Class of 1999

I have never fancied myself to be very internet savvy...I am great with office programs (word, excel, outlook, etc), but when it comes to things online I am really behind the times. I know myspace and facebook have been around for a while, but I just recently discovered them (recently: in the past year). On Friday, I went to Andy & Cammie's house to "babysit" with Amanda...I put Lily to bed there, and Amanda and started cruising the internet (she is savvy). I created the beginnings of a myspace page a while ago b/c I wanted to look at Stephen McCloud's profile; but I never added any pictures, etc. Well, while I was with Amanda I started searching for people from my class in high school. I found several. It was strange to me, to see them "all grown up". For some reason, in my mind I still pictured them the age we were when we graduated. Its hard to believe that these "friends" of mine are now just as "grown up" as me, and many of them have kids of their own too. I don't know why my mind thinks time is standing still for everyone else, while I continue to get older. Just really strange to me...makes me wonder if we'll have a 10 year reunion. I hope we do, I would love to see everyone from the class of 1999.

On another note: There is a guy outside my office blowing off cut grass from the sidewalk. It is sooo irritating. I'm glad I'm not working on anything that require immense concentration (like applying an Alcoa payment, or sorting out a BASF spreadsheet). Hey, I don't have to do that stuff anymore! Yay me! No, I do have to concentrate some of the time...thank you EMMA (email marketing my a$$...hehehehe).

Seeing my old friends' profiles makes me wish that I could get together with all of them, let our kids play together and talk about "that time in high school". It would be really something.

Ok...better get back to work now!

WTF

I never knew anything about abbreviating things with letters...other than LOL, and some others. But Andy's introduced me to WTF: what the F&$@. I love it. I feel like its the slogan of my life, it could also be why the F&$@, which works too; especially for my life. Like WhyTF and I living in freakin Bay St. Louis??? WhyTF do I miss people I'm not supposed to miss???? I like that it can be WhyTF, instead of WhatTF...that works a lot better for me, why instead of what.

I wonder about so many things...wonder why about them. I guess it will always be like that.

Cammie's been in Fairhope, AL (aka Heaven) pretty much this whole week. I was supposed to join her, but Ben didn't send the entire amount of money he was supposed to. WTF!? So, tonight I'm "babysitting" Kate; while Andy is somewhere. My lagniappe for allowing my boss to party is a half a bottle of pinot grigio (which is weird b/c Cammie likes chardonnay...chilled), and the use of their dishwasher. Yes, I am that lazy. I would rather cart my enumerable dirty dishes to someone else's house and use their dishwasher, than wash them myself. WTF??? :)
But someday, I'll have a house with a dishwasher, a yard, a pool, and a great husband to mow it. Or maybe my great husband could wash the dishes for me, then I wouldn't need a dishwasher.
I put 3 red gummy bears in my pinot grigio...wonder if it will make it taste better. Probably not...WTF?

Well "Medium" is on, and thankfully its one of those shows that you don't have to religiously follow to understand. So, I'm going to watch it.

Stephens out.....

Flat Tire, Bridge Fest & Mother's Day

Mother's Day has come and gone...Lily was in TN with her Dad, so I hung out with Haley and Joe. We went to Slidell and ate at the worst restaurant in the world. This place gives you a 12oz NY Strip if its your birthday. Yuck...why can't they give you free drinks, or cake? It was right around the corner from Copeland's (the best), but it was packed and we thought that O'Henry's would be good. It wasn't. There wasn't anything wrong with it really, the food was just shitty; and so was the service; and it was just yucky.
Joe really wanted to go to Hobby Lobby (HobLob), because he'd never been there (still hasn't). I wanted to go too, to check out their yarn selection. It has to be better than Michael's!! We didn't go. Joe fell asleep, and Haley and I left him in the car while we shopped at Target (we left the car running, of course). He slept the whole way home, he was like a big floppy bear in the backseat. He's a doll. I got a new pair of shorts, and a new shirt...Haley bought some shirts, a skirt, and a dress. I love the shorts, its been so long since I've had shorts that weren't cut-off sweat pants! Yay! I am going to wear them to work tomorrow.
After that, Haley and Joe went home and took at nap...I watched the E!THS of Britney Spears, and then Hip Hop Wives. I went to Haley's house around 5:00, and on the way thereI heard this sound...I thought the back window might be cracked, and when it wasn't I knew I had a flat tire. That sucks...I got to Haley's started getting all the junk out of the back of my car, got the jack, and the other tools (I don't know what they're called) out. Looked up the "procedure" in my owner's manual...by that time Joe was there, and he kinda took over. The spare was under the car, in the back. "We" got it changed, and then went inside and had a beer. Once they started watching "Shawn of the Dead" I left...I don't/ didn't get it. Mom does get that stuff either.

Today is Bridge Fest. The Bay Bridge is opening, finally...nearly 2 years after Katrina. It seems rediculous that its taken this long...but I guess that's the government for you. I asked Andy what we were going to do, and he said drink. So, I guess I'll be having a beer or two. Haley is having a cookout at her house tonight (Club Suebe), and Mom actually tried to make me promise that I'd go. I will go, but I have to leave and watch Grey's Anatomy. I just wonder how many people will be there. She might cancel it...we'll see.

Lily isn't coming home until Sunday. I miss her so much, I don't even know what to do with myself. I can't wait to see her, and I don't see how I'm going to make it a month without her this summer.

I guess I better get back to work...I started this blog on Monday, and I was waiting on Haley to send me a picture she took of me jacking up my car. I never got it, probably was rejected as spam.
Oh well...adios

Surfs Up!

This picture was taken from the third story balcony of St Stanislaus College located next door to Our Lady of the Gulf church in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi on the morning of August 29th, 2005. This is believed to be the initial tidal wave from Hurricane Katrina. The tidal wave was approximately 35 to 40 feet high. When it slammed into the beach front communities of Bay Saint Louis and Waveland Mississippi to completely destroy 99% of every structure along the beach for 9 miles and over ? of a mile inland. The destruction only started there. The flooding that continued inland destr oyed the contents of all but 35 homes in these two communities of approximately 14,000 people.


Isn't this creepy??? I can't imagine being the person that took this picture. I wonder what they were thinking? I haven't ever really seen anything regarding Katrina like this, it gave me chills.

I was going to copy and post the picture and me, Cammie, and Susan at Pat O'Brien's on Satruday; but I haven't gotten a copy yet. Cammie said she posted a better one on her blog...I looked at it, and I have the fattest head in the world! Thanks Cam!

This Week

This week was busy...Andy was out of town Tuesday & Wednesday. Tuesday was extremely uneventful - Amanda says you're either going 90 miles an hour, or at a dead stop - Wednesday, I barely had time to go to the bathroom. I love it when its like that, and when Andy's out of town it usually takes a day or two for things to "trickle down". I'm excited about Team Dixie-James...I stand to learn a lot from this job, and I am ready. I have started to really get a feel for what I do, how to "read" Andy, and what kinds of important info he's likely to leave out.

I really don't know how many people, or who all reads this blog. I wish it was more than it is. I wish that I "rated" enough for some of the LPC staffers to read this blog, however meaningless it is. It is a "window" to my thoughts, and that's something that I want people to have, but can't directly give them a ladder for them to get up to that window. I've felt much more introverted since I've been here...I think its partly b/c I am outside the LPC "clique", and because I tend to act like a turtle when I am out of my comfort zone. Dan gave Lily a sunflower, and its blooming...mom suggested that I invite Dan over to see it. Now, I know that she didn't mean to imply that I was inviting Dan over for any other reason than to see that sunflower; but the notion that it might be taken that way just is to much for me to handle. I feel like I "sympathize" with the "overweight, single woman"...that I'm invisible.

~~BOY, this blog is really all over the place!!!~~

But, sometimes I look at myself and think...I am pretty. I know I am a great person, and that my "looks" will fade. I just wonder about the person that God might have chosen for me: what do they like, how will we meet, what will be the deciding factor that makes us like each other? You meet people - men - and you sometimes don't think much of it...until you realize that you like that person. Oh well... just some left over bullshit from my last relationship.

I read Cammie's blog, and think...why don't I think like this? She's so thoughtful, and thankful. She seems well-rounded, and gets all her chores done. I remember when I used to do all that stuff. Except the laundry...I NEVER did the laundry. Until Lily and I lived alone, in Jasper. I always did the laundry there. I didn't have a washer and dryer to pile clean clothes on top of. Another tangent.......

Long story, short...I am happy, and satisfied here. I have grown to understand that I am different. My life is different, my family is different, and me and Lily and different from other mother/ daughter pairs. We're unique, and special...and we are making our own way.

So, from Cammie's borrowed laptop...I say "goodnight". And, Andy, if you read this...I sure do like having a laptop at home. :)

Rules of Mississippi

1. Pull your droopy pants up. You look like an idiot.

2. Let's get this straight; it's called a "gravel road." I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.

3. They are cattle. That's what they smell like to you. They smell like money to us. Get over it.

4. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 cotton strippers that are driven only 3 weeks a year.

5. So every person in every pickup waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept.

6. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of doves are coming in, we WILL shoot it out of your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the time.

7. Yeah, we eat catfish &; crawfish. You really want sushi &; caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

8. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

9. Men open doors for women. That is applied to all women, regardless of age.

10. No, there's no "vegetarian special" on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham &; turkey.

11. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and Picante Sauce! ! Oh, yeah.... We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat... IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!! real chili never met a tomato!

12. You bring "coke" into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice. You bring "Mary Jane" into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

13. College and High School Football is as important here as the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

14. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.

15. Colleges? Try Mississippi State, Univesity of Mississippi or University of Southern Mississippi. They come outta there with an education plus a love for God and country, and they still wave at passing pickups when they come for the holidays.

16 We have more folks in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, than any other state, so don't mess with us. If you do, you will get whipped by the best.

17. Mississippi is the greatest state ever!! If you are from Mississippi you are bad dude !!!

Fun Times

I've been hanging out with Cammie...we've gotten together the past 2 nights. Its been really fun, and something I don't usually get to do. I went to the beach today with Cammie and Missy [Valesco], and our kids. It was really fun. I actually got some sun!!! And yes - mom - I wore sunscreen...spf 50. It was fun...Lily even got into the ocean, something she's NEVER done before. I was proud of her, she actually loosened up and had fun with Savannah. She's in the cloud bed at Cammie's right now. Andy is somewhere. He was supposed to go to New Orleans with Jordan, Erica, and Holly; but they ditched him. I think that sucks!!!!

Well, I'm watching "Intervention" with Cammie. I know I never blogged about 10 things you can only do in the Bay, but I can't think of anything good.

I've Still Got It!

Last night I was pondering the different men that have expressed interest in me...and wondering if I would ever meet a "good man". I've changed a lot since I was a teenager, not just my personality either. I've gained a lot of weight...a lot. So, of course, I'm always wondering if men find me attractive, in spite of my obvious addition to food. I've had no shortage of men in my life...but I guess now, that there's not a man in my life, I feel more like a blob.
But at lunch today, at Los Tres, I discovered that I've still got IT. Our waiter, Hector, came up to our table and told me that "chin-strap" chip server-dude likes me. I thought...oh, that guy...the flirt. Called me muy bonita the first time I was in there...and I've heard he's hit on several LPC people. Maybe not hit on them, but its known that he's a flirt. Hector tells us that dude is a little younger than he is...so we ask Hector, how old dude is. Seventeen, Hector said.

SEVENTEEN!!!!!

Holy Shit, that's nearly 9 years younger than me! I felt really old, and laughed to myself thinking...yeah, he wishes he could date me. And then I thought...doesn't he know that's illegal???? So, maybe I don't really have "it"...but I have something, something that attracts all the wrong men. I have idiot radar...if there's an idiot around, I must date him. So, this is my proclaimation, that I may be getting "old", and fatter every day...but I've still got it! [whatever "it" is]

Celebrities Have Cellulite Too!

Someone forgot to airbrush this photo...wonder if she got them fired??

Huh?

Is that Cammie's hat on Britney? So nice of you to share, Cam, since Brit's head is probably feeling a little cold these days.
Please tell me that is has Kate boogers in it! heheheheee!!!!

Life is Happening...

Every day, whether we like it or not. I stole my title from Andy's blog...but it seemed appropriate given what today has brought on. One of my very best friends had surgery today for ovarian cancer. I do not know the details, but I am sure doctors removed her ovaries and also took some of the tumor from her abdomen. Her sister emailed several of us this news today. I knew that she was going for tests yesterday, her doctor found that her liver and spleen were enlarged...I just couldn't imagine something this terrible. I know everything happens for a reason, and that God is in control; but I am selfish and I don't want to lose my friend and I don't want her to suffer. I couldn't take my eyes off the word "chemotherapy", in the email from her sister...just sat and stared and thought about the effects it will have on her body, and the way she will feel, and how scared she must be. I wish I could be there with her to encourage her. But I'm not. I guess that's what I'm struggling with the most, knowing that I can't just drive downtown to Parkridge and see her. I had to shut myself in the bathroom here...then Andy came to see what was wrong, I could hardly tell him. I didn't want to say it, it would make me cry more (ya'll who know me, know I hate to cry)...but I finally got it out. Then it was over...I started to calm down, to realize that God is in control.
Sometimes its just so hard to be a grown-up...Lily has no clue why her uncle Terry died, or what cancer is. She has no clue right now that one of my best friends in laid up in the hospital, scared that she's going to die. She is thinking about Tom Davis, how short the time was before he was gone...all I can do is pray, because life is happening.

Was I in the Hospital?

Nothing says "I love you" quite like a big bouquet of hospital flowers! Did I miss something? Did I have outpatient surgery??? Please tell me I had my stomach stapled!

I received these flowers from my "ex" boyfriend Jason...he ordered them on Monday, but failed to tell the florist anything but the name of the company I work for, and the city we're in. So, no surprise that I didn't get them Monday! Its not that they aren't pretty...they are...its that Jason always sends roses, and to get these is like a step down. Several steps down from roses. I don't even prefer roses...that's just what he sends! I am a creature of habit...and I am used to - when I get flowers from Jason - getting roses. If I was the one sending the flowers, and I sent him anything other than what I always send, he would be suspicious. They are pretty...the more I sit here and look at the picture, I do like them. They're just not what I'm used to. It would be like me going to Big River Grille, and the waiter telling me they are out of pepperjack nachos!
Yes, I am whining about the flowers, because they're not what I always get. How dumb is that?! Pretty dumb...


Stay tuned...for 10 things that you can only do in the Bay.

Ru Ru

This is Rudy, the clone of George. He's 10 months old, and weighs 7 lbs. Yeah, I'm his proud momma! He's such a good kitty!

Ho Hum...

Its just another day in the Bay...I'm the only one in the office, the doors are open so there's a nice breeze. Lori refuses to let us turn on the AC...I mean, we're allowed too, but she complains and turns it off. She thinks she is the queen of the world. I like her a lot, but she is loud and opinionated. But, we can all be loud and opinionated sometimes. The breeze is nice though...its been looking like it might rain, and the weather channel said scattered thunderstorms. I haven't seen a drop of rain yet though.
Kelly Conwell posted on my last blog. I've emailed her twice...but no response. I'm starting to think that my comment about missing talking to her [about her] may have offended her???? No, not Kelly! :)
I adopted a kitty today. I know Mom's gonna be pissed, but Lily and I have wanted a cat so long; but couldn't have one b/c we lived under my parents' jurisdiction. I thought, Haley has a house...we can all get together over there. I don't want them to stop coming over, but I can't keep telling Lily she can't have a cat. I want her to have a pet here...and the goldfish I got that time didn't work out. Plus, we're rescuing this sweet little guy from an animal shelter. We were going to get a puppy...but the more I thought about it, I realized that I don't have the time or the desire to have another "baby". And that's exactly what puppies are; they're like having another baby! Besides, I can make sure the cat is brushed all the time, and they make anti-dander shampoo.

Mom picked up my other phone, the one Jason had. He's a crazy person, nuf said. If you are my friend, you know what happened. Wait...do other people besides my friends/ family read my blog??? Nah...but once someone from Canada read a post of mine. I was so proud! :)

Better get to work.

Monday Monday...

Back in the Bay after a trip to Tennessee over the weekend...I was so anxious to get to TN (really Ft. O), and the drive up was nothing. But the drive back was so freakin long! I still haven't unpacked everything, it sucked to come home to things in boxes. Good new, Dad got my dryer hooked up and put up my new mailbox. I even got one piece of mail, but it wasn't addressed to me.

Here's the best part of my day: Celebs are just as fat and stupid looking when they're pregnant!!!! Tori Spelling could at least wear something cute, instead of this over-sized looking polo shirt and other crap. Geeze! I have better fashion sense!

My Beachy Bean

Lily in Gulf Shores, AL

Gulf Shores & All Kinds of Stuff

Last night was our first night in Maralago, the swanky house we're staying in. I say its swanky b/c I don't think I've ever stayed ina vacation house this nice. Its got 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a golf cart you can drive to the beach. We all went to the beach today, and we were having a a great time until Lily tripped running from a wave and fell on her face in the surf. It was pitiful, she got all wet and we had to leave the beach for the day. She got her jacket wet, that's why we had to stay off the beach for the day...its so cold and windy.
Lily is enjoying being with Kate, and the other baby, also named Lily. Cammie and I went on a little bike ride last night; it was probably really late...didn't look at the time. Of course, I've been fighting non-stop with Jason since I've been down here. Funny how all that stuff he promised (supporting me, standing behind me, trusting me) went out the window when I got here. I guess he is just showing his true colors. He was all bent out of shape about me coming here, wanted to know what the sleeping arragements were/ are. I told him there were 3 bedrooms, but that wasn't good enough. He wanted to know who I was going to be sleeping with. He is so screwed up in the head...its so sad. Hard to believe that this is the person that was so wonderful, not 2 weeks ago. He just doesn't believe that I could possibly be faithful to him. I guess he's better off alone. I bought and sent him a cell phone, added a line to my plan. The phone was free, so its not like I'm out money on that...I sent it yesterday, so he should have it today. I haven't heard from him, but we didn't have the best conversation last night. I was a little tipsy and he (as usual) was being an asshole.
Lily is swimming...Andy and Kate were here, but they ditched us when Kate pooped her pants. Lily has befriended 2 older ladies, she is officially introducing herself to them now...getting their names, and sharing hers. I remember being like that when I was a kid...she's so sweet and cute. Her teacher at school told Mom that the studies were a little elementary for her. She's a freakin genius!!
We're about to go back to Maralago and I'm going to get a beer. Lily's gonna take a bath.

Thinking of you, during my first vacation in 3 years!

BSL

Well, I'm officially moved to the Bay...in 'my' house, and working. Lily started her new pre-k yesterday, and she really likes it. She played with a girl named Anna Marie yesterday-that's a good French, Catholic name.

Jason's been flaky...I've been going out with some women (Haley, and some Lagniappe women, and Cammie); so he has been really pissed about that. Saying, he knows how I am when I drink. I'm NOT getting blizted at Outback, ok! And yes, we did go thru a drive-thru daquiri hut; but I drank my daquiri when I got home. Well...some of it. It was frozen and too cold. Its in my fridge right now. Jason would DIE if he knew that I went to a drive thru daquiri hut! Hehehehe. I bought him a cell phone, added him to my plan; but now I'm rethinking whether or not I should send it to him. He's being such a moron...and he knows it too!

I am going to Gulf Shores with Andy, Cammie, and our girls...we're meeting up with his brother and sis-in-law and their daughter, Lily. Cammie and I bought the girls matching bikini's from Target. They're so cute! I am looking forward to having fun with friends.

Well, its time [probably] to get back to work. Andy is letting me off today at 2:00 so I can pack.

Is This a Chick?

nuf said...

The Kitchen of My "New" House

This is the kitchen of the house I'm renting...for $450/mo. Its about 900 sq/ft, and its SO cute. I paid a deposit on it today.

Among other news, I found out that I've been divorced since November, so I can marry! I am so thankful for the way things are turning out. Things are really falling into place for me [and Jason] living here. I am headed back to TN tomorrow to pack up my house and make my home in BSL!