Life's Laundry Prompt

What significance does this day hold for you? It should hold more, I used to be an Umber Christian, but life happens. Tomorrow is more significant, because chocolate goes on sale.

When was the last time that you participated in an Easter Egg Hunt? Actually, yesterday.

Life's Laundry Prompt

http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/

What is your favorite way to exercise? I like to go to Curves, this place is amazing (I haven't gone lately, because I felt I was having a Panic attack. I was not, but now suffer from association issues). I also do Windsor Pilates and step aerobics.

How often do you exercise? 2-3 a week, sometimes more if I am extra manic.

1. Do you believe that Terri Schiavo should be allowed to die or that she should be kept alive?
The more I hear about this story, the more worried I get. What I find most disturbing is all of a sudden terry is trying to tell her family yesterday that she wants to live. Also, how about newer video footage, the stuff on the news is years old.

2. Has the Schiavo case made you take any action towards creating a living will of your own?
Hell, yeah

3. Let's forget what we know -- or more likely, what we think we know -- about Schiavo's condition. If you suffered a brain injury that would leave you in a non-responsive vegetative state (whether Schiavo is in this state or not) and your doctors said that there was so much brain damage that there would be no hope of recovery, would you want to be kept alive no matter what?
I have three children and a very loving supportive family. I think we should think in 3s. If I can breath on my own, but can't eat, keep me plugged in. If I can eat on my own, but can't pee, keep me plugged in. If I cannot eat, breath, or piss on my own, now we're getting serious, can I talk? Yes, than I will be cursing up a storm if you even try to unplug me.

4. Has anyone outside of your immediate family ever asked you to be their "personal representative" to make such a decision on their behalf if they ever suffer a severe injury? Do you think you could really make the decision?
I have a son whom we really do not know what is wrong with him who experienced very severe seizures when he was younger, and a daughter that has had 2 open heart surgeries in 5 years. I am their representative. Medical is not synomous with miracle.

5. Do you have a special outfit ready for Easter Sunday? Does your family have any special Easter traditions?
Yes, I have a special outfit, we try to hook up with friends.

6. What room of your house is the absolute messiest? Would you ever let a house guest see it?
I have three kids, they are all the messiest.

Life's Laundry Prompt

http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/
What flowers are blooming now where you live? Tulips, daffodils, and rhodies
What is your favorite fresh flower? I love roses, they are all around my house. We have early and late roses, so the scent fills the house during spring, summer, and fall. My all time favorites are yellow.

FQ: Birthday.

FQ1: When is your birthday? May 5th

FQ2: Anything interesting happen on your birthday in history? Well, duh, it's cinco de mayo!! Also, rumored to be Boy's Day in Japan

FQ3: Anybody famous share your birthday? Do you have anything in common with them? I apparently share a birthday with Tina Yothers, ya-F^%$ing-who!

FQ FUTURE: On your 100th birthday, what year will it be and what do you think you'll be wanting as a present then? 2075, a new oxygen tank.

Friday Feast Prompts

http://fridaysfeast.blogspot.com/
Appetizer - What is the worst movie you've ever seen? Really, there have been so many...
Soup - Name something that reminds you of your childhood. Oi! Another question with infinite possiblities. How about, I talk to my parents once a week, which is more than sufficient to rip childhood scabs off!
Salad - If you had to live in a large city, which one would you want it to be? Seattle, I guess, only because, I really don't want to move again-EVER (We moved like 5 times the first 6 years of marriage). So, if I say Seattle, I could just like in a cardboard box like everyone in the summer. I could take the ferry home every couple weeks to take a shower. In the fall, I could migrate down to Southern California.
Main Course - What's a "big word" you like to use to impress people? I say "insert superlative here" when I want to curse in front of my kids
Dessert - Describe your hairstyle. Right now, bad perm, 'cause I just woke up, but it has potential

Friday Fiver Prompt

1. What kind of toothpaste do you use? Crest Orange
2. Do you take vitamins? No, but I should
3. Which over-the-counter drug can't you live without? Tylenol
4. What kind of soap do you have in your shower? Sensaria Sweet Orange Body Wash, Dial Aloe soap, Avon Light and Lush soap
5. What is the most unusual item in your medicine cabinet? My kids id cards

::Wine, women and song::

Onesome: Wine- or beer? Or do you prefer your beverages non-alcoholic? As someone that knows they have a problem, I avoid alcohol.

Twosome: Women- and men. We're entirely different creatures. What do you think makes the opposite sex tick? Or do you consider their behaviour a complete mystery? Sex makes men tick. Every decision they make has to do with what degree they're getting some.

Threesome: and Song- What's your favorite song? Your favorite band/ musician? I have a wide variety of favorites.

Scraps from my Childhood

I got my creativity from my mother, don't tell her. She'd want it back.

As a kid, she was always doing something with needles. She would sit on the couch with the soaps on, or Oprah, and cross-stitch. I can't recall any specific projects, just aida and floss.

"Shhh, I'm counting," she would say.

She would sequester herself in her sewing room, little more than a glorified closet, and sew. She had an eye for color and would piece quilts on her machine. I would get dizzy from her speed, and the whirls of color. She would quilt them by hand, then embroider her name and date on them when they were complete. She would sew doll clothes with the scraps.

"For the craft sale," she said.

She did some alterations for her friends, taking in and letting out. She made a few cheerleader outfits, too.

She made clothes for me, too, but that was when I was little, so I don't remember. I have baby quilts for everyday of the week, because my mom is a gram'ma now, but that's it. I don't think I have a thing she has made that I could call my own.

I got my creativity from my mother, but, please, don't tell her. She'd want it back.

Sincerity- Original Poem

So many sorries, for only a moment in time
Why do I resent apologies for my life?
Not enough money,
never enough time
I couldn't find the right thing to say, sorry came to easily
Sorry came and was out the door, a forgot utterance
Not tall enough, never skinny enough
I couldn't find the right thing to wear, it was easier not to go
and after a while they don't even matter
Nobody listens to sorry anymore
time and time again
I didn't mean to do it
I didn't think it would hurt you
I'm sorry
So so sorry...

Life's Laundry Prompt

http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/

What 3 things top your "To Do List" today?

1. Write
2. Put away laundry
3. Clean up house

Which one will you be most likely to accomplish first, and why?

I will write, because that is what I do. I check out the memes, then let the questions/topics steep for a little while, then spew something of publishing quality later in the day.

In the past I have had a tiny bit of a following with my fiction posted on different sites, mainly Themestream (who folded and took my literary genius with it), and Xanga (which is still availble at http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=MustangGrrl00) and story.com, or stories.com, I don't remember (all I know is I forgot my username and password, so anything there is gone-gone-gone)maybe I'll post some of my better stuff, because as with this blog, there is a considerable amount of rambling and whining.

"it rains and pours in twos
wonder if I'll come home
no strength left to battle you
run to the open arms
of anyone, anyone
I'm watching you fall from grace
breaking a heart of gold
don't ever try saving face
run with your heart of stone"- The Get Up Kids

Well, my brother is gone. He was going to hang out here for a year and "babysit" me. I'm going to be alone with the kids for a year while P is over in the Middle East.

I need to be babysat, because I have not been a single mother because of a deployment in over two years. Also, previous deployments have only been six months, and since the last deployment, I have been diagnosed as bipolar (manic-depressive), and P has added an illigimate child to his brood (though not living with us). Anyhow, P could not afford for me to buy another Mustang while he is out of the country. A 2000 Mustang was pretty good self medication for a while. I'd love to up my dose to a 2005, but frankily, my insurance won't cover it.

So, anyway, after a false start (he forgot his cell phone), R is gone. I was really wanting him to stay. But, he did just get back from Iraq (he was with the Stykers), and we are a handful. He had to leave, and I tried not to ask too many questions, so maybe someday he'll come back.

I can never go back. I hate NY and what memories I left there with in 1993, and the worse memories in 1995, and the memories of 2000, when we finally left forever. Hopefully, I guess I can get into this more at another time. The lyrics, though, up top pretty much describe me, and how envious of my brother I am. He can go back with no regrets.

Now I have another favorite song, that says,
"Oh no, you really haven't lived life yet
If you ain't got no regrets"

I'm thinking I could have had a perfectly wonderful life without accumulating regrets. But, alas, too much history, lost love, betrayal, insecurity, lost identities, dashed dreams, miscommunications to go back.

Life's Laundry Prompt

http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/
Do you think that there will ever be peaceful existence for the people of Iraq? Yes, I do, in my lifetime however, maybe not.

What do you think it will take for that to happen? I think it will take a couple of years. After 200+ years of what we Americans call Democracy, we still haven't managed to get things quite right. Recently, we've had some issues with elections. I say clean things up as best we can, then just watch good things happen. Kind of like a teenage step child with identity issues, not much you can do, but guide and hope for the best.

Cheddar X Prompt

http://cheddarx.blogspot.com/

1. When did you last get yourself good and lost? I don't get good and lost I usually recover quickly from a missed exit or wrong turn.

2. Did you stop and ask for directions or just drive until you found someplace you knew? Just turn around or get off at the next exit

3. How far out of your way have you gone because you didn't want to stop for directions? Not very

4. What's the best place, person or thing you've found while lost? Not applicable

5. Do you ever get yourself lost on purpose, just so you can find your way home? When I move to a new area I will drive around without purpose, but not to get lost, so I generally don't lose my way

6. When was the last time you were lost in the woods? A good ten to fifteen years ago, on my dad's farm, on purpose for fun, but it didn't last very long, because it's a small farm with plenty of landmarks.

Would you rather:..

have a giant sunflower grow out of the top of your head OR cotton balls under your arms? Cottonballs, not that big a change

always yell at the top of your lungs OR never be able to speak above a whisper? Whisper, would be a HUGE change

not be able to say the letter 'B' OR make all your 'S' sounds like 'SH'?

Would miss 'B' sounds, so I'll take the profound lisp

eat EVERYTHING covered with chocolate sauce OR have a side of graham crackers with every meal? Graham cracker crumbs rule, pass the milk!

Are you more likely to...

1. Give advice or take advice? Give
2. Interrupt a conversation or have your conversation interrupted? Equal Odds
3. Get lost while driving or find your way without a problem? Equal Odds
4. Be a trendsetter or be a follower? Neither
5. Look at a situation as "half empty" or "half full"? Half Empty

How Many........
1. ...computer-related gadgets do you own? We have 2 computers, so we have two of every thing, except, only one scanner and one digital camera, but we also have a special keyboard for my visually impaired son.

2. ...pictures on your living room walls? Zero, really, no kidding

3. ...magnets on your refrigerator? Alot, mostly letters

4. ...reference books in your bookshelves? A ton!! But I consider most books reference

5. ...boxes of cereal in your cupboards? Zero, but three bags on the top of the frigdge

6. ...lamps in your house? Three, mostly over head lighting

7. ...times a week do you shop for groceries? I try to do weekly shopping, but inevitably (sp?) I forget something

8. ...magazines do you subscribe to? Zero, but probably going to change that

9. ...tv programs do you watch on a regular basis? Two or three

10. ...items on your bathroom counter that don't really need to be there? All but four, toothbrush, tooth paste, hairbrush, and soap. Everything else I could live with out, although uncomfortably.

Madness Prompt

1. Insanity
2. Degranged man in a lab coat
3. Old man in a trenchcoat, hands stuffed in his pockets, muttering himself staggering along the sidewalk
4. Dog barking uncontrolably behind a fence, frothey mouth and mean eyes

Prompt from LunaNina

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

1. Stink:: garbage
   
2. Renewal:: Spring
   
3. I remember...:: do I have the time to listen to this
   
4. Loneliness:: me
   
5. Ooooh:: my kids
   
6. For real:: pain
   
7. Titanium:: uranium
   
8. Get down:: let's boogey
   
9. Rupture:: ahh, my back!
   
10. Dramatic:: my 5yo daughter
    

Friday Fiver Prompt

http://www.livejournal.com/community/fridayfiver/
1. What's the first physical feature that attracts you to another person?
Eyes
2. Do you read the tabloids (i.e. The National Enquirer, The Mirror)?
Only in line at the grocery store
3. Have you ever snuck a peek at someone else's paper while taking an exam?
Nope
4. How would you describe your vision?
Very poor
5. What's the scariest thing you've ever seen?
I was once almost involved in a huge accident (think Final Destination 2) on the Long Island Expressway, during a police funeral procession. I was pregnant and I had my two little boys in a Mustang.

Prompt FOUR FOR FRIDAY

http://www.belicove.com/
Q1: Which do you use the most... microwave oven, toaster oven, or conventional oven? Which do you prefer to use? Tied between micro and conventional

Q2: If the NCAA Men's or Women's Final Four basketball tournament was played in your hometown arena or within easy driving distance from where you live, would you try to attend one the three games? None of them, not into basketball at all

Q3: Of all the clothes you own, what do you feel most comfortable wearing, and why? Flannel pj's

Q4: On what television show—either past or present—would you like to make to make a guest appearance, and what role would you play? I would like to play one of Tommy's sisters on Rescue Me

Letter to the Woman that Wanted My Life

I intend for this letter to be a work in progress. I have a lot of healing to do, and I hardly expect to do it in one sitting, so please bookmark this entry and come back often. I am using real names here, because I really doubt this woman is a reader or a thinker, but a part of me hopes someone recognizes this woman and sees her for the home wrecker she is. Thank you, Judith

Dear Kristina,
I thought women like you only existed in the movies, Fatal Attraction comes to mind, never fathomed you were real. You are real thoug, and my life will never be the same because of it.

I would like to say your timimg was impeccable, but it wasn't, you got a lucky break. You had been a "friend" to my husband for a while before you made your move. I wonder what you talked about, he really doesn't talk about all that many things. Did you see an opportunity in Star Wars or Lord of the Rings? Legos, The X-Files, or 24?

Yes, our marriage was rocky, but really, what business of it was yours? Have you ever been a spouse of someone that comes and goes with the tide? Have you ever been left home for months at a time with small children? How about a "single" parent of three, one visually impaired and one with a heart defect? None, no, no, and no.

You're a single parent now. I saw a picture of you that was taken about 2 years ago. Shit girl, you look rough! I can only hope you still look so bad. God bless the single mother!

Anyway, back to you and your lucky break. I look back and wonder what was going through your mind when Paul was telling you about our daughter's emergency surgery. The surgery they flew him off the boat early for. I wonder how you twisted things as you questioned him. The story I got was I was not there emotionally for him. I wonder what story you received. Let me tell you, not only did we see The Lord of the Rings while my daughter was in recovery (not my idea) and browse through Barnes and Nobles for a few hours, but he got lucky several times in the motel room across from the hospital. And most importantly, about being there for him, if this was the case, let me clarify that he was a grown up and was able to care for himself. I was caring for one child hooked up to more machines then I could count, two other children at home, myself, and him. But, I was painted as the selfish one, how interesting, I wonder if you helped him to come to this conclusion.

Now, he was flown home about a month early, than hung around about two weeks at home, than joined the ship in Mexico or San Diego (I can't remember) for the rest of the journey home. Basically, they flew him back to the ship with only a week or so to go, so you had to move fast, I can understand that, but why use my daughter's surgery against me. Is your daughter having open heart surgery not enough, the fact that this will be happening in coordination with major growth spurts, not enough? Now, I have this wonderful memory linked to what is already a stressfull occurance.
**More too come, but I'm getting tired**
What the fuck did I ever do to you? You selfish, scanky, bitch. I hope you reap what you've sown. I hope you know nothing but misery.

Coming Soon...She shows up at my house for a Memorial Day Party

Just for sayings sake..

I been having the darnedest time editing my profile...On my blog it says Olpmic Pennisula, but on my profile page it is all spelled correctly...What gives?? Also, I want the "Go to..." to go away, and just have it say "No smoking within 500 Feet". Why won't it cooperate??? I was messing around this morning, then gave up, I figured, let the server freshen up, but noooo!!!! It is still cranky. Please help me.

Response to The Greatest Place To Have a Baby

Just a few things to share, maybe I'll post my own three very unique birth stories someday.

I do agree you are solely responsible for your healthcare, and pregnancy is not an illness or disease to be treated.

I also agree very strongly with a remark I read, about if you do not know your options, then you have none, which brings me to the (most recent, possibly last) birth story I have to share.

My first son was born in California (very progressive birthing suite was provided, visitors could come and go, I was allowed to be up and around, no IV, etc...)I was very comfortable, especially with the Beatles playing in the back ground. Baby was placed immediately to my breast, and slept in my room.

My second son was bor in Washington, at a military facility, but as progressive as the hospital in CA. In fact, they installed a birthing tub within a month of my visit. I was also mostly happy with this care. I had some problems with "Spectators" (people doing their job), because my labor this time was hard and quick, and my previous labor had been slow and easy (I was beside myself). We had never entertained drugs, but when you're in serious pain and offered relief...well...I am human... Anyhow, bad idea I was vomitting and now had to stay in bed. Upon delivery, we learned my son was facing tha ceiling, so if I had not caved into taking the drugs, everything may have righted itself. Live and learn.

And I did...My daughter was born in New York. I was not going to tour the hospital, "You-seen-one-you-seen-them-all". At the last minute, my husband dragged my to a new parent thing. I was hoorified as we toured the maternity ward. Two operating rooms, and three birthing suites. A nursery that was locked. They told us these things to reassure us. I demanded to speak with my doctor the next day and said no way, no how, this is how we're going to do it, or I'll give birth in my kitchen. As it turns out, my demands though not unwarranted, were unneccessary, because my daughter was born with a serious heart defect, so even though I had championed her bassinet to be in my room, so I could breast feed on demand (another thing they don't do in NY)she was transported to a hospital better prepared for such situations.

Apparently, NY mothers want this kind of care. I am a native New Yorker, exposed to other ways of doing things because we move alot, I am truly sorry for my friends that have no idea there are other, better ways.

And, sorry, just one more thing...My daughter's heart condition should have been detectable by ultrasound, if they had known what to look for, but our families had no previous history of such a condition. So, basically, whether or not our insurance pays for it, what false hope do tests such as ultrsounds give us?

Life's Laundry Prompt

http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/

Maybe when I was a child. The last St. Patrick's Day Parade I remember being remotely interested in was when I was a Junior in high school. This was only because my boyfriend's parents were going to be at the parade, and, uh, we weren't.

My favorite Irish saying...I have a lot, too, because I am trying to write an article about the Irish Potato Famine, so I have been reading a lot of personal accounts and such. They all seem to be escaping me right now. I do however distinctly remember one ending with- "...May you at least die in Ireland."

Thursday Threesome Prompt

http://www.othersideofglenroad.org/

Happy- Just about anything cute my kids do brings me a certain amount of joy. Also, getting a personal piece of snail mail.

St. Patrick's- We celebrate with Corned Beef and Cabbage, and a shot of creme de'menthe (sp?) for dessert.

Day- My day is as busy as it needs to be on any given day, always room to cancel, always room to cram in one more thing. I like flexiblity.

Pre-Flight Check

FYI:

1. No, I am not a pilot, though I play one on TV.
2. No, I am not an A&P Mechanic (plane mechanic), though I have been know to change my own oil...
3. in my Mustang, which has been known to fly down the I-5 corridor, as well as, other choice locations,
4. And after getting soaked in transmission fluid, the only think I change is my oil.
5. Yes, I would like to be a pilot someday, but a grave fear of heights keeps me from my dream.
6. Yes, I actually have some A&P Mech Training.
7. No, I have no speeding tickets in this particular Mustang.
8. Yes, I was active in the Aviation industry at a regional airport.
9. Yes, this work experience does serve as the back drop for many of my stories.
10. Yes, I am spontaneously combustable.

So, like it or lump it.

And, no smoking with in 500 Feet.

Prompt from Life's Laundry

( http://lifeslaundry.blogs.com/ )

What surgeries have you had?

In 1998, half way through the summer semester, I was struck down by appenditis (?). This would probably not have been a big deal, except I had actually made it back to college. At the time I was struggling through algebra, because I never did my homework, and english lit, because my liberal teacher had an interesting way interpreting the classics. I was also working at McDonald's, because although I was able to pay for school, daycare was killing me!

As luck would have it, I was also two or three months pregnant with baby number two. It was a very scary time for me, at first they didn't know what was wrong with me, because the baby was not cooperating during my multiple exams. Finally, the docotrs had an "Ah ha" moment, and I was rushed into surgery.

A few days after the surgery I thought I had lost the baby, because I was shedding hair like crazy, a postpartum occurance after having my first, due to hormonal changes. I was still very much expecting, but was not out of the woods yet, pregnancy certainly complicated things. I was very uncomfortable and had become very dehydrated, so a week after surgery I was again rushed to the emergency room.

However, for all the fear, counteracted by prayer, in December a beautiful baby boy was delivered with ten fingers and ten toes.

Prompt from Tuesday Twosome

( http://tuesdaytwosome.captive-heart.com/ )

1. Shaved or not shaved? Shaved
2. Asleep or awake? Awake, mostly
3. Above ground or underground? Underground
4. Bath or shower? Shower
5. Fake or real? Very real