An Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Ok, I just don't know how much longer I can stand it.

One year ago Jan. 11, our ABC channel (which is KATV 7) went completely out when our local tower fell. It was completely out for months, but then it decided it would come and go. I used to be a big soap fan..mostly GH and OLTL but when the tower fell, I used it as my sign from God that I was spending way too much time in front of the TV and not enough doing things I should be. Although nothing major has happened to my computer or internet service, if I don't get a handle on this addiction, I'm afraid I may be getting knocked down again very soon. As a matter of fact, I spent most of the last year watching the things I couldn't live without on the full episode viewer online.

To make a long story short, we've never had satellite television. Believe me, my kids have begged and begged, feeling sooo deprived and very mistreated like they were the only kids in the world who couldn't watch multiple episodes of Sponge Bob Squarepants or every game that came on ESPN. But as a very protective parent, I just looked at it as one more thing for them to argue over, one more thing to pay for, one more thing to take up our time, and the biggie....one more thing to have to monitor. I just wasn't up for the challenge.

I realize that in one month everything will be digital and without the converter box, we won't be watching anything. I've been doing some thinking that since Big Dan is almost out (maybe he won't take it personal) and Little Ann is older, maybe I am up for the challenge. (Or maybe it's all the reality TV coming on ABC this season that I AM MISSING on the big screen!!!)

So tell me...what's better? Dish Network or Direct TV?

A Special Birthday...Times 10

One little, two little, three little puppies.
Four little, five little, six little puppies.
Seven little, eight little....oh, you get the picture.
And yes, it does go all the way to 10.

Just when I ran out of things to blog about, my sweet doggie comes to my rescue. We made the startling discovery as we were getting ready for school this morning. (Did anybody notice my Big Dan FINALLY got a haircut all on his own?)

Anyway, back to my dog story. I must start at the beginning.

A few months ago, Pete began harping that Dixie had become a woman and we needed to get her surgerized..if ya know what I mean. Little Ann and I pleaded with him to let her at least have one litter of puppies just for pure enjoyment. The one who I assumed would be the father was a beautiful big black lab that when bred with Dixie who is 1/2 golden retriever and 1/2 lab herself, would make pretty babies. I was just sure of it. And with 5 out of 10 of them being solid black, I'm sure I hit the nail right on the head. Surely we can enjoy them through their adorable "puppy stage" and then hopefully get a little money out of them if only just enough to pay for our expenses involved in shots and food.

We didn't keep track of the exact time, but we did know she was HUGE and felt terrible all day yesterday. We couldn't get her to come out of her kennel and she hadn't eaten in about 4 days. That and a constant limp had me worried, so we had planned on taking her to the vet first thing this morning. Needless to say, she's still got the limp, but I think she's a little too preoccupied to let it worry her too much right now. She gave birth to 10 pups between the time I went to bed and got up this morning!

Pete built a comfortable sized box for them to stay in at least for the next week or so in our guest bath. It is so cold and rainy outside, I just didn't have the heart to make them stay out even though her kennel was nice and warm with all of them inside. I didn't get much accomplisehd today for going back and forth looking at them. They are so cute I can hardly stand it. This is one of the little goldies lying in my hand.

From the moment Little Ann has been home from school, she has had a puppy in her lap at all times. I think she has been rotating, giving them all a fair share and most of them have names by now. lol.

Bless her little heart. She is so smitten she even did her homework in the bathroom floor so she could be near them. And look at this sweet little picture below. The little white one she calls "Sugar" is getting some good zzz's atop of Little Ann's sparkly blue jeans.


Don't ya want one?

Not a Good Past 24 Hours

Just so ya know, I'm fresh out of interesting stuff right now. And unfortunately the things happening around here lately, trust me, you would NOT want pictures of. It seems there has been a little bug going around in Scrapper Mom's household. Big Dan came in from work last night saying he didn't feel good, and it was only a few hours later that he came and got me out of bed (3:45 am to be exact) asking for assistance. It all happened so quickly he couldn't even get out of the bed fast enough. I felt really sorry for him and he kept apologizing and apologizing to me. I felt sorry for me too, because I spent the next 2 hours cleaning carpet and changing bed linens. I would rather do ANYTHING than deal with puke.

As I woke Little Ann up for church this morning, lo and behold she complained of a tummy ache. We opted out of spreading our germs and like any good mommy would do, I went into the kitchen and began concocting my own version of homemade chicken noodle soup for everyone's lunch.

Just a couple more hours into the afternoon became migraine city for me. So I laid down for about an hour with my bed buddy (love it) and after several doses of medicine finally gained enough relief and energy to get one Christmas tree down.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring everyone back to their health as the kiddos are headed back to school and Christmas break is over. I can say, I'm sad because I've enjoyed having Little Ann home with me, and the times Big Dan and I have spent on the Wii late at night when he gets in from work. I am savoring these moments now that I have let reality set in. One more semester of high school....oh, I don't even want to think about it. I will however, be happy to get my room back to order removing all American girl dolls and deflating the air mattress Little Ann has called her own for the last week.

And sorry about The Bachelor ad on my sidebar. I didn't realize that it came on with live video until Pete told me how annoying that was. I will remove it right now, but don't miss the premeir tomorrow night!!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead!

The Good, The Bad and The (Definitely Not) Ugly

I guess this will be a hodge podge post, because I've got several things tossing to and fro in my brain just awaiting to get out. Here's some good:

Tonight my parent's came over for dinner and to return my little lost orphan (that I missed tremendously by the way)...not that I didn't enjoy my time alone, but 2 full days became almost more than I could bear. After our meal, I challenged my dad in a game of Wii bowling. It was too funny. I guess you would just have to know my sweet little daddy. I won't use the terms "he doesn't get out much", because that's the farthest thing from the truth. As a matter of fact, he is always on the go, but it's always to drink coffee at the nearest coffee shop, to a cow sale, or to buy an old junk car somewhere. That is the life for him and he loves every minute of it. So to see him playing video games was quite comical. Oh, and for those who I know will notice my Christmas tree is still up...I'm working on it. Really, I am, but I refused to do it when I had my weekend to myself, ya know?

Before long, we had talked my mom into joining in the fun. She admitted she had never been bowling before in real life. She held her own..actually leading on my dad for several frames, but he ended up getting 2 strikes in the 10th frame for a tie. It was probably for the best. It'll keep peace tonight. haha.

Some more good I don't think I've shared with you:
Last Sunday and Monday, Little Ann and I traveled up to visit our besties again a few hours away. Our mutual friend from China was also in visiting and brought his girlfriend for us to meet. I mentioned how he was their exchange student several years ago here. They are currently living in Boston.

We had a great time exchanging some gifts and catching up with each other. We watched "The Bucket List" and did some shopping. My friendgirl was very disappointed in my shopping though. Christmas had wore me out and I just didn't have much energy for shopping at all. I tried to hang, really, I did, and was good until my high heeled boots had gotten the best of me. (I know what you're thinking....self-inflicted).

The Bad:

Even though this happened the day after Christmas, I've chosen not to bring it to the blog yet. There were so many other happy subjects to blog about like presents and babies and New Year's resolutions. Besides, I can't say this has been the most popular thing for discussion in the house lately. In fact, it made for a pretty crappy "post Christmas" weekend.

Yes, this is Big Dan's car and once again, it wasn't his fault. Some guy in his senior class rear ended him last Friday when they went to hit in the batting cages. If I got my story right, it had something to do with a pretty girl driving by and a certain senior with his head somewhere it shouldn't be. Big Dan just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time (yeah, like in front of him). Yet again, all I can say is...this poor car. This poor boy. Oh yeah, and I almost forgot to even mention that Santa brought him a brand new spoiler for this car that we can't even put on now until it gets out of the shop again. Poor, poor boy or rather poor momma. Anybody got any xanax?

Ok, enough about the bad...let's get down to the definitely NOT ugly:

If you noticed my blog change, surely you've noticed by now that with that change, I added a little Jason to my sidebar. I can't hardly wait until the new season of "The Bachelor". It premiers Monday night. Like, as in, day after tomorrow's Monday! One thing I have noticed from watching little snippits so far (besides how sweet and adorable Jason is), and it really makes me wonder..what exactly is up with the mucho boobage on these girls? I mean, seriously?

Put them away, please.

Anyway, I will definitely be watching, and looking forward to those bloggers who will join hands with me in comparing notes! lol. I am also hyped up for the new season of "The Biggest Loser" which begins Tuesday night, and I guess I'm going to have to watch "Momma's Boys" online, because I'm thinking it will be on the same time as "The Bachelor". Help Me!! Too much reality TV!

Tranquility

Shhhh...listen, do you hear that?

It's quiet, and unless you're at my house today, you probably don't. I've very much enjoyed having the house to myself today. Pete went back to work...finally. Big Dan went to Little Rock to spend his Christmas cash and gift cards before clocking in himself tonight, and Little Ann is off for one last excursion with my parents before hitting the books on Monday. It has made for a very pleasurable day for me having nothing except what I want on the agenda. Do you think anybody would ever know if I played guitar hero?

You're jealous, aren't you?

A New Year's Day..Daybook

Outside my window.....I see sunshine shining down on a barren yard. It's not a cold as it has been. 59 degrees feels much better than 30.

I am thinking.....that this break has passed by way too fast and I'm not ready for it to be over. And I wonder if I will be strong enough to hold fast to some resolutions that I am making in attempt to better my life. I wont share what they are to save myself the pain of having to come back and admit my failure. (But, I'm sure some of them are the same as yours!!)

From the learning room.....nothing. Are you kidding? We've still got the weekend.

I am thankful for.....the fact that I have a warm, cozy house, a recliner and a laptop. (oh my, is that shallow or what?) I am thankful for other things too though.

From the kitchen.....Pete is on the back porch grilling pork steaks and they sure smell good. I have corn on the cob and pasta boiling.

I am wearing.....my pajama's. I know, I know. It's only 2:30 in the afternoon. I promise I'm headed to the tub, then to put on clothes, and then to work. (Oh, you know you wish you were in your pj's too)

I am reading.....no reading here.

I am hoping.....to get all this Christmas stuff put away and this house clean today. No better way to start the new year than with a clean house.

I am creating.....a monster, by allowing this little rock star to continually play guitar hero from sun up to sun down.

I am hearing.....Survivor - Eye of the Tiger on guitar hero and Van Halen playing in the kitchen. I guess Pete needs a little New Year's pick me up while grilling.

Around the house.....uh...you really don't wanna know. Ask me tomorrow.

One of my favorite things.....chocolate milk. And the reason I am dwelling on that right now is the fact that I am planning to give it up soon in an attempt to downsize my behind. (One of many attempts)

A few plans for the rest of the week.....regain order, paying some bills (oooo, that's scary), taking Little Ann to spend one last night with her memaw and papaw. Papaw wants to take her squirrel hunting. I'm not quite sure of other plans. Sometimes, I just go with the flow and do whatever the mood strikes me.

A picture thought for the day...

Anybody else make any new year's resolutions to lose weight the fun way? Been thinking about getting this. Does it live up to it's name?

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you can keep all those resolutions you've made in the last 24 hours. As for me, I will probably forget mine by tomorrow.

Oh, and pardon the blog makeover. That's another one of those things I'm trying to do as I put away the old and begin with the new. It is "temporary" status right now.

Because I don't ever remember anything...

I love how everyone on my blog roll is reminiscing over the past events of their 2008. I've enjoyed reading the ones I've read so far and plan on catching up with the rest of them soon. I especially loved how this blogger even linked back into her favorite and most memorable blog entries. If I had any kind of imagination, I would've thought of that first.

Although this past year has been filled with it's ups and it's downs for sure, I can't pinpoint the most memorable things as some of you have done. You can read some of my profound thoughts here. I'm sure I've said before, I have a terrible memory and that is one of the greatest reasons I am so glad I started blogging. I have always been a journaler..(is that a word, really?) I have enjoyed keeping the day's events and my thoughts on paper, and love going back and reading what I wrote. I am so thankful I have done this even if there was I time I didn't do it faithfully. If it weren't for my past journals and now my blog, I absolutely wouldn't remember anything.

I just want to take this time to wish everyone a wonderful and very happy New Year. May we continue to grow in our bloggy friendships and say and do lots more things I probably won't remember, but will love at the time!!