Friday, December 14, 2012

Resolutions Redefined.


So, the best bestie in the world wrote the BEST blog in the world. I copied it. I'm posting it, and I mean every word she said. Except for the husband part. Cuz he's hers, not mine, and I don't try to steal my best friend's husband.


Preparing for Resolutions...

Well. It seems it's that time of year again. That time of year when the inadequacies of our lives start poking around in our brains and our subconscious...and maybe even making themselves a little more outspoken and irritating in our public lives....the parts that should be private and quiet and hidden away. The parts that we are ashamed of. The parts we want to forget about. The parts we SAY we want to fix....but we all know wedon't. And won't. In an effort to save time...and some unnecessary frustration...I have decided to keep things base and simple this year.
I have tried very hard to make my life an open book....give in order to receive. Love, so that others may love you back. Practice kindness and watch kindness spread. Let hate and anger go...in order to welcome peace and calm....YEAH.....
2013 can suck that plan.....cause it worked like an atom bomb to my heart in 2012. Fuck that plan. I am READY to kick 2012 to the fucking curb...BUH BYE BITCH. You can take your 'peace and calm' and well....{BLEEP BLEEP BLEEPITY BLEEP BLEEP}. (In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not entirely sure what just happened right there. But editing was ABSOLUTELY in order. My apologies.....moving on.)
So here's the new plan of action for 2013. The Resolutions for those less inclined to shut the fuck up and just go away (...um, me). The Resolutions for those tired of swallowing the hate, and anger, and pride (...um, again me). The Resolutions we (...by that I mean I)..keep...cause we (...I..) WANT to.
 MY BADASS REBEL KARMA RESOLUTIONS.


 (If you're a scardey bitch....you might want to start being scardey.....cause shit's about to get real ugly. And it's prolly about YOUBless your heart.)

1. Grow my very small seed of hatred to a beautiful burning bush of contempt. Fertilize it with your bullshit and water it with your ever present tears.
2. Use more appropriately placed swear words when describing you, dealing with you, or having any normal conversations about you. Invent new ones if necessary.
3. Stop secretly planning/plotting revenge and allow Karma to put her plans out in the open. No more hiding. Just sit back and wait for your own implosion. Because let's face it...you're doing a better job destroying your own life than anyone else EVERcould. And it's so much more fun to watch from the sidelines. (OH...and since we aren't "friends" anymore, I don't feel bad about not being there to pick your fat wailing carcass up off the floor when some other drama 'serves' you.)
4. Define the differences between disdain, hatred, and full on loathing. Because you seem to have them confused. Once everyone is clear...I shall publicly announce the winner in each category. Give cheap prizes!! Everybody loves cheap prizes.....and you are about as cheap as they come.
5. Close my circle of friends. No new applications will be accepted. Shred all old resumes. Use wood chipper if necessary. Bridges are burned. Second Chance Bus has left the station. Probably should tell you now...in case I don't have an opportunity later....."tsk...I told you so."
6. Do everything in my waking power to destroy all those who oppose, dislike, or have ever tried to ruin me. The past is BACK....and its PISSED. Check your lies...cause I'm coming to check them for you.
7. Find supreme and glorified happiness in your misfortune and misery. And it's coming. Soon. Watch your back.
8. I am going to smile, and cheer, and bat my eyes, and send you cards, and pay your bills, and pray for your heart, and worry about your precious children, and pretend that I am your biggest supporter and best friend.....
        all while I go to bed with the amazing husband you threw away, have coffee in the morning with the amazing best friend you threw away, and live the most amazing life...that you threw away.
So I will sit and drink wine excessively and stupidly to 2013 and to all the GREAT KARMIC changes that are coming. Thanks to my KARMA RESOLUTIONS 2013.


And if you don't like them.....
Well, then I suppose I would, very sweetly and with much love, suggest that you Fuck Off Sweetie!

Laters Taters!
XOX



Love to you all!
~Lou~

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Swearing, Honesty and Trustworthiness...

So, today I learned that: 



Hot Damn! This must mean that I am one of THE MOST honest and trustworthy people in the world. I have a confession. I have a mouth on me. SHOCKING. I know. 

"You? LucyLou? Mouth that should be washed out with soap? NO!" 

Yes, it's true. I can out cuss a man and make most sailors blush. 

Moral of this very, very short blog post? Don't fuck with me bitches. I'm mouthy, but you can trust it will be honest!

Lots of love, 

~Lou~

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Black Friday 2012


Let me start by saying this. This is now the 3rd year of Black Friday extravaganza. I went in with HIGH expectations. With no hubby or bestie to tag along, I took the eldest with me. She wanted to go so bad last year. This year, I caved, and allowed her to go. At Thanksgiving Dinner, I desperately tried to convince my sister and sister-in-law to come with me. They hummed and hawed and said “Maybe.” I was uber sad, at this point, I just knew it would be just me and the eldest. (Which is fine, I love her, we have FUN together. I wanted to share the excitement and JOY of Black Friday with others this year. My feeble attempts were just that, feeble.)

Well, my night started out with a trip to Michael’s. They were open on Thanksgiving! YES! SCORE! Got in, got my stuff, got out. Done, before 7:30 pm. NICE.

I dropped the littles off with my parents and headed out to wait in the Target parking lot. NOT the line. I refuse to stand in lines. I got a text message from my sister….They were in! They wanted me to pick them up and take them with me to the Target! YES! AMAZING! More people to witness the Stealthy Ninja Moves (which shall be referred to as SNM henceforth). More people to share in the excitement of Black Friday, the thrill of getting what you are looking for, the awesomesauce of beating someone to the LAST ONE with your SNM ability. YES! Onward we travel to the Target.

Upon arrival to Target, I inform the girls that we shall remain seated until the ride at the front of the store came to a complete stop. They did NOT listen. Out we get, on to the front of the store we trek. GAH, it’s COLD. Not liking this. People are dumb. People are assholes. What is happening to my favorite shopping holiday of the year?!?! 30 minutes later, we get in the store, secure a cart and head out to the movies. Sister SNM for 3 copies of Brave and 1 of The Lorax. Done. Item #1 marked off list. ME….notice woman standing in front of DVD that we needed 4 of….SNM last 4 copies of said DVD that we needed to complete DVD list. I’m awesome, I know. Told that woman to get out of my way, I needed to get there. She listened, lucky for her. Onward to games. Got all the games on our list except Would You Rather….I hauled ass to the CD’s to get what I needed there SNM for LAST copy of one I needed, eldest hauled ass to the accessories department to attempt a SNM, they did not have the needed item for SNM, and consequently she got her feet trampled on, sister and sister-in-law head to games to SNM the Would You Rather game for me. SCORE! Ninja’d through the aisles to the Housewares Department. Ninja’d a NINJA for my kitchen…haha, I know, the irony here is incredible. Ninja’d the last NINJA for a fellow confused shopper. (Good deed for the night, DONE…game on, all’s fair in BF shopping.) Got the other item in Housewares that I needed, and all 4 of us began searching desperately for the single serve coffee maker for $8. They had the toaster, but none of the other items were there. WHAT? Seek out Target Employee, IMMEDIATELY. This can NOT be happening. That was the ONE thing I desperately wanted. Stood there for about 45 minutes waiting for stupid Target Employee to come back and tell me they NEVER HAD THEM IN THE STORE. Bastards. Thanks. Sister, sister-in-law and eldest were seeking out clothing that they wanted. Found them. Got something awesome, some gloves and some towels and we headed to the enormous checkout line. 5 people cut in front of us. I got pissed, sister said “Let it go.” Ok, let it go. Snaking around store and through aisles, eldest points out toothpaste….sister-in-law…”Oh, do we need some toothpaste?” sister….”OMG!” It was ONE crayon bucket that someone discarded amongst the toothpaste. SCORE for sis! While snaking an aisle, I accidentally bumped into the guy in front of me that had just blatently cut me in line. Now, this really was an accident, I didn’t mean to. So, sister-in-law says “Karma.” I say….”That’s not just Karma, that’s the Jesus Karma.” 30 minutes later, checked out, packed up in car, headed back to sister’s house for the drop off. Said farewell to sister and sister-in-law and headed to…..THE MALL.  (Insert dunh, dunh, dunh music here.)

At this point, eldest and I are starving. We decided to stop by the Walmart since we knew the Subway was open due to the fact that my cousin told me she had to work there that night. Walmart parkinglot…..zen. Got a spot 3 from the front. Really? Amazing. Cousin no-where to be seen, ordered sub, took it to the mall parking lot. 11:35 pm. Ate sub. 11:45 pm, got to mall doors and headed in with the masses. Go to Game Stop for 2 stylus’ and a computer game for eldest. Standing in line. Eldest went to Hot Topic to get the shirts she wanted and was instructed to stay there until I arrived. Weird person comes up to me and starts staring at me. Uh, yes?? OMG, it’s ok, it’s my cousin. She’s amazing. She and her boyfriend came to hang out with us while we BF shopped in the mall. She hung with me in line, then went with me to Hot Topic to meet eldest and pay for shirts after standing in line FOREVER. After setting off the alarm at Hot Topic like 15 times, they finally found that they had not taken the security tag off of not just 1, but 2 of the shirts. GAH! Carrying on with my night. “Body Central”, says cousin….”What? Why?” “Yoga Pants” “MOM! They have YOGA PANTS! We’re going…NOW.” Cousin and boyfriend tell me to follow their crazy crowd cutting abilities….first of all, I need to tell you that my cousin is TINY, SUPER TINY, her boyfriend? SUPER TALL and thin…..Me? Average height, big ass, hips, thighs, NOT able to crazy crowd cut like them. Whatever, made it to Body Central, got the yoga pants and waited in ANOTHER line. While waiting, we made fun of the gaudy jewelry that they had and dubbed my cousin CLEO. It was a “you had to be there” moment.  Once done with the line, we bid farewell to Cleo and her boyfriend and headed home for a couple hours of sleep before the big 5 AM sales.

7:33 AM: SHIT! Overslept, didn’t hear alarm. Got up, RAN out the door, still in jammies, and headed to Joann’s. They had NOTHING that I wanted, and no place where it would have been. JACKASSES. McDonalds was calling my name for breakfast and coffee. Stop! Food and caffeine. Necessities in life. Scarfed down my breakfast sandwich, chocked on possibly the worst cup of coffee in history, and headed to AC Moore. Scored everything I went for and then some. It was awesome. Went in to Books A Million and scored some pretty awesome stuff there. Got REAL coffee, and headed to Office Max in hopes of not having a repeat Amethyst moment from last year that you can read about HERE. Walk in, looking at laptops, guy asks what I am looking for. He goes and checks it out, and then comes back and says “You know, any laptop under $500 is really for a grandma, right? If you want to do anything other than surf the web, and check your email, you aren’t gonna do it on one of THOSE grandma computers.” Really? That’s where you are gonna go with that NOW? At 9 in the morning? Are you KIDDING ME? I told him I would think about it and got about 5 steps away and told eldest we were LEAVING, that such a bastard would get NO business from me. Calling me a grandma, hunh? Fuck you Mr. Office Max man, Fuck you. Back to the mall. At least they are polite there. JC Penny….I’m after you, and your buttons.

We arrived at the mall and found a parking spot no problem. Went into the JCP, and proceeded to get the jeans that eldest wanted. All they had left were her size! SCORE! Went to my section, I got a couple pairs of pants and then we headed to the shoes. Wow, look at this….here’s another pair of jeans for you eldest daughter…..just your size, a color you don’t have. Fate. I wanted to check out some of the purse deals they had. Well, all the Liz Claiborne bags they had listed for $15 were GONE. Bummer. I wanted one. They are cute! Look:



Along with 5 other people, we were combing the purse section looking for the elusive bag. None. Carry on…..walked past a mannequin……OH LOOK! There’s the bag. I’ll take that! Thank you! Walked around some more and found ANOTHER ONE! I’ll take that one too! Too bad SUCKERS! You obviously lack my SNM skill. Maybe you should find a good BF shopping buddy who possesses the SNM. Snagged the last Nicole Miller bag for $25, which is SWEET! We got in line, grabbed a cute sweater for me, and got our buttons. Won NOTHING. Whatever. I’ll be back for more buttons bitches.

We ventured out into the mall to get to Justice for some hair mascara for the little. Wound up finding some pretty sweet clothes for her that were 40% off with another 40% off and another 20% off of THAT! Nice deal. Wandered down to Build A Bear Workshop and snagged $5 full size snowmen for the littles and the eldest. Then left the mall.

We went to Kmart in search of Doc McStuffins doctor kit. Sold out. Kmart whores bought them all. Ok, no biggie, SNM the LAST vanity they had for the baby girl. Checked out and headed to store all items at sister’s house. She’s amazing and awesome, and took one of my Liz bags, it’s ok. I like her enough to share. Sister-in-law was pretty pissed that there weren’t 3. Sorry, I only found 2 with my SNM capabilities. I would have bought all they had if they had more. They are really that cool.

So wraps up my BF adventure. I managed to get everything I need with the exception of a gift for my grandfather and a couple of things for the little man. That’s no biggie though, none of that was on BF sale.

How was YOUR BF? Did you achieve greatness? I did. I feel pretty damn good about my SNM self.

Til next bloggity blog.

~Lou~

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Democratic Victory? Republican Mourning.


Disclaimer: I am blogging MY views. No one else’s. I have the right to these views, as this is still a FREE country, for the time being. Yes, I will whine, yes, I will stamp my feet like a two year old. This is MY blog and I am entitled to do so. If you don’t like it, LEAVE. Don’t read it. Don’t engage me. Just go away.

So, the election is over and Obama has won by a considerable amount of Electoral College votes. The first thing I want to do is examine this Electoral College, its beginnings and why they even exist. From what I understand, the Electoral College was created to make the election “easier”. Congressmen and designated “representatives” from each state make up the Electoral College. In essence, your vote doesn’t mean SHIT. You cast your ballot, and someone else gets to say who is president. Whatever. It’s a crock. It needs to go. Popular vote needs to rule. Screw this crap.

The next issue I have is the polling process. Did any of you know that the military members were denied having their voice heard? Their ballots mysteriously ended up being mailed to another BASE. What the hell is that all about? Then they sat there, for 3 months, and in the process, many of them were destroyed. Once they finally got the ballots back out in the mail, guess what? OOPS, 12 BOXES of the ballots got dropped while being transferred to the USS Kearsearge.  Really? Then, the ballots that they did manage to get delivered were delivered on November 7th. One day after the election. One day too late. One day. ONE EFFING DAY. Thanks USPS. You did Obama’s dirty work rather well. Also, Absentee ballots for Service Members and non-service members who are IN THE US were not sent out in time for them to be filled out, sent back and counted in time. Those that managed to get their ballots and send them in? Well, here, in VA, there were trashcans FULL of ballots found. Ohio allowed unregistered voters to stand up and make their voice heard, even though, they did so ILLEGALLY. Voting machines in 4, yes, 4 states were malfunctioning and choosing to cast ballots for Obama, regardless of if the voter had chosen Romney. (I SMELL POOP.) Invalid Mentally Challenged people were escorted to the polls and were assisted in voting. If they are invalid….why are they being allowed to vote? Isn’t there a law about that? Isn’t there a reason they are declared INVALID? Why were people being bussed from one City to another City to vote? How is THAT legal? (Yes, these are things that were reported in my LOCAL news.) Something is wrong with this system. Something is very wrong. Why haven’t we thrown up our arms, kicked, screamed and acted like 2 year old children over this???? This is our COUNTRY. This is our LIVELIHOOD that is being messed with.

Barry “Barrack” Obama, or whoever he wants to be this week, needs to not be in office. He is slowly killing our nation. He is NOT helping us. He is harming each and every one of us. Problem being? Too many of the younger generations are worried about equal rights, and legalization of marijuana. These things have no business being put in the Presidential election. They should be left up to local government elections. Let that be the deciding vote for your LOCAL leaders, not FEDERAL. What the hell is wrong with all of you Liberals? You think that Barry is doing you a favor…..how wrong you are. He is harming you, and you are so worried about and tied up in race, equal rights and toking up that you don’t even realize it. Get your heads out of your asses! LITERALLY.  Obama is turning us into a nation that will RELY on the government, instead of being self-reliant. Does that not terrify you? It does me. I don’t want the government telling me what I can and can’t do. I don’t want the government telling me how I can and cannot spend my money. I certainly don’t want them stripping anymore of my CIVIL RIGHTS away, which, Obama has already done. I’m over the bullshit. I am over the race card being played.

Count the votes. Count those ballots that you chose to not send in a timely manner. Count the ballots that were LOST. We, the PEOPLE, deserve better than what we got on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. We need to have an uprising in this country. We need to liberate ourselves from the crap that we have been told. We need a revolution.

There have been attacks on the US. NOT on our soil, but, nonetheless, attacks on the US.  This administration is a FAILURE. They have lied to the American Public. They have kept secrets. They are FAILING us. Well, clearly, America is BLIND to all of this. They are DEAF to the cries of our military SCREAMING for support. They are MUTE to any speech other than praise of our President. I shake my head and cry for our children and grandchildren and all the generations to follow. Unless we have a drastic change in this country, I fear for their futures.

So, for all of those who say that we, the Republicans, are whining, crying babies who are sore losers:



How’s this for being a piss poor winner:








?????????
With that being said:


Farewell. Until I blog my unpopular opinions again.

~Lou~

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Reach Out And.......


Do you ever have one of those days where you just want to reach out and smack someone? Yeah, me too….A LOT. Some days it is more tolerable than others, yet today, I just really am not feeling the need to constrain myself.

Point being? People are dumb! That’s just all there is to it. Not all people, but a lot of them. I have no tolerance for that. I have no tolerance for people who don’t want to follow the rules, or believe the rules were not meant for them because clearly they are special and can do whatever they want whenever they want. Whatever, get over you. Life is not meant to be all consumed by you and your wants and needs.

I guess I’m just feeling a little evil today. Not a good thing since it is Sunday. (GOD, forgive me.)

Maybe I will look at it from this perspective. Something has gone terribly wrong in these people’s lives and there is some reason that they behave in the manner that they do. Now, I am no genie and I can’t tell you what it is that has happened to them, but, OBVIOUSLY something has happened. People can’t really be that self-absorbed for no reason now, can they? I guess they can. Sad situation.

Another thing. Why are people so intolerant yet demand tolerance for their actions and lifestyle choices? Does THAT make sense to anyone else? I can’t be a Christian, but you can be a homosexual atheist and I just need to tolerate everything you say. NO. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. I am allowed to be a Christian and I should not be persecuted for being one. Just as the homosexual atheist should not be persecuted for being what he or she is. That has been bothering me for a long time. I just can’t seem to shake it. I’ve never done or said anything out of line to this person, yet I am literally belittled and talked to like I am trash because I am a Christian and affiliated with a political party that this person despises. Whatever. Loser. I say that because that person really is the loser. That person lost out on having ME as a friend. Because, let’s be realistic for a minute, I’m awesome. So, lose on you loser.

I believe that once people start realizing the full extent of pain their words and actions can cause, they will try to be better people. I know I am trying. I try to not be self-absorbed. I try to be open and loving to ALL people. (Ok, that’s probably a lie; however, it’s something I am working on.)

I’m striving to be a better person and make positive changes in my life. Are you? 

Monday, August 27, 2012

Totally Copied Idea For A Blog Post, But I Gave Credit, So It's OK, RIGHT?

Today, in stormy weather, I have decided that I will copy my bestie, blog found here. She has done a recap of her Summer Bucket List and has created a Fall Bucket List. I will affectionately name mine Copied From Anna Fall Fun Fiasco! So, here is the recap of my Summer Bucket List and what we completed (or lacked completing or attempting all together).

Make Gourmet Marshmallows for Gourmet S’mores
Home Made Garden Stepping Stones
Egg Carton Critters
Make “Sea Glass”
Do the “Naked Egg” Experiment
Make Lava Lamps
Take a Nature Walk, or Ten (DONE!)
Make Bouncy Balls
Make Tin Can Wind Chimes
Have a Water Balloon Fight (Pretend it’s the Real Life Angry Birds)
Complete the Summer Reading School Challenge  (DONE!)
Cloud Watch (DONE!)
Make Glow in the Dark Silly Putty
Make Other Things That Glow
Make Friendship Bracelets
Road Trip to Visit Hubby in PA
Go to YoMama
Blow Bubbles
Take a Ride on Our New Boat
Make Window Paint
Paint Windows
Make Sidewalk Paint & Decorate Our Front Porch
Make a Bio-Degradable Bird Feeder
Make Jell-O Puddin’ Pops
Make a Midnight Garden
Make Rain Sticks
Go to the Park, Have a Photo Shoot (DONE!)
Make Sun Catchers
Pick a Country and Learn About it.
Create a Menu of Foods From That Country and Cook Them.
Make Frozen Banana Pops
Mail a Hug
Make Smoothies
Get Pedicures with My Girls
Make a Summer Wreath for Our Front Door
Make Awesome Picture Frames for Our Walls (DONE!)
Make Fresh Lemon Mint Water

So, there you have it, sucked at the Summer Bucket List. Whatever. I’m gonna try it again, this time for Fall. So, here goes:

Copied From Anna, Fall Fun Fiasco!

Take pictures of the changing leaves
Go on a photo scavenger hunt
Celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary with my love
Make Caramel Pear Crisp to match my Scent Of The Month!
Take some walks
Hang out with my sister and mom
Make my Black Friday shopping list
Have a most wonderful Thanksgiving with those I love
Achieve greatness on Black Friday
Laugh, a lot
Decorate for Halloween
Go on a photo extravaganza
Have a lunch date with my cousin
De-stress
Highlight my hair
Wax my eyebrows
Get my nails done
Get my toes done
Read a book
Have a glass of wine (or a bottle)
Go to visit my friends new studio
Re-organize my life
Purge my house

So there you have it. Hopefully I will do better this fall than I did this summer.
Love to you all,
Lou 

Friday, August 10, 2012

I am an Oilfield Wife

I am an Oilfield Wife. There are many like me, but, I am one in a million.

Some of us live our lives by days, some by weeks, others by months. These days that our husbands are gone? We call them hitches. This is the time that we, as wives step up to be both the woman and the man, the Mom and the Dad. These are the times that the kids cry themselves to sleep, and once we crawl into bed ourselves, we follow suit. Not only do we perform all our normal Mom duties: cooking, cleaning, laundering, taxi-ing, nursing, teaching, reffing and counseling, we also take on the role of handyman, landscaper, mechanic, security guard and tough guy. For birthdays that are missed, we try to make them extra-special. For holidays, we make them extra-fun. We become Santa, The Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy....alone. For the first day of school, special programs and ceremonies, we cheer extra-loud. We document everything so that our better halves can feel a part of it. Anytime we get to talk to him, we savor every minute. We spend a lot of time alone. We drown ourselves in our kids, trying to make sure they have all the attention they need, even if it means sacrificing our plans and dreams. 

We are Oilfield Wives. We are strong. We are determined. We love fiercely and wholly. We can take on the world or comfort the weary. We can be tough as nails or soft as silk. 

I am an Oilfield Wife. There are many like me, but, I am one in a million.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

July Rant....Beware....

I need to rant. Just a small one. Here goes. I'm tired. I'm tired of the drama. I'm tired of the bullshit. I'm just fucking tired. So, here goes. I miss my husband, I desperately need to see him. Going. Soon. I am totally over all the other horse-assed bologna that is going on around me. I am sick of it. I am tired of people just thinking that it is acceptable to expect more and more and more out of people and that they will NEVER give out. I am EXHAUSTED from people who think it is just absolutely fine to up and leave. It's NOT OK. IT'S NEVER OK. It's NEVER acceptable to just decide one day that you are DONE because people expect you to be an adult and act like one. It's NEVER ok to WALK AWAY from your COMMITMENTS. Grow up. I'm just over the crap. For real over the crap. I'm tired of watching my family implode little by little. It's been almost 10 months since Pop passed. Almost every day has been a nightmare for my family. It has to start getting easier right? This can't continue. This can't keep going the way it is. I have to tell you, if it doesn't stop I'm afraid that me, and a lot of other family members are going to suffer far worse than we should. 

Sunday, June 24, 2012

My Bitches

It happens that my circle of girls needs a shout out.

We have all been through literal shit. We have been down in it, submerged. We have been beat down, torn down, and ripped apart. There have been times when we literally felt as if people were trying to kill us.

Even if we weren’t in each other’s lives at the time, we have been brought together now. That’s the most important thing. We are there for one another, no matter what. Anytime, any day.

That being said, “we’re all right where we should be”. We have made it through, and WE are on top. Girls, “this one’s for you and me”.


Sunday, June 17, 2012

Summer 2012 Bucket List

Here goes nothin’. I attempted this last summer, it never happened. Totally gonna try again this year. Now that the kids are a year older, maybe they will get into it. So, in all of my careful consideration, these are the things I have picked to go onto our Summer 2012 Bucket List. I have included links to those items that need further directions. I hope that you will follow along with us as we cross off items on our list, one at a time.

Make Gourmet Marshmallows for Gourmet S’mores

Home Made Garden Stepping Stones

Egg Carton Critters

Make “Sea Glass”

Do the “Naked Egg” Experiment

Make Lava Lamps

Take a Nature Walk, or Ten

Make Bouncy Balls

Make Tin Can Wind Chimes

Have a Water Balloon Fight (Pretend it’s the Real Life Angry Birds)

Complete the Summer Reading School Challenge

Cloud Watch

Make Glow in the Dark Silly Putty

Make Other Things That Glow

Make Friendship Bracelets

Road Trip to Visit Hubby in PA

Go to YoMama

Blow Bubbles

Take a Ride on Our New Boat

Make Window Paint

Paint Windows

Make Sidewalk Paint & Decorate Our Front Porch

Make a Bio-Degradable Bird Feeder

Make Jell-O Puddin’ Pops

Make a Midnight Garden

Make Rain Sticks

Go to the Park, Have a Photo Shoot

Make Sun Catchers

Pick a Country and Learn About it.

Create a Menu of Foods From That Country and Cook Them.

Make Frozen Banana Pops

Mail a Hug

Make Smoothies

Get Pedicures with My Girls

Make a Summer Wreath for Our Front Door

Make Awesome Picture Frames for Our Walls

Make Fresh Lemon Mint Water

There you have it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Let me know if your family will be doing a bucket list and what you have on yours!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Potatin' With Team Shady

Warning: The blog you are about to read is not for the faint hearted, reader discretion is advised. It will also be a lengthy blog. Please be aware of this before continuing on with this post.

Saturday, June 9, 2012…..was AMAZING! We had such a good time together. Recap for those of you that DON’T read my blog (HH…not that I am pointing the finger or anything.).

My dear, darling friend Anna called me one day and informed me that on this particular day, we were going to pick up Heather and head down to ride the ferry from Knotts Island to Currituck and that we were doing a photo extravaganza. (Oh yeah, I have to plan said photo extravaganza.) Ok. I bite proverbial bait. Fast forward.

Day has been planned. I thought we agreed upon meeting at Anna’s house at 7:30 AM to start this day of maddening fun. Clearly, I was mistaken. It was 7 AM that I was supposed to be there. OOPS. SORRY!

We pack the cooler, and head out to gas up and get the much needed caffeine from the local WaWa. AHH, elixir of life, how I love you. Heading to Heather’s house. Already know we are gonna be late. Remember to tell Anna that I, like a moron, never got Heather’s cell phone number, so, I needed her to FB message her and let her know A. we need her cell number, B. we are late (SHOCKING). Mission, accomplished.

We arrived at Heather’s house, and greeted her and the children. Got into Big, Huge, Monster Warden Truck and headed out. WOO HOO!! We are on the road!!

Anna proceeds to give me shit about driving like a grandma down Princess Anne Road. “Let me tell you something, ANNA…..this is a big ass truck, this road is curvy, like a snake. I want to arrive alive. Thank you!” Shit giving ceased momentarily.


Knotts Island, NC. When we got there, only 1 car was ahead of us, and it appeared that we would have a nice, comfortable ride with not a lot of people blocking any necessary shots. SCORE!
When we were directed to drive onto the ferry, we were getting shit from the ferry boat guys….whatever, it made our morning funner. Dude parked us so close to the wall, Anna and Heather could not open their doors. SO, I told them: “Just climb over! Come on!” Anna almost face-planted onto the ferry, and Heather pops out like a friggin’ piece of toast. Whatever, skinny.

We were officially out of the truck, and went up the stairs to stand on the deck and enjoy the view. Gorgeous, amazing, fantastic ride. The sound was gross looking. Brown water is always worrisome, however, Heather and I were discussing how funny it was that when we were kids, we didn’t think anything about it and just hopped on in for all day swimming fun. Anna is totally grossed out by our childhood. 

Heather happened to turn her head and notice this old lady that thought she was Marilynn Monroe, and just let her dress blow all up showing her granny panties. We took a while discussing said Marilynn and wondered how she had no flipping clue that her dress was coming up to her shoulder blades. Laughed and I snapped a picture.

About half way through our journey, the Captain emerged from his hide-out. #Disturbed
Captain is standing, looking at the top of the ferry. Pretty sure at this point he is contemplating climbing up and riding the spinner thing on top of the ferry. Oh yeah, forgot to mention, his shirt was half tucked in and halfway unbuttoned.

We reached the shores of Currituck and after bumping and jerking our way into port, got the HELL off of that ferry. (It was a very lovely, very enjoyable ride, except for Drunken Oh Captain My Captain, and Marilynn.) 

Driving off of the ferry, we were wondering what these buildings were off to the right. STOP! Old Currituck Jail. Let the photo’s commence. 

As we wrapped up our jail shoot, we all needed to stop and use the facilities somewhere. Find gas station/McDonalds….odd combination. 1 Bathroom, 2 stalls, ALL KINDS OF SMELLY AND GROSS. Used anyway, ran out complaining of nastiness, and got in truck to commence de-contamination with hand sanitizer.

Lou: “Where are we going? Elizabeth City?”
Anna: “Sounds good, let’s go.”
Lou: “Which way?”
Anna: “I don’t know.”
Lou: “You are the worst navigator in history.”
Anna: “Turn right.”

I turned right, and off to Elizabeth City we go. Along the way we pass lots of corn fields, one with a dog house that has a sign nailed on the roof “Beware Of Dog”, we passed a sign that says “Hog Traffic”, (Had to turn around and go back for this amazing photo on Anna's Blog.), and a sign that said “Sligo”.

Anna: “Sligo…S L I G O, Sligo.”

Continuing down the road.

Heather: “Sligo! HAHA. That’s the funniest thing.”
Anna: “I just said that.”
Heather: “I’m pretty sure you had that conversation in your head.”
Anna: “Whatever Heather.”

We arrived in Elizabeth City and followed our way down to the little waterside farmers market that they have on Saturdays. BLUEBERRIES…yum. Bought some. We wandered around and checked out all the different little booths. (Let me explain something to you. When you go buy a bottle of Purell Hand Sanitizer and take off the label and write on it “Germ Juice” and put cute little stickers on it, it does not make that $2.00 bottle of Purell a $5.00 bottle of Purell. I can do that myself, THANKS.)

Next up…walk 15 paces to the boardwalk. Take photos of waterfront. Lovely.

We spotted this old building and decided to walk over and check it out. Turns out it was the old Elizabeth City Milling Company. AWESOME! Totally taking pictures here.

Anna: “WHEW! It stinks.”
Lou: “This building smells like a potato chip fart.”
Heather: “Potato chip fart?”
Lou: “Yep.”
Heather: “Look at all those bottles in there. People were potatin’ all up in there. All night long they were potatin’.”
Lou: “Elizabeth City potates.”

HUNGRY….we went and got the truck and found a lovely little picnic area. Ate.

Lou: “WTF was that? What is happening right now in the water. This canoe is spinning in circles.”
Anna: “Domestic Disturbance in the canoe.”
Lou: “There is water flailing EVERYWHERE. He’s paddling one way ferociously, she’s paddling the other way.”
(All the while, you hear them yelling at each other. You can also see the guy that acted a fool while oaring bailing water out of said canoe.)
Heather: “WHERE? I can’t see it! I’m missing it!”
Lou: “Right there! But, now they are behind the tree, so, sorry, you can’t see it.”
Heather: “I always miss the good stuff.”

We continued to eat our lunch and have wonderful conversation, when, Oh Lord, here they come again.

Lou: “Is that an INFLATABLE canoe?”
Anna: (Laughing hysterically.) “Yep.”
Lou: “WTH? Now he’s done jumped in the water! He can’t swim any better than he can oar. Water still flailing all over the place.”
Anna: “Now they are gonna get out of the canoe, and he is gonna deflate it and whip her with it.”

ALL of us laughing hysterically. We were eating dessert, and 

Anna says: “What’s in these cookies?”
Heather: “Your Mom.”

We managed to finish eating and drove aimlessly around Elizabeth City (all the while Anna shouting "Turn here, LEFT, not RIGHT, LEFT!" Again, I say, "Worst NAVIGATOR in the WORLD!") until we decided there wasn’t SHIT to do here and headed back the way we came. During this drive the conversation went a little something like this:

Lou: “Hey Heather, I love your zombie apocalypse idea about the treadmills. GENIUS.”
Heather: “Yeah, I thought so too.”
Lou: “I’m gonna need the plans for those non-powered treadmills that you are building.”
Heather: “Fuck that! I’m buying solar powered ones.”
Anna: “Fallout shelter.”
Lou: “WHAT? Where? How do you know this?”
Anna: “See that symbol on the building, that means it’s a fallout shelter. Way back in the day when nuclear attacks were a real threat, they built these things called fallout shelters.”
Lou: “Way back in the day? Have you not listened to the news at all? North Korea ring any bells?”
Anna: “What news?”
Heather: “OMG, do you live under a rock?!”
Anna: “No, pretty sure I don’t.”
Lou: “Hey, encyclopedia of useless knowledge, all you need to know is that way back in the day North Korea was a bunch of MF’ers, and they still are. So, if anyone asks you what you think about the situation with North Korea, all you say is ‘Their all a bunch of MF’ers.’.”
Anna: “Got it!”

Coming up on crazy big chairs. Stop at gas station to make Heather sit in crazy big chair and get her picture taken. Anna and I refuse to climb into crazy big chair for fear of having to roll out of crazy big chair and injure ourselves. Picture taken. Trip continuing.

Head to Kitty Hawk, NC.

Lou: “Look! We are in Sligo! It’s a place!”
Anna: “Where the hell were you way the fuck back there when I said: ‘Sligo…S L I G O….Sligo’?”
Lou: “I thought you said it was a sign. I didn’t realize you were talking about a PLACE.”
Anna: “Whatever Lou! Yes you did. You just don’t listen to me. WTFever.”
Lou: “Clearly your pain meds are messing with your brain right now.”
Anna: “SHUT UP…Lou…..”

At this point it is PAINFULLY obvious that all 3 of us have some form of ADD and should all be medicated.

Moving forward, the conversation changed to political.

Anna: “Oh GAWD…are we doing the political thing now?”
Lou: “Yes. All I am saying is I’m voting for Kermit the Frog.”
Heather: “Kermit the Frog? Is that really what you just said?”
Lou: “Yes, and I’ll tell you why. He is a battered man. He will do whatever I tell him to do.”
Heather: “Yeah, because he’s a MUPPET. You will have your hand shoved up his ass!”
Anna: “Lou is a freak and likes to stick her hand up Muppet's asses.”
Lou: “AHH!”
Continuing our journey into Kitty Hawk.

Heather: “Big chairs are the thing here. Like we have dolphins and mermaids on sticks.”
Anna & Lou: “BAHAHAHAHA”

See random low-rider toaster car. Heather commences in having a duck because it says “Team Shady”. 

Passing by all the little roadside shops, we come to this one place “Brewery, Butchery and Pub”.

Anna: “I want to live there.”
Lou: “Really? You want to live in a place that brews beer, slaughters livestock and then makes pub food?”
Anna: “Yep, pretty much.”
Heather: “That’s disturbing.”

Passing by a Lowes, the encyclopedia of useless knowledge decides to inform us that Lowes and Walmart are owned by the same people. 

Lou: "Really? I never knew that."
Heather: "Not really sure when we would ever need to know that."
Anna: "ONE DAY, when your ass is on JEOPARDY, and it's the FINAL JEOPARDY question, you won't remember it, and I'll have to turn off my TV because I KNOW I told you the answer to that."
Heather: "Ok."

We arrived at the Wright Brother’s Memorial Park and much to our surprise it was Great Outdoors Day! WOO HOO! Commence into park for FREE.

Go snap some pictures of the actual memorial. Take some pics of the planes. Heather and Anna made fun of me for my obsessive taking pictures of the sky for those 2 shots of the bird flying.

Heather: “What are you doing?!”
Lou: “Trying to get this stupid bird that’s flying.”
Heather: “Your mouth is hanging open and everything.”
Lou: “Thanks for making fun of me. You will be jealous when you see the awesome picture of the flying fucking bird that I have on my camera.”
Anna: “Whatever, you didn’t get any flying bird picture.”

PROOF:

SUCK IT ANNA! Just kidding. I love you.

Heading back home to take pictures of prom for my cousin.

“Upscale Furniture Resale”

Lou: “Really? People gonna go get some upscale furniture from the re-sale store.”
Heather: “Your mom is upscale.”
Anna: “Did she really just say ‘Your mom is upscale.’?”
Lou: “Yeah, she did.”

Man hitch-hiking on the side of the road wearing a hoodied windbreaker. It’s 8 gagillion degrees outside. WTF? Why?

Lou: “Why is that man hitch-hiking wearing a windbreaker?”
Anna: “To hide the hatchet. DUH.”
Lou: “Oh, ok.”
Anna: “He would totally kill you last. Because you have red hair. He likes red hair.”
Lou: “Good to know.”
Heather: “He will eat all your beef jerky.”
Lou: “The fuck you say! He’s got two dead bodies in the bed of the truck. He can make all the fuckin’ jerky he wants. He’s NOT getting mine!”
Anna: “YEAH! He could eat jerky from me forever!”

Continuing driving and conversing.

Heather: “We have been potatin’ the fuck outta this place!”

Passing by the hammock store.

Anna: “Did you see the size of that hammock?”
Lou: “I missed it.”
Heather: “Me too.”
Anna: “It was fucking HUGE. Like big enough to fit me, you and you in it!”
Lou: “It was a family hammock. You know, a fammock.”
Anna: “HaHa! Fammock, I love it.”
Lou: “This is like Ocean View, but classier. Kitty Hawk is classier than Ocean View.”

Started across the Wright Memorial Bridge.

Heather: “WOO HOO! It’s bouncy! I love this!”
Anna: “Oh no….Oh no….I don’t like this. Turn around.”
Lou: “Turn around WHERE? We are on a BRIDGE!”
Anna: “Make it stop!”
Lou: “I can’t.”
Heather: “Are you really freaked out? Cuz this is fun!”
Anna: “Yeah, I might throw up.”
Lou: “Take your fucking phenergan! Do NOT puke in my truck!”
Heather: “I will totally shove your head out the window dude.”
Anna: “Trampoline fucking bridge. I hate you.”
Lou & Heather: (Laughing hysterically at poor Anna all sick and puny.)
Anna: “Heather talks shit. Constantly.”
Lou: “There go the meds again.”

Finally get back into Virginia even though we almost DIED because they are doing construction on the road that we wanted to take, so it was CLOSED. WTF? Who closes the only road that leads out of the OBX without having to pay the toll? GREEDY BASTARDS.

Anna and Heather: (Shit talking about the toll lady, not sure what all was said or where it came from, because, let’s be honest…I was driving and talking to the toll lady.)

Heather: “I will totally Anthrax her. Anthrax is under-rated.”
HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER FILLS TRUCK.

We make it to where Chelsea is meeting her friends for prom. After a LOT of waiting, I got in there, got my shots and we headed back to Heather’s house to drop her off.

All in all, the day was a shining success, and we all had a blast (at least I hope we all had a blast!).
Hope you were able to follow my crazy ramblings. I also hope you got some good laughs in there as well. Anna and I are always saying “People just don’t think we are as funny as we do.” WHATEVER. Haters. 

You should make sure to check out Anna's blog HERE. Not sure if Heather will blog or not, but when and if she does, I will link it HERE.

In case anyone wants to see my pictures of the trip, you may view them here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4146746591675.176334.1374095958&type=3&l=039c10ba39