Stacy said, and Sue did it, so I must too...

Blog Challenge for the week
10 Favorites
Color: Blue
Food: Lobster when eaten with my cousins at Cape Cod
Month: September
Song: Don't have one, but favorite I heard today was Journey's "Worlds Apart"
Movie: Top Gun
Sport: snow skiing
Season: Fall
Day of the Week: Tuesday
Ice Cream Flavor: Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk
Time of Day: morning, just as the sky starts to get light

9 Currents
Mood: good
Clothes: black jeans, UMass sweatshirt, black socks, Birkenstocks
Taste: Chocolate Suicide Cake
Desktop: Grand Canyon - I think it's from Windows
Toenail Color: "toenail" - that's a color, right?
Time: 1:39p
Surroundings: couch in the family room
Thoughts: Need to be working on football stuff
Wonderings: if John can e-mail the soccer graphics he faxed the other week

8 Firsts
Best Friend: (that I'm still in touch with) Tammy
Kiss: Don't recall
Screen Name: Martha in CA
Pet: I think it was a dog (when I was 3)
Piercing: ears (had 'em done a second time, but those holes might be closed
Crush: I think it was 1st grade and his name was Mike Bennett
Computer: Don't recall what brand
Home Location: California

7 Lasts
Cigarette: With Lisa in Tahoe 3 years ago (WTH was I thinking?)
Drink: milk with my cake (see above)
Kiss: the dog
Movie seen at the theater: Dunno...'Open Season' maybe (I don't get out much)
Phone Call: Normie about the LV trip we're not doing, but making a plan to meet in VT instead
CD played: In the car, Peter Gabriel 'So'
Gift received: scrapbook titles from Jenny

6 Have You Evers
Dated One Of Your Best Friends: Yes
Broken the Law: Yes, and October 4 I was cited for it
Been Arrested: Never
Skinny Dipped: Yes
Been on TV: I don't think so - did a PSA in high school on the radio, however
Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: No

5 Things
You've Eaten Today: 2 pieces of honey toast; chicken/broccoli/rice casserole; chocolate cake
You've Done Today: Took the dogs out; picked up dog doo from the carpet in the guest room (our 'guest' dog didn't have to go when he was outside); showered; got DS off to school; had the red car serviced
You Can Hear Right Now: television (MadTV), desktop fan used to help circulate warm air around wood stove...it's pretty quiet around here
You Can't Live Without: Water, sleep, e-mail, internet, chocolate
You Do When You're Bored: Dunno - can't remember the last time I was bored

4 Places You've Been Today
Roseville
Bathroom
MarShaTes
Bank

3 people you can tell anything to
Debbie
My sister
Tammy

2 Choices
Black or White: black
Hot or Cold: cold

1 thing you wanna do before you die
Cruise to Alaska (dunno...really had to think of this one, cuz there isn't anything that huge to me)

They come in 3's...

I knew the ex-father-in-law of a friend of mine died. Already have plans to go to the funeral and take pasta salad. Today I was looking at the obits (as I do regularly) in the local paper. I know/know of three that were listed. Mrs. H. was 90 and the grandmother of the husband of a woman that sits on a youth sports board with me. MJ was 42 and the sister of a friend from HS. I knew she had some sort of learning disability, but didn't know (nor did it matter) exactly what it was. I'm not sure if she went to school with us or if I only know her from going to L's house, but I remember that she loved to laugh and that all she wanted to do was hang out with us. And then there was O. He and his wife took in my friend T, when she and their son L started dating in about 9th grade, as if she was their own. L&T married, but the marriage didn't last. In fact, he died about a year and a half ago, about a year and a half after his mom passed. They had another son, C. C & T are listed as O's children. As it should be.

I will go to O's funeral on Saturday. It will be T's son's 16th b-day. What a shitty way to spend your 16th b-day. Maybe I should make a cake and take some candles for later in the afternoon.

Why go looking for trouble where none exists?

Tonight, the phone rang a little before 9p. Have I mentioned that I don't like the phone? And that I really cringe when there are calls between 8:30-9:00? (after 9p really torques me unless I'm waiting for someone to call). Anyhow, it was my sister with a serious tone of voice that instantly made me start to think something was wrong (and that I'd have to fix it). She was all concerned that she had been to our moms and needed some bread or a cracker cuz she wasn't feeling well. Mom went to the oven where she has a bunch of boxed stuff stored. I saw it last week but didn't really think much of it. My mom keeps enough food on-hand that there is no risk of her starving to death. Ever. If anything, she'd die because something had spoiled! She also doesn't have much room for storage and her need to "have stuff" creates the need for her to put it some place! So, since she lives alone and doesn't have to cook much, the oven must have seemed like the perfect solution!

I think my sister was pissed that, a) I knew about this storage "system" and didn't tell her, and b) that it didn't bother me one bit. And maybe c) could have pissed her off that my voice may have sounded as if I thought she was being ridiculous. *shrug* Never have been good at hiding my feelings!

I worry about my sister and her anger. I can imagine that one day her head will explode like they do in the cartoons. Only this won't be funny.

I wish she could find the basis for her rage. I wish I could help her.

Get your facts, then post your comments...

So. You think that the School District isn't the only one to blame. You think that the guy that owns the land that is being DONATED to the District has an "agenda" because, as you say, he is a "land developer." Well, jackass, you really should see if you know what you're talking about. Have you been to any District meetings about this issue? Have you contacted the landowner about his dealings with the District? Did you go to his website that has copies of all these documents?

My friend Nancy has a way of describing things if you can't get the picture. She'll give you a fact that can not be denied. DOT! She'll list another. DOT. And another, and so on. DOT. DOT. Eventually, you can connect the DOTS and see the picture that you couldn't previously get around your own self to see.

There are a lot of dots to be connected. The end result, I'm afraid, will be what I've been saying for the past 6 years. The District never intended to build a school out here. They claim, currently, that they have spend nearly half a million dollars to study the feasibility of this land donation. The one thing they don't have is water and sewer. The land owner had two perc tests fail when he was building his home at the other end of the property. Hmmm...there's a DOT!

And for the record, the land OWNER is not a land DEVELOPER. He is a commercial building developer. There is a difference. I've suggested, in the forum that this guy published his foolishness that he reference the website that the landowner has created. Maybe then he too can start to connect the dots. Short of that, he should just call my friend the landowner. He's an open book and will let anyone that wants to see the documents he has and ask as many questions as they want.

I don't believe he District ever intended to build a new school. If they do, I doubt it will happen any time soon.

Well, neener, neener...

The football program is officially launched! Our president was told by a guy from another program (that will lose players cuz those kids will go to the high school we are aligned with) that we shouldn't do this new club this year. He said we wouldn't get enough kids. HAH! We had nearly 140 people in the audience. I handed out 35 football packets and mailed another 23 out. I had 25 cheer packets. I only had one left when I came home! We've got another meeting 3/8/07. Our registration forms are on our website.

We were thinking that we'd barely have enough kids to form squads of 25. I know of about 18 kids just for our Midget squad! Hot Damn! We are well on our way!

I'm thinking that I'll wear my football t-shirt to the local coffee shop this morning. Just in case that guy that said it couldn't be done happens to be there, sitting in the corner chair with the paper hiding his face. Like he was 2 weeks ago when our v.p. and I stopped in on our way to a League football meeting! I don't know what he looks like, I didn't get a good glimpse of him, but with my new t-shirt on, he won't be able to miss me!

Stacy stole it, so I might as well...

She got this from someone she is stalking on the internet!

1. Is your second toe longer than your first?
Isnt' everybody's?

2. Do you have a favorite type of pen?
I like a blue, medium point. Don't really care about brand, but those "fatter" styles are nice, maybe with a little cushion for your fingers... But those Bic's with the clear barrel, like we used to use in high school, are fine. I'm really not a "pen snob."

3. Look at your planner for March 14, what are you doing?
Planner? How 'bout the calendar in the kitchen? Aside from going to the gym in the a.m., nothing is down yet.

4. What color are your toenails usually?
Is "toenail" a color? I don't paint my nails, any of them, ever.

5. What was the last thing you highlighted?
Parts of this document that I copied from Stacy's blog. Last week my hairdresser did my hair.

6. What color are your bedroom curtains?
They are a print from Longaberger, but dang if I can remember what the pattern is called. Muslin colored background with purple and green flowers.

7. What color are the seats in your car?
Cream/tan with the accumulation of 15 years worth of wear/tear/dirt

8. Have you ever had a black and white cat?
Two now. Jackson, who only lived for about a year, I think he had leukemia, and now we have Sparky.

9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on?
An envelope, but it's been so long I don't remember who it was too, or what it was for.

10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming?
Not on purpose.

11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time?
To get some money just in case my mom didn't treat for lunch on Monday

12. Who is the last baby that you held?
My great niece at Christmas.

13. Do you know of any twins with rhyming names?
Sorta. They're actually triplets, Harry, Barry and Gary. Barry and Gary are identical twins.

14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste?
Not so much. I used to use Close-Up, but prefer Colgate

15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago?
The same ones I drive now, but DH traded me "primary cars" cuz the red car gets better gas mileage.

16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators.
huh?

17. Last time you went to Six Flags.
June 2003. Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, CA.

18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house?
Not paper, just a border in the hall bath. Again, a Longaberger (discontinued) pattern.

19. Closest thing to you that is yellow:
A ream of paper that I'm going to put some not-yet-determined football form on.

20. Last person to give you a business card?
Jeff that is doing our football banners/clothes

21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to?
Janell for my hair

22. Closest framed picture to you?
My favorite one - of my brother-in-law and my son with boogie boards on their heads as they're heading into the Gulf at Port A, Texas taken in March 2005.

23. Last time you had someone cook for you?
DH did dinner tonight.

24. Have you ever applied for welfare?
No.

25. How many emails do you have?
To receive e-mail? 3, but I'm not sure what my gmail account is. I've never used it. E-mail in my "in-box" is 334 in my most active account. The Yahoo account has more, but thats just because it doesn't get jammed up when it's full.

26. Last time you received flowers?
Two weeks ago. DH brought home purple iris, my favorite.

27. Do you think the sanctity of marriage is meant for only a man & woman?
Not my call. But I sure don't have a problem with any two people that love each other and want to be together.

28. What are you listening to right now?
Billy Joel, "Honesty" from Yahoo LaunchCast radio

29. Do you play air guitar?
Not with any regularity. Sometimes I play the air drums. Drumming the steering wheel with an empty water bottle makes a nice sound.

30. Do you take anything in your coffee?
Don't take coffee unless I accidently get a mocha at Starbucks.

31. Do you have any Willow Tree figurines?
No, but I've given them as gifts. I prefer to not have figurines.

32. What is your high school mascot's rival?
huh? Back in the day, it was the Vikings, but now there are about 11 high schools in the District instead of 2

33. Last person you spoke to from high school?
Carrie.

34. Last time you used hand sanitizer?
Dunno. Don't have it on-hand.

35. Would you like to learn to play the drums?
No.

36. What color are the blinds in your living room?
White, aluminum, mini blinds, with a Longaberger fabric valance.

37. What is in your inbox at work?
I work at home. It's ALL there, but the current priority is football.

38. Last thing you read in the newspaper?
Didn't read the whole thing, but it was something to the Ombudsman regarding the size of the weekly t.v. guide that comes in the Sunday paper.

39. What was the last pageant you attended?
WTH? People GO to those things?

40. What is the last place you bought pizza from?
Round Table. They have the best!

41. Have you ever worn a crown?
Not a real one, but a paper one from Burger King about 30 years ago.

42. What is the last thing you stapled?
SYF Rule Book and Charter

43. Did you ever drink clear Pepsi?
No. Barely drink any carbonated sodas.

44. Are you ticklish?
I'm not saying.

45. Last time you saw fireworks?
4th of July, 2006.

47. Who is the last person that left you a message & you actually returned their call?
Either my sister or Paul

48. Last time you parked under a carport?
8+ years ago when we lived in the condo

49. Do you have a black dog?
no.

50. Do you have any pickles in your fridge?
Probably, but I don't eat them, so I don't buy them.

51. Do you find Dan French irresistible?
Who? Never heard of him, no time to Google him.

52. Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of?
Travis.

53. Last time you saw a semi truck?
I know I saw one on Monday cuz my son pointed it out to me. Probably saw others since then, but I don't have much interest in them so I don't pay attention to them.

54. Do you remember Ugly Kid Joe?
I've heard the name but don't know anything about him/them

55. Do you have a little black dress?
It's not little, but it's black, and it's a dress.

Misunderstood?

Maybe.

A group e-mail was sent out today with the end result. I didn't resolve it, but I sure worked for a long time on it. I replied with needing to put a cold compress on my head after all that banging up against the wall I did. Someone in the group said, and I'll paraphrase here, "great, now Martha has a headache, what will we do next time something needs to be taken care of in the 9th hour."

I took it as a dig. I asked three of my best friends that I am online with daily/multiple times during the day. All three of them took it as him trying to make a funny.

When I first read his reply, I was p.i.s.s.e.d. I was trying to think of something to say that would cut him to the quick, but the only way that could be done would make me look like a jackass. Not long after his post, the original post-er that revealed our "victory" posted that we were up against a near cluster that could have been a near deal-breaker for our group and that I had worked long and hard to bring a resolution. I thanked him for his words privately and told him I almost opened up a can of whoop-ass on the other guy. He said he thought he was "piggy-backing" on the other guy and that he didn't think anything bad was meant.

Since two girlfriends, who would tell me the truth no matter how much I didn't want to hear it, said that they didn't take it the way I did, I decided that it was cocktail hour.

Bottoms up.

Next crisis?

Just R.A.I.N. already!!!

For the freakin' love...

It hasn't rained in at least a month. I'm SO tired of touching things and getting shocked because the air is so dry. And then there has been the cold. There has been 'frost delay' on the golf course more days in a row than I care to remember. Not that I give two shits about frost delay on the course, but the grass is already dormant and brown. Frost on it just makes is stay ugly.

Once the danger of frost has passed, there is lots to do in the yard. I can see several things either need to be trimmed way back or replaced. And then there is the stuff we thought would recover after the pool was done. Two years and it hasn't recovered, I think we'll quit waiting and just start over in those places.

I can't way for dreary damp days with rain on end. My fear is that it won't happen. We don't need a drought.

"It looks like a cyclone hit it"...

Given the Florida headlines, that really isn't appropriate. However, I'm not about "appropriate"...well, not all the time. Sometimes being "politically correct" is just flippin' ridiculous.

Growing up, I can't begin to think of the number of times that my mom would say, "it looks like a cyclone hit it" when referencing my room. I'm 45 now, and that would be a reasonable way to describe the current state of my house! Oh sure, there is a new seat on the toilet, and the fan blades are clean, but there are soccer uniform samples on the island, yesterday and today's papers on the kitchen table, a barf bowl, water, juice and kleenex on the coffee table (for DS, who is with fever and asleep on the couch), along with a short stack of mine that has both football and soccer club stuff in it. The beds are unmade, and my scrapbooking stuff from last weekend has been untouched for the past week. There are clothes to fold in the dryer, and a basket full of things to be ironed. And here I sit with some peppermint tea, typing away on the computer and checking my usual sites on the internet.

I think I'll set the timer for 45 minutes and see what I can get done.

No need to call FEMA. I think I can handle this one on my own.

"Mom?"

Didn't I just say that sharting isn't funny?

Hmpf.

Spoke to soon.

My son is 11. Today I went to school around noon and picked him up cuz he didn't feel well. I actually had a feeling that he wasn't going to feel good before he went to school today. I've been sick since Monday and, apparently, there is something going around. He's been sleeping on/off most of the afternoon. He's on the couch in the family room now, and a little while ago he farted. Or so we thought.

"Mom? I think I need you to wash my pajama bottoms."

Ewwwwwww.

(poor guy)

Dilemma...

Dictionary.com defines dilemma as "a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives."

No kidding.

I got a virus, apparently from the internet, cuz my friends all seem to be sick too.

Here is the dilemma:
I went through a box of tissue yesterday. My nose is raw.
Today my head is jammed up. I'm not sure I want to take anything that might cause the pressure to be released, but then cause my nose to run and my eyes to water.

Thankfully, I have another full box of tissue if I need it.