Do you ever...
Lay in bed, kept awake because you can't remember if you took your birth control pill? Or tip-toe into the bathroom in the middle of the night and CHECK to see if you took your birth control pill?

Is it more obsessive compulsive that I DO or that I feel compelled to blog about it?

Heh

More 'compulsions' I have:

I cannot stand for something that should be closed to be open. Sometimes I feel like Leslie Caron's character Catherine Freneau in the movie Father Goose when, she while admitting her personal faults confesses "I'm a picture straightener!" For me it's doors, drawers, the first aid cabinet at work... If it's open even a small bit it MUST BE CLOSED! And lights - if there is no one in the room the MUST BE OFF!

Luckily for me, I'm with someone willing to put up with such quirks. He didn't even comment when I crawled out of bed at about one in the morning last night and tip-toed into the bedroom to double check that I had taken my birth control pills.

Come again!?
I remember watching television as a young child. As a matter of fact, I'm sure Sesame Street had MUCH to do with the fact that I could read before I started school. I realize it's not ALL bad. But when I moved to Wyoming at the tender age of six, we stopped watching TV. "Why?" I hear you saying as you start to go into convulsions at the thought of being separated from your 'beloved'. Well because 1- Televisions were expensive and we couldn't afford a new set. 2 - Of the two 'used' sets I remember us having both of them stopped working within weeks of purchase 3 - even when we had a TV set that WORKED we were miles from any station so the only way to pick up a signal was with a satellite dish and we CERTAINLY couldn't afford one of THOSE.

So, for ten years I grew up in a household that instead of being filled with the blue light of the TV screen and canned TV sitcom laughter, was lit by reading lamps and music from either my step-dad's VAST record collection or the radio.

The Christmas before my sixteenth birthday my mother the family a Brand New TV as a Christmas gift. We didn't watch much more then movies on it due to the afore mentioned reception problems. A few months later, I moved away from home.

I spent the next 15 or so years IMMERCED in TV culture. My grandparents (who I lived with as I finished high school) watched TV non-stop and after I married there was rarely a moment that the TV wasn't on at our house. Life revolved around what shows were on and Dinners were consumed by its flickering blue light.

When we separated I was once again faced with the fact that I could not afford a television. Almost immediately I realized, I didn't CARE! I would come home and open the door, not to the raucous overbearing noise of some Television show or commercial, but to the sounds of whatever radio station or CD I had left on before I left. I found myself, for the first time in YEARS comfortable in my own home.

When N and I moved in together he DID have a TV. Luckily it wasn't on very often. Our home didn't revolve around it 24/7... UNLESS.. the kids were over. Then it was back to - turn it on when we wake up and leave it on until we go to bed. I think N could sense the difference in me those days. I was jumpy and irritable. So we turned off the cable! And once again life is sweet.

That's not to say that we're freaky technophobes We still have a television set in the house. We often watch movies on it but it's on OUR terms (Thank you Lord for NetFlix) We have a PS2 that the kids play on and more then a few computers in the house with internet access. But we do NOT watch TV in our house.

So last night while talking with my daughter, I asked her if she was coming over this weekend. "Probably Not" She answered.

Now, understand that we had this conversation because I realize that she's a teenager - with a life of her own. One that can get complicated with me living 130 miles away. So I try to be considerate of such and let her pick which weekends to come over. (within limits) That being said, I asked "Oh, so you have something going on this weekend?"

Blithely she answered "Well, there's this program on VH1 this weekend...."

I think my silence spoke volumes, but next rather then come unglued I handled it via my usual mode. I laughed...

"Oh, I see how it is! Mom or TV, Mom or TV, I see where _I_ rate!"

And what happened? Rather then get huffy, or scream and me and tell me how much I don't understand her, she laughed too, and by the end of the conversation she slipped in "I'll probably be over this weekend"

She's a good girl!

Real Life Phone Conversation
(Phone rings at 8:00pm waking me from a dead sleep. I know it's my 16 year old daughter by the ring tone.)

Me: *grogily* Hello?
She: *brightly* Hi Mommy!
Me: Hi honey
She: Mom, if I go blind, can I have a seeing eye pony?
Me: Uh, sure!
She: Cool! I just saw a program about them on TV, and I wanted to let you know that I wanted one.
Me: Um, ok, no problem.
She: If you go blind do you want a seeing eye pony?
Me: Yeah sure
She: OK! I'll get you one then. Well, that was all I wanted! Bye!
Me: Bye!

I'm still not sure I didn't dream that conversation.


Edit:
Just to prove that I wasn't dreaming, nor was my daughter... check this out!

http://www.guidehorse.com/

Oh! and by the way!
N confirmed that a MAN invented high heal shoes. After wearing the 'perfect' CFM shoes for six (plus) hours. I've spent two days unable to feel two of the toes of my right foot!

Oh, and a conversation while in the shower on Saturday went like this...

Me: My CFM shoes made my feet hurt! I can't feel two of my toes.
Him: Those wern't CFM shoes where they? they wern't red.
Me: They don't HAVE to be red - besides they worked didn't they.
Him: Uh, yeah!
Me: You know, if those were CFM shoes and what we did last night was F*cking - then that would make one of us a F*ckee and the other F*cker
Him: *pause* Kind of like Employee and Employer! *pause* Well, if the F*cker is the one that does the work then I guess *I* was the F*cker last night.
Me: (*serious and businesslike*) It WAS your turn after all. I'll be the F*cker NEXT time.

Some things have gotten better
N is still spending almost every minute outside of work asleep! Yes, this bothers me, but what am I to do? He's not well!

I on the other hand am feeling better. Haven't had a 'moment' in days. The sun is shining and I have a bladder infection. Heh

Friday I went out and got my nails done. Love, love LOVE having my nails done. Got a pedicure while I was at it and have to say that I'm going to start scheduling those more often as well! There is something so feminine about long nails. It makes me want to talk with my hands all the time so that they show, wear all white and big floppy sun hats while being filmed in soft focus.

I spent most of Friday night playing with my hair. Most of Saturday too. I just couldn't seem to find anything that I liked that my hair was capable of... I'm still pissed at the 'hair gods'. Why do I have to have this baby fine, ram-rod straight hair that can only be worn in a page boy or shorter, and THEN not being given the lovely soft fine bone structure that would allow a page boy or shorter to look amazingly sexy? It's too short to wear up, too straight to get to curl and STAY that way. Ok - so I'm still pissed.

Saturday - :) The party was GREAT! N's kilt was a hit and he enjoyed being the only guy NOT dressed as a 'lemming'. Although I can't tell you the number times he was asked about his underwear. He would just smile that innocent little smile of his and say "I'm not telling"

I hit it off the wife of one of his co-workers and we spent the night being `girlfriends'. You know, going to the bathroom together and all that stuff. I was being my normal catty sarcastic self and she kept laughing her ASS off. Just because I SAY all those things that other people think... I guess it shocked and entertained.

The bummer part was her hubby wasn't much into parties and wanted to leave early. She and I were having a good time, dancing together as neither of our dates would dance with us. We stopped by the guys to see how they were doing and she got the "Common we're going home!" routine. I guess his mom was watching the baby and he didn't want to get home too late? Whatever! It was a lame excuse and everyone realized it but him. She started to give him a hard time and he got pissed and walked off making like he was going to leave her there. Not the most pleasant way to end the evening. It left N and I going "Uhh.. bye?" Oh well.

I got a few compliments on my dress and I was happy overall with the way things went. One item of note were the bartenders at this party. I'm not sure how many of you have ever been to one of these 'company function' things with the open bar, but usually they use the word 'bar' loosely. First off, you're lucky if they carry something other then beer and wine. And when you DO get a mixed drink about 1/2 of it is water. Not these guys! Not only did they have a full array of hard alcohol, but these suckers were STRONG! On more then one occasion I saw people going back and asking for their drinks to be cut a bit. YUM! I managed to have three long island ice teas, one vodka and cranberry, one Heineken - uh.. and that's it. No problem! :)

Yesterday was spent out and about. We went on a couple of hikes with the GPS and found a few geocaches. Yes, you read that right, I drank all that alcohol and got up the next day and went hiking. Heh. I don't know if it's my German constitution or what, but I've never had a hangover. (Thank GOD!)

While tromping around we managed to blunder into something that we thought was poison oak! I spent the rest of the evening feeling as if my skin was crawling and clawing fruitlessly at it. Even after we looked it up and N assured me that it WASN'T poison oak AND I had taken a shower and scrubbed from head to toe I couldn't stop scratching.

Oh - and one more bonus point for getting my nails done. On Saturday N was teasing me.. "The dishes, can you hear them? They are calling your name...'S wash me!'"

I thought about it for a moment and answered "I don't THINK so, I just spent $40 getting my nails done..."

That was all I had to say. He instantly became serious said "Oh! Good point! You spent money on those! Just leave the dishes!"

You have to love a man who understand 'these things'

He did it again!!
So we're sitting on the couch together after I got home from work. His arms are wrapped around me, my cheek is resting against his chest, when I notice his breath has gotten deep and regular. I look up and sure enough, his eyes are closed and he's fast asleep! He roused a few times enough to switch positions so that we ended up with me sitting on the couch with his head cradled in my lap and for him to murmer "You wanted to spend time togher...." before dropping back off to sleep, but that was the extent of our interaction for most of the evening. I eventually replaced my lap with a pillow and got up to do a few things around the house. I was getting gloomy and frustrated again. More then gloomy really, down right DEPRESSED. Finally I sat down in a chair and gave myself a STERN talking to. I was just SO tired of feeling blue. I was dwelling on the stupidist things and just becoming more and more drawn into myself and a misory of my own making. I started getting MAD! And I realized, mad felt GOOD! so I got MADDER - so much madder that I ended up mentally screeming at myself "ENOUGH! STOP FEELING THIS WAY!" And you know what it helped. That and a two mile run and I was feeling MUCH MUCH better, and amzingly it's continued. Everytime I start to spiral down into dark thoughts, I grab that burning kurnel of anger and give it a little shake. For now, that's all I've need to need. Threaten the whinny bitch that lives in my head with the angry bitch that all too often I leave locked up in a dark and secret place. I may need to take her out and excercise her more often.

So, today I started taking action. I grabbed the credit card from my honey and went to the mall by myself. If he can't be bothered to stay awake long enough to take me shopping, I'll just have to make my own decisions. I'm pretty sure the dress will be a hit - when I tried it on with a proper bra and some control top pantyhose I was really happy with it. Then I went out prowling for shoes, and found the perfect pair! Not only were they perfect they were on clearence for $14!! All that's left if for me to figure out what I'm doing with my hair. I practiced with an idea last night, and I may perfect it tonight so that by Saturday there's not ugly surprises waiting for me.

Oh - and I think I'm going to get my nails done. :) Going all out ;)

What's a girl with boobs gotta do to get a dress around this place?
I don't know what to say. (write?) My mood is swinging back and forth so quickly that I'm annoying myself! I'm thinking that at least part of this is due to the damn birth control pills. I know that the sudden onset of acne I've gotten is certainly caused by them.

The other day I looked in the mirror and I SWORE that my hair was getting thinner. Then while sitting on N's lap the other day he commented that he thought the hairdresser had cut my hair too short in certain areas. ULP! It seems I wan't being paranoid! I really am losing my hair! Can I blame THAT on the pill too?

FA! Soon I'll be just this fat pimply faced bald chick who's so surley no one wants anything to do with her!

Part of this mood is about something REALLY silly. You see, I have this party on Saturday. Acutally it's not MY party it's N's. This 'thing' for work. Preperations for this party are BEYOND a big deal. One, it's this HUGE thing. So much of a huge thing that they actually call it 'The Big Event' and only host it once every two years. It's like prom for adults. Tuxes, limos, pretty dresses and all the cattyness you hated in highschool times 10!

So (rant 1) Saturday I managed to drag Nigel all over, here and there looking for a dress (Yes, last minute I know). Did I find something! No - I did not. I found 'something' but it wasn't what I really wanted, but I bought it anyway 'just in case' nothing better came along. (Kind of like my first marriage). The more I thought about it less appropriate the dress seemed for this party. So, yesterday I went to the mall by my work.

(rant 2) Here I actually found a better selection but nothing, nada, nill in my size. Common people. I'm not terribly skinny, I admit, but I'm not obese either. Is it too much to ask to make a few dresses larger then size 1? Add on top of that the formal makers seem to make their stuff at LEAST 1 size smaller then 'normal' clothes, and I was beside myself in a matter of no time.

I'm normally a size 12 or 14. Rather average sized if statistics are to be believed. I found a BUNCH of size 13s at the stores and I could put them on and zip them up.. .to a point. But as soon as it got anywhere close to my ...erm.. cleavage... forget it! Even the one 15 I found wouldn't fit! I'm pretty sure that I would have had to find a 16, but I know that stores only buy 1 size 16 in each style. Like us 'big' girls don't get invited to the prom eh? I finally found ONE dress that seemed to fit and looked ok, though NOW I needed to find a strapless bra to wear under... and I wanted N to see it before I bought it and give the thumbs up but he's been to stick to leave the house!

Anyway - I'm rambling... I still don't have a dress. I'm not happy with my haircut (on top of the fact that I'm going bald) My face is broken out and I have to go and face all these size 1 20 somethings that N works with everyday and make sure they have NO illusions about making him THEIR man!(And believe me a few do) Lord help me!

The only bright spot so far this week? While on the phone with N yesterday, I asked him what he was going to wear. I got the expected "I don't know" (why oh WHY don't men obsess over thier clothing the way women do?) But then he added. "I was thinking of renting a formal kilt, but I don't think there is time left"

For those of you who don't know us (umm.. that would be ALL of those folks reading this right?) this deserves a back story. You see I (among other things) am of Scottish decent. N is not. In fact he is directly decendent from folks who would sock you in the face if you suggested they might be of scottish decent. Still, he induges my infactuation with my heritage by acompaning me to the highland games and various celtic festivals. He's even gotten a little into the spirt of things himself. I have, on an offhand occasion or two, mentioned that it would be so cool to see him in a kilt. While never poo-pooing the idea he's never really encoraged it either so I haven't pressed the issue. So, for him to not only wear a kilt but to do so in front of all his co-workers is a REAL testimate to his commitment to me. We DID find a kilt rental place by the way, and it will arrive on Friday. So now not only do I NOT have a dress, but my 'date' is going to look AMAZING and unique.

Ok - now on top of this - my honey is suffering from a MAJOR allergy attack. Two days this week he's come home, sat down and slept til morning. The one evening he didn't sleep through, his son was over and we really didn't have much time to 'connect'. So, even though he's home - he's not been 'here'. And that's getting me down as well. I need my "N" time. LOTS.

Alright - I think it's time for me to stop now. All I've been doing is ranting, whining and complaining, when really I live a pretty damn good life!

I'll get over this, I swear, and I will make this blog something intersting to read!

Thanks to all who visit (if you do)

Sophmoric Behavior?
I was in the city today and managed to walk to and from work without any comments from the homeless community which is a rarity. BUT - (you HAD to see this comming didn't you?) While driving home I had the strangest experiance.

I was pulling through the toll booth and as always doing my best to be overly polite to the toll taker. After all, I think they have to have one of the crappiest jobs around. They sit in this tiny little glass cube, handling FILTHY money and breathing exhaust fumes all day. So, when I have to pay my toll I usually do my best to make eye contact, smile, and say thank you. And if it merrits it say "Have a great day!". So today, I pull up, ready with my money and a smile. I make eye contact with the toll taker and realize this guy is young! and mildly attractive... This probably registered on my face as I got a smile in return. As I put my car in 1st gear and made to drive away I realized the guy was still staring into my car, so I turn back toward him thinking I had forgotten something. Then I see him stand and CRAIN his neck to see FURTHER down into my car, catch my eye, smile, raise an eyebrow, while nodding and then take another look! By this time I had started to roll away and simotaniously I looked down to realize that while getting into my car, my seriously businesslike skirt had caught on my jacket and was riding up high on my thighs! HELLO the cute toll booth guy was copping a peek!

I HAD to laugh and truethfully I found it more funny then insulting, but at the same time another part of my brain went. EWW!

My Boyfriend's Back and You're Gunna be in Trouble!
YES! My honey is back and I couldn't be happier. This reunion went MUCH better then last time, with the two of us bestowing much love and affection on each other ASAP! We even had a very cleansing giggle fest while sitting in the restaurant eating dinner. Our `host' and waiter was the strangest guy I've ever been waited on by. With the black hair, white pancake makeup, manicure, and jewelry he looked like Edward scissor hands, only about 100 lbs heavier! While at dinner my sweetie gave me a present he had bought for me while he was away. It was incredibly romantic and thoughtful! No, it wasn't flowers or chocolate or anything like that. It was a Palm Pilot Vx!! Just like I used to have when he first met me! All charged up and ready to play with and preset with the first note written saying "I love you"

As I already had a GPS attachment from my old Palm we spent Saturday and Sunday tooling around playing "Where am I now?" And trying this new game called geocaching. (www.geocaching.com) Great fun and a perfect gift. I showed it off to all my friends at work, who were all appropriately impressed.

I did note one very strange thing over the weekend. I felt VERY insecure at times. I can't really explain it now, because it's gone, but I do know I had a few moments where I had to say to N "reassure me!" He did and as I said, I'm over it now.

I do have on story I want to relate in more detail:

What is up with these guys who can't seem to grow up? Friday night while on my way to the above mentioned rendezvous I stopped at the local quick mart to pick up a diet soda. As I was pulling in, a corner of my mind noted a car pulling in next to me, but I didn't really pay much attention. I went inside, picked up my soda, paid and followed the driver of aforementioned car out the door. I was chuckling to myself about the scene that had just unfolded inside in which a tourist was trying to get directions from an obviously EXTREEMLY drunk patron. Perhaps it was the smile on my face that prompted what happened next, because as this guy is getting into his car (parked next to mine) he says "Nice Bug."

Now this left me a little puzzled and bemused as I drive a 2001 New Beatle, and while I love my car dearly I would never consider it "Nice" after all they're a dime a dozen. As I was mentally brushing off that compliment with a `does not compute' marker the guy gets in his car and as he drives away adds, "By the way, I was kidding!"

Now, I have already noted that I hold no illusions as to the `coolness' of my car, but that set me back for a second. It certainly was a WTF!? moment. I mean what was the point? Was my smile an offence to him and he decided that it was his mission to remove it? It reminded me to pointedly of something that happened to me in Jr High.

It was my first day at a new school and I was nervous, as would be expected. For some reason the music teacher was allowing the kids to hold a dance during her class (I had moved to the area near the end of the school year) and that was making my anxiousness even worse. To my surprise this good-looking guy came over and asked me "Do you want to dance?" I was surprised and yet excited, here I was, the new girl, and someone had asked me to dance for the first time EVER! I followed the guy to the center of the room at the same time noting another couple making their way onto the dance floor. The four of us intersected and both guys looked at each other, and then at us and said, "Ok, dance!" and then walked away laughing hysterically.

Needless to say I was humiliated, and Friday night I had the feeling that I was supposed to feel something similar as that "I was kidding" was shouted at me. But, I've matured since then. I have a better handle on what I am, and what I'm not. If this guy's intention was to belittle me in some way, he failed because you see, as he drove off I noted the condition of HIS vehicle. It was a `Classic' bug, but WHAT a POS! Body thrashed, looking as if it was covered in spray paint, and barely running. So instead of leaving me hurt and humiliated, all the loser managed to do was make me laugh more. Still, I have to wonder, what makes people DO stuff like that?

Should I be Worried?
My sweeties flight number is 669 - It's almost the mark of the beast and yet ends in 69. There's a joke in there SOMEWHERE isn't there?!

Someone creative think of something QUICK!