Quel un Relief!

Yesterday, I'm looking in the fish tank. We have a ten gallon fish tank that houses several plants, 4 tiger barbs, 2 zebra tetras (also known as danios) and a 4 1/2 inch long pleco. So, as I said, I'm looking at the tank and Dave pipes up, "Michelle? What has happened to our fish? Are they all dead?" I look again in the tank and tell him, "No, they are there, oooh, but wait. It looks like one of the tetras is dead. He's stuck between the filter and the wall. When you get a chance, will you take care of that?" Dave says sure. The last 3 fish that have died, I've had to "dispose of", so it's Dave's turn.

Anyway, today I'm getting prepared to feed the fish, I adjust the top on the tank and lo and behold..................The zebra tetra was just stuck!! Yea! He is now swimming around and eating and happy!! Yippee, I'm so glad he's not dead. Whew!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

I got this from a friend thru the e-mail and I thought it was fun, so hereyougo!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

It takes less than a minute....... Work this out as you
read..
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it
out! This is not one of those waste of time things, it's
fun.
DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to
have chocolate. (more than once but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold)

3. Add 5. (for Sunday)

4.. Multiply it by 50 I'll wait while you get the
calculator.................

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1755....
If you haven't, add 1754 .....

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number .

The first digit of this was your original number (i.e., how many times
you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are ........





YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

2005 is the only year that this will work, so
enjoy the freaky fact that this works!

I Love Martha Stewart!

Ok, so get all "jacked". I LOVE MARTHA STEWART! Go ahead and make fun of me. I don't care. I just started watching her new show Martha on weekday mornings and I remembered just how much I loved her and her show. Owen and I used to watch her other show religiously.

Now, she's selling these ponchos and the proceeds go to the relief efforts of not only Hurricane Katrina, but Hurricane Rita as well. She's the only celebrity that I've heard of raising money for the Rita victims. Good on ya, Martha!!!

So I say thanks to Martha Stewart for remembering that other hurricanes come around besides cat 4's and they cause just as much destruction for those places that are hit as the bigger storms. When you lose your home it doesn't matter if it's the "Storm of the Century" or a Tropical Depression; you still have lost it all. So thanks again, Martha! You Rock!

OH MY GOSH!!!!!

Hey Guys! I've got some news for you. The Dreamer made it on the Creme dela Creme list!! Who would have thought it? Thanks so much to Turboslut for choosing my little blog for her world famous list!! Yeehaw!!!

Heyllo

I've been spending most of my time responding to the other blogs and not writing any posts. Athough, there is one Blog I'd like y'all to check out. It's the Fount of Useless Information. CK is holding a writing contest for fiction and non-fiction categories. It's a day or two past the deadline, but I bet he's still taking entries. So go check him and his neat blog out!!! :-) m.

Hurrricane Rita: The Aftermath? Try just getting out of town...

Hey Guys!

Well as you can tell on the news, Houston didn't really get that much of a storm. Thank God that she continued to weaken and was only a Cat 3 storm.

We do have some cousins that live in the Port Arthur/Beaumont area. Dave's cousin was supposed to get married on October 1, but they may have to reschedule the wedding. What is most important is that they all got out of there with their lives, the rest (although it does make life more bearable) is after all just stuff and can be replaced. There is really no price you can put on human life.

I think the worst part of the whole "experience" was that we couldn't get out of Houston. The original plan was to get to John and Jean's house to get breakfast and then leave from there to go to Killeen. At least, that was the plan...

David and Linda (dave's mom) rode together with all of her stuff and her dog, Belle. I had Owen, all of our "important" crap and the cat with me. It took us 7 hours to go 15-17 miles. My electric fan that cools the radiator died & we were trying our best not to let the car overheat. I had to turn off the A/C and turn on the HEATER. I had burns on my legs from the heater blowing on them. I blew it on me so Owen wouldn't get over heated, though he was plenty hot & the cat was freaking out. He was mewing and panting and generally unhappy. Owen, on the other hand, was a trooper. He had his LeapPad Learning System and some CapriSun fruit juices and a piece of gum. He hardly complained and mostly just asked where we were.

We finally got to a place where I could park the car safely & I called Dave and Linda (Thank God for cel phones!) and told them where Owen & I was. I told him that I couldn't drive anymore (7 hours, my best is 1.5 hours at a time.), that the car was trying to overheat and I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore and I just wanted to go home. I was in panic mode. My biggest fear is being stranded. Also since we only have one car, I was really worried about it being toast. He told me that they were pretty close and to try to calm down and rest. I did my best and Owen was really good so that made it easier on me.

I was talking to Dave's cousin in Killeen and I saw the most beautiful, welcome sight I ever beheld. It was my husband walking up to get to us. Linda was in the car and came driving up about 5 minutes later. Dave opened the hood on the car to take a look and let the engine cool off faster. He put more water in the reservoir and we waited for a while for the car to cool down. I switched cars and rode with Linda. Later the car got hot again; so we took Owen with us and left Albert(the Cat) with Dave. Linda and I had finally made it to J and J's and Dave called and said he was stuck. We unloaded Linda's car and John went to get Dave. Amazingly, they were back within 10 minutes. It helps when you know all the short cuts!! It took Linda & I 45 minutes to get to J&J's from the same place. :-p

When we got to John's house Linda & I had decided that we where not going any further. Really, we (Dave, Owen & I) couldn't because of the car. Basically, we had all just had enough and I was wound pretty tight. Anyone who has actually spent time around me would have known that something was wrong because I was really quiet and on the verge of tears.

I told Jean how much we appreciated them letting us stay. I was way far gone on the emotions. A friend of theirs had dropped by with his new girl friend & Jean made some Pina Coladas. I relaxed after the drink and was able to rationally process everything. Life was much better after the drink. We all had one, even Linda. :-)

By Saturday morning, although quite thankful to have a place to stay, the SouthWest Side Neumann's were really ready to sleep in our own beds. Especially since the storm essentially passed us by, there was no real reason to stay other than no power. Which when we got home, we had no power, but that was the only thing wrong at our house other than some small limbs fallen from the trees. We just opened all the windows and let it fly. It was comfortable until the sun started to come out. Then it was 83*F in the house. I couldn't hang...

By that time, Linda had power at her house. So we packed up for the night and camped out over at her house around the corner. We all walked over with suitcase, elephant(Owen's ratty, old lovey), movies, cross stitch and some steaks to cook over at her place. Dave checked on our place later in the evening and we had power. We stayed at Linda's for the night. We didn't want to move twice in one day. We cooked dinner and washed dishes, then watched a movie and went to sleep. We got out today and went to lunch, then the grocery store.

We were greated with a sign telling us that they had no meat, dairy, water and a few other things. While we were there the milk and cold cuts were delivered to the store. Again, Thank You God! :-) We got our milk and some essentials and booked it on home. Of course, being hours later, I notice that our freezer is not freezing and our fridge is not as cool as it should be. Dave found the problem. Looks like "Little Fingers" (Owen) played with the controls, so hopefully that was it and the freezer is freezing and the fridge is cooling. We'll see, if not, chalk it up to another annoyance. Better than losing a house!!

Btw: Mollo tells me there is another one out in the gulf. I'm off to watch the weather. Love to you all!!! m,d,&o.

P.S. Yuri- there were several storms between Katrina & Rita that didn't make. That's why there was a break in the alphabetical line-up. :-)

Hurricane Rita

Well, We may have to evacuate due to Hurricane Rita. We are going to see how tommorow goes & find out where she is headed. We most likely will head to Killeen/Ft. Hood where David has family. His aunt called us this afternoon inviting us up to stay with her. So if you don't hear from me for a few days, fret not. We love you all!!! m,d,&o.

Update

THE BOY GOT A STICKER TODAY! You would have thought that somebody had paid of all our debt without us having to pay it back, I was so excited and proud for the boyka!! Mrs. K was very happy with him & so was I. I told him a few minutes ago, "Now, isn't this better than being fussed at all day long?" He said, "yep." Thanks for all the encouragement!! m.

Hallo All!

Je suis Michelle et j'ai tres, tres occupe! Not sure that after 17 -18 years of having not used French on a daily basis that that phrase is correct, but you never know till you give it a go!

I have indeed been quite busy as of late, but didn't realise it until my dear friend Herge sought to check on the Dreamer. Thanks Dahling!

Choir season has started. So that means that the "Slacker" season is over!! The running joke in choir is, "Are we singing this week?" and the answer is, "Is it Sunday?" We sing two weeks out of the month both services and on Festival Sundays & during advent & lent, plus we rehearse on Thursday evenings. Yes indeed, Slacker Season is over. We do it because we love to sing & want to Glorify the one who gave us our talents. :-)

Owen has also started preschool. He is on his third day & the teacher has already pulled me aside to "discuss" Owen's "listening" issues. Apparently, the kid has a hard time staying with his class and got into the snack, that was just laying on the counter, because he was hungry. Of course I spoke to him right there and on the way home and all damn day today. They use stickers as rewards for good behavior. He has no clue what that means. We use "self-satisfaction for a job well done" at our house, not stickers. Stickers mean squat around here, but now I guess they will have to find a meaning in this house or at least at Pre-School. I told him to do his best to get a sticker tomorrow and he said that he would. I also told him that if he couldn't behave that they might ask him not to come back. Unbeknownst to me, so did Dave. Guess he got double teamed today. Poor Baby, catching it coming and going. No rest for the weary.

Speaking of weary, today I fell asleep with a baby in my arms. Didn't mean to, it just happened. I just couldn't keep my eyes open. Owen woke me up by asking me a question. Kenny & I were snoozin'. It was nice though, later in the day, all three of us were sharing the "Big Green Chair". That was why we bought that furniture set, because of the chair. It looked like a nice "Read to Your Child" chair, really big. It's lovely, as is the rest of the set. :-)

So anyway, this is a small part of what's been going on in the last few days. I'll try to get back on the daily blogging. Having issues with my mom that has me in a weird place. Not good, just trying to maintain. Hopefully, I'll get it together soon. May have to seek professional advice. Love to you all. m.

AARRRGGG! What Kinda Pirate May You Be????

You are The Cap'n!

Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not.

What's Yer Inner Pirate?
brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr!

What Is Your Element?

Your Element is Fire

Your power color: red Your energy: hot Your season: spring Like a fire, you are full of power and light. A born leader, you easily draw people toward you. You are full of courage and usually up for anything dangerous. You have a huge ego and love to be the center of attention.

What Element Are You?

This is embarrassing because the last line is oh so true.

This is My Word

There is a song that we sing in choir called "This is My Word". The text is based on Isaiah 55:10-12. It moved me so much while I was pregnant with Owen that I had the choir sing it at his baptism. One of the parts that touches me so is this:

O Lord when I am weary, when I feel the days I'm living are in vain. My God, help me be faithful to the word you have given to proclaim. Proclaim the Word, and you will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, and the hills will break before you into song. So be faithful, brave and true, for I will go before you. And when your earthly journey here is done, I'll say well done. I'll say well done, I'll say well done, well done!

This song reminds me of the promise that God made to me when he gave His son to die for me and gave me again at my baptism when I was a baby and yet again at my confirmation of my baptismal vows when I was 10. He never fails to hold me up when I feel I am falling. I know that I can count on Him in my darkest of times. He leads me to cooling waters and quenches my thirst. Sometimes it is through His Word and sometimes it is through the people He puts in my path, be they believers or not. I just wanted to share this with you. I love you all with all my heart. m.

Isaiah 55

Invitation to the Thirsty

¹ "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.

² Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

³ Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.

⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of the peoples.

⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not,
and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
because of the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
for he has endowed you with splendor."

⁶ Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call on him while he is near.

⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way
and the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹² You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed."

Owen's a Big Boy Now

Today, I took Owen to school for the first time and left him with people he really didn't know. I sat out in the parking lot and cried. Right now it's taking all my strength to hold back the tears as I type this post. I love that boy so much and miss him constantly when he's gone or too busy to be with mom.

I know that it will take him no time to make friends and maybe a day or two to adjust to the rules. I've met all his teachers and the director and assistant director. They are all lovely ladies who will take good care of my only child.

It's just that this is day one and I'm having separation issues. I know that it's only 3 hours and I'll see him again, but this is killing me. We did this for him, not for mom. It will really get him ready for Kindergarten next year and I don't want him left behind because it took him a while to get settled into the routine because mom was selfish and wanted him home with her so she could have her baby close by.

Owen on the other hand was fine. We had to call him back so I could tell him goodbye. I'm sure that as I sit here that he is fine and in 2 hours I'll get back in the car and go get my rather exuberant talkative child. He will have had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back tomorrow.

The Brothers Grimm

I think I'd like to see this one in spite of Matt Damon... :-)

The Doctor Can See You Now

I did indeed take myself and Owen to the doctor today. Owie just went along for the ride.

I got to the office at 10:30am, which was what time my appointment was and was out of there by 10:50am! Dr. N keeps his schedule hoppin'. He doesn't like to make his patients wait long.

I really like going to him. It's like having your dad or favourite older uncle take care of you. I like his accent as well, he's from South Africa. So whenever I see him or Dr. G, I get to hear these lovely accents as well as getting help for whatever I may need which is usually allergy medicine. They give loads of free samples. Dave's parents even go to this doc. They are great over there.

Owen was a dream at the drs office. I was a bit concerned, but the kid came through. It probably helped that we didn't have to stay long. Also, Owen has been behaving much better since I've been watching Kenny. The transformation has been fantastic! No complaints here. Not that there were that many to start with. :-)

So, I'm on this medicine. I have to take one horse pill a day for three days. Not too shabby. It was $30, but I'm already starting to feel better so it has been worth it. Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers! Love to you all!!! m.

The Tattoo Process

Well, Dave & I had some time after a poetry reading(that's another post) to look at another tattoo shop. Hot Rod Tattoos was the "shop du noir"(little play on words en Francais!). They had a few designs that were ok & they did a mock up for me. A small butterfly, one colour would cost $120. It's not the price that bugs me, it's the rush. I'm going to have this thing on me FOREVER! I think the apprentice thought that I was going to get it that night even though I told him that I wasn't.

He put the butterfly in a file with my name so that when I'm ready he'll have the info. They were a really nice group of guys & the vibe in the shop was alright. I just don't like being rushed.

I think the next shop we will visit will be Shaw's. They've been in business in Houston since 1979. I have met several people who have had their tatts done there and they are extremely happy with them.

I've been doing my homework "on-line" in regards to the shops. Now all I have to do is visit the shops and look at the portfolios of the artists.

Dave has decided to get one too. We will get ours together. He wants a stylized Scooter! Big Suprise, eh? I'll post pics when we do it, before, during and after!!

Poo

There is just something about the word poo. It sounds funny when you say it and brings gross things to mind when you hear it. I love that word.

It's a great substitute curse word. Instead of saying "Oh Shit!" you say "Oh Poo!". It gets the same point across without sounding quite so vulgar.

Also you can use it around kids. You might be tempted to be coarse and ask your child, "Hey! You done dumpin' that load yet???" or you can ask them, "Are you finished going poo?". To my ears the latter sounds much better. Only slightly more genteel, but then how damn genteel can you get when you are talking about fecal matters.

Shoot! somebody must have thought it was a good word, after all the is a very popular bear named Pooh... And aren't us moms of little babies always asking them, "Did you make a poo-poo? Is there a poo-poo in your dittie? Are you making poo-poo with your face all wrinkled up and red like that? Oh yes you are, oh yes you are, my little baby blah, blah, blah..."

I know. All my non-parental readers just shouted profanities at the screen that Michelle has gone COMPLETELY INSANE!! Oh my God, I can't believe she says that shite!!! She's just blown the image I had in my head of her as a cool mom. Damnit! Now she's no longer masturbation fantasy material... (not that I ever was mind you...).

Anyway, I just like the word poo. I think it's funny the way we use it and how it makes us feel.

I think I'm Sick

My goodness it hurts to pee. I know that's extremely personal. Just thought I'd share. I know that I have a bladder infection. Had one or two before. I caught it yesterday and started with the cranberry juice.

Usually for me one day of that and I'm good to go. Not this time. I think I may have to break down and go see the doctor. I'd go today but I am watching little Kenny-poo.

He's sleeping right now. I'll be watching him tomorrow too. Besides, I'm not about to pay the $50 for weekend "emergency" co-pay! It's bad enough that we have to pay $20 to see the doc & $25 to get the meds.

That's why I try so hard to not get sick, we can't afford it! Well that and the fact that I am allergic to 3 of the 4 major antibiotic groups. I almost died in ninth grade, but that's another story.

Nobody Knows, Nobody Cares...

Ok. I must have pissed off EVERYBODY in the blogosphere. No one talks to me anymore. Fine. I knew that I'd wear out my welcome one day.

Cook Book

Hello All!!!

I'm part of a "ladies" group at church and we are putting together a cook book. It is my job, along with another lady, to get recipes together. So if you have a special recipe you'd like to contribute, email me the recipe and if there is a short remembrance as to why that recipe is so special to you we can put that in too. Thanks!! m.

What's New.

Yesterday I started watching mollo's nephew just for the rest of this week. He's so sweet. About 6-8 weeks old. I'm totally getting my baby fix. He and his mother should be here any minute. I have offered myself as a back up for their current caregivers. It seemed that last night when I spoke to the dad, that he'd like for me to be permanent, but he'd need to clear it with the wife and I think that the other caregivers are friends. It doesn't always work to have a business arrangement with friends. In fact, it often turns out badly. We'll have to see how things go.


BTW: My teenager voice student didn't work out. The mom wanted someone who could play the piano and since I am the "One-Handed Wonder" and only hunt & peck on the piano, it didn't matter how good I was at vocalization. Oh well, I hope they find what they are looking for. Still got paid for that session. $15 is $15.

Today

Well, let's see... today we had lunch with Dave's folks at a BBQ place here in town and then we went to Wal-Mart for some "designer" underwear. Spongebob and Batman are the "in" thing to wear these days. And if you are getting completely bored with this post go visit here.

Finally Finished

OH
MY
GOD!!!

I have finally finished borrowing my mom's recipe box. I got just what I wanted and NOTHING more. That woman has been on my ass ever since she said that I could borrow it.

Sorry!
Been busy!!

Holy Guacamole! She gave me nothing but grief over that flogging box. She doesn't even cook anymore!

We are giving it back tomorrow. I'm tempted to return the silver she gave me years ago, but since she said I should keep it, I guess I will. It would only confuse her and hurt her feelings anyway.

Seven 7's

Here are the 7 sevens, but actually, mine are 6 sevens... enjoy!


7 things I plan to do before I die:
1. Sing the National Anthem at a major sporting event. (Astros or Rockets game would do it. Anybody got any connections? I'm ready!)
2. Be debt free.
3. Have my own Roller Rink! Yeah!!!
4. Finish my BA and go all the way to PhD.
5. Have another child.
6. Live in a colder climate.
7. Learn to paint.

7 things I can do:
1. Chew gum and walk at the same time. :-p
2. See in the dark. I'm part elvish... ;-)
3. I can roller skate.
4. I am a good bluffer.
5. I swim under water.
6. I can sing all four vocal parts of Handel's Halleluia Chorus.
7. I can play mind games, but I choose not to.

7 things I can not do:
1. I could never have casual sex.
2. I can't raise my right arm, even a little bit.
3. I can not drink as much alchohol as I used to be able to.
4. I can not drive the speed limit. I have to be a bit over!
5. I can not abide people who do not have common sense.
6. I do not handle money well, but I am working on that.
7. I can not resist the darker side of the human experience.

7 things that attract me to the opposite sex :
1. Warm soft lips.
2. Looking me straight in the eye ~ very sexy.
3. A quick wit.
4. A nice bum.
5. A biteable neck (part vampire, remember...).
6. Clean hands.
7. Nice smile and teeth.

7 things I say most often:
1. Actually...
2. HOLY GUACAMOLE!
3. Do what you are told! (to the boy.)
4. Daaaaaaaaaang!
5. Did I just say that out loud?
6. I love you baby...
7. Commere and let mama give you a huuuuug!

7 celebrity crushes:
1. Orlando Bloom (nice eyes)
2. Elijah Wood (in profile, he looks like Dave!)
3. Tom Welling (Smallville's Clark Kent ~ he's got the lips...)
4. Constantine Maroulis. He seems kinda cheesey now, but when he looks right at the camera his eyes burn right through ya and oops, I made a moist spot...
5. Greg Vaughn (General Hospitals current "Lucky", nice smile and eyes.)
6. Jonathan Jackson ( GH's original "Lucky" it's the lip thing.)
7. David Wenham (Faramir LOTR Two Towers. That is one hot man!!! He's got it all. WHEW!! Lip Smackin' Good, let me tell ya!)
8. Karl Urban (played Eomer LOTR Two Towers, can't leave him out!! Ooo, same sentiments as David Wenham, What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty fine man... Say it again, now! Yes he is...)

7 people I want to do this:
I wouldn't want to bug others with this, so if you wanna, then do it. If you don't, then don't. :-)

Today is Muy Better!

Today is so much better. I'd like to give a great big shout out to Garfer! He replied with wisdom and sensitivity to my anger and pain. I thank you very much Garf. You are a really good friend and I love ya for it!! :-)

Today we close on our financial restructuring. Now we can get that blasted fence fixed. I better not hear one peep out of our crazy next door neighbor! When we get it done it will add value to the house & we'll finally have a decent yard for parties and for Owen to play. i can't wait. I'll post before and after pics.