Ketchup!

Lots of things...

2011-02-15T22:00:00.003-07:00

Roslynne:

Sits up, has 2 teeth, weighs 15 pounds 6.5 ounces and just had her first pedicure.

Pics here:

February specials and 6 monthscheck up:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=264150&id=708875963&l=687b65b567

Has Teeth!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=263692&id=708875963&l=0d54a08187

Girls day out:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=266500&id=708875963&l=fecd54b02a

Carl:
Still working like a crazy man. Had the flu, feels better. Got an iPhone for Valentine's Day.

Boscoe:
Likes to go for long walks by himslef but always comes home. Still snores when he sleeps and adors his sister. (Even when she screams.)

Rose:
Starting a jewelry business. Yay!

Wow....

2011-01-19T14:49:00.003-07:00

So the last time I blogged, my daughter was a week old. Hmmm....Time just flies.

I'll be changing from everal narrative points and it may sound like I'm crazy but I'm just trying to get it all out....please bare with me.

Things have been pretty crazy around our house. Updates:

August 8, 2010

August: Had a gorgeous little girl come into our lives. I didn't have a hard time with delivery and was up, walking on my own about 2 hours after birth. Adjusting to life wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be but I think it's because I was phyching myself out for the past 4 years, how it would be when I finally had a baby. Rose's mom came to visit for 2 weeks and we had a bunch of friends stop by to meet our newest addition. Grandpa George came a few times and Aunt Ranee came from Wyoming too.. We had to deal with some baby tummy issues but got them resolved around...

September: Baby girl was able to meet her Aunt Kim. Carl's sister's, Lindsay and Kim, Roslynne's cousin Caroline and Grandma Sue came to visit. Roslynne had her first trip to Galveston Beach, Kemah Boardwalk and Old Town Spring. We had a lot of photo shoots and basically spent a lot of time adoring a sweet girl. I was up and about taking the baby shopping and even going into the office a few times during this month to help transition before going back in...

October: It was tough to be going back to work but Roslynne had already been sleeping through the night for the last few weeks in September. Sleep deprivation has not been a problem. Basically just getting to work on time was my issue. nothaving time restaints for 2 months can really throw you out of wack. Luckily I didn't have the teary eyed good bye the firs tmorning back, nor did I have a break down when I left her with someone else. Basically for 2 reasons. The first reason is that our Nanny is a CNA. Second reason is that she is one of the best mother's I know. Wanna verify? Most of you probably know her: Amy Zmolek. :) She also happens to be one of my best friends. I don't have to worry about Rozi obtaining the snotty only child attitude (Not that everyonly/oldest child has this attitude, like me, lol.....but some do. LOL.) because Amy has 2 boys (Zack, 3 and Drew, 18 months) and they love on her like two doting big brothers. Drew shares food and Zach steals Drews toys to give to Roslynne and sometimes they have a tendency to love (Hugs) on her a little rough but it will only make her stronger. We went trick-or-treating around the block and at our church for Trunk or Treat. Roslynne and I were both bees and Carl was the Bee Catcher.

November: Our first Thanksgiving was a little tough. We planned a large gathering but our house decided to have a malfunction. (Basically) the entire first floor of our house was flooded by the resevoir on our toilet in the half bath. Luckily it was CLEAN water but the damage was terrifying for an OCD-Type A personality-Freakazoid. Luckily Amy came to our rescue and let us have dinner at her house. So SHE could be the OCD-Type A personality-Freakazoid.---> Which she did. Ha! Carl, Rozi, my dad, step-mom, brother, sister and I shared a fabulous 2/2 suite at the Marriott. It didn't turn out too bad, as they had a full breakfast buffet and dinner buffet every night that we stayed. I didn't have to lift a hair to clean or cook. I thought about flooding the upstairs for Christmas. LOL.

December: We were excited to put together Christmas, though the damage downstairs was still pretty substancial so we we turned my craft room/toy room into Christmas overload. Once again, we had too many presents under the tree but we had good friends to share in our small family fun. We all seemed extremely spoiled. Carl got some new clothes from J. Crew, some new silk ties, a "Leg" lamp replica from a Christmas story and a weekend getaway voucher for a small railroad city in North Texas. I got a brand new digital 60 stitch sewing machine, shoes and clothes. Roslynne recieved gifts from all over the country! Gifts from parents of friends and grandparents and aunts and uncles. Boscoe had too many ropes and treats that he still has not had a chance to take a bite out of.

January: has been a fun month. We can barely believe our little girl is 5 months and 11 days old! We have had a lot of videos and pictures posted on to facebook but we haven't had time to get on our blog. We will try to be less lazy (It's SO easy to upload to facebook and not have to write anything) and update more often.

Hope everyone is having a spectacular New Year!

Love,
Rose, Carl, Roslynne and Boscoe

(P.s. Pardon the French,er, grammar, I don't have time nor the want to proofread. Ha!)

The End...

2010-10-15T14:29:00.003-06:00

The end of pregnancy that is...

I had kept a log of my contractions for this post but when I had to do a hard reset on my phone, I forgot about it and lost all of the numbers. Luckily...Going into labor with Roslynne is not something I will easily forget. Well, I haven't forgotten yet, anyway.

Dr. Westmoreland planned on inducing my on Monday, August 9, 2010 so I figured I was cutting it pretty short, having not buying my breast pump yet so I solicited my friend Amy, a friend/mother/RN that I look to for lots of advice. She said, OK and that we could go on the prior Saturday.

Saturday came and Amy came over with hubby, Matt and 2 boys Zach and Drew. I was sitting at the kitchen table eating Church's Chicken when I felt a sharp kick. Rozi got me so good I was was sure she aimed for my bladder and initiated a minor accident. Being pregnant, though I honestly hadn't had any previous incidents, I shrugged it off and went to change. At 5:30 p.m. we were off to Babies'R'Us to get a breast pump.

We walked around the store for about an hour and I started to feel some contractions. When we got to the register I told Amy, "Everyone keeps asking me if I have had any Braxton Hicks Contractions and ya know, I don't think I have. Or maybe I have and I keep putting it off as Roslynne moving or kicking me. Either way, I think I'm having them now. They REALLY hurt. I'm such a baby...!" Amy replied, "Well, you can't have her yet. We're taking the boys to the zoo tomorrow. Hear that Rozi Roo? You're not allowed to come out yet." I told her, "I think she listens to you because she stopped." At that moment Amy received a text from Matt that reminded her to go get milk and Tortilla Chips. Luckily for us there is a Kroger next to the baby store....

Walking up to Kroger I started getting the irritating Braxton Hicks. We got into the store and I told Amy, "I really don't think I can walk any further. I am in a lot of pain. Go ahead and go get the chips and milk. I'll wait here and read about celebrity drama." When Amy got back to the front I asked for her keys because I knew I wouldn't be able to keep pace with her on the way out. Once I got to the car I started timing the contractions thinking maybe I was starting the first false round of contractions.

7:01
7:08
7:13

Amy came out and I told her, "I think I'm having real ones." She told me she wouldn't take me to the hospital until the were consistent for at least 20 minutes.

7:20
7:26
7:31
7:38
7:43
7:50

I sent Carl a text and told him: I'm having contractions :)
Carl text: I'm in line at the Barber shop to get my hair cut.
I wrote: OK
Carl wrote: do I have time to get my hair cut?
Rose, "Amy, does Carl have time to get his hair cut?"
Amy, "How many minutes apart now?"
Rose, "5-8"
Amy, "I don't know."
Rose texts: I guess
Carl: I've been waiting a long time.
Rose: That's fine

7:57
8:04

I am mildly freaking out because I didn't plan to be in labor until I was safely tucked inside my hospital bed Monday evening with Pitocin hooked up to my IV...so all of my clothes were in the dryer. I went to my room to make sure we had everything for when Carl got home. I decided that distraction would be my only saving grace so I didn't start yelling about the hair cut.I decided to curl my hair and put on my make up.

8:12
8:20
8:25
8:30
8:35
8:40

Alex came into the bedroom and asked, "Are you in labor?" and I responded, "I think so but if Carl's getting a haircut and going to look nice in pictures, I am too."

8:45
8:50

Carl gets home. He grabs the bags and we leave out friends to go to the hospital. We get to the hospital and they take us to Triage to make sure things were going according to plan. The nurse confirmed my water broke and admitted us at 11:00 p.m. I got a pain pill and then the epidural at midnight. We slept for a little bit and I was dilated 9+ at 11:13 a.m. Sunday morning and told us that we'd have a baby in 10-15 minutes. at 11:30 she came back in and told us that the Dr. has an emergency delivery and she would be in shortly. The nurse stopped the pitocin to slow the contractions. When the Dr. finally made it into the room, the contractions stopped completely! Drip, drip, drip. Pitocin back on. 3 big pushes and we had a perfect little girl at 11:47 a.m. on August 8, 2010.

Little Miss Roslynne Marie had arrived!

The End.

Sometimes it's time to put your purse on the counter and lift up your uzi...

2010-06-23T11:36:00.005-06:00

If I were a violent person...and didn't care about killing people or going to jail...

I spoke to two emotionally numb warehouse employees of Houston Bel Furniture on Monday. (I can understand that you have to keep a distance when you're in customer care. You can't fall all over and give away the farm but I do expect to be treated as a human being, have people take responsibilty for their mistakes, say I'm sorry and compensate. NOTE: I DID NOT say OVER-compensate....but enough has to be friggin' enough sometimes. I not only want their farm but their horses, chickens and cows too.) The pick-up guy said Claudia, the Warehouse Manager, would not be in until 1:00 p.m. but that he would personally hand deliver a written message to her when she got in. Being a fair, I think fair, person, I wanted to give her a little bit of time to settle in, thus the 2:00 p.m. allowance I gave her to call me back...When 2:00 p.m. came and went, I proceeded to call incessently. Of course, no one answered at any extension. The only person who picks up is the delivery guy and he doesn't want to give me his name. Oh WELL, what can I do? Anyhow, so I'm calling between the hours of 2:00 p.m.-5:18 p.m. and only get a slew of voicemails. Dont' get me wrong, I leave some but they just don't return calls. I still hadn't gotten phone calls from when I left last week.... Finally the warehouse dude picks up at 5:18 p.m. and I can't help but get a little nasty. He told me that Claudia actually didn't come in at all. I told him I wanted to talk to some supervisor NOW. He patched me through to Julie, the customer service manager that I had left 3 voicemails for. She tells me, I can have that delivered to your house on Wednesday. They will give you a 4 hr window. I told her that they had wasted enoguh of my time and enough of my employer's time and that I needed a smaller window and an evening delivery. She said ok. I then corrected the telephone numbers they had on file for us, AGAIN.

Carl called me on his lunch break and told me that he had a voice message from the delivery guy that told him he would be at our house between noon and 4:00 p.m. If we were not there, they would not drop off the furniture and we would need to reschedule. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! I have told them to change the phone numbers to the umptieth time and the time that they call, the have the audacity to tell me, they won't deliver my furniture because it's our fault we didn't answer the phone number they weren't supposed to CALL!? OMG.

So the phone dialing continues as I try to get a hold of, aybe, a more intelligent moron... Again with the voicemails. I get a hold of the pick-up guy. He's probably sick of hearing me but i can't help it. I'm in tears at this point. He goes to find Julie. Julie promises to call the delivery guy and see if he can call me with a 30 minute window. As I have stated, they had the wrong telephone number in the system. So when she asks to look it up in the system by the phone number, she can't find it under the right number, the wrong number OR my number. I don't have any comments on that. I have yet to hear back from this "amazing" individual....

OH YEAH. Carl also told me while he was on his lunch break that when he went into work today, he found that someone had stolen his tool box and all of his tools. (Estimated 4 years collected value at about $12,000.)

Is this day over yet?

If you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself?

2010-06-20T19:36:00.003-06:00

They only problem is, they don't let unauthorized (pregnant) people in the BEL Furniture warehouse.

So here I am completely perturbed at this sight in my daughter's unfinished nursery.

It all started with the salesman 2 saturdays ago that was so proud of his 5 "Million Dollar Sale Plaques" on the wall to care what we felt about the furniture. As you all know, I'm rather opinionated so his pushy attitude would have been called out upon if I needed time to research this bedroom set. Fortunately for him, I knew what I wanted and I knew what I wanted to pay for it. They honored the price from a prior 2 week ad which brought the price from $3600 (without mattresses) to $1407 with 2 twin pillow-top mattress so I was feeling ok. I started to get irritated when he wanted us to sign for our order without showing us the mattresses. He finally slowed down when I told him that I wasn't going to sign and he wasn't leaving our side until he physically walked us to the mattress section and showed me what we were ordering. Turns out the original trundle mattress he tried to sell us for $50 less than the pillowtop could make my stuffed Teddy Ruxpin stiff. We ended up ordering two pillow-tops.

The order clerks at the store location told me the order would be at the warehouse at the end of the week so I had to take about an hour and a half off work early to get through the downtown Friday rush hour traffic. I called twice to verify that they had the order because let's face it, that drive doesn't appeal to ANYONE, let alone a 7 1/2 month pregnant woman. The lady at the pick up window told me my wait would be approximately 45 mintues. I waited almost 2 hrs!! 6 people were able to pick up their orders before me. 2 that were waiting prior to my arrival and 4 after I had already sat down. When she did finally call me to the window she told me that their inventory was wrong and they only had a full sized bed, which would cost me about $1,000 in upgrades. To order a new twin set would be impossible and the only option I had was to go get the floor model from the store. She explained that they order from overseas and that they had to order in large quantities/full container shipments and even if they decided to recarry the merchandise in stock it would take anywhere from 1-2 years to deliver. Carl asked for some sort of reimbursement for the trouble and she said the only thing she could do was offer free delivery, set up and "I'm sorry". So, he went to the store and a manager was able to get one ordered for us. Why is it that the store manager was able to get one ordered from another warehouse but the WAREHOUSE MANAGER couldn't?? Beats the snot out of me.

The delivery was set for Saturday (An entire week later), so I called to verify the order and the phone numbers on the order. Of course the number that the jack rabbit saleman wrote down was wrong. I should've double checked everything he wrote down but he was so busy trying to get rid of us to get to the next Million Dollar Plaque, I didn't even notice. At 11am the warehouse manager (Said, oh yeah, I remember you, the pregnant woman right?) told me that my order was being loaded and I would get a phone call with a window of delivery. (Approx. 4 hrs) That call never came. My delivery guys finally showed up at 9:30pm. The phone number on the delivery was incorrect, as was my order. The twin canopy came with a full-sized trundle that wouldn't fit under the bed. 2 correct posts for the bed came. along with 2 king sized bed posts. The driver told me that he would turn in the paperwork but to also call sutomer service Monday morning.

I have called for the past 4 hrs. When I finally got through, the CSR told me he'd patch me through to the customer service manager, which disconnected after being on hold for 5 minutes. I called again and on the 8th time of hanging up on voicemails, he told me that the warehouse manager wouldn't be in until 1pm. I called the store manager (at 11:02am) and she said she just "spoke with the warehouse manager" and she would call me shortly. Seems to me that they're all a bunch of sorries trying to cover each other's tracks. I felt like telling that "Store manager" that the last time I checked, Claudia, the warehouse manager, wouldn't be in until 1:00 pm.

I don't recommend to purchase from them unless you have a lot of patience and time on your hands. Roslynne will probably be born before everything gets here. I only regret taking part of the order and not getting a full refund.

If I don't get a call back by 2:00 p.m. the sage will continue. They're only going to wish a bunch of blood-thirsty ravaged vampires were coming from Forks to save them. @#$&^(#@(_&#@*)$&@($@&)(&$@)*expletive.

The End.

Shopping for Lil' Roz...

2010-06-10T16:11:00.003-06:00

I told my friend Monica, Carl called our daughter Little Rozi. She laughed and said, "Ima get her a grill."

That was so funny. We figured she'd get a lot of nicknames. Probably Rozi, Roz, and my mom doesn't pronounce R's too well. They come out sounding like L's. For instance, I'm Los or Lote. I don't think I've ever heard her say Z. It sounds like See. Anyhow, my mom will either give her a nickname or even call her Lynne.

Regardless, we went shopping for a bedroom set for her room last weekend. I wasn't feeling very well so I forgot to take pictures. I know. I must have been feeling REALLY down and out right? I will take pictures once we get it. :)

Today we ordered a little something from amazon.com. I use Swagbucks as my search engine and have accumulated $30 in Amazon gift certificates so it went towards this lovely Bassinet :) We are getting so excited to buy fun things! Apple also painted Roslynne's room so pictures of that to come too!

That's what I'm doing these days...

2010-06-09T12:30:00.002-06:00

6:30 am - Test blood sugar
8:00 am - Eat brekfast (1 starch, 2 meats)
10:00 am - Test blood sugar
10:30 am - Eat Snack ( 1 Meat, 1 starch)
12:00 pm - Eat Lunch (3 meats, 2 starch, 1 fruit, 2 vegetables, 2 fats, 1 milk)
2:00 pm - Test Blood Sugar
3:30 pm - Eat snack (1 Meat, 1 starch)
7:00 pm - Eat Dinner(3 meats, 2 starch, 1 fruit, 2 vegetables, 2 fats, 1 milk)
9:00 pm - Test blood sugar
9:30 pm - Eat snack (1 meat, 1 starch)

So as you can see, my day basically consists of testing and eating with the gestational diabetes diagnosis. I'm sure that I will soon get used to it but the shock is not wearing off easily. They say you go through 5 stages of grief after finding out. For the love of food, I go through all 5 stages everytime I walk into the grocery store. LOL.

It's not too bad. I just have to remember that it's for Roslynne's health and overall, mine too. That keeps me going. But SERIOUSLY? This schedule does not leave me much time for anything else.

Thus far, Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Bar Lites are my new summertime favorite. It's so stinkin' hot in Texas that's its the perfect guilt-free chocolate something every pregnant woman is entitled too. I recently bought Russell Stover's Sugar Free Pecan Candies but I eat them. I'm allowed 78g of fat per day and I just can't bring myself to give into a 12g temptation....

Interesting things that happened today...

2010-06-04T11:38:00.007-06:00

It started out a good day. I woke up this morning in pretty good spirits. I took my BS and it turned out lower than yester morning's fast BS. I don't know if that s a good thing but I think so...and I realized that I have a very round belly. I'm starting to feel a little sad that now I'm slowly phasing out of the stage one greving process about the Gestational Diabetes, I'm starting to embrace my little baby growing inside me more each day.

I took a little picture to remind myself of the Buddha Belly this morning...

After getting ready for work, it was time to take a little me time and what better place to do it, other than Walgreens? I was able to nab these items for $0.49, not to mention a $3 mail-in rebate for the Cortisone, $2.50 in Register Rewards and a Coupon for a free package of Always Ultra Thin Maxi Pads. That's like walking away $7.01 richer!

While getting ready to eat my Pepperidge Farms 7 grain Light Bread, toasted with a smidge of light margarine and a Tbsp of peanut butter....I took one bite to have my lips reject breakfast in it's entirety. Yep. That's my breaky on the floor next to my foot. Blah.

Yes, I was sad. It ruined my meal plan since I only packed 2 slices of bread. One for Breakfast and one for a half sandwich for lunch....

Take two on breakfast. No bread for lunch... So I had to improvise. I ended up shredding the lettuce, Cutting the roast beef, tossed in some sliced cucumbers and drizzled with Vietnamese Dressing (Nuoc Mam Chay).

For dessert: Jello Pudding snack! I'm so thankful for Splenda and a meal plan that allows it! Have you ever noticed that you can never get the last bit out? I'm hoping everyone will leave the office so i can lick the cup but if there's an audience I may be charged with indecent exposure....

Last but not least...as a request from my good friend Amie...a humorous montage of my epic undergarments....

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Roslynne Marie Brauning in 4D

2010-06-03T05:00:00.001-06:00

Hey pretty girl!

After an adventurous morning, we made it to Expectations Ultrasound and got to see your little face....cute little hands and giant feet. LOL. You weren't extremely happy about being woken up at 4:00 p.m. so you continued to hide your face for about 50 minutes into the hour season. The technician was awfully nice and continued to try to help you move your hand since we actually only paid for 45 minutes. Your heart beat was at 146 but mommy forgot to ask them how much you were weighing in, so we will find out in two short weeks.

Can't wait to meet you!

Love, Momma

(Click on the picture to get to the photo album)

Can you feel me now?

2010-04-12T12:22:00.001-06:00

I had a really horrible night’s sleep Saturday. I woke up early Sunday morning (3:32 a.m. to be exact, since I went to the kitchen to drink some water and saw the time on the Stove/Microwave) to some wicked pressure in my middle region. It felt like a huge beach ball was blown up in my stomach…. I walked around, sat up in bed and finally went upstairs to try and study since I was already awake.

Sunday, April 10, 2010 10:33 am

Carl woke up and asked how I felt. We were just laying in bed and I told him that I wish I could just go to sleep. He asked is Rozi was being a crazy dancer and I said, “Yes, she’s moving around.”

Of course being a first time daddy, he reached over and said, “Is she moving?” and I told him yes. He said he couldn’t feel anything and the next thing I know, I felt the biggest kick of 2 weeks! I asked, “Did you feel that?!” He started laughing and said, “YES.”

At least we know she’s obedient.

Baby brain

2010-04-09T08:42:00.003-06:00

Thank goodness for spell check:

Wer chouls have lease and money lno later than Tuesday.

translation:

We should have lease and money no later than Tuesday...

Boy or Girl?

2010-04-06T14:08:00.001-06:00

Carl and I went to the doctor’s office at 8:20 a.m. and Monday April 5, 2010 was the day we got to find out if KBB was a boy or a girl.... wouldn't you know the baby wouldn't cooperate. We took pictures for almost half an hour! Apparently this kid likes the camera and loves his/her moment to shine.... Ha ha.
But truthfully, the baby felt like a bag of popcorn all of Sunday night, you would have thought it was at a night club and grooving because I couldn't hardly get comfortable enough to get any normal amount of shut eye. By the time we got to the doctor's office, KBB was sound asleep. The sonographer nudged my tummy a bit and we kept telling him/her to wake up. When the little bugger finally woke up, it was trying to kick us away, hence the first photo being of that big 'ol foot. Unfortunately, the baby already has my feet because it's large and you can see every little bone! KBB started the sono folded completely in half and Theresa, the technician, said this was one of the most flexible babies she has ever seen. The arms hugging the back of of the knees! You can see in these pictures that this child gradually unfolds towards the end of our 20 minute photo shoot. We won the most difficult sonogram of the day and we were her first patient...
Little Miss Roslynne Marie, what a hoot she will be!

20 Rosie facts

2010-03-24T14:46:00.000-06:00

I have licked the back of a CD to try to get it to work.

I knew just about everyone in High School but I can’t say everyone liked me.

I have wrecked 3 of the 14 cars I’ve ever owned.

I’ve been on 1 blind date in my life. It was to the bowling alley.

I have 3 best friends that I’ve known for over 10 years and communicate with them at least 3 times a week. Via text, email or Facebook.

I’m a great tipper….if the service is great. (Veteran waitress.)

The most money I’ve ever spent on a haircut and color was probably $125.00.

As soon as I walk into the house I command Boscoe to sit and pet him.

I despise scary movies. I don’t even like to see movie cases with weird demonic pictures.

Last night I had a dream that I went to my high school reunion and had a really great time.

I am named after the nurse that delivered me. She was also the owner of King’s Portraits in Winfield, KS.

I sing in the shower. I think I always have.

Christmas is my favorite holiday.

I have probably caught 6 fish in my entire life.

The only piercings I have are in my ears. 1 in each.

My belly button is an innie.

Sour Cream and Cheddar Cheese are my favorite chips.

I always put my right shoe on first.

Once I had 2 dates in one night. I married the one that stood me up.

One of the weirdest things I’ve ever done in the car is light a candle. It wasn’t a survival tactic or anything, it just smelled nice.

Top 5 Reasons for buying a Toyota Camry and getting rid of the Mercedes SLK320

2010-03-23T11:35:00.002-06:00

Top 5 Reasons for buying a Toyota Camry and getting rid of the Mercedes SLK320

1.) A 2-seater convertible that retails over 6 digits is not financially or physically responsible for a family with a new baby on the way. (Don’t get me wrong, I still cried.)

2.) 0% APR for 6 years – 2 vehicles

3.) 2 years free maintenance on 2 vehicles.

4.) The payment on 2 brand new Toyotas for less than the price of one of our existing vehicles is a successful investment.

5.) I personally believe the recent recall on my new vehicle was important, has been rectified and currently political. Any vehicle recall must be tested and passed before sold to a consumer.

(Any vehicle is able to have a recall. People/machines are not perfect.
i.e.
BMW: Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE LOWER RUBBER MOUNT OF THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT ADHERE CORRECTLY TO ITS HOUSING WITHIN THE SHOCK ABSORBER.
Consequence: THE BUSHING COULD LOOSEN AND OVER TIME COULD SEPARATE FROM ITS HOUSING. THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE IMPAIRED VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

CHEVY/GM: Summary: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA; AND MODEL YEAR 2007 CHEVROLET COBALT, PONTIAC G5 AND SATURN ION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, NEVADA AND TEXAS. THE PLASTIC SUPPLY OR RETURN PORT ON THE MODULAR RESERVOIR ASSEMBLY MAY CRACK. IF EITHER OF THESE PORTS DEVELOPS A CRACK, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM THE AREA. IF THE CRACK BECOMES LARGE ENOUGH, FUEL MAY BE OBSERVED DRIPPING ONTO THE GROUND AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE MAY BE AFFECTED.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

FORD: Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE S/R OPTION. THE S/R OPTION INCLUDES, AMONG OTHER FEATURES, A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PATTERN IS NOT DISPLAYED IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT IN VIEW OF THE DRIVER. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT."
Consequence:THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSITION OF THE VEHICLE.)

I guess this would make 6 resons but it's a Japanese car made in Texas. That closed the deal on my debit on American (You know, buy American, support America. Problem is, American Brands outsource out of America. My car was built in San Anotonio. I love the sticker that says: Built for Texas, Built by Texans. No Really, I LOVE THAT.)

Nothing says love like a song dedication.

2010-03-16T15:13:00.003-06:00

I'm not sure if anyone else has heard the song:

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now but there is a part in the lyrics that say:

"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now"

This happens to be Carl's new dedication song to me. Too often her will say, "And i NEEEEEEED you now."

Which is kind of cute but think about the lyrics and then put a high pitch, whale-like quality sound into Neeeeeeed.

Today I received a text message from my lovely husband that states:

"It's a quarter after 3, I think I need to pee and I need you now."

Quirky but I find funny. Ha ha. Funny husband. Ha ha.

Googlehead

2010-03-03T10:10:00.001-07:00

So I've been addicting to Google-ing and Swagbucking. I was talking to Brad at work and something or another happened and I remembered my dear friend Mike that used to say "Good on ya." I never really knew what it meant but figured it was good.

Now that Mike is busy in the world saving lives and taking names... I still find myself using his saying. So I decided to look it up, in the event, he doesn't reply to my email.

This is waht I found:

Re: Good on ya

Posted by pamela on February 23, 2006

In Reply to: Re: Good on you posted by Smokey Stover on February 23, 2006

: : : What does "good on you" mean? As in "good on you, Joe, that was an excellent play".

: : It means you're being complimented ... by an Australian.

: What Bob is too shy to mention is that "good for you" is the more usual expression, outside of Oz, and means "you did well." Or it could mean "you did good." That's ungrammatical--or not, depending on what you did. SS

I was so sure that the spelling was "good onya", but my sister swears its "good on ya". We decided to settle via google fight and "good onya" scored 125,000 and "good on ya!" scored 45,500,000. Still not convinced, I argued that most of the "good on yas" lived overseas and did a google search limited to Australian sites. Score: 861 "good onya" v. 31,200 "good on ya". I stand corrected. Either way, it is definitely not "good on you". Even Australians who don't have broad, rural or working class accents would lapse to the strine "Good on ya!" when using this phrase, rather than "Good on you!" which would sound plain wrong. Very often used sarcastically: "Good on ya, Minister!" could just as easily be followed by "Yeah, we really need fewer public hospitals" as by something complimentary. Pamela

Re: Good on ya Smokey Stover 23/February/06 (2)
Aussie pamela 24/February/06 (1)
Re: Aussie pamela 24/February/06 (0)
Re: Good on ya Smokey Stover 23/February/06 (0)

Who doesn't love FREE? 8x10 photo!

2010-02-25T10:22:00.002-07:00

Go to: http://photo2.walgreens.com/storepage/storePageId=SpecialOffer?stop_mobi=yes&ec=hn7851a_free8x10&ep_mid=67452887&ep_rid=2954993743

I love surveys

2010-02-19T15:33:00.002-07:00

2010 Girl Friend Survey

Welcome to the 2010 edition of getting to know your Friends. ' press FORWARD ' then change all the answers so they apply to you, and then send this to your friends including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:15 am

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? New Moon

4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey’s Anatomy

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal or Jalapenos Poppers

6. What is your middle name? Lynne

7. What food do you dislike? I love all food equally.

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? My karaoke preparedness mix

9. What kind of car do you drive? Mercedes SLK320

10. Favorite sandwich? Dion’s Roast Beef & Provolone w/ Green Chile and Greek Dressing or any Roast Beef with Au Ju

11. What characteristic do you despise? Snobiny-do-dah

12. Favorite item of clothing? Pretty Dress…I have several.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Thailand

14. Favorite brand of clothing? Express

15. Where would you retire to? On a beach

16. What was your most memorable birthday? Last year for the surprise birthday party!

17. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball or Baseball…. In the stands.

18. Furthest place you are sending this? I don’t know right now.

19. Person you expect to send it back first? Maybe Toni.

20. When is your birthday? Sept. 5
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? I actually just sleep all the time now.

22. What is your shoe size? 9

23. Pets? dog

24. Any new and exciting news you 'd like to share with us? I’m having a baby. Oh wait….that’s kind of old news huh?

25. What did you want to be when you were little? A professional singer.

26. How are you today? very tired

27. What is your favorite candy? I don’t really have one.

28. What is your favorite flower? Roses or Gerbera Daisies

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? August 24, 2010

30. What's your full name? Rosemarie Lynne Sengmany-Brauning

31. What are you listening to right now? co-workers

32. What was the last thing you ate? 2 dinner rolls, Fried Calamari and Artichoke hearts with marinara sauce, Tomato Basil Soup and Hasta La Pasta: Grilled Chicken Breat and Roasted Bell Peppers Medley tossed with Jalapeno Fettucine with an alfredo sauce….Grrrrr. It was SO GOOD.

33. Do you wish on stars? If I see them.

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Pink

35. How is the weather right now? beautiful

36. What is your natural hair color? Black..I think. It hasn’t been natural for a while

37. Favorite soft drink? Sprite

38. Favorite restaurant? That’s a hard one. Probably any Pho House.

39. Favorite color of nail polish? French Manicure

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Teddy Ruxpin

41. Summer or winter? Spring

42. Hugs or kisses? Both

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

44. Coffee or tea? I like herbal tea.

45.. Do you want your friends to email you back Yes

46. When was the last time you cried? Last night. Being pregnant does that to you, apparently.

47. What is under your bed? A mirror, a neck massager from Brookstone and probably shoes.

48. What did you do last night? Had Denella come over and cooked.

49. What are you afraid of? Heights

50. Salty or sweet? Salty

51. How many keys on your key ring? 4

52. How many years at your current job? 1.2

3. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

54. How many towns have you lived in? 8

55. Do you make friends easily? Yes

56. How many people will you send this to? a lot of stinkin people

57. How many will respond? 3-4

In my head...

2010-02-17T09:48:00.000-07:00

Thoughts while driving to work today:

“I finally got into the routine of eating cereal in the morning….OH CRAP! I don’t have any milk.”
My husband told me last night, “I want you to go to this maternity clothes boutique I saw in the Galleria Mall. When we went with Dru and Kari, I thought about how I want you to buy your maternity clothes there because I want you to dress stylish. They have cute clothes there.”….Does this mean I’m not stylish pre-pregnancy??

“Hmmm. Nothing really tastes good. So what should I eat for lunch?”
I’m really thankful for my job.

“That Jack in the Box Cheeseburger was good yesterday.”

I then saw somebody in a car next to me smoking a cigarette and I was trying to read a sign about McDonald’s and I was worried they were going to think I was staring at them and shoot me with a gun. I proceeded to think about this violent video I saw on youtube about the great Burger King and McDonald’s debate where the King shoots Ronald McDonald in a passing limo. It’s pretty violent. I then came to the conclusion I prefer McDonald’s Cheeseburger to Burger King’s Cheeseburger.

I’m totally crazy huh?

Funny blog post from my MySpace

2010-02-12T14:25:00.003-07:00

Wednesday, June 14, 2006
~*Hehe.....

YOU ARE ERNIE!!!

(This was my old haircut...short inverted bob)

Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend -

even if your goofy antics get annoying at times.

You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained

You are famous for: Always making people smile.

From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun.

How you life your life: With ease.

Life is only difficult when your ♥ friends ♥ won't play with you!

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Top Baby Names | 20th Century | Boys | Girls | Meanings | Origins

2010-02-10T09:27:00.001-07:00

Top Baby Names 20th Century Boys Girls Meanings Origins

Interesting!

1
James
4765477
Mary
3830985

2
John
4694438
Patricia
1558221

3
Robert
4601086
Linda
1439473

4
Michael
3966636
Barbara
1421343

5
William
3616326
Jennifer
1388086

6
David
3315232
Elizabeth
1359065

7
Richard
2474956
Margaret
1147017

8
Joseph
2254554
Susan
1106237

9
Charles
2168362
Dorothy
1088080

10
Thomas
2099470
Betty
991026

11
Christopher
1735178
Nancy
977168

12
Daniel
1578877
Karen
957109

13
Donald
1389669
Lisa
953883

14
Paul
1326271
Helen
953461

15
George
1321711
Jessica
936305

16
Mark
1292179
Sarah
877280

17
Matthew
1260046
Sandra
859809

18
Kenneth
1218990
Donna
825197

19
Steven
1202361
Carol
811499

20
Edward
1190706
Ruth
767548

21
Anthony
1139607
Kimberly
762260

22
Brian
1071930
Michelle
749937

23
Ronald
1056715
Deborah
732760

24
Kevin
1009182
Laura
731442

25
Timothy
990291
Amanda
721237

26
Andrew
977902
Sharon
713261

27
Jeffrey
935745
Melissa
706547

28
Jason
895861
Kathleen
695758

29
Gary
886150
Cynthia
686901

30
Joshua
877178
Rebecca
681566

31
Frank
827279
Shirley
680052

32
Stephen
811580
Ashley
676850

33
Larry
790106
Stephanie
674935

34
Eric
777282
Anna
660999

35
Scott
747506
Amy
639351

36
Raymond
728636
Virginia
628224

37
Gregory
677133
Angela
618235

38
Ryan
672760
Catherine
591111

39
Nicholas
658472
Brenda
587942

40
Jonathan
619516
Pamela
586746

41
Justin
609367
Christine
568546

42
Patrick
601152
Frances
553799

43
Dennis
599280
Debra
548139

44
Jerry
593468
Janet
547229

45
Walter
566406
Carolyn
542764

46
Brandon
561650
Katherine
524061

47
Douglas
543520
Diane
514418

48
Harold
534307
Nicole
510739

49
Peter
524383
Emily
508235

50
Henry
518907
Heather
507603

The Most Popular Baby Names
Want to consider one of the most popular baby names for your baby? Check out this list of the Top 100 Baby Names -- a baby name list with all the hot names. This is the latest information from the Social Security Administration, giving you the most popular baby names in the United States for the year 2008. Keep in mind though -- popular baby names for boys and girls today may be very different in ten years. Don't just go for the trendy name of the year. Your child might end up in class with half a dozen other chiildren with the same name! For more top names, and a look at how they change over the years, check out our Top 1000 Baby Names Page.

1
Jacob
Emma

2
Michael
Isabella

3
Ethan
Emily

4
Joshua
Madison

5
Daniel
Ava

6
Alexander
Olivia

7
Anthony
Sophia

8
William
Abigail

9
Christopher
Elizabeth

10
Matthew
Chloe

11
Jayden
Samantha

12
Andrew
Addison

13
Joseph
Natalie

14
David
Mia

15
Noah
Alexis

16
Aiden
Alyssa

17
James
Hannah

18
Ryan
Ashley

19
Logan
Ella

20
John
Sarah

21
Nathan
Grace

22
Elijah
Taylor

23
Christian
Brianna

24
Gabriel
Lily

25
Benjamin
Hailey

26
Jonathan
Anna

27
Tyler
Victoria

28
Samuel
Kayla

29
Nicholas
Lillian

30
Gavin
Lauren

31
Dylan
Kaylee

32
Jackson
Allison

33
Brandon
Savannah

34
Caleb
Nevaeh

35
Mason
Gabriella

36
Angel
Sofia

37
Isaac
Makayla

38
Evan
Avery

39
Jack
Riley

40
Kevin
Julia

41
Jose
Leah

42
Isaiah
Aubrey

43
Luke
Jasmine

44
Landon
Audrey

45
Justin
Katherine

46
Lucas
Morgan

47
Zachary
Brooklyn

48
Jordan
Destiny

49
Robert
Sydney

50
Aaron
Alexa

How To Tell Someone To Shut Up Without Telling Them To Shut Up

2010-02-09T08:34:00.002-07:00

(Foreward: I was listening to someone today and I wondered if there was a polite way to tell someone they talk too much, so I googled it... I found that I should be more patient and kind towards people. Maybe.)

By LatestDud

Would You Just SHUT UP?!

Okay, this is a bit of a difficult question to answer but I figured because I talk so much it would be a good opportunity to take up as I will be giving everybody else's ears a rest. So listen here!
Here's what not to do.

Don't seem uninterested because you'll hurt their feelings. Oh, and you may spark a different topic that could go on for twice as long.

Don't tell them to be quiet (it's hard to tell them that politely).

Don't tell them to be quiet using hand signals such as the 'shhh' motion (finger up to lip) or the 'stop' motion (hand in front of your chest, palm facing them). They'll take offence.
Don't (whatever you do) tell them that they talk too much (oh my goodness no). They may never talk to you again (unless of course, that is what you want. If so, go right ahead)!

I can only think of two things to do... the first, introduce them to hubpages.com. He he! Then they may have so much to write about that they'll stop bugging you. Secondly, tell them (in the nicest way possible) they can save their breath and email it to you. That way, you can block them or just ignore the email (you're not obligated to answer the email). Okay, okay, I'm kidding. To be honest, I don't think there is such a thing as informing someone of a flaw they have 'nicely'. I mean, when you think about it, telling someone they talk too much is like telling them they're ugly (they can't help it - well, they won't let you know that they can if they can).
I use to be told a lot as a child that I talked too much. In fact, that flaw was belted into me time and time again. As I got older, I couldn't laugh it off any longer and by the time I was about 14, I stopped talking altogether because I couldn't stand the teasing anymore. But, that is an example of what can happen if you belt it into a child.

Instead of focusing on how to tell them they talk too much, how about you focus on why. There are a few reasons why somebody talks too much.

Are they nervous?

Do they lack confidence?

Do they have self-esteem issues?

Is talking the only thing they believe they're good at?

Are they lonely?

Are they trying to get you to like them?

Maybe they just like having you around... - a little too much perhaps.
Anyway, the way to tell them depends on the kind of person that they are. If you know they will take offence make sure you find the perfect time to tell them. But then again, sometimes you'd be better off not telling them at all. Think about how you would feel if someone said that to you.

2010-01-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

I'm still learning how to use this new phone.....so this is a blogspot test...

How I've missed thee....

2010-01-12T08:31:00.003-07:00

Let me count the ways...
1 Dollar, 2 Dollar.....Total Dollar Savings: $39.76

Sun Burst Laundry detergent is Buy 1 Get 1 free at $4.99/each.

Thermacare Neck & Arm Wrap 1 ct $2.49, Earn $2.49 in Register Rewards- $1/1 Printable Coupon= Free + $1 Profit

Colgate Max White or Max Fresh Toothpaste $2.99, Earn $2 in Register Rewards- 75¢/1 Coupon (1/3 SS) or Printable Coupon= 24¢

Betty Crocker Warm Delights 99¢ with in-ad coupon- 50¢/1 Printable Coupon= 49¢

Betty Crocker Frosting 99¢ with in-ad coupon- $1/2 Printable Coupon= 49¢ ea.

I do not need toothpaste for the next 2 years so I did not purchase any of the Colgate Max but it's a great toothpaste! I've been using it for the past year :)

Rubbing Alcohol was 2/$3

Total price: $20.66 ($1.81 is the tax)

Hope you guys have a happy and frivolous New Year!!! (That's my New Year's Resolution... Save even more money over 2009.)

Blonde Joke

2009-12-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

It has been confirmed that blonde jokes are stemmed from my very own life stories.
It was cold. 2009. My first hockey game. I looked up at the score board….

ICE HOGS
1

The voice in my head said,

“OH. THAT’S WHAT THEY CALL HOCKEY PUCKS…

like football is call pig skins.”

Then I looked at the other end of the scoreboard:

AEROS
1

DOH! I guess Ice Hogs was the opposing team.
* *Insert Charlie Brown’s Wah-wah-wah-wahhhhhhh**

Swagbucks

2009-12-10T08:09:00.003-07:00

Total to date: $35 Dollars worth of gift cards. That's $35.00!!!! Join the rest of the Swaggernauters....

www.swagbucks.com/refer/RBrauning

Let me know if you have questions. I LOVE IT!!!

(P.s. Sorry I fell off the Blogger Planet.... I have some funny stories, just been busy shopping. LOL.)

New Moon...we're coming!

2009-11-19T08:57:00.001-07:00

I'm soooo excited! And I just can't hide it....Ohhhh nooooo.....I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!!

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Birthday Shambles...BE GONE!

2009-11-07T09:57:00.003-07:00

(Preface: It all started when Carl bought me a Wii for my birthday in Septemeber, which stays in Houston with me. In return, I bought him the Beatles Rock Band for the Wii in October for our Anniversary. The Beatles set came with a guitar, mic and drums with the option of 2 other replicas. He received John Lennon's with the set and I bought the additional Paul McCartney. )

Carl has always hated his birthday. For the past 3.5 years we've been together, he gets mad if I try to celebrate it. It's so baffling, and sort of nerve wrecking because...well, if you're reading this, you most likely know me pretty well, and I'll make a big deal out of National Ant Day if there were such a thing. SERIOUSLY? Yes.... Anyhow....

I got to San Antonio about 4 p.m. yesterday and I decorated everything in a Rock Band/Rock Star theme. See Photo:

He got home and was pretty surprised to see the big shin-dig. It was just the two of us with a whole bunch of candy but he seemed to be pretty happy about it. He even put on the birthday hat.

He opened up his gifts which consisted of the remaining Geoprge Harrison Gretsch replica guitar, a guitar case, a 4-guitar stand and last but not least, the Rock Band 2 game. I could see that I had really messed up when he said, man. I want to play it sooooo bad. So I asked, "Are you sad I didn't bring the Wii you bought me for your birthday?" Of course he said, "No. I bought that for you."

Just as the evening was starting to damper, his roommate and a guy from work came home. Carl got excited again and said, "Look at what Rose got me for my birthday!" The boys were talking about how "Sweet" the replica was. Carl told them all about the set I bought him for our anniversary. Junior, the friend/guy that came over, said, "Well hey, let's plug it in! I gotta play this man." Carl sadly said, well, that's the thing... Um. I don't have a Wii here."

I started to walk to the back of the apartment. I was shaking, I was so...well. I don't know what I was feeling. Kind of anxious I guess. Junior started in on me. "What the heck Rose? What kind of wife does that? You bought him all this stuff that he wants but he can't use it? That's messed up man." So I said, "Junior, why you gotta come over here just to bust my chops? I told him I was sorry that I didn't bring the Wii he bought me for my birthday." I emerged back into the living room..."what I didn't tell him was that I brought the Wii THAT I BOUGHT HIM FOR HIS BIRTHDAY!"

Insert: googley, funny, deliriously happy Birthday Boy!

I think I successfully won a trophy for being Carl's Best Wife. (the fact that I'm the only one is not necessarily important. LOL.)

I think the best part of it all was the card I gave him said, "I bet you'll like your birthday this year." He read it outloud and ad-libbed: "OR ELSE."

Usually someone pays the fatal price if I have a grumpy birthday boy on my hands but this year, I think he actually enjoyed it.

After the unveiling of the Wii, I brought out rest of the Beatles band equipment out in the new carrying cases I also purchased earlier in the week. I'd have to say. It was a pretty great Carl's birthday for me too. Seeing him so happy makes my heart grow 3 sizes too big.

The End.

hm.

2009-11-04T17:38:00.001-07:00

Wonder what he's thinkin' about....

I'm going to jail for GOOD

2009-10-26T09:22:00.002-06:00

If anything, please click on the link below to see the HILARIOUS video.

Yes, Miley Cyrus is performing FOR ME!

I NEED YOUR HELP!

I'm going behind bars for "GOOD"

PLEASE HELP BAIL ME OUT!

(I'm more of a polka dot girl, these stripes are KILLING ME!)

Your donation is my key to freedom! My bail is set at $1640.00.

https://www.joinmda.org/09greenspoint/rose

(Set me free and send 2 kids to camp!)

Thanks for making a difference!

It came! It came!!!

2009-10-13T20:49:00.006-06:00

Everyday I've been checking the mailbox and today.... The pictures from Kim CAME!!!!

Please visit:

K. Photography

for more picture bliss!

Some of my absolute favorites:

Fightin' It...

2009-10-12T18:57:00.001-06:00

We're both fighting sleep right now but Boscoe lost first, hence I'm taking a picture of him. Maybe tomorrow he'll win and post a picture of me sleeping?

do you have gasoline in stock?

2009-10-12T05:17:00.001-06:00

7th grade wal-mart adventure with Kristy Price.

Being the music asian mutant was difficult but it wasn't until Kris and I went hunting for a cd single, that I was aware.

Don't tell her mom but we rode our bikes all the way to wal-mart that day. we searched all over the electronics department and couldn't find it anywhere! In hindsight I realize it could have been beneficial to know what I was looking for. I was rarely shy so I braved the cute *insert teenage giggle here* boy at the counter, donning that bright blue smock, and asked, 'do you have that cd single by Bush: Gasoline?' Kristy busted out laughing and corrected me, 'Glycerine.'

...Giggle fit. Giggle fit. Giggle fit...

every time

2009-10-12T04:32:00.001-06:00

*most coveted 4 a.m. snack ever!

My palms clammy and I could feel a cold chill run down my spine as I rounded the corner of the last a la carte snack stand at the gas station down the street from Carl's apartment in San Antonio.

Any time my life requires me to travel before 5 a.m... I get a little loopy. bonus emotion: grateful.

1. Life: easy times and frustrating experiences have helped me become fairly educated. I don't have any regrets, just the knowledge to tell the difference between a bad decision and a goods one.

2. Family: 'Real', Step, Half, by marriage, thanks for putting up with me. It's a tough job but I always have much more support than I sometimes deserve.

3. Friends: Ditto. You guys know me and still choose to stick around. Thanks for building my life with the best memories!

4. My job: it rocks my stock(s)-kings.

............

The best part of Puffcorn adventure is that I don't necessary want to eat them.

3 years ago today....

2009-10-07T07:03:00.001-06:00

At this very minute: Casey and Toni were waking us up to go to the Balloon Fiesta because we were so tired from meeting with Bishop Cutler the night before...

3 weeks before the wedding, Ventana Ranch Bishop said he would perform our wedding ceremony for us. 2 days before the wedding, he called to cancel.

2 days before our wedding, Taylor Ranch Bishop said he would perform our wedding ceremony. 1 Day before our wedding, he called to cancel.

The night before our wedding, Bear Canyon Ward Bishop called to say he'd perform our wedding ceremony: I was crying.

If 3 people cancelled on us, it was obviously a sign that we should NOT get married!

Bishop Cutler is just who Heavenly Father wanted for our wedding. He served his Church Mission in Thailand. (My dad, step mother, brothers and sister speak much better Thai than English.)

This is the day I married my best friend: the one who makes me laugh the hardest.

Today we celebrate!!!

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Memories...

2009-10-05T16:14:00.001-06:00

My brother-in-law was in Rio Rancho, NM today and sent me this picture of our old house...

This was the first house Carl and I ever lived in together.
This was the house Ranee started her "new life" in. My mother in law, truly became one of my best friends when we shared this roof together.
Mitch shared his first Christmas with us in this house. My first New Mexico garage sale was held here...

Thanks for the memories, Playful Meadows!!

Carl's new toy

2009-10-03T10:47:00.001-06:00

it's been almost 2 years since he fell in love with his truck so it was time to get into something different. not too different. it's still a ford, just new with 7 miles. he works so hard. he deserves it!

The Capitol of Texas is Austin Miller?

2009-10-02T10:06:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Joe Wood and his giant brain, I was able to ace my state and capitol quiz in the 5th grade.

I was sitting in the 3rd row, my desk closest to Mr. R's. (Mostly because I talked too much and he needed me close by to nip the "cuttin' up" in the bud".)

As I answered all the other questions, Texas' capitol completely escaed my memory. Cold sweat and panic hit me...I could feel my hands getting clammy. Joe Wood sat one desk away and I shamefully whispered..."Joe!..............Texas?!"

Now, Joe: Joe was was smooth....He nodded his head slowly and I followed his eys to where Austin Miller was standing in front of Mr. R to hand in his test.

Ok, I've confessed...I should have gotten a 99% on that test. I am at peace with myself again...

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Long time no shop!

2009-09-30T23:34:00.001-06:00

Yay! I spend more than wanted at Walgreens but the candy and almonds we complete impulse buys since I was hungry. (I broke my own rule: no shopping while famished!)

3- Bottles of laundry Detergent (50 loads each)
1- Cascade Dishwasher Detergent
2- Herbal Essence Spray Hair Gel
1- Cinnamon Apple Yogurt Drops Candy
1- Orange Creamsical Yogurt Drops Candy
1- Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotion
2- Morton Salt Canisters
2- Dozen Grade A Large Eggs
1- Robitussin To Go 2 pack
1- Gillette Fusion Power Razer
1- Blue Diamond Honey Roasted Almods
1- Blue Diamond Natural Almonds
1- Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip Soft Candy
1- Emergen-C Immune Sytem Booster
1- Chapstick
1- Halls Cough Drops
1- Oral B Toothbrush
1- Trident Layers Apple Gum
1- Trident Layers Strawberry Gum
2- Luna Nutrition Bars
4- Cliff Nutrition Bars
1- Dentek Floss Picks

Damage: $7.03 (including tax of 8.75% in Tx)

Dreaming

2009-09-30T23:14:00.001-06:00

I don't know what this was all about but he was smiling in his dream and the next thing you know....the tongue came out. Maybe a hot, juicy, tender turkey leg?

The first cut is the deepest

2009-09-30T10:24:00.000-06:00

(Special thanks to Sheryl Crow for her soundtrack to this post!)

I was carrying a notepad into the key room at work and had 4 keys balanced on top of the bright yellow legal pad. When I reached for the 5th key, I dropped it and while trying to catch it: I braised my hand on the edge and managed to slice open my pinky knuckle in 3 different spots. OWIE!

Then I flashed back to 1995, Winfield Public Library, 7th grade....

Beth and I were researching something or another for a class project but we were truly more interested in talking with Bob and reading Seventeen magazines... lol.

I saw an ad for perfume and pulled the flap back to get a whiff. ONLY YOURS TRULY has the ability to run her nose across the page to cut her nose and get a perfume sample in the wound. *FLINCH* It still hurts. Now I'm off to the restroom to see if I have a scar under my nose... I never did look.

Stoneybrook Apartments

2009-09-26T07:36:00.001-06:00

These are Carl's ACTUAL apartments. It's pretty nice. There is an older set of buildings (They decided saving $50/mo is worth living in an older building) and some newly built buildings. The best part is that, regardless of which building you live in, you have access to the gym, indoor raquetball/handball court, basketball court, and business center. I'll be utilizing the gym later...the boys have talked me into whipping up some of my more "rich in flavor"(calories) meals. LOL.

Last night we had Beef Fajitas. Tonight: Herb encrusted Steak with a reduced port demi glaze (Compliments de Chef Francine Mars) steamed veggies and mashed potatoes. Tomorrow: Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas....

Oy, I think my waistline JUST grew an inch....

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Haha

2009-09-25T18:03:00.001-06:00

I like to take pictures of the places Carl lives at while he's on the road. He obviously doesn't LIVE in a toilet but the fact that you can totally FEEL the slant of the crooked comode...well, that explains it all...doesn't it?

Happy weekend to you all and may your toilets be flush...with the level ground.

so innocent

2009-09-24T21:12:00.001-06:00

he's tired too. I love his ears when he's half asleep!

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...idk...

2009-09-24T17:24:00.001-06:00

As in, I don't know what it is but I know its going SLOW! I have visiting teaching to do homie, MOVE IT!

Princess (Dress) Diaries

2009-09-23T09:40:00.003-06:00

So I have NOT been running, I have NOT been couponing, I have NOT been doing the laundry....but I HAVE been working on the newest costume re-design. I found this GORGEOUS material in the form of a (semi un-attractive) dress. Here is a run down for the memory books! (Sorry the colors are a little off, the skirt layout is the truest burgandy color of the actual dress. I couldn't get the details without the flash.)

Salvation Army Special $3

I feel GOOD!
Yayyyyyyy for Princess Dresses!!!!

MTV VMA

2009-09-13T21:33:00.001-06:00

Boscoe usually watches tv with me...but this is what he thinks about tonight's show.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz......."

hmm

2009-09-12T12:55:00.001-06:00

not sweating but I got some nice glistening action after a 5k jog this morning!

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Introducing: Boscoe the genius

2009-09-11T06:24:00.001-06:00

So maybe the title is a little strong BUT. How would you connect the bones? Last year I found the dog lining up his bones, this time Boscoe organized them by type, forming a parallel line. Is anyone else's dog OCD?

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Technically 2 weeks...

2009-09-10T21:56:00.000-06:00

Half a month of birthday-days later...I decide to break my excercie sabbatical. I ran 1 mile with Boscoe tonight. 9 minor "marking" breaks and 13 minutes later...I didn't break a sweat nor was I out of breathe... I guess that's a good thing. I better get back too it. I'm so jealous of all those who sweat! Does anyone else's sweat glands refuse to work? I just can't get mine to turn on...Maybe this men's clinical Right Guard is working too well?

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Better than Lemon filled!

2009-09-08T12:49:00.001-06:00

Carl just called. He made call.

He got his NCCER jourenyman's license last week. He still needs 3,000 hours on the job before he can test for his National Journeyman's License. He called to a job in San Anotnio. They told him they wanted both NCCER and National certified. He started his drive to Wyoming. 1 hour away from Dallas, he was prompted to call the hiring manager again for the San Antonio Job...He said, "I know you've heard this before but hear me out. If you don't have any place for me at all, I'm going to continue to drive to Wyoming but if you hire me, I won't do yo wrong." The HM asked Carl 3 qualifying questions and then said, "See you tomorrow at 7:00a.m."

YAY!!! Take THAT Rod's Donuts...in yer face! Uh! Hahahahaha...Now he will only be 2 hours away instead of 22 hours away. Rosie is happy smiles!

On the road again...

2009-09-08T12:31:00.001-06:00

(Sung to the 'ol Willie Nelson tune)

"On the road again...I can't wait to be off the road again...listening to music as I drive back towards my frinds...though I can't wait to eoff the road again..."

Actions speaks louder than words...and well... I bet you can read Carl's expletives about going to Wyoming today...

We're total nerds now...

2009-09-06T21:02:00.001-06:00

Anticipating Carl's call on the road again...we have been hanging out all day...basically doing nothing. Laying around, watching tv, eating and playing Wii...now we're turned into gamers...

Birthday Dinner

2009-09-05T20:35:00.001-06:00

...Free Cheesecake at Saltgrass Steakhouse...

A divine reason to be born!

when you makd up your own holiday...

2009-09-03T07:23:00.000-06:00

the rest of the world is oblivious. rosehanukah is 7 days of gift giving up to the actual 5th of september. the only person that celebrates this "holiday" but my wonderful husband and myself...

Anyhow...the reason for the picture and post: I parked in the one hour parking of our business building and the maintenance crew surprised me with the world's strongest double sided foam tape! it had thd most well written birthday card (parking violation notice).

Guess the holiday is picking up? LOL!!!

Awe!!! Happy Birthday to me...

2009-09-02T17:20:00.001-06:00

We were supposed to go out to eat at Saltgrass tonight for my birthday but instead I came home to THIS amazing birthday spread!!! I you're around, come over and eat Cake!!!

lovin' the weather!

2009-09-02T07:40:00.001-06:00

do I keep the ac on or roll down the window? I love 75 degrees! yay!

if you know me...

2009-09-01T19:21:00.001-06:00

you know how I despise eating out. well not the actual act of eating out but the actual act of getting into my wallet to shell out more than a dollar per meal per person! lol... anyhow, since the past week and a half has been a tainted daydream, carl and I have been eating out. tonights decadent splurge? via emilia italiano. oh. and chocolate cake!

That baby...

2009-08-31T19:11:00.001-06:00

Carl sent me this picture toda while I was at work. He said, "Boscoe looks like one of thos newborn babies at the hospital." Ha ha.

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We're a special couple...

2009-08-31T19:09:00.000-06:00

Staples is my Disneyland and Carl loves to steam cleaning carpets like it's the grandest fun on the planet!

We borrowed the Zmoleck's steam cleaner (Thanks guys! We'll buy you more solution.) and I came home to a man that was happier than that Charlie kid that won the Golden Ticket!

We're easy to please. LOL

Studying

2009-08-30T19:57:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is the big day! This is a picture of Carl studying his brain out. Just remember if you're ever taking the NCCER Test...PIER and WAVO. PIE and EIR. Wish Carl luck!!!

Good Boy

2009-08-26T15:38:00.001-06:00

He'll be cute for Daddy...that's no doubt!

Home again....

2009-08-22T11:16:00.001-06:00

Now that I have completed my video diary from my bedroom, all around the state of Ohio, airport Hades and back again...This is what Boscoe thinks of video diary-ing.

I said, "Hey pretty boy, can you be cute for the camera?"

He took a nose dive into the covers! I hope my human kids are more photogenic...

Fast and Testimony Sunday

2009-08-02T22:49:00.003-06:00

Sooooo, Alex and Misty came to visit me this past week. It was positively amazing. I talked too much, took too many pictures, we ate too much food and stayed up way too late. Would I change a single thing? NOPE. Not a chance.

Last night Al and I had a serious heart to heart. Maybe it was just another one of our conversations to him. It seems we always get into one very similar when we're together but to me it seemed different. Stronger, closer maybe?

We were singing karaoke and he stumbled upon my wedding song. The one from Carl to me. As I listened to the words I realized how lucky I am to have found this silly little boy that decided he loved the crazy lunatic that I am.

We spoke about Church and God and the time we have here on Earth during our Mortal Life and I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to learn the truth and build myself to the person I must be to attain and maintain a Temple Recommend. I am dazzled by the thought that I can taste Heaven on this planet.

We touched on our families and what they mean to us. The time we share with everyone we love and the emotions evoked within our hearts. A lot like setting the veins on fire: it's so deep!

I didn't share my testimony at Church today. I partook of the sacrament and cried a little, all the while my humble heart sobbed inside and swelled with gratitude.

As I drove home to say goodbye to my brother-in-law and new found friend, I realized that this life is a journey I couldn't trade in for any replacement. I've had my shares of ups and downs but I wouldn't be who I am without those experiences. If you read this and are going through a rough trial, know that God loves you and so do I.

Love, Life, Health and God...I want you to have it and love it for you!

Me likey...It's true!

2009-07-23T08:04:00.002-06:00

I have a lot of friends. (I like to think so anyways.) Often times these friendships almost seem seasonal. Having VERY STRONG memories and then remembering voids that we didn't speak, to come back into each other's lives to share another moment that picks up the friendship like it never skipped a beat. (I have a lot of those, do you?) I'm such a bawl baby and sometimes I think back and it wells up tears in my eyes because I wonder if this pattern or inconsistency is my fault? I don't ever feel like the silence blips hurt my relationships...but then I got this forward in my inbox. Now it all makes sense!

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,to provide you with guidance and support,
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.They may seem like a godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
This person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die.Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share,grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons,
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson,
Love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant

Thank you for being a part of my life,
Whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Good excuse

2009-07-19T14:47:00.001-06:00

I had leftover chocolate cake from dinner last night with Monica at Hooters Resaurant. OMG...if it eren't for today being the Sabbath, I'd be there RIGHT NOW ordering 5 more...yum!

Internal Reverie of a Nocturnal Mind

2009-07-11T00:10:00.001-06:00

I can't sleep. I close my eyes, hunker into the bed and my eye lids spin open quickly: like the snap of one of those old window shades that roll up and look like a long skinny halogen light bulb. This is when my deliria kicks in and reoccuring random thoughts make me laugh.
1) I love my dog. I wish he was a vampire so he could live forever and be indestructable when he cement dives nose first. However, most people that see him are already afraid that he might eat them. Raging thirst for human blood might not be such a good idea. Good thing a purchased the face leash.
2) When I think of Gall Bladder, I immediately think of ducks, which leads me to think Platypus. Then I just smile and laugh. Once, I snorted.
3) If you fill a water ballon and put it in the freezer to make "snowballs" in the summer with Lori Rosecrans (when you're 8) You shall find yourself launching cannon (snow)balls at her brother and cousins instead.
4.) Neo Yuppie sounds like Neon Gummie. I have to like it.

Holy COW

2009-07-10T20:58:00.001-06:00

Dress like a cow...get a free Chick-fil-A meal day. Xan and I decided to spend the evening putting on cow spots & ears before enjoying her Deluxe Chicken Sandwich Meal and my 12pc Nuggets Meal. $13.00 worth of food, quality entertainment with my friend and looking totally cute while doing it? SCORE!

picky pet

2009-07-10T15:13:00.001-06:00

Most dogs will eat anything...right? who could pass these up? I wanted to eat the vanilla cream filled myself. Oh well...

Tonights training went well. Yesterday we had zero concrete dives, 1 tantrum and 4 nose bats. Today we had zero concrete dvies, 1 very short tantrum and 3 nose batting. I just have to stick with it and be firm! (i can't wait until its over though!!!)

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Thanks for your time

2009-07-10T09:13:00.002-06:00

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some tim e since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of th e fence' as he put it," Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said. <> As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like c rossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture...Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.
It was gone.. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago.. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch .
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:
"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"
Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"
Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way..
3! . A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you b efore they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7... You are special and unique.
8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.
10. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
12 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy .
13. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.
Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.

To everyone who reads this, " Thanks for your time "

lunch sack

2009-07-09T13:36:00.001-06:00

I love brown paper bags!

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Lead me...I shall follow

2009-07-07T20:12:00.002-06:00

If you have ever bailed out the Braunings by walking our beloved Boscoe...You have most likely experienced the Kite routine. He sees something he likes and takes off: leaving u in the wind. Literally.

So after purchasing the aforementioned "wonder walker"...We sat down and watchedthe instructional dvd.

He sniffed the collar for a few minutes before her grew tired and bored. He slept through the remainder of the dvd...

It wasn't completely successful, he hates anything new so he nose dived straight into the cement and he gave himself quite an abrasion on his cute furry nose. (I was terrified!)

I'm happy to report that today was a much better day! (Yesterday we had 3 nose dives, 12 paw bats to his nose, 2 temper tantrums: 1) Laying down in the field for 3 minutes & 2) alligator rolling in fron of the apartments across the street. I suppose he figured if they thought he was in cardia arrest they might pull the harness from his face?)

Today we only had 1 nose dive, 5 paw bats to his nose, and 1 temper tantrum (He sat on the sidewalk and stared at me for 4 minutes.) before we made it home.

I hate that he nose dives into cement at all, however, the change in our routine has been dramatic! We were 200 yards from deer in th field yesterday and he lunged once. I pulled him back without any fits afterwards. I also able to talk with a fellow dog walker last night for 5 minutes with Boscoe calm at my side. This evening he was pounce free to the mother and toddler who usually look at us like they're afraid to be his dinner! I'll let you know how it ends.

Interesting...

2009-07-07T08:33:00.000-06:00

In 1400 England there was a law that a man was allowed to beat his wife with a stick no thicker than his thumb. Hence we have "the rule of thumb"
-------------------------------------------
Many years ago in Scotland , a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only..Ladies Forbidden"...and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.
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The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time TV were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.
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Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the U.S . Treasury.
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Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
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Coca-Cola was originally green.
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It is impossible to lick your elbow.
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The State with the highest percentage of people who walk to work:
Alaska
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The percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28% (now get this...)
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The percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38%
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The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age of eleven: $ 16,400
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The average number of people airborne over the U.S. in any given hour:
61,000
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Intelligent people have more zinc and copper in their hair.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The San Francisco Cable cars are the only mobile National Monuments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history:
Spades - King David
Hearts - Charlemagne
Clubs -Alexander, the Great
Diamonds - Julius Caesar
------------------------------------------------------------------------
111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
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If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only two people signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Most of the rest signed on August 2, but the last signature wasn't added until 5 years later.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Half of all Americans live within 50 miles of what?
A. Their birthplace
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name requested?
A. Obsession
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter "A"?
A. One thousand
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Q. What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common?
A. All were invented by women.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
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Q. Which day are there more collect calls than any other day of the year?
A. Father's Day
------------------------------------------------------------
In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes.
When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase.......... "goodnight, sleep tight."
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It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
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In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England , when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down."
It's where we get the phrase "mind your P's and Q's"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow!
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-
Don't delete this just because it looks weird. Believe it or not, you can read it.
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?
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YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2009 when...

1. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave.

2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years.

3. You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three.

4. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you.

5. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don't have e-mail addresses.

6. You pull up in your own driveway and use your cell phone to see if anyone is home to help you carry in the groceries.

7. Every commercial on television has a web site at the bottom of the screen

8. Leaving the house without your cell phone, which you didn't even have the first 20 or 30 (or 60) years of your life, is now a cause for panic and you turn around to go and get it.

10. You get up in the morning and go on line before getting your coffee.

11. You start tilting your head sideways to smile. : )
12. You're reading this and nodding and laughing.

13. Even worse, you know exactly to whom you are going to forward this message.

14. You are too busy to notice there was no #9 on this list.

15. You actually scrolled back up to check that there wasn't a #9 on this list.

~~~~~~~~~~~AND FINALLY~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOW U R LAUGHING at yourself.

Lawn Montage

2009-07-06T21:39:00.004-06:00

**No lawns were hurt in the writing of this post. (None hurt by me...) House numbers have been changed to protect the neighbors innocence.

If you haven't heard: Texas is in a drought. Also, if you didn't know, I was worried my husband would leave me after he saw the evidence of the personal assault I put his lawn through. It was a long process..but I must report success.

The first 3 photos I will show you, belong to various neighbors.

I got a thumbs up from the TruGreen Chemlawn Man himself!

The End. Happy greening!

Good or bad?

2009-07-03T19:58:00.001-06:00

I can't figure if I'm ecstatic or livid over the death of my *new* sneaker heel. (Due to obsessive daily jogging) I suppose 5 sizes and 32 pounds later, I can be ok with it....

Who doesn't LOVE dressing like a cow?

2009-07-02T16:02:00.000-06:00

Mark your calendar because Friday, July 10 for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A , where you get rewarded for dressing like a cow. I've heard that some stores are even having a "Costume Prep Party" where they are helping you make your costume. Why would you want to dress like a cow? It's fun and you get a free combo meal at Chick-fil-A when you fully dress as a cow. They've also got a cow costume kit to print plus photo contests to enter.Last year we didn't dress like cows, but we did go thru the drive-thru for lunch that day and they gave us a big cow sticker and a coupon for a FREE Chicken Salad with the purchase of a medium Dr. Pepper. So even if you don't dress like a cow, it's still worth stopping by on Cow Appreciation Day because they might be passing out special coupons again to everyone.I'd love to hear from any of my readers who plan to participate this year or participated last year!

Always early...

2009-06-25T06:10:00.001-06:00

Ever since daylight savings time, I have been a day early on everything. In fact, I started baking my sister's cupcakes at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday frantic that her birthday was Wednesday. When I realized I was almost positive I was mixed up, I texted my other sister, Ranee, and she replied Kim's birthday is actually on the 26th. I finished the batch and stored them in sealed containers for freshness. (All the while wishing this would stop happening in my crazy mind.) Last night while frosting, I realized the 26t is Friday.... I decided that the element of, one day early, might be a surprise...so here's what I came up with. I hope she likes it!

What did you see at work today?

2009-06-24T16:16:00.001-06:00

I had opportunity to see this magnificent structure when visiting Baytown to sign on a new client. The home there was beautiful and the chair time for the second part of my day was not too shabby! I really do love Texas!

baby talk

2009-06-21T15:53:00.001-06:00

I was talking to my mom on the phone. If you weren't aware, she has a tendency to misplace the correct words when she speaks English. So she asked, "When are you going to have a baby?" I paused before answering and she cut me off with, "I want to have a neice." .......

Featuring

2009-06-20T06:37:00.001-06:00

My favorite new tool. I've always specially liked stripping wire. It's a weird feeling but very fun to do! My experience only heightened when I found this semi-auto wire stripper in the gaage. I think my dad gave it to carl for Christmas last year. Watch out after your copper wiring in YOUR house, I might run out of mine. Ha ha. Jk!

Hair Muse

2009-06-20T06:24:00.001-06:00

Ever since I was old enough to think about hair, I have loved Tiffani Amber Theissan's hair. I'm not big into gushing over famous people but I do get a little green in the eyes when their hair is perfect... Anyhow... When she changed from wearing her long feathered "Saved by the Bell" hair and turned it into this stylish layered coif, I tried to immitate it for he better part of 15 years!

As luck would have it....

2009-06-20T06:19:00.001-06:00

I would finally be able to get the poof and hair parting PERFECTLY...right befre I went to bed. Ugh...did you ever stay up at night playing with your hair just to do it?

Today you saved $275.23

2009-06-19T20:37:00.000-06:00

This doesn't even show the groceries! If I were Lightning McQueen I'd be saying "Ka-chow!"

4-30 tablets of Claritin, 3-28 ct. Aveeno Face Ceaning pads, Green & Blacks Organic Chocolate,2-Bags Mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Bag of Hershey's Miniature Candy Bars, Rolo Caramel cps, 2-Giant Hershey Candy Bars, 4-Boxes Cherry Jello, 2-12pk A&W Root Beer, 12pk 7-Up, 12pk Sunkist Orange Soda, 2-Scunchi Hair Accessories, 6-Holiday gift bags, Herbal Essence Hair Gel, Polly Pocket Gift Set, 2-Bratz Fashion Heads (You braid their hair), 5-Travel Mugs, 11-Plastic Wine Glasses, 3-Facial Aromatherapy Masks, Right Guard Deoderant, Tissue Paper, Pirate Tattoos, 6-Animal Keychain Pez Dispensers, Travel Bag, 6-Toothbrushes, Gillette Razor and Auto-Count Digital Coin Bank (not pictured) 4lb Tyson Frozen Chkn Breasts, 2lb Jalapenos, 1lb Zuchinni, 1lb Nectorines, Gallon OJ, Bacon wrapped Pork Fillet, 6pks Hot Dogs, 1lb baby carrots...Grand Total: $68.78!!! (84 items)

Today...

2009-06-19T10:31:00.001-06:00

Today is Alex' birthday. Happy Birthday Alex! I wish I was in New Mexio to bake you a cake :)

Bargain hunting

2009-06-15T21:14:00.001-06:00

Once my rebates come back...my grand total for all this: $58.32!

10-reams HP paper
1-Curious George Alphabet Puzzle
3-3yds decorating trim ribbon
4-Vanilla Champage Glass candles
5-"Vased" Fake Foliage
3-36" Candle Holders
2-30" Serving Dishes
1-Bag of Decorating Marbles
5-Fake Foliage bunches

I love a good deal!!!

Embarrassing!

2009-06-15T20:27:00.001-06:00

I thought the keyless entry & wireless entry keypad would be much more difficult than the actual pairng process for the garage door opener.... when it turned out to be a 20 second process total....I dd a "Grey's Anatomy" hapy dance while the door automatically closed and opened. Midway up I spun around to see two teenage boys walking home from the pool...pointing and....laughing!

Oh well. Who cares?! Not ME....I shall resume happy dancing for all of Spring Village to see after I hit send on this post! Good night!!

I'm so glad for the work week..the weekend got me!

2009-06-15T12:14:00.015-06:00

It was non-stop and I was on the go-go-go... It was rather eventful (more like tragic) but I plan to focus on the positive highlights of the weekend!

It started off Friday when Monica and I went furniture shopping. We didn't find a bedroom set, but I did send a mobile post about the iron horse we found. I didn't bring it home but I did name her Bessie. I should like to visit her on occasion. I'm not sure who will take her home with them, with a $1,200 price tag. I think you might be able to buy a pony for that same price!

Saturday I attempted to stay married by overseeding, fertilizing, watering, watering and watering the grass, again. I forgot to take a picture of the backyard but I wasn't aware of the seed-sprayer spreader in the garage so I tossed seed out of the bag like fairy dust...there are bright green patches in the backyard. It looks like a calico cat pattern...

While I have been suckin' up the testosterone through a wide-mouthed straw...I decided to try my luck at being a handyman. I have worked along side my dad and a few friends in Albuquerque with a hard hat and a tool belt before...

*Arg-hoo-hoo-hoo* Introducing the Chamberlain Whisper Drive Plus

First things, first. I had to lay out all the gizzards:

Put the engine together. Assemble the track and trolley system. Connect both together and run the belt.
I needed to 3/16 drill bit to mount the header bracket. Carl took most of his tools with him, so I decided every handygirl needs a 27- Piece Black Oxide Screwdriving Drill Bit Set..We'll call it a gift :)

Once I was back from my shopping break, I drilled and mounted the header bracket. The spring from the garage door was in the way so I had to prop up the motor on a fabric draped box (Scruffs and scratches do NO ONE any good!)

I always thought 2 handed bench presses were difficult but I'd take a 150 pound set over a one handed, over the head, hoist up an 8 ft ladder anyday! Whew! It's tiring thinking about it! Lol! In any event, upsy-daisies!

I actually got so tired at the end that I didn't take pictures of the actual ceiling mounting, I got drywall sprinkles in my hair and will most likely have whte boogies for days, so I'll just leave it at that! The proudest point was that the instructions said it should take about 13 hours and I was finished in 7! Woo-hoo! The entire event didn't go off entirely without any casualties, hence the thumb blog....I'll save the gory details for my own mind. :)

Last but not least, I was able to find some pretties for my dining room table. What do you think?

Hm.....

2009-06-14T21:45:00.001-06:00

An explanation is to follow but I just realized how hard it is to blog on my cell without the help of my dominant hand's thumb. (My laptop died...lucky for me I have a pocket pc! lol...it rhymes!)

Trying to save my marriage...

2009-06-14T00:14:00.001-06:00

If most of you didn't know...I am not the only "Jack of all Trades" in our house....no-sir-m'am-ree...Carl has also excelled in many occupations, such as: lawnscaper, cheese maker, and lumberjack. He did lawns with TruGreen Chemlawn in Albuquerque. He knows a thing or 2 or 6 about social-status-lawn-greening. Hence why my marriage may be on the rocks....I have effectively toasted our grass! You may be thinking..."I see green in there..." but please, hold your applause, that's the neghbor's grass...they have a sprinkler system.

I have watered twice daily for an hour and a half everyday for the past 3 weeks. I even fertilized! Since I lost my car keys this afternoon...I watered midday today while searching the grass for them.

To add insult to injury, one of Carl's very best of friends are coming to visit in 2 weeks Guess what Dru does for a living? He' a Manager for TruGreen Chemlawn.

So, next time you talk to Carl, remind him he loves his wife...

furniture shopping with monica

2009-06-12T17:53:00.000-06:00

we weren't successful at buying a bedroom set at belfurniture but we were successful at finding an iron horse!

Sleepy day

2009-06-12T15:02:00.000-06:00

Some babies suck their thumbs...mine sucks his back paw. Lol...

I cried...

2009-06-11T23:02:00.001-06:00

This is a little embarrassing to admit but when I was younger I loved to watch Back to the Future. That's not he embarrassing part, he embarrassing part is when I saw a digital billboard in Albuquerque for the first time, pulled over into the parking lot of a Shell gas station & cried!

Technology has certainly evolved, hasn't it?

As I lay here in bed, researching the newest technology that caught my eye...I remembered how udderly frightened (& old) I felt when I saw my 1st digital billboard. Now I'm in passionately researching a home locking system that I can control & monitor from my cell phone! The Schlage Link System is a keyless lock system that allows you to assign temporary 24 hr codes, check lock/unlock status of doors, text alerts when codes are used, pull live video from security cameras, turn lights on/off & monitor AC/Heater! CRA-AZY! Paired w/ this: micasaverde.com... Ah...you had me @ keyless entry but conserving energy & money makes it perfect!

Poor little Boscoe.

2009-06-11T11:03:00.000-06:00

"Ding dong the witch is dead. The evil witch the wicked witch ding dong the wicked witch is dead."

(Sorry for all the posts about Boscoe... Kim sent this to me, apparently he likes to crawl under thins when I'm not home. I swear I do other things...I just don't know how many of you want to know about my twice daily, 1.5 hour grass watering in attempt to revive our pretty Toasted Almond colored lawn due to my black widow thumb or the laundry, vacuuming, dusting, a.k.a. domestic diva rituals. lol. Juicy stuff to come, I promise!)

Rehr?

2009-06-10T20:24:00.002-06:00

We're outside for our evening walk and there is this refreshing gentle breeze that kisses our, otherwise, humid walk. We've gone about 4 miles tonight and rounding the last stretch. Boscoe is usually at full gallop outside for the first mile and tonight I'd rather take it as easy as Sunday morning towards the
end of our routine.

Perfect evening! Even Boscoe seems content and relaxed as we finish our night. The next thing you know...I hear a high-pitched, almost evil, highly annoying, ridiculously yippie, barkin whines of a chihuhua coming from the gates of the apartment complex. There goes the peaceful night!

(P.s. I forgot to add that the young owner of the pint sized puppet dog said, "Awe, Princess..... does that big dog scare you?" The nerve! Boscoe was just staring at it.)

Wah?

Free Artby's Chicken CLub TODAY!

2009-06-10T08:43:00.002-06:00

On Wednesday, June 10 get a free Roast Chicken Club with any soft drink purchase from Arby's. No coupon is necessary, but I do recommend that you call your local Arby's to confirm that they are participating in this promotion. Thanks goes to STL Mommy who has posted the full summer Arby's Wednesday Freebies Calendar.Sign-up for Arby's Extras club and they will email you a great printable coupon for something free with purchase. When I signed-up I got one FREE Market Fresh Sub when you purchase a medium fry and drink. I got my email one day after signing-up. You'll also get a special coupon for your birthday. I got a Free Swirl Shake with any Roastburger Sandwich purchase. Sign-up for more Birthday Freebies like this one!

Pondering

2009-06-09T10:24:00.000-06:00

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taughtme. It is the most-requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.....
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Yourfriends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea whattheir journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don'tworry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the secondone is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't takeno for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancylingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion, today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In fiveyears, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anythingyou did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyoneelse's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Lazy

2009-06-06T08:17:00.001-06:00

Here's the view from my bed because yesterday was so full of surprises, I don't know if I want to wake up! What are your Saturday plans?

Urban legends

2009-06-05T21:33:00.001-06:00

There might not be alligators in NY's sewers...but there's a Boscoe in my bed!

Running...Jogging...Creating public entertainment...

2009-06-05T21:15:00.001-06:00

I would assume that many of you who know me, know that I do not take the idea of running/jogging kindly. In fact, I loathe it. Walking has been my forte since mid-school. I ran when training for sports but quit sports because I hated it. I also think that my bad feet (maybe I should think twice before announcing my deformities...lol...bad feet: flat feet, hammertoes, tailor's bunions, & plantar fasciitis. A.K.A.=O.U.C.H.!!!) keep my speed walking wanna-be running/jogging comical to watch!

Since I have taken over the chore of walking Boscoe, I have felt like I can give a little more in the evenings since my comfort bar has been raised...I started lightly jogging! Now it's been a month and we jog a mile in the morning and run 2 miles at night!

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a ridiculous sight since my "form" is ludicrous...but I love the fact that when it gets too hot & I don't think I can go any further...the dog will "drag" me te rest of the way home!

I do but I don't....

2009-06-04T20:49:00.002-06:00

I do but I don't ....I want to but I won't....
Despise Wal-Mart that is. I took my list into the store with me. My coupon binder open in the toddler seat of the cart, list in right hand, coupon stack in my left hand. I push my cart with my folded arms and body...(My sister-in-laws and church sisters call me...*dunh-tah-dunh*...The Coupon Ninja.)

Coupons are the choice weapon against total budget recession. I make my own stimulus package. My main components come in Sunday's paper....

Ok, so who finds the above TOTALLY Hokey and Ridiculous? LOL... It was funny in my head. The *dunh-tah-dunh* part especially!

Sometimes Wally World can be intimidating and a long drawn process but it can be SUPER rewarding. The above/below was purchased for $1.99.

4-bags Rachel Ray's Isaboo Doggie Treats ($1 off any Isaboo treats-Paper Q)
2-Velveeta Shells & Cheese Dinners ($1.00 off any 1 - Printable Q)
2-Kraft Ez Mac & Cheese Single Serve Cups ($1.00 off 2 - Printable Q)
1-Kraft Ranch Dressing ($1.50 off 1 - Paper Q)
2-Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauces ($1.00 off 1 - Paper Q)
1-Snicker Bar (Free Q for signing up at Mars Chocolate site)
1-A1 Steak Sauce ($2.00 off 1 - Printable Q) 1-Wacky Mac Pasta Noodles ($0.75 off 1 - Paper Q)
Go to: www.BudgetOnADollar.weebly.com to find links to all the Printable coupons and the shopping lists I use for each store.