An open letter to the Brainchildren at Comcast...

The other night my husband was flipping through the channels...(shocking I know!) and commented how a few of the channels weren't working. I told him...meh...they probably just switched things around again and we need to reprogram our TV. Later that night I got a call from my MIL that the Soap Channel wasn't working...Evidently, the brainiacs at Comcast decided to remove 4 random channels...and if you want them back...yes, ma'am that'll be 14.99 a month.

Dear Kings of Stupidity at Comcast,

Let me get this straight. You wake up one morning and decide..."gee, I know these customers have paid MORE THAN $50 A MONTH!!! to get their cable TV for the past 10 years, but I believe today's the day to start removing channels". To which another King of Stupidity replies..."Hey! I have a better idea! Let's take channels away...and if they want them back (those same channels that were included in their package yesterday) we can tell them it'll be $14.99 a month! GENIUS!" NO NO NO my friends it is NOT genius. It is wrong on many levels. How do you take something away that we've had for years and now tell us we're going to have to pay more to get it? WHAT? Whose bright idea was that you morons?!?

Bring on deregulation...I need a choice.

Sincerely,

Your least satisfied customer.

Halloween Preview...

I gratefully got many things checked off my to do list last night...

I got the teacher treats made...

The girls made their treat bags for their friends...

We got our Halloween candy bought, the final pumpkin joined the pumpkin crowd on our front porch...and we got one costume completed...

Now... a lot of you ask...how do I get so much done, especially after working a 13 hour day. Well, here's the reality...see this terrific picture of my daughter as a hippie? This picture was taken from my bed! Sad but true...I get a lot done, but then collapse into bed. When she came upstairs all in her 60's garb I just had to have a photo!

Then, we were discussing the weather for this evening...Sunny and 65....REALLY! on Halloween...it's fabulous...but the precious one was a bit concerned that at night it may be chilly, so she began digging through my closet looking for something to top off her already mind boggling outfit...guess what she found... THIS! Not every Mom has a 1970 pantsuit in their closet right? And no it wasn't mine...it was a costume leftover from years past, but it sure was the finishing touch to her outfit!

Tonight we must get our pumpkins carved and then Hubby and I are off the the playoff game...go Huskies!

This crazy space that is my mind is overflowing...

There is just so so much floating around in my head today, I could probably sit and blog the entire day...but I won't...I'll spare you the details. I do want to share with you this... What is that you ask? My very first check from Blogher! What? Getting a check for sharing my random blatherings? Have I died and gone to Heaven?

When I got the mail the other day and there was a letter from BlogHer and immediately I thought, uh oh...have I violated something? They're cutting me off cuz I'm just too boring and my blog is growing too slowly? NOT SO!!! They're sending me money! Love that! Especially when it's not payday week and we need deodorant and toilet paper...Pennies from Heaven I'll tell ya! OK, maybe I'm just a bit too excited, but it sure was a good time. Some days it doesn't take much to excite me I guess.

Onward...last night I got a text from my most favorite nephew in the whole world...'Where are the Weenie Roast pictures?" Since I am setting a good example of not texting while driving...ahem... I chose not to answer...yes that's the reason. Not because I thought I already put the pictures up here, not because I had to double check and sure enough they were not up here, not because senior moments at 42 are not such a good thing...purely because I DO NOT!!! I repeat DO NOT!!! Text while driving. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!) So....I do intend to put those pics up here...when, let me see, when....I just can't commit and let me tell you why...

This is Thursday...I am still one Halloween costume short (yes I have teenage trick or treaters) -- I have 1 pumpkin to buy, 3 pumpkins to carve...teacher treats to make and a potluck dish to make for tomorrow...after I put in my 13 hour day today. Really, if there is any down time among us...I will get those pictures posted. Promise!

My son and I had a truly awesome experience last night, that I'm choosing to share on my ketchup only blog @ www.ketchup-only.blogspot.com cuz it fits there better. Take a gander if you have a minute...and have a great Thursday!

Sweeeeeeeeet 16...

For the past 3 weeks I have been diligently planning my daughter's Surprise Sweet 16 party...it has been especially difficult to not mention it here, when all of the preparations were being made and we were getting so excited! Finally the party has come and gone, and here is the recap...Before she arrived, we were all busy putting on the finishing touches...my mom did a great job decorating...my husband and mother in law did a great job setting up all the furniture, and have the sore backs to prove it! They also did most of the cleanup...gotta love them! I got help from a few friends cutting the bread at the last minute :) Thanks Mark and Rachel! I stole this idea from a wedding I had attended for the centerpieces...I thought they turned out so cute! She had a super adorable cake (if I don't say so myself!) And finally it was time for her arrival. She thought she was on her way out to dinner, but just had to stop at the lodge to help Gramma pick up a box...When everyone yelled SURPRISE!!!! and she looked around and saw all the people there, it began to sink in... Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! She was amazed at all the people that showed up for her party...even days later she is still saying...I can't believe Uncle Bill came, I can't believe Scott and Anissa came, I can't believe Ms. Nita came...etc. etc. She was really moved... I saw these candles on a website and found them here at a local party store... How cute is that?!? We had a pasta dinner...lasagna, mostaciolli, Italian salad and bread....then had cake...and then it was time for the presents...Stephanie opened this one first...It was from her mama, dad, and gramma---Can you guess what it is? Have you guessed it yet? Maybe this will help... A NEW CAR!!!! (insert the price is right music here...) The above picture is the funniest thing ever...as Stephanie and many many other people piled into her new car...I kept telling her to role down the window so I could take a picture (cuz of course it was raining!) And this is her opening the car door to yell, "Mom, I can't find the button!" I went over to the car and showed her the handle....to ROLL....down the window. At that point it came to mind that my daughter has never rolled down a window in her life, because we have always had electric windows....so after a quick lesson of window rolling-- I could finally take a picture! After that, we played how many kids can you fit in a neon! Don't worry, they surely didn't drive anywhere like that! But they sure had a lot of fun! We headed back inside where Stephanie opened many many gas cards that she received as gifts...Her Mom and Dad thank EVERYONE who got her a gas card! (It'll definitely help our budget!) She read all of her cards outloud while many of her small friends looked on! Stephanie has always loved small children (pretty sure she gets that from me) and even though she's definitely older, her childs' heart is still well in tact! I think it will serve her well as she starts her college career in animation. She especially loved this book from Adam's family about achieving your dreams. After presents, the DJ and Karaoke began...There was a whole lotta shakin goin on!

The Karaoke was a great time! (Too bad my camera couldn't cooperate with the flashing lights!)

Her friends had a moment with their cell phones...

and I believe a great time was had by all. Now...you may notice a shortage of teens in these pictures, and let me tell you why. I planned this party of course months ago, before I realized it would be the Championship Football Game Night for my daughter's high school. So...anyone in band, football, dance, cheerleading, etc. had to be at the game. I believe most people wanted to be at the game, including my daughter, my husband and I. When the night was over, a great party was done, the Huskies lost, and the fan's had sat outside in the cold and rain for two hours to witness the defeat...we were grateful we chose to party instead! Stephanie, I am so proud of the person you have become. Remember this moment and all the people that love you with their whole hearts! Happy Sweet 16 Lovie!

Where on Earth Have I Been?

Let's just suffice it to say that one Sweet 16 Surprise party later...I'm a bit behind in blogging. I have a 15 hour day on my plate today but sure hope to get the party pics posted this evening. I just wanted to thank everyone that turned out to make my big girls Sweet 16 a night to remember!

My Mama heads back to Sunny Arizona today...and she's very sad to be leaving this terrific weather (not) -- Safe travels Mama!

Happy Birthday...

Yesterday was my birthday... It was also Bluey's birthday...he's 8 I'm 26. Ok, maybe I'm not 26---we have a lot of goings on at my house right now...so my birthday took the back burner a bit...My mom true to form, got me some new terrific work clothes that I so desperately needed and made my favorite dinner...chipped beef on toast last night with a delicious salad. It was so yummy! We had ice cream cake and it was nice... There is a new cell phone on the agenda for me...since my current phone loses its charge after about 3 calls and turns off whenever it feels like it! I got many well wishes from my friends that warmed my heart and my scrap club celebrated my birthday at our last crop night. My brother sent me beautiful flowers and I got many many text messages and calls yesterday. My big girl's birthday is Sunday....Sweet 16. Oh the hoopla! She is spending the day at Great America for Fright Fest tomorrow...grateful this rain is on it's way out! She's trying hard to get her driver's lessons finished up...she has 1 and 1/2 left to go. I have a nervous stomach about the whole driving thing, but at 16 I think you have to trust that you've raised your children well and that they'll make good choices. There has definitely been changes between 15 and 16 with the amount of socialization-- but my big girl always keeps school and her responsibilities in the forefront (with the exception of chores of course!) But I figure she'll have her whole life to clean her own house...she'll either do it or she'll have a messy house. Oh well...I'm blessed to have such a terrific daughter.

Preparing for Halloween...

My baby Bluey was contemplating what to be for Halloween this year... I think this year, he's going for the Hannah Montana look!