HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS!

So, I did a google for "cornucopia" for my last blog. (scroll down to see the beauty of the "horn o' plenty" I got.)

Anyway, SOMEHOW, I got this with it. Following are a few excerpts of the several posts I read:

"Many people have tried to stop or limit the use of particle accelerators for fear of the destruction of earth and possibly the universe which would be predicted to happen within seconds."

"1. Black holes are possible at energies <10TeV
2. An extremely finely tuned collision to create a gravitationally bound black hole
3. No Hawking radiation
4. The black hole colliding with many many many times more particles than the average weakly interacting object (like a neutrino) would in order for the Earth to be destroyed by the black hole before the Sun dies in 5 billion years."

"If there is no Hawking evaporation then if a black hole was to be created it would start going to the center of earth, in the process slowing down due to the interaction of matter, it would then rest at the gravitation center of earth, where more mini black holes could combine. The pressure on the black holes would then make them get larger. This would be similar to the neutron starts except much slower growth rate."

I have, in the past, thought myself relatively intelligent.

Do YOU know what they are talking about?

Me, neither....but I'm fairly alarmed. :O

ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING...IT MAY BE YOUR LAST!

OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOOD

Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river, and through the wood -
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.

Over the river, and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood
Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river, and through the wood -
And straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river, and through the wood -
Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

EEEEEEEK!!!!

OK....we have a mouse.

That alone is enough for a full post, but I feel you might get some sick enjoyment from my suffering, so here I go talking about trauma.

We first suspected a mouse....heck, we KNEW there was a mouse when my hubby saw it. It ran from the hallway into the boys' bathroom into a gap between the baseboard and tile. I immediately jumped into action and scoured the bathroom. I mean...EWWWW! My babies are in there. I needed the hard stuff. So I started to reach for the Clorox.

Alas, my tried and true cleaning friend is not allowed in my house because we have a septic system. It seems that Clorox eats whatever does not need to be eaten in a septic system. Next cleaning buddy on my list...Lysol!

SO, with tons of liquid Lysol, hot water and soap, I scrubbed every surface of that bathroom. I then wiped down every surface with Clorox wipes :)

I had pushed red pepper into the crack, in hopes that the critter would go away. He did...right into MY bathroom. Now that, my friends, is SERIOUS!!!! My hubby left just hours after seeing this fanged monster run into and disappear from my bathroom. He, being the great white hunter, had to go sight in his guns for his trip to hunt REAL game. Meanwhile, I was contemplating moving!

I had a phone call to make. When we have to make phone calls, and we are the only parent in the house, we have to go through a little ritual that allows us to hear and speak clearly on the phone. We make sure the door to the outside is locked (with the chain), then we lock ourselves in the master bedroom. Since kids follow that far and bang on the door, whilst yelling "OPEN THE DOOOOOOOOR!" we go into the back bathroom and shut THAT door. We sit on the throne (lid down) and have our conversation.

SO, here I go. I begin dialing. I get through the first 3 numbers, check the chain, dial and walk, lock the door, dial and walk, shut the door, finish dialing, sit down, something catches my eye......

Now keep in mind that there is NO WAY you can understand how I feel, or my surprise, to see this furry beast spring into a spasmodic fury to jump over the edge of the tub, that he somehow got himself trapped in. My first reaction, naturally, was to scream and run out. It wasn't a dainty little squeak that some might mistake for a small, ladylike sneeze. It was a scream! The words "blood" and "curdle" can come into play here. The audience that is outside the door yelling "OPEN THE DOOOOOOOOR!" starts yelling "WHA'S WRONG, MOM MOM? OPEN THE DOOOOOOOOR!"

I hang up on whomever might have been on the phone and call my hubby. Remember, he is at a gun range...about 1 hour away.

"YOU HAVE TO COME HOME!"

"I can't. I just got here. What's wrong?"

"YOU HAVE TO COME HOME!" (tears were added...not for sympathy, but from hysterics.)

Needless to say, he did NOT come home. It was now up to me to defend my home and my family from this small, yet potent killer carrying goodness knows what kind of disease and germs. AND...HE POOPED IN MY TUB!

First....plug the drain. I don't know how the vermin got into my tub. Can it come up the pipes? Well, it can get down. I grabbed the toilet brush to knock it closed. This caused further craziness from "Mickey" as he tried to jump over...no doubt to run up my leg and head straight for my jugular! I could see the menacing look of a cold-blooded killer.

I briefly thought of burning down the house. Not a good idea.

I did think of turning the trashcan over in hopes of trapping him, but I was afraid that in that fraction of a second, in which I correct my aim, that he would catapult up my arm and claw my eyeballs out...sucking out the juice, thus rendering me blind, and as I'm crying out and bumping into walls blindly, this murderous infestation runs after my innocent babies...hoping to gnaw off their pinkie toes and taking it to his nest for some sort of sacrifice that they consume, all the while thanking their big-eared gods for allowing such a successful coup!

Using hubby's piece of advice, I managed to toss the trap in the tub, obviously hoping he would get hungry with all of the physical exertion he was suffering from. With tear-streaked cheeks and trembling fingers, I lock the door. (STOP LAUGHING! I'm not stupid. I know that the snake bait can't get out the door....I had to lock out the boys.)

A few hours later, I'm calm. The boys keep excitedly asking about the mouse. My hubby finally makes it home. He gives me a little peck, says, "Hello" and is immediately sent to the holding center for this monster with fleas. He comes out and says, "No mouse" to which I calmly reply, "We have to move."

DH was nice enough to clean out my tub and reset the trap. That night, I am awakened by a loud SNAP! I wake up hubby. (How can he be sleeping, anyway? This thing knows where we live. He has probably studied us and knows where we sleep, as well as the best time to rid us of life and limb.) NOTHING! Ooooooo, the sly little devil!

We finally got one. However, my hubby has informed me that where there is one, there are probably others. SO, you won't mind if I get the bleach, right? I tried to get him to get the traps up while he's gone. He left them out. He told me to get some gloves and a bag and just go from floor to sack, throwing away the trap which contains the victim. WHATEVER!

I think it will be worth a couple of bucks for one of my kids, dressed in a body condom, of course, to dispose of it properly.

If "Mickey" does have a family...they are going DOWN!!!!!!

YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK....

OK, I wasn't exactly tagged with this MEME, but I kind of "borrowed" this idea. I thought it was a fun idea. So those of you who read me (except the one I took...ahem...BORROWED this idea from) have a go, would ya?

Total number of books:

Hmmmmm....truly too many to count. No, I CAN count that high, but they are everywhere and I haven't the time to sit and count. Keep in mind that I am a schoolteacher, so I have my own library for my students. Seeing as how reading is SO important, I don't keep books from my children. AND, being an avid reader myself, I have my own "stash." SO...that being said....one day I did decide to count (only in my boys' bedroom) and stopped at about 500. I have about a third of that of my own (I do the library a lot) BUT, I have at LEAST that in the garage. So...ballpark...about 1200 or so. WHEW!

Last book read:

"Plains of Passage" by Jean Auel. Before that, it was "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows." I enjoy period novels (like the first book mentioned) and really enjoy fantasy. I do not read horror. I like a few mysteries and totally gag while reading romance. BLECH! I would rather do my laundry! LOL!

Last book bought:

I just bought a new one a few days ago....from "The Last Eyewitness" series. I think it is "John" by Tim LeHaye

5 meaningful books:

Hmmm...does it have to be meaningful? I mean...can't I just read for the enjoyment of it? LOL! OK, here we go.

The Bible, of course. Great thing about this book is that you can read it out of order and there is always something to get out of it.

"The Strong-Willed Child" by Dr. Dobson. If you know my children, you know why I like this book.

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. What a wonderful representation of grace of Jesus Christ and the ultimate victory.

OK....so this can count as the last 2 books.

ANY cookbook! LOVE THEM!

Top 5 favorite reads

"Gone with the Wind"
All Harry Potter books
"Jane Eyre"
Anne of Green Gables series
Any Dr. Seuss

MYSPACE REVISITED

Those of you who have been "reading me" for awhile know my feelings about myspace. If you don't know, or you have forgotten, you can see it HERE.

I have browsed around myspace....only friends and friends of friends. I usually just see my friends' sites when I have an email alert saying that someone has said something.

So the other day, I was reading an update from a friend and decided to "nose" around her page. There were a LOT of people on there. WHO in the WORLD has 419 friends? There weren't even that many people in my high school! I am happy with my 14. (What makes it a bit sad is that in my 14 friends is "Tom." I think he is a moderator and is self-proclaimed friend to all residents of the myspace world.)

All was going along OK. I mean, it's been a year since I have opened my myspace account. I have my blog addy listed on there, should any of my 14 friends care to look at it....I can think of about 3 who do just that.

Anyway, I read updates and decide to see who the friends are. Then, if I see someone I know, and look at THEIR page, I see a banner that says I am in their "extended network." Is that like 3rd cousin twice removed?

The other day, I had a "friend request" pop up on email. Well, I'm ALWAYS open to new friends and figure it is some long-lost buddy from back in the day who wants to reconnect and get to know the new, improved, and BEAUTIFULLY more mature me. So, I open it up and see who wants to chat. Well, the name was a name I use for at least 4 friends that I have. (Not myspace friends, but my "for the reals" friends.) In order to hone in on the identity of this gal, I click on her account. Hmmmm there are children...I don't recognize them. SO, I click on her photo album. FINALLY I recognize her.....and she doesn't know me from the man in the moon! I KID YOU NOT! If I grinned really big and said "hello" upon passing in Walmart, she wold clench her purse close and hastily say, "HI" as her footsteps quicken in a bolt for the door.

A similar thing happened a few months earlier. I was invited to be a friend. (Isn't there something cosmically wrong with that? And INVITATION to be a friend?) Sorry...I digress. So I get the invitation, but don't know who it is. I approve it so I can peak into this person's "privatized" page. No pictures. UGH!

Not one to be insensitive and say, "Hello...who the heck are you?" I look at HER friends...praise be, there is a friend that I AM in contact with who is on her "buddy list." So, I email and say, "I don't mean to sound stupid" (cause really, the whole world would be a LOT better if we could just keep from looking or sounding stupid, right?) "BUT, who is this person? Is it so-and-so?"

Her reply? "I'm not too sure."

WHAT?

That is crazy! I mean CRAZY!

I use the excuse that I have dial-up...which I DO, but I use it to poo-poo the fact that I can't tolerate myspace. The fact is, fast or slow, I just don't think I could take it. It is techno-sensory-overload. There is simply too much for my taxed brain to deal with! And it makes me sad because, I'm a GOOD FRIEND, gosh darn it all, and I have a lot of GOOD THINGS to say! DON'T SHUT ME OUT JUST BECAUSE I'M A myspace RECLUSE!

So, if you are one of my 14 friends....well, not Tom - you're not invited...I invite you to email me and/or read my blog. If you are TRULY a friend that I keep up with, you have my email. If you want to get in touch, via email, just leave a comment on my blog with your email. The comments are moderated, so nobody need know your addy!

I will just feel a bit more comfy if I keep my space truly MY space.

A WHOLE "NOTHER" MEME

The Game of Tag about your MAN

1. Who is your man? DH
2. How long have you been together? 16 years married, dated about 3.5 before that
3. How long did you date? a bit over 2 years in H.S., 8 months in college, then engaged for 4 months
4. How old is your man? 36
5. Who eats more? I eat more regular food (still fattening) and he eats more sweets
6. Who said "I love you" first? I have no idea!
7. Who is taller? He is.
8. Who sings better? I do. He does sing better than most, though
9. Who is smarter? I like to pretend it's me, but I can't deny it...ME. LOL (he is)
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine is...remember THIS?
11. Who does the laundry? I do, but he helps when home
12. Who takes out the garbage? He does when home
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do
14. Who pays the bills? He does
15. Who is better with the computer? ROFL...I ride the "Short bus" when it comes to the computer
16. Who mows the lawn? We share the task.
17. Who cooks dinner? I do, except for the grilling that's his job.
18. Who drives when you are together? he does
19. Who pays when you go out? OK...perhaps my profile is not clear. I'm a SAHM, and to my knowledge, they don't get paid...of course he pays...he pays for it ALL!
20. Who is most stubborn? ROFLMBO!!!
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? He does
22. Whose parents do you see the most? mine
23. Who kissed who first? He did...and it made me weak in the knees. HUBBA HUBBA!
24. Who asked who out? He did (after his BF helped him pour ice down my britches.)
25. Who proposed? He did, April 2, 1991
26. Who is more sensitive? Who's asking? Why do they want to know?
27. Who has more friends? He does, by far.
28. Who has more siblings? He has one sister, I'm an only
29. Who wears the pants in the family? He does...and looks DARN GOOD in 'em, too.

I was tagged by Seven4Heaven. Mommy Spice...you're up!

GET READY!

"No, no. I mean 'Jingle Bells'. You know, deck them halls and all that stuff."





OK...we've talked about this before...well, more than just once. I just want to be that ever-friendly bug in your ear, who reminds you of what is just around the corner. Take a look at the top of this blog...you don't have too many more "sleeps" before Christmas.

I know that for the "common man" the holidays start a week or so before Thanksgiving. But you, my dear, faithful reader, are HARDLY common. Well, I need to correct that. My hubby (when it comes to this subject) is PAINFULLY common. LOL. (He knows, so don't feel like you have to tread lightly around him.) HA!

No, for me, the holidays start with The Great State Fair of Texas! And The Great State Fair of Texas just happened to start this past Friday. WOOHOO! Though you are one to keep the holidays and other important events at the forefront of your mind, perhaps you did NOT know that we are officially in the holiday season.

OK. I sense that there is one, MAYBE two, of you who does not believe me. You are thinking, "I can start the holidays with Halloween, but September 28? Surely not!" Well, one of our American institution agrees with me. WALMART! In fact, if the holidays start for me, when it starts for them, well, I'll have to start my holidays about September 15th. If you think I am jesting, just go to the garden center where a NEW AISLE (added to the 3 already established) of these really pretty black and white ornaments, stockings and tree skirts just went on display.

My hubby does a good job of humoring me. I seldom see his eyes rolling, as he is quick to turn away. He listens to my excitement as I make my plans and discuss all my desires for the holidays. He will even go into Walmart or Gardenridge with me....granted, he'll only do it once or twice, but that's OK. What is important to remember is that he knows I'm a complete kid when it comes to the holidays...and he lets me be that kid! I LOVE THAT MAN!

He does wonder, I'm sure, why I am like this. Well, frankly, 30 days...even 60 days is simply not enough time for me to get the holidays out of my system. Thank goodness there are others who feel the same. The radio stations help...you know...all Christmas music, 24/7 starting after Halloween. WOOHOO!

My sons (well, my 3rd anyway) has watched "Polar Express" almost daily for the past 2 years. (no lie, there) AND, whenever we sing songs, "Rudolph" is always on the play list...for the past 3 years, now. So see? My hubby is almost outnumbered.

Please, dear friend, be mindful of the date. You don't want these holidays to sneak up on you and catch you by surprise. Thankfully, you ARE a faithful reader...and being so faithful, you will NOT be caught off guard. You know I'll be reminding you frequently.