Feelin' extra-crispy

I went to the annual family reunion on my grandma's side of the family (dad's mom), and spent too much time by the river, resulting in some very irritated shoulders and slightly less irritated arms, chest, shins, ears and back. Work today will not be fun. I've been slathered with aloe vera gel since Saturday afternoon, which I wouldn't need if I'd been smart enough to slather on some sunscreen before I went (novel concept). But I didn't think about it, and I didn't think I'd be there long enough to get pink.
What's funny is that you wouldn't have noticed I was burned by looking at my face; my nose is slightly pink, but you'd think I was blushing. Then I stayed home from church yesterday because something I ate didn't agree with me. So I've been in a long-sleeved polyester/lycra-spandex dance shirt and yoga pants since Saturday night since it's light and breathable and covers pretty much all of the burned areas. I've also had to wear a bun so my hair doesn't get in the goop when I baste myself in aloe, which I should probably do again soon. That oughta learn me...
But it hasn't been all bad lately. We switched our offices last Monday, so now his computer is in the bedroom and mine is in the living room. It's nice, since I can go and be on my computer in the living room and not have to wait for him to wake up to use it, which is especially good for laundry day (Monday). And work hasn't been too bad, but not always that great. We only have four babies (Moe, Webby, Tweety, and Strawberry), which isn't too bad. At one point we had five, but the youngest one (at the time, a 6 week old girl named Iris) was only there a few weeks while her dad was working as a teacher. But he has the summer off, so she'll be back in August when school starts up again.
It's nice to have so few babies, but at the same time, they have a tendency to leave early sometimes. On Friday, I had two by myself, and they were gone by 5:00, so I needed something to do for an hour! (I only work two hours a day.) So I took my time closing up my room then helped the gal next door with her last two, and we were out by 5:40, so she took me home. Since Mira and his friend from high school hang out on Tuesdays, I've been hanging out with her on Tuesdays too. I know her from church, and I teach her daughter in the 18 month to 2 year old class there.
Anyway, that's been my excitement for a while. Hopefully things don't go too bad with this burn at work today. The last thing I need is to pick up a baby and have him or her thump on my tender shoulders.

Crazy?

I've recently discovered "blinkies", those cute little snippets of picture and text that now adorn the top of my page. There are thousands of sites dedicated to these tiny wonders: some are people's collections and others are about the people that create them, along with collections of their works.
I was first introduced to them at the message boards on iVillage. Seeing them everyday, they wormed their way into my heart and now I think they're great. The "waiting" one came from Blackhearted Wolf, and the rest are from Pinky Blinkies. I'm tempted to have somebody make me a siggie while I'm at it (colorful signatures using one's name or nickname; some include pictures and/or other graphics).

Ren Faire, baby!
I went to the RF on Saturday and had a blast! I thought it was just going to be a bunch of us girls with my mom, but my dad and brothers ended up going, so it was my whole family, JR, Book, Jess, and Von. It was $9 for students, and since we all had coupons, Jess and I each paid $7. And they didn't even ask for our ID's. ^_^
Lar, Book, Von, Jess, and I separated from my family and we ended up going our own way. We saw a cute Punch and Judy show while resting our tired feet, had some lunch, saw some jousting, and had a grand time looking at the clothes and jewelry.

I even bought a dress that I just had to get! This is my biggest splurge for a while. ^_^ I wore it around the rest of the day, carrying my pants in a bag they gave me, and forgetting to bring it with me on a few occasions. I contemplated getting a hair stick, but ended up not buying it. Jess and I stopped at an essential oil and incense stand and smelled all sorts of pretty scents for a few minutes. I have always thought that honeysuckle and lilac would make a good perfume, and it does. Von said she'd have to start saving money now for next year. That doesn't sound like a bad idea.
I called Mira and asked him if he wanted me to get him anything, but he wasn't too interested. But just about everybody bought something. Jess bought a pretty silver rose ring, Book got a cute fairy skirt, and Von bought a hair wreath that looked cute on her and one sexy stiletto dagger. My dad bought a whip and a dagger, Whiteshark got the same dagger (if you've seen Spider Man 2, then Harry Osborn has the same one near the end of the movie), Polar Bear got a sword, and mom bought a maroon dress that looked great on her. Jess took a picture of me and my mom in our dresses.
So now I have a costume if I need one, and something to wear to next year's Faire. I can't wait!

Just thinking...

I've often wondered if any of the guys I went to school with ever thought I was attractive, but didn't do anything about it. Has anybody else ever had that thought? I mean, not dating in high school wasn't really a big deal, mainly because I wasn't that interested. But I often wonder what experiences I would have had had I dated somebody from school. Am I alone in the world with this thought? I don't know why I've thought about it, but I have.

Anyway, how about an update? Work is going well. Monet's mom got a job at another daycare, so she was able to take him with her to work. He's been gone for a couple weeks now. Then Ross, who comes T-W-Th, is moving to the next room at the end of the month since he'll be 8 months old. He's trying to crawl, but hasn't quite gotten the hang of it yet. Just about all of the kids have been sick one way or another for about the last two weeks or so with coughs, ear infections, and congestion. So far I've been spared any sickness from it. ^_^

Last night, I checked one of the networking sites I belong to, when I saw I had a message. The subject was, "Pobrecito?" I just about screamed, "It's my Pobrecito!" He was in the same graduating class as Lar, we were in a musical together ("Groovy!", my junior year, his freshman year), and did "Screw Crew" a couple times as well (the set builders for the plays). I checked his Yahoo profile, and he's in the same place as my friend Ry! When I get a hold of him, I'll have to ask him if they know each other. That'd be so cool. The difference is that Ry is in the Army national guard, while Pobrecito is in the Marines. He also said that he'll be leaving for Iraq in the spring. I wish him luck.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I'm going with my family to see Episode III on Saturday, so that should be fun. Hopefully it'll be better than the first two.

Welcome to legality...

Moueska turns 21 today! Happy Birthday, Feliz Cumpleaños, and all that jazz. ^_^
~The Infamous T

Got my future-Mother's Day gift!

Phantom of the Opera on DVD, of course. ^_^ I was happy to get it, even though I knew what it would be. I can't wait to watch it.
Hitchhiker was good. I loved the bits that those who have seen the miniseries would understand. There's a rumor that there might be another four installments, each following the other four books. That'd be neat. I really was looking forward to seeing Milliway's on the big screen, though. Now I have Corpse Bride and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe to look forward to. Yay!
We found a millipede last night and decided to see if Popcorn would eat it. He did. He also enjoyed a taste of freedom a few minutes ago: we took him outside to let him run around a bit. Needless to say, he loved it. But he kept running out into the street, so we brought out his ball and let him run in that outside as well. He wasn't too happy, but he did enjoy being a free man... er, hamster. He got really hyper, and would jump out of our hands to get away. He fell a foot from my hand to the sidewalk, but he's not broken, so I'm happy. He also tried burrowing in the grass, but he didn't get too far. He probably tired himself out. But boy was he glad to get out and breathe some fresh spring air.

"If you're going to survive out there...

you've really got to know where your towel is." If you know the origins of this quote, then you know to what movie it refers that flies its way into theatres this weekend. Yes fellow hitchhikers, Douglas Adams' best selling "radio series, ... record album, ... novel, ... television series, ... computer game, ... stage show, ... comic book and ... towel (see its page of trivia on IMDb)" is being made into a movie. The trailers I have seen are awesome, and I'm very excited to see it.
I'll be going on Saturday with family and friends, we will all have our towels, and my father may or may not dress up in his bathrobe. Here's hoping it doesn't suck! ^_^

I'm turning into my mother!

Mira picked me up from work so we could do some shopping for much needed household items, mainly for me (girlie stuff, body wash, hair stuff, etc. ). What should have been only about $85 turned out to be $230 worth of stuff! So what did we buy? Mainly clothes. ^_^ Mira got three (much needed) pairs of pants and five tee shirts with pockets, and I got three new tees myself. We also got an organizer for his Stikfas stuff, two Sharpies, a plastic spray bottle, and a few others. Oh, and has anybody been there recently? There's a small tan bird that lives there now. I saw him last week when I went there with my mom, and he was there again this time. We were in the jewelry department and he was by the spinning racks. He's so cute! ^_^
I got my paycheck from the Board of Elections Commissioners today, and my first paycheck from work, so I'll be able to replenish some of what we used tonight. ^_^
Work wasn't too bad. There were only three babies; Monet was sleeping, and Muse and Moe were in their saucers, so it was an easy day. I finally got my clock-in number yesterday, so I don't have to track what hours I worked now. After Moe's dad picked him up, I got Muse to take a small nap before her mother came and got her, and Monet was content to be held until his mom picked him up. I love my job, and the babies are so cute. ^_^
P.S. Congrats to Moueska on her new job! Way to go, kiddo!

You spitting on me again?

I had a good first day of work, I think. I got there an hour early to learn the ropes, and I'll go in tomorrow at 11:30 because one of the gals I work with has to leave early, so I'll be there six and a half hours. Yay! ^_^
I can remember six of the kids' names (they'll have nicknames on this blog, of course): Strawberry, Moe, Tweety, Monet, Muse, and Webby. I changed diapers, one of Muse's bibs (my poor outfit was decorated in formula spit-up; it disappeared though), fed and burped Tweety, and generally played with the babies. It's part of my job to "close up shop", which doesn't take too long. It's nice when most of them are sleeping and the rest are contentedly playing with toys. It's kinda hectic with them waking up, needing a diaper change, and eating all at once, but it's easier once they're settled. I think I like it. ^_^ Now, what's an easy way to get spit-up stains out of clothes?

More Phantastic Videos!

I found this site at my folks', and I've found two other videos that I like. One features Raoul and Christine using the Bryan Adams song "Everything I Do" . My mom and sister are hooked! ^_^ The other is "Learn to be Lonely" from the film. The video quality isn't all that great, but it fit and gave me chills. There are videos featuring Erik and Christine, Raoul and Christine, one for other videos, and one by "guest vidders". It's a great place to pass some time and see some great videos. I highly recommend it.
Enjoy! I know I do! ^_^

I start Monday!

Mira took me to the day care center/pre-school, "Lene" (the gal I work with at church) got me an application to fill out, and took us on a tour of where I'll be working. I got to meet a few of the gals there, and Lene filled me in on some of what I'll be doing, gave me some advice, and told us a bit about the facility. I'll be working with the six week to eight month olds. They're so cute! I can't wait to start working. ^_^
It's a really cool place. And it's only eight minutes from where I live (according to MapQuest)! That means that I can get some practice driving while I'm at it. I'll only be working 10 hours a week, but at least it's something in terms of an income, and it's something I love! She said I might have to come in an hour early for the first few days to get acquainted with everything, and I'll be alone from 5-6, but I can always have somebody else come in and help me if I need it.
This weekend is my last weekend as an unemployed woman! It'll be nice to have some extra money now, and it won't interfere if I decide to take classes in the fall. I had an interest in Early Childhood Education at one point, so this would really help me decide if this is something I want to persue. Yeehoo! (Thanks to Bookie for that phrase ^_^)

I might have a job!

I told this to Mira, and he said, "How do you just get your jobs handed to you like that?" My first job was at McDonald's. I was going through the drive-thru with my mom, and she asked the gal at the window for an application for me. I filled it out and a week or so later, I was hired. My second job was at a dollar store that was opening in the area. Jess and I wrote down the number for the guy who was opening it, and we both got jobs there.
This time, a lady I work with in the nursery at church called this morning and said that the school she works at needs somebody to work with the six week to eight month old babies weeknights for two hours. I would only work 10 hours a week, and I would be with the little babies! This is perfect for me! I've been bitten by the baby bug lately, and this should help curb it a bit.^_^
I was asleep when she called, but Milly took the message, and I have to call later tonight to say, "I'll do it!" This is exciting! Yee-hoo!

For the Phans...

I was on the IMDb boards for Phantom of the Opera (just saw it for the third time at the cheap show), and somebody made a music video of "Bring me to Life" by Evanescence using scenes from the movie! It was just so awesome that I decided to put the link here for all Phans to see (that would be the four or five of you that read this blog regularly ^_^).
Enjoy!
P.S. DVD comes out early next month! Yee-hooo!

Guess the roving deputy's age!

That's the game that the judges and supervisors at the sixteen polling places we visited played when my partner "Jack" and I went to check on them and make sure everything was running smoothly. Most hypothesized that I had to take the day off of school to help out, and one voter thought I was doing it for community service!
I stayed at my folks' Monday night, and got up at 4:15 in the morning since dad and I had to be to the Board of Elections Commissioners (BOEC) office at five. I was able to have a donut and a bagel with cream cheese before I had to leave. My partner was Jack, an older gentleman about 75 who had been doing this for years. Thank goodness I had somebody who knew what he was doing. ^_^
We went to ten polling places to drop off some information they needed, then to six other places for the morning visit, had breakfast at Hardee's, then made a morning visit to the first ten places we dropped info off to. We stopped by his house (since we were in his area) so he could empty his trunk, and we were off to our drop off point, a YMCA-type rec center. Two judges from 16 other polling places dropped off ballot boxes at about 11:00, and we took it all back to the BOEC with a police escort trailing behind.
After dropping off the ballot boxes, we visited all sixteen polling places again, and came back to the rec center to rest. There was a couch in the game room, so I fell asleep for a couple of hours while Jack read the paper and eventually fell asleep as well. I was up at about four or so, and played my Game Boy for a while until Jack woke up, and he went to eat lunch, then ran home to get some stuff done. I played for a while longer and went across the street to DQ and had something to eat (I highly recommend the strawberry cheesequake blizzard), and went back to the rec center to hang out.
About 6:30 or so, Jack came back, and we went out to wait for the polls to close at 7:00 and to wait for the judges to come back with the ballot boxes and some other stuff, which we loaded into the back of the car. And off we went to the BOEC to drop everything off and go home.
I said goodbye to Rosie and I went back with dad to hang out with my family. I got home a little after midnight this morning, and was asleep within an hour. Needless to say, it was tough running on four hours of sleep yesterday morning, and I was still tired after my two hour nap in the afternoon. But I slept well last night. Then tonight I get to stay the night at the condo to wait for the termite guy to come at 8:00 tomorrow morning. But it'll be nice to be alone for awhile! ^_^
P.S. I beat dad to the BOEC for the morning drop off, but he beat me there for the evening drop off. We would have gotten there sooner, but we had to wait on an old folks' home that didn't get there until almost ten to eight. Grrr. And what really sucked was that we didn't have checklists for the last six places, and nobody got a judges oath and affidavit sheet. We had to imrovise on the checklists and write it down on different pieces of paper, and get copies of the oath sheets and pass them off later.
The best part is that I get paid for what I did! That should come later this month.

Election, here I come!

My mom's friend Rosie works for the Board of Elections and asked if I would like to be an electioneer in tomorrow's election. How could I say no? She said they needed some help, and I would be getting paid for it, so of course I volunteered. ^_^
My dad signed up to do it too, so, as Rosie put it, "We'll have a contest to see who gets back first, you or your dad". I have to be there at five in the morning, and I'll be out until late, but who can argue with free breakfast and a paycheck?
So as a note to my friends who read this, be on the lookout for me at the polls, 'cause you never know when I'll be watching you. ^_^

Wedding weekend!

Von got married to her sweetheart Drew this weekend, and they looked so happy! We dined and danced and had loads of fun at the reception. Von looked so beautiful in her wedding dress, the bridesmaids looked fabulous, the groom and his men and woman looked very spiffy in their tuxes and black dress, and the parents of both were thrilled to see their children united in the bonds of marriage.
Lar and I actually got our brothers to dance at the reception, and my folks cut up the floor during some of the four swing songs played in a row. Von even danced with my dad near the end, and I got to dance with a friend of hers. I even demonstrated how to scurry to Drac, which tickled him to no end. ^_^ It was a fun evening. I wanna do it again! ^_^
Anyway, good luck to Von and Drew and have a happy marriage!
The Infamous T

I found a link to this neat time consumer on Moueska's profile at myspace. It's a fun doll maker! I made one of me and hubbymade one of himself, and I put them together. Whaddaya think?

I feel intellectual...

I'm re-reading Les Misérables for the third time. I first read it in high school (in less than a week), then read it a second time sometime after I graduated, when one of Lar's teachers gave her a copy that she was getting rid of. Mira's been working on modding his Stikfas lately, and has wanted me to keep him company for a couple hours or so. So I read Heavenly Answers to Earthly Challenges by Joyce H Brown (a near-death experience), then decided to re-read Les Mis because I wasn't sure how long he would take to finish his mods, and the book has over 1000 pages, so I figured it would give me some time to finish.
The story I know and love is probably only half of the book, if that. Most of the rest of the book is filled with history, political talk of the French Revolution, etc. If you have the time and the patience, I recommend you borrow a copy from your local library. You can even read it online if you know where to look. But if you don't have the time or the patience, you can read an online Cliff's Notes-esque treatment at Spark Notes.

My hubby brought these home for me yesterday, just because. ^_^ 

Water, water everywhere

We all know that it's important to drink water everyday. One way to see how much water you should drink each day is to take your weight and divide it by two. Whatever the sum is, convert that into ounces and that's how much you should drink, or 64 ounces, whichever is more. For example, a 150 lb woman should drink 75 ounces of water (150/2 = 75), but a 110 lb woman needs to drink 64 ounces (110/2 = 55, which is less than 64).
I myself need to drink the minimum of 64 ounces. I have a bottle that holds a quart (32 Oz.) of water with a straw attached to it, and I need to drink two of those a day (I tend to drink it up very quickly that way). I usually end up drinking almost three because I tend to get very thirsty. I used to just ignore it and chew a piece of gum, but I don't do that as much now.
They say that drinking lots of water everyday will "help keep you hydrated and feeling fresh". I've been doing this for ten days now. When am I supposed to feel hydrated and fresh? I feel the same way I do every other day, I'm just more thirsty and frequent the bathroom more often. The only real improvement I know of is that my breath is fresher, which makes for a happy husband. Actually, it was per his request that I start doing this, since he's been doing it himself for a long time. It helps, since we're trying to be more healthy.
I know that I can't always be downing water, so I don't drink a ton if I know I'm going out somewhere and can't always trot off to the ladies' room. I just wait until I get home to drink the majority of my daily intake. It's kind of a hassle, but it's supposed to be good for you, so why the heck not? It's mostly free. ^_^
Anyway, just thought I'd pass on a bit of healthy helpfulness to others. Take it or leave it. ^_^