2008: Jan - March

15
Jan
Ugh. Arg. Hmpth!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


After getting the laptop back, I realized there were 2 critical things that didn’t work. AT ALL. My Flickr uploader and my yahoo messenger.
It didn’t matter how many times I reinstalled. It didn’t matter how many times I promised it candy. It didn’t matter how many times I cried.  No fix.

I had to reinstall windows AGAIN (7th time this month already) and add all the plug ins.  Fixed.
Now I can get back to taking pictures and uploading them.  Oh, and sleeping.

Comments (7)  //  Add Comment
10
Jan
“Look Grandma, I’m on the BED!”
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


She is finally able to come into the bedroom without having to make eye contact with me and politely asking, “Uh, hey…I was thinking about moving all four

of these feet over to the side of the bed. That would require me to use this fuzzy carpet thing. That cool?”

Halo, Satan’s very own herding dog, cruises on in like she has had carpet control since day one. She came over to the bed tonight and as I was watching

some show on penguins I was petting her. She started talking to me and it must have been something VERY important because the paws came up on the bed.
“Halo, go lay down.”

She walks to the other side of the bed and hops right up.

Shaun’s eyes bugged out of his head and his eyebrows actually exploded.

Comments (13)  //  Add Comment
07
Jan
This reminded me of something funny…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


When my mom went into the ER for a possible stroke and I had an interesting conversation with my sister.
She was telling me everything that had happened since early that morning. She told me stories of the crazy people in the ER and how mom looked like she

was about to just snap.

“Poor mom, the first time the tranny did it, she didn’t get in the vein. Then the second tranny came in and she couldn’t get in. She’s going to be mad when

she wakes up from all of this.  Poooor pooor mom. She had not ONE, but TWO trannies.”

*blink*

“Two wha?”  I can’t even start to process an image in my head.

“Two trannies.”

“Trannies. Mom had two male trannie nurses?” The image is coming to me.

“TRAIN-EES. Like, training.”

I guess it’s a good thing when I think about the time we thought mom had a stroke, I have a thing I can look back on and laugh my ass off about.

Comments (12)  //  Add Comment
06
Jan
Switching Channels
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I’m now bored with Code Blue and Trauma in the ER.  I have found a couple of new shows that I am now obsessed with.

Orangutan Island and Animal Precinct.  The first show is seriously the most adorable show out there. I’m not a big fan of Apes or Monkeys. When I was little

my mom and I watched this scary movie late at night and it was about monkeys or apes that went on a killing rampage and it has marred me for life.
The second show is about Animal police officers that go in and rescue neglected or abused animals. I was hooked at the first show I watched. I’m not a big

animal person. That is my mom and sister.  They spoil their dogs.  Me, not so much.

My name is Kristine, I am a reformed animal not lover.

It was time for Halo and I to become best friends.  She’s not abused or neglected, but I can honestly say I have screamed the words, “I HATE THAT DAMN

DOG” at least 29 times in the last month.
She’s a super, SUPER, SUPPPPPPER smart dog. It’s almost creepy how smart this dog is.  Since we got her we taught her that shes not allowed on the

carpet.  She has bended the rules to fit her needs, and we have let her get away with it.
Now, I say, “F the rules pooch, COME ON IN!”
She looks at me like I am on crack though. “Seriously? You want me to come in there? You know there is carpet separating you from me?”

We took a shower together and she now smells like ‘not wet dog’. I smell like ‘wet dog’.

I took a few hours of brushing out her fur. She loved every minute, except the part of her tail.  She’s picky about her tail.

We are now talking more. She likes it when I call her Stinky Lips.  I have noticed since I have become best friends with her, that all the other family members

are treating her nicer too.

It’s going to be a good year.

Comments (10)  //  Add Comment
04
Jan
Some people like it, I do not.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
The weather outside is freakin’ nuts.

60 mph winds have caused my disastrous backyard to look even more jacked. The fence on the side of the house had been slamming into the house all night

(the latch broke) and we have a waterfall..er..mudslide on the hill behind our house.

If it keeps raining, we will have a pool. :)

I should be spending time in the house doing something creative, but it’s so cold that the only thing that sounds like fun is crawling under the covers and

getting warm.

Weather sucks.

Comments (15)  //  Add Comment
03
Jan
It wouldn’t be a new year without it…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I remember every ‘crash’ and what it took with it.

The great crash of 2002 wiped out all my pictures. It took me days to be able to climb out of bed after that one.  All the ones before that were annoying, but

they didn’t cause my heart to break.
I did learn after the crash of 2002 that “The Blue Screen Of Death” means business and should not be messed with.

When I first got my lap top, I had to send it back in because it kept losing the wireless and come to find out, the model I bought is notorious for it.

Welcome 2008 and guess where my laptop is?  Yeah…HP.  (Shut up Mac users!)

I lost ALL my emails.  I had JUST backed up all my pictures the night before in preparation for the disaster. I didn’t think about the emails that would be lost

though.

So I will be using this time semi-computerless to do the things I have been thinking about.

1. Yoga.
2. Reorganizing every thing I can find.
3. trying to pull that large object lodged in my arse. Oh, that would be my head.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Comments (10)  //  Add Comment

31
Jan
Told Ya So!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I’m hoping that every month I can make one of these as a reminder of what was important this month.

First of, McLovin…He has fit in perfectly. In fact, he came up to me today and put his face right up to mine and was THIS close to giving me a kiss.  His

teenage insecurity might have made him chose against it though.
He did spend hours studying for a test last night, so he might have just been tired.

Drama broke lose last week. One of those drama filled few days that ironically didn’t involve a single teenager!  People who I thought were friends were

making up wonderful stories about me.  What gets me is, there is the biggest grab bag of crap that’s true to bash me with, why make up stuff?  Either way, it

made me realize that, yes…people deserve another chance…but after like 5 tries I have to walk away.  What do you call someone that doesn’t own up to their

responsibility in problems? Anyway…

I’m working on getting stuff worked out on my page.  You know me, at least 3 times a year, I need a change.

Thanks again for all the awesome links, PLEASE feel free to send me a link at anytime. Even if it’s just to yours to say, “I have good (or bad) news and I want

someone to come over and check it out. Mkay?”

I’ve been battling a bunch of roller coaster crap. My fingers have been gnawed down to the bone.  It’s 3am and I am finally tired.

Let me know how this looks in all your different browsers.

Comments (29)  //  Add Comment
30
Jan
Alrighty then…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Thanks for the links. The first one, with the pressed jewelery…COOLNESS.  I have been looking for a necklace that says, “Go ahead, just blame me for it.” and

just couldn’t figure out where to find one.

I visited all the other ones, and I am officially kicking the ass of the person who sent me to the online game one. I spent more time trying to figure out the

game then I did on my college exit exam!

I was also reminded of all the blogs I use to have time to read.  I miss you guys. :)

This whole blog thing…I’m so ready to just stop.  It’s been a few years I have been here, doing my thing, writing my what-nots.  It’s alright, but I’ve lost my

flare for writing.

I’m ready to pack my bags and travel. Be it through books (suggestions? you guys kick ass at suggestions!) or through getting in the car and just going

(suggestions? places I can park my ass?) or just getting lost in my photography.

I’m all around still…

I twitter: www.twitter.com/randomandodd
I MySpace: www.myspace.com/randomandodd
I yahoo: kristine_seguin
I aim: justkeeton

I’m also going to redesign my site to fit me again.  Old lady florals and stripes. Books and Movie recommendations.

LOL, Shaun’s having a nightmare or something next to me. I think he’s chasing someone because his leg keeps bursting out of the covers and his arms are

flopping around.  Perhaps he’s just a border collie right now and is herding sheep or cattle.
He woke up the other night after I threw up from the pain of a headache and said, “Ooooh, it’s going to be okay.”  I knew he was on auto-husband.  I told him I

was okay and to go back to sleep.  He just said, “I’m going to be okay. Go back sleep.”
I swear, the perks of actually having someone to sleep next to are limitless.
1. I can tickle his nose until he hits himself in the face, wakes up and looks at me like I had some part in it. I just raise my eyebrows at him like he’s a moron

and he rolls over and sighs. He hasn’t figured out it’s me yet.
2. The sleep talking is hysterical.  He actually will belly laugh in his dreams.
3. The annoying look he gets on his face when he wakes up and i’m still awake. Like it’s HIS fault I can’t sleep.

Okay, where was I?  Oh yeah, my lack of important things to talk about.  Did I mention he farts in his sleep? HYSTERICAL, because during his waking hours

he will not fart in front of me. He would walk to the corner market before he farted in the radius that I could POSSIBLY hear him…when he sleeps, farts like a

bullhorn.
He will kill me after he reads this, so if you don’t hear from me in a few days…I’m being buried in the backyard next to old ex-boyfriends.

Anyway…well, yeah. There you go.

Comments (17)  //  Add Comment
29
Jan
Hook a sister up
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I know you’re out there. According to the creepy stat counter, you’re all STILL here. Just LURKING like the creepy next door neighbor that you tell your kids is

really a vampire.

I need new websites.
Everyone give me a website you visit daily, or a online site you use for fun.

Lurkers…you have to give me TWO sites.

Comments (48)  //  Add Comment
28
Jan
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Kara got home from her snow trip today.  She reminded me of myself when I was going to church at her age.  I loved church camp.  I loved everything about

it.  I’m grateful that she had the opportunity to be a part of something so special with her new friend, Kyla.
It’s wonderful to know that I can send my child over to her friends house and know that the parents are an active in their child’s life.  Her mother is a mother

and not her ‘best friend’.   She is accountable for her behavior around her parents and at other people’s home.  Her family will make sure that if Kara is in

their home that they will respect the choices I make for my daughter and not disrespect me by telling my daughter that the choices I make for her are ‘wrong’.
I’m not strict, I’m not unfair, my children respect me as a parent…and a ‘friend’.  They can come to me and not fear telling me the truth.  I respect them

enough to not to drill them for every detail of their lives.
Have I mentioned how much I adore this girl’s parents?

Alyx was bored to death last night.  I decided to put a bit of make up on her and take pictures.  I know my girls are not camera shy are are pretty darn cute, but

I had no idea how photogenic Alyx was.  Normally she does this stupid smile or the ‘enough with the camera mom.’ look.
Looking at her pictures and seeing how much older she looked with a tad bit of eye shadow, I felt the need to hurry up and write her a letter to make sure she

heard at least a small fraction of what I have teach her before she is grown and doing her own thing.  Things I think I might have forgotten the first 11 years of

her life.
At 4 am I was still very much awake.  She walked into the room and I pulled her into bed with me and all the thoughts running through my head that were

keeping me awake, washed away.  I fell asleep.

As you can see, I am probably going to be posting this at 2:45 am.  The night is still early for me.  There are 2 or 3 more hours of stressing before my mind

and body break down and I am able to sleep.  It doesn’t matter that I took the ‘mac daddy’ of all sleeping pills at 10 pm.

How are things?  Oh, I don’t know.  I feel like I’m stuck in some strange purgatory.  Day late and a dollar short and all the other stupid phrases that describe

people who make a bed and then have to lay in it.  (By the way, people who make a bed and are forced to lay in it…they don’t sleep in it. They just lay there

and stare at the ceiling fan and redecorate the room in their heads)
You know how when you have a headache, you wish you could take your brain out and scratch the pain right off?  I’m kinda like that, but I wish I could drink

some bleach and clean out all the ick.  When i’m all clean then I can lose some weight, not be so freaked out, grab a back pack and be one with nature.  I think

I might be a closet tree hugger. DEEP in the closet.  So deep in the closet that you would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS guess that I love the world outside of

the safe walls of my home.

Maybe I will go out tomorrow and buy some trail mix and biodegradable toilet paper.  Or drink bleach. I haven’t decided which one.  Pine Sol would probably

be more appropriate?*

*kids, i’m not drinking bleach or Pine Sol. Yet.

Comments (6)  //  Add Comment
26
Jan
All Kinds of Random…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Kara is in Tahoe this weekend with her friend, Kyla.  I don’t know what it is, whenever she leaves to go somewhere, I miss her all the way in my bones.

I’m so in love with the orangutans on the Animal Planet show, “Orangutan Island”.  I want to move there and take care of them.  I want to know that when

everyone is all growed up that I can pack up my backpack and move to some remote island and be a volunteer.  I would do all the horrible grunt work, if it

means I get to hang out with those extraordinary animals.

McLovin got out and I when he got back in, I put him in his crate.  I sat down and put my hands on my face and let out a sigh of frustration.  When I removed

my hands from my face, it was BURNING.  It felt like someone threw battery acid on me.  I started to panic.  I washed my face with Dawn dish soap to get

whatever was on my face off.
I figured out that McLovin got sprayed with mace by someone.  When I grabbed his collar and put my hand on his fur, it got on my hands.
I can’t even imagine what first contact of that stuff feels like.
McLovin got his 3rd shower in one week.
My face dried up and fell off.

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment
24
Jan
Our Moment of Truth
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
After WAY too much time watching all 14 of these stupid videos, I still couldn’t figure out if it was real or a hoax.
It was all over MySpace so that should be my answer right there, but I am all about figuring out the truth.

Because I had invested all that time into reading about the show, stalking myspace pages for a truthful answer and googling everything I could I figured I

would watch the show. I was already interested in watching it anyway, because I think I would do pretty darn good on that show. It’s pretty much based on

MySpace questionnaires, just your attached to a polygraph machine.

Here were some of the personalized answers that I standardized so I could answer.

(first guy, ex-football player, married, no kids)

1. Have you ever canceled an appointment saying you were sick when you weren’t?
–Yes. In fact that is the top of the grab bag of excuses I have used.

2. Have you ever admired yourself in the mirror after taking a shower?
–Yes, admire as in looked and was like, “Whoa…really? My ass seriously looks THAT gross?”

3. Have you hit someone else’s car and not left a note?
–Yes and karma has come back to haunt me.

4. While you were in college, did you ever get a passing grade just because you were on the football team (or cheated)?
–Yes, but I have completely logical excuse for it.

5. As a football player (or in a gym) did you ever sneak a peek at another player’s privates while taking a shower?
–Yes. Boobs are like RIGHT there in your face. I wouldn’t say I SNEAKED a peek though. Tough one.

6. If your (husband or wife) developed a flabby stomach would you encourage her to get liposuction?
–No. Have you not seen me OR my ex-husband?

7. Have you ever suspected one of your friends of making a play for your (husband/wife/boy/girlfriend)?
–No, not one of my friends.

8. Have you ever had sexual relations with someone the very same day you met them?
–No.

9. Is there something you have done that could cause (Husband/Wife/boy/girlfriend) not to trust you?
–Yes. Being where I have been that is always out there.

10. Do you think you delayed having children because you’re not sure if (H/W/B/Girlfriend)will be your lifelong partner?
– No. I can honestly say I never delayed having children.

11. Have you ever touched a co-worker/client more than was required of you?
– Yes, and I was forced to re-watch the sexual harassment video because of it.

(second guy–divorce father of 2, lives with girlfriend and her 2 kids)

1. Have you ever gone through a co-workers private belongings without their knowledge?
– Yes. I was young.

2. Have you ever had a sexual fantasy while attending mass/church?
–Yes. The pastor’s son was so hot!

3. Do you consider yourself to be better looking than most men/women your age?
–No. Absolutely not. I will when I am like 50! Watch out good genes!

4. Are you currently a member of the Hair Club for Men?
–No. Or Hair Club for Women…but if I could afford it, HECK YES!

5. Have you ever considered you might be addicted to gambling?
–Yes. I actually read the little pamphlet they have the casino and I answered yes to too many of the questions.
I’m also addicted to Dole Pineapple/Mango/Orange juice.

6. Do you have a bank account your (H/W/B/girlfriend) doesn’t know about?
–No. But that might be a good idea. ;)

7. Have you ever padded your underwear/bra to look more endowed?
–No. I hid behind an uncomfortably large jacket even in the middle of the summer to hide the fact that I had no boobs.

See that wasn’t so bad was it? As I watching the show and the friends and family of the contestants squirm around at the questions, I had to think: what would

make my family and friends squirm?
—Yeah, there might be a few questions I wouldn’t want to answer just to fear them the embarrassment. I haven’t heard them ask it…YET.

Comments (8)  //  Add Comment
23
Jan
Can you hear me now?
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I made the HUGE mistake of taking the dogs to the park yesterday.  I factored in it was raining a little bit, but completely forgot about the mud.
McLovin is going to be calling Doggy Protective Services on me for bathing him too much.

When we first got him, Kara wasn’t happy about it. She wanted a pocket dog.  She made it perfectly clear that she wouldn’t be participating in anything that

involved the moronic dog.
We had a debated discussion about him and it involved tears on both of our parts.
Last night, she taught him how to ‘shake’. I smiled from ear to ear for a solid 2 hours afterward.

Last night was also another break through for the two of them.  They willingly played and it didn’t end in one of them bleeding from the ears.
At the command “IN”, they both willing run into their crates and stay until I say they come out.   *score!*

I’ve been battling this cough and cold that in the beginning was just physically draining. Now I am HOPEFULLY at the end of it and I am now mentally drained

from it.
The non-stop coughing has made me feel like I’ve done a million sit ups.  I just feel like every time I cough my brain is bouncing around in my skull.

Same ol’ Same ol’.

How you all doing?

Comments (4)  //  Add Comment
22
Jan
“No Sheep, No Collies.” I might need to get some Sheep.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


It’s going to rain for the rest of the week.

The dogs have spent the last three days at the dog park.  It dawned on Halo that, “Hey, it might be this big, ol’ dorky dog that is getting us all these cool car

rides.”  Today she decided she liked him enough to allow him to engage her in a game of jumping up and down and biting each other’s ears.  Of course,

when Hannah Montana came on TV, she brushed him off and told him to get lost.

It took 1 day for him to learn “sit” and 2 days to figure out that ‘IN’ means, “Go into the crate without biting me.”
It took 3 days to see him ‘SMILE’.
Shea was getting ready to leave with Dan and she was proudly showing him off as if he was AKC registered with a full name like, ‘You’ve lost that McLovin’

Feeling III’.    Out of nowhere, he smiled. Full goofy, bottom tooth grin.

I’m throwing myself into being a good dog owner.  In fact, I have been reading every thing there is to read about training a Border Collie.
It’s a good thing that the good stories outweigh the horror stories.  Let’s weight them out:
Horror Story: “My Border Collie figured out how to open the bathroom door and tore up all the toilet paper, opened the shampoo bottles and spilled them on

the floor and then ate the toilet seat covers.”
Good Story: “My Border Collie helps me pick up laundry left on the floor.”

Hell yeah, bring it on!  Dog that helps me clean TIMES TWO?  If I can teach Halo how to fold the laundry and McLovin to put it away, and either one of them to

take out the garbage, I’m getting a divorce and leaving my children with Dan!

Unlike Halo, McLovin’ is a shower dog.  Every time someone turns on the shower, he goes running in and gives you the puppy dog eyes if you don’t let him

in with you.  He spends the whole time licking the bottom of the shower as if we don’t ever let him have water.  It’s cool though. I haven’t had to use the magic

eraser in there since we got him!

Tonight he fell asleep at the bottom of the bed.  Shaun and I were watching him sleep without fear.  “Pretty far away from the pound, eh?”
I understand why he wasn’t adopted.
When we took him out to ‘socialize’ with him he pulled with great force. As soon as he got into the pen with us, he spent the whole time trying to get to the

other fence where the Beagle was ‘socializing’ with his future owner.  He wanted more than anything to play with another dog.  He only realized we were there

when Shaun picked up a ball, and it was only for a split second before he went back to figuring out how to get to the other containment area.
If any other people spent time with him, they wouldn’t have been impressed with him.  You would think that he would have gotten a clue when all the other

dogs around him were getting adopted and he still sat in his cage.  He had not mastered the ‘Hey, take me home’ look or behavior.
If I knew nothing about his breed, I probably would have opted for a dog that was more social.  I’m so glad I already knew what I was going to be getting.

I knew eventually he would be in a deep sleep at the foot of the bed. In such a deep sleep that Shaun nearly had to pick him and carry him to his crate.

So with a week of rain means I won’t be able to take them to the dog park.  This might be a good time to start teaching them how to make lasagna and

scrubbing the bathroom floor.

Comments (8)  //  Add Comment
18
Jan
He’s a organ donor from Hawaii
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


It’s been something I have been kicking around for 4 months, but didn’t know how to say it.  It has been three years since we got Halo from a shelter.  It was

time to start looking for a friend for her.

I have been searching the shelters like a person searches for vacation packages after the income tax return check comes in.  To say I was tempted a few times

by the adorable faces of puppies and pocket dogs, is an understatement.  I knew when I saw him, I had to have him.  In fact, the thought of calling the shelter

and finding out he had been adopted already made me unable to sleep last night.  (Yes, I am running on zero sleep)

When Shaun and I got to the shelter, it didn’t take long to find him. He was in the very front.  Remember when being first in line was the coolest thing?  No so

much for a dog at the pound. It simply means that your time is up.   When I talked to the lady at the front desk about him, she said he had been there since

December 28th.  I said, “Not that long then.”  She looked at me like I was a loon.
“Uh, actually…that’s REALLY long.”  and then gave me that look that only people at the pound can give you because they know more than anyone else in the

human race and have seen things that only we read about in text books.
To make sure I got the picture she raised her pierced purple eyebrow at me and gave me a look that said, “The dog should be named ‘dead’”  I got the

picture. Put the eyebrow down lady.

Shaun and I kicked around a few names. Your typical dog names.  I liked Jack cause it looks like he has a patch over his eye and we could give him a cool

name like “Captain Jack Ruler of the Backyard.”  Shaun liked “Panda”.  I pointed out that was a totally gay name and what was he, like 5?

After I took a big bite of chicken sandwich, Shaun looks at me and gives me a name that seemed to fit.

McLovin.

He’s kind of an angsty non social teenage boy.  Loves other dogs, but is awkward and clumsy around Halo. He tries to get her to chase him, but she is more

interested in making sure he is where she wants him to be.  He plays the aloof card around her, but she’s so totally popular and it comes off looking more like

he’s just a flute player in the school band.  It’s the first day, things can change.  She could decide he’s like the boy next door and is fun to play with when they

aren’t in school.  Right now, she’s more interested in fashion and High School Musical.

Oh, McLovin, you have so much to learn.

Comments (27)  //  Add Comment
16
Jan
I’m a mom.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Shea stayed home from school today. She had spent the night with Dan last night and when he dropped her off he said, “She didn’t eat breakfast. Said her

tummy hurt.”

The other day, Alyx stayed home because her allergies were too much for her to handle.

I didn’t mind it too much because I haven’t been able to sleep in over a week. Staying up until 5 am has been killing my system and making me want to sleep

all day.

Liz is going to see her mom in Alabama so I drove her to the airport.  Thinking Shea was going to be fine, I drug her along with me.  I even picked Alyx up

early so she could say goodbye to Taylor ( HER baby girl)

On the way home, Shea did this whole, “OH GOD, IT HURTS!” I believed her. She is quite the dramatic one, but this looked pretty convincing.
Then from out of nowhere Shea projectile vomited all over the front of the car.
In the middle of each spurt she apologized for throwing up all over the place.
“It’s okay baby, we are almost home.”
More vomiting.
About 5 miles down the road I hear from the backseat, “OH NO! I CAN SMELL IT!”  I’m thinking, ‘wonderful. sympathy vomit coming from the back seat.’

We made it almost home when I decided to detour to Dan’s house.  Yeah. He can handle the barf in his driveway better than I could.

I hosed out the car, chanting to myself; ‘I can do this. This isn’t that bad. Not toooo bad at all. I can do this. I gave birth to them, I have changed diapers. I can

do this.’

Shea walked out and let out a big ol’ dramatic sigh. “Whoa, glad that’s over.”

Yeah, it’s over kid. But when I’m in my 70′s I am going to barf all over the front of her minivan as revenge.  I will then look at her with the most adorable eyes

and say, “Can I have chocolate ice cream now?”

Comments (18)  //  Add Comment

21
Feb
If I’m to be your camera, then who will be your face?
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


We are not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

In the past few days, I have been touched by the Electronic Gods.  My laptop had been returned to HP three times to have the motherboard replaced.  The

Gods of HP decided that it was going to get junked and replaced.  I got to pick the replacement, WITHIN reason. I had to have the same stats as my old laptop.

 Yeah, well…I sweet talked my way into a laptop that all but toasts my bread.   *singing* Shhhhheee’s  a beauuuty!
No, it’s not a Mac, but what-ev’.

And yeah. The tax returnith comith.  Shaun’s sporting a new Nikon D300.  I say, “Shaun” because he’s been pouting that I have been getting all these fancy

new things and he is still on the desktop that is held together with dog hair and Cherry Coke.

D300 isn’t a point and click like the D70.  No no no, my friends. This camera doesn’t have any of those fun ‘presets’. No auto on this thing.
My brain fried after 3 minutes of using it.
Guess what I get to do? READ THE DAMN MANUAL.

This camera is going to challenge the hell out of me.  Something I try to avoid, but Alrighty.

So, name selection for TWO objects.  My brand new WHITE laptop (yes, they say once you go black, you can’t go back…I BEG TO DIFFER.)  and the Nikon

D300.

What are the suggestions?

Comments (11)  //  Add Comment
19
Feb
True Nikon Family
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


DSC_0175, originally uploaded by DanStone.
Dan was one of the first people to put a professional camera in my hands and showed me how it worked. That was 17 years ago.
I never let a camera out of arms reach until the day he handed me a video camera.

It’s been about as long as he handed me his camera that he finally picked one up again.

Through hoops of fire, he was able to get a Nikon D40. It was not a spur of the moment buy. He had actually did a lot of research and asked me about 4,000

questions before he finally gave in and bought one.
Like a kid in a crack store, he’s been going crazy with his new toy. He bought a Flickr pro account so he can flood our photostreams with pictures of his cats.

In the search to find him the perfect camera that will fit all of his needs, I kept sneaking a few peeks at my sick obsession; Nikon D300.

Owning my own photography business, I can justify buying it. The fact that I have had my D70 for as long as I have (well over the estimated shutter release

give out :29,000 and 56,000) and got so much more than the recreational use I thought I was going to get out of it.
I could TOTALLY justify buying it. I mean, I am going to need a bigger camera and the D70 will make a fine back up camera. THERE IS JUSTIFICATION DAMN

IT.

Tonight I actually went in and was going to buy it, but because I am a moron, I didn’t get it.
Figuring it was God’s way of telling me that I shouldn’t buy it, I got the girls together and asked them if they had a hundred dollars, what would they spend it

on. I figured it was going to be the perfect example of what normal people do when given unexpected money.

“If I gave you a hundred dollars, Alyx…what would you buy?”
“I would put it in my account and save it for college.” Shea chimes in with a ‘me too’

*blink* *blink* Whoa. Were are the children that at Target will plead with me for a toy until their throats bleed?

“ALYX. Shut up. You don’t have ‘an account’”
“Well, I should huh?” She looks up at me from my check book register that she is balancing.

“Yeah. whatever. So say you decided to spend it and not ‘save’ it. What would you buy?”
Looking up from the pile of receipts she says, “A vacation.”
“WHAT?” I swear to GOD, who STOLE MY CHILDREN AND REPLACED THEM WITH THESE FREAKS!?
“I’m thinking Hawaii. It will take some saving though.” She taps my check book register with her pen and recalculates the last entry. “So, have you made any

deposits into this account?”

Yes.

AND and I will making a withdrawal tomorrow! little accountant freak.

Comments (13)  //  Add Comment
18
Feb
L.A. traffic is bad this time of year
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


It’s been nearly a month that I have been off my anti-anxiety medication.  The first couple of weeks were hard. The third week was total bliss. This fourth week

is trial and error.

In the first couple of weeks, I didn’t tell anyone that I had ran out of pills and was choosing not to refill them.  It took some time for my body to realize that I

wasn’t on any medication and when it did, I got bombarded with ‘zaps’ of anxiety.  A ‘zap’ isn’t a medical term, it’s a Kristine-term.  Imagine if you will sitting

on the couch minding your own business and someone comes up behind you and scares the living shit out of you.  That is a ‘zap’.  I got about 40 of those in

an hour.  24 hours a day.

After the ‘zaps’ started to balance out to 15 an hour and then to 5 an hour, I began getting this strange “I’m on LCD” feeling.
For the first time in nearly 2 years, I wanted to get out of the house and go places.  The bummer was driving while ‘not medicated’.   Certain that I would die if

someone decided to merge into my lane, I chose to wait out the ‘zaps’.  The ‘fuzzy feeling’ of week 3 was worse than the ‘zaps’.  I swear, if I could bottle the

shit that was floating around in my head, I could sell it for thousands. People would pay good money to enjoy the euphoric feeling my brain was sending me.

During the last week, I even stopped taking medication to sleep.  Whoa. Never again will I take medication to sleep.  It’s better to just stay awake for 5 days

straight then try to fall asleep without medication after being on it for years.

So, here I am.  Clean of all medication and souped up on vitamins.

How am I doing?

On an hourly basis, I am reminded of WHY I was on medication.   What is going on with the ‘firing in my brain’ is clearly off. I understand this.  This isn’t my

fault.  I think that was the first thing I needed to except. With that knowledge, I am able to see it for what it is, ‘a faulty brain’.
Learning to fall asleep, be tired and let go was hard, but I was certain it was going to be worse.  It was absolutely the hardest part though.

Now to the part that I am blessed/cursed with.  I LOVE getting out the house again.  Oh my GOD, I had forgotten what it was like to be able to just walk out of

the house and go.  I thought for sure, being on the medication, It would give me the ‘power’ to get out. It did in the beginning, but as the months turned into

years, I found that the comfort of ‘under the covers’ was so much better.
There hasn’t been a day in a month that I settled for being in the house all day.  I must get out and feel the sun.

Now for the cursed part.  On medication; “Whatever.”  without medication; “NO!”
I will not put up with the bullshit that I had put up with during my medicated years.  When I am pissed off, you’ll know about it.  When I feel like I am being

used, I will cut you out of my life faster than you’ll have a chance to say you’re sorry.
My way or the highway. I am in charge of this life and if you’re lucky enough to be a part of it, you respect me.  If you’re not, you’re not going to hear about it,

you’re going to just find yourself scratching your head saying, “Whoa…what happened. I had used her as a doormat before and she didn’t mind.”

My Aries fire is back.

I’m happy though. Even with the ‘zaps’ and the ‘no bullshit’ outlook.  I think I can manage it.

I can do this. Welcome 2008.

Comments (23)  //  Add Comment
13
Feb
My Random and Odd Valentine
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random

Hey everyone, Shaun here.  I’m blognapping Random & Odd to post Kristine’s Valentine’s Day post.  To those of you who don’t know Kristine very well, once

you talk to her or spend any time with her, she’ll be in your heart forever.  She can be brutally honest without being hurtful, can be supportive and

encouraging even if she disagrees with you.  She can make you laugh when you’re ready to pull your hair out.  She’s the ‘realest’ person I’ve ever known.

The way she writes and speaks is really how she is, and everyone lucky enough to call her a friend would agree.  If you’re new here, stick around and

definitely comment when she writes something that makes you laugh or want to strangle her.  If you’ve been here awhile, thanks for sticking around through

the good times and the tough ones!  Ok, I’m rambling, so back to the point… here are 29 random things (it’s a leap year, hence 29), good or bad, that I

thought you might enjoy learning about my favorite blogger:



She does the worst accents ever.  It’s like ‘It’s a Small World’ caught on fire and all the countries melted together
Will mispronounce a word, recognize it halfway through the word, then painfully try to correct herself.  It’s like watching a fly try to escape a web.
Has the worst, guilt-ridden smile when trying to hide something.  You don’t want her lying to congress for you.
She can read a book in one sitting, in one night.
Has a special outfit just for the Dog Park
Labels every UCB/connector wire/plug and knows what each goes to
Will break into song in almost any situation.  Not real songs, either.  Fake, improvised songs to fit whatever’s going on (laundry, me sleeping, etc)
Will remove pickles from my burger before giving it to me
Can recognize, almost instantly, whether she’s already seen a TV show…..we’re talking milliseconds in to the show.  Its impressive.
Can sleep through anything
Will wake up, thoroughly detail an entire dream to me, then fall back asleep immediately.  And she won’t remember any of it.
Gets genuinely excited when people call or e-mail her unexpectedly
Will NEVER call you back when she’s supposed to
Loves calenders, purses, and blank books that she can write in
Has more robes than anyone not named Hefner
Shows a genuine interest in every one of the kids, and knows all about each of their lives
She spent most of the Super Bowl smoking cigars with a bunch of Mexican guys, a former NBA player, a pin-up girl, and my co-workers.
Loves her family to death.  Her mom and sister are EVERYTHING to her!
Can talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Effortlessly.
She hates lawn gnomes
Want to drive her crazy?  Say ‘anyways’
Blood vessels in her eyes burst when someone calls the store “Barnes & Noble’s” since there’s no S at the end of it
Will go into a rage within the first five notes of ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart) (Pissy and RSG can confirm this one)
At any given time, she has three to five pairs of shoes between our front door and her side of the bed.
Is likely to have one CD that contains Violent Femmes, Al Green, Kid Rock, Alanis Morrisette, and Dixie Chicks.  Not necessarily in that order.
Has the evilest laugh if she witnesses you stubbing a toe, banging a knee, or tripping over something.
Has accepted the inevitable victory of Del Taco over Taco Bell in our home.  I credit the Shredded Beef Burrito and Shredded Beef Macho Nachos.
She JUST had her first chili-cheese flavored Fritos.  Looked at me and said “Hey, these do taste like chili-cheese.  Wow.’
38 containers in our shower.  36 if you subtract my shaving cream and shampoo.




Comments (28)  //  Add Comment
11
Feb
“Shut up, Mac!”
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


O. Friggin’ K.  I hear you LOUD AND CLEAR.

I’m done.

This is THEE last time this damn laptop is going back to HP.

Stupid ass POS! Every time it goes into hibernation mode, I not only lose the wireless connection, now the damn screen won’t turn back on. AT ALL.  And the

Bill Gates fix-all (turn off and on until it’s fixed) doesn’t even work anymore!

I’m laptopless *wiggling eyebrows* for awhile since I am sending this one back.

Now I need to REBACKUP stuff and delete all the damn porn off this thing!

Go ahead, “Told you so, should have bought a Mac!”

Comments (7)  //  Add Comment
11
Feb
Memories
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


“What can I do to make you feel better?”
“Go get coffee.”
“Huh? How will that make you feel  better?”
“Go get coffee.”
“Alright.”
*staggering down to casino and drank two cups of coffee*
“Where did you go?”
“I went to go get coffee.”
“Why did you do that?”
“You told me to go get coffee!”
“I said, GO GET COMFY!”

2 days later and all that captain is finally out of my system…and I haven’t had coffee since then.

Comments (3)  //  Add Comment
10
Feb
Yet, another dance…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I love that Kara can just go to a dance and not have to have a ‘date’ or even friends going with her.  She kicks ass!
She looked adorable.  She went with this retro look.

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment
07
Feb
Why?
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Why do we keep doing the same things over and over?

Why did I spend the last 48 hours with about 5 good hours of sleep driving kids here, there, back again, to the doctors, to the orthodontist appointments, to

the mall, to get food, here, there and back again…when tomorrow they won’t even remember how many miles I drove to make sure they had the right dress for

the dance and their teeth were and lungs were safe?

Why?  At what point do they come up to you 24 hours (or even 4 hours) and say, “Hey, remember how you did that for me? What can I do for you?”

I’m guessing, oh…never.

Comments (13)  //  Add Comment
05
Feb
Yeah…I’m going to learn how to play guitar
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
If I ever decide to lose my mind again, not like I had much choice the first time, but JUST IN CASE I do…

This is how I am going to tell him.

Sarah Silverman Break up video

Comments (5)  //  Add Comment
04
Feb
What a weekend
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
originally uploaded by Hope Photographers.
This was one of the busiest weekends in a long time. I did more on Friday than I have all month.While borrowing Dan’s truck, I managed to lock the keys in

the car, while it was running. I swear, If I had a brain I would be dangerous.

Saturday night was Alyx’s belated birthday party. She decided to invite 7 friends to watch the Hannah Montana concert at the movie theater.
I thought it was sweet to see all the parents getting involved in their children’s favorite singer. The mothers (and a few fathers) did his whole “Hannah Dress-

up” including sparkle shirts and wigs.
Somewhere after the Jonas Brothers part, I snuck off to the bathroom. The bathroom was the unofficial ‘omg, i hate hannah montana club’. One of the

mothers came out of the stall and had to readjust her wig. She glanced in the mirror at me and then said, “I LOVE your wig!” This is where I turned red and

admitted that it wasn’t a wig.

On Sunday, Shaun and I picked up Dan for the superbowl party. Somewhere after the kick off I headed to the bar. It doesn’t matter who you are, if I want you to

be my friend…damn it, you will be. I made about 25 friends in the ‘cigar smoking’ section and somehow ended up smoking a cigar all night. By the end of the

night when Dan and Shaun came to fish me out of the ‘fun section’, I was best friends with a former Sacramento Kings player, a pin-up model, the Cigar guys,

a 60 year old war veteran and the Jamaican bartender.

Today I grabbed the dogs and headed out to the dog park. Halo and McLovin had this thing they do…they sniff the person in the park, sniff the dogs and then

they try to herd the dog back to the owner. This isn’t a thing I taught them, it’s just one of those annoying things I have to learn to curb. Halo has learned my

hand commands and certain words. When a new dog comes to the gate, I put my hand into a fist and give a call that sounds like, “IGHT”. She comes and

stands in front of me and waits until the dog comes in and waits for “Ok”. Without this command, all the dogs bombard the new dog coming in and Halo

doesn’t like the crowding, even though she is the one that is throwing herself in the middle of it.
Today a guy brought a very aggressive pit bull to the park. I had already leased McLovin, but Halo was still playing with the other Border Collie. When he let

his dog off the leash the pit ran full force towards Halo’s new friend. Halo went into full stride and right before the pit grabbed the Collie by the neck, Halo

knocked him off course and came back to me to be leased when I called. The other Collie jumped into his owners arms. I leashed up the dogs and we went

home.

The girls all got their hair trimmed Saturday. Shea had a big date with her dad. I brought her to the store and helped her pick something. Keep in mind, this is

the daughter that is your full fledged tom-boy. I wanted to get her something she would wear more than once. When she tried on her outfit, she thought she

was something special. I even let her get a pair of kitten heel shoes. She spent the day figuring not only how to walk in heels, but how to RUN in them.
Click Here to see the picture of my adorable daughter.

Hope everyone had a super busy weekend like I did…because misery loves company ;)

Comments (6)  //  Add Comment

04
Mar
My life right now, it feels good. Yeah.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Kristine Louise Seguin 1978, originally uploaded by dashababy.
I think when I go to the doctor on Wednesday and tell him, “I’m quitting smoking and going on a diet.” I am going to hold up this picture and say, “I want to

get back to this weight. So, hook a sister up. If I keep this shit up I am going to jack my hair to Jesus and get fake boobs.”

Out of the question?

Look how cute of a face I had before. Before meaning, before I spit out 3 kids and consumed more junk food than 17 teenagers on a all night binger that

lasted 14 years.

I wanna shoop, baby.
When was the last time you heard that song? Go download it. You CAN NOT be in a bad mood after you listen to that song.

“I wanna thank your momma for butt like that!”

*giggle* God, I just love this time of night. No awake kids. No bickering. No one coming into my room taking stuff and bugging me.
Shaun’s asleep and I can put on my head phones and silently sing, “You’re so vain” to him and he doesn’t roll his eyes at me.
I can listen to salt and pepa and do the bed dance (where you’re stationed in one spot, but your upper body is clubbin)

OH MY GOD. Play that funky music white boy just came on my MP3 player.

Why can’t I be this happy around 3 pm?

Insomnia mystery SOLVED. This is the best time of the night. Who in their right minds would want to sleep during this ever so precious time?

Most say he’s mellow quite a nice fellow met three tee at a rhyme at
acopello, they had the rythum i had the rhyme, so then i hit it out
one more time, it worked out they worked it in
Tony Toni Tone has done it again!
It feels good, Yeah.
(if you’re not old enough to know where that last paragraph came from and you can’t sing it, you’re too young. Quit reading my blog. You’re bound to read

something about tea bags and detachable penises if you keep it up!)

“Got me working day and night” is now on. How do I not jump up on the bed and start break dancing?

My life right now….yeah, it’s good.

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment
03
Mar
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I took 53 pictures. TWO, I liked and neither showcase the hair.
Whatever.
It’s THAT long. It stops right there.
Whatever.

Forget the hair people. Let’s talk about my birthday.
21 days of 35.  I am going to be on the upside of 40. Woot Woot.  Yes, I am excited.

What is on my birthday list? Glad of you to ask.  (Shaun, pay attention here)
ANYTHING from Bath and Body Works.
ANYTHING travel sized. I am weird about small things. It doesn’t matter what it is, when it’s little, it’s cute.
Candles.  I buy mine from the dollar store. (cheap and small…I’m easy)
Paper. Go ahead, fill a box up with copy paper and I am thrilled.

Postcards. Tea Bags (mind out of gutter Shaun). bubble gum. beef jerky. paper. books.

This really doesn’t help Shaun much.  Alright Shaun, for my birthday take me to get a pedicure. That will make me happy.

Did I mention I like paper? and beef jerky? And I don’t mind getting tea bags either. *giggle* sorry, I can’t resist it.

Comments (10)  //  Add Comment
03
Mar
Similar
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Note to my ever so talented, loving, big hearted sister; STOP READING NOW.

I was talking to ‘Cita about this  new hair cut I am thinking of trying on. It’s the one where it’s shorter in the back, longer in the front.  She said, “You’ll hate it.

Don’t cut you hair.”
I have heard that ALL of my life…and probably why I have long hair. Hair that I hate except on days when I take the time to actually do something with it,

outside of throwing it in a ponytail.  Even then, it’s only ‘so-so’ liked.
I’ve done about 4 new things to it in the past week, trying to find a way to fall in love with my hair. Dyed it darker (thought I was making it lighter, but it’s better

if I sound like I MEANT to make it darker), straightened it, scrunched it…and tonight, I CUT IT.
There is something about seeing a picture in a magazine and saying, “I could do that.” and then the actual ‘doing’ it.  I came about 30% close to achieving

the goal.  The only reason I gave myself a high percentage is because the cutting actually done. It doesn’t LOOK like I thought it would, but then again…I’m a

computer scientist that happens to be a photographer and not hairdresser. There is a reason I am not a hairdresser.
Sadly after chopping off 4 inches of my hair (above picture BEFORE the cutting) the bottom part of my hair is still dead.

Okay: Sister you can start reading again.

I’m super excited about this upcoming week.  Why you ask? Well for starters I am going to know what day it is on each of the days of the week.  No more “is it

Thursday”? 4 days in a row. That can seriously knock someone off their internal clock and they might not recover.
Oh, another reason…BREATHING.  Most people take this small act for granted, but not me. Not after the last few days of hell.  There is nothing worse than the

kids saying, “Say Mom.” and giggling after I say, “BOB!”
I get to have coffee IN A COFFEE HOUSE not once, but twice this week.  Yes, I’m a big shot. I am going to sit in a coffee shop and have ADULT conversation

with …get this…ANOTHER ADULT, in a coffee house.  drinking coffee. coffee and conversation. WITH AN ADULT. not a ‘tween. not a teenager. ADULT.  I’m

going to have to google what people nowadays talk about, because I am not hip to the conversations that people have that don’t include, ‘did you clean your

room and do your homework?’
ALSO, I am going to Preston Castle for a BOARD MEETING.  Yeah. I’m starting to sound all growded up now huh? Yup. That’s me. All Growded up woman

who has adult conversations with people about important stuff. Stuff that they need to have MEETINGS to talk about.  I’m going to have to wear something

other than my slip on vans and mother sweater.
big shot.
Another thing; (I know, seriously…can it get any more interesting?) This growded up woman with adult conversations and board meetings has a ‘destination

wedding’.  Uh-huh. Yep. Getting paid to go OUT OF TOWN, stay in a hotel and take pictures. AND EAT CAKE.  (that part sounded a tad childish and sorta took

away from the whole ‘mature’ theme I was going for…scratch that cake part…even though I am going to eat cake)
I’m pretty excited about the destination part of the wedding.  I love staying in hotels. The smell of the towels makes me hot.

Shew. Man. Life is getting good around the Random and Odd house.  I haven’t even told you the bestest part.  and because this post was packed with maturity

at levels I am not even familiar with, I am going to be like a kid and hold out on telling you about the bestest part. Maybe, if you’re nice to me, I’ll tell you on

Wednesday.  I’ll give you a hint though; it involves a hot tub in the room.  SHUT UP. Yes, I swear!

GOD I LOVE MARCH!  It’s my birthday month, ya know?  Yeah, go ahead…ask me what I want. I have NO QUALMS about sending out hints on what to send

me. ‘Cause it’s my birthday month. March. The best month of the year.

Comments (16)  //  Add Comment
02
Mar
Alyx and Shea TV…we knew it was coming
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


We knew it wouldn’t be long before they started a TV show. What we didn’t expect was the funny ass bloopers.For those of you that get them confused, this

should clear it up; Alyx is the one with the dry sense of humor.

Comments (2)  //  Add Comment
28
Feb
Friday Fill In — Fond of Snape
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I decided since i’ve had the laptop for almost a week and it hasn’t crashed, that I should start re-adding all my stuff and catching up on Blogs.

There has been a few emails in my inbox requesting that we bring back Stuff Portrait Friday.  I’m not ready to commit to it, but it’s not out of the question.

Give me time.

I will try to participate in some of the day-themes out there though.  I can’t promise that I will be able to do it all the time, but when I can I will promote the hell

out of your blog.
This week I decided to do Fond of Snape’s ‘Fill In Friday‘.

1. I’m looking forward to Having Coffee with Rob  next week.
2. I don’t handle teenaged girls bickering and getting snotty with each other very well.
3. French Fries is something I could eat every day.
4. Warmth and sunlight dictates how my mood is going to be.
5. Destination Weddings here I come!
6. I will probably never have a tattoo(s).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to taking pictures of the girls breaking boards in Karate, tomorrow my plans include HOPEFULLY

going to the Preston Castle and Sunday, I want to get a professional massage, but that won’t happen!

I am working on a few different posts. One is about Absent Fathers. If you have any insite on that subject, please email me.  Another is a post about

Hope’opotomus (story to come later)

Have a fantabulous weekend.

Comments (15)  //  Add Comment
28
Feb
Because Twitter only allows 140 characters and no pictures…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


My tooth exploded.  Okay, it just FEELS like my tooth exploded.  I was trying to get something dislodged from that little cavity in my tooth that I have been

ignoring and pretending wasn’t as bad as it was.  When I did that whole sucking and pushing air around, ZAP…the nerve went from ‘snoozing’ to HELLO, I AM

RAW AND THROBBING!
I guess it’s time to call the dentist.

I found our wedding disc today. I lovely went through all 600 plus pictures.  This one was one of my favorites that I didn’t post with the original set.  He was

laughing at me for some reason or another.  Ahh, back when he use to think I was funny.
Yeah, back when I was funny.

I went through my blogroll. I deleted a bunch of people that I had no idea who they were. As I was going through my Sage feed, I realized…who are these

people?

So tell me..who are you? How old are you? When is your birthday? kids?  dogs?  cats? Ex’s? what do you have to say to me?

It’s Thursday right?

Comments (54)  //  Add Comment
26
Feb
American Idol
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
On American Idol there is this guy. You know which guy I am talking about?  You know what I am thinking right?

OMG.  TOO MUCH.  Tone down the ‘oh hell no giiiiiirllll, *snap* you di’ent! Girrrrl.’


Comments (14)  //  Add Comment
26
Feb
Did you know?
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I’m allergic to Kiwis?  Yeah. I found out about 10 years ago after buying the sweet, furry things on a whim.  A huge bag from Costco, because why not buy

something you’ve never eaten IN BULK?

I got it home and cut one open, not really sure how to eat it.  It was so tasty and it made the back of my throat tingle. It then made the tip of my tongue catch

fire.  After 15 minutes my whole mouth felt like it was infested with fleas.  I looked like a moron scratching the roof of my  mouth with a fork, but dear Lord was

it worth it.

Recently I bought a few, forgetting the lovely reaction I had to them.  I cut one open and the second it hit my mouth, I remembered.  It didn’t stop me though.

I ate a few slices.  Seems like age had made me not so allergic to them.

Tonight I pulled out the two I had sitting in the fridge. I ate a whole one.  SO GOOD, I had to go back and eat the other one.
Now I am reminded of WHY I shouldn’t eat Kiwi’s.  Not only do I have all the symptoms I had before, I feel physically ill.

Thank God, the taste of fish grosses me out to no end, because I am allergic to that too.

I’m thinking it’s going to be another 10 years before I eat another Kiwi.
If you don’t hear from me in a few days it’s because they have no wireless access at the hospital.

Comments (5)  //  Add Comment
25
Feb
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I had written a post going into detail about the stupid drama going on in the Random and Odd household.  I decided to delete it and go with this;

Don’t you hate stupid people? Don’t you hate it when people make judgments by only hearing one side of the story? Don’t you hate it when you’re forced to

pick a side?

Recently I was pulled into an argument that had NOTHING to do with me.  The only reason I got drug into it was because my 14 year old daughter was being

called names by an adult who only listened to one side of the story.

I am now left with the words that were said to me.  This person hurt my feelings by saying things that weren’t true.  Now I ask myself, “If I know they aren’t

true…then why is it bothering me?”  Because I hate it when people think I am a way that I am not.  It’s not wrong for people to want to see you for who you

are.  MANY years were spend with me pretending to be a certain way so I would fit into the mold.   When I didn’t fit in, I lost my mind and hurt a lot of people

in the process of ‘finding myself’.

It’s been a few days and I have calmed down enough to try to see things from a different point of view.  What I am lead to believe is, this person…has lost her

mind as well.  She was being forced into a mold that she doesn’t fit into and doesn’t want to be in.  The only way to ‘be heard’ is to scream and shout and act

a fool.  It’s just sad that SO many other people are being hurt because of it.  What is going to hurt later on is when it’s over and done.

Many times I have said, “I’m an Aries, I am too lazy to hold a grudge.”  Sure, that may be the case. I won’t carry around hurt and resentment. I will look at it

for what it was and then throw it away.   Without a shadow of doubt, the day will come when this person comes to me and says, “I don’t know what I was

thinking. I’m sorry.”

Now, what I am left with is, what will be my response?  I know I will want to say, “You said you didn’t like me and I should go to hell.”  Point out how I was

misjudged and labeled.  Or will I do what I always do and say, “Aww, it’s alright.”

God knows I don’t want to.  I was HURT.  Does my feelings not matter to ANYONE?  Is it alright for someone to attack someone and then later on want to be a

part of your life?  I’m tired of excuses.

I’m tired of people being resentful of people when something good happens to them.  I am tired of people acting like children and only liking you when you

are willing to live by their ‘rules’.
Who I decide to forgive is up to me.

You words will come back to haunt you.  Use them wisely.

And with that said;    BRING ON MY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!  this month just sucked the big donkey.

Comments (5)  //  Add Comment
22
Feb
Look at me, I can be Centerfield
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


You know how when your kids are little, even as young as ‘still in the womb’ you decide what they could be when they get older? “Oh, this little one is going

to be a kicker!”

Well, we all have decided that Jeremiah is going to break Barry Bond’s record. I will be interviewed by ESPN and I will be able to say, “Yes, I remember at 9

months old, my husband put him on his lap and they watched baseball and Shaun taught him over the years on what the plays were called and all aspects of

baseball. We knew when he was less than 2 years old that he was going to be a baseball player. He had this cute T-ball T and he wanted you to pitch to him

instead. 9 out of the 10 pitches he connected with.”

He’s going to have the biggest group of people during his T-ball games. Shaun will sign up to coach. The girls will be his cheerleaders. AND of course, he

will have a gaggle of people taking his picture.

Somebody be my friend for the next 20 years so I can say, “TOLD YOU SO!!” and then we can hop on the private jet plane and spend the weekend in Vegas

playing off is draft money!! ;)

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment

14
Mar
That sound you hear, it’s my tummy grumbling.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: kara, marina


This last week, physically, has been rough on me. The diet is draining me of energy (I thought there was none to start with!) Today, I got vertigo. The

whooshing in my ears.
After sitting down for awhile and getting up super slow, I was alright.

We leave for Reno today for the Matchbox 20 concert. The road to Reno is currently being dumped with snow. Did I ever tell you how much I just lurve driving

in snow? LOVE IT! (please detect the sarcasm)

No matter what, despite the circumstances, I am going to have fun. How could I not? hot tub IN.THE.ROOM. Matchbox 20, the smell of hotel towels, TWO

TEENAGE GIRLS who 89% of the time want to slash each other’s throat.

*I just posted a bulletin on MySpace with the title “Webcams throughout the house” there isn’t a chance Tyler won’t open that bulletin. This is what it says:

Going to Reno for the night to see Matchbox 20 concert with Shaun, Marina and Kara.

Tyler will be here at the house. with the two guard dogs trained to attack with the words “Who’s There?” or “You home?” or “Keg’s Here” (the black dog

hasn’t learned ‘release’ yet and usually attacks your pockets or the area in between)

For those of you ‘watching the house’ I hooked up the wireless webcams and all you need to do is log into the live feed stream.

If anyone wants the url for the live feed stream, shoot me an email.



I’m a mean ass.

Comments (6)  //  Add Comment
12
Mar
Protected: He Rocked Our World
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Jeremiah
This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

Enter your password to view comments.  //  Add Comment
11
Mar
Why I still watch American Idol…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


1. For gems like this!  He makes the most distorted faces while singing.
2. To count how many times David licks his lips.
3. To watch Shaun rock back and forth in the corner with his hands over his ears during ‘rocker girl’s’ performance.

and for this game Shaun and I play;  After every performance, we pause the tv and give what we think will be the judges critique.
“kinda pitchy” — that’s an easy one.
“Karaoke” — another easy one.
“You look great!” –given.
“I’m a big fan” (was thrown off when Simon said it though, it’s usually a Paula line)
“I didn’t understand a single thing you said.”
“Booooorinnnnng.”
“You have all the colors of the rainbow!”
“Paula, you’re drunk.”

Tuesday nights are always a fun night in our house. Someday we will have to invite you all over and watch it with us. We can make it a drinking game!

Comments (8)  //  Add Comment
11
Mar
still pissed!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Where’s yours?

Sally Kern’s rant about Homosexuality.

Comments (6)  //  Add Comment
10
Mar
hand written words, sweat and tears.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: journey
I have been working on a website for what seems like a life time.  The actual putting it together part was a 18 hour straight endeavor.  Kudos to those of you

that do this EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE.  There wouldn’t be enough Captain Morgan to keep me sane.  And how do I put a website together with Shaun’s

stunning good looks and chiseled body just out of reach?  No right-thinking woman should have to work in such conditions.
So after hours and hours of installing programs,deleting programs, installing programs. peeing. screaming at the laptop. screaming at the people at godaddy

through my monitor and scaring Shaun with my freaky, quiet, half whisper/half chanting monologue I had with myself.  It’s finally finished.

This is something I have been tossing around doing since I posted this and this.

I know, I know…”Kristine with her crazy websites and grand ideas of doing things…”  I want to say ‘this one is different!’, but the reality of it is; it might not

last more than a month.  *shrug*  Who knows, it will be fun while it lasts.

www.myolddiary.com

Remember those paper filled things with handwritten words on them?

Comments (8)  //  Add Comment
10
Mar
I had to listen to it twice, because I couldn’t believe it.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I want to say something to introduce this link to you, but I can’t. I have absolutely no words right now.

Except I think I am going to go throw up my Special K cereal. Sometimes, people SUCK.

Watch this. Comment.

**Updated**

I called my friend, RSG, and told her about this. She hadn’t heard it yet. I was outraged and I still am! I told her, “YOU have to write something…I can’t. I am

too angry.”

And she did…  HERE.

Comments (17)  //  Add Comment
07
Mar
F*ing kids.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
It seems like in the past few months the kids have been out of control.

This is the way things go down around here.

I get pissed. I tell them, “Knock it off! Pay attention! Do it right the first time!” and so on and so forth.  They pretend like they listened and care.  Ten minutes

later they are at it again.
The talk I keep having with them goes on for a few weeks until I snap.
The ‘switch’ happens after the snap.  I go from being a normal human being who loves my children and enjoys life to a woman that can’t believe that she goes

through all the work of being nice to them for WHAT?
And then I figure, “You know what, screw it. If they want to do whatever…then I am going to do whatever too.” and I lock myself away and become a resentful

bitch.

After awhile I am tired of being resentful bitch because of the main reason; They didn’t give a shit.

I start all over again and the cycle doesn’t end.

The latest teenage thing around here is, and you’ve heard it before, they take my stuff.  Tyler takes my headphones. I thought I would outsmart him. I bought

PINK ones. I bought white ones with PINK ribbons on it.  Did that stop him? Nope. He was sporting pink headphones.
Marina takes the camera and says her dad said it was alright.  Kara says, “Oh yeah I’ll do it.” and it doesn’t get done. The little ones..useless offspring.

It’s not just this house.  It seems to be catching on to my friends house too.

During a adult meltdown, my friend said, “How is this happening? Why are they acting like this?”
“I don’t know. They are out of control. Acting like little pricks.”
and then she said something that cracked me up, “You think they are teaching this at school? Like as a class?”

Then after today, I am beginning to believe she’s right. “How to drive your parents nuts 101″

Who ever is teaching this class….they are ‘gooooooooood’.

Comments (19)  //  Add Comment
06
Mar
Uncomforable Honesty…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: journey


** Updated — It took several hours to get the nerve up to do it, but here it is. No make up. No fancy clothes, no talented photoshopping.   Me. Right now. ***

I want a change. I have wanted to change for as many times as I have opened up a magazine and something as innocent as a woman looking normal in a pair

of jeans jumped out at me.
I want to be comfortable. I don’t need to be thin, hot, smokin’ MILF. I just want to be comfortable.

So, I am going somewhere I have never gone before. Posting pictures of my transformation, which I have limitted to no more than 120 days. I don’t want to

spend the rest of my life trying to get where I need to be.
After talking to my doctor, getting my ‘frame’ size, my health history and a battery of upcoming blood tests. My ideal weight would be 153 pounds. I would

love to say, “I want to weight that for my birthday…let’s stop eating!” I’m smart enough to know that rapid weight loss isn’t healthy. If I set my time line at 120,

that means I am going to lose 7 lbs a months (that sounds SOOO slow) in a healthy way.

People have suggested wanted to join me on my mission and OF COURSE, you’re welcome to. You don’t have to be as painfully as honest and open about it

as I do. No one is asking you to do what I am going to do. I know, in my Flickr stream, you only see pictures of me that don’t make me look like I was raped

by the Michelin Tire Man. This is going to change.
I’m sure the “You’re Smokin’ Hot” comments will be replaced with, “HOLY CRAP! HOW DID YOU HIDE ALL THAT??”
PLEASE, PLEASE…talk to a doctor, find your HEALTHY target weight, DO THIS RIGHT…don’t be stupid like I have been in the past with trying to lose weight.

This HERE is where I will keep a daily photo log of the 120 day transformation. I’m starting today (*gulp*) Today’s photo not uploaded yet.  It’s Uploaded now.

Follow my transformation over there.
I’m sure I will post SOME of the transformations I am going through, but for the most part it will be centered on my Flickr site under the pictures.

*scary face* I’m nervous. It’s one thing telling you my weight, but SHOWING you? wow.
I know I’m not alone though, and that makes me feel better.

Oh, and I can joke about my weight, you can joke with me..I’m pretty thick skinned (and I have a lot of thick skin! -hee he)

Comments (27)  //  Add Comment
05
Mar
HOLY SHIT!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
I went to the doctor today.

They weighed me.  I KNEW I hadn’t lost any weight since my last visit, but HOLY SHIT!  I had GAINED!

The electronic weigher stopped at 199.7  !!!  I wasn’t that heavy DURING MY PREGNANCIES!

It’s a good thing I went in there to help me control some of this stuff.

199.7  POUNDS. POUNDS. *cough* POUNDS!

Yes, I just shared my weight with you all.   If you hadn’t figured out that I am an open book by now–you haven’t been paying attention.

So, guess what journey you’re all on with me now?

“She learned to manage how not to turn into a puddle of anxiety fluid on the floor…and now we have to hold her hand while she learns to stop shoving food

into her face all while QUITTING SMOKING. Oh she is going to be  FUN.”

Comments (27)  //  Add Comment
05
Mar
MATCHBOX 20
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Yeah, I held you in suspense for far too long.

Shaun’s favorite band is Matchbox 20 and he’s never been to one of their concerts.   We booked a room in a hotel that has a HOT TUB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE

ROOM!

March 14th in Reno, Nv.

Marina and Kara are going with us.  They are as excited as we are.

More to write.  I am working on my post about absent fathers, so still free to send me what you know randomandodd at g mail dot com  OR you can finish the

email you started to me *nudge nudge* I am very interested in the whole story.

Shaun is taking Jeremiah to The Wiggle’s  concert at the end of the month.  Now THAT should make for an interesting guest blog.

My fingers are weak, need to go watch Two and Half Men…my latest obsession (along with Flamingos)

Comments (8)  //  Add Comment

27
Mar
Long Drive Home…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Anxiety


I love visiting my mom and sister. I hate the drive home. No matter who is with me or if I’m alone, I fall into this strange place between where I am now and

where I was when I lost my mind.

What song was on the radio, I don’t remember, but it triggered the thought of ‘who was there for me and who wasn’t there for me’. When I thought of all the

people that turned their backs on me when I ‘lost my mind’ it made me start to cry. Just typing those words makes my throat start to constrict.

When asked the question, “Do you hold grudges? Do you forgive?” I always say ‘yes’. I do too. I don’t like that weird feeling between me and another person

if we aren’t getting along. I guess so much that I will forgive people for saying and doing things that aren’t acceptable. Sometimes without even confronting

them about what they did to me. That is what I call ‘an elephant’ in the room. The thing is, the longer I go without saying anything, it’s less likely that I will

actually approach the subject.

It was an overall sad feeling I had, HAVE, and I know it’s far too late to broach the subject with the people that hurt me. I’m not going to go digging up old

bones now. Those words that were said and written, hurt me then…and continue to hurt me.

For those of you that know someone that is going through a hard patch in their lives, and you feel like they must be just ‘crazy’ or ‘losing their minds’ or

‘being stupid’…or just not doing what YOU think they should be — Leave Them Alone. If you don’t agree with their actions, there is no need for you to tell

them that they are stupid, wrong, need help and give your advice YOU think they should do.
If you know someone who’s going through one of the hardest things in the world; ending a marriage or relationship, please be there for them to talk. You

don’t have to agree with them. If that is just too much for you, that you CAN’T just be there without putting in your two cents, just leave them alone to deal

with their problems.

There is no text book perfect way of leaving your husband. I had a friend once who went out and rented an apartment, furnished it and moved her husband

out. She went to the store and got all the things he would need; blender, cooking utensils and all that. When he came home she handed him the keys and

gave him the apartment number.
Did he hurt any less? No, probably not.
Mine wasn’t as clean. It was the typical movie storyline. A really bad movie storyline.
Either way, it doesn’t matter how people go about ruining their lives, following their bliss, whatever you want to call it…they shouldn’t be judged.

I’m guilty of being the judge too. Looking back, it makes me SICK of the way I judged people. SICK. People say that they don’t have regrets. I do. It’s those

times when I thought I had the right to say, ‘that’s wrong and i’m better than that.’.

Today I am sorting through all the emotions. I want to be angry and mad today about what happened to me. What I allowed other people to do to me. I want to

hear, “You know what, I AM SORRY for what I said to you, what I wrote about you. It wasn’t true.”

Because it wasn’t true.

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment
26
Mar
Numbers…
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. I had the best birthday just hanging out the family. I wish I could spend more time here with Mom and Kathy, just

‘being’ here.

I got to take TWO naps on my birthday! TWO NAPS. Unheard of.

Us older girls got our hair done. We all look like runway models now. Okay, Kara and Marina look like runway models. I look like a soccer mom with really

good hair. She cut even more off of it. I guess she was trying to even out the job I did with the Ikea kitchen scissors.

SPF THIS WEEK:
NUMBERS. It seems like everything lately revolves around numbers; age, dates, birthdays, weight, money, sizes…everything is a number.
Here are a bunch of examples of NUMBERS in photography.
Don’t forget to post this Friday’s assignment on your blog so your readers can get ready.

Comments (3)  //  Add Comment
23
Mar
Happy Birthday Kristine!!!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Shaun here-

Yes, one day after Kara’s birthday, our favorite (OK, MY favorite blogger) celebrates her birthday. For her birthday this year, she got the greatest gift: She got

to get away from me for a few nights! She’s been hinting. The subtle suitcase packing in the wee hours of the morning while the van warms up in the driveway,

the pile of Dear Shaun letters under my pillow….I pick up on these sort of things. So when she said she wanted to go visit her mom and sister for a few days

for her birthday, we threw an assortment of anti-depressants in a tic-tac container (what’s the point of not being depressed if your breath still stinks?) and off

she went. Granted, she had to take the girls with her since I have to work in the coal mines all week…but still.



So, for my beautiful bride, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. The stripper I ordered you was great. It was awkward having Apollo only dancing for me, Tyler, and the two

dogs, though. The custom two-tier wedding cake shaped like a Nikon D300 was delicious.

I love you VERY much, and hopefully you know how much I appreciate you every day. But today I’m saying it by messing with your blog header and

blognapping for a day.

I love you, and hope everyone takes a minute to tell you Happy Birthday!!! Give your mom and sis a hug for me. Gotta run, Apollo’s waiting to take me to

dinner.



Comments (46)  //  Add Comment
23
Mar
Happy Birthday Kara!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
It’s 3am right now. 15 years ago I was sleeping knowing that in a few hours I would be going to the hospital to have you.

At 6 am, I got up left to meet you.


You were born at 5:29 am. You weighed 7lbs 11 ounces. You were 18 inches long. You my dear, made me a mother.
We spent many days with your Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie. You loved spending time with the woman you were name after…when she spoke you looked at

her with such amazement. She didn’t speak, she sang her words to you.


I can’t think of a stronger woman to name you after. When you were 9 months old, she passed away and became your guardian angel.


I couldn’t take you out of the house without people coming up and telling me how beautiful you were. You smiled at everyone and adored the attention.
(nothing has changed)



As you got older, you became the center of my world. You altered between wanting to be on stage where ever you were, to sitting quietly by yourself and play

alone.
You were a lot like me. You created worlds of your own and was always happy no matter what was going on around you.


Oh the trouble you would get into! You took a blue marker to my computer keyboard. At the time, keyboards weren’t cheap! I was SO angry with you. You

didn’t understand why. You were just drawing.


As you got bigger and bigger, your antics got better. We would argue and butt heads about EVERYTHING. You questioned everything I asked of you.
It was battle of the wills with you. Most of the time, you won.


Then something happened for us. We finally realized that each one of us was going to be in each other’s lives for a very long time and we better get along. It

was then that we relished in our differences and our strengths.
I am still amazed at all that you can do. You never stop surprising me with your courage.


When it was just us 4, you stood with me and helped me keep my sanity. I would have expected the wisdom you had inside of you. You knew exactly when to

hug me, hold me, let me be.


You could always make me smile.


When our family got bigger, you took it all in stride. Welllllll, you did your best.
You gave up a lot. You gave up some of my attention, some of your space, and some of your sanity.


I know it is because you have the love of your father that you allowed Shaun into your heart as well.
Watching you two makes me laugh.


And then Benjamin came along and a new side of you came about. You claimed this baby boy as your very own. Your unconditional love for Benjamin makes

me want to cry sometimes. You speak of him as if he’s your brother & your baby. You give up things that are fun for you to spend time with him because you

know that time is so short.

and you love me. You really love me.



and Chuckie Cheese.


and Chip and Dale.


And smokey the bear.


and Mr. Pickles.


And Superheros.


and Aliens.


And Batman.


and Daffy Duck.


And your brother.
I guess you can say, “YOU LOVE” a lot.


You’re beautiful Kara….



You’re creative.


You’re daring.


You are down to earth and REAL AS HELL! I love that about you. What you see, is what you get.
Dorky, fun, giggling, emotional, dramatic, loving and a TRUE FRIEND to all the people that know you!



Thank you for being you, Kara. Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. Thank you for allowing me to jack your hair to Jesus for a 80′s party. Thank you

for looking just like me, but better.
Thank you for being SO unlike me…being smarter, braver and more loving and understanding.
I love you Kara. Happy 15th birthday.

Comments (18)  //  Add Comment
21
Mar
Stuff Portrait Friday – Your Favorite Picture
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


I’m going to have to get back in the habit of remembering to post Stuff Portrait Friday pictures.

This week, this is my favorite picture.  For a lot of reasons.  This weekend my first born turns 15 years old.  Just typing that makes me get that tingle in my

nose and knot in my throat.  Fifteen years old. Jesus, when did that happen?

The picture above was taken when she was 9 months old. This was about a week before her great grandmother passed away.  If you were to tell me 14 years

ago, the pain of losing my grandma wouldn’t hurt so bad, I wouldn’t have believed you.  It’s gotten better, but every year on Kara’s birthday, I remember her.

She was named after my grandma Carolyn.  She was so happy that someone had named their baby after her.

When Kara was a baby, I spent a lot of time up in Shingletown with my mom, dad and grandma. She got to spend time with her before she passed on.  It’s a

reminder of how short life is and tomorrow is not promised to anyone.

SPF: If this is your first time;  Go find your favorite picture. Post it on your blog. Give us a few sentences on why it’s your favorite. Ask who else played. Come

back here and let me know you played. Check out everyone else’s pictures and leave a comment.  IT’S THAT EASY!

Well…Did you play?

Comments (42)  //  Add Comment
20
Mar
Why I shouldn’t be allowed to listen to music
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Jeremiah is a music lover. His favorite this week is “Highway to Hell” because of the drumming in the beginning. He waits for it, He waits for it, He waits for

it…DRUMS!!   and then we start it over again.  I may have worn out the first 25 seconds of that song.

As he was snoozing in the back, I went to pick up the girls. Kid Rock was the song choice for this trip.  I think I may have scared all the PTA moms.   Oh the

glares.  I guess I could have turned it down, but whatever. If they didn’t like it, I could switch it over to Gin and Juice.

When I dropped of ‘Cita’s daughter the washer repair guy told ‘Cita, “Your sister is in the driveway, rocking out.”

At some point I am going to start embarrassing myself.

Comments (2)  //  Add Comment
19
Mar
alrighty YOU WIN!!
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Back by popular demand…STUFF PORTRAIT FRIDAYS!!

I’ve gotten many, many, many emails and online requests for the return of Stuff Portrait Friday. I am caving in.

I’ll be easy on you this week:

A favorite picture.

After my laptop died, I lost all of my programs for editing and had to find some online ‘free’ ones.
Here is my favorite ones to share with you:

Picnik

FotoFlexer

Big Hug Labs

FlauntR

You know the rules…just post your picture on Friday and come back and tell me!

Comments (16)  //  Add Comment
19
Mar
I can’t even swallow without wondering if my throat is closing up.
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Anxiety
Since I went off the medication I hardly talk about what I have been going through with it.  I keep telling myself every single day that I am alright. Everything is

going to be alright.  Much of what is going through my mind can be negotiated.  Especially the attacks that use to rule my life.  Telling myself that I am

managing it, seems to make it sound like I am more in control of it.

I am blue though.

Blue sounds so much better than frustrated, overwhelmed, annoyed, depressed, and just plain ‘what the f*ck ever’

Ever wish you were rich and had a winter/summer cabin in the woods where you can go and it’s nice and quiet and it’s too far out so people can’t just pop in?

 You can go into your kitchen and know everything is right where you left it. You won’t open the cupboard and find THIS.

I don’t want this anymore.  Why can’t people take me seriously?

Comments (9)  //  Add Comment
18
Mar
Who’s all out there?
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


Recently I found out that a wonderful, old friend read my blog.  And since I have her attention I want her to know that I love her very much and I am glad that I

get to see her face and name popping up here and there.

It got me to thinking about the sites that I read as a lurker and wondering…is there someone I use to know, go to school with, childhood friend, old teacher or

co-worker…that reads my blog?
Are you lurking out there?

As for the sites I lurk out…I sometimes leave comments, but it’s no one I ‘knew’ from anywhere.  Finding people I know is nearly impossible. If it wasn’t for

MySpace, I would continue to believe that people I once knew had fallen off the face of the earth or eaten by a pack of Great Danes.

Well, did you know me? How come you haven’t said anything?

Ever wonder who reads yours?

Comments (13)  //  Add Comment
17
Mar
…and thennnnn
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random


This was the drive all the way to Reno to see the concert (and roll around in hotel towels)



While I soaked in the tub, this guy was keeping himself entertained with the hotel mirrors in the bathroom.



And don’t get me started on THESE two. If they had their choice, our lives would be: “The Suite Life of Kara and Rina”. If the pool had been open we would

have never seen them.
*note to Shaun: Look into moving into a hotel.

The concert…was…FANTASTIC. Minus the first band. The first band reminded me of how old I am going to be in SEVEN days. I’m not kidding when I say I

had my fingers in my ears and was humming and yelling ‘MAKE IT STOP!’ at the same time. And I know this has been said a million times before, but I finally

get it; You know you’re old when you don’t know if it’s music they are playing or just the feedback.

Matchbox 20…made my pee-pee tingle! They started the concert with a countdown backed by MOBY! and somewhere in the middle they rocked me out to “She

came in thru the bathroom window” and I swear (hand on stack of bibles) they sounded better than The Beatles.
Shaun was laughing because I was jumping up and down in my seat, “MORE! MORE! SING MAXWELL’S SILVER HAMMER!”
I will now quit my day job (oh wait, don’t have one…good this will be an easier transition) and be a Matchbox 20 groupie.

When we got home, there was a message from Tabitha.



He got his first official haircut. He’s a big boy now.

This was exactly what I needed..this weekend thing.

Now back to that diet thing I started before I left. Ugh. Dear Lord, Dieting and Vacation do not go hand in hand.

**YOUTUBE FIND**

I found MB20 singing SCITTBW (in Toronto).  It’s almost the same as the way we saw it, except you don’t hear me squealing with delight and you’re missing

the visual of me hitting Shaun, yelling, “OMG!! THE BEATLES!! THEY ARE SINGING THE BEATLES!!”

Comments (13)  //  Add Comment

31
Mar
It’s offically MONDAY
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Anxiety, journey


After a phone call from my mortgage company informing me YET AGAIN they have screwed up my loan modification, Shaun insisted that I wasn’t going to

crawl under the covers and cry like a baby.

It’s been four months of hell dealing with this company.  I started out indignant that I was right and they were wrong. Then the letters saying, “Yo, chick…we

own you…bend over and take it and like it.”  I decided that I better just buy the bottle of KY and let it begin.  After fire and hoops we came to an agreement.

For the last month I have finally felt like things were on the right track.  I spoke the lady that was the head honcho in charge of the deal.  She said, “Whoops,

we messed up. No worries, we will fix this.”
I then get a call a few days later from another guy saying, “No way, Jose chicky poo. You gotsta pay us MORE now. You didn’t fill out the paper work and send

it to us.”
This is where I stop dead in my tracks and said, “Are you fucking kidding me? You have my testicles in your hands and all I have to do is sign a paper and

mail it back and you’ll release the jewels and my house doesn’t get foreclosed on and you THINK FOR A SECOND I DIDN’T MAIL THAT SHIT BACK!?”
The part about my testicles might have thrown him off a bit, but he checked the records and low and behold, I WAS RIGHT. I did mail it in.

Now today I get YET ANOTHER CALL saying, “Yeah, well that didn’t go through because of an installment that wasn’t made.”

Exqueeze me?

I then had to go into great detail of all the fire and all the hoops I had to jump through for the last few months.  She tells me, “Yeah, that didn’t go through…

we are going to need to do this all over again.”

I couldn’t even cry.  I felt like I had been kicked over and over and it didn’t matter how much mental distress this company had caused me in the past few

months…because they had me by the balls.  I know, I don’t have balls, but damn it, it sure feels like I do.
They say, “Jump” and I say, “How High?” and no matter how high it is, it’s just not good enough.

My stress level right now is through the roof.  How I managed to walk out of the house and find a smile for Shaun to take a picture of, is beyond me.

Michelle sent me a necklace for my birthday, it says, “BREATHE”  I had to keep reminding myself to do just that today. And tomorrow when they call me back,

I will have to remember it again.  And for all the phone calls they will keep making to me, BREATHE.

Do they make a necklace that says, “Bend over, the mortgage company is calling” ?? I need one of those too.

Comments (10)  //  Add Comment
29
Mar
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: Random
Body Identity Confirmed
Thu, 03/27/2008 – 15:44

The father of an Anderson High grad who was kidnapped in Iraq now knows for sure he will not see his son alive, but he says he will someday be reunited with

his boy. The FBI now says there is no doubt Josh Munns is dead, more than a year after he was taken hostage with four other private security contractors in

Iraq. Mark Munns, Josh’s father, got the call late Wednesday night. At first, he kept avoiding their calls, since he knew if he answered, all hope would be lost.

He eventually took it and learned one of three bodies found in Iraq was Josh. One of Josh’s fellow captives, Paul Reuben of Minneapolis, was confirmed as a

second victim. Tests are not finished on a third body. The remains of two others, John Young and Ronald Withrow, were identified on Sunday. He says that 16

months, the time Josh was missing, is not long enough to prepare a father for the crushing news. Mark and his wife are in Minnesota for a meeting with the

families of the other hostages, which is set for Friday. Mark says that his dad and brother are starting to plan a funeral, but they do not know when Josh’s

body will be returned to the family.  –kcra tv

Mark, Josh’s father, was a very good friend of my brothers growing up.

What’s not mentioned in this article is that Josh’s severed fingers were sent to the government.

I can’t imagine the pain, frustration and hurt the friends and family.  Please pray for their strength as they wait for their son to be returned to them…if he is.

Comments (7)  //  Add Comment
27
Mar
SPF: Numbers
Posted By: randomandodd  //  Category: stuff portrait friday


I’m still working on my project, but going through all the diaries I have is a daunting task.  The words I wrote are beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.

Today was a hard day for me. I spent most of the days on the verge of needing to cry and needing to scream.  As I dug through the piles of diaries in my

closet and garage…I sat there and let it out. I cried.  The anxiety I had today was worse than I have had in a very long time. Against my wishes, I took a pill in

hopes of being able to breath and stop my heart from pounding so hard.  As the pill worked his way through my system, the tears subsided and the need to

crawl out of my skin slowly washed away.   Somewhere in my home, in a beige box, are words that say I am a bad parent.  Papers that were stamped with a

court stamp.  Admittedly, I searched for that beige box.  God didn’t want me to find it tonight.

I’m just not strong enough to read them and feel that hurt again.  The diaries will have to do.  I can find laughter in there. I can read firsts, my journey, the fear

of not being good enough at anything.

The ‘number’ for this SPF is 25.  Twenty five years of my life are in those books and the many others I have stashed somewhere.

Did you play?

Comments (35)  //  Add Comment