lisa968's Xanga

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 19:03:23 GMT

Had an ambulance run to Wichita today. Left here at 7 this morning, got back at 4 this afternoon. Sometime between then, my two dogs dug out from under the fence. It's trash day, and i'm guessing they wanted to chase the garbage truck. Sable, the lab/pit bull mix we've had for 4 1/2 years decided to play in the highway. She was hit by two semi trucks, back to back. Needless to say, she didn't live, nor did she feel any pain upon her death.

Peanut is devastated beyond belief. Sable was her dog, slept with her every night, followed her everywhere. Sable was obviously not a very bright dog. But 100% dog she was - loved to play, loved her girl, loved to run, loved to be just plain stupid. Faithful, loyal, lovable, incapable of anger - that was our Sable.

Rest in peace, lil girl.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Wed, 10 May 2006 10:06:57 GMT

Cassie went to the dr. today. She has a coup/counter-coup head injury, meaning that she whacked the back of her head hard enough to send her brain flying into the front of her skull, injuring the front of her brain, the same spot from her 6th-grade concussion (table match: Cassie vs. Buddy the dalmation. Cassie lost.) To top it off, her neck is stiff and seized up because it hadn't fully recovered from her mosh pit accident last year. So she's drugged on some pretty good stuff, but it's not helping much. She felt better for a few hours, but then was right back to sick and hurting again. She's not attending school full days yet and if this doesn't clear soon, we will have to take her to a neurologist. If you are the praying kind, please say a prayer for Cassie, that her brain heals quickly. If you are the good vibes kind, those can't hurt either. Thank you.

These are a few of my favorite things.

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 14:41:56 GMT

Inspired by Bluemoon989, I have decided to focus on my favorite things.

Here's what she wrote:
"Yesterday I asked a xanga friend to give me a list of her favorite things. I even gave examples (favorite color, flower, smell, author, book, musician, country, candy, hobby, part of the US, etc.) I would like to challenge you all to do the same (If you want to). You can respond here, post your response on your site (and direct me there), or send an email but I am interested to know what your favorite things are. I have started a list because sometimes it is just nice to think about the things that make you happy."

Fluffy little hamsters.
Doggie kisses.
Hugs from my kids.
Combing their hair.
Freshly washed sheets.
Cuddling with my sexy man.
Cooking for a crowd.
Baking for my kids.
Lightning storms.
The smell of lilacs.
Launchcast.
XM Radio.
Diet Coke.
Saving lives.
Modeling clay.
Miller Lite.
Warm rain flooding the streets.
Hot, sunny days.
Skiing.
Driving fast.
Doing "man's work" better than a man.
Buying a size smaller.
Debt-free living.
Family vacations.
Cooking with my man.
Discovering a fantastic new band.
Helping my oldest get ready for a big event.
Watching my middle one in her camo pants carry around two hamsters while wrestling with the dogs.
Putting makeup on my youngest.
Walks with the family
Ben & Jerry's ice cream - right out of the tub.

What are some of your favorite things?

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 09:17:54 GMT

The job application is sitting on my kitchen table. I can hear their voices resonating in my head, reminding me that i am fully and completely capable of doing this job. Then i see my kids. One wants her red sweatshirt. One needs a pair of jeans washed. One needs a bike tire fixed. I have a lunch to pack, homework to look over, bookkeeping to get done, and i still have to get ready to go to work. I missed class last night over a little stomach bug. I can't afford to miss any more classes, any more work. I must maintain focus because i have a LOT to get done this week. And yet here i am, considering taking on a third job. Yes, i could do it. Yes, the money would be nice. Yes, the benefits would be fantastic.

But when will i see my kids? Who will wash their clothes and patch their bike tires and pack their lunches and walk them to school? I can take a different job a different time. My kids are only young once.

The job application is sitting on my kitchen table.

Airplane Maintenance

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 16:33:15 GMT

: Remember it takes a college degree to fly a plane but only a high school diploma to fix one. This is little reassurance for those of us who fly routinely in our jobs.

After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by Qantas' pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers.
By the way, Qantas is the ONLY major airline that has never, ever, had an
accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough. Something loose in cockpit.
S: Something tightened in cockpit.

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent.
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That's what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you're right.

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

And the best:

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget

A Dying Breed

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:24:24 GMT

What is with this new parenting style that says the child rules the roost and to discipline him would cause irreparable damage? You've seen these kids around - they're everywhere, allowed to tear up the aisles in stores while their parents shop contentedly, they're in restaraunts screaming and throwing food, they come over to visit and throw things around your house while the parents sip at their coffee, oblivious to the damage they are causing.

It's the kids that are taught that screaming "GIMME DAT!" is completely appropriate and that they are entitled to anything in the world they want. They are raised thinking they are the best, the brightest, the prettiest, the most talented - and all others are placed on this planet to serve them.

My kids went to day care when they were little. They went to Chandra's. Chandra had rules about climbing on the furniture. We had old furniture designed for the children to climb on and we allowed it in our home. But we also taught our kids that at Chandra's house, you obey Chandra's rules - no climbing on the furniture.

We taught our kids to respect their things, to respect their bodies, to respect others, to strive for intelligence, to strive for their personal best.

And as our children have grown, they have learned that some rules are open to negotiation. Sure, we will listen to their rationale for say, a later bedtime. Afterwards, we will express our concerns and our rationale for their current bedtime. Everybody gets a turn to talk, everybody is expected to listen. In the end, we all agree on an appropriate bedtime - and the child understands it.

But when you allow a child to whine and complain into getting what they want, they learn to whine and complain. When a kid yells, "I WANT CANDY NOW" in line at the grocery store and you buy it - they've learned to get what they want by embarrassing you. Guess what? They'll do it again, and they will amplify it every time - because that's what permissive parents are teaching their kids.

Everybody over age sixty already knows this. It's the under-40 crowd that's not gettin' it. And that is a scary thought.

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 16:14:19 GMT

I'm not really grouchy, 

I just don't like traffic, waiting, crowds,
lawyers, loud music, unruly kids, Toyota
commercials, Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather, barking dogs,
politicians and a few other things I can't seem to
remember right now. 

 I'm sure everything I can't find is in a safe
secure place, somewhere. 

I'm wrinkled, saggy, lumpy, and that's just my left leg. 

I'm having trouble remembering simple words like....... 

I'm beginning to realizing that aging is not for wimps. 

I'm sure they are making adults much younger these
days, and when did they let kids become policemen? 

I'm wondering, if you're only as old as you feel, how could I be alive at 150? 

And, how can my kids be older than I feel sometimes?

Just Cause I'm a Thief, I Stole this from Viccieanne:

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:48:27 GMT

T.H.E. W.H.O.S

Who is in the house with you?
- all the critters, no other people

Who was the last person to IM you?
- Cheekie_Faerie

Who are you thinking about now?
- my kidlets

Who did you last talk to on the phone?
- my oldest daughter

Who's house did you last go to?
- it would be a HIPAA violation to tell you

Who are your best friends?
- Honestly I don’t know.

Who is (was) your favorite teacher?
- Dr. Handley

Who's birthday is next?
- Stephinator, May 22

Who was the last person you told you love them?
-Cassie

Who do you wish you were with right now?
- Chris and the girls

Who's you favorite relative?
- My dad

T.H.E. W.H.E.R.E.S.

Where do (did) you go to school?
- Nebraska

Where do you live?
- Kansas

Where is your phone?
- Right here beside me

Where are your parents?
- Omaha

Where do you sleep?
- in my bed

Where do you shop the most?
- Wal-Mart

Where did you get the shirt you're wearing?
- found it under the Christmas tree with my name on it

Where did you last take a car ride to?
- the ambulance station at midnight

Where in your house are you?
- the kitchen area

T.H.E. W.H.A.T.S

What was the last thing you ate?
- m & m's

What was the last thing you drank?
- diet sam's choice cola

What color pants are you wearing?
-navy

What kind of cell phone do you have?
- Kyocera

What is the closest item near you that is blue?
- My jacket and pants, hey, i'm color coordinated today!

What is your gender preference (guy or girl)?
- Guy. My guy.

What are you wearing on your feet?
-white socks. Scratch that color coordination thing.

What instant messaging service do you use?
- Yahoo

What is your favorite color?
- Blue? Purple?

What is your screen name?
- lisa668 or lisa968

What is your most used away message?
- I don’t have any. I turn Yahoo off when I’m done (usually).

What is your favorite shoe brand?
- Is 1/2 price a brand?

What do you wear more; jeans or shorts?
-Jeans. My legs are nasty-looking

What is the last movie watched?
- History of Violence

What song do you currently hear?
- 18 and Life

T.H.E. W.H.E.N.S.

When did you start school?
- back in the '70s, 1973 maybe?

When did you meet your best friend?
- which one?

When is your birthday?
- June 26

When did you last go to the mall?
- 2005

When did you last buy a new pair of pants?
- last August

When did you last burn a candle?
- maybe a week ago

When were you last at school?
- last Monday

When did you last see your dad?
- 2005

When did you last take a shower?
- 6:45 this morning (i slept in)

Don't Laugh

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:51:11 GMT

Yeah, the new profile pic is scary, but it's me. Sober. Without big hair. Without big dorky glasses. It's the best i got. If it scares too many people, i'll take it down. But while you're laughing, check out this hair:

The guy is my little brother, not my husband, not my ex. My little brother.

I Love TiVo

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 20:49:48 GMT

Thursday night is my television night, my one night a week to curl up on the couch with my man and watch t.v. I love it.

So last night, ten minutes into CSI, the pager goes off. Before i can go 10-8, he hits "record" and says CSI will be waiting for me when i get back. I go and respond. I come back as the closing credits start. He presses "play" and we skip, skip, skip, skip through the commercials. Wheeee! Phone rings. Pause. Back to CSI. Skip, skip, skip through the commercials. Wheeee!

Teenchild enters and wants to watch American Idol. Skip, skip, skip through Ryan Seacrest's obnoxious comments. Ooooh, she got booted - i didn't like her. Skip, skip, skip through commercials. Skip, skip, skip through Seacrest's annoyingness. Oooooh, he got booted, skip the song, skip Bo Bice, skip commercials.

No staying up late, no guessing when the commercials are over . . . cut to the chase. No missing the plot twist, no missing the action.

Yes, i love TiVo.