hallucination rumor cleared up

I had an actual physician confirm for me today that allergy medications can, in fact, cause hallucinations and nightmares. Now, granted, he is a psychiatrist, but still. See? I'm only half crazy! :)

Happy Anniversary to my blog!

On Sunday, my blog will be two years old! Wow. 900+ posts later, here we are. Yes, that's right, I've posted over 900 times. That is insane. Then again, so am I, so I guess it works out.

allergy medication=hallucinations????

Ok, so maybe you shouldn't mix Tylenol Allergy and Benadryl together. As my health rapidly declined throughout the day yesterday (a bit dramatic, but true), the only thing getting me through was the thought that I could dope myself up once I got home and just do what my body was craving-and that is SLEEP. One problem-I fought to stay awake because it was premier night for My Name Is Earl and The Office (OMG, I laughed out loud a million times-"let's put an end to this deadly disease...fight Rabies!"). I just had to watch them! However, at one point I looked over at my plants for some odd reason, and I swear, my dieffenbachia's leaves had holes all over them! I kept staring at it, panicked that my poor plant was sick (because, why else would it have holes in it's leaves?), I actually got up to look at it and realized it, in fact, did NOT have holes in the leaves......psychotic symptom #1-hallucinations. Ok, then, I kept having weird dreams (none of which I remember) and woke up every two hours or so. I woke up feeling rather groggy, still only able to breathe out of one nostril (the right one this time!) and noticed that one of my glands were swollen. Yep, sign of a good day, right? Well, it only got better. I got ready a bit earlier than normal (basically because I just threw some clothes on-I currently look like I just rolled out of bed.....business casual my ass!), so I decided to stop by my friendly local QuikTrip for some Diet Dr Pepper-fountain variety (I have been trying to avoid that place in the hopes of reducing my caffeine intake, but today, it was an emergency). Here is where the weirdness comes in-as I'm walking through QuikTrip I observe two things-1. everyone is staring at me (at least I thought they were, maybe they were staring at my goiter-like giant swollen gland in my neck) and 2. everyone there had crossed eyes (this may be an exaggeration, but I for real did see at least two dudes with crossed eyes...I haven't told anyone at work about this because, well, we have a co-worker that for real has crossed eyes, I'm not THAT rude...). Psychotic symptom #2-paranoid delusions.

I am now safely at work, no hallucinations or delusions in the last hour, so perhaps the worst is over. Everyone has now observed, however, that I look and sound like crap. Karen, my boss, suggested I just get my work done and then go home (very kind of her, but we have 14 cases today, so I don't see that happening). I am now on the Claritin, which seems to have no effect on me whatsoever. Would it be gross or socially inappropriate to just sit at my desk with kleenex hanging from my nose?

Seasonal allergies SUCK!

Ugh, my allergies are kicking my ass. I've had a sinus headache for three days straight, I woke up this morning able to breathe out of only one nostril, my nose is running and I am physically worn out. I also have no appetite-which I am sooooo not complaining about. All of this in spite of the fact that I have been taking Claritin every day. Yep, I figure I'll feel like crap until roughly November, so I better get used to it. I am trying to medicate myself in the hopes that I will prevent a nasty sinus infection, which I tend to get this time of year. If I think my ass is kicked now.....anyone else out there allergy sufferers? Ask my mother, I could barely go outside this past weekend without sneezing and wheezing. It was no kind of good. My brother was the same way-between the two of us, we were pretty darn pathetic, I must say. Thank God for the jumbo box of kleenex on my desk. I also have boxes of kleenex in every room in my apartment. I plan to be prepared. I will continue my cocktail of Claritin by day and Benadryl by night. Doesn't seem to be doing me much good, but at least I'm sleeping well......AH CHOO!!!!

It's pronounced "Mi-li-wau-ke"

That was stupid Milwaukee. Just plain stupid. And it may have just cost you the NL Central pennant. Who watched the Cards/Brewers game last night? Did you see it in the 8th inning when the Brewers pitcher intentionally hit Albert Pujols because earlier in the game the Cardinals pitcher had hit Prince "I'm A Big Fat Baseball Player With Scary Tattoos" Fielder? The pitcher and the Brewers manager got tossed from the game.....and then the Brewers imploded. It was a beautiful sight. I've never been a bigger Cardinals fan in all my life. The Cards were clinging to a 3-2 lead until "the incident", then all of a sudden, they scored four more runs and beat those nasty Brewers 7-3. YES! Good thing, because earlier in the evening, the Cubs lost their 2nd in a row to the Marlins. So, my Cubbies maintain their two game lead with four games remaining. I'm still gonna need that Maalox.....on a side note, could JJ Hardy be any hotter?

Speaking of hot baseball players, I'm thinking of becoming a Grady's Lady.....that Grady Sizemore is pretty darn cute. The Indians are my American League pick, by the way.....

Awww....so, sad, the pretty model was the first to get booted from Dancing With The Stars....maybe it's because she sucked. Nice vote America. Not that I watched it, mind you. No, I spent my entire evening at the most exciting place on Earth-the crisis hotline. It was kinda busy, too, which I totally did not appreciate. I think I only had to threaten to stab myself in the eye once, so I guess overall it was a pretty good night.

I just got awesome news-I get to see my sister this weekend! YAY! She and her husband are coming into town for Jon's 10 year high school reunion. We are doing brunch on Saturday morning, I can't wait to see her and her mushroom head.......just kidding, your hair looks fine sister! I love ya! :)

I miss my precious Mikey Poo. Yesterday (the first day Mike was gone, mind you), someone at work said "it's like a morgue around here without Mike". It's true-it IS rather quiet without him. No one is singing, no one is harrassing Ywinta, no one is yelling "Ker Bear" across the cubicles....it is a dark, dark time in managed care land......speaking of, Michael, you MySpace troller you-I hear you requested my sister as your friend. Is it true????? I know it makes you feel special to have more "friends" than me, so I will let it go. That and the fact that you are my Gayboyfriend. I miss you! :)

I think the Cardinals are losing on purpose

Call me paranoid, but I am convinced the Cardinals are doing what they can to ensure that the Cubs do not make the playoffs. How else do you explain the ASS WHOOPING they have received the last two games against the Brewers? It's like they aren't even trying. Now granted, the Cardinals suck, but I would have expected a bit more effort. The Cubs, of course, are not helping themselves by losing to the crappy Marlins, but still. Yep, this is my new role-Conspiracy Theorist Extraordinaire......

OMG, after one night, I have a new love............Dancing With The Stars. I'd never watched it before, so I thought, what the hell, I'll try it out. Now I know why my mom loves it (she's always loved dance shows...remember "Dance Fever"? Dad used to say he wanted to flip mom around like those dancers did.....the things I remember from my childhood. Deney Terrio was da bomb yo!). Observation #1-is it just me, or does Wayne Newton look like a cartoon character? I mean, seriously...could he be any more plastic? Too much nipping and tucking there, Wayne! Lay off the botox, would ya? And I'm sorry, but WHY did Floyd get the lowest score? I thought he was awesome! New Reality TV crush-Cameron Mathison. I've loved him on All My Children for years...he's got my vote (no, Mike, you cannot have him-you can have the male model though, ok?). I liked the little race car driver too-Helio, he was precious. I didn't see the ladies, but seems like it's gonna be a good season! Observation #2-is it just me, or is it completely impossible to understand what that Bruno guy is saying? You could see the contestants just looking at him as if to say "what the f**k"? Observation #3-is it just me, or is Mark Cuban kinda creepy? I SOOOO do not want him buying the Cubs....ew. Observation #4-Did I mention that Wayne Newton looks like a cartoon character?

In my channel surfing frenzy last night, I also watched The Biggest Loser. And dammit if I didn't cry again! :( That show always gets me. Ok, truth be told, I cried during Dancing With The Stars too....I don't remember what part though). Last night, it was the calls to home that got me. Especially when those big ol' men were crying because they missed their wives and kids....got me every time! And how DARE the Blue Team vote off Jerry! Stupid fools! Jerry was carrying that team-did you see his after pix? Jerry's gettin' HOT dude! Well, HOT for a 62 year old man, anyway.......the Blue Team will not win, mark my words.

Yes, I am a reality tv junkie. So sue me.

And............GO CUBS!

Bandwagoners welcome

It's not time to get excited yet. On Sunday maybe, but not today. Yes, for all you Haters out there, I'm talking about the Cubs. Bear with me....So, it's the last week of the season, the Cubs have a three game lead over the Brew Crew, both have six games left. Here's the deal-the Cubs are on the road for those six games while the Brew Crew is at home...playing the Cardinals (I'd say the next two games for the Brew Crew are a guaranteed win-sad, but true). SO, the Cubbies have to kick some major Marlin and Reds ass. I'll relax on Sunday.

Don't you hate people that ramble on about nothing or things you don't care about? Example-when I ramble on about the Cubs. You roll your eyes, skip that paragraph, and look for the good stuff, right? I thought so. Here's the deal though-I have enough insight to know this. I know that people don't want to read about the Cubs. Now, granted, it doesn't stop me from writing about them, but at least I am aware. Which brings me to my point-the people that have NO CLUE that you are annoyed by them, or that you could care less about what they have to say. The people who tell you pointless stories even though your body language indicates "I ain't listening". Everyone knows someone like this, you know you do. The question is-what do we do about it? Yea, I'm actually looking for some suggestions here....

Stubby is afraid of the floor...and Hank eats paper

My parents have the weirdest dogs. I mean, like clinically weird. Some may call them neurotic. Stubby is afraid of the freakin' hardwood floors. It is the strangest thing I have ever seen. She stands in the hallway on the floors edge....and cries. She won't set her precious paws on that floor for anything. I told mom to call A&E cuz we were gonna do an intervention....I sat at the other end of the hallway calling Stubby, trying to coax her onto the floor. After much, MUCH prompting, she began her descent down the treacherous hardwood floor hallway. But there was a catch...she would only do it if she was touching the wall. So, she walked down the hallway right next to the wall, veeeerrryyyy slowly until she safely made it to the bedroom. The dog needs medication.

And in other news, Hank ate some paper today. He was in such a hurry to eat the food mom was throwing out (so that Stubby wouldn't get any), that he wolfed down the paper too. Then stared in the window as if he wanted some more.

For more dog fun, see my sister's blog post for today. Poor Chloe is dressed up like a little cowgirl...and she looks PISSED. Well, I guess when in Rome...YEE HAW! :)

Happy Birthday Timbo Pistacio!

Today is my baby brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Tim! He is 24 today-who'd a thunk it? Damn boy, you're getting old.... :) I believe his greatest gift was my presence...yep, I'm in Salem for the weekend. I met mom and Tim for lunch, then dumped my car off at Knight and Maher (for all your car care needs!) for a much needed oil change and tire rotation....then Tim and I killed some time at Wal-Mart (I mean, where the hell else are you gonna go in Salem?). We ran into Chainsaw Man there-that was a blast from the past! He is totally the same-I forgot how freakin' funny he is....anyway, I headed home after that and did my jogging/walking. MUCH different doingit here...on gravel. Uh, I felt rocks coming through the bottoms of my shoes, I swear. My Hanky boy went with me-such a good dog....Stubby made it to the mail box before she packed it in and headed home to hang with her Daddy......Tim and I got to talk to Red on the phone....she is working hard on her Texas twang (can I get a "yee haw"?). After that, we all met mom in town for dinner at this ritzy new restaurant in Salem called My Place. Uh....yea. Actually, it was really good...I mean, they had tilapia....tilapia in Salem? It's true.

Tomorrow I have been informed that we are going into town for breakfast. Great, I thought, I like to eat. That is, until Dad broke it to me that we would be leaving the house BEFORE SEVEN AM. Uh.....what? Is that even legal? Ah the country.....

Ok, I haven't mentioned the Cubs in a couple of days thanks to all you boo bird negative Nellie's out there (you know who you are....Mike Tinnin). I gotta say though, we have a week left in the regular season, the Cubbies won today 13-8 and currently the Brewers are losing (keeping my fingers crossed). The Cubbies could be 2.5 games ahead of the Brewers at night's end. Mama like. Can't get too excited yet. I mean, after all, they ARE the Cubs....they could totally implode the last week. I really, really, really hope they don't. Think about this people. You know how obnoxious I am about them now? Can you even freakin' imagine how crazy I'm gonna get if they make the playoffs? I may actually annoy myself.......As Cubs fans around the world are saying "It's Gonna Happen"! :)

Bathroom horror stories

Ok, is it just me, or is there a certain public bathroom etiquette that should be followed? Some unwritten rules that I just assumed everyone knew. Apparently, I am wrong. So, as I was leaving work yesterday, I realized I had to use the ladies....the large amounts of liquids I had consumed that day had taken their toll and the thought of driving to the crisis line on a full bladder did not sound appealing. Anyway, so as I'm in there doin' my thang, I hear this woman in the handicapped stall making some rather unpleasant noises...the words "Oh God" and "Oh man" came out of her mouth along with a lot of grunting. Ok, now, I know we all have tummy problems from time to time and when ya gotta go, ya gotta go. But, the public display of emotion this woman exhibited while utilizing the facilities was a bit over the top. I felt myself feeling embarrassed for her. As I made my way to the sink to wash my hands, the Grunting Woman was at the sinks as well, head down on the counter, continuing to grunt and clearly wanted someone to see the distress she was in.....would it have been PC to ask her if she was ok? I was still embarrassed from her obvious displays of discomfort in the stall, so I just quickly washed my hands and exited the bathroom. Such an adventure.

Piggybacking on a radio conversation

So, this morning I was listening to the Craig Cornett radio show on The Bull (where, coincidentally, my Uncle Jimmy's band, Powderkeg, won the local band showdown AGAIN last night....will be in the finals tonight..VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!) and they were having a discussion about toys we had as kids and how different they are from toys of today-specifically they were discussing swingsets and bikes without helmets....

Anyone in my age group remembers the swingsets of our childhood. You know, those metal sets complete with a slide made of sheet metal? I think back on it and realize just how dangerous they had the potential to be. I mean, they were just out there on the grass, all shaky and stuff, could have toppled over at any minute. My sister and I used to swing until we practically flipped over the top, thinking nothing of it. The whole set would rust as it was metal and sat outside rain or shine (hello, tetanus, anyone?). We used to put our little plastic swimming pool under the slide, fill it with water and act like we had a waterslide-genius, huh? My sister and I also used to do flips over the top, pretending we were Mary Lou Retton, practicing for the '86 Olympics. Do you remember how hot that metal would get in the summer sun? I'm surprised we didn't end up with 3rd degree burns....

Speaking of dangerous-bikes with helmets? Unheard of back in our day. Helmets were for dorks or sissies. Period. I'm not even sure they sold them much in stores. Here's a safety lesson for ya-my siblings and I rode our bikes all the livelong day......ON GRAVEL. How do ya like me now, Consumer Product Safety Commission? We'd be speeding down the gravel road, hit a big rock and BAM topple head over feet over the handlebar, onto the rocks below. Sure, you'd get some scrapes and bumps (maybe a concussion or two), but you stood up, dusted yourself off, and continued to ride. That's how we rolled in the 1980's. And we turned out ok.......didn't we???

Congrats Julie and Jason!

Congrats to my co-worker Julie Zoell-Patrick (not her real name, but what we call her). She had her baby today (finally! We have all lived through this pregnancy...the last few days were a little rough!). Little Chloe came into the world this afternoon with a full head of hair and, according to her mommy, a conehead. :) Everyone is healthy and doing fine. I can't wait to meet her!

What was up with everyone today? There was a certain crabbiness in the air and, for once, it wasn't me (my boss assured me of this). I mean it all started this AM with a co-worker that shall remain nameless that just about got herself punched in the nose by me....she was giving me all sorts of attitude and I was having none of it and, for the first time ever, I did NOT deserve it. I did actually utter the words "don't get sassy with me" to her. I am such a bad ass.

The older I get, the less tolerance I have for stupid. I mean, not that I am the smartest gal on Earth by any means, but come on people! I get frustrated by people that don't know how to do their jobs and then you have to fix their mistakes for them. I guess because I am usually a quick learner, I do not understand the people that just don't get it. They are a mystery to me.

One little Cubs note for the record (look at me, trying to cut back on mentioning them!)-I totally turned the TV off last night when I saw that they were losing 4-6 in the bottom of the 9th. I figured, hell, they're not gonna win, and I'm really tired, so I'm going to bed. Well, lo and behold, those little bastards ended up winning, dontcha know? 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th. How bout dem apples? Now if they can just do it again tonight.......

Vote for my uncle's band!

Hey, all you St. Louisans out there!

My uncle's band, Powderkeg is participating in a local band showdown on 93.7 The Bull tonight from 8-8:30pm. They won last week for their song "Highway to Nowhere" and are back for another challenge tonight. To vote, go to The Bull link on my blog and click on "Rocky" to vote! Thanks!

My brother loves Matchbox 20

Why is it that every time I turn around, it's Monday? Is that some kind of weird cosmic thing? I don't know-will look into it further and let you know.

Hey-next time you see my little brother, ask him about his apparent fondness for Huey Lewis and the News as well as Matchbox 20 (that Rob Thomas is a BAD ASS!). I made fun of him mercilessly for that.....

Busy, busy week coming up. Tonight is my only free night as I will be at the crisis line the next two nights and on Thursday night I am hosting Book Club-yay! I'm not working on Friday (gotta love those random days off!), so I am heading to Salem to meet my mom for lunch and to hang with the fam for the weekend. Plus it's my baby brother's birthday on Friday-turning 24, can you believe it? It's sad that I actually remember when he was born, I mean, I was almost 8 after all. I remember that Grandma B took Red and myself to Wal-Mart and bought us all sorts of treats (including grape bubble gum!) so that we wouldn't be too jealous of the new baby....oh, I totally dug my new little brother. That is, until he was about 4 months old and I was celebrating my 8th birthday with my little friends-I had a slumber party and all was going well until my friends decided playing with the cute baby was more fun than playing with me. Now, in Tim's defense, he was a freakishly cute kid (it's true!), but still, I was pissed at that point (in all my 2nd grade glory....). I may still not be over it......naaaaaah.....I love that kid! :)

In my quest to not mention the Cubs as much, I am trying my best to not write about the Cubs, so, I will consciously try to not think about writing about the Cubs too much, I will censor any posts that mention the Cubs too much, I will just think about the Cubs in my head and will stop talking about the Cubs or anything Cub-like.....this is my solemn vow to you, John Q. Public.

Lewis The Bald Eagle

Oh, such a good weekend! Granted, right now I am sitting at my part-time job-not the greatest way to end your weekend by any means, but still ok. I had a lot of fun!

Friday night, Timbo and I went to the Cards and Cubs game. I was super pumped! I must say, Angie's boyfriend Aaron was a bit harsh about my Cubs fan-ness (actually saying that my parents did a bad job of raising me....), but in the end, the Cubbies WON!!!! It should be noted that my brother has an unnatural fear of birds (hey, it happens, I hate clowns), well, prior to the game, the very special guest at Busch Stadium was none other than Lewis The Bald Eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary. You should have seen the look on Tim's face when that thing went flying out of it's cage...it was awesome! Lewis didn't attack anyone (thank God), Ozzie Smith threw out the first pitch, it was cold outside-that about sums up the night. Everyone kept making fun of one of the guys on the Cubs-his name is Felix Pie (pronounced Pee-ay, but obviously looks like the dessert), Tim came up with a whole cast of characters that Mr. Pie could hang out with, such as Steve Crepes and Bob Pastry. I guess the insanity is genetic.....

Yesterday was some fun times at Fast Eddie's. Loved just hangin with some of my peeps, having some beverages and watching the Cubbies win (again). We also went to the one gay bar in Alton (who knew?), called Bubbys and Sissys (we were literally the only people there), we sat outside where there was a fire pit-Mike is VERY talented at stoking a fire-it's all about the teepee method, right Mikey? It was a long, but tiring day. By the time I got home around 9pm, I was d-o-n-e done.

Now I am working five hours on my Sunday, currently the Cubs are up 4-0, which prompts me to say-for those of you complaining about me writing about the Cubs so much on this blog, I got just one thing to say-IT'S MY BLOG! DEAL WITH IT! Sorry for that outburst. I love you all. :)

Deep Thoughts......by Jeff Turner

"Everyone loves my balls"

Deep Thoughts....by Mike Tinnin

"I want balls and sausage for my birthday"

Hey Krista-Today is Prince Harry's birthday!

My friend Krista disclosed to us last Saturday night that she has a crush on Prince Harry. We mercilessly made fun of her for that one. I mean, he isn't even the cute brother (Maggie was concerned whether or not he is even legal, for the record, he turned 23 today).

So, Mr. Michael E. Tinnin had the audacity to try to break up with me today. Uh, I don't think so. I call the shots in this relationship. You got that, Big Gay Al? Let me remind you of our iron clad agreement that, under no circumstances, are you allowed to break up with me. EVER. This is a lifetime bond. Deal with it, Mikey Poo! I LUUUUUUUV YOU! :)

SOOOO excited about tonight. Timbo and I are going to the Cardinals/Cubs game tonight at Busch. I'm so excited I might puke (or maybe that is the massive amount of food I've already consumed this morning. We are having yet another food day at work, this time in honor of Yvonne's retirement....any excuse to eat crap!). Currently, the Cubs are in first place by a half a game-not safe to say the least. The Cardinals could play the role of spoiler...The Cubbies got Crazy Carlos on the mound tonight....I swear, every time I see the Cubs live he is the pitcher...this is the 3rd time this season. He better have his A game on tonight....GO CUBS!

Mikey, I love you most.

My anxiety worsens...

With each passing day, my baseball anxiety worsens. The Cubs are totally stressing me out dudes! Take last night's game, for instance-I rushed home from the crisis line so I could turn on WGN and watch the last part of the game. My boys were up 3-1 in the 8th, a good sign, but never safe with this team....move on to the 9th, the Astros get the leadoff guy on on a fluke play, the next guy hits an effing triple, the other dude scores, it's 3-2, and there is a dude on 3rd base-NO outs. I hear a collective "here we go again" from Cubs fans nationwide (as this is what happened the night before and they ended up losing). I missed how the Astros got their first out, but what was absolutely fantastic was the game ending double play, the Cubs ended up winning, but not before Lou Piniella could be seen saying the "f" word and then slapping all the boys on their butts...Lou was fired up! I swear, I need a shipment of Maalox STAT. The next two weeks are gonna be waaaay too stressful.....I must say I quite enjoyed the email I got from my friend Allison today. She wanted me to know that she downloaded "Go Cubs Go" for her iPod. This coming from a Cardinals fan. I love it! Speaking of the Cardinals, they are playing the Cubs this weekend, my brother and I will be there tomorrow night, I will be in head to toe blue, my brother will be in head to toe red. IT'S ON BABY! Woo hoo!

Why does that effing show make me cry so much?

"The Biggest Loser" has started again, and KD's tears are a' flowin.....again. Why does that show make me cry so much? I swear, it must be the inner fat girl in me trying to come out.....it's all their sob stories about how they got fat in the first place, how they don't want to die young, how they are doing this for their families, yada, yada, yada. Oh, and during the first weigh in, when they see how much they actually weight? Tears. Oh, I can't take it. At least my co-worker Michele cried too (I think she and I may have been separated at birth...yep, that's right, I too am Harry Caray's daughter.....it makes sense, would explain the whole Cubs thing....).

Speaking of the Cubs, could they break my heart any more? I mean seriously, people! You have a 4-1 lead and end up losing 4-5 in the 11th inning? When in the first half of the 11th inning you had BASES LOADED and didn't score? How does this happen? Oh yea.....it's just the Cubs. It's what they do. My bad. My only consolation is that the Cardinals lost, but they are beginning to become a non-factor since they are now four games back. What to do about that damn Brew Crew? I am completely over them and their right fielder, Corey "I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" Hart and that Prince Fielder with all his scary black man tattoos. I'm over it!!!!!

I am sooooo sleepy today. I totally could not fall asleep last night, I don't know why. I turned off the light about 10:45 or so, I remember the clock turning midnight, then 1am, I must have drifted off after that, but was awake at 5:30 for some odd reason and was up for good at 6:30. Ugh, no wonder I feel like poop today. Not good when I have to go straight to Job #2 after Job #1 tonight.....poor, poor pitiful me..... :(

So, heading to Fast Eddie's this weekend with some of my peeps-Yay! That place is good times, although Karen informs me that it is now dead thanks to the fact that they are now a non-smoking establishment. Fine by me-more beer and Big Elwood's on a stick for us!

Angry fat people

Mikey Poo-for the record, I LOVE your hair. Has anyone ever noticed that it is the fat, ugly, nasty feet, poodled hair people that end up making fun of others? I mean, their lives are so miserable that they have to find things in other people to make fun of....especially when their target is my little hottie Mike-I take offense.

Speaking of-Mike, thanks for trying on the SUPER GAY jeans! They were HOT! :)

So my Cubs pretty much kicked ass yesterday. Yes, it was at the Cardinals expense, and for that, I am very sorry (big fat lie). Let's hope they can keep the momentum going and kick the crap out of the Astros this week, and that the Cards can continue their decline (fingers crossed) and that the Pirates can continue to kick the crap out of the Brewers. My anxiety has only worsened now that the Cubs are back in 1st......

In honor of hateful people everywhere, my team at work has decided to shower nothing but compliments on people. So, to Amy, Jeff and Mike-thanks SO much for telling me I look thin today.....I'll take it. Y'all are beautiful. And my favorites.

Music to my ears........

I received an email with the following title today:

Weezer in the studio: Album 6 due in 2008!

OMG, I am so excited! As you all know, Weezer is my absolute favorite band in the entire world. Rumor had it they had broken up, but apparently it's not true....Rivers Cuomo will be rocking my world again soon.............. :)

Trainwreck

Oh, that Britney Spears is a trainwreck. Who saw her on the MTV Video Music Awards last night? I must admit, morbid curiosity got the best of me and I just had to watch her and see this big "comeback". I was not disappointed. She was awful! What was she on? She wasn't even lip syncing right....I mean, how hard is that to do???? And don't even get me started on her bad hair extensions.....YIKES. That poor girl....Brit-just admit you're Bipolar, get on some Trileptal and call it a day.

Oh my Cubs are gonna cause me to have indigestion, anxiety, IBS (was that TMI?) or all of the above. Why are they toying with my emotions like this? After a bad, baaaad weekend, they are no longer in first place, those effing Brewers are. Granted, they are only a game back, but still. Got a bit of breathing room from the Cardinals (sorry Cards fans, but it's true), however, they are playing the Cards today as a make up game and then again this weekend-BIG series y'all. BIG.

I had a good weekend. Saturday night was SCRAPMANIA. It rocked my world. I got all my Chicago pictures scrapbooked, they look pretty damn good if I do say so myself. As Dr. Phil says, it's ok to brag on yourself sometimes.....I had a lot of fun with the girls. I think all the other ladies that were there were entertained by our tables. No more latte's for you Renee Williams!!! :) I got to talk to my sis on Saturday as well. I was out driving and saw a silver Liberty (her car) and thought "I gotta call my sis!". She was having fun doing yardwork in the Texas heat.....only a month till Southfork! :)

Yesterday was Miss Taylor's baptism. She is so darn cute, and is getting so big. Pictures are courtesy of Grandma Verde:.

I am already over being at work today. We have a lot of cases, we have been spoiled with low case counts, but not today, back to the old grind. Have a good week y'all and.........GO CUBS!

My baseball boyfriend is a doper?????

Say it ain't so, Rick Ankiel! Say it ain't so! Michele has a theory about it-she thinks they are just leaking this story to mess with his head (we all know he's a bit of a mental case) because he is playing so well. I suggested maybe it was someone from the Cubs camp. Desperate times call for desperate measures, my friends.

So, I have totally been digging the new Pink music. Now, by history, I have not so much liked her, but "You and your Hand" is fantastic and super sassy. That other one she has out is good too. Weird. Next thing you know, I'll be digging the new Britney Spears song (haven't heard it yet). I ain't gonna lie-I catch myself singing along to "Toxic" when it comes on the radio. Speaking of craptastic music, I heard "The Humpty Dance" yesterday. Good times. (people say you look like MC Hammer on crack, Humpty).

There has been some extra sass at work today. Everyone is on their A game today. I love it. One of my reviewers called me a BITCH. It was pretty cool. He said he figured we were at that stage in our relationship where we could call each other names (never mind that we've never even met). Uh.....yea. I didn't take offense though, I mean, after all, I DID call him attention seeking....

It's that time again. Yep, that's right, it's SCRAPMANIA! Woo hoo! The girls and I are going for 5+ hours of scrapbooking tomorrow. Jealous? Bet you are! My project will be to scrapbook my Chicago trip. Guess I should get the pics developed, huh?

Well, better go. I'm sure there are some more people I can be bitchy to before the day ends. Wish me luck (as if I need it). Happy Weekend! Much love!

2nd mission accomplished

It's Boyd. I can't reveal my sources. I pretty much kick ass though. Love ya! :)

Stories from Salem, Mo

Oh, the fun they have down there in Dent County....please note the sentence I highlighted...is it just me or is that not proper English????

Black bear killed near Jadwin by beekeeper

A young black bear was shot and killed the morning of Sept. 5 on the Max McDonald property near Jadwin, according to Dent County Conservation Agent Chris Ely. "We've had some bears shot in Reynolds and some surrounding counties, but from what I know this is the first that we've had in Dent County for a long time," Ely said. Beehives and the honey from them attracted the bear to McDonald's property on two separate occasions. McDonald, who sells his honey at farmers markets, said Sept. 6. He has about 30 hives. There were reports that the bear had been seen in the Akers Ferry area, McDonald and Ely said. Ely said the bear got into McDonald's beehives Sept. 4, then returned the next morning. McDonald called both local agents and the MDC office in Rolla Sept. 5 at 10:19 a.m. after he discovered the damage. "He had tore up about four different hives," McDonald said. The bear returned Sept. 5 before conservation agents were able to get to the scene. McDonald shot the bear with his rifle around 10:45 a.m. "I was putting some gas in my four-wheeler to go and check on some other hives when I saw the bear next to my garage," McDonald said. "I had some shavings in a bucket with a lid on it, and he had knocked the lid off." McDonald said he shot the bear from about 15 yards away to prevent the bear from going after more of his hives. McDonald estimated the damage to the hives at $800. Bears are a protected animal and people can be issued tickets for shooting them, Ely said. "In this case, it was a justifiable shooting because he was protecting his property," Ely said. "There were no citations issued or even thought about." Ely said the conservation department encourages landowners and others to notify them as soon as possible so they can take non-lethal steps to protect property and get bears out of an area. He said there are times when this isn't always possible. Conservation agents took the bear carcass and delivered it to MDC officials.

Mission accomplished

How do ya like me now???? Canada, present me with a challenge and I take you up on it! I enlisted my partners in crime, Mike and Amy to complete this task and they were both ON IT! I literally almost wet my pants. Canada-check your email. :)

I'm sleepy but it was worth it

Definitely worth losing a couple of hours of sleep if it means I get to talk to my Canada! Yes folks, last night I got to talk to my favourite (weird spelling intended) Canadian, Mr. Canada Canada Canada III. With the two of us rambling, two hours go by before you know it! Oh the various topics we discussed.....my favourite was the challenge Canada presented me with. Oh, I'm up for it, don't get me wrong, it's just gonna take some planning. I'm enlisting Michael to assist me. I can't say what it is, mostly to protect the not-so-innocent-but-totally-annoying. Stay tuned to see if we accomplish our mission. We have until the end of September. I have three words for you: Flock of Seagulls.

So, the Cubs won last night-good thing because 1st place was on the line. Real sad to see the Cardinals lose, but was VERY happy to see Mark Mulder is back! Could he BE any hotter? I think not. I do believe he has replaced Rick Ankiel as my baseball crush. Rick will have to settle for 2nd place in my heart. Sorry Rick.

Mike Tinnin is my favorite.

I went to Chicago and all I got was this damn cold

I'm baaaaaaack. And I feel like crap. But I still had fun.

My Chicago trip started out early Saturday morning. 7:30am I was on Erin's door step, ready to be transported to the train station. After an HOUR delay, we were finally allowed to board the train. The Saturday of a holiday weekend? Yea-the train was PACKED. I was forced to sit next to this rather large, SMELLY gentleman who insisted on talking to me the entire time despite the fact that I exhibited ALL the non-verbals that mean I don't want to talk to you. You know them-1. eyes CLOSED; 2. headphones IN EARS and 3. reading a book. This dude just didn't get it. Then, horrors upon horrors, he says to me "you have pretty feet". WHAAAAT? I'm sitting next to a fat, smelly man with a foot fetish? Are you freakin' kidding me? I seriously had thoughts of hurling myself out the window since there was no escape, no other seats, nowhere to go. I was stuck and very, very uncomfortable. As soon as we pulled into Union Station in Chicago, I ran like hell to get off that train. Eric met me there and after waiting a bit for my luggage, we decided to go get something to eat. We had some yummy Greek food (mmmmm, saganaki! Gotta love flaming cheese!), dumped my crap off at his place then went walking around Millenium Park and down to Buckingham Fountain and the lakefront. The weather was absolutely perfect-a little chilly though at night, we actually needed jackets (LOVE it!).

On Sunday, we played "tourists". After brunch (yes Eric, the eggs benedict was good), we went to the art museum (it pays to have a friend who is a student at the Art Institute-we got in for free!) and then back to Millenium Park to take some pictures. After that, we went to Shedd's Aquarium and saw all the critters (loved the penguins!) and took more pics of the lakefront and the awesome Chicago skyline. Then, we took the L up to Evanston where some of Eric's friends had invited us to a picnic. Nothing like free food! :) I have to tell you about this woman on the L. OMG, is all I have to say. She was this rather large, African American gal who was wearing her clothes a good three sizes too small (and she had on a tube top, but whatever). She was loud, she was proud, she was obnoxious. At one point, one of her friends (two fabulous gay boys, by the way) squirted some sort of liquid candy into her mouth, she dropped some of it on her boob. Did she wipe if off? Uh.....no....she (I swear to God), lifted up her own boob and LICKED IT OFF. Wow. Wait-there's more. At one of our stops, this rather attractive girl got off the L-our Boob Licker started banging on the window saying "ooo girl, you so fine" and she started LICKING THE WINDOW. You can't make this stuff up people! Again, wow. Anyway, after Evanston, our day wasn't done there, however, once we got back into the city, we decided to go to this neighborhood bar and just hang out (I considered ordering an Old Style but just couldn't bring myself to do it-I had Miller Lite instead). Needless to say, I slept like a baby after that long ass day.....

Monday was Wrigleyville Day! Yay! We got up nice and early and headed down to what I call my "mecca". But first, the trip on the L (always and adventure!). It was going fine until we stopped for no apparent reason, then the L driver person dude says "we are stopped because the train in front of us is smoking and they need to make sure it isn't on fire". WHAT? The L is on fire? This seems to me that this would not be a good thing.....anyway, all was well and we made it safely to Wrigleyville. I was beside myself with excitement, I made Eric take my pic under the street sign at the corner of Waveland and Sheffield (holla!), I made him take my pic next to the Harry Caray statue too. He was laughing at me because I was so excited to be there-but I didn't care! We had ourselves some lunch at Goose Island, then headed on to our seats. I decided I was gonna buy a program and keep score (like I knew what I was doing). The only problem with the day was that I was starting to not feel too well. I'd been sneezing a lot, which I just attributed to seasonal allergies, however, by Monday, my entire face hurt, I had no energy and I was still sneezing. Not good. Anyway, things started out promising-the Cardinals were losing 11-0, the Brewers lost as well, so I figured there were nothing but good things in the cards (pun intended) for the Cubbies that day.....oh how wrong I was. It started out great-Alfonso Soriano hit a home run in the 1st inning, so I was thinking "great, the Cubs are gonna kick some ass today!". Uh, not so much. Long story short, they ended up losing 11-3. Yikes. Carlos Zambrano sucked hardcore, we even booooooooooooed him and he got all pissed off, when he got kicked out of the game by Sweet Lou, he held his hands to his ears and pointed to the stands-yea thats right-he heard us! Punk!(apparently, this was big news in the Chicago papers, Zambrano was for real pissed about it but later apologized. Good times) The bullpen was even worse than he was, it was painful all around. The bright spot of the day? The national anthem was sung by Wayne Messmer and his wife-remember them Red? Remember him singing at Blackhawks games? He has a very distinctive voice. I laughed my ass off at the fact that he was down there on the field singing-Eric must have thought I'd lost my mind!

After the disappointing loss, and me feeling like crap, we headed home on the L for some more fun (the best stories come from the L, have you noticed?). We got to ride with Drunk Guy. He tried to pick a fight with a guy wearing a White Sox hat, then began to inform anyone that would listen his views on the state of the Cubs and the world, really. He was obnoxious and I hated him on sight. Monday night was a chill night since I was not feeling well. Eric discovered this web site that shows just about any tv show, movie or cartoon you could ever imagine. What did we watch, you may ask? Well, I'll tell you. Yes, that's right......we watched old He-Man cartoons (Oh the homosexual undertones.....did you know that when He Man was just Prince Adam, his outfit was PINK and PURPLE??? Hello.....) and......the Smurfs (to which I said I think it would be better to watch the Smurfs while stoned-I think they'd be less creepy then). It was freakin' awesome.

That pretty much concludes my Chicago trip, yesterday, Eric and I caught a cab to the train station, I hung out until my train left, I sat next to a very nice, not smelly lady who did NOT tell me my feet were pretty....it was fairly uneventful, thank GOD. I slept most of the way, with visions of NyQuil dancing in my head...Renee picked me up (THANK YOU to her and Erin for being my transporters-I love you girls!), I got home around 9pm and pretty much went straight to bed......I'm back at work today and actually have both jobs today (yay). I think I have a NyQuil hangover. I'll put pics up soon, promise! I LOVE CHICAGO!