The Ride of Our Life

Contact me if you want to join us.

All Over The Place

So I've got a lot on my mind, and maybe putting it all down here will help me sort it out and make some sense of it. Whether you'll enjoy reading about it? Is debatable.

We're building a business, which is SO rewarding and stressful at the same time. We're involved with some of the most fabulous people we've ever met, as well as some of the most infuriating. God's prospering it though, so Yay, God!

I'm on a pretty strict eating program right now and getting GREAT weight loss results. Problem is? I'm getting oh, so bored with my eating choices. The supplements and foods keep me from craving lovely things like steak and chocolate, but still...there's only so much you can do with lean meat. Tired of chicken. Almost tired of salmon. Wah. The bright side? I did just figure out that I can have eggs, so YAY!

My dogs are old. I mean, like 14 and 15 years old. They've begun going potty all over the house and it REALLY stresses me out. Plus I think they have worms. And fleas. And we have fought such a diligent battles against those parasites that I'm upset by our failure. We haven't gone to the vet since getting their annual shots, and if we go now, he will certainly want to do "geriatric" blood work AGAIN, and DANG that's expensive.

We're planning a trip for later in the fall, and please see above re: elderly dogs. There's only one person in the world that I trust to dog sit for us, and if she's not available...AGH.

My oldest daughter has just been diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder, and while it's such a blessing to know the REASON for her behaviors, it's still exhausting to deal with at times.

Pretty sure my youngest daughter has some sort of Attention Deficit thingie, and her flightiness wears me out some days. Can not be still. Can't. Not an option. But we're working on getting an evaluation, so I'm looking forward to that.

Homeschool this year is like a giant chess match. We have one too few computers, and I haven't found our rhythm yet on who's where, and when. Pooh9 now has a computer in her room, so she's set. But the other two? Keeping them busy and focused has been a challenge so far.

I can't wait for those Christmas sales, so we can get one or two more computers. Of course, we'll have to move out the beds and stuff to fit it all in, but hey, whatever works.

We're going to a fantastic training for our business tomorrow, and am VERY excited. Woo Hoo!

And by the way, I know that my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory, and I know that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Because if it weren't for Him, what sense would anything make?

And on that note, y'all have a great weekend, because I intend to.

House Wanted

Scooter: Momma, every morning when you wake up, you burp.

Me: You lay in there and listen to me in the morning?

Scooter: (giggling) Yes ma'am.


Yeah, we definitely need a bigger house.

Churrrrrrrrrrrros

Is it wrong that I want to move into the Big Brother house just so I can have the Churros?

Dang, I love me some Churros!

Oh, and also? Michelle's hair is JACKED ON UP. Seriously, I wish Jordan or even Natalie would tie her down and do something with that crooked parted, greasy mess.

And send me some Churros while they're at it.

Fear

I saw this quote today on Facebook:

Confront your fear HEAD ON!
Take the sting out of it, then start acting to eliminate it!

Nothing robs your energy as fast as FEAR!

More To Love - August 4

I'll admit it - I may be addicted to reality television. I'll watch anything once, and some ridiculous shows even more than once.

Tonight I'm watching More to Love on Fox, and I have a few thoughts to share.

Y'all, I'm a big girl. The smallest I've ever been is a Size 16. My wedding dress was an 18. And now? I'm not gonna tell you the size, but I'll tell ya this: I'm the largest I've ever been. Praise God, I'm losing weight again, but that's another post.

My point is this: No matter what my size has been, I just lived my life. These girls whine about their size CONSTANTLY. All the time. Non-stop. And come on - most of them are about a size 18, maybe a 20.

Shut up, you big honkin' babies!

Most of them could use a session with Clinton and Stacy from What Not to Wear, too, because OMG, they wear such unflattering clothes! Yeah, maybe weight isn't the reason you can't get a date. Maybe it's because you dress crappy.

Just a thought.

And finally? This guy comes off insincere to me. I hope I'm wrong, because I'd hate for him to just be playing games with all these basket cases.

What do you think?

Big honkin' jerks

You know what hacks me off?

Jerky people who lie - that's who hacks me off.

Seriously, isn't it sad when people lie about others, just to cover the fact that they themselves are big honkin' jerks?

Ugh.

Bad Timing

Happy Independence Day, all!

You know what I was just thinking? I REALLY wish that our forefathers had considered weather when they declared Independence Day.

It's sweaty out there, y'all.

I'm thinking March or October may have been a more moderate choice. But that's just me.

Please No.

Just saw on The Travel Channel that in Ecuador? They eat guinea pigs. It's like the national dish or something.

I kid you not.

That's just nine kinds of wrong, y'all.

The Bachelorette - June 1

I'm watching The Bachelorette tonight, but I'm not sure how much I'll write about it. I do like the guy who got the first date - Ed?

And you know what really hacks me off? The guys who interrupt other guys' conversations with Jillian. It's just RUDE, people!

And although I don't like Juan much, I don't get David's Deep Dark Hatred of the guy. David! Move on, Dude!

Tanner P is a Big Honkin' Freakin' Freak with his foot fetish, y'all. He needs to get on outta there!

I like Robby from Spring, Texas.

And also Sasha from Tiki Island, Texas! Hold up - she's sending him home? WAH.

Okay, so I like Wes too, but I'm about tired of his song, yo. He needs to write another one, seriously. No, no, no! STOP singing that dang song, Wes! Sing "Love Me Tender" or something, but I'm OVER "They say love, it don't come easAY HAY HAY HAY AY!"

More freaky foot stuff. Uhm...EW.

And unfortunately Dave has officially gone off his rocker.

It's Rose Ceremony time - who's going home tonight? Well I'll tell ya this - it looks TENSE in there! So two guys I don't recognize are going home, and I guess that says a bit about why they're going. I can't believe freaky foot guy is staying. I'll have to send my girls to bed early next week because I don't wanna have to explain the whole toe suckin' thing just yet.

What did you think about tonight's show?

Define unique, please.

My girls are going through all of their old birthday cards, Valentines and such. Tinkerbell is thrilled because she has 17 cards, and Pooh won't tell anyone how many she has.

Then Tink and Pooh realize that they have the same card. The kicker? The fronts of the identical cards read:

Grandaughter
You are beautiful
You are special
You are unique
You are loved.

Cracks me up.

The Bachelorette - May 25

I am WAY too disorganized and random to do any kind of formal recap or commentary, so it's random randomness from Random Town, people.

That's just how I roll.

The race to find Jillian? SO fun! I love that so far there's more to this show than muggin' down in the hot tub.

Love that Wes won the Vault Date with Jillian, and I don't get why the other guys don't like him. Sounds like they think he's there to further his music career, but I don't see that yet. Hope I don't. Cause I'd hate to have to dump one a my Texas boys.

And Brad? Is a tool. Whatever that means. I'm not a fan.

Another Texas boy gets a date - it's Jake, the commercial pilot from Dallas. Yep. And how cute is this guy with his little feelings and his corny western shirt?

P.S., when did Jillian turn into a Hot Tamale? Cause I knew she was cute and all, but tonight? She's smokin'.

Hello, impulsive kisser! How romantic is this guy?

Moving on to the basketball date, and I gotta say - Jillian? Lose the scarf. A trend is a trend, sweetie, but to play basketball? I can not co-sign that.

Cause I'm clearly a fashion icon.

Anyway.

Intermission while I play Farkle on Facebook.

Tanner P is a freakin' freak with the foot thing, and he needs to go home. Even if he is from Texas (isn't he?).

The guys voting for the person they'd like to see leave is awkward, but I see a twist coming...let's see. They choose Juan, but Jillian keeps him. Yawn.

Rose Time! I still don't know these guys' names, so I'll refrain from a play-by-play here. Except...Jessie and Sasha are safe and I like 'em both. David too, although I'm tired of him saying he wants to beat Juan's ass.

Let it go, David. Let it go.

So Naked Pool Jumper goes home, and so does the Brit. No surprises here.

What about you? Who are your favorites? What are your thoughts about this episode?

Talk amongst yourselves.

The Bachelorette - Apparently I'm watching it.

Hey, so I wasn't gonna watch The Bachelorette this season, but guess what? It's 1:00 in the dadgum morning and I'm sitting here watching it on the DVR.

There are SEVERAL Texas boys on this season, so maybe I'll just stick it out to see what happens to 'em. Yeah, that's it. Because I'm TOTALLY not addicted to reality TV. At all.

Some observations while I'm waiting on Jillian to kick some of 'em to the curb:

During the first introductions, Jillian said "Cool," and "Awesome," way too much. Seriously.

I'm really stressing over her white dress dragging in that water and gettin' all grody. I do, however, love that she kicked off her shoes and just padded around in bare feet half the night.

And speaking of feet, the guy who wanted to check out her feet creeped me out. He wasn't one of my Texas boys, was he? Lemme check the website. Tanner P...is from...oh crap, he's from Dallas. Well, Dallas or not, he's a freakin' freak and he needs to go.

One thing that runs through my mind, especially on the first couple of episodes, is How On Earth does she remember all the names? Are there cue cards or a teleprompter or something? Because I'm telling you right now - I COULD NOT remember all those names.

Okay, here's Jillian. She's gonna start giving out roses.

Jake - the pilot from Texas! One of my faves!

Wes - Woo Hoo! The country singer from Austin!

Michael - The break dancer - I like him.

Robert - Texas again!

Ed - He was one of the interlopers, wasn't he? But I liked him.

Reid - Another interloper! And I'm not so crazy about this one.

Simon - She must like accents, because he seemed strange, was hard to understand, and honestly? Not all that handsome either.

Kiptyn - What the heck kind of name is that? But I like him anyway.

Mike - Ew, low forehead. Reminds me of that lunatic CT on The Real World and all its spinoff Challenges. Ew.

Brian D - I like that little hillbilly.

Sasha - Texas again, and I liked his Serbian family in the intro clip.

Tanner P - Ew, I don't think she knows that he's a foot freak. I do like his jacket, though.

And now's when I start getting sad for the poor guys who aren't getting picked. Wah.

I liked the other Bryan and John H, but they're outta there.

There were 20 picks altogether, but some of 'em? Meh. Didn't care one way or the other.

I don't think I've ever watched a Bachelorette season all the way though, so we'll see what happens this year...

Did you watch the show tonight? What did you think?

Weekend Update

Hey y'all, here I am closing out the weekend.

It was a good one.

I can report that we drove 200 miles to Lake Somerville for a family reunion, and approximately 150 of those miles were in pouring rain. And I only spent about 5 minutes on anxiety. The rest was spent playing with my Blackberry, eating road trip snacks and stopping for tinkle breaks.

It was a nice drive.

I can report that I enjoyed visiting with my family immensely. I really, really love my aunts, uncles and cousins, for real. And it pains me that we only see each other once or twice a year. We meet at a park every summer and eat barbecue and say, "Y'all come see us!" but no one ever does. Maybe I'll make 2009/10 the year that the Dirty Laundry family actually goes and sees someone.

I'll keep you posted.

I can report that our return trip was also 200 miles. And that approximately 100 miles was in the pouring rain. I had no anxiety, Praise God! But we did increase the number of potty breaks. I have no idea why.

We stopped in West, Texas to buy kolaches, because that is what one does when driving through West, Texas. LOVE those kolaches!

Had sausage kolaches for dinner. Had fruit kolaches for breakfast this morning. Yum.

I'm done saying kolache. Promise.

I can report that this has been one of the best weekends in recent history, and the main reason? Peace of mind. Sweet, sweet peace of mind.

So many things that have been troubling me and weighing me down have been wiped out and it's magnificently fabulous. Are things perfect around here? HECK no. But they're oh, so much better and that's just what we need.

I hope yours was just as good.

Multi-Tasking Palooza

I'm so dang talented.

I am currently:

Chatting on Facebook with a lifelong friend.

Chatting on Google Talk with another friend.

Coaching Tinkerbell on the Build-a-Bear website.

Handling this dang old Alzheimer's dog of mine. Thank goodness I love him. In, out, up, down, up, down, up, down, up, down, OMG I'm gonna put him out of my misery!

Sending ringtones to Lifelong Friend.

Teaching Lifelong Friend how to use his new phone. From Texas to North Carolina. Thank goodness I love him.

Oh, and now? Also writing a blog post.

Aren't y'all glad that I decided to start sharing my scintillating life with you again?

Some rambling and also some roaming

So. I haven't written much at all lately, just haven't felt like it. I keep wondering how in the past, I wrote every day, and had TONS to say. No one may have wanted to read it, but so what? I wrote it. And I enjoyed it.

I've pondered and I've puttered and I've figured, and here's what I came up with. Over the past year, Big Daddy and I have encountered some GINORMOUS challenges.

We started a business. A business that we LOVE.

We were betrayed by "friends" that we considered family.

Our Pooh began dealing with a mood disorder that adversely affected our entire family.

Because of our family's experiences with Pooh's mood disorder, yet more "friends" that we considered family decided that we were unfit parents.

Yeah. Good stuff.

When you're dealing with life-changing circumstances, you want the support of your family and friends. And you know what? I'm just gonna put this out there - some of the people we counted on? Have NOT had our backs.

Devastating.

Here's the part where we get to brag on God, though.

My favorite scripture has always been Romans 8:28. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

And let me tell you about the good that God has done for us. He has, WITHOUT A DOUBT, shown us the friends that we can count on. And you know what's cool? In the most unexpected and magical ways, God brought just the right people back around to us, people who were not in our lives a year ago.

Friends we hadn't talked to in years have offered us their wisdom, their prayers, and unwavering support.

God is good.

All the time.

What, you may ask, does all this have to do with writing or not writing? I guess just that it's hard to put this kind of sadness out there. It's one thing to write about a sad day every now and then, interspersed with the levity. I haven't wanted to be one of those people who writes about dreariness Every Single Day. Problem is? Our life has been sad Every Single Day for a few months now.

Yes, we have some GREAT days mixed in there, but the ratio has been OFF, my friends.

And also PLUS, I've been skittish about writing honestly, because I've felt vulnerable and defensive. But you know what? I'm going to try REALLY hard to stop worrying about the people who DON'T love us and just be thankful for those who DO.

And I'm gonna try to write more often, whether it's cheerful or funny or just plain old boring. Because I think it will help me get to a happier place.

So hopefully we'll be seeing each other more often.

Because my God is good.

All the time.

Priorities

My Tink's birthday is coming up soon, and I would love to get her one of those nifty new netbooks.

It's such a hassle for the poor girls, playing musical PCs for their schoolwork, and Big Daddy's laptop time is woefully inadequate.

Anyway.

Today the girls and I went into Best Buy just to drool over the netbooks, and we found one with a great price. We immediately started scheming, I began going over the budget and commission checks in my brain, and when Big Daddy came home we discussed it. We're almost sure that we're getting a netbook in 2 weeks, and we just have to figure out which one.

Until.

We're sitting here watching TV, and Tink asks to use my fingernail clippers. She's clippin' and cleanin', doin' the fingernails and toenails. Suddenly she says, "Mommy, I don't want that laptop for my birthday. I want some fingernail clippers JUST LIKE YOURS!"

I go, "Really, honey? You don't want a laptop?"

Tink says, "No, these fingernail clippers ROCK! I can get my toenails SO CLEAN and they look so much better than when I just pick 'em. I can wait on the laptop. Plus I bet these don't cost as much money."

Isn't she just a doll?

She might just get a netbook AND fingernail clippers.

American Idol Disco Week

Okay, people, things have been a little loony around here so I didn't write about this week's Dancing With The Stars or American Idol. In fact, we just watched the AI Performance show tonight and we're catching up on the Results show right now.

And y'all.

I had to fire up the laptop, couldn't keep quiet about this VERY INTERESTING show.

First of all, Lil going home first was the right thing. She has vocal talent but hasn't figured out how to be original yet.

I'll admit, that's about all I had paid attention to, until they announced the Disco Has-Been Tour. OMG.

ROFLMAO

These ladies? Oh. My. Goodness. They look GOOD for their ages, there's no question about that. And their voices are still GREAT. But my goodness, they could use a stylist! Or two or three. The first dress? Not bad, but a size or 3 too small. The second dress? Ill-fitting and NOT age appropriate.

At all.

Then here comes my 7th Grade Main Man, KC without the Sunshine Band. Love me some KC, y'all. He may have been my first concert, at the All-New Music Mill Ampitheatre at Six Flags over Texas. There were girls faintin' and everything. Loved me some KC.

But now? Let's just say I'm disappointed. And that I disapprove of the hairstyle and the BRIGHT red shirt and too-tight pants.

A lot. And that's all I have to say about that.

Anoop goes home tonight, and I suppose it's the right thing. See y'all next week, my friends.

American Idol - April 14

Wow, y'all, there's lots of reality TV to be watched tonight. Just finished Dancing With The Stars, and now it's American Idol.

Tonight's theme is Songs from the Movies, and I do not get how Quentin Tarantino is an appropriate mentor for a SINGING COMPETITION.

But that's just me.

First up is Alison Iraheta and she's singing that song from Armageddon. Never can remember what it's called, but I like it. Her performance? I always love Alison's voice, but there's a slow start and nothing unique here, except for those tomato soup pants.

Big Daddy: I DO NOT like what she's wearing - it's SO UGLY. It looks like her hips are about to Take You OUT!

Yeah, we don't pull any punches over here, do we?

Anoop Dawg - Everything I Do, I Do it For You
I think that's too many words for the title of a song, don't you? Love it, although I would not have signed off on that jacket contraption he's wearing. And he should not have pointed at the camera on his last note. Did people BOO? Because that's just wrong. WRONG. Anoop rocked it.

Adam Lambert - Born To Be Wild
Adam definitely has a great voice, but he sort of gives me the creeps. Great voice. But The Creeps.

Paula said that Adam "dares to dance in the palette of greatness," and "fortune rewards the brave." What the...

Matt Giraud - Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman
I love Matt, but tonight he was just a'ight.

Danny Gokey - Endless Love
Love the song, Love Danny. I think he was a bit pitchy in the beginning, but then he brought it home.

Kris Allen - Not sure what song this is, and I'm not crazy about it, but he didn't suck.

I'm also shopping online for eyeglasses right now, so forgive me for not being more detailed. Hey, I'm no expert - I just knows what I likes.

Lil Rounds - The Rose
Here's what I think about Lil. She's just so unoriginal. She has a phenomenal voice, but she's doing those tired old runs that everyone does in auditions. PUMPKIN, STOP IT. Great voice, but no maturity to back it up.

Oh, and also? Don't talk back, please. Shut up NOW.

And the clip of Alison singing right afterwards confirms it: Lil has no originality.

And Adam still creeps me out. Sorry, but he does.

So, who should go home this week? LIL. Who was the best? I don't even know. I was underwhelmed.

Catcha later, people.

Dancing With The Stars - April 14 Results

Live from Hollywood, this is Dancing With The Stars. And I don't have much to say.

I still love that Lil' Kim/Derek Hough Jive number. I didn't realize how much I like Derek Hough until this dance. I'd be fine with Lil' Kim being a little less shiny, though. And does she somehow look like Alexis Carrington?

Blah blah blah...blah blah blah

First safe couples are Lil' Kim/Derek and Lawrence/Edyta. I was kinda hopin' Lawrence would be in the bottom so Ty didn't have to. Wah.

Love Rascal Flatts, y'all. And the Tony/Julianne dance was beautiful.

This clip where the contestants are designing the costumes is cute, cute, cute. I love it when Lawrence says that Edyta is allergic to clothes. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Next two couples up are Shawn/Mark and Melissa/Tony, and they're all safe. Good, love 'em all.

Rascal Flatts again - Great.

Carmen Electra - Love it.

Body Language expert - WOW!

Next safe couple is Gilles and Cheryl. Shocker, huh?

Chuck and Julianne are safe too, and that leaves Ty/Chelsie and Steve-O/Lacey. Please let Ty stay...Please let Ty stay...Please let Ty stay...

Yay, Ty is staying! Now I've gotta go watch American Idol. See y'all next week!