Back from the Antibiotic Netherworld

Can you believe I'm still sick? Yep. I was taking a Zpack when I last posted and got better for whopping 3 days before I started to feel sick again. Those of you who get sick a lot(like me) know what that is. I hate taking antibiotics, in fact I really don't like taking any kind of medication. You know those prescription drug commercials that come on during the news? When they get to the part where they have to say what the side affects are, I nod my head. Because I am always in that 30% of people or that 10% or whatever number they mention that reported side effects in trial studies. Anyway, I started to feel sick again about a week after my last pill but I tried to ward it off by the magic of "denial". Didn't work. When I finally admitted to myself that I was sick again, I thought I would just weather through and try to fight it off on my own. I thought,"hey, I don't have to work and I don't have any kids to take care of. I can just rest, drink a lot and stay in the house and I'll be up and at 'em again by next week. That didn't work either. Finally when I was realizing that it was getting worse and the husband woke up one morning complaining of a nasty sore throat, I broke down and made an appointment for the both of us with my doctor. So we're both taking a ten day round of amoxicillan. I'm finally beginning to feel human again while poor MrPea is in the thick of it. I hate antibiotics. Not for any particular reason. It's actually the only kind of medication I can take and not be in the whatever percent of people who have side effects. I just hate taking them because it means I can't be out in the sun too much and then I can't go look for shark teeth. I can't do it anyway because, well, I'm sick , it's REALLY windy right now and the air is full of pollen but I need something to blame.

It's the same story every winter. It gets cold and I get sick in one way or another. And here I was celebrating another year of not having cancer crap to do. My body will never be the same I guess. Since I can finally stand up and walk around without feeling like I'm going to die I've decided to go get my nails done. I always do my own nails. I go get a pedicure maybe once a year because I can do just as good a job as they can at my house for free but I really need to do something nice for myself--- we've been living like 2 zombies for the past couple weeks. Take care of yourself internets. That's my advice to you.

MrPea and I went out for dinner tonight. We looked around and realized we were the only ones in the restaurant without white hair. (Welcome to Florida!) There was a table of women sitting near us and they were celebrating a birthday. She was 100.


The other night at my Book Club meeting, the conversation turned political. I got a little tense because there were about 15-20 people in the room so I was imagining the night would probably not end well. Luckily I was wrong. It was the first time I was ever in a room of people discussing politics with voices of disagreement that things didn't get ugly. There were very strong opinions and emotions but no disrespect. There was even a little teasing and giggling when the topic changed. (I realize this is a very boring paragraph but I had to write about it because) I was really shocked when it didn't turn into an "I hate you Festival." It was a conversation I wish we could all be having wherein each party had something intelligent and thoughtful to say instead of the name calling, finger pointing and accusations that seem to be popular(from both sides) right now. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about the fact that I was automatically expecting a huge fire.


Now I have to do a complete turn around and do the exact opposite of what I was so happy about the other night. I know I know I can't help it I just have to. So speaking of finger pointing I have to say something about Facebook. I was probably the last person on Earth to get a Facebook page. I never did Myspace for reasons that another post would explain. And so far I'm not too eager to get a Twitter account just yet because I'm not so sure that the every 5 minute details of my life are exciting enough. Nor do I feel the need to know what everyone else on the internets are doing every 5 minutes of their lives. (I'm open to the possibility though, just not right now.) However, last year my sister got on Facebook and after months of convincing, I finally broke down and got on myself. I don't really post very often. Mostly I like to see what everyone else is posting and I like looking at pictures of long lost friends and their kids. But lately I've been avoiding it because of how angry and puritanical certain old friends seem to be. I didn't get on so I could have someone else's politics and religion shoved in my face every 5 minutes. Tell me about your life, your kids, your accomplishments. If I want to know your beliefs, chances are I've already asked you. I had to hide a good friend's updates because it was so full of "Repent now- all you sinners will go to hell" posts, I felt like I was in a fire and brimstone, burn all the witches flashback. I love a good scripture verse or a thought provoking theological news article. But if I have memories AND pictures of you in a skimpy bikini shaking your ass at a Holiday Inn Spring Break "Shake What Your Momma Gave You" contest, I really don't want to hear how much better and holier you are than the rest of us heathens just because you go to church now. If you feel guilty about something, work it out on your own. I'm sure it's all part of the repenting and the posts about the devil but using the "devil took over and made me do it but now I'm a REAL Christian as apposed to you fake ones " is no excuse for thinking now it's ok judge everyone else. Think I'm being judgemental? Maybe I am, I'm not perfect. But I'd rather study and share my bible than shove it in some one's face. (Cue me stepping off my soapbox and kicking it)

Never Say Never?

These are all things I've never done. And it's highly likely that I will never do any of these things. If you think I need to change my mind, let me know.

-Worn hoop earrings, animal print, or pointy toed shoes. Not that there's really anything wrong with them. Just a matter of personal taste.

-Read any of the Harry Potter books or any of the movies. Actually no, I think I may have seen the first one but not the rest.

-Eaten sushi. I don't like seaweed, I've had that before so I will not eat anything wrapped in it. I also don't really like fish or raw fish.

-Been scuba diving. I've told you guys before how scared I am of even swimming in the ocean because of sharks. And I grew up on the beach. But if I am finding their teeth, it means they are losing them and growing them. I'd like to not have any of those teeth embedded into my thigh thank you very much.

-Been to Antarctica. This is self explanatory.

-Seen a moose in the wild. This one I'd like to change. I'd really like to see a moose in the wild. Don't ask me why, I just would. But I don't spend a whole lot of time in Northern Forests so it just doesn't seem likely.


-Seen the movies West Side Story, Breakfast at Tiffany's, or Cassablanca. I just never made the effort.


-Used the phrase "Hiya Sailor!" Even though my father was one and I grew up on a military base.

-Taken candy from a baby. I hate when people use that expression-that something is as easy as taking candy from a baby. How is that easy? Why would anyone want to take candy from a baby? I would never take candy from a baby. Babies like candy and so do I so why would I deprive a precious baby from eating candy? I wouldn't.

-Mountain climbed, mountain hiked, mountain biked or really anything to do with mountains. I don't have anything against mountains. In fact I love mountains, they are beautiful. I just never felt the urge to climb one, hike one, bike one or, slide down one on skis. I do enjoy a good walk but I've never been on a trek that required "gear".


-Been camping. A lot of my life is lived outdoors so people are often surprised to learn this(and the above) but basically if I can't bring a blow dryer,I won't go. Because I usually don't have a good time if I don't have access to basic electricity and/or a warm shower. One shouldn't assume that I've never "roughed it" before. I have. I just don't voluntarily vacation outdoors. Now if the definition of camping were a cabin in the woods with a warm bed and fireplace, sign me up.

-Spotaneously broken out into song. I'd like to though, I really would.

-Jumped from a high dive. I'm 100% sure that my swimming skills are enough. It's just not something I ever wanted to do.

I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of right now.

stuff

I had no other title for this post. And I've really been into list form lately so just put up with it until it passes.

1. I'm moving. About a mile away so I'm not really sure why I'm stressed out about it. Especially since I'm so in love with our new place and I have plenty of time to get everything ready(30 days). Something about moving just STRESSES me out. We've been in this condo for 4 years now and it's been great. I'm really happy for whoever gets to live here because it's the sunniest window-est place we've ever been in. But we've been wanting to move for a long time and it's taken us this long to find something we like. I'm superstitious so I won't go into details about this new place until I'm moved in. Keep your fingers crossed for me for the next 4 weeks, I don't relocate very well. I should be an expert at it since we've moved so many times but I get more stressed out than a bridezilla when I move. Under all the anxiety is a huge YAY, though. Details later.

2. I haven't looked for shark teeth in what seems like ages. And it feels like all is not right in the world when it's been this long. I can't blame it on the weather, the Florida fall makes me feel sorry for anyone who doesn't live here. It's because ever since I hated my July vacation pictures of myself , I've made a commitment to make exercise a priority in my life again. Exercise is really good for my self esteem even if I don't notice any change in the mirror so I've been jogging just about everyday and I don't jog on the beach like every other sane jogging person around here. As I've said before, this is torture. I cannot jog or do anything at the very place where thousands of shark teeth are waiting to be picked up by me. No I can't. So I jog in my neighborhood fitness room or at a park down the road. I would go crazy otherwise. I can't explain it, that's just the I am.

3. I hurt my neck today. I was driving and trying to take off a jacket at the same time. Suddenly my neck got mad at me. It hurts.

4. I realize most people wouldn't dream of moving during the Holiday season but strangely it makes me more excited. It will be a tight squeeze but I look forward to unpacking my Christmas decorations and celebrating a New Year in a new home. A home that I don't have memories of being sick or "radioactive" in. Does that make sense? Does to me.

Everyone is posting about how to cut costs

I'll admit I'm not the best at it. Some of these are pretty much common knowledge but in a community like mine where people have not/will likely not ever feel any kind of economic slow down, what I do might sound a little radical.

1. I buy store brand products. Dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels,lotion, even shampoo and soap. Target brand oatmeal soap costs 2 dollars less than Aveeno and my hypersensitive skin doesn't know the difference. Walmart Claratin works for me too. I've never been obsessed with name brands anyway. And that includes clothes and shoes.

2. I do my own nails and toes. People where I live assume that everyone just has loads and loads of money on their hands. I sometimes get asked where a good place is to get a manicure. I always get a surprised look of disbelief when my reply is," I can't really say because I do mine myself." The response is always,"Well I just don't have the time to do them myself." Yes you do! You have the time to get dressed, get in your car, sit in the salon for at least a half hour and then 15 to dry so don't tell me you don't have the time. I can do my nails and toes in less than 20 minutes and if I do them at night while I'm already winding down, I can let them dry while I watch tv without worrying about messing it up. So the best place for a mani-pedi? My house for free.

3. When I buy meat, I'll buy the family size even though I only cook for 2. I cook what I need and take the time to portion the rest out for the freezer. It takes just a few seconds.

4. Library Library Library! There's a GREAT library a five minutes walk from my house. They have a take-leave magazine shelf where I leave all my old magazines(old meaning from last month) and there's always a few National Geographic Mags I can bring home. There's hundreds of DVDs and I might have to wait a couple weeks before I can read the newest books if I don't get there before everyone else but I don't really care. I see a lot of smart moms/dads with kids when they have story reading(I do better voices than the lady they have but she does ok) and what a great place to bring a kid . My favorite part-it's FREE! I used to spend so much money on books I'll never even read again. They also have a used book store where I can get great art books for 5 dollars.

5. I am not snobby about going to the matinee movie on a rainy day. It's raining anyway! I have friend who won't step foot in any theatre before dark for fear of looking like a senior citizen at 32. The whole idea of spending more to please other nameless faceless people who care more about themselves than 'you' is a whole blog post for another day. I will stay mum on whether or not I sneak in my own drink.....

6. I commented about this on another blog and I'm sure I've posted about this before. I hang dry most of my own clothes. That goes for the husband's clothing too. I have pieces that I bought years and years ago that still look new because of this. This is not practical for everyone but, I live in a condo so I use my shower curtain thingy(I can't think of the right word) as my clothesline. I only use my dryer for towels and blankets. Well socks too. So imagine this saves a little on the electricity but I can't really say because I live in hot Fla and it costs a fortune to keep our 3rd floor place bearable in the summer. But my clothes last a long time and I don't always need to run out and get something new for this or that. Obviously the shopping part is more fun but I stay away from trendy clothing so I can wear anything in my closet when in a pinch. I'm moving to a better place in the near future so hopefully our elcetric bill will go down. For real this time. I take really good care of my shoes too.

7. I got asked this question last night(by someone like me whose husband works and they don't have kids) so I feel like I need to tell everyone about it: "who walks your dog?" I DO. Um yeah.

How do you feel about the Holidays being sprung upon us so quickly?

I noticed Christmas stuff at the grocery store today. Usually I get irritated about how early stores start putting out Christmas stuff. Oddly, today it made me happy. I stood there for a long time wondering if I should also start early, buy a cinnamon broom or one of those little bears with elf shoes one. I almost bought red and green Hershey's kisses until I remembered my still left over Fun Bag sized Mini Milky Ways I've been trying not to eat. I even started to hum songs from my Chipmunks Christmas album I had when I was in kidergarten.


On my way out, I had a hard time leaving because my car was blocked and I couldn't back out. I couldn't back out because some people who had just arrived were having a conversation with someone else who happenned to still be in her car. They decided a good place to have this conversation was right behind my car after they had watched me put my groceries in the back, get in and turn the ignition. Usually I just wait a few seconds when this happens but today I beeped. I beeped because I had just ran 2 miles and was eager to get home and eat lunch. They still took their time in getting out of the way, probably because they thought it was rude of me to beep. So, whilst waiting, I remembered why I get irritated at stores during the Holidays and forgot that I had just decided to be happy when I arrived. Yup.

Reunited and it feels so good

I finally got my haircut today. It's been since May but it really didn't count as a real haircut that time because I got this genius idea to try an $18 dollar place. Never again. My sister whose hair is the same length and texture as mine found a place where she lives that charges $18 without a wash and blow dry and she LOVED it, swore she'll never go anywhere else, told me I should try it out here where I live since it's a chain. I've been looking for a new place to go because I got really sick of paying $75 for someone to cut my long, straight, easy to cut hair because the girl I'd been going to for a long time ran off to Minnesota(of all places to run off to). I went to a spa place a few times and I really liked it, I even got a massage there last year while I was recovering from being off my meds for all that time and I was sore. Then another owner took over and turned the place into redneck heaven. Mind you, I love the south. I consider myself a southerner by preference and I can turn on/off my accent when need be. But when I get my haircut or any kind of beauty treatment, I don't want to feel like I'm in the middle of a HeeHaw rerun. I'm not exaggerating. They got some kind of 'company vehicle' , to advertise and impress the customers. Yeah. Hot Pink Hummers with sparkly rims don't appeal to me as a client whatsoever. If this makes me a snob, then I'm just a snob. The stylist I was used to just dissappeared one day and when I asked which salon she moved to they wouldn't tell me, I think because they were hoping I would just say ok, who else is avaliable. No thanks. I was only putting up with the hard core blue grass music and the yelling profanities back and forth between the mother and daughter owners because I liked the way she cut my hair and her price so this gave me an excuse to go somewhere else. Before that I was going to a woman who only charged me $25 and she was really good. I loved her but she decided to become a real estate agent(in this market when I have all this hair dammit!) so again I was a style orphan. Which brought me to the place my sister told me to try. Yeah. The guy they put me with was greasy, his nails were filthy and he smelled like an ash tray that hadn't been cleaned out since the days of Studio 54. And he barely cut anything and what was cut was lopsided. And he charged me $35, not the $18 my sister had me all excited about. So remember the stylist I "broke up with" that one time? In a moment of weakness I decided to go back. Best decision ever. I don't know why I ever fell out of love in the first place. Well ok I know why. It was expensive and I always felt pressured to buy ridiculously priced products when I was done. But oh man did I have beautiful hair once upon a time and it was because of her! So I had to go back. I had to. Why did I not see that before?! I mean, I get a haircut maybe 2-3 times a year. Why should I feel guilty about it? So maybe the shitty economy is actually good for something because it didn't cost me as much as before(although it was still a little pricey but I need to stay in this moment a bit longer). And all I did was say no thanks when a product was suggested for me to buy. Oh to have pretty hair again. It was beginning to look like I had just been kicked out of the Garden of Eden.


How much is too much to spend for a haircut to you guys?

Random happenings

-"Mon Cheri Amour" was playing at Starbucks today when I went in to "sugar up" before my routine blood work(I have to do this because they sometimes take 4 vials,which really doesn't sound like much.But it's a lot when you're 4'11".). I forgot how much I liked that song. But I only like it when Stevie Wonder sings it. Everyone else just sounds like a cheap imitation.

-I have a bruise on my arm(again) from the bloodwork. Why is that? Some people just have the best hands and never even leave a mark on my arm. And then some people leave big purple dots on my inner elbow making me leave the band aid on for the rest of the day lest people at Target think I'm a drug addict or something.

-I got in touch with the very first girl who befriended me when I first moved here in the 3rd grade. We haven't talked in at least 13 years so it was refreshing to hear an old friendly voice. Don't you love old friends? Old friends just know things about you and you don't have to explain anything.

-I had to force myself to leave the tv off today. Bad news of that poor little girl who was murdered and thrown in the trash had me crying all night last night and I knew it would be all over the news again today. I pray for her mother and family who must be going through hell right now. THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT INNOCENT CHILDREN FROM CHILD PREDATORS! What kind of....ok I was about to write the word animal would do something like this, but then I thought no that's an insult to animals. I can't use the word human because someone who woud do something like this is not human. Why did this happen?

Off to Naples

(The Florida one not the Italian one)

I woke up early to drop Peanut off at his "camp" and I might as well have just took a knife and stabbed myself in the heart. He didn't seem to care about being separated from me it which was actually what I was hoping for but still..... Oh well. It's a nice place, despite the fact that it costs a damn fortune, and they have dog cams so I'll be able to check on him while I'm gone. Still though. Next time I'm going to bring him with us.

Anyway, I'll be gone for a few days. Tuesday is my birthday btw. I'll be 33. Lots of pix when I get home.

Again I have no title for this post but does it really need one? Does everything in the world need a title? I think not.

I finally got over what was the worst sinus infection I ever had. There's nothing worse than being sick when it's over 90 degrees outside. Normally I grin and bear it through something like that but this was really a nasty one. One day during the peak of the worst, I was in the middle of merely making a sandwich and got exhausted just from that. I won't go anywhere near anyone who even has barely a sniffle right now. MrPea's and my trip is coming up in a few days and it's been so long since we went away together, I don't want anything to ruin it.

I thought about posting a few more pix from my trip but I'm sure ya'll aren't interested as you can pretty much guess from my last post what my trip consisted of:two silly sisters and three little boys under their sometimes questionable influence. I'm hoping to try to get back up there around Halloween.

In the mean time, my birthday present(!) arrived early(Thank you MrPea, I couldn't be happier!) so I've been trying to learn all the bells and whistles. Eventually I'll get a strong zoom lens when I begin to figure out how it all works. The basic auto stuff was pretty self explanatory but I didn't know what the hell an aperture was or what a macro lens was for and what ISO stood for but I'm having fun with it. Peanut has been my study subject matter and I'm sure he'll be happy when I start pointing that camera towards something else.

Speaking of Peanut, he has an appointment tomorrow morning at a Pet Day Care since I have no one to take care of him while we're gone. We need to take a look at the place he'll be staying and I want to make sure that he'll be comfortable and well taken care of there. It will also be a good time for them to observe his behavior around other dogs so they'll know what to expect and what kind of dogs he's compatible with during playtime. He's not a fighter but sometimes a humper so hopefully they won't hold that against him. Our ex roommates had a Yorkie who easily put him in his place when he tried to put the moves on her so I'm sure he'll behave once he figures out that the ladies don't like to be treated the way he treats his 'bear'. My standard reply to people who get surprised over the fact that he is actually neutered is usually,"Well he is a man."

Random Pix I forgot to show ya'll

Actually I did already post my cellcam version of this one a while back ago but I'm thinking about making a drawing of it to go with my shell in the hand drawing.

It was alive so of course I put it back in the water that day. I even stayed watching it for a long to time to make sure it didn't get pushed back onto the sand by the tide. I couldn't let it go without pausing to snap a picture of it's blue and peach side. I'm sure I've looked up the name in my field guide and forgot it's name but my field guide happens to be in the other room and I happen to be too lazy to get it.

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Look close.

Closer....see him now.

Yes it's a him, I checked. Unfortunately for him something had already made a meal out of his belly. His color pattern is really pretty and this will definitely make for a good drawing. I haven't decided to use pencils or watercolors for this one.

This is a Southern Toad that Peanut got into a fight with. I freaked out because he's ended up in the animal emergency hospital for getting into a fight with a poisonous toad in the past. So I took a picture of this one so I could identify it and make sure Peanut was not in any danger. He must have tasted really badly because Peanut spit him out right away and started shaking his mouth. Luckily for Peanut that was the only discomfort. MrPea was to blame since he was the one holding the leash(for both times.) His pattern is really pretty too but I'm not a big fan of bumps.

And, as promised here are the baby birds I have been admiring. As you can see the mother bird made a safe nest on a shell "welcome" wreathe. She was there all the time when the eggs were not hatched yet but now I never see her. I was beginning to worry but the chicks are getting bigger everyday so she must just be busy. Click for a closer look.

They are even bigger than this now- I checked on them this morning. I only counted 2 but I'm never close enough to really see because I don't want to scare them.

Last week while using a restaurant bathroom I noticed a very important communication. Take note of it peeps, you might need this information some day:"James is hot." "I agree." I'm not quite sure who this James is but if I find out, I'll let you guys know.

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And last but not least this was taken last night at 8:30. This is not my beach, it's been too HOTDAMN for me because the wind is still coming from the west. I wanted to look for shark teeth over here but for some reason, there aren't really any here. If the wind doesn't change before I leave on Saturday then I won't be able to look for any shark teeth until next week when low tide is in the evening so it won't be any fun. But the midsummer evening sky is pretty don't you think?

I got something

Yes I did! Got it from Chani, who's blog I adore. And I'm supposed to pass it on but I'm not going to since only 3 people read my blog anymore. (That's all my fault) If you're still here, and you wanted that award for yourself, by all means honey take it. Because if you
are still around after my only posting about once a year then in my opinion, you ARE Lovely.

Now that I'm done bragging about that, I have to steal an idea from Chani. Well technically it's not really stealing since she got the post idea from someone else too right? It was 6 things that make me happy. At this very moment. Ya'll already know about Peanut, shark teeth, the beach,shoes, pinching earlobes, my nephews, pinching my nephews earlobes, ok just pinching in general- all that stuff. So I'll tell you about some different things that make me happy. Today.


1. And this is in no certain order. This is going to sound weird but Exercise makes me happy. Yeah. I can't believe I said that. But it's true. When I am exercising on a regular basis, which for me means 2 or 3 times a week, I'm in a better mood. I have more energy and I sleep better. I also don't have those "I hate my body" voices in my ear so much even if I don't notice a difference in the mirror. Because I feel like I'm actively doing something about it. Saying that I have to admit that the getting motivated to get up and go exercise is still hard for me. But once I'm in the middle of it, I do get that high everyone talks about. I used to run but now I just power walk about a mile and a half. I find my knees and ankles ache less since then.

2. There's a bird nest on a wreathe next to one of my neighbor's front door and I can't even tell you all how happy that makes me. I spotted it a couple weeks ago and at first I thought it was decoration. Upon closer inspection I saw a tiny bird in it that I still thought was fake. Until it flew out and freaked me out. So I try not to scare them but there's chicks in there and I make a point to pass by on my way to my work out to check on them, trying my best not to scare the mother. MrPea teases me about it and says if he saw a giant face in the window every afternoon, he'd probably want to relocate but I can't help it so I just peep quickly and then go. I'll post some pictures when I can of them.

3. ok I know I said I wasn't going to mention pinching since I already told you guys about that before but I can't take it anymore. I have to. Pinching makes me happy. Yes it does. I love to pinch my loved ones. I have to keep it to a minimum because most people don't like to be pinched but I can't help it, even Peanut gets it once in a while. And the fact that I'll be at my sister's house a week from Saturday...oh man. My fingers are already in a pinching position. My nephews are going to have their earlobes and bellies pinched and that's just the end of it. I'll probably pinch my sister's earlobes too. Because that's the way I roll.

4. Photos. Taking them and looking at them makes me happy. I really love taking pictures but I also really love looking at people's photo albums. I'm always the only one who says yes really enthusiastically when someone asks if I want to see the 500 photos of their kids. If they have 500 photos of their vacation that no one usually wants to see, I do. I think you can learn a lot about a person from the photos they take. So yeah, photos. And since I mentioned my nephews, we'll be taking a lot of pictures too. Too bad, they're just going to have to smile and say cheese whether they like it or not cuz Auntie likes to take pictures.


5. MrPea and I are planning a trip and I'm so excited about that. We haven't been away together in a long time so it will be fun. There's really no need to make plans to go vacation when you live in Florida, I know that. But ever since that winter I spent in Canada I've had separation anxiety. I spent such a long time away from home that I never wanted to leave home or go anywhere without Peanut. So now that the reservations are made I'm getting excited. It will be fun. I'll be taking lots of pictures then too.

6. Lastly, I mentioned this the other day but this really makes me happy and it's my damn blog so I can talk about it again. My doctor told me a year and a half ago not to have any babies for 2 years and I cried for days over it. But now that it's been a year and a half, I'm thankful that the time is passing by because January will be the last time I have to take radioiodine for at least five years(keeping my fingers crossed that the scan will be clean which is %99 likely) and it will be safe for me to have a baby. heeheehee I get all giggly just thinking about it. But ok like I said, I'm not to dwell on it anymore. That's the last you'll hear about it from me. For a while.


So there you go. Feel free to steal this post since it was never my original idea in the first place.

Tips from Pea. The beginning of a new era of knowledge from me to you.

Back when I actually posted more than once a month I had quite a few emails asking for beauty tips. This was pretty funny to me since I am 4'11" so I'm obviously not in the running to be America's Next Top Model. Also I didn't start wearing make up or really care about my hair until I was about 25 but, ok. I don't have very many beau-tay secrets but I do have a few misc. tips and product reviews I can pass on to anyone who might be of a mind to ,er,want to know. Feel free to add your own or shoot mine down but here are a few to tide you over until next time:

1. I hate bugspray. I hate the smell of bugspray. I live in Florida:mosquito breeding ground of the USA. Solution for this problem is Avon Skin So Soft bath oil. I buy it in a spray but the lotion works too. One squirt on my hands is enough to rub on my legs and arms without feeling like a greasy frenchfry. It smells good and for some reason mosquiters don't like it. Buy it. Try it. You won't regret it.

2. I have sensitive skin. I also break out easily. I usually hate most face products aimed at sensitive skin because for some reason everyone in the "skin" industry assumes that people with sensitive skin also have bone dry skin thus creating the heaviest, oiliest face creams that I would only buy if I somehow mutated into a lizardwoman and decided to live in Death Valley. Aveeno Clear Complexion is my go to. Now I've told you. Now you know. Rejoice in that knowledge and spread the word.

3. Ok the Baby Powder in the hair trick. I've heard of this before. Yeah it doesn't work. Don't do it. I tried it once because my hair was flat and oily and I didn't have enough time to rewash. Um. Yeah it just made me look like I had BABY POWDER IN MY HAIR. Maybe my hair is too dark for that trick but I'm not going to dye it just to find out.

4. I drink skim milk because I like to put half and half in my coffee. This isn't really a "tip" of any kind but it's something I do that makes me feel better about how heavy I like my coffee. I play several mind games with myself like this. I feel skinnier already just from telling ya'll.

5. Feet. I have to talk about them. Those of us who spend our lives in flipflops know the horror. Vitamin E. Not the gel that's sold in drugstores in the summer time-although that's pretty good for scars. The cream. Right now I have the BJs store brand and that seems to work well. Vaseline under your socks over night is a squishy thought but trust me, it works.

I have thousands more but I'll have to ration it out, peeps. All 3 of you that are left :O)

Random blah blah blahg

-I read to my little kindergartners yesterday. I love how children's books are always about loving yourself just the way you are, believing in yourself, making new friends and listening to your parents. How old do we get when that stops being the important theme in literature? The book I'm currently reading for my book club is about murder, political intrigue, war atrocities, with a twist of psychotic love triangle. The last book we read was "Cry, The Beloved Country," and that book almost emotionally did me in. It thoroughly broke my heart. Our next book is one by Dostoevsky. I'm out of ideas for this paragraph so I'll have to end it with a request. Anybody have any good suggestions for a more lighter read? Something happy? I do love my book club but I need something less dark. Speaking of my book club, someone in mine has a Kindle. I'm so jealous I can't even concentrate. Why why why do they have to be so damn expensive? I'm either getting one or a better digital camera for my birthday. Which would you choose?


-I saw 'Star Trek' and 'Angels and Demons'. Both were very good. You don't have to be a Trekkie to dig 'Star Trek' and you don't need to have read the book to enjoy 'Angels and Demons.' 'Angels' did run a bit long but there's a lot of info to get in and you feel like you've been on a trip to Rome. The style of the movie was a bit less book report-ish than "The Da Vinci Code"(loved the book ,hated the movie) so it was smoother, to me.

-I found the Holy Grail of pants for petite women at Ann Taylor Loft yesterday: pants that don't need to be tailored. That fit. Yes. Life is good once more.

-I saw a picture of an old boyfreind the other day. One that was mean and cruel and horrible to me for three years. I have no malice towards him in any way, I'm the one who let someone like that in my life. After saying that, I have to admit something. It gave me just a tiny bit of happiness to see that he hasn't aged well. He's overweight and balding. Not that there's anyhing wrong with being overweight or bald. But he's the one who told me all the time that I was fat and ugly(at the time I weighed 95lbs). Karma. It's a good thing.



-So ok I've been posting less and less these days. I have no excuse. Last week it rained EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. So I can't say it's because I haven't been home. Laziness.

'Yer Age

Whenever I catch myself doing or saying things that when I was a kid I swore I would never do, I feel like such an Old Hagggis. For example, my nephew is nearly 20 and I still treat him like a baby. Since I was the baby of the family I HATED being told I was too young for something or treated like I was a complete idiotic and naive child.(I'm still treated that way and I still hate it BTW) When my nephew was born, I was 12 and felt completely grown up so it seems that I would probably feel more sisterly towards him than like an Auntie but that's not the case. He is to me, the son I would have asked for if I had had the powers. I try very much to regard him as a grown up but it's impossible. Last week, he came over for lunch and I found myself reminding him 3 times not to touch the pan because it was still hot as if he were a total dumbass without the skills to notice that on his own. I still refer to him as "Little B--" which is what we called him as a baby since he shares his father's name and his father was then called "Big B--" Recently I asked him if it bothered him that we(meaning mostly me) still called him that and if he knew that we would most definitely be calling him "Little B--" even when he was 80. Didn't bother him and no, he said he likes it. This was funny for me because I've told my family several times if anyone tries to refer to me in one of the nicknames they came up with, no one would get an answer from me. I will only answer to the name I was baptised with thank you very much. But that's the difference between he and I. If he told me it bothered him, I would make a better effort to stop.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic-that's a post for another day. For sure, one of the things I SWORE, PROMISED, SET IN STONE FOR ALL TIME that I would NEVER do was utter any sentence that began with the words,"When I was your age......." Because when I was young enough to be so cursed as to have to listen to those kinds of sermons I still remember thinking how much I could give a flying rat's ass about "yer age," and what everyone did or didn't do at "yer age." Or what everyone had or didn't have at "yer age." I didn't give a featherweight's care about who had to walk to school, stay after school, clean the school, make dinner, couldn't wear their hair the way they wanted, got slapped if they talked back, got soap in the mouth, had to eat everything on their plate, never wasted anything, had to plow, had to finish chores on time, rode horses, never heard of computers nor needed them.....you get my point. Still, I have begun to catch myself saying those very words to my own beloved eldest nephew. As in, "When I was yer age, we didn't have ipods. Do you have any idea how lucky you are?" Just shoot me now.

Still on the mend

I really was starting to feel better Saturday when I posted. Then Sunday I woke up and my throat felt swollen again. I thought it must be allergies but I just started to feel worse and worse. Finally last Tuesday I broke down and saw my doctor who told me I had a sinus infection and double ear infection. So I've been on antibiotics since then and I feel so much better this week. I can't go in the sun though so I haven't had any beach time but I've been too tired for all that anyway. Last night was the first night in about 2 weeks that I got a really decent sleep. So I'll be good to go in a couple days. I'm beginning to feel like an indoor cat though.



MrPea has been lucky enough to avoid catching my germs and getting sick(knock on wood!) himself. I only have two days left of antibiotics which is good because I keep forgetting to take them on time.


I'm thinking about changing pharmacies and I'll tell you why. One of the pharmacists who works there talks really loud about people's personal issues. Last month when I went in to pick up my birth control pills, he exclaimed upon printing out my receipt,"Look! You have a coupon for free pantyliners!" Then last week when I had my antibiotics filled, he told me,"You should go next door(grocery store) and pick up some yogurt. It may help you to avoid a yeast infection." Now mind you there are about 5 senior citizens standing behind me who, I'm sure, don't want to hear about my hypothetical yeast infection. Mistaking my wrinkled nose as a distaste for yogurt(which I do have but that's not what it was for) he said,"Oh well, if you don't like yogurt that's fine. You can always pick up a box of Monistat from right over there if you end up with a bad yeast infection. Oh and don't forget to put on sunscreen." Wonderful fun isn't it. I'm not sure if I should just put up with it because I like the Head Pharmacist or flee like my arse is on fire to another Drug Store next time. He does this to everyone and I can tell some folks like it as a lot of the seniors in my neighborhood will talk to me, a total stranger, for hours about the matters of their colon and hysterectomies and all kinds of personal health issues. I'm more of the variety that likes NOT to talk to people I've never seen in my life about regular bowel movements, fiber intake and vaginal health.


While I'm on the subject of yogurt, I took Mr.BigMouth's advice and bought some. It was my first time and ohmigosh ya'll, it's as disgusting as I had suspected all my life so much as to avoid it for 32 years. Gross! My husband loves the stuff which is surprising to me as usually I'm the healthy eater and he hates all things nutritious in our household. He told me since I love sour things such as lemons, Key Limes, tart mangoes and sour candies so much that I should love it. NO. I. DID. NOT! Here's why: those above mentioned fruits and candies are supposed to taste that way. Because they are fresh. Yogurt tastes sour because it is milk that has gone bad. Do I sound like an 8 year old who won't eat her corn? Well in so many ways my culinary tastes never evolved past that age and I'm not ashamed to admit it. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I would rather get a yeast infection than eat yogurt. Yep. Sorry Yogurt lovers, I couldn't get on that bus with you guys. I tried and it just didn't happen for me.

Now I laugh like a hyena everytime a yogurt commercial comes on tv. All those women look like me. I am their demographic. Well I can tell you, I was not making all kinds of orgasmic faces and giggling blissfully, spoon in hand. And have you noticed they are all usually doing yoga or wearing a yoga outfit? An advertising exec somewhere out there probably got promoted for coming up with that. "Yo-ga, Yo-gurt. Hey it's almost the same word! Women will be pushing down the doors for this stuff!"

I hate when people tell me,"Oh honey, you just need to get used to it." Why would I ever need to get "used" to something that tastes repulsive is beyond my intelligence level. Next time someone says that to me, I will ask if they could ever get used to being slapped in the face. No? I didn't think so.


BTW if this post sounds like a rerun, it pro'lly is. But as I've said, I am MsKitty looking out the window, not being allowed to go out into the wild like I so want to so creative thought has escaped me for now.

I've been in a drug induced haze

But not the fun kind you're probably thinking....I'm finally getting over a cold that started last weekend. Usually I don't like to take anything because cold medicine either knocks me out completely or makes me extremely nervy. But luckily this week I had nothing on my to do list so I wanted to get as much rest as possible. It wasn't that nasty of a cold but everytime I start to think I'm feeling better, get up and start to do something, I suddenly feel exhausted and weak so I've been trying to just do as much "nothing" as I can. Did you miss me? I thought so.


I got some more info on my new volunteer task. It's twice a month for one hour. I go in and read a couple books to a kindergarten class in the school library and then sort of hang out with my little kids helping them pick out books to take home. There's only a couple months left in the school year so if I decide I hate it I don't have to to it next year. But I'm sure I won't , I love reading to squirmy little ones. I even like doing the funny voices and sound effects. I'm waiting for my background check to be done. I've never committed bank robbery so I should be approved soon. I'm excited.


I was a little hurt because someone had made a comment about my volunteering at a school where the children already come from well to do situations. That I should be volunteering at a "worse off" place where more help is needed and implying that I was being a hypocrite for not doing so. But I don't feel the least bit guilty as I'm not quite sure that criticising a person's choice to volunteer at all is even called for. Sure a homeless shelter or food bank probably needs a lot more help than a well funded elementary school but location and transportation was the bigger issue. I could volunteer at a place that really needs an extra pair of hands and not really be able to commit because I can't be sure about whether or not I can really be there. Or I can volunteer at a school within biking distance and show up every single time they need me, giving an already overworked and underpaid teacher a small break. Does it really matter so long as I'm actually doing something? Or should I just say that I'm going to do something in front of everyone at a political meeting but do nothing but complain and criticise?! Who's the hypocrite?( and I know you're reading this even though you pretend that blogs are so beneath you....)

Ahem. Moving on, I'm feeling much better but I have that weird cough I always get after a cold/flu that takes forever to go away. I stopped taking cough medicine. I think it's messed up my thyroid hormone pills because I'm hot all the time. The only thing that seems to work is really strong Starbucks mints.

Outer Space Random

We watched the shuttle go up last night from our patio. I didn't think to get my camera until it was already gone but here you see the trail it left. I have to say last night's launch was the prettiest I've ever seen because the sun made the exhaust glow red. The screen is in the way but I was too lazy to walk downstairs. Enjoy.

I have been asked by some new friends at my new church to read stories to kindergartners for an hour twice a month. I said yes since the school year is almost over so if I end up hating it,which I'm sure I won't, I'll only have to do it a few times. I'm not sure why I'm feeling so shy about it but I am. I tried to talk myself out of it but everyone told me it would be a perfect volunteer opportunity for me and easy. I'm still waiting for the details but wish me luck in the meantime peeps.

The weather's been great so I have been at the beach every spare moment I have. It's not quite warm enough yet to just walk around in a bathing suit even though I do see some tourists swimming(!) in that cold water. But it's sunny enough to get a few more freckles if you're not careful. I've been using SPF85 but the freckles still come. Nothing wonderful report regarding my shark teeth finds, I loathe to admit. My finds have been meager. Yesterday MrPea and I went to the beach together. Normally this isn't something notable since we go all the time but we usually go to a different beach where we can park since MrPea doesn't have his own bike. We both went on my bike and I'm sure you're not wondering who was lucky enough to ride on the handle bars. It was cold so we had to huddle into the sand when the sun was behind a cloud and he made me promise not to go off and look for shark teeth just for that one day. I'm assuming he thought if I started looking while he waited, he'd be there 5 hours later watching the south horizon for me whilst freezing his behind off. He'd be right. I was dying though. There was a lady a few feet away from us digging around and I was pouting,"She's finding stuff, I know it. She better not find anything!" I'm selfish. When we left I walked past the hole she dug to see if there was anything of interest for me. Nothing. I'll probably be like this until the water is warm enough to wade in, this is how I find the good stuff. My friend Dee thinks I should seek some help.


I've started a new drawing. I'll show ya'll later.....


So what's new with you guys?

No thanks....

Sunday afternoon we had an appointment to see a condo for rent. Condo is just a glorified word for apartment, I'm not quite sure why people still get all excited over those kinds of words but, ok. Anyway, the lady showing it to us described it over the phone as spacious, immaculate, gourmet kitchen, sunny and honestly she used the word beachy at least 4 times. So she opens the door and the first thing I noticed was a smell. No it did not smell like dog, I have a dog. It smelled like spoilt milk. The "spacious" rooms could all fit into my living room and the "gourmet kitchen" was well.....let me put it this way. If you're reading this, stand up right now. Put both your arms out all the way. Spin around. That's how small it was. Yeah, it was beachy. Meaning you would want to spend all your time at the beach and not in this tiny, dirty, smallest kitchen in the world, overpriced condo.


Oh and by the way, she said it was on the first floor. It was not on the first floor, it was on the second floor.

I'm pretty sure I've already done this

But someone sent me these questions and told me to answer them. I'm in a 'follow the directions' type of mood so.....




1. Do you like blue cheese? hell no

2. Have you ever smoked? Yes what a junior high question! But not since I was 20, now I think it's disgusting.

3. Do you own a gun? This is a trick question....if I say no, all the psychos out there will know I don't have one....if I say yes, all the psychos out there will know I have one. That's about as much answer as I'll give.

4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? Purplesaurus Rex but they stopped making it so then it was cherry.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? That they are disgusting.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Charlie Brown but it's not really a movie.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee in the winter, orange juice in the summer.

9. Can you do push ups? Yes but not that many.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? I don't really care about jewelry that much but I guess it would be my pearl earrings my husband bought for me in Hawaii. They are kind of heavy and make my ears bleed sometimes because the posts are too big and I hardly ever wear earrings anymore. But they came in a red Cartier box with some official looking paper and I know big names appeal to his elitist tendencies so he was pretty happy to buy them for me.

11. Favorite hobby? reading, looking for shark teeth, still art....Hobby is such a weird word you know? I like doing stuff but I feel like an 92 year old using the word "hobby" for some reason. Let's just say I like doing "stuff" then.

12. Do you have A. D. D.? No....why am I giggling?

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? No

14. Middle name? Marie


15.. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? My feet are effing freezing. I don't feel like doing dishes. I need to exercise today.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water water water

17. Current worry? Economic meltdown banking crisis. Seriously. The fact that my husband works for a major bank should be all the reason I need to be in a state of worry.

18. Current hate right now? I already told you guys this but :The guy who lives downstairs is always revving his loud, obnoxious motorcycle all the damn time and especially every single time I decide to have a nice peaceful cup of coffee on my patio. And for reasons only known to him this noise needs last 20 minutes thus ruining my peaceful patio fun time. But hate is a strong word. I don't hate him, he just gets on my nerves. Hate...hate who/what do I hate? I hate carpet, there you go.

19. Favorite place to be? Looking for shark teeth. Canada's nice too. Miami's kind of fun.... now see this isn't good question for someone like me because I don't really have many favorites. If I like something, I just like it. And I don't put things in order of how much I like or don't like.

20. How did you bring in the new year? Kissing my husband.

21. Where would you like to go? Anywhere. Back to Hawaii I guess. OH I know. Remember when I told you guys about my Grandpa's plane being shot down in WW2 and he and his mates survived on an island for a long time with the help of the native people? I don't really have a desire to GO there but it would be nice to maybe say thank you for taking care of my good Papa to someone-anyone who may be old enough to remember. Yeah that would be pretty cool.

22. Name three people who will complete this: Whoever. Wants. To.


23. Do you own slippers? Yes but they have holes so I have to buy new ones.


22. What color shirt are you wearing? Cream

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Um. I don't know. Probably not, that sounds too 70s tacky for me. Do they still make those?

26. Can you whistle? Yes and when I first learned how I used to get on everyone in my family's nerves because I would just whistle all the time. I was 5 so....

27. Where are you now? In front of a computer of course!

28. Would you be a pirate? Well being as I'm not a big fan of pillaging and plundering, maybe not. The clothes and boots are kind of cute though.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? Marvin Gaye is fun to sing in there but pretty much anything.

30. Favorite Girl's Name? I don't know yet

31. Favorite boy's name? I'm superstitious about names, I just am so I'll just say I don't know yet for this one too. Again with the favorites thing...

32. What is in your pocket right now? phone number for a real estate agent

33. Last thing that made you laugh? don't remember but it happens all the time Oh wait I remember but you guys are going to think I'm mean. Ok I'll tell you anyway: Last night me and Mr.Pea were watching House Hunters and we started making fun of the houses they were "hunting" for and the way one of the guys on the show was swinging his arms around. It's dumb I know but that's what I was laughing at. My husband has a smartass sense of humor that sometime rubs off on me.

34. What vehicle do you drive? SUV


35. Worst injury you've ever had? pulled leg muscle(knock on wood) oh yeah, does spider bite count?

36. Do you love where you live? Yes but there are different ways that answer can go like- do I like this area/town/state , yes. Do I like where I live as in structurally? That would be a not really.

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 2


No one is tagged and I feel lame for even doing this because I'm positive I did this before.