Rockyn Robyn's World

Something Worth Blogging About...

2009-04-16T19:02:00.003-05:00

Once again, I've neglected my blog. I haven't had much to write home about these days.....I've joined the ranks of the unemployed. It's rough hitting those buttons on the phone each week to collect my unemployment. (do you smell sarcasim?) Optimistically on the job hunt, I took a week to travel to the great state of Texas for the wedding of Jim's cousin Amber and her new husband, Daniel.

It was storybook from the word go! With the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin as the backdrop, it was a beautiful evening wedding.

Here's Uncle Jesse (no, he doesn't own a white pick-up, nor does he wear overalls) giving his little girl away in her $10,000 gown. !!!! (she's an attorney for Austin's biggest law firm...smart cookie, that girl....and she DID pay for that dress on her own.)

Jim even took his suit out of the back of the closet for the shindig.

I finally got to meet his cousin, Corey, who lost his dad (Jim's uncle) 12 days after Jim lost his. Corey's not tall, Jim is just extremely fun sized.

Amber's guy, Dan, is a computer engineer....so between the 2 of them, I'm sure they are sitting very well.....they are honeymooning in Maui.

It was just about the prettiest wedding I've ever attended. She looked like Cinderella.....it appears that I do not have my pics in the correct order, but you get the idea.

Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Weigl!

Haven't Blogged in a While....

2009-03-01T13:58:00.002-06:00

Damn Facebook.

It has kept me from Blogging in a while....that and a wicked nasty stomach virus that has kept me down and out here and there....

After a few weeks of violent incidents in the bathroom, I decided I needed to visit the doctor.

Much to my surprise, I had a virus that attacks the lining of your stomach and can go dormant if it so desires instead of just going away.

Mine went dormant, and a few glasses of white wine woke it up......with a vengeance.

So its been a rough couple of weeks, and I had no idea my stomach could get so angry at me, but I think I am slowly on the mend - and I'm hoping by the time we go away to Texas for a week in April, I won't have such wicked bathroom emergencies. That could make for a miserable trip.

Becky's Birthday Breakfast.

2009-02-07T11:03:00.004-06:00

My baby turned 17 yesterday. Man I feel old.

So for her birthday, we made our maiden voyage to the Donut Whole this morning for some breakfast yumminess. Becky and I are officially in love with the Maple Bacon donuts. Fabulous. I also had a Pumpkin Ginger Snap.......wonderful. I worked my ass off at the gym for those donuts, and I enjoyed every sweet moment of it.

Miss Becky is a tad obsessed with photographing toilets - namely public ones (I'm not sure where she gets her eclectic/odd hobbies, SURELY not me) so of course, she had to snag my camera and make a beeeeeeline for the can.

She was pleasantly suprised:

I'm pretty stoked that the Donut Whole is open 6 a.m. to midnight, and the drive-thru is open 24hrs. RIGHT ON!!!!

2009-01-24T14:36:00.004-06:00

Can someone please tell me,

WHAT IN THE HOLY HELL
HAS HAPPENED TO JOAQUIN PHOENIX?!?!?!?

Apparently he has announced that he is quitting acting forever and is going to be a musician. Whatever man, that's cool, I LOVED LOVED LOVED you in Walk the Line, but COME ON, DUDE! TAKE A FRICKIN' SHOWER, OR SOMETHING. Damn. AND......1986 called, they want their sunglasses back.

Family comes to Visit.

2009-01-24T12:55:00.007-06:00

HEY LOOK! My double chin is going away!
Those workouts and dreadful low-fat lunch-cicles must be working!!

My brother, David and his wife and kids came for a Kansas visit. They're in Texas - my brother is an engineer for Fox Sports. For everything Fox, actually. He's my favorite techno-geek. He invited us out to the sticks, just south of Goddard last night, to join them for dinner at his in-laws. Nothin' like country cookin'!

My nephew Joshua turns 5 today. He's having a big Batman themed pizza party. I'm missing it because I'm working, but its just as well - my family is very disfunctional, and I really don't need the stress. Uncle Jimmy and I bought him Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" - I'm sure he'll be thrilled to pieces to get a damn book for his birthday - but we also got a pirate ship to assemble. Uncle Jimmy got sent to the party to bear the brunt of my family hell.

My niece, Olivia, is growing so fast! She's almost a year old and I can already tell she's going to be a LOT like her Aunt Robyn - chatty, chatty. She's a talker! I have no idea what she's saying, but I am positive its very important.

Went to see The Keeper.....

2009-01-19T19:11:00.003-06:00

and found a TROLL.....

Last night, Becky, Jimbo and I went down to see The Keeper of the Plains after dark (lovely, but I couldn't get a good picture to save my life).

Becky drug us on quite a little hike just east of there to a spillover grate illuminated inside by a green light. Creepy.

Right there, down inside the grate was a troll! CREEEEEPY.

I never even knew he was there. Chained to the beams and wearing sandals. He must be seen at night for full effect though....cause he's CREEEEEEEEPY.

Saturday Night with the Kid.

2009-01-18T13:18:00.005-06:00

I have discovered that the Daryl Starbird Rod & Custom Show every January is the same old stuff. So I think I'm going to have to skip a few years so I don't get so dreadfully bored. The highlight for me is stalking the folks at the Midwest Airbrush & Pinstriping Guild booth. I'm sure they're sick to death of me.

Becky, Jimbo and myself attended last night, to the tune of $16 a piece. Sheesh. When Mr. Starbird runs off to the big car show in the sky, I hope its on the weekend and his family chooses to run a big gigantic obituary so I can get my damn money back.

Speaking of death, I do believe my favorite exhibit was the copy of "The Black Widow" horse drawn hearse. The undertaker that came with it was one super cool dude....big black top hat and all. Becky & I were in agreement that he looked like Ted Nugent.

I love it when Becky spends time with us on the weekend. Its few and far between with high school and an after school job....me working the weekends......but when the stars are in alignment, she's got a day off from work and there's a teacher in-service Monday, we have us a good time!

She's a tad cooky like her mother though, and just like mom, she appreciates the unusual things in life. Becky and I always seem to find ourselves laughing at the dumbest stuff and embarrassing the heck out of Jimbo......He needs to loosen up.

Here's mommy's little angel checking out some rockabilly boys just out of shot of my camera.

Open Letter to John Travolta.

2009-01-11T11:56:00.006-06:00

Dear Mr. Travolta,

I enjoyed our visit this morning.

Allow me to explain.....

I was having my weekly "Cup of Coffee with a Celebrity" this morning (A.K.A. watching Inside the Actors Studio in my jammies with a mug o' joe) and suddenly found myself glued to the television and mesmerized by your all around nice guy-ness, clinging to your every word.

I mean, sure, I've seen every movie you've ever made, Grease repeatedly, Urban Cowboy like, a million times, (Pulp Fiction and Michael are my fav's though) and back in the day I watched Welcome Back Kotter reruns like a damn fool, but I've never considered myself a fan, like FANATIC fan or anything....
But today I have a whole new respect for you. I found your humble, genuine kindness quite refreshing. I was especially touched by the statement you made on how everyone has something very interesting about themselves to share - you just have to know the right questions to ask to find it. And your thoughts on not letting what others might say or think of you affect your outlook on your life or your career - well, that was just brilliant. You seem morally sound.

I must confess, as a very lazy Methodist, I used to scoff and roll my eyes at your religious choices, and admittedly, I know nothing about Scientology. With that said though, you seem to be an honest man of great integrity, and I dig that.

I'm totally adding you to my list of people, living and/or dead, that I would like to meet. You're going straight to the top of that list.

If you ever find yourself in Wichita on some sort of aviation-type business, call me. We'll do lunch. I can't make a bierock to save my life, but maybe we could go down to the McDonald's and get a Royale or Le Big Mac.

Sincerely,
Rockyn Robyn

The Bierock Still Eludes Me.

2009-01-06T16:39:00.003-06:00

This is not any creation of mine.

"Operation Not Scared" took an ugly turn today. I took on a new project and failed. On Sunday, I attempted Crock Pot Beans and Ham, and it turned out so well, I got cocky.

Needless to say, what came out the other end of my cooking venture today was edible, but by no means did it even closely resemble a bierock.

I am not letting this culinary failure beat me down. It just makes me even more determined to get it mastered.

Heather? I may need a lesson in the ways of the Bierock. I'm just sayin'.

Starting 2009 Off With a Bang.

2009-01-04T12:32:00.031-06:00

Even though I am NOT a fan of New Year's Resolutions, I have suddenly found myself stepping up and diving right in to some.

I've decided 2009 is the year that I stop being scared. Period. Scared of what? Whatever. Even the slightest, smallest phobias are getting sucker punched this year.

It started yesterday.....

Jim and I attended a Concealed Carry Handgun class, instructed by a 27 year lieutenant with the Wichita Police Department. I caught some guff, being what he called a "member of the media" attending a Concealed Carry class, but he was a wonderful instructor, and I was grateful to have had him.

Just sitting in the same room with guns was a HUGE step for me. Guns of any kind terrify me, especially handguns. I grew up in Western Kansas where terrible hunting accidents and guns-in-the-closet curiosities caused the messy deaths of fellow students and a few friends. I was ready to stop being "that girl" - That prissy girl that lives in a happy little bubble of peace, love and non-confrontation. I was ready to be the kind of girl that can look anyone square in the eye. The kind of girl that can stand up for herself without getting mad and crying. The kind of girl that isn't constantly scared of the unknown.

So we spent most of the day getting a cold, hard education in a classroom setting and "dry firing" at targets. Then 4:30 came, and we all drove over to a firing range, where we had to fire 5 rounds into an FBI regulation target, one handed, at a 3 foot distance, to qualify for the okay to apply for a Concealed Carry License. (this sounds easy, but my little hand barely had the strength to pull the trigger all by itself - its tougher than it sounds.) Then we had to fire 20 more rounds two handed from 5 and 7 feet. (that's my target at the top of the blog. Not too shabby, if I do say so myself! except for the 2 strays.)

This was the very first time EVER that I had held a loaded gun, let alone fire it. I was petrified. I chose to use a revolver, as the glocks were just too hard for me to handle and get the job done.
The firing range was full of a few other classes, so it was loud with gunfire, even with my big red ear protection muffs on, and I was jumpy and shaking like a leaf. Shaking like a leaf is not good when you have to load a revolver in front of your instructor and then fire it one handed. (if you're conjuring images of Don Knotts, so was I at the time!)

Long story short - by the end of the day, I had overcome my gun fear, and after the shaking stopped, I felt like a million bucks.
Will I apply for the license to carry a handgun? Not sure yet. If push comes to shove and I was in fear for my life, could I fire a gun at another human being? If I had one in my nightstand and someone entered my home with the intent to do me harm, you're damn right I would.
Will I purchase a gun and spend time at the firing range with my husband? You bet. (I wonder if I can get one in pink to match my cell phone and my digital camera.) The confidence I had in myself when we left was refreshing. And I stood a little straighter for facing one of my demons, head on.

So whats next? Well, this morning I tackled the fear of making crock pot beans and ham - my very first pot got started and its cooking as I write this blog. I am CONFIDENT that it will be edible this evening.

New Year's Eve With the Girls.

2009-01-01T12:28:00.006-06:00

Much to Jim's dismay....the evening of Dec. 31 was
GIRLS NIGHT!!
He was bored stiff, but took it very well.
Where there's chips and dip, Jim's not too far away.

Vonnie invited Leslie, Jim and I over to her place
for New Years Eve.

I think the photos speak for themselves.

Believe it or not, I was a VERY good girl, and awoke New Years Day feeling quite proud of myself, and not at all wanting to die. This is a HUGE step forward on my path to being all growed up.....knowing when to say when.

We did have a real good time though,
and it was good to cut loose and relax with my girls.
And Jim.

Obsessive-Compulsive Meets Patience.

2008-12-29T14:59:00.003-06:00

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a bit of a clean freak - especially at home. Chalk it up to a mother who was a complete nazi when it came to being tidy.

I am, as I sit here and type this blog, ready to freak the hell out. My home is filthy with chunks of ceiling everywhere, its noisy, and my chihuahua is a ball of nerves.

Today there are roofers on my roof.

I was not expecting roofers on my roof today.

I discovered them in the shower this morning. I could hear them up there, but they're awful fast, and as the skylight directly above me was being ripped out of the ceiling, there were at least three guys speaking spanish and laughing very loudly. Awkward, to say the least.

So back to the chunks of ceiling. Its everywhere, and there's not much I can do about it till they quit for the day. This is a HUGE problem for me. HUGE. It's all I can do to sit here and wait. I want to vaccuum so bad I can't stand it.

Bewteen the mess, the noise, and the dog barking so hard all four feet come off the floor......I suddenly feel entitled to a drink.

Christmas Dinner and the Houdini Dog.

2008-12-27T12:52:00.005-06:00

Riley the Super Chihuahua has a new name.
"Houdini Dog".....

Let me back up a little.

The other day, Rebekah and I, at Jim's request, purchased a little hoodie for the dog. He's 6 lbs of skin and bone, and he ssshhhivvvvers like he's going to freeze to death, whether its 20 degrees or 100 outside.
He let us put it on him without a fight, and then sat there in disgust as we laughed at him.
Needless to say, he hates it, and when no one is looking, he manages to get out of it, leaving it right side out, and sometimes it even looks like he folded the damn thing for me! Talk about giving me the finger!

So on to Christmas dinner! It turned out very well, considering the outdated tiny-ness of my kitchen! it got a little crazy but in the end, it was worth the struggle!
I even got to use the buffet that came with our dining room table. Very exciting.

Ah, that roast was the BOMB!

Considering this is what I've got to work with in the way of kitchen appliances,
I think I really pulled off a feast! The only redeeming quality about this range
is the double oven action going on here. The rest of it? Blegch!

Someday, I'll have that chef's kitchen
I've always dreamed of.
Till then, well, back to the crock pot!

Mama Cashes In.

2008-12-26T09:54:00.004-06:00

FIRST ORDER OF BLOGGER BUSINESS: I got my diamond earrings for Christmas!! Right On!!
I'm kind of a "kept woman" these days.

My sweet baby girl got me a wicked awesome pair of Snoopy VS The Red Baron pajama bottoms and some fuzzy blue slippers to match - ADORABLE.

She and Jimbo decided to get me a super shnazzy french beret - they were in agreement that the one I've been wearing makes me look "like a little old lady"......whatever. This new one IS pretty cool, though. I'm looking forward to wearing in public for the sole purpose of embarrassing them to no end. I look pretty bad ass in it.

Documentation of dinner to come! It turned out pretty darn good, if I may say so myself. I shall be called, from this day forward, "The Pot Roast Queen."

A True Christmas Miracle.

2008-12-24T16:03:00.003-06:00

Somebody alert the media. Yours truly will be attempting to make the family Christmas Feast this year.

Starting at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, I'm doing the cookin' for the Garrison clan.

This may not seem like a big deal, but with the dilapidated, run down, ratty-ass 60's kitchen I've got, it should prove to be a real interesting day.

Thank Heaven for crock pots, because it'll be roast all the way, kids.

And trust me - there will be pictures taken to document this unprecedented occasion! And of course, a blog posting!!!

Jim's Company Christmas Party.

2008-12-21T12:27:00.006-06:00

Somehow, I managed to upload pictured of Jimbo's company Christmas party, without pictures of Jimbo! I don't know what the heck happened to them.

But here are a few highlights....

I officially LOOOVE his co-worker, Bryan. He's a scream. Very flamboyant, cheerleader & cheerleading coach, loves getting pedicures. He's just adorable and I think he's my new BFF.

I caught him eating cake here.

Now, lets talk about Jim's boss, Tate. Oh, my. Very handsome. I'm pretty sure after a few drinks I was following him around like a puppy. He's a western Kansas boy (mmmm...hmmmhmmm) and one tall, cool drink of water. And a drummer......need I say more?

And his wife, Jackie is just the biggest sweetheart! I was hoping before I met her that she'd be a real horse's ass, but NO! I love her! Dang. That makes it so much harder to oggle over the boss.

Virginia played it low key this time. She stayed off the hooch and I think she probably found it much easier to get up the next day.

Transpooper Pee.

2008-12-14T11:58:00.014-06:00

Oh, no, no, no. I meant "Transporter 3".....

Sucked so bad I was surprised there was any air left in the theater when it was over. A crapfest of EPIC proportions. I am not exaggerating.

I really took one for the team going to see this gigantic turd last night. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm okay with action movies - I sat through the last 2 Transporter flicks with Jimbo - the first one on DVD, and the second in theaters, (and then repeatedly on cable because Jim had the clicker - it was out of my control.) and I liked them just fine. Jason Statham is some SERIOUS eye candy. So I brought this all on myself when I said, "Sure babe. Whatever you want to see is fine with me."

I think they went too far making this third installment.

The only redeeming factor is that Mr. Statham was shirtless many times.

Allow me to break down the numbers for you:

Number of times "Frank Martin" had to fight multiple hench men all by himself: 3

Number of times his shirt was either ripped off or taken off voluntarily: 4 (oh, mommy likey - might have been 5.....things get fuzzy for me when it comes off.)

Number of times his Audi took an impossible flying leap that should have killed him or at least rendered the car undriveable: COUNTLESS.

Number of cheesy "Holy CRAP that was stupid, who writes this stuff" lines the bad guy had: Like, 12

Number of times I looked at my husband and said "Really! Really??! Is this what we're doing?!": probably 10

Hours of my life I will never get back: almost 2

It was very, very, very bad, and I wanted to kick my own ass for agreeing to see it. Jim is SOOO sitting through a chick flick this week.

Idiot of the Day Award.....

2008-12-10T14:14:00.004-06:00

Goes to this kid right here.

Today at work, I was standing in the middle of a room full of advertising sales reps, awaiting some instructions.

While I waited, I noticed some Christmas decor attached to some garland, and decided to touch THEM, with the palm of my hand. Cupping them ever so gently, palm up, I suddenly realized they were the ONLY CHRISTMAS BALLS STRUNG ANYWHERE on that garland.....and then it occurred to me that these TWO SHINY BLUE BALLS were hung there as a dirty little inside joke by someone, and I HAD BEEN STANDING THERE, FONDLING THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. !!!!!!!!!!

I looked around to see if anyone had noticed, and immediately felt very dirty and stupid.

Naive much? Yes. Yes I am.

I Hate the Kansas Cold & The Snow.

2008-12-09T19:16:00.005-06:00

Chihuahuas don't dig it, either. This one, otherwise known as "Riley The Super Chihuahua," spent most of the day under a blanket, with his nose out just far enough to keep himself in the know. Getting him to go outside and take care of business in this kind of Kansas weather takes an act of Congress.

I don't so much mind the cold, but the wicked wind and the snow and ice I can do without.

That poor Mexican river rat with his butt parked on my couch agrees.

I Found This and Had to Share!

2008-12-07T12:06:00.007-06:00

Freshly-borned Capuchin is a skosh grumpy

One-day-old baby Capuchin monkey:

"It is ENTIRELY too bright out here! Turn out the lights! Get me a sleep mask, SOMETHING! OMG PEOPLE!"

I found this and the quote at Cute Overload, while parooooozing some random blogs. I thought it was funny as hell.

Three Blogs in One.

2008-12-06T13:36:00.011-06:00

First order of business, the oddly tall, skinny, borderline "Charlie Brown" Garrison Family Christmas tree. Its a thing of beauty.

I wanted one of those sad, knotty pine type trees.....this is as close as we got. It's 7 feet of a whole lotta weirdness. Pre-lit, too.
So I added some ribbon and some fake berry stuff and BAM. We've got a true Holiday Oddity.
I love it. Its as unusual as I am, so it fits in nicely at our house. I just hope my Jimbo knows how much better it would look with diamond earrings under it. Am I right, ladies?!?

Second bit of blogginess....

I came to the startling realization the other day that I am as old as Disney World. Okay, well, I think its got a year on me. It Opened October 1, 1971, I was born August 10, 1972. That's close enough to make me feel REAL old.
I have also discovered that my bathroom cabinets and cosmetic bags are full of "Age Defying" products. When the hell did THAT happen?!????

Third bit of bloggy goodness....

Back on my Christmas music rant - After careful consideration, I have decided the only acceptable Christmas song is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" sung ONLY by Vince Gill. That dude has the voice of an angel.
I have to come clean, though.....I have taken a liking to the old Dolly Parton tune, "Hard Candy Christmas."

Suggested Yumminess and A Little Overshare.

2008-11-30T20:20:00.004-06:00

I have found the big 'O" of corporate coffee treats.

The Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar. Oh, my, goodness. This baby, I'm sure, is not good for you, but its so tasty, it's worth every thigh plumping calorie!!

You must RUN....don't walk to your nearest Starbucks and get one. Right Now. I think it might even cure depression.

While we're on the subject of Starbucks and all the wonders it holds, I would strongly suggest avoiding the temptation to try the Espresso Truffle drink. Although it tastes exactly as the name implies, and I must confess, will make you feel like a super-hero for a while, the colon blow that will ensue is not a fun time. Yummy? Yes. Intestine friendly? No.

Don't Hate.....

2008-11-29T14:43:00.004-06:00

But I have been listening to the radio for several days while at the Obituary Desk, and I'm angry.

I am a big believer in NOT playing Christmas music till at LEAST December 1st, and I've been hearing it three times an hour for the last 3 days, and there are a few stations that play NOTHING BUT AND THEY HAVE BEEN FOR NEARLY A MONTH!!

But thats not my main gripe, really.

It's one song in particular. "Christmas Shoes"

I really hope "Mamma meets Jesus" very, very soon, because I can't take ANY version of that song much longer.

Seriously.

Oh, and one other - it's a country song - "Christmas Carol" about a little homeless girl or some shit. NO MORE, DAMN IT!!!! NO MORE!!!!!

A Spoonful of Greased Lightening and a 42 foot Smurf.

2008-11-27T21:19:00.005-06:00

Ah, Thanksgiving. Not my favorite holiday these last few years.

I worked today at Ye' Old Death Dealer's post. It was a quiet day, and I didn't mind that at all. It was quite peaceful. My sweet 16 year old daughter stopped by the office to see me for a minute, and that was pretty awesome. It made my day.

Prior to going to work, though, I got my fill of exactly what I needed to make it feel like Thanksgiving: super cheesy musical numbers straight off of Broadway (during the Macy's Parade in New York) in the form of Mary Poppins and Grease. At the risk of being a traitor to my bad girl rocker persona, I dig that crap. Big time. Especially in my jammies with a big mug o' joe.

This year they had a 42 foot tall Smurf balloon, celebrating 50 years or something like that?! Really?! Smurfs been around that long? Who knew.

Speaking of being around that long, can anyone tell me what the HELL happened to Stephen Adler of Guns N Roses??? I've been watching him on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, and I must have missed a few episodes, because I can't figure out what his deal is, other than the obvious.

**UPDATE**
After visiting Wikipedia, I have discovered that Mr. Adler suffered a stroke a while back after doing a "particularly potent speedball." God bless the internet. You learn all kinds of stuff.

The Douchebag that Ruined Dinner.

2008-11-26T17:38:00.007-06:00

Okay, so back to the story about the idiot at dinner the other night. Now, don't get me wrong here, we weren't exactly dining at a 5-star jacket and tie establishment - it was Carlos O'Kellys, but damn. We had a couple of young whipper-snappers that obviously thought the world owed them something, and, in their haste to make everyone around them aware of their presence, forgot the number one rule of dining out: never f*** with the dude that handles your food.

I am positive this very early twenty-something goober thought he and his girlfriend were the reincarnations of Sid and Nancy, with the noticeable difference being that she looked like a girl who's mother would be MORTIFIED if she knew her daughter was out with this dude. They both were sitting on the same side of their booth, facing me. He was loud and full of self loathing, she seemed perfectly fine with the fact that her boyfriend was an ass.

His chips and salsa weren't fresh enough. His soda was flat. Blah, blah, blah. In between bitching, though, he managed to find time to make out with and put his hands all over his girlfriend, talk to the waiter like he was stupid, and demand that he get a bag of chips and a container of salsa to go with his leftovers he was taking with him, considering how "nasty the first round was."

Jimbo and I waited till Captain Ass-Clown and his gal pal got their coats and headed for the door, then we called their poor waiter over. (who, by the way, was very professional throughout the whole ordeal.)

I gave him a ten dollar bill and told him anyone who had to serve that tool with such grace deserved it. Besides - Mr. Awesome didn't tip him after all that passive-aggressive verbal abuse.

I'm astounded on a daily basis at how badly people will treat other people just because they can.

Too Busy for Wedded Bliss.

2008-11-23T14:32:00.006-06:00

Saturday, November 22nd was 5 years of marriage for Jimbo and I, but there was no time for celebration, as we spent Friday & Saturday with FOUR LARGE PASSENGER BUSES of Special Olympics athletes, coaches, parents and group home staff. We pretty much took over the motel we stayed at in Shawnee, KS. It was the usual organized chaos.

Every year, it seems there are always too many factors involved when it comes to trying to have a nice anniversary. But I suppose this year is fitting......Special Olympics is how we met in the first place.

My little team took 3rd (the bronze) - someone made a mistake with the brackets. (We should have taken 2nd). I think they all had a good time, though. I know I did.

Jim's team took the gold, but that was a given. Most of his players were part of the Kansas Vollyeball Team that went to Nationals a few years ago. They're very talented.

My guys......well, we've got heart. Sometimes thats all ya' need.

So back to the anniversary. How did we spend it? Well, mostly with 140-some smelly team uniforms at the Laundromat. But we did manage to make it to dinner at the tale end of the evening - right back at the scene of our first date, same booth even. Of course, nothing ever ends fairy tale-ish for us...... I'll blog about the douchebag that ruined dinner later.

Okay, 6 Random Things....

2008-11-20T21:00:00.003-06:00

But I can't tag anyone, because they've all been tagged already.

So here's my 6 Random Things anyway!

1. When I was 8 or 9 years old, I had lived in Tulsa, Ok., and after many years of having loooooong red hair that reached my butt, I talked my mother into a haircut. She kept the ponytail they cut off of me stored away in a box till the late 90's. Creepy.

2. I was once asked to leave the Borders out East for "stalking" Kip Winger, as I was "making the employees uncomfortable." He was doing a tour in the mid 90's promoting an acoustic CD he did to benefit a charity he started in his late wife's name. I had my toddler daughter on my hip, but was desperate to talk to him, just for a minute. I wasn't banned entirely, but asked not to come back for awhile. I never did get to talk to him.

3. I'm scared to death of Storm Troopers. Even to this day. They're clicky and they freak me the hell out.

4. When I was 6 or 7, I fell under a moving merry-go-round and a very large screw cut my back open from left to right. (I was wearing a little 2 piece homemade number, so my back was exposed.) It took a guzzillion stitches and I still have a little bit of a scar, but for years it was hideous and embarrassing. My mother almost passed out twice in the emergency room, and I swatted at the doctor who promptly spanked me on the butt and told me to stop. (he was angry that his golf game was disrupted and I was angry that it hurt.) The "sitz baths" I had to have for months after were horrible and excruciatingly painful.

5. I got kicked off the cheerleading squad at the end of my 9th grade year of junior high because I was failing my science class. I hated the teacher.

6. My husband was the Army tank driver that did the bustin' in (as seen on CNN) at the Waco standoff. I've tried to find out who played the part of him in the made for TV movie, but I still haven't figured it out.

Buyer Beware...

2008-11-19T19:42:00.003-06:00

Or learn your basic junior high math and fluid ounces, Robyn.

My very very VERY all-time ABSOLUTE favorite perfume is Venezia, by Laura Biagiotti. Its got a smokey, cherry, woody, almost sweet cigar type of scent. It was discontinued a few years ago, and you just can't get it anywhere. With the exception of Ebay, of course.

Since its so hard to come by these days, as you can imagine, the price of it is rather steep now. Like into the $200's kind of steep. (I used to buy it at Drug Emporium out west for $20.)

So when I found some online, I was pretty stoked.

I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes.

All I could find within my idea of a reasonable price ($25 before shipping) was this .17 oz bottle.

ITS THE SIZE OF A FRICKIN' HALF DOLLAR. SERIOUSLY. !!!!!!!!

If it was any smaller, it would be non-existent.

I think I need to find a new favorite and go back to school to learn my fluid ounces. In my own defense, I was a desperate woman.

I guess I'll be saving this tiny little piece of Heaven for super special occasions. Which may be few and far between when my husband finds out that I blew almost $30 on it.

'Tis The Season....

2008-11-16T15:42:00.004-06:00

For my obsession with all things trendy for fall and winter. My current Needful Thing is this bag. I have a serious purse problem, and I'll be the first to admit it.

It's at Accessory City and it will be mine.
Oh, yes, it will be mine.

2008-11-08T14:17:00.002-06:00

I would just like to take a minute to inform you that I am currently addicted to some STUPID ASS CHIPS IN THE VENDO AT WORK!!

Poore Brothers Brand "BBQ RANCH" F#%*'n KETTLE COOKED POTATO CHIPS.

I may need an intervention. This is getting out of control. I think they put an addictive chemical in them, and it does not help at all that I am sitting here at work, all alone, left to my own evils......LIKE CHIPS!

Halloween 2008 At Work...

2008-10-31T10:32:00.004-05:00

A few highlights! You only get once a year to make a complete fool of yourself and get away with it!!

Co-worker Pat was rather creepy!

And yes, I reprised my role as Rosie the Riveter - those mom jeans are awful high-waisted, but damn, they're comfy! And those Dickies shirts are rather slimming! Patty was Cat Woman - and she was quite pleased that the costume still fit her! She looked purrrrfect.

Here's Pat and Tim - I told them to stay the hell away from the obituary desk today!

Hope came as Jimmy Hendrix! Almost believable - except for the boobs and the white hands!

OOOOOH...Spooky.

2008-10-28T16:50:00.002-05:00

On Monday afternoon, I settled in with some wine and caught "Shadow of the Vampire" on our new 42" flatscreen TV that Jim decided it was time for.

I cannot believe I missed this in 2000 when it came out.

Its got John Malcovich, Eddie Izzard (one of my FAVORITES!) and Willem Defoe as Max Shreck. Kinda.

It's based on the filming of the 1920's "Nosferatus" - and it was sufficiently creepy, just in time for Halloween! Perfectly weird and eeeeerie!

If you haven't seen it, you must!! If I hadn't known that Willem Defoe was playing that part, I would not have believed it!

The Perfect Gift.

2008-10-20T16:11:00.004-05:00

The gracious and talented Miss Oppenheimer took some pictures for me a while back. I'd asked her to get some shots of the little service guy in front of the convenience store on 13th Street, in the Indian Hills area.

There's a story.....

This is a Gino Selerno carving, one of a few thats left standing around the ITC, and he has great meaning to my husband and I.

He was created in my late father-in-law's image. Jimbo and his dad used to own an AMOCO station there. His hat reads "Indian Hills AMOCO" and his nametag says "Ed" - that was Jim's dad.

I recently visited the store and asked them to sell the statues to me, but to no avail. They said he was "part of the community" and didn't think it was a good idea.
So thats when I got Miss. O. involved. She took many for me, and they're all FABULOUS.

I had the first two pictures here enlarged and printed for Jim and his twin brother's birthday. I noticed a few weeks after I had asked the new owners if I could buy the statues that someone had sawed his hands off. WHO DOES THAT?!?

Jim was blown away, and fought back a few tears. Even his brother Tim, who is developmentally disabled, was shocked and tense with emotion.......so Miss Oppenheimer, mission accomplished!! Thanks again! You are fantastic!

F***in' Wildlife!

2008-10-18T16:40:00.004-05:00

Jim decided not to hit the casino for his birthday, so instead, we went out to 183rd St. & Maple to the Tanginyka Wildlife Park.

It was amazing how close you could get to some of the animals. A lot of stuff was closed off because they're still working on it, but we did get very close to some of the wildlife....a very sweet camel, the giraffes, and the lemurs.
And, Austrailian Parrots. Oh, yeah, they were pretty.........
But things turned ugly for me very quickly - as more than 5 at one point, decided the product in my hair was WAY tastier than the apple cider/apple sauce they gave us to feed them.
If Heather was there, she would have flipped the F*** Out! They were coming from EVERYWHERE and headed straight for my head.I shit you not, it was frightening, and what did Jimbo do?! Laughed histerically while I got my scalp pecked and my hair pulled. By the time we got out of that bird area, there was NO product left in my hair. I'm not generally scared by birds, but this was a first for me. I had them climbing into the hood of my jacket, even.

At any rate, it was a nice day, and tomorrow evening, Jimbo and his twin brother will get their SUPER FANTASTIC BIRTHDAY PRESENTS from me, courtesy of
our own Jamie O.

Pics of the pizza, cake and gifts to come.......

A New Read . . .

2008-10-17T21:55:00.002-05:00

For this fine Spooooky Season.

A co-worker loaned me this one, and so far, its pretty darn good! I do love a creepy story, and this one is right up my alley! Just in time for Halloween!

Its a bit of a "life of the dead among us living" kind of book. And I'm diggin' it.

I Still Love This Guy....

2008-10-13T18:29:00.004-05:00

Come on ladies, you do too....admit it. I've loved him since "Heathers", but "True Romance" is the bestest ever.

I just watched a bit of "Inside the Actor's Studio" on BRAVO, featuring Christian Slater. I love that guy, thanks to Jennifer Noone.

Jennifer Noone, God Bless that girl, introduced me to one of my favorite cult classics, "True Romance".......and from then on, I was hooked.

Well, I learned something just now, about our guy Christian, that makes me love him even more.

His performance in "Interview With a Vampire" came by default, as the original actor to play the role of the reporter, River Phoenix, overdosed outside the Viper Room shortly before filming started.

Here's the kicker: Christian Slater agreed to take on the role under one condition - every cent he was to be paid for the role went to all of the charities that River Phoenix was involved in. He didn't make a dime - it ALL went to River's charities, mostly aimed at children.

I love that guy.......and damn he's aging well!

Christy's Birthday

2008-10-05T20:26:00.006-05:00

Saturday, some friends from my hometown of Great Bend, Kansas came in to celebrate a big event! One of them, Christy, turns 40 on Monday! This is a big reality slap not only for her, but all of us. So we figured we'd better get out our freak flags and fly 'em!

We had some dinner, and it was the first time I've had sushi. Not a fan.

And then we proceeded to get rather intoxicated.

This is Jennifer, my very best friend since kindergarten, she's also Christy's sister.

Christy got crazy!

They both got a little out of control, but Christy was determined to fight 40.

This photo is VERY incriminating. Jenn is a high school guidance counselor, and has always been Susie Straightlace. I have a feeling she hasn't been out in a while.

Too Many Kids.....

2008-10-03T21:34:00.003-05:00

In one place at one time, sends me into a glazed-over state that makes me want to drink. Anyone who knows me fairly well, knows this. Funny, I can spend an entire weekend with developmentally disabled people and be just fine. But perfectly normal kids freak me the hell out. I only have one child......there's a reason for that.

Monday night, while my brother and his family were in town, we had dinner with them and my sister and her family. This was a huge test of my patience and there was excessive use of my "bullshit face" as I spent the evening smiling politely and gritting my teeth.

These are my nieces and nephews, and this is the longest they sat still that night....just long enough for a group photo. Left to right: Taylor, Olivia, Joshua & Brady.
This is my brother, David, and his daughter, Olivia. Please note that this gorgeous and very stylish gal has Robyn hair! Spikey Spice Jr. A mini-me of sorts.

I'd like to say I love my family, but there's a history, and suffice it to say, I'm the middle child and therefore am treated like the crazy blacksheep. They don't get me, and thats okay. I don't need them to.

At any rate, it was real good to see my brother and his wife and kids. I do love my brother - he seems to be the only one that accepts my odities and loves me back anyway.

Bocce Goes DEFCON 5.

2008-09-28T12:27:00.022-05:00

It was a full on Bocce crisis yesterday. Jim had to get serious with Tabitha first thing, as we discovered the balls at the state tournament were MUCH lighter than the balls we've been practicing with, and it was throwing off everyone's game. (no pun intended there)

AND, to top it off, we've been practicing in gravel, they had to compete in grass.

Poor Tabitha was frustrated, and I don't blame her. She took 4th Place in singles.....she would have done better if the balls had been heavier. Later that evening she'd forgotten ALL about it, though, as she got her groove on at the dance with any gentleman within a few feet of her, with the exception of Coach Jim, who told her "fat country boys don't dance."

Tabitha is a hoot! True story: She came off the bus yesterday morning when we all arrived at the tournament and announced to me (very loudly, in front of a LOT of people) that I had her 8 a.m. meds, it was 8:45, and if she didn't take them right then, she'd be in trouble because "one of those pills is a birth control pill and an egg might have already dropped!" - I have no idea where she's heard this statement, but I'm sure it was an ill-advised warning by a staff person at her group home to ensure that she took them. She actually takes them for a completely unrelated reason. I laughed so hard I nearly pee'd.....she was NOT amused. We found some water and took the damn pills.

Brother-in-law Tim and his doubles partner, Jim-Bob, took the GOLD!! They had a tough time adjusting to the lighter balls as well, but they did exactly what Drill Sargent Jim told them to do - "ADAPT AND OVERCOME!"

Our other doubles pair, Terry and Leah ALSO took the GOLD!!!

I think everyone had a good time. I know I sure did!

We all walked away with sunburned faces, and at the showers in the ladies locker room before the dance, I saw entirely too much stuff I would love to have avoided, but it was totally worth it. I was so proud of them. They all worked very hard.

Our soccer teams did very well yesterday, too.....including our little team of young ones, they also took the gold! And of course, the dance was a blast as usual.....I forgot to take my camera in, but let me tell ya, it was a full on groove-fest, orchestrated by a band of state troopers and cops - those guys rocked!

Bocce& Soccer Trip

2008-09-26T21:37:00.004-05:00

Well, at first I wasn't sure how I felt about the State Special Olympics Soccer and Bocce Tourney we're headed off to tomorrow in Olathe, but I gotta say, I'm kinda stoked now.

I'm actually looking forward to it. Our litte team of Bocce stars have worked hard, and they're a fun group, so I think its going to be a good time, and I'm hoping we bring home lots of hardware!

God bless Miss Heather - she's going to cover my shift at the Ol' Death Dealer's post so I can go. I owe her a big one.

Jim's brother and another athlete, Courtney are staying the night at our place tonight - the bus pulls out at 6 a.m. - and if I can keep from wringing their necks before then, well, we're golden.

I plan on taking lots of pictures! There's a dinner and a dance afterward, and I'm sure there will be plenty of crazy photo ops!

Say Hello to My Little Friend.

2008-09-22T16:09:00.004-05:00

I had it on good authority that Sailor Jerry was around the corner from my house at Twin Lakes Liquor, and holy crap, it was. This is a banner day.

How swell is it, that two of my favorited things have been put into one beautiful bottle?! Really?!? Right on.

Sailor Jerry Spiced Navy Rum. And this stuff is soooooo tastey. Kinda caramel-ish, kinda vanilla-ish....and nearly three bucks cheaper than Captain Morgan.

Add a little of this bad boy to some Diet Coke with Lime, and you're golden. I think I'm in love. I'm totally keeping this bottle.

**UPDATE** - This stuff has made the last 2 days off of work simply magical.

Holy Crap.

2008-09-21T20:05:00.002-05:00

Josh Groban on the Emmy's tonight.

That stuff was the shit! Wicked awesome!!

Anybody else see that?!?!

The Cutest, Saddest Little Thing Ever.

2008-09-19T19:13:00.004-05:00

This sweet little face kept me up late last night.

I got a tad hung up on a show called "Orangutan Diary" - I can't remember the channel, but it's a documentary on a facility that rescues these sweet babies. And adults.

I was mesmerized by how much like us they are.

Some babies had been quarantined because of illness. They get the flu just like us!

That face and the stories of him and his group-mates tore me up. As a mother I just wanted to grab him up and hug him.

Big Trouble in the Garrison's Little Garrison.

2008-09-13T11:30:00.010-05:00

Ah, the joys of (old) home ownership. Apparently the saying is actually true...."When it rains, it pours."

The ceiling in our bathroom had a big ol' woopsie yesterday morning during Wichita's Storm of the Century.

There's a skylight that I do predict will be a constant source of panic and rage for yours truly over the next few years.

What we thought was just a skylight issue, come to find out, is a full on roof crisis that none of the THREE inspectors (one of which we paid VERY good money out of our own pockets for) that came out when we bought the place seemed too concerned about.

I'm scared to death the whole damn ceiling is going to fall in. (My luck, I'll be in the middle of something important when it happens, if you know what I mean.)

And Yeaay for us....its smack dab in the middle of the room, right in front of the tub. Good stuff.

Lordy. This has been a week from hell for me.
I'd ask "What next?!?" - but I'm afraid to.

SICK AND ENVIOUS.

2008-09-12T17:51:00.005-05:00

So I've been sick for like a week. As Forrest Gump would say, cough due to cold....or something like that.

Yesterday, my body said "ENOUGH!" I called in sick, took a fistfull of drugs and slept all day, with the exception of an hour or so, early evening, where I flipped on the television and found Turner Classics Movie channel, where it was a full on Kay Francis fest.

She was an exotic beauty, if you ask me, and quite the snappy dresser. She was THE big deal before Betty Davis came onto the scene.

How is it, the dames in all the old flicks have flawless, porcelain skin? Man, I was born in the wrong time period. I would love to have lived back in the 1930's 40's, 50's......ah the hats! The pearls! The gloves! THE DRESSES!! Wow.

Even though I searched the internet extensively, I've not been able to find a photo of her late in life. I'd love to know how well she aged.

According to Wikipedia, she died as a result of illnesses due to breast cancer. Her personal life was a hot mess, as she was prone to torrid, well publicized affairs......oooooh......ah, I'm still envious. She might have been a dirty girl, but she was a beauty!

First Night of Volleyball

2008-09-04T21:40:00.002-05:00

Tonight was the first night of Volleyball for my Special Olympics team. Even though we had a big turnout tonight, seems down a bit from last year. Our athletic director, Kim (the one here with the ball) was as uptight as ever!

I guess Jimbo is coaching our highest level team again this year, and I suppose I'll help him. Its a good cop, bad cop thing with us, and it works pretty well!
Our highest level is what we call the A Team - very high functioning guys, and generally good boys, but they LOVE to horse around.
Ah, there's my buddy, Rexie. I love that guy. He and I are the same age, but you'd never know it by looking at him. In the 6 or 7 years that I've been coaching, I have NEVER seen him get that ball over the net. Nor have I EVER seen him make a basket during basketball season, but he's got more heart than any athlete I know. He's a doll. Can you see that shirt?! It says "Irresistible" - what a hoot!
Her are some more of the usual suspects! Heath, Phillip and Jennifer.
So now I've got Bocce on Tuesdays, Volleyball on Thursdays.....and if I was off on Sundays, I'd be at bowling, too! I do miss the bowling on Sundays, but I must confess, it can be exhausting.

Wow. We've just hit the busy season! In November, we'll go to Overland Park for a few days for the "Fall Classic" - its a weekend of bowling and volleyball competition. And its a blast.

Birthday Girl!

2008-09-03T17:21:00.007-05:00

Today was Heather's birthday!
Isn't she pretty? Such a pretty girl.

Jennifer M. did a good job of making her feel special!
And BUBBLES!!!! Who brought the bubbles? Thats pretty cool, but it looks like she had a tough time getting into them!

Good job, Jenn....you really jazzed that office up! You're the bombdigity of birthday planners!

And food galore! Everyone brought munchies, and it was awesome. I meant to get Funions, and I forgot! Its probably a good thing - I would have sat down there and ate the whole damn bag.

Heather also got some gifties from us girls. It looked like she cashed in pretty well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER! I hope it was a good one! We love you!

God Bless 'Em!!

2008-09-02T15:30:00.004-05:00

I'm so excited I think I might have pee'd a little.

I found out this afternoon that tomorrow morning, the Pumpkin Spice Latte and other seasonal items, are coming back to Starbucks for the Fall season.

YEAYEAYEAYEA!!!!!

Ah, THIS is a good sign that my time is coming!

And on top of THAT, Bath & Body Works drops their Fall Editions tomorrow!!! Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, here I come!

Man, I'm pretty stoked. It just doesn't get any better than this.....

Oh, wait! The forecast is showing a high of 68 degrees tomorrow, too!!

WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!

A Day at the Zoo With the Twins!

2008-09-01T19:57:00.003-05:00

Jim and Tim, that is! The three of us went to the Sedgwick County Zoo today. It was a hot day, but tolerable.

I made Jim promise it was going to be a nice, chilled out, good time day, and that he wouldn't ride his brother like a drill sergeant. So he did manage to chill out and relax. They both did.
This is the funkiest bird I've ever seen. Beautiful, but funky!
ACK! I hate the bats. And they were loud and screechy today!
Baboon + camera = nasty attitude. This guy was a tad rude. I was afraid there might be some poo flingin', but we bailed before it got too ugly.
Today was the very first time I've seen the penguin exhibit. They're so cool!
Now this is my very favorite part of the day. These guys just laid there and stared back at us! The one on the left sat there and picked at his teeth and stared at us. Adorable.
Ahh, now this angel was feeling pretty needy today, because her sister was out for breeding.

And the goats were as annoying as ever!
This one rammed me in the butt several times and Jim & Tim had to save me from him more than once. I feared for my life!
Oh, yeah. We got Sno-Cones. Jim bought us some Sno-Cones. I had the grape. Tim & Jim had lime. Aparrently, the lime was a little tart.
Jim made a friend at the petting area. I've seen this horse bite at people before, but today, Jim was okay to visit with, as long as he had food in his hand. This horse is a beauty. Seemed kinda shy, but Jim managed to get up close and personal.
All in all, the day was good. I just wish it had been a little cooler. It was FANTASTIC to have a whole day off with Jim! Its been a while since we both had a day off of work together!

A Visit From an Okie.

2008-08-31T12:36:00.005-05:00

Jim's Uncle Tom came up from Talequa, Oklahoma this holiday weekend to visit. I got a shot of him with Tim & Jim at breakfast this morning.

I LOVE Uncle Tom. He's your typical, self proclaimed "Country Boy" who's gotta have his coffee (straight black) every morning and shares my affection for bacon and eggs.
He's super cool and it was great to see him!

C'mon, Autumn!!

2008-08-30T14:28:00.004-05:00

I live for fall. I'm an autumn on that silly color chart, you know, and its my very favorite season. It can't get here fast enough for me.

Every year around this time, I start getting listless. Like I NEED something but I have no idea what it is, but this year, I know what it is!

Its the changing of the colors in the trees in Riverside! Its the "Fall Edition" scents at Bath and Body Works! Its Pumpkin Spice or some sort of freaky nutmeg-type Candles! Its chili with a hot and gooey cinnamon roll for dinner on a cool Sunday evening! Its candy bar mini's by the bagful, useless Halloween crap that I do not need but HAVE to have, and pumpkins on the porch! Its weather cool enough for just your hoodie and maybe a scarf! Its that late afternoon/early evening sun sitting different in the sky!

I cannot wait. Its the best time of year! It needs to hurry and get here!!!

CRAZY WORK WEEK.

2008-08-28T21:21:00.002-05:00

Heavens! The week before a 3 day holiday weekend at a newspaper can get nutty!

I've worked very late the last couple of nights, and I'm beat.

Tomorrow is D-Day, so to speak, and I'm not sure I can take much more. I suppose its a good thing to be so busy, considering the state of affairs at the Big Bird, but I'm spent!

Labor Day will be the first actual holiday I've had off for a while, and I think I may try to talk Big Daddy into a big breakfast and some sort of a road trip for the day. I gotta get out of the house. I have no big plan, but Mamma needs to cut loose!

Breakfast with the Ladies!

2008-08-23T12:48:00.008-05:00

This morning before I headed in to work, I had breakfast with a few of my very good friends and work buddies, Vonnie & Leslie at the King's X, right down the road from my house. In the many years I've lived in Wichita, I have never eaten there. From the stories I've heard, its looking like they cleaned it up! I was pleasantly surprised at how clean this greasy spoon was!

It has to be said, however, I will eat breakfast with ANYONE who asks, ANYWHERE they choose, as I am a bit of a scrambled eggs and bacon whore......and it must be served with some hot coffee (cream and sugar please). I LOVE breakfast, but I don't get a chance to eat it much, so I reserve such a treat for the weekends once in a while. There's nothing better the the previously mentioned, and I get excited just thinking about it. God, I love bacon, especially when someone else has cooked it! Scrambled eggs and bacon make the rest of the day better for some reason.

I hope we start meeting up on the regular for breakfast. I had a real good time. And I think I'm fed for the day!

In stray kitten news.....Jim delivered Rikki Rockett to the Humane Society this afternoon, and the girls there immediately renamed him "Orange Julius" - what a CROCK! That's lame. Apparently, they have no sense of creativity or respect for the hair bands. Jim said they told him he'll (they said "he", so I'm going with it) be there for at least 7 days, as he has to be checked over and deloused, so to speak. Bless his little heart, he'll get three hots and a cot for a while, anyway.

SAILOR JERRY.

2008-08-22T17:46:00.005-05:00

I am currently obsessed with the tattoo art of "Sailor Jerry" Collins. He developed his own pigments, thus single handedly expanding color options in the world of tattooing.

I just think its pretty awesome.

He died in 1973, but his legacy lives on in a gigantic product line, including apparel for men, women & babies, designer Converse shoes, housewares, barware, playing cards.....you name it.

I think I was born in the wrong time period. I love anything World War II - ish. Sailor Jerry is right up my alley.

On a similar note - thanks Heather for the heads up on Blog Gadgets. Lovin' me some Pin-Up Girls!

Wednesday Night Drama.

2008-08-21T09:19:00.005-05:00

Drama last night, for me anyway, as my boy Daniel had his "Final Cut" on Sheer Genius. Needless to say, I was devastated. He was so adorable. Cutest little gay boy out of Dallas!
He was always so positive and happy, rarely did he say a negative thing about the other contestants. And his big Texas hair styles were wicked awesome. He even admitted that he's "from Texas! I carry hairspray in my back pocket!"
Last night when he got cut, he admitted they just didn't wear their hair big enough there in California, but he was also very gracious and kind as ever on his way out.
Just a cutie.
I personally think Dee should've gone home - she gives the same damn haircut every time.

Other drama.....Well, little Rikki Rockett is still hanging around our driveway, and it doesn't help that the He-Man Cat Hating Jimbo is giving it TUNA! Can you believe THAT?!?

We even called PALS Animal Rescue and they were no help at all. Jim is going to call his super cool hippie aunt and see if she'll take him/her (I still don't know).

It cried alllll night last night, and a possum was giving it some grief, to boot. That made the crying unbearable......my guilt is overwhelming, and I have no idea why. Its not my problem, but the heart on my sleeve says it is.

Damn it!

Startling Discoveries.

2008-08-18T18:08:00.004-05:00

Startling discovery #1: Oh, I do believe I have a HUGE problem....but its really tiny. This bitsy little kitten is hanging out next to the driveway, and intently watching the front porch, which is a huge deck that Jim had to seal off one side of with lattice work because cats and other things were taking refuge under it........I'm worried that this child's mother might be under there or something, cause its not leaving, and Jim is going to have a FIT when he gets home, because soft hearted Robyn took pitty and fed it some chihuahua food soaked in a little milk. (maybe we should keep that to ourselves, girls)

I've named it Rikki (as in Rikki Rockett of Poison, because of the hair color) but I have no idea if its a girl or a boy, and if it doesn't disappear soon, Jim could get super bitchy about it.
Second startling (but very cool) discovery? A full 12 pack of longneck Miller Lites will fit in my bicycle basket......I tested this by visiting my neighborhood liquor store. I'm sure everyone in there thought I had a DUI or something, but who cares what they think! I looked pretty cool riding up to the door with my dice calve covers and wire basket!
The neighbor kids are still telling me how cool my bike is, and asking me to ride with them. Does that constitute an invitation to a gang?! Right on!

Saturday Night Visitors and a Trip to the Men's Room

2008-08-16T20:42:00.007-05:00

Tonight our friends Darrell and Sharla stopped by, with their SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD SON and the motorcycle they bought him. STUPID! I love these guys, but I wouldn't trust a seventeen year old boy on a bike. Darrell is making him take the motorcylce driving course, and he's only allowed to ride with them, but still! Maybe I'm just a worry wart. On the other hand, this kid has been drag racing in a Junior Dragster for years.

At any rate, they didn't buy him a Harley, the Harley is Darrell's. They bought him a Boulevard for "only" $10,000 (Darrell's got more money than he knows what to do with) - but it looks just like Darrell's Harley.
Darrell bought new pipes with the money he won at the casino a few weeks ago. We heard him coming from blocks away!

Sharla is so skinny, I bet he has to keep checking to make sure she's still on there! She's as thin as a rail! Just naturally that way.

Those two are a hoot. They're a couple of country folk from Oklahoma, he drives a tow truck and owns his own little trucking company - they make a ton of money, but you'd never know it by looking at them. Or as Darrell says, "We ain't fancy people."

They have two teenage sons, and just took in a foster teen because they couldn't stand to see how the poor kid was living with the family before them. They may not be fancy, but they're good people.

So....tonight, Jim and I ventured over to the Wal-Mart on 53rd St (the new store) to get some groceries and what not. In the middle of the trip, I was hit with some frightening tummy issues (been fighting it a few days) and had to make a crazy dash to the restroom. Normally, I'd avoid the Wal-Mart toilets, but it was an emergency. In my haste, I walked right into the men's room, and of course, there was a dude at the urnials. It took me a few seconds for what I was seeing to register, but I didn't stop walking, and I didn't say a word. I just turned right around and walked out. Quickly.

AWKWARD!!

Last Night's Show

2008-08-15T17:45:00.003-05:00

I'm getting too old for this shit. But I did it anyway, because I'm clinging to my youth, tooth and nail. Heather and I went to the LA Guns & Faster Pussycat show last night in Old Town, and it was a good time, but I'm not the ONLY thing that time has drastically changed.

LA Guns THEN (very late 80's, early 90's)

LA Guns NOW

With Marty Casey of Rockstar INXS fame and some other young dudes I do not know. Marty was mean to our Heather last night, and therefore, I am refusing to blog about him.

Faster Pussycat THEN

Faster Pussycat NOW

They got scary, like Marilyn Manson scary.....and I don't recognize THEIR bandmates now either. I think there's just one or two original left, including Taime Down, and he was unrecognizable to me. (just like myself, he got a tad chubby in the face)

The long haired bad boys of my youth are gone. Looong gone, but then again, so is my ability to stay awake for a late night rock show.

Wednesdays with Timmy.

2008-08-13T21:45:00.003-05:00

Kinda like Tuesdays with Maury. Only with the brother-in-law.

On my way over, I swung by and picked up Ron, a fellow athlete who was on the Kansas Volleybally Team with Tim at the first ever Special Olympics Nationals a few years ago.

This evening we (mostly I) made tuna tortellini, with a HUGE lack of pots and pans. Dang. I agreed to start cooking with him on the regular, so I guess we're going to have to venture out and get some cookware.

Tim knows how to make hamburgers, and we keep him in good supply of meals from the freezer, so he doesn't have to use the stove too often on his own - Jim's affraid he'll leave it on by mistake, and that is very likely.

I think next time, Robyn's gonna have to take her sweet-ass Panini press with her - I think he can handle sandwich assembly.

I figure with Jim on call on Wednesday nights, I might as well hang out with the OTHER twin. I don't think he'll ever be Emeril, but I'm trying! Tim's very high functioning, but EXTREMELY forgetful, so it'll be an interesting test of my patience, for sure.

Maybe I'll take pictures of our creations and blog about it when I can!

Bocce Buddies.

2008-08-12T21:54:00.004-05:00

It was Special Olympics Bocce practice night again, and I had a few more athletes interested in coming out for it, so tonight Tabitha & Kent joined us. They've never played before, but they sure were good at it!

Here we have Jim-Bob (yes, thats really his name, actually, I think its James Robert, but to everyone its just Jim-Bob) in the sunglasses, his fiance' of about 16 years or so, (not kidding - they've lived together forever.....commitment issues I guess....)Leah, and on the right, that's Tim, my bro-in-law. Here's Terry - she's an old pro at this sport. Seriously. The girl's got game! They should have made HER the coach, she's that good.
These 4 - Tim, Terry, Jim-Bob & Leah, have been with our Special Olympics team for a very, very long time. I couldn't even tell you the years between them, but they've been with the team WAY longer than me, for sure.
I'm really enjoying coaching this sport. Last Thursday, we were missing some athletes, so Jim and I played with Leah & Jim-Bob.....guys against girls......and I gotta tell ya, I think I'm a pro. I'm wicked awesome with a Bocce ball.

Panini Breakfast

2008-08-11T16:08:00.004-05:00

This morning, Becky and I slept in and then got up and made breakfast Panini's in my new Panini Press......AND THEY WERE SOOOOOO FANTASTIC!!

I love that damn machine. So easy to use. So easy to clean! We used some of the jalepeno cheese bread I picked up at the farmers market the other day, some ranch dressing, bacon, turkey & provolone. It was the bombdiggity of sandwiches. I am so excited about this new toy of mine. I'm going to be a Panini eating fool! And its perfect for a gal like me - that finds herself dining alone most nights while Jimbo is still out working.

So this afternoon we went out and bought a wire basket for my new bike, a bell that says "I Love My Bike", and some dice valve covers. I'm going to be the queen of the neighborhood!

Birthday Goodness.

2008-08-10T21:09:00.011-05:00

Today was my birthday. Started out crummy, got WAY better come evening time.

I got home from a semi-crappy day at work to find my sweet baby girl there with a Panini Press for me! Very exciting! I love Panini sandwiches. So does Becky.

I'm looking forward to makin' some interesting sandwiches with Becky on it.

THEN! Jimbo drug me out to the garage to present me with a super cool Del Mar Schwinn Crusier bike to ride while we restore the Hollywood Schwinn that the Clintons of the White House (but not THAT White House) gave me a while back. Jim needs to do some tweaking - the guys that assembled it put some stuff on backwards....like the front fender.
It looks blue here, but its actually a pearly purple-ish color. I LOVE IT!!

I felt like an 8 year old, climbing on that thing tonight and tearing around the block. I cannot WAIT to ride it on the regular....I can already tell its going to be REALLY good exercise. And I feel so damn spoiled!

I'm totally getting a bell and a wire basket for this thing!

Jimbo, his brother, Tim, and Becky took me out to dinner at Johnny Carino's for my favorite meal, the cheese tortelloni.....and a HUGE glass of wine.

I also got a beautiful plant from my buddy, Vonnie, and my other other good friend, Leslie, stopped by work today with a goodie bag that included a Happy Bunny shirt that says "Hi. Where's Your Off Button?"

At any rate, it turned out to be a perfectly self-indulgent, giant child day for me. And it was fantastic!

I HATE Garage Sales, However...

2008-08-07T21:27:00.006-05:00

My bestest bestest friend since KINDERGARTEN, Jennifer, and her husband just moved from Hoisington, KS to Clearwater, KS, and she has a 3 year old that's going through clothes like mad.

So Saturday morning, before I head in to work, Jenn and I are going to have some quality girl time and hit the west side garage sales. (Cowgirl - anything good goin' on in your neighborhood?) I cannot stand garage sales, but perhaps I'll be able to find myself some good stuff to practice pinstriping on!

Jennifer has been my best friend since the very first day of kindergarten out in Great Bend, KS. I love her. Very much. We've been through so much stuff....mean girls, puberty, bad boyfriends (and a couple of good ones, wink wink!) nasty breakups, terribly broken hearts, CRAZY parties, lots of drinking, her wedding, my divorce, babies, job changes, WHEW!.....serious water under that bridge. I would not be the person I am today had I not picked a fight with her over the play kitchen that fateful morning in September, 1977-ish (or something....stop doing the math in your head....I'm old.)

She and her husband, Dirk, took jobs at the high school there in Clearwater. He's an algebra teacher and a football coach, she's the guidance counselor....and they are the best people I know. And I am soooooo excited to have them here now.

At any rate, anything Jenn wants to do, I'm game for! Cause I love that girl!

**UPDATE**
It rained all morning so the garage sale trip was a bust, but we did hit the Farmers' Market at 21st & Ridge and got some wicked awesome jalapeno-cheese bread from Yoder that was the BOMB! Yummmmmo.

Bocce Rocks!!

2008-08-05T20:48:00.009-05:00

I have been to the Bocce Pit, and it is good. Actually, ITS AWESOME!!!! I had such a blast tonight with the Special Olympics athletes! I cannot believe I've not coached this before! We practiced at Sedgwick County Park tonight, (they have Bocce pits) and its much tougher than it looks.....a LOT tougher! It takes some restraint and control. Unfortunately, I had to run out to a sporting goods store with my brother-in-law and buy TWO BOCCE SETS tonight, (the team set is MIA) and those balls ain't cheap! But Let me tell ya, it was worth every penny!
I cannot WAIT to try this game out myself. WOOHOO!! Next week I'm taking pictures to post for the world to see our little team!

New Adventures.

2008-08-05T08:07:00.006-05:00

Monday I drug out my 1 Shot paint and brushes and decided to do some more practicing. So I painted the tissue box cover I picked up at a thrift store a while back.

I'm getting really frustrated, partly because I need a place to practice and not make a gigantic mess. Jim says I can have a spot in the detached garage, but its so HOT right now! The painting isn't going as well as it should, but perhaps when the weather cools off I can spend some time out there and really focus.

It looks like brother-in-law, Tim, is about to be my new buddy. Tim and I are going to start cooking together over at his apartment as often as possible. Jim's afraid he'll leave the stove on, and his list of things he knows how to make is very short. On top of the cooking, I'll be helping him keep his apartment picked up, mostly to keep Jim off his back.

Ever heard of Bocce? Its kinda like lawn bowling. Well, its also a Special Olympics sport that takes place along with soccer. It took me a week or so to talk the brother-in-law into giving it a try, (it would get him out of the house on Tuesday nights) but in the process, I got roped into being the coach. ?!?!? I know JACK SQUAT about bocce. I guess I better go google it.

NO CANCER! NO MONEY!

2008-08-02T08:30:00.005-05:00

The biopsy came back benign! No cancer! Whew! That was a nail biter. When I finally got sick of waiting for them to call me, I got on the horn. Coincidentally, my doctor and another doctor were looking at the results, so I was on hold forever and the nurse wound up having to call me back. I was super relieved to not have to spend all weekend worried sick. Now if I could just get lefty to heal....I kid you not when I say, its black and green - HUGE bruise.

Last night's adventure to First Council was a real stinker. Jim and I dropped about $200 each, and came back with completely empty pockets. (I did very well for a while and got cocky - blew the whole thing.) Our friend Daryl spent about $100 and came home with $2400!! (He stayed on one machine and it went up and down and finally hit a jackpot) His wife Sharla spent about $100 and won around $250.

I should have just given my wad of money to someone and had them kick me in the ass!

I laughed out loud when security asked Daryl if he needed an escort to his vehicle. Daryl is a big bald scary biker lookin' dude - I doubt anyone would want to take him on for $2400. They even gave him a gift bag of goodies on our way out.

It really wasn't a bad little drive down there, and knowing Jim, we'll be back down there again sometime.

Joinin' The Grayhairs For Some Sinnin'

2008-07-31T17:05:00.007-05:00

Tomorrow, Jimbo and I are heading south for the evening to do some sinnin' in the closest place it is safe to do it. Oklahoma. We're gonna hit the one armed bandits with our friends, Daryl & Sharla. But before we go, Daryl has promised me a ride on his brand new Harley. Its pretty sweet. I'm pretty stoked. (If I wasn't so short and afraid of laying one over, I'd take some motorcycle riding classes......shorty doesn't want to make an ass of herself, though.)

Back to the slots. If you're strong enough to hug it out with the little old ladies for a machine at some of those smaller casinos, its not so bad. Those gals are MEAN. When they find one they like, there's no letting go of it! Damn!

I'm not much of a gambling girl, in fact, most times I find myself making deals with God under my breath if He'll just let me hit the big one - JUST ONCE! ........it never happens.

Wild,Wild Garrison Life!

2008-07-29T11:58:00.009-05:00

Some crazy stuff has happenend the last couple of nights at the Garrison's garrison.

Sunday night, I was doing some laundry and noticed what first appeared to be more cats (again) in the backyard. (Sorry, cat lovers, you know my take on cats) I of course got mad and started for the back kitchen door, cussing all the way, when I realized, they were RACCOONS! SIX, VERY LARGE, RACCOONS!! And one baby.

They were just passing thru in broad daylight (it was around 7:30 p.m.) and they didn't seem too concerned with us!

I've never seen Jim get so excited about anything like these damn raccoons. He started jumping up and down and squealing "Get the camera! Get the camera! Thats so cool!"

I'm going to assume that there are 2 main reasons why they were in our neighborhood: we live very near the river, and there are some big-ass trash containers out back of the Dillons directly behind our house. (we share the retaining wall with them). At any rate, I didn't mind them showing up.....they scared off another cat!

So last night, our electrical box door flew open again (I've blogged about this before) and for some reason, we have a wall decoration in that keeps falling off the wall and landing in the middle of the kitchen. I think the house agrees with me that the kitchen HAS to be remodeled soon! (blegh....I hate that kitchen.) Its the ONLY room not yet remodeled, and it makes me crazy.

This morning was boobie biopsy day. It was scary as hell, and I'm in a lot of pain. The doctor was super cool. (and cute!) He accidentally hit a little blood vessel, and 4 hours later, I'm still trying to get the small incision to stop bleeding. They gave me some adorable little ice packs to cram into my bra as well.......oooohh...chilly!

Should have some results in a couple of days!

Bowling!

2008-07-27T12:19:00.007-05:00

Last night, Jimbo and I drove out east to Thunderbird Bowl, for his company's CHRISTMAS PARTY. (I shit you not....7 months late. Outstanding.)

Here's Jim and some of his co-workers.
I was smart to TAKE the picture and not be IN it!!

It was a lot of fun! I forgot how much I LOOOOVE to bowl. And I've still got it, if I may say so myself! I think I may have to start hitting the lanes again on the regular. It was a blast.

I Love this picture of Jim.
He looks like a little kid, wondering where the ball went.

Jim's boss, Clint, was INCREDIBLY intoxicated, but oddly,
it didn't effect his game.

Ah, there's the stuff - that which makes Jim think he's a professional bowler.

Today, my left butt cheek and right arm are killing me, but it was a real good time, and I think we may be visiting Thunderbird again real soon! They've got some "Extreme Bowling" that looks like fun, fun, fun.....and right up my alley! (Pun INTENDED.)

The Boobs Again!

2008-07-24T17:26:00.004-05:00

I FINALLY heard back from my doctor's office about the mass in lefty.

It took a while to get approval from our FABULOUS insurance provided by the Big Bird, as the needle they need is only at Via Christi St. Francis, and well, they weren't going to allow it.

But they are now. (I love my doctor....he REALLY looks out for me.)

So 7a.m. Tuesday morning, its off to the biopsy. (I HATE needles.)

I can't have ANY kind of pain killer or anything that might thin my blood till then, and NO ALCOHOL?!?! What the heck?!?! (this is a crisis situation, people!)

I'm not sure how I feel about all of this. It seems everyone I know that has had something biopsied has nothing but trouble to follow. Its not so much a fear of cancer, things have changed and the survival rate is good....I just don't have time for this mess.

**UPDATE**
ITS OKAY TO DRINK!!!!!! Just no aspirin. Right on.

The Dark Knight.

2008-07-20T00:02:00.014-05:00

Well, we didn't make it to the drag races tonight. I hit a snafu at work that caused me to be a tad later than I had planned, and Jimbo spent the day moving his brother's things to the new apartment. We were both bushed.

So we found ourselves caught up in the race to a good seat at the only showing of the latest Batman installment that wasn't sold out...the 8:45.

I have some advice, should you decide to go see it:

1.) If you love Heath Ledger, RUN, don't walk to your nearest theater, right now.

2.) DON'T VISIT THE CONCESSION STAND. The film is over 3 hours long.....I made the mistake of taking a diet soda in with me. (my left butt cheek is permanently numb, as well, I think.)

I would love to know what Jack Nicholson thinks of Heath's performance as the Joker. Cause Heath tore it UP!! I don't think I've ever seen a character that can scare the hell out of you and make you laugh out loud at the same time like this new Joker. FABULOUS. Genius even, if I may say so.

In one scene, he makes reference to a person's true character just before they die. Its one of those moments that makes you say wow, and choke up for just a second, because its coming from a young man who is, well, dead, and who died way too soon. He was amazing in this flick.

His very last scene in the film, also makes you feel a twinge of sadness, because you feel that this character can never be this insanely devious and funny, ever again, (how on earth could anyone else top this?) and this is might the last time you'll see Heath Ledger on the big screen.
If he isn't even MENTIONED come Oscar season, it'll be a crime. (no pun intended.)

Starbucks, Pink Dice, Silver Hearses......

2008-07-19T13:33:00.014-05:00

I stopped in at Starbucks yesterday morning on my way to work for a tasty coffee beverage, and found myself waiting for my order with Larry Hatteberg, of KAKE Channel 10 fame. He looks much younger in person, by the way.
Everyone was staring. I felt really bad for him, but it wasn't his fault, poor guy - he had no idea he was standing in the same room with THE Rockyn Robyn.

This morning, before I headed in to work, I slipped over to Hobby Lobby to pick up some provisions.....no more dice beads! What the heck?!.....I'm usually in there on a Monday or Tuesday, and its quiet. This morning the place was full of your garden variety weekend soccer mom crafties and little old ladies....I think I was a bit much for 'em.....I felt like everyone was gawking at me. So the trip was a bust.
But thats okay, because I may have found a new spot for beads and such!
My friend Jennifer at work pointed me in the direction of this SWEET website for buying beads wholesale, and I'm so grateful! Its called BeadGiant.com

Lookie what I found!!! Pink dice beads!

And Heather, check it out! Hearse charms!!!!
(I'm all over it, babe.)

If I keep this up, who knows? Maybe I COULD start my own little shop of jewelry oddities someday, and the old gray hairs will be shopping at MY place.

I'm a little bummed this weekend. My Special Olympics team went to Winfield for the State Softball Tourney. I didn't coach it this year, and I'm stuck here at work anyway, but dang, I miss that miserable heat, the sunburn, the sweat, the dirt, and the stinky uniform duty. Its a chore, but I love it. And I'm really missing it this year. Maybe next time.
BUT! I think I have just the thing to cheer me up! I gotta get Jimbo to take me to the drag races this evening! That sounds perfectly stinky, dirty and miserable!!! PICTURES TO COME, OF COURSE!!

God Bless the Bitchy Boys on Cable.

2008-07-17T21:06:00.004-05:00

I currently have two very serious addictions. Dirty little secrets even.

While my SciFi boys, Jay & Grant on Ghost Hunters are on hiatus, I've been watching a LOT of Bravo. Mostly Flipping Out and Shear Genius.

Jeff Lewis on Flipping Out is so obsessive compulsive in his home remodels, its nuts. Have you seen this guy?! Last season I didn't care much for him, but this season, I love the dude. Bitchy, bossy, completely insane. Love him! Sometimes he does and says some stuff that makes complete sense to me...thats kinda scary.

Shear Genius is the bombdiggity! Its a competition show for hair stylists, and let me tell you - there is nothing better than a bitchy stylist. I forget this little blonde boy's name, but he's from Dallas, TX, and I just wanna shove him in my pocket and and take him home. Of all the stylists, he's the least bitchy (so far).

Don't get me wrong - I really miss my Ghost Hunters. I'm all about the paranormal. But bitchy boys are keeping my summer interesting until the spooky stuff comes back. These guys are GREAT!

Man, I'd be so lost without cable.

Other People's Money.

2008-07-17T09:55:00.006-05:00

I love spending it. Other people's money that is.

Let me back up.

My brother-in-law (Jim's twin brother), Tim, to those who do not know, is developmentally disabled, but a year or so ago, Jim and I got him out of Mama's house (he's 38, for Heaven's sake) and into his own place, living independently for the most part...with the exception of Jim and I getting his bills paid, groceries bought (one of us drives him to get groceries every week or so)....the whole shebang...all with his own money. He works at Dillons and of course, gets a Social Security supplemental check, so the dude's checking account is fatter than ours. Its just sick. And because he gets that little chunk from the government, if he has too MUCH money, they start cutting it back. (thats just wrong...how's he suppose to have a "normal" life if he can't have money?!) So Jim has to either hide it in a savings account or take him out shopping for new stuff. (this is VERY hard for Jim who sometimes thinks if you can't eat it or wear it, its not worth spending the money on.)

At any rate, he had a swell little girlfriend he was living with for a while, she too is very high functioning, drives a car.....good gal.

But like any "normal" guy will do, he got lazy and comfortable, and sat around on his duff and expected her to do all the housework, the cooking, the laundry...sound familiar ladies?!

Well, she got fed up and moved out. And unfortunately, everything was hers. So we had to go sofa shopping with him....

Thats a good start, but we've got miles to go still, and as a bachelor, his idea of "nice" and my idea of "nice" are two WAY different things. And its SOOOO much fun shopping when its not YOUR money thats getting spent. Jim wants his brother to live as "normal" as possible, but I think most days, Tim doesn't care - as long as the cable is on (its either WWE Wrestling or Walker Texas Ranger) and there's food in the fridge, its all good.

Next on the list is a full size bed. Tim could care less, but it drives Jim crazy that he's still sleeping on a twin.

Ahh....to be that happy with what you already have.......I could learn something from him, for sure.

Behold, Big Daddy's Tattoo. (But He's No Tough Guy.)

2008-07-13T11:54:00.021-05:00

Well, a photographer, I am not. But here are a few shots of Jim's ink.

It actually is very nice, but my photos leave
something to be desired.

Of course, its only been 2 days, so its lumpy and gross,
but after it heals, it will be a thing of beauty!

But the tat didn't change him.....just to uphold his reputation of being a big softy, read on.....

Last night, after work, Jimbo met me over at Emerson's for a beer and an appetizer before we headed over to the Moonlight Car Show downtown. Halfway through my chicken strips, I'm getting full. I look out the window, and see that I have a clear view of the homeless gentleman that sits/sleeps/hangs out on the bench in front of the Big Bird.

I say to Jim, "Wow, I feel like a real turd. I'm leaving a LOT of food on my plate and there's our resident homeless guy on the bench across the street who probably hasn't had much to eat today."

(I hate how everyone ignores this guy. They don't even make eye contact or say hello when they pass by.)

Jim asks the waitress for a to-go box and says to me "Box it up. I'll take it over and offer it to him."

Off we go across Douglas to strike up a casual conversation with the slightly strange, but otherwise nice dude. Jim asks "Hey there, bud, how's it going?"

Dude looks up at the sky and says, "let me ask you something, brother. Why is it the clouds move one direction one day and then a whole other direction the next?"

Jim replies, "This is Kansas, man, you can't ever tell what the heck the weather's gonna do."

Awkward silence.

Jim speaks again. "Say, pal, have you had a bite to eat yet today?"

Dude: "Not really, but something always comes along."

Jim: "Well, my wife and I were just across the street for dinner and this stuff is just too good not to share, would you like to have some? Its chicken strips."

Dude smiles: "Hey, thanks man, I appreciate that."

Jim: "No problem, bud, you have a good night!"

THIS is why I fell for that stubby little hillbilly. Whenever I get irritated at him for something stupid, I need to remember the times he does things like this. And he does things like this a lot.

Its a Done Deal.

2008-07-12T11:17:00.008-05:00

Well, kids, Jimbo did it. He's officially INKED. (I'll post a picture of it later) It looks great, and I gotta tell ya, the dude Heather suggested to us was FANTASTIC.

We made an appointment at the new place out on West Kellogg, Undisputed Tattoo, owned and operated by Marcus Aday & Tom Siefert.

Here's the scene of the crime. Their shop is an old Taco Tico, but their stations were very nice, and they are still remodeling. (the cleanliness of the ladies room was startling - I was pleasantly surprised and impressed...they even had provisions on hand.) Marcus did Jim's tattoo. he was SO nice. Very laid back, really great guy. I say, if you've never had a tattoo, and you're thinking about it - Marcus is the guy you want. He makes you feel like a friend, he's very talented, he's not at all heavy handed, and he's funny as hell! Super nice guy.

I'll post a photo of Bad Boy's fresh ink later - it turned out NICE! He's already planning the next one! (I told him it was easy to get hooked.)

Jimbo's Getting De-Flowered!

2008-07-10T11:56:00.005-05:00

And its about time! That boy needs to get inked! He's ready for his first tattoo! I hope his dear sweet mother doesn't think that I'm some sort of dirty influence on him. She's never said a negative thing about all of mine, though, so I think we're safe.

He asked me to put together something that paid homage to his late father's military days. Jim's family is heavy on the military history....he served, his father, ALL of his uncles, his grandfathers all served......its kind of a big deal. Especially in the Vietnam department. Jimbo, on the other hand, only has one claim to fame. He was the tank driver (as seen on CNN) that rammed the wall at the Waco stand-off several years ago.

ANYHOOO.... here's what I came up with:

It's his dad's military stripes, and at the bottom, "Master Sergeant, Eddy Joe Garrison (there's that hillbilly name again)

Jim's thrilled. He's got it planned for his right arm, above the elbow. I think we may try to get this done over the weekend. If we do, count on pictures to come!!!!
(Dang it, now I've got the old ink itch again....)

Things Got Dicey Today!

2008-07-08T17:41:00.006-05:00

Ah, I love a rainy day off. I call it the old movies, useless hobby piddlin' on the couch day.

So thats just what I did! A while back, my good buddy Heather had told me about some dice bracelets she saw at a car show down in Oklahoma one weekend that the vendor was asking way too much for, and I thought, hey! We can do that ourselves for WAY cheaper! So yesterday I headed down to the Hobby Lobby for some beads.

I love making bracelets, and I haven't done it in a while, but today was a perfectly crummy day for doing some stringing!

I forgot how much I love doing it, but I also forgot I was dangerously low on wire for my new venture, so I only pounded out 4 today.

Maybe Heather and I should open a jewelry/art/coffee/sandwich/cocktails place where cool people can hang out and be groovy. Something retro, for sure.

NIGHTMARE NECROLOGIES!

2008-07-05T15:13:00.016-05:00

CRAAAAAPOLA. Death was not my friend today. (Heather, I think I've lost my mind.)

Today, the 4th of July silence at the Obituary Desk caught up with me, as EVERYONE apparently decided to kick it on the 4th, and today the funeral homes were back to work! And they have spent AAAALLLLL day revising stuff, adding stuff, deleting stuff, sending all NEW stuff... I was so busy from the moment I got to work to the end of the day that I didn't even get a chance to potty! Not once!!!

I swear, its feast or famine at the old Death Dealer's Desk. And I am wore OUT!

I had some serious goofiness today.....2 families WAITING outside in their cars and VERY impatient when I had to get everything up and going before I could help them, a survivor by the name of "Johnny Walker" (thats just funny stuff right there) and another by the name of "Mickey Thompson" (thats a drag slick), a deceased by the name of "Willie Walling" (I'm not kidding) and a grandchild by the name of "Thumper" (God, I hope thats a nickname)....crazy phone calls from folks trying to find out if someone died because they haven't heard from them in a while.....????????? Are ya' kidding me?!?! We get those kinda calls once in a while, but 3 or 4 in one day?! Nuts, I tell ya'.

And I don't know about Miss Heather, but I have had SOOOO many little kids, toddlers and infants lately, its depressing as hell. What's a goin' on?!?!

Ahhh......Mommy need drinkie, stat.

Sigh

2008-07-04T16:00:00.004-05:00

Today I find myself, on this fantastic 4th of July, back at the Obituary Desk, dealin' death. Only thing that really sucks about it is NOBODY'S DYING TODAY!!! You may not see that as a problem, but for six torturous hours......its pretty lame. I like to be busy. Thats bad for humanity, though, I know.

So once again, I'm doodling.

I think my hand and my brain (now that its not swollen anymore!!) are actually starting to get it together! There's hope for me yet.

**UPDATE**
ITS NOW SATURDAY AND I'M GETTIN' SLAMMED! I THINK EVERYONE THOUGHT WE WERE CLOSED ON THE 4TH!!!!! YIIIIIIIKES.

Jeff's 50th Birthday Bash

2008-06-29T22:46:00.005-05:00

Tonight Jimbo, Becky and I went over to Quincy's for a surprise birthday party for our friend Jeff. He has coached Special Olympics with us in the past.

He turns 50 tomorrow, eternally single, good guy.

The cake said "Relax, I'm Just Here for the Cake"

Here's the birthday boy.
It was a good night! I was worried that I had ruined the suprise because the e-card I sent him went a day earlier than it should have!!........but he was suprised enough!

AND.....Kids say the darnedest things....my very smart, never misses a thing 16 year old daughter professed to me tonight that when she and her two best girlfriends all turn 18, they're all "going out and getting matching tattoos".....when I asked her "where, exactly, do you plan on getting this done?"....she said "ummmm...at the tattoo parlor?"

I'm not sure who the idiot is...me for even asking or her for giving me that answer.

Tough Girls Rock.

2008-06-28T14:13:00.002-05:00

Last night, Jimbo and I went to see the new Angelina Jolie flick, Wanted.

It was a tad bloody for my taste, and I got a little confused about halfway through it, but the music was AWESOME (I must have that soundtrack) and Angelina Jolie is such a tough ass, you gotta love her. I think if I had to kiss a girl, it would be her. She's scary yet sexy.

Most of her tattoos in the movie were actually hers, but some were fakes - check out the Robyn art on her hand!! Thats pretty cool. Anyone need a tattoo designed by Rocky Robyn?! I may have to get crackin' on something for myself like this!
At any rate, it was darkly humorous with a good laugh at "working for the man", so to speak, which I enjoyed along with the wicked awesome music, but if you wanna see it, I'd probably wait for it to hit DVD.

BOOBS! - Revisited.

2008-06-27T17:42:00.003-05:00

Thats a funny title, huh.

Well, the ultrasound went just as I thought it would. Not good, but not bad.

The mass is solid and has a "suspicious" shape to it. So of course, there were words thrown around like "MRI" and my fav......"biopsy"........damn it. I'm praying for the MRI. (less invasive)

So the doctor's office was suppose to call me this afternoon to tell me which way they wanna proceed......I had to call them (I was freaking out)

Their records showed that I had another mammo, and the ultrasound was cancelled. (Tell that to lefty - she got slimed with the cold goo and pushed around on. Tons of fun. ) Ummm...okay, we had a radiologist consult us afterward, so go find his ass!!!!

Their going to call me on Monday.

BOOBS!

2008-06-26T17:28:00.003-05:00

So tomorrow I have another visit to the doctor's office. This time for an ultrasound on old lefty, to see if the mass they found on my mammogram is "a solid or fluid" and "what we're dealing with."

After hearing that, all I can think about is that chewing gum from back in the day that was full of gooey stuff that would burst out when you bit down on it.

Nice visual, huh.

Anyhoo, I'm still a tad freaked out about it. If they had not shown me the x-rays, I wouldn't be. But to see it, in all its stark raving whiteness on that film.....creepy.

So I'll keep y'all ABREAST of the situation. HAHAHAHA!!!! C'mon. That's funny.

Frustrated Arteeest.

2008-06-22T13:35:00.003-05:00

In my quest to learn the old school art of pinstriping, I've become a bit worried. I'm not sure I can make my hand stop doing this, instead:

I LOVE to doodle. It makes me feel free. It makes me feel creative. It makes me feel like I've gone to some untapped place in my brain. It makes me think clearer. But I'm starting to wonder if it's the fumes from the Sharpie!
Perhaps I should stick to what I know and go get myself some poster board and a pen down at the Wal-Mart! Lord know its a cheaper medium!
Tomorrow morning, I'll go back to getting a good feel for that pinstriping brush, but for now.....HELLO SHARPIE, my dear, sweet, non-judgemental friend!

Concussed!

2008-06-20T12:16:00.008-05:00

Or thats what they tell me. Most of the day Tuesday, though, I was sore, but fine.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jimbo had to take me to see my doctor, as the effects of my fall off the step the day before were starting to take effect. Dizzy, blurred vision, queeeeeezy......not to mention the POUNDING, RINGING HEADACHE!

So after several x-rays and some stupid off the cuff questions about the day and date (thats not fair! I work for a newspaper! I never know what the date actually is!), it was determined that I had a nasty concussion. The doctor said by the looks of it, the bang to my head should have knocked me out cold. He said it takes about 24 hours for your brain to swell and for things to get tight up there in yer' noggin before you start to notice that stuff ain't quite right.

Well, needless to say, Jimbo feels like a jerk for not fixing that step when I mentioned it a few months ago.

The doctor gave me a tongue lashing for sitting in front of a computer for 2 days after and a work release form, demanding that I stay on bed rest till the 26th.

I laughed at him. (It made my head hurt, though.) So I got him talked into 2 days down, no TV, no reading, no computer and then I can go to work.

So today I'm going nuttier than squirell poo! I'm not a sit-arounder, and bed rest is the funniest 2 words I've ever heard! But I'm staying as low profile as possible, just to keep Jimbo quiet, because he's acting like I'm terminal.

As long as I don't let the Tylenol wear off, and I don't get too active, I think I'll be fine. If I horse around too much, the head starts a'poundin'!

And no TV, my foot! Fire in the Sky is on....I forgot how scary the thought of being abducted by aliens is!!!

Is This Monday?!

2008-06-17T17:53:00.013-05:00

It sure felt like it.

This morning, Karma gave me the finger. I'm not sure why.

On my way out of the house to go meet co-workers for a carpool trip to some training, I stepped down onto a mobile step in the garage (it covers the crawl space access) and up it flipped, along with me, my coffee, my purse and its contents....I broke my ass (there's a huge crack in it now, teehee...and I gigantic purple bruise), dumped coffee all over myself, got a knot on my noggin, and a fat ugly goose egg on my thigh. Jimbo had to help me up - I could barely move. When he asked me (repeatedly) if I was okay, all I could utter was "I ASKED you to fix that!"

Well, even though I'm sore as hell, smelling like a wet dog latte and tore up from the floor up, the day actually came around for me.

Soo....later.....

I took Cowgirl & Linda's advice and headed down to my local GoodWill. I found these FABULOUSLY retro blue plates and this wicked awesome metal kleenex box cover to paint on. The plates were $.28 a piece, the box cover $.99 - woohooooo!! I love a deal.

And on top of that, I got this adorable little purse for FREE, cause the kid at the register thought it was my actual purse. Fool! I'll not attempt to paint on this one, I like it just the way it is!

AND THEN.......I got home and the old Elvis flick, Girl Happy, was on TMC!! FUN!!!!! I love that one....then Spinout!!!! Another good one.

AND NOW.....Heather and her hubcap just might be sliding over to deliver a little project for me! OOOHHHH.....I love presents!

So the day was not lost like my ass and my coffee after all, but I'm glad its almost over.

New Project, Day 1.

2008-06-16T17:27:00.003-05:00

Well, today I started tinkering with enamel paints and pinstriping brushes - mostly because I'd like to learn how to pinstripe, but also because I'd like to find a new medium for my doodling, which up to now was all done with a Sharpie on very heavy paper, cardboard, etc.

Well, on accident today, things happenend pretty much like I thought they would.

My hands just did what they knew. I tried not to, but they couldn't control themselves. Its okay, though, because I think I have just openend up a whole new world for myself!

Behold, the coffee mug! (picture's a tad blurry)

Now I'm looking all over the place for crap to paint! I need to go find some big metal pieces to paint on! I need to find some old car hoods! (Perhaps I should start small and visit my local restaurant supply for some old trays.)

Who knows? Maybe someday I'll be gigantically famous! I doubt that highly, but a girl can dream!

Look out world, here comes Robyn! She can't pinstripe for shit but she's got paint and she ain't affraid to use it!!

Why.....

2008-06-14T13:29:00.005-05:00

IS ALL THE GOOD SHIT BAD FOR YOU?!?!?

I got a wild hair late this morning on my way to work to try the new Iced Coffee at McDonalds. A large one, at that, with caramel in it.

I got curious (after I decided it was so yummy and making my hair dance so fantastically - I feel like a million bucks) and I HAD to know the fat content.

So I Googled it.

Large, with caramel: 11 grams of fat. !!!!!

Damn it! And I was gonna get another one tomorrow. What a bummer. I can't waste fat grams on a beverage, even though its a super yummy treat that makes me feel like I can leap tall buildings in a single bound! Phooey.

Oh, Boy, I forgot about these...

2008-06-13T17:44:00.007-05:00

The Grandpa-isms.

Bless his heart, Jim's Grandpa has a way of making up his own words instead of using the real ones, especially if he can't pronounce it. And I swear he knows he's doing it because when you try to get him to say it again for someone else so you can all laugh at him, he's got you figured out. Poor little hillbilly.

Salolomonty - He means Salmonella. He was also overheard calling it "That chicken disease."

Virgo - He's referring to vertigo, which Aunt Bonnie, the flight attendant has and can't work because it "makes her real spinny"

Dr. Joyce Brotherton - I shit you not, he means Dr. Ruth. (don't even ask me to explain that one.) He's thinking of Dr. Joyce Brothers.

There are a guzillion more, but here's my favorite phrase....I just about pee every time he says it:
"I MADE EXTRY!" - He means he made extra, as in mashed potatoes, iced tea....you name it.

I forgot to blog about this when I uploaded my vacation photos.

** TWO MORE I FORGOT ABOUT!**

Flustrated - I believe this to be a combination of flustered and frustrated - I hate to admit this, but my country bumpkin husband says it sometimes too. Makes me want to hit him.

This last one is a visual - and I am not kidding at all about this: "Blowney" - (bologna) grandpa wrote this on his grocery list. I nearly fell out of my chair when he said, "Well, I just wrote it like it sounds."

A Little More Vacation Stuff.

2008-06-10T10:34:00.007-05:00

I managed to get a shot of the giant Sam Houston statue on the way out of the Houston area from the car. Damn I'm good. (thanks Heather for pointing out my Houston oopsies)

Need a casket shaped like an onion? Yeah, me neither, but now you can say you've seen one. Yep, thats a fish casket behind it. And if you look real close, there's Jimbo hangin' out behind the chicken casket, getting a look at the giant outboard motor casket.
We saw an exact replica of King Tut's sarcophagus at the Museum of Funeral History - it was pretty awesome. Not sure if I spelled that right. This old hand painted ambulance/hearse sign was pretty cool, too. Attached to it at the bottom is an old matchbook with the same logo. We saw A LOT of hearses at the museum. Many of them were of the horse drawn kind, some from Germany. They were fabulous and beautiful. Creepy, but beautiful.
Oh, yeah - Jim's Aunt Bonnie turned 53 on the 3rd - she doesn't look it! She's a flight attendant, blonde, gorgeous......its just sick. But she's so sweet, you can't hate her for being a living Barbie Doll!
This morning I had my very first mamogram. Interesting. I'm a bit uptight about it, but won't get official word for a week or so - they showed me the pictures they took this morning - large mass in lefty - kinda freaked me out.

On top of that, they have strapped a stupid-ass heart monitor on me that cannot come off for 24 hours - it looks ridiculous, and I can't shower till they take it off, which will be right before work in the morning. Great stuff. Tomorrow may be a bandana day if things don't go well.

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation.

2008-06-09T08:04:00.010-05:00

Well, I'm back from my trip to Texas. It was too long! I'm exhausted.

I did learn some stuff and saw some pretty interesting things. On Friday we visited The National Museum of Funeral History. It was way down in Huston. I'll blog more about that later.

So in no particluar order, here are some things I learned on the trip:

(this one is VERY important) Whataburger: your last chance for it on the way home
is Ardmore, Oklahoma.

(is it just me or is that the old Wichita Wings logo?)

Taking it with you: Apparently, you really can.

T-Ball: not everything in Texas is bigger.
(they were so TINY!)

Caskets that look like chickens:
HYSTERICAL

Caskets that look like eagles:
remotely humorous if you work where I work.

Childrens hearse from Germany:
Beautiful, but not funny.

My nephew: planning a trip to the outer reaches of our universe with a Buzz Lightyear Halloween costume, a Jr. Astronaut helmet, some gardenening gloves and

his mother's house slippers.

My new niece: ADORABLE!

Embalming: appears to have started during the Civil War.

Old painting of my father: shipped to my brother by our aunts, and
my brother won't let me have it.

Later I will blog a little about the trip to the funeral museum. It wask kinda creepy, but interesting as hell! The stay at Jim's grandparents in Garland, Texas was good. The weather was great till we got to Huston to visit my brother and his family - there, the weather was rainy and humid. I swear I'm the only person to LOSE a tan on vacation.

I was Brave in The Attempt.

2008-05-27T16:26:00.005-05:00

Well, humidity and a nasty battle with acne got the better of me. I was tired of the big brown ball of fuzz.

This morning I did the unthinkable . . . I gave up the dream of long hair and ventured out to get it all cut off.

I couldn't take it anymore. I was trying soooooo hard to grow it out. I think this was the furthest I've gotten in a very, very, VERY long time. I blame Victoria Beckham and that damn bob she's been sporting. I noticed at the mall a few weeks ago that everybody else had the same cut I had, only mine was getting frizzy and annoying.

It was actually a little bit liberating to get it all cut off, and I feel about 10 pounds lighter. And more like myself again.

Besides . . . we're going to Texas for a week, and I don't want to spend the entire vacation blow drying and straightening what The Good Lord obiviously prefers short and choppy.

I feel like a quiter, but as the Special Olympics oath goes . . . I was "Brave in The Attempt."

ON ANOTHER NOTE.....

I was at the bookstore today, looking for a good read to take with me to Texas (I never get the chance to read, so whenever we get the opportunity to take some time off, I try to get a book in while I'm at it.)

I found this one, and just from thumbing through it, I can already tell I'm going to dig it. Its called "Chick Ink" and its "40 Stories of Tattoos and the Women Who Wear Them."

I also picked up a biography (I love those) about the "Kennedy Women" - because it includes the story of Rosemary Kennedy, the disabled sister of John F. and Eunice Kennedy, and how her siblings pulled her out of a state hospital and incorporated her into "normal society" - and how she prompted Eunice Kennedy to start camps for the developmentally disabled, and eventually, Special Olympics. I'm pretty stoked about that book!

Another Movie Review: Death at a Funeral.

2008-05-24T14:48:00.011-05:00

This poster says "Putting the 'fun' in funeral" - and it really did just that. It was good for a chuckle.

I'm not HUGE on foreign films, I do enjoy them occasionally (without Hillbilly Jim, of course) but I bought this flick from On Demand late last night, and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty funny. In a dark, oh my, thats nuts kinda way.

Its a British film about two brothers, the funeral service of their father, and the crazy shit that goes down that day.

Its got everything a good funeral SHOULD have:
A funeral home delivering the wrong guy to the house, and then running back to get the right one.
A body falling out of a casket.
An upset midget that hits his head on a glass coffee table and gets left for dead, but he's not.
A bad, accidental acid trip that leads to a naked rooftop freak-out.
A very pissed off old man left on a toilet (in error, due to the "dead" upset midget)
And a pregnancy is revealed.

It wasn't so brilliant that I must see it again, but it was a cute look into the life and secrets of one family in mourning . . . or at least a family TRYING to mourn.

No Movie For Stupid Robyn.

2008-05-23T09:45:00.005-05:00

Am I missing something?!?! What a turd. This movie got Oscar nods, and I can't figure out why. I didn't get it. I don't think it was meant to be a funny flick, but Jim and I laughed our asses off through most of it, thanks to the HYSTERCIAL one liner genius of Tommy Lee Jones (and Josh Brolin occasionally).

I'm a bit of a movie buff, but this was 123 minutes of my life I will never get back. If you can explain it to me, please do....cause I'm lost.

Cemetery Day.

2008-05-19T21:21:00.016-05:00

Today we drove Grandma and Grandpa out to Greenwood Cemetery in Newton to decorate their son's grave. (Jim's Dad's grave). The weird thing about this plot is, directly behind them here is a direct shot of a headstone that says "Hayes" - Jim's mother's maiden name - both families (Garrison & Hayes) were very close back in the day. Odd.....

Yes, his actual given name at birth was Eddy Joe Garrison - kinda hillbilly, huh.

MY flowers are the classy silk ones in the vase next to grandpa - I DO NOT purchase ANYTHING with BLUE ROSES in it - that ain't how I roll. (Please note the splash of burnt orange in that vase!!!)

He's been gone about a year and a half. He had (another) major stroke and died suddenly while visiting them down in Texas.

12 days later, Jim's uncle, his dad's brother, (Johnny Lee Garrison - yes, that was his actual given name at birth, kinda hillbilly, huh.) died of cancer. So needless to say, Grandma gets VERY emotional at the grave because she lost 2 sons in the matter of a week or so.

BIG SECRET ABOUT TO BE DEVULGED!! - In this next picture, Jim and his grandpa
are putting down a spray that grandma brought up from Texas - they are putting it right over the spot where Jim buried some ashes of the other son (Johnny Lee) right there with his brother - unbeknownst to the cemetery folks. So it was a quick, renegade burial, a covert operation in the dark (okay, dusk) of night so that grandma would have a place to go and visit both the sons she lost at around the same time.

But that ain't nuthin'. When Jim's dad died, grandpa actually took pictures of him in his casket. WTF?!?! What the heck kinda backwoods stuff is that!??! It freaks me out when they all start bringing out the cameras. Heaven help me, I better be made up to the hilt, full manicure, and boobs a kickin' with some wicked awesome cleavage, maybe a hot red number with sequence - especially if their gonna take my picture post-mortem - I gotta go out in style.

Here's a teeheehee.... Their 3rd and only son left is ......wait for it......Jessie Ray Garrison. (thats grandpa's name, too) Kinda hillbilly, huh.

I love those damn hillbillies. They've always treated me like I've been one of them forever.

FOOTNOTE: Check out http://www.presleys.com/ - that's Jim's family on his grandpa's side out in Branson, as mentioned in the previous blog post.......ah, to have their money.......too bad I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Jim, on the other hand, can actually sing, but stage fright might get the best of him.

Family Night.

2008-05-18T21:56:00.005-05:00

Jim's grandparents came to town tonight!

They're making their whirlwind tour of family graves for Memorial Day a week early - Jim's dad is buried in Newton, so we'll be hittin' that spot with them on Monday. They are so stinkin' cute.

Grandpa was a marine and a boxer back in his day - that little man ain't skeered 'o nobody.

Funniest thing I've ever heard him say made me literally fall off the couch laughing, in referrence to a fight he got into with a fellow Marine during World War II : "I might be small, but I'm a championship boxer and strong as an ox - I'LL PUT THE LATCH ON YA!"

That is some funny stuff. He doesn't stop going. Up until last year, his house was the most lit and decorated in Garland, Texas at Christmas time. He can tell you the exact light count and everything. Did it all himself. We've got him talked into not getting on that ladder anymore.

Grandma's not been so well and has had several heart surgeries lately, so we're going to go spend some time with them in a few weeks. Jim needs it.

Interesting note: Jim's Grandpa is the twin brother of Bessie Presley, she and her husband Lloyd started the Presley family show out in Branson. Very big show - AND Lloyd is the 6th cousin of ELVIS! Wow. Royalty in the family.

Jim's Aunt Paula & Uncle John came by to visit as well. They're a couple of old Harley riding hippees. I just love these guys. They're the coolest.
They have an Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson - its bad ass. And LOUD!

Uncle John announced to us tonight that he's joined a band. He actually has been writing some music and has recorded a few songs - he sounds just like Lemme Killmister. He's wicked awesome.

The Jackson Kids.

2008-05-18T13:13:00.009-05:00

Well, my brother and his wife finally sent me a photo of my new niece, Olivia Jane. We're hoping to get to see her live and in person the first week of June when we go on vacation to Texas (if we make it down Houston way).

My thoughts on this photo:

She looks exactly like my nephew, Joshua, did at brand spankin' new, only they put THAT poor baby in an pair of slacks, suspenders and a tiny little Rush Limbaugh power tie. (I shit you not.) I hate to say it, but this photo is terrible. My brother agrees. Dress is cute though, bless her little heart.

This is her brother Joshua today! He's turned out to be quite the handsome boy. HUGE piercing blue eyes - but every time I see him, he's got a goose egg, black eye, band-aid....something - I don't think he feels pain and he has absolutely no fear.....my sister-in-law says he's her "little terrorist" - and I believe her. I love the kid, but he's crazy as hell.

Power Lifters in the A.M.

2008-05-17T14:09:00.011-05:00

This morning before I headed into work, I thought I'd slide over to Bishop Carroll High School (sorry, Catholic friends, if I butchered the name of the school....I really dig the Buddy Christ at the entrance though - sorry, Dogma reference there, had to be done) to get a peek at some Special Olympics Power Lifting & Tennis Regionals and visit with my mother-in-law a bit. They tried to rope me into helping with tennis, but shucks, I couldn't - I had to go to work! (whew)

This is my brother-in-law, Tim, with THEEEE DUMBEST smile I think he's ever given for the camera. Musta been in a good mood this morning. He and Jim are twins....put a mustache on this guy and they look just alike! Tim spiked a fever when they were a year and a half old, had a grand maul seizure and it cooked his brain. The family has no idea why, and no idea why Jim didn't get sick too....luck of the draw, I suppose.

Here's Jimbo coaching Jamal during his dead lift.

And again, Jamal.....he's a horse of a kid but gentle as a lamb. Sweet guy.

This is my very good friend and S.O. South-Central Area Director, Mitch. Or, as my 16 year old daughter calls him, "Hot Mitch".....and yes he really is, ladies. VERY much so. And super nice. And married to a very sweet former Miss Rodeo Kansas, Amanda.

They had ONE token girl power lifter. She looks THRILLED to be there.

2008-05-16T17:50:00.004-05:00

Well, this is completely random, but I have discovered something out in Stilwell, KS that I would love to go and just witness some time.

Its called Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc., and its just that. Horseback riding for the developmentally disabled, and it looks amazing.

I think they do it on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday evenings, maybe the weekends too....

But everyone I know of that has a disabled family member that has gone and done it says its the coolest.

There is also a rodeo in the fall - damned if I can remember where its at, but MANY of our Special Olympics athletes compete in it and from what I understand, folks you could not imagine even tying their own shoes ride like a pro - its really something to see - and I must. One of these days.