he's dying to get back on it and back on the track. Yes, this means weekends will be busy, but it's Scooter, and it's fun and important to him, so we go. And love it.<br /><br />10. Warmer temperatures. That means, the winter coats are put away. The furnace is turned off (lower electric bill) and the windows are thrown wide open.<br /><br />11. Countdowns. The kids are counting down how long they have left in school. Summer vacation is on the horizon. My countdown to moving.<br /><br />12. Spring Flowers. I can't keep flowers alive to save my life. I never plant flowers, and god forbid you give me a potted plant, I'll kill it. I kill silk flowers. But seeing them out in other people's yard, just gives the place a friendly look, a fresh happy look. And I love the rebirth of the trees, the flowers, everything.<br /><br />13. The kids can play outside. They have cabin fever. They are tired of their videos, and their games, and frankly, each other. I can send them outside to yell and scream and run off steam. And they sleep better at night. And it's quiet. Oh the blessed quiet.<br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Beckyjams&postid=22Mar2007&meme=tt"></script><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://thursdaythirteen.com/">Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!</a><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/thursday+thirteen" rel="tag">View More Thursday Thirteen Participants</a><br /><br /></center>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-42972965643595789152007-03-19T10:43:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:04.773-06:00Lady's Grand Adventure<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.findthatpet.com/lost/2381.html"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdtOo-iPKs0A-PhL8ExIWSYTzVVoqu5TeGF2mWegHJmtm72dxJtdyWu6BgofEi1vwgFLlu7RJ2yuBgwiiQ6XwAaQfZwg77K4G-Sou5hm0IfEDNsq7WHo6jTwK90dUX4HLllUX/s320/small_lady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043662015055006834" border="0" /></a>That, my blogging friends, is an actual picture of Lady. She is still missing. The adults have come to the conclusion that someone saw her early on the day she ran, and picked her up, took her home, and fell in love with her. I hope that she's in a loving home and they take care of her, if we're not going to get her back.<br /><br />Scooter, on the other hand hasn't given up hope that she's still running lost somewhere and that someone will call with news that they have her. He misses her very much, and her absence is felt clear to his heart.<br /><br />So, this picture is posted on a lost pets website <a href="http://www.findthatpet.com">Findthatpet.com</a> (the above picture is a link directly to Lady's page). Lady is posted on several websites, at every gas station, at every bar, at the post office, the grocery store and the groomers place of business. She almost has as many posters of her out there as there are possible daddy's for Anna Nicole's Baby.<br /><br />I'm asking all of my readers if you have friends, family, readers, anyone in Lincoln County Mo, who could possibly see this, please send a link to this, or send a link to Lady's page on the FindThatPet.com to them. Scooter is just broken up about this and the more eyes that see her picture, the greater the odds are that someone will recognize her and she'll come home. I know this is a long shot, but if we can tell Scooter that we've done this he will feel that we are still trying to find her and haven't given up on her.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-53228337484495907672007-03-14T14:58:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:04.909-06:00Thursday Thirteen #10<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iqYMekFBq7UZ8XSH0WX8XLYhxWTrTzHL3Gl5fGvUSkMBg9QbyyVFZro_K6SaWJX2IP90iySbVP3eWtRztaB7UF_i99g_rS1qC8XqKe3R4Mpm6BiJnv2etS13kEx4TvND-VYh/s1600-h/ttspring2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iqYMekFBq7UZ8XSH0WX8XLYhxWTrTzHL3Gl5fGvUSkMBg9QbyyVFZro_K6SaWJX2IP90iySbVP3eWtRztaB7UF_i99g_rS1qC8XqKe3R4Mpm6BiJnv2etS13kEx4TvND-VYh/s320/ttspring2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041874411248214034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 153, 255);font-size:130%;" >13 Things I love about My Daughter Tate</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tate turned 10 last Saturday, and she's the middle child, so sometimes she gets lost in the shuffle. So this week, I'm going to list 13 things I love about her.<br /><br />1. Tate is the quiet one, but they say that still waters run deep, and Tate is that personified. She has always been the one to sit back and pretend to be completely disinterested in what is going on around her, but she always is very aware of what is going on.<br /><br />2. Tate is a great 'mother hen' to the younger kids at the sitter's. (Not her sister, but the other kids). She will always walk away from the group to play with the little ones so that they feel like a Big Kid too.<br /><br />3. She believes that the world and life should be fair. She is still wearing her rose colored glasses of childhood. I know that eventually those glasses will come off and she will see the world for what it really is. Until that day, she is full of hope.<br /><br />4. Tate is at that age, just teetering on the brink of leaving childhood behind, and yet not quite ready to step into teenhood (Is that a word? It is today). Too old to play with babies and toys, and yet, too young still for make up and boys.<br /><br />5. Tate is beautiful inside and out and she is completely oblivious to this fact. She doesn't see it, and she doesn't believe it. I hope she holds on to that for a little while longer.<br /><br />6. I don't believe that will be much longer, as I see hints of the prima donna that I know is coming. She is already asking for high lights and to have her nails done, and Mom how old do I have to be before I can go tan? (Uh, when you can pay for it)<br /><br />7. She is going to be a domestic goddess, although I think Domestic Diva may be more fitting. She loves to cook, and do dishes (freak) and yet, she can not for the life of her keep her room clean more than 5 minutes.<br /><br />8. Tate has a wicked sense of humor too. She laughs and jokes with everyone and her laugh is magical. When she laughs her eyes twinkle with mischief and trouble.<br /><br />9. Looks can be deceiving. She can play innocent better than OJ did at his trial. Her problem is, she can not do it consistently, or for any length of time. Her laugh and her eyes always give her away.<br /><br />10. At the end of the day, she can not go to bed without hugging and kissing me good night. By the time her brother was this age, he was too old and too big for hugs and kisses from him mom. But Tate still allows them, and insists on them. <br /><br />11. Sometimes if I get lucky, Saturday morning will find Tate curled up in bed with me before the rest of the gang wakes up. Those few quiet minutes when it's just her and me, are rare, and I treasure them immensely. I hope that they continue well into her teen years.<br /><br />12. She still thinks boys are stupid and gross and that suits me just fine. <br /><br />13. The best reason I love Tate, is simply for the fact that she is Tate.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=Beckyjams&postid=14Mar2007&meme=tt"></script><br /><br /><br /><center><a href="http://thursdaythirteen.com">Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!</a><br /><br /><br />The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!<br /><br /><a href="http://technorati.com/tag/thursday+thirteen" rel="tag">View More Thursday Thirteen Participants</a><br /><br /></center>Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-79151409717978530132007-03-13T21:13:00.000-05:002007-03-13T21:24:28.615-05:00Please explain to me.....* Why my girls never hear anything I say to them until the 4th time I say it. Unless it has to do with shopping, or junk food. Then they hear better than bats with radar.<br /><br />* How "Put your coat/clothes/shoes/stuff away" translates into "Throw all of your stuff on the floor of your bedroom".<br /><br />*Then please explain how it is once that stuff hits their bedroom floor it instantly becomes invisible to the naked eye under the age of 15.<br /><br />* How am I supposed to wash clothes that never make it from the bedroom floor to the laundry room.<br /><br />* Please explain to me, slowly so that I understand exactly, how it is my fault when they have nothing to wear because nothing got washed, and how they can not be blamed for any of this.<br /><br />* Why we have to have this same conversation every single week, and this week is no exception. And I know that none of it sunk in this time either, so go ahead and schedule this same meeting of the minds for next week. And the next week. and the week after that.<br /><br />* Why am I still expected to pay for my son's lunches even though his father has sole custody of him and has cut my child support in half. How is it that he gets to make all decisions and have final say in everything Bo does, but I still have to pay for his lunches?<br /><br />* Why am I always the "Bad" parent, because I never have the money to go out to eat, go to the movies, buy them the designer clothes, and name brand shoes <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span> is wearing.<br /><br />* Please explain to me how I am supposed to explain the realities of my life to my children, while not ripping the rose colored glasses from their naive faces when it comes to their waste of space fathers.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-64501631343048371132007-03-13T15:39:00.000-05:002007-03-13T15:48:48.795-05:00PaintervilleJust a little over an hour left to my day, and it might as well be forever. It's too nice outside to be stuck inside, but that is where I am. In a windowless office, that is too hot, and too quiet. I have a whole lot of nothing to do, and all afternoon to get it done. I apparently have even more nothing to say, as I can not think of a single thing to blog about.<br /><br />Batman hasn't been on-line today because apparently, when it's warm outside, all the painters in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Painterville</span>, open the windows and the fumes are less concentrated, and they actually have semi-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">coherent</span> thoughts that resemble "I need more paint". Needless to say, it has been very busy in Painterville today. On top of that, Fat Boy (the big boss) is in town, and no one knows exactly where he is or where he's likely to be. He could show up at any moment so Batman has to be on his toes (and therefore, not on Yahoo.) *pouting*.<br /><br />So, I apologize for the *yawn* boring posts today. Just not much going on in my world, or in my head (no comments from the peanut gallery there...shut up). Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-78633556208174016092007-03-13T08:00:00.000-05:002007-03-13T08:07:45.311-05:00SpringDid you see the forecast for this week? Didja? Totally rockin. <br /><br />I went home last night and opened my windows, all of them. And left them open. All. Night. Long. They're still open. The furnace has been turned off, never to be turned on again (as long as I live there).<br /><br />I watched The Cards play baseball this weekend. On TV. The sun was shining, the warm breeze was blowing and the Cardinals were playing on the tube. AAAHHHHH Spring.<br /><br />Batman and I woke up Sunday morning, and went out on the balcony to watch the sunrise and give birth to a new day. And I knew I had come home again. I looked over the landscape I had stared out over this past summer, and felt everything settle and I knew all was right in my world.<br /><br />It is spring time. A time for rebirth, new beginnings, fresh starts. I have less than 3 months left, before my move. I am starting to spend more time looking forward, towards my future, and less time looking back over my shoulder.<br /><br />A new day has dawned. It's gonna be a great one.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-17820381452365631642007-03-12T14:28:00.000-05:002008-12-09T09:09:05.238-06:00A letter to Mother Nature<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaKIqxECIeyLSHwP_Eg6WZLCujhsorLRwvoJL7UEob8QFL1NLpIPSdLWtWnyR3G1YSl4WlIeaUjSNojN9Lv6Cg0Wp-Bt-e7NxJ01MRhpuch35C-6tPSNIQxSl_fyVTBpr8EUG/s1600-h/Web5day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaKIqxECIeyLSHwP_Eg6WZLCujhsorLRwvoJL7UEob8QFL1NLpIPSdLWtWnyR3G1YSl4WlIeaUjSNojN9Lv6Cg0Wp-Bt-e7NxJ01MRhpuch35C-6tPSNIQxSl_fyVTBpr8EUG/s320/Web5day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5041122121956515842" border="0" /></a>Mother Nature,<br />Remember all those hateful awful things I said about you 2 months ago? And remember how much I hated you, and would curse you, and rant and rage at you? Yeah, Well, I forgive you. and I'm sorry.<br /><br />Oh, yeah, and remember all those CUTE clothes I bought for my trip to Florida, and it was too cold to wear them while I was there? Yeah, I'll be wearing the hell out of them this week.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-65359978069894311372007-03-12T14:16:00.000-05:002007-03-12T14:20:37.342-05:00I hate government at workWhere is the logic in the government agency who is set up to collect child support from dead beat dad's, is just as deadbeat as the dads?<br /><br />Why the f@#k are we protecting his rights? HELLO! You're job is to get that money from him. When you do, you don't get to keep that shit!!! It's not your money! You are just as bad as he is. He's not paying his child support, so we'll take his money. BUT we won't give it to his children!!<br /><br />WTF!!!!<br /><br />He's so far behind and they are just perpetuating the whole situation allowing him to get further and further behind, and they have the GD money and won't let us have it!!!<br /><br />NOT FOR ANOTHER FUCKING MONTH!Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-77855497914445719122007-03-12T11:30:00.000-05:002007-03-12T11:44:30.088-05:00Happy Birthday Tate!<img src="http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d129/GABABYBLUE/HAPPY%20BIRTHDAY/HappyBirthdayStars.gif" /><br />Happy Birthday Tate! Saturday was her 10th birthday. I missed out on it, because she was with her dad, but that just means we will celebrate tonight.<br /><br />I went birthday shopping for her this weekend, with Batman. I got her <a href="http://imdb.com/title/tt0475293/">this movie</a>, and this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000LV6R50/bookstorenow77-20">cd</a>. Batman got her this <a href="http://disneyvideos.disney.go.com/moviefinder/products/5392103.html">DVD</a>.<br /><br />I called her on her birthday, and of course, true to form, Slug wouldn't answer his phone. So I left a message. "I am just calling to talk to the Birthday girl and wish her a Happy Birthday. Please have her call me."<br /><br />Of course, he didn't. 3 hours later, I called him back, and just as it was about to go to voice mail, he answered the phone. "Yeah, what?"<br />I so so so wanted to say "You know what, a$$hole" but I refrained. I asked again, "May I please talk to Tate?"<br /><br />So he put her on the phone and we talked about the birthday party TFC threw for her, and all the presents she got. And then, it happened.<br /><br />Dad Batman asked to wish her a Happy Birthday. She loves him, like a grandfather. She misses him more than she can put into words. I have a gazillion letters she has written to him in the three months Batman and I were not together. I am sure she was surprised and more than thrilled to talk to him. He even told her "I am hoping, and I'm pretty sure, we'll be seeing you around here again soon." (Which is what she wants) The problem was, Slug was standing right there hovering over her, so she had to remain unemotional and guarded.<br /><br />Then Batman got on the phone and wished her a Happy Birthday. I didn't hear that convo, he went off to another room to talk to her.<br /><br />And to top it off? Yup, Mom Batman got on the phone and wished Sweetie a Happy Birthday.<br /><br />So, all in all, it was a good day. There was a lot of satisfaction in the entire Batman clan talking to her and wishing her a Happy Birthday. There was more satisfaction in knowing Slug was there, knew what was going on and was helpless to stop it, or he'd look like a jealous, insecure, controling a$$.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-49899572485419432922007-03-12T10:46:00.000-05:002007-03-12T10:48:02.093-05:00Don't you hate it whenSilence speaks louder than any words can? And the demons come crawling out of the dark caves they had been banished to. Adding their whispered doubts, and fears, and insecurities to the already swirling emotions tumbling around in your head?<br /><br />Yeah.. I do too.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-45974046351559227872007-03-12T09:35:00.000-05:002007-03-12T09:38:27.733-05:00Unbelievable...Have you seen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLmon0XoH3I">this</a>?<br /><br />Watching it on the news yesterday, made me sick, and pissed me off. I'm serious, like WTF? OK, I know hockey is a sometimes violent game, but this? <br /><br />He was suspended for 25 games. He won't play for the rest of this season. 25 games? Barely a slap on the wrist for this. Seriously. The man (and I used that term loosely) does not belong on the ice. EVER. Again. Period.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-57176421465847225772007-03-10T09:23:00.000-06:002007-03-12T07:55:28.809-05:00GPSLady is still on her walk about, and now I know that she is without her tags. She got spooked at the groomers and got out of her collar, and ran off. She does have the micro chip in her. But that only does any good if the people who find her know about this technology and take her in to a vet's office.<br /><br />Calls have been made to the vets in the area, the animal control shelters, and the newspapers and radio stations. Even the police department has been called.<br /><br />When the police department was called, Mom Batman explained that Lady had the micro chip in her, and if she was found she could be scanned at the vets and all her information would be readily available.<br /><br />Seriously, without missing a beat, the gentleman she was talking to on the phone, asked her, "If she has the microchip in her neck, can't you just turn on the GPS tracking and find her?"<br /><br />Damn, why didn't we think of that?<br /><br />ETA: For those of you wondering, it doesn't work that way. There is no GPS in those microchips. The dog's owner's contact information is encoded on the chip and it can only be read by certain types of scanners.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-72634570988217647812007-03-09T15:29:00.000-06:002007-03-12T07:59:24.064-05:00Let's play a gameI got this in an email today, and while I sent it to a lot of my friends and family, I know there is no way I got it out to everyone who is my friend here in Bloggerittaville. And I thought it would make a great blog post....<br /><br />Describe me in just one word. That's it. Just leave your single word answer in the comments section, I will add them below<br /><br /><a href="http://odb1.blogspot.com/">M</a> said Sarcastic<br />My dad said Daughter<br /><a href="http://mlmullinax.typepad.com/melissa/">Melissa</a> said Couragous (thanks, M. That means a lot to me. I take that as a huge complement)<br /><a href="http://twoboys4me.blogspot.com/">Celebrate Woo-Hoo</a> said the obvious Margarita! (yes, that is a great word)<br />~Kathryn~ said Funny<br />Sassy said Friendly<br /><a href="http://beckysjustathought.blogspot.com/">TN Becky</a> said Strong<br /><a href="http://deepfriedsouthernstyle.blogspot.com/">Dixie</a> said Strong too<br /><a href="http://skitteringthoughts.blogspot.com/">Chickie</a> says Tough (and I'm not sure how to take that)<br /><a href="http://rainbowwolf.blogspot.com/">Rainwolf</a> says ComplexBeckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-2603880222963439932007-03-09T11:33:00.000-06:002008-12-09T09:09:05.334-06:00Gloomy Gus and the dark, dank, dreadful day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32FYZ27Ibl0f8lRuE5akWTLO1jpoIs8ILPmwGzsEySOSSDeGhxNdSh7G6gTaHrqNGDYBFHLgKnoWeR2UI9DHsRlDtysPUVJK9BJEuyX5jLck4BnhdPZEAXh8eECW6LoP6Y09d/s1600-h/badday.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32FYZ27Ibl0f8lRuE5akWTLO1jpoIs8ILPmwGzsEySOSSDeGhxNdSh7G6gTaHrqNGDYBFHLgKnoWeR2UI9DHsRlDtysPUVJK9BJEuyX5jLck4BnhdPZEAXh8eECW6LoP6Y09d/s320/badday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039979231159050226" border="0" /></a><br />I'm sorry I seem to be oh so pessimistic today. It should be a great day! Hello? It's Friday, and even though it's kinda rainy outside, it's not snowing and it's not cold. It's Friday, and I'm off to spend the weekend with Batman.<br /><br />And there is the storm cloud on my sunny day. I love that man more than I can express, but damn he's been Mr. Gloom and Doom, and he just can't shake this funk.<br /><br />OK, before you all start with the hate mail, I get that losing a pet can be traumatic and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">devastating</span>, but until we know exactly what happened to her ( and we don't) let's not give up hope that she has found a new family who will love her until she can find her way back. Let's keep hoping for the positive, instead of already assuming the worst.<br /><br />Fine, you want to be Gloomy Gus, go right ahead, and throw yourself that pity party you're dying to have. You have all damn day to wallow in it. But when I get there tonight, there will be no talk of doom, and gloom, there will be no tears, there will only be hope and good thoughts and prayers. (unless we find out the worst, then all bets are off).<br /><br />I love you B, but damn, pick yourself up and find some hope here. There's plenty out there. Grab ya some.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-81778895164782287382007-03-09T11:12:00.000-06:002007-03-09T11:21:22.787-06:00Third time's the charm? or The Perfect Trifecta?Remember this <a href="http://beckydworld.blogspot.com/2007/01/un-freakin-believable.html">fiasco</a>? How about <a href="http://beckydworld.blogspot.com/2006/12/some-times-fate-smiles-on-me-in-such.html">this one</a>? Well, apparently the dumbass lawyer and C1 are hoping that the third time is a charm. Anyone want to lay odds, they end up making it a perfect trifecta instead?<br /><br />We have a court date, next week, (that nobody bothered to inform me about) Good thing I like to check into our on-line court database every <s>so often</s> 3 days. Otherwise I would have never known I was required to show up at court and testify to all this bullshit and get this finally over with.<br /><br />Three months. It has taken them three months to get a court date. Now if there will be a judge sitting that day is anybody's guess, but we've got 50/50 odds. Which with Dumb and dumber running this dog and pony show it's bound to be a three ring circus.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-11416178866776198282007-03-09T10:31:00.000-06:002007-03-09T10:41:53.907-06:00Riddle me this. Why do I bother?I'm trying to put good karma out in the universe. <br /><br />Newt is very excited about reading a whole book all by herself last night. I wanted her father to know up front so he could feign the proper amount of excitement and praise for her efforts. It's a big deal to her, and he needs time to practice his I-give-a-shit look. (sad really)<br /><br />Tate's birthday is tomorrow. She waited until this morning to tell me she wanted to take goodies to school for her class. Well, hell, I can work miracles, but cookies/brownies, and goodie bags complete with stickers, and balloons and candy and pencils are just not flowing abundantly out of my back side at the moment. I just couldn't do it with a mere 15 minute warning. So, it was high drama today. Until I explained to her the glory of having a birthday that falls on a weekend. Besides the obvious (longer recover time) she can celebrate either Friday <span style="font-weight: bold;">OR</span> Monday. And now that I know this is a life or death situation, I can come up with some fantabulously awesome goodies by Monday and have them there before school starts.<br /><br />I tried to explain this to The Slug too, how he has breezed by, once again, and had avoided having to participate in anything remotely birthday or parentally aligned. I would once again be handling all the birthday details for school, so he wouldn't have to strain himself (or spend a dime of his precious money) to do anything for her.<br /><br />What did I get for my efforts?<br /><br />Jack shit.<br /><br />Nothing. <br /><br />"Uh, why did you bother me with this shit?"<br /><br />Exactly.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-3003507253046966062007-03-09T09:39:00.000-06:002008-12-09T09:09:05.468-06:00The Grand Adventure Continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FCAn1HHINxQdFNipJOOMNpuAzZBMZou6aYOGJgTs7GgJ5ai_J7UnL89wk-9yle_D4K-Ur4omLV53HWTcFeIzT6GFLhp6CmUV78etPHfQCN2-2dwB1M_ri1GtYgZWo-LSYFBv/s1600-h/collie_rough.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FCAn1HHINxQdFNipJOOMNpuAzZBMZou6aYOGJgTs7GgJ5ai_J7UnL89wk-9yle_D4K-Ur4omLV53HWTcFeIzT6GFLhp6CmUV78etPHfQCN2-2dwB1M_ri1GtYgZWo-LSYFBv/s320/collie_rough.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039952671081291746" border="0" /></a><br />No, that's not Lady, but it looks like Lady, or rather, she looks like that beauty there. And she's still missing.<br /><br />The possibilities are endless. The collar could have gotten caught and come off and no one knows who she is. Someone could have seen her beside the high way and taken her home with them. Maybe she had a hot date and well, is nursing a hang over (but you would think she would have waited until after the day at the spa instead of leaving before the beauty treatment).<br /><br />All I know is that Batman and Scooter have lost their baby, their best friend, and they just can't seem to climb out of the doom and gloom funk they are in.<br /><br />Batman got up and left the house at 4:30 this morning and drove the LONG way to work, down the semi major highway by the groomer's looking for her. The bad news? He didn't find her. The good news? He didn't find her. There is still hope.<br /><br />They don't want hope, they want Lady back. I hope she's having a grand adventure where ever she is, but damn bitch can't you call home and let everyone know you're ok?Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-83187505421140144502007-03-09T08:19:00.000-06:002008-12-09T09:09:05.673-06:00The doors to the world are beginning to open<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gWryjfeDLFGsnHtpMpAlmw5z5Vq3nW8eLvKGxat2xwp-oB-tL1_fYfgDNiQw93NEkfQhyphenhyphenlC4UruhxVMVXF1VDAVAjoJGUYk1dKxOGolg4f7vnGjUcH2rPpnHk0NiWRSbcDg1/s1600-h/giraffe+and+a+half.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4gWryjfeDLFGsnHtpMpAlmw5z5Vq3nW8eLvKGxat2xwp-oB-tL1_fYfgDNiQw93NEkfQhyphenhyphenlC4UruhxVMVXF1VDAVAjoJGUYk1dKxOGolg4f7vnGjUcH2rPpnHk0NiWRSbcDg1/s320/giraffe+and+a+half.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039929349408874402" border="0" /></a>Newt is in first grade. She is just learning how to read, and sometimes having a rough go at it. But she tries, really hard.<br /><br />Last night, I dug out A Giraffe and a Half by Shel Silverstein. His books are as easy and fun to read as any Dr. Suess books. They rhyme, they are nonsensical and they're funny. The kids (mine anyway) love them.<br /><br />If you had a giraffe and stretched him by half you would have a giraffe and a half.<br /><br />If he found a hat, and inside lived a rat, then you would have a giraffe and a half with a rat in a hat.<br /><br />You get where this is going? Yeah, you end up with a giraffe and a half, with a rat in a hat, a rose on his nose, a bee on his knee, looking cute in a suit and a bunch of other things that rhyme but I can't remember.<br /><br />So last night, Newt and I sat there reading this book. I would read the simple two line sentence to give her the two rhyming words (being sure to point them out to her so she could see them and hear them) and she would read the whole long list of things (that grew with every page turn). The longer that list grew, the more excited she got when she could read the entire page with little or no help from me.<br /><br />She had to get sister out of the bath last night to read to her. She had to tell grandma all about it this morning on the phone. That child read that entire book 3 times over last night. All.By.Herself.<br /><br />Now, that she's learning to read, the possibilities are endless......Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7355875.post-21824243731081068432007-03-08T18:46:00.000-06:002007-03-08T19:30:31.587-06:00Ultimate Blog Party comes to an endIt has been a busy busy week here in Bloggeritaville. So many parties to attend, so many margaritas to drink, so many hang overs to avoid (have another drink...stay drunk). At the beginning of the blog party I was so gung-ho about visiting as many blogs as I could. But then I realized that I was tired and cranky and smelly from lack of sleep, food and showers. The kids were threatening mutiny too, so I had to get back to my real life.<br /><br />But I did meet lots of new bloggers, who's blogs I will be going back to often. Let me introduce you to some of my new friends.<br /><br />First and foremost is <a href="http://teamlarsonracing.blogspot.com/">RaceMom</a>. She's a WAHM, who is the same age I am, and BONUS she lives really close by. Her family is as into racing as Batman and I are. Her family races midgets, (those are cars, not the little people) and Scooter races motocross, but any race fan knows, speed is speed and it doesn't matter if it's cars, trucks, boats or bikes, racing is racing. I'm hoping Batman and I can get down to her neck of the woods this summer and catch a race with her and her family.<br /><br />There is also <a href="http://dirtylaundryqueen.blogspot.com/index.html">The Queen of Dirty Laundry</a>. I first went to her blog because the name sounds so much like my life, and anyone who claims to be the queen of dirty laundry has to have a wicked sense of humor. I go back to her blog, because she is so down to earth, and funny, and she writes a little like me.<br /><br />Please meet Jenn who is desperately <a href="http://comingoutforabreath.blogspot.com/">Trying to stay alive and keep her wits about her</a>. This woman is nothing if not dedicated. She came home from a vacation in Puerto Rico with her honey to host this blog party for us. (well, not really <span style="font-weight: bold;">just</span> for this reason, but it sounded good). I loved the title of her blog, and go back to visit, because she just writes from her heart, from her day to day experience, and she keeps it real.<br /><br />How could I not go to the blog titled <a href="http://www.coffeetalking.blogspot.com/">It's just the coffee talking</a>? She was ready to give up blogging at one point, and had actually walked away for 2 days when 2 major coffee companies contacted her and offered her coffee and $$ to try their product and blog about it. HELLO? Sign me up. Anyone who loves coffee as much as I do, is ok in my book.<br /><br />Please go check out <a href="http://lifewithmytwogirls.blogspot.com/">My Glamorous Life</a>. Much like me she spent the first part of the blog party visiting lots of people, and by the end of the week had hit Blogger's Block, and had nothing to write about. Oh, how I can relate (have you seen the piss poor posts I've had in the past 2 days?) When all else fails...do a brain dump. She did, and came up with a great post. I did and found it empty. Hhmmm.<br /><br />I love Cupcake over at <a href="http://iamallastonishment.blogspot.com/">A Universally Acknowledged Truth</a>. Her blog posts about the mothers who are uh, difficult, was perfect, and it was just the hook that got me to come back again and again.<br /><br /><a href="http://beccasblankslate.blogspot.com/">Becca</a> wrote a hilariously agonizing <a href="http://beccasblankslate.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-am-glad-i-am-not-only-one.html">post</a> about her son's math homework. Anyone who can make light and laugh at math story problems, has to be cool. I love her blog. Go check her out.<br /><br />For those of you who don't mind the occasional F-bomb (and I know who you are, you visit here often enough) go read <a href="http://babygirl81.squarespace.com/">Erica</a>. Her newest post is all about how her wax lady got fired and it's all her fault. (and we're not talking waxing her legs here folks). Erica is just wild enough and just *umph* I'd love to hang with her.<br /><br /><a href="http://stephanieandabby.blogspot.com/">Stephanie</a> is a young single mom to a beautiful 6 month old angel. Being a single mom is not easy. Being single and that young, with so much of your life still ahead of you, takes courage and strength, and this girl has both in spades. (I hope she knows this, if not, I hope she figures it out).<br /><br />Jamie apparently <a href="http://jamiefred76.blogspot.com/">went to the store</a>, and while she was gone, I went and checked out her blog. I love a woman who will admit that her favorite thing to do is read blogs. She admits to that dirty little secret and the very next blog post is all about her bathroom. Doesn't get much more real than that.<br /><br />So those are just a few of the blogs I <s>stalked</s> visited during this week long blog party. I had fun doing this, and I met a lot of new bloggers, but damn people, I'm tired, I'm bloated, I'm stuffed and I'm hung over. I need to go recuperate.Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16760539740949892803noreply@blogger.com4