October 29, 2010

Want to see me freak out???

Then you should have been here last night, as I was contemplating going to bed and just checking Twitter before doing so.

When I saw a tweet from Kathryn.

@gigirambles Sweetie! It's not spam...it's Google Chrome. WTF??

along with this picture


I almost immediately began to hyperventilate.  What was going on?  How could this be happening?  HOW IS GIGI'S RAMBLINGS HOSTING MALWARE??????

This was completely unacceptable!  Impossible.

Of course, I jumped online and, with the help of Kathryn, began researching what could have happened and how to fix it ASAP!

Did you know that Blogger/Google has "Webmaster tools?"  I didn't.  I'm still not sure how they work or what all they do.....all I know is that I was inundated with information that was next to impossible to decipher - especially since my cold medicine had begun to kick in about an hour into it (yes, the cold is still hanging on somehow....).

I finally had to admit defeat and head to bed - praying the whole time that I would wake up and all would be well - that it had been some kind of horrible nightmare.

It wasn't.  I woke up and spent far more than my usual, alloted thirty minutes of computer and coffee time before work trying to fix it.  In a last ditch effort, I dumped my beloved template.  I had remembered reading something last night that mentioned the site that hosts my template.  And miracle of miracles - that fixed it.

Apparently, the site that hosts the template was hacked.  Who would have thought?

So that, my friends, is the long winded explanation of why things look a bit different - and will probably continue to evolve as I try to find something else to my liking.  If you happen to notice something is missing please let me know as the switch was just a quick one - so I don't know if I caught everything I needed to catch before switching.

A very special thank you to Kathryn for alerting me to the problem and going to such lengths to help me try and fix it.  This is why I love blog-land!

And once again, I have to question why people feel such a need to do bad things - like stealing credit card numbers and hacking into websites.  If you are going to put that much effort into something - do something legal and worthwhile; because seriously?  There IS a special place in hell for people who put others through so much torture.  Especially when all they want to do is go to bed - or get up and enjoy their coffee.

October 28, 2010

A little bit of this and a little bit of that.....

I have so many little bits just floating around....not enough to make a real post but just enough that I need to clear out of my mind to make room for more little bits.

First, is this......



Seriously?!  These have been around for a few years now.  And to be honest, it's a little irritating.  Mainly, because they are usually in "prime" parking spaces and because how come we didn't have these when mine was small?  I had to wrangle him all the way up from the bottom of the parking lot (uphill both ways!) - taking care that he didn't get run over until I could get him in the store and buckled into a cart.  Sheesh!!  You younger moms have it soooooo easy.

******
What with Halloween being around the corner and all - it should come as no surprise that I was totally freaked out today.  I jumped in the car at lunch, pulled up to the parking lot exit and just happened to glance down only to discover the world's largest spider sitting in my lap leering at me.  Needless to say, I screamed and swatted the thing away.  The world's largest spider is now lurking in my car somewhere - most likely pretty upset at me.  So of course I spent the entire drive to and from lunch - and on my way home this evening, keeping an eye on all the shadows in my car (what road?) and feeling like there was something crawling on me.  I may never drive that car again.    And here I was worried about snakes crawling out of the air conditioner vent after watching the news this summer - clearly I need to be more concerned about this spider who surely has revenge on his mind after being swatted.

****
In other news, one of my beloved colleagues has announced her retirement at the end of the year.  I am heart-broken.  She is one of the few sane ones and I love her dearly.  Life at work will not be the same without her.  So what that she has been with the company for about thirty years - how can she leave me like this?!  I have expressed my displeasure - it doesn't seem to faze her one bit.  I have informed her that she can't possibly leave me with all the crazy people - again, she doesn't seem to care.  She seems to think that we will keep in touch - I know better.  I know how those retirees are - I've seen the commercials.  They are out living the high life while us desk jockeys spend our days slaving away.

I've decided my only recourse is to kidnap her.

So, if you aren't busy next weekend.......I might need a little help - since I don't think she'll come with me willingly......

October 24, 2010

Perhaps I should just un-invite them

Hubby came to me the other morning and blurted out this rather random question (why yes, we do speak a lot of random in this house - although he claims it's usually just me.  But you and I know better.  Oh okay, you are right - it's usually me) "You know where we ought to move to when we retire?"

My first thought was "Retire? When will that ever happen given the current state of life?" But instead, I piped up with, "The beach!" Because that is where I would truly like to live - well, at least during the majority of the year but not during hurricane season.

He said, "No." (of course.  We are going to have a real problem when it comes to retiring, I can already see).  "Las Vegas."

Now given that this is a man who is not a gambler of any type and the fact that he hates heat this one surprised me.

I know that he figures if we lived somewhere "fun," and "glitzy" and is a "destination" that we might actually get family (specifically his family) to come and visit occasionally. (Although, in my mind the beach meets all those requirements.....)

We live exactly at the half-way point between family up north and family down south - but yet, we've had very few visits from family - despite the fact that the family seems to visit each other up north and down south fairly often.  The icing on this cake?  My brother-in-law's youngest daughter is now in college right across the state line - about an hour and a half from here.  Despite the drives down to settle her in or to visit - we've yet to see anyone - even though you pretty much have to drive through North Carolina in order to reach South Carolina.

For the most part the family seems to like us whenever we visit (because yes, we are expected to do all the visiting) so we can't quite figure out why they don't come here.  Anyone that has come for a visit is given the royal treatment and goes home exclaiming what a wonderful time they've had and how hospitable we are.

Hubby's mother has been to visit maybe once.  She kind of gets a pass as she is older and can't be expected to make the nine hour drive.  She doesn't like to fly - although she's been known to fly to Florida several times - much to my annoyance.  I mean seriously.  It's under an hour to fly here versus however long it takes to fly to Florida.

Hubby's sister has been a few times - after we guilted her into it.  She makes the trip from Florida up north at least once a year.  Her argument for not stopping?  It was 45 minutes out of their way.  Seriously???  Once we guilted her into it - they would stop for an overnight visit.  Staying only about 12 hours before heading out to spend a week or two up north - and never stopping on the way back.  She hasn't been back since we asked her not to stop 3 years ago because we had just moved that weekend and weren't prepared for company - we didn't have any of the beds set up or had even begun the process of sorting out the boxes.

Hubby's brother?  Has never visited.  Ever.  This, I think, is what hurts Hubby the most as they are close.  Brother - has no excuses.  Especially now that his daughter is so close.  Hell, he wouldn't even have to come here - just tell us that he is in South Carolina and we would drive down to meet him.  But yet, this same brother is constantly badgering us to come up for a visit.

Even when I was planning a huge (and I mean HUGE) bash for Hubby's 50th and personally invited them - not a one showed up - much less gave a decent excuse.  This I know, hurt him deeply.

I love Hubby's family, I really do.  They are wonderful people - except for this.  Not only is my husband deprived of his family - my son is also deprived as he has not had the opportunity to get to know his aunt and uncle or his cousins.

It's not like we smell funny.  We don't (I've checked).  We have plenty of room for visitors.  We make people feel welcome.  We don't live in a backwater area - there is plenty to do here if you don't want to actually visit with us and would rather see the sights.  It is the most baffling thing.

We've invited them repeatedly.  I've made pointed comments - so many, in fact, that Hubby has asked me to refrain - as it makes him uncomfortable.   But, apparently doesn't make the family uncomfortable enough in my opinion.

So when I asked why Las Vegas - he responded "So every time someone asks to come visit - we could say we are too busy for them."

The hurt shines through.

October 21, 2010

Boys are worthless when it comes to picking out a shoe

Occasionally, the thought will cross my mind when I think it might be a good idea to have had a girl-child.  You know, one to help me decide which shoe would be the better shoe to complement whatever outfit I may be wearing.

Because I have to tell you - the guys just don't cut it.

First off - they both have a tendency to roll their eyes and groan whenever I ask, "Which shoe?"  And if one happens to hear me ask the other - well, then that one goes into hiding because he knows that he will be asked next.


What they both fail to realize is that 9 times out of 10, I don't need a second (or third) opinion.  Usually, I'm quite capable of deciding what shoe "makes" the outfit.

But sometimes, just sometimes, I need a little help.  And the way they react, you'd think I was asking them to poke out their eyes with a pointy stick.

Such was the case this morning.  I needed help deciding between the patent loafer or the beautiful pump.

I snagged Man-Child and after telling me that this was a waste of time and I always went opposite of what he said - the pump was his choice (although we all know he just picked one so he could be set free).



After he scurried away, I heard Hubby coming up the stairs.  When he appeared, I asked him.  After complaining that he was late, he chose the patent loafer, of course.


I still wasn't sure.  I was leaning toward the pump though.

Then I remembered.  Today was fire drill day.  Great.  Clomping up and down four flights of stairs.  So the pump was out . . . . but that great pair of ballerina flats hiding in the closet was calling my name.

So it was a la Audrey Hepburn that I skipped off to work - apparently, I didn't need either of their opinions after all.

*****
Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on the last post.  My dad is fine - he just has a tendency to hide things from me until after the fact; which never fails to drive me crazy.

October 18, 2010

Have You Ever??

Have you ever played along with Momma's Have You Ever series? I always mean to and then I get distracted (oh, shiny!)


It's that time again my friends. Time to ask others if they have ever done/thought/wanted/had/watched the same stuff as you so you can feel like you are not alone in this big, crazy world.

In other words, it is time to humour Momma and join in on the fun so we can all feel good about ourselves and not so strange.


Have you ever called your aunt to wish her a belated Happy Birthday only to hold the phone away from your head, looking at it incredulously and say "WTH?!"  when she informs you of a death in the family . . . that happened SIX months ago?

Have you ever been totally flabbergasted when she then says, "Oh?  Didn't I tell you?" and then goes on to say, "Hmmm, maybe I should have called your dad too."

Have you ever then turned around to call your dad to tell him of the news only to then be informed that he's been ill - but never bothered to let you know - even though he knows after the last incident that you want to be informed about his health?

Have you ever then retrieved the voice mail that came in while you were on the phone with your dad only to be informed that your friend's mom has just be diagnosed with Alzheimer's?

Have you ever then decided that you don't know if you'll ever talk on the phone again?

Have you ever decided (again) that your entire family - with the exception of yourself, of course - is crazy - because, seriously - how could no one even think to call me?!  *sigh*

October 17, 2010

It is his turn (no matter how sleepy I might be)

I slept in this morning.  Really, really slept in - till 10:00 am.

I haven't done that in years.

Lest you think it was because I spent a long night of partying and debauchery - let me set the record straight.  That wasn't the case.

It was a long night all right.  But one spent at home, snuggled up in my jammies, suffering from a nasty cold and fighting valiantly to stay awake.

Man-Child was out with his buddies last night, which was all well and good.  It is his turn to be out with friends having a grand time while his ancient (in his mind) parents stay home.

The problem is I had just yesterday had the "conversation" with Man-Child about never getting into a car with someone who has been drinking - or worse.  That he is to call me to come and get him - no questions asked (well, at least until morning).  So with this conversation fresh in my mind - I knew that I had to stay awake - just in case.  Because I knew that should I fall asleep and the phone were to ring I'd never hear it as I sleep like the dead - especially if I were to take cold medicine as was my plan.  Besides, as Man-Child is slowly venturing into life beyond our walls, I want him to know that someone will be waiting up for him when he gets home; something I didn't have.

At one point during my vigil Hubby told me to go to bed and that he would wait up.  If only.  Not two minutes after uttering these words, I look over and he is fast asleep on the couch.  I knew I couldn't trust that man.

So with very heavy eyelids, I cruised around the internet for a bit and watched some television - which pretty much confirms to me that there isn't much worth watching - and waited and waited - wondering if 8:30 pm was much too early to expect him to come home on a Saturday night (according to both Hubby and Man-Child it is!) (I kid - but just barely).

Finally, around midnight, the boy came home - happy to have been released, for a few hours, of hanging out with the parents on a Saturday night - and more importantly, safe.

And with that, this vigilant mom took two Ny-Quils and headed off to bed - where she slept the sleep of the truly doped up.

And this morning?  After talking to Man-Child and hearing how much fun he had - I suppose I can say that it was worth it.  It is his turn after all.

October 16, 2010

I always knew it..... but now it's official - I'm the "cool" parent

Hubby called me on Friday wanting to have lunch.  He was having tires put on his truck and was told that it would take two hours.  He figured if we had lunch that would at least kill an hour.  Romantic, I know - how could any woman resist an invitation such as that?

At any rate, when I pulled into the parking lot guess what sight I beheld?  My husband waiting for me wearing a "sauna" shirt.  Don't know what that is?  Have a look.

Why yes, it IS a silver, plastic-y kind of material


Yes, seriously.  He was wearing this.  In public.

Thank goodness we were eating in an out of the way deli - where I didn't have to worry about running into anyone I knew.

As you can imagine, I had to ask what the hell he was doing.  He informed me that he had planned on going to the gym and somehow, got sidetracked by getting tires.  Which still doesn't answer the question - WHY was he wearing this?  Apparently, he is of the opinion that it will help him to lose weight faster if he wears it while working out.  I am of the opinion that is a bunch of baloney and that he is a crazy man.

With lunch on the line though I did eat with him in this attire but informed him in no uncertain terms that this would be the last time I would ever be caught dead with him in this get up.  He replied that he is past the age where he cares what people think.  I let him know that he is NOT in fact at that age yet.  No one is ever at that age where this particular "outfit" is concerned.

As I was recounting the event, in detail, to Man-Child - he proceeds to inform me that not only does his father drive him to school wearing this get up - he actually got out of the truck and went into the front office to ask a question while wearing it.

I looked at Man-Child incredulously and said ........

"And you worry that I'm the one that's going to embarrass you?!"

Hands down - I win the cooler parent award.

October 11, 2010

If you've wondered where I've been - I've been thinking (it happens occasionally)

Yes, I realize it's been a while since I last posted.  And thank you for the inquiries - I'm fine.  Promise.

I've just been in a quiet mood.  An introspective mood, if you will.  Shocking, I know.  But then again stranger things happen every day.

I read something the other day that has apparently struck a chord in me as I am still thinking about it days later - instead of having it fall through one of the many cracks in my memory, as so many other things do so very often.

Of course, when I read it I didn't have pen on me to copy it down - or even my trusty phone to take a picture of it so I could decipher it later.  So I've had to rely on my faulty brain to try and remember the gist of it.

Basically, it said something along the lines of not mourning what was - but realizing that was not the path you were meant to be on anymore.

That helped me to realize that despite my chatter about change being a good thing (at least in relation to the change ups at the office) that I have been very resistant to the change that has taken place in my own house since Hubby lost his job.

At first - while very angry about the way it happened - I seemed to be okay with it.  I knew that his former place of employment was toxic and unhealthy for him.  I knew how unhappy he'd been there.  So I was of the opinion that his being let go would be a "good thing."

Then the months dragged on and prospects were dim.  I knew that none of this was his fault.  It wasn't his fault he was let go.  It wasn't his fault there were no jobs to be found.  It wasn't his fault the economy had taken a nose dive.

But I had become resentful and angry - not at him (though it probably seemed that way to him) but at the situation.  I wanted that security back.

Then Hubby began to talk about starting a business.  Although the plan is a good one - the idea terrified me (still does).  This is NOT the time to take that kind of gamble - that was my first thought.

But after reading that passage - which I'm still convinced I haven't conveyed properly - I have begun to realize that maybe now is the time to take that gamble.  And that maybe this is the path we are meant to be on right now.  And though it is a risk - what do we have to lose?  We may have to make some changes to accommodate for it.  But this is where we are and I need to accept it and see where it takes us.

I remember when we first moved to North Carolina - neither of us had jobs.  And I wasn't worried.  Because this was a change I had wanted to make.  So I figured it would all work out in the end.  And it did.

So, now I'm trying to adopt that same carefree attitude I had back then.  And you know what?  Already, I feel better.

October 1, 2010

Happy Birthday to the best 16 year old I know.

Today is Man-Child's 16th birthday.  I was going to write a very sweet and sappy post.  Really, I was.  But life got in the way.

This post was going to be filled with pictures through the years and ramblings about what a wonderful kid he is.  Unfortunately, I put hubby in charge of the birthday gift.  Lesson learned there.

2 days old
While he had a great idea - the gift will not arrive until almost Christmas.  So guess what I spent the majority of my day doing?

7.5 months - Hey, we are from Texas! Gotta have a cowboy hat shot
Instead of perusing through my many, many albums picking out favorites to share and composing a beautiful post, I have spent my entire day off running around like a crazy woman.

8 months
And even now, that I've bought and wrapped the gift, made the cake that still needs to be decorated and have downloaded a few photos - I still don't have time to sit and write the lovely post I wanted to write.  Because now, I am racing against the clock to get this posted - because it's game night and I have to be out of here shortly.

9 months - he loved that cabinet
The past sixteen years have literally flown by.  And though there are times when I wish I could have that little guy back....

14 months - told you he loved that cabinet - he was always in it!
I am so proud of the young man that he has turned into.  He's smart, articulate and charming (for the most part).


15 years
He makes me laugh like no one else can - over the silliest things.

15 years
He's strong, athletic and very determined.

But he will always be 


My little guy.

Happy birthday buddy.

****
And just because I think it's really, really cool and wanted to share .... follow this link to see the boys' pre-game pump up huddle.  I tried and tried but I can't embed the video.  So to see it, click here.