I’ve had some opportunity to relax just a tad in between the mayhem of mad house cleaning, confirmation prep, graduation prep and moving prep. I’ve seen several excellent movies and a couple of good ones in the last two weeks. I finally got to watch 300. Although the gory was a bit excessive at times (the tree and the wall jump rapidly to mind) it was an excellent film that I thoroughly enjoyed. We also rented The Guardian from Netflix — Again — AWESOME! Loved that, I knew the what was going to happen in the end, but just couldn’t believe it did! Also rented The Holiday which was just a perfect chick flick for the prelude to my favorite monthly visitor (please understand that this is literally dripping with sarcasm at this point). And then Squirt ordered Employee of the Month on pay per view to watch with her friends last night and it too was mildly amusing.Predictable but amusing.

The best part of my weekend had to be dinner with Alicia and Mike — also known as akbo1955.

They prepared a wonderful meal of grilled salmon, fresh salad, rice and some kind of sauce, which I now know how to make but forget the name of….. <draws complete blank> hmmm, I know it filipino and that it’s delicious! They also served pupus of cheese and fruit an overall scrumptious dinner! Thanks again Alicia! It was a very nice and relaxing night. That day we had gone the back side of the road to Hana so hubby could see some of it. I have a few pics, as well as some pics of Ducky and Duckman’s hair, although it’s faded some since it’s been several weeks since they dyed it. I love to be out with them and see all the looks they get. Basically, the looks fall in three categories:

a) That’s so cool — they gaze in wonder

b) anger — the look affronted and pissed off that these “hoodlums” are in “their” vicinity.

c) fear — they look terrified that these “punks” will at any moment abandoned their sweet smiles and genial nature and turn on them drawing hidden weapons to pillage and burn them.

It’s really quite amusing. I like to walk behind them, just watching the people watch them. And believe me, the people make no bones about how they feel. They pull their kids closer, clutch their purses tighter or stare in open admiration, fear or anger. I’ve learned a lot about the judgements of people just from my daughter having her hair pink. Squirt has purple streaks in her hair. You should see the looks we get in church. Just about everyone who knows us is cool, and we’ve had several comments about how Duckman and Ducky match (he’s come to church with us the last two weeks). It is really rather hilarious. As guess, as long as we all have a good sense of humor, it doesn’t bother any of us — certainly not Ducky, Duckman or Squirt – and I say good for them!

Tomorrow I have jury duty. Not looking forward to it. Normally I don’t mind jury duty, I’ve just got a lot going on right now, I don’t really need this. I hope to get dismissed early (my luck I’ll get picked and serve on trial for the next 4 weeks — that would really suck).

I’m cursed. Most people don’t believe that or accept that. But I am truly cursed with bad hair. Now from the outside, people can’t see my curse. I don’t have hair that is so curly that it’s nappy. I don’t have hair that’s thin and flat. Matter of fact, most people envy my hair and would kill for it. But it’s a curse for me.

My hair is thick. REALLY thick. It is so thick that it doesn’t dry and I tend to get a scaly scalp. I usually have it thinned. Even the hairstylists that cut my hair complain about the thickness.

It grows quickly and has natural curl. It’s not pretty ringlet type curls, or softly flowing waves, it’s somewhere in between, some ugly curl place, it’s like cow licks all over my head. Here in Hawaii, its prone to frizziness. In defense of that I grew it out in one long length — down to the middle of my back. But, with the curls and frizziness, wearing it down was a) uber hot, and b) reduces me to looking like a cavewoman. So I did what many women here in Hawaii do. I wore it up in pony tail. Every day. Now, this did make it easy for me to get ready. However, my hair is so thick that when I took my pony out at night, it was still wet. Also carrying around that extra weight on my neck was less than fun.

So, I got it cut. Again. It is my third time trying a new hairstyle here in hairstyle hell. Last time I had layers put in I looked like I had a white fro. Not a good look for me! This time I had lots and lots of layers put in. While it is easier to wash, much lighter on my neck and dries in just a couple of hours, it’s still not working for me. I have this halo thing going on around my ear area. It’s like a huge hair doughnut. Then it fizzles down to scrawny tail . I think I need some more layers. If I had a nice shaped head and face, I would go uber short.  Halle Berry short. Right now I’m just afraid to go short. With that short of hair I’m afraid I would look too much like brown cotton ball — or worse, a brillo pad. Nope, I think I just head back to the stylist and beg her to find some style that will make it acceptable for me to go out in public.

Question of the day:
Do you think anyone really is happy with their hair?

I put up two picture slide shows the other day. Not for any reason except I was playing around with photo manager and happened to see that was a new feature. Pretty cool. I would hazard a guess that you amy see some more of those in the future.

My days have been full of fun filled activities like, laundry, cleaning the oven, cleaning out the Tupperware cabinet, cleaning out the office  – including going through drawers of plastic containers filled with pens, markers, crayons, and various pencils, what’s nice about that is a now have a new 3 drawer container for my scrapbooking area, and a local teaching friend has some new supplies for her classroom! I’ve swept, mopped, dusted, vacuumed and wiped. As Ducky said “Why are you doing all this for someone else?” See, they put our house on the market. We had two showings Saturday, with only 1 1/2 days notice, and have two more today. I feel like if they sell the house, they won’t be after us regarding the condition of ANYTHING!  The house is quite dated, but our dog, 2 cats and 2 children have been pretty hard on the carpet and a few other things. I want my deposit back and if they sell the house “as is” I’m sure I’ll get it! So today is cleaning bathrooms (again), vacuuming (again), washing walls and window and screens. Fun huh? At this point, I’m ready to go back to work!

With all the monotony of my days though, at least I know my kids are safe. I’m sure that everyone is writing about the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I don’t know much at all about it so I’m not going to try to understand, I just want to say that my prayers and thoughts are with those students, their families and all the people associated with Virginia Tech.

I’m off to take Ducky to an Ortho apt. Everyone have a great day — and give a special hug to all your loved ones.

So in my living room are 7 teenage girls from 12-14 years old. They have eaten burgers and hot dogs, done facials, played hide and seek, watched a chick flick, eaten tons of crap — all that’s left is truth or dare and a back hoe to clean up the living room.

Squirt is having a sleep over that will be continued tomorrow with a party at Giggle hill with some more teens including a few boys. This is a going away / slash birthday party for all the Birthday’s Squirt is going to miss in the coming months. It’s a very sad situation. I’m so glad that she finally has good friends, and so sad that she has to leave them now. The really cool part of this is that Squirt and her friends planned this entire thing all by themselves. They made up the invitations, they decided on the food, arranged the place, time and who was bringing what — everything. It was really pretty cool. She’s is so organized and takes the initiative. Squirt and Ducky are so different! Squirt is self-motivated. She likes to be in control and have things her way. Ducky on the other hand, is content to let things happen and to let others take the lead and do all the work!

My dad has 4 kids, two boys from his first marriage and two girls with my mom. When asked how many kids he has he answers “4 – one of each”. Because we are all so different. That’s what makes parenting so much fun! It’s always different. Every day, it’s something new. It’s not always good, but it’s almost always interesting!

You know what though, I love this stage. It’s so much fun. Although today I was picturing the girls when they were just toddlers. Their sweet smiles, the curl of their hair. the way they were fascinated about every thing. I guess I just like being a mom, cause I love this stage too. The pink and purple hair, the loud music, the sense of humor – the loud music, the constant need for junk food, did I mention the loud music? It’s all great fun! I wonder what the next few years will bring?

Question of the day:

Crank it up? or Turn it down please?

First let me thank you all for your kind thoughts and your concern — awwwww….. I feel so loved!

Second an update on everyone’s health:

Squirt — all better now. I ended up taking her to the dr. on Friday as although her temp went down Thursday night (Thank goodness, it peaked at 104.0 – YIKES!) she woke up on Friday and those “bug bites”,  well – her whole knee was scarlet red and swollen. The “bites” were red and looked like scabs. To top that off she had bumps that looked similar to mosquito bites ALL over both legs, they then spread to her arms, torso and even the bottom of her feet! We got a late appointment with the Dr. and he felt it was  viral infection that had caused the fever and the bumps. Something along the lines of scarlet fever. He also said that adults had already been exposed to these types of childhood diseases and the most we would suffer was cold/flu like symptoms — uh yeah. I can testify to that. Although I’m better I’ve had low grade temps, headaches and sore throats since Thursday.

I was pretty  good by Easter though — and we had a great day. We attended early church. Stopped for Easter basket stuff for Duckman (as he was going to spend the day with us), went and picked him up and then the kids opened their baskets (actually bags). I got Squirt a cool new purple backpack to hold her Easter stuff, and for Ducky an awesome skeleanimal bag (she loves those). There typical Easter basket stuff was inside. I have enough baskets around the house, I decided to get something they could actually use.

Ducky and Duckman finished their egg dyeing. Squirt had done hers the day before. Then we did an egg hunt – I got some of those Wonka eggs that you can stick on walls, windows, hang them from things and they even have some that glow in the dark. The kids all had lots of fun. Then we played games and relaxed for the rest of the day. Ate a great dinner of brisket, corn on the cob, devilled eggs, salad, and biscuits.

After that we dyed Ducky and Duckmans hair — she went Flamingo Pink and he went Apple Green with Flamingo Pink accents. Both of them look great.

Other big news – I got my results for my comprehensive exams — I PASSED — WOO HOO!!

OK – Enough updates – I’m off to do some house work, then run errands, take hubby to airport, Squirt to gymnastics and bathe the dog — anyone want to help?

Poor Squirt is sick. I mean sick, sick. She’s been running a temp from 103. to 102. all afternoon. If I cant’ get it down in the next couple of hours we are off to the ER. She has no other symptoms, but she does have an odd looking bug bite. Strike that, she does have a few other symptoms — she threw up her toenails this evening, and she’s been complaining of a headache for the last couple of days. She’s been feeling poorly off and on for the last couple of days, stayed home from school yesterday but felt up to going today. I was sick yesterday – but felt better today. Hope this doesn’t mean I’m going to be sick as a dog tomorrow. I also hope Squirts fever breaks soon. I hate seeing her so sick. I hate being helpless.

Keep Squirt in your prayers, she could use a break. I’m off to sponge her down.

***Edit***

I’m happy to report her fever has gone down and is now hovering in the 101 range.  She even was up for some soup! I’ll catch up with everyone tomorrow. It will still be a long night I expect.

**edit** 6:58 am Friday

Squirt sleep fairly peacefully last night, her temp was down to 100.5 this morning. She’s in much better spirits. I on the other hand woke up with a splitting headache and a sore throat (symptoms of Squirt’s illness a few days ago). Look like my Easter could be unpleansant. Ugh. I planning to rest, hydrate and drink lots of OJ and try to head off the worst of it. Keep your fingers crossed!

Well I got some more work done in preparation for the move. I just keep throwing crap away. It feels good to see the areas I’ve gone through. Our first big move from Germany to Florida I started 6 months in advance. Then at the 3 month mark I did it all again, and again at the 30 day mark. By the time we actually moved I had pared down our stuff to just the necessities. It was a great move ~ easy peasy.

The last move I worked like a madwoman right up until the movers came – but not on the house – at my job and at home schooling the girls and maintaining the basic routine while hubby was in Korea. So much crap got moved I’m still throwing stuff I shouldn’t have brought with me in the first place. Not such a good move.

This time I’ve started early and hope to get through it all before we leave. I don’t want to move anything junk this time!

This afternoon Ducky and Duckman wanted to have a picnic in the park. The packed the cooler (Ducky bemoaning the fact that we don’t have an acceptable picnic basket), gathered the blanket, mat, and frisbee and we were off. We went to a park nicknamed “Giggle Hill”. Squirt and I played frisbee, while Ducky and Duckman played on the play equipment (one of those great big ones). Later we went to eat and were dismayed to find that they had failed to pack the lunch meat (we were assembling sandwiches there). Fortunately hubby was on the way to pick up Squirt for gymnastics and saved the day with some sliced ham. We were forced home by the cool wind, we were freezing, our skin is much to thin from living here!

It was nice to get out of the house, feel the sun my face and the wind in my hair. It was also nice to do something besides sit in the house or clean. I think on Easter we are going to go to church and then spend some time at the beach, get some snorkeling in, just spend some time out in God’s wondrous creation. I’m looking forward to getting out of the house again.

Question of the day:

De-clutter prior to move or deal with it there?

Well like women who spend too much time in close proximity, the topics for Featured_Grownups and for the Kween_of_the_Queens have cycled together. So this is my contribution to both, read one, read both, comment or don’t but thanks for dropping by. (psstt….I didn’t really mean that crack about not commenting, please do).

Featured_Grownups

Identity Crises — April 2007 Topic 1 of 2

Now that FEATURED CONTENT is gone

at least as we knew it when this ringwas created…

Does that change our mission? Does itchange our identity?

Tell me what you look for here -expect

Recently a member complained aboutanother – no one else complained… the “other” participates everytopic but the complainer didn’t think them worthy of Featured Grownups

TELL US WHAT WE AREHERE FOR – WHAT’S OUR IDENTITY

1. Read and comment on other entries, as you would like them to you…
2. Leave me a link here when you have posted – or at least a note if you do not know how to leave a link
3. Please participate in this one – we need you…

I think this is an excellent topic, one that can always stand to be addressed. I joined Featured_Grownups because I kept reading entries for the topics on other sites that I had discovered through my blog rings. I found that I was intrigued to see the many different perspectives, experiences, and opinions of the different writers. Each topic was covered in such a variety of ways, all of them different from the last. I loved that there was some rea lmeat to some of them, and just laugh out loud humor in others.

As I read I found myself thinking how I would approach that topic, what things I would share and how I would express myself. It didn’t take long for me to gather up my courage and join, even though I was some what intimated by the many members that were regular writers, with experience and training, and a true passion for writing. What I found though, was that all of my contributions were welcomed. Some were less well received than others, some had resounding success and yes, I even made the lauded Featured Content — several times.After the thrill of reaching that goal passed I realized I didn’t really care whether or not I made featured, I just wanted to connect with others like myself. I don’t mean those who think like I do, but rather those who are interested in others, those who are open-minded, willing and responsive.

So, now there is no more Featured Content, but a new Front Page (althought here are still discussed blogs –sort of like Featured but based on comment numbers). I do like the new frontpage, and since I got over the need to MAKE IT to Featured Content I don’treally care. I like to communicate with people. FG is one avenue for me to do that. We give our perspectives, opinions, life experiences and beliefs and this wide exposure to other realms of thought makes me a better person. As for who qualifies — I think anyone coming to this blogring is expressing a desire to connect with others who are mature, thoughtful, experienced, funny, insightful,crazy or just flat out different. That, in my opinion, qualifies them automatically! And I am anxious to read and respond to them and hope that they will do the same in return!

I have to give props to prettynosyarentu — she tackled this topic and wrote so eloquently I have to encourage you to stop by there and read her entry if you haven’t already!

And now to M’lady’s challenge:

Kween of the Queens

MiLadies:

Welcome to your writing challenge2007-05! 

This challenge was submitted by Queenlizzy, so thankyou MiLady for your great idea!

She poses many good questions in thisXanga Survey. . .I’ll list the questions and leave it up to you as to when youpost them.  This challenge will go on through Sunday, April 15th (yes, taxday! Although this year they aren’t due until Monday the 17th!)

YOUR XANGAN LIFE

Who is your oldest Xanga friend?

OK this is weird but my first two commentors were Silver_Fangz and ThisIsBullDookie, So they are technically my oldest Xanga friends, but they are also my daughter and real life friend, so my actual first and oldest pure Xanga friend that I still talkt o would have to be sunnycaligurl(who used to be AuntDee)and iwannaprivacy both of whom I’ve known since November 2005 now…WOW!!

Who is your biggest loss on Xanga?

I really miss PlainOleMikeand twokinds. I also miss jnm123  as well as a few other folks. Although they all still have their sites, they don’t update —

Who has been your most delightful?

That is a tough question. I love ThisIsBullDookie, as well as jtqueenbee30, momofjenmatt, as well as sunnycaligurl  and tons other who I visit regularly and couldn’t do with out.

Who are your most supportive Xangans?

Well, I’d have to include ThisIsBullDookie, sunnycaligurl, and vjgunkel59, ok123LetsGO, LIF1955, homeschoolingthem and jtqueenbee30,  as well as lots more who regularly come read,comment and give me constant encouragement.

Who has been the best surprise?

Well, it was a surprise to find that ThisIsBullDookie had a xanga, and that she started it almost the same time I did, from across country and without any coordination — that was awesome. Other than that, I think that the Who that has been the best surprise is me! I NEVER expected I would get so involved in blogging — what a surprise!

One other surprise was Alicia aka akbo1955- my first ever Xangan who I met in real life — that was just way too cool!

Who has been a great blessing?

Everyone one of my readers and all the folks I read and comment — They truly enrich my life in so many ways!

My family is here…

My eldest daughter Ducky is Silver_Fangz, my sister is ladyweichtlin, although she doesn’t blog anymore, Squirt started a xanga, and never updated or used it for anything at all. I’m trying to get my dad on, I think it would be a blast, but for now, I just have to settle for the two I have!

Who do you just love to hate?

All the teens who used to make featured content discussing their calories intake or posting pictures that are way too revealing. Oh and xanga editor — because like tonight when it’s just being a pain it really ticks me off……AAARRRGGHHHH.

What are your thoughts on the following?:

People you faithfully visit, comment and they never comment back?  You see themon your friends sites but never yours…I go through the process of thinking,’Is it me?’  ‘Maybe if I was more clever, more witty, more eloquent?’  

With this one I usually end up unsubbing and not visiting them again. I’ve had this a couple of times, Once I visited this one site faithfully, subbed and commented every entry and not one peep from her. Eventually I realized I didn’t need to waste my time with people like that when I have true xanga friends where the relationship is two-way.

Can you tell if someone is annoyed with you?

Not really, it’s hard with this type ofcommunication. Unless they type IN ALL CAPS.

Can you tell when someone means you harm?

Gosh I hope so, and I hope no one ever does meanme harm. Jeesh.

Has anyone really had any trouble out here unrelated to real life?

Yeah I know a few people who have had some heated back and forths, had to block some folks and even been hacked. That’s just not right.

How do you make new Xanga friends?  Do you go looking randomly for them?

Two ways:

Blogrings and visiting people who comment and sub on my friends’ sites.

What features do you hate, like the bulk messaging daily from someone?

Actually I like all the new features. Although the friends lock is a bummer, because how can you get to be friends with someone if they don’t let anyone new come on their site, although for people who have had bad experiences or want to really protect their privacy I do understand, it’s just a bummer. I love the photo boost — btw, go boost my photos (mauahahahahahhahaa)

I like footprints too, I see where people came to my site from, that’s usually how I know if my blog or photos have madefrontpage or previously, featured content!

Only thing is I’ve never used memory, nudge or chatboard — has anybody ever used that?