tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41023342011-04-21T12:24:06.747-07:00Random thoughts and the occasional recount of funny/ interesting/ strange stories in my life.Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.comBlogger3061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1156917175573448442006-08-29T22:46:00.000-07:002006-08-29T22:52:55.586-07:00

As you've probably guessed, I've taken a hiatus from the blogging world. I am now officially a law student. It's only my third week of class, and I'm busier than I've ever been. But I have to say that I'm loving every minute of it. I knew from the first day in class that this is where I need to be.Maybe I'll post during the winter break, or when I have some funny or interesting things to report .

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1151556336059621322006-06-28T21:44:00.000-07:002006-06-28T21:45:36.060-07:00

Boogie: Mommy, do you know what God's last name is? Me: No, what? Boogie: In Heaven. You know, God In Heaven?Makes sense to me!

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1151556245430468072006-06-28T21:34:00.000-07:002006-06-28T21:44:05.443-07:00

I need a littlel tipping advice. Typically, when I'm out at a restaurant, I tip 20%. Not only because I think it's a good tip, but because it's easy to figure out. I know some people just double the tax, but that's only 15-16%, which I don't think is enough. Sometimes, if we're out with the kids, I'll tip a bit more, just to compensate for the hassle of the whining of impatient children and

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1150433049098337602006-06-15T21:16:00.000-07:002006-06-15T21:44:09.126-07:00

He kills bugs for me. And not just any bugs. Weird giant beetles never-before seen in this country. Like the one that flew into my car on the way home from picking up pizza tonight for our Thursday-night takeout. I had just slowed down for the red light when I heard this buzzing sound, followed by a swish, and saw this giant bug, flailing upside down on the dashboard in front of me. My heart

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1150425691693021062006-06-15T19:07:00.000-07:002006-06-15T19:41:31.766-07:00

There's a new person in my life who is the bane of my existence. I don't know her name. I've never even officially met her. But I've seen her every morning for the past month, and she's driving me crazy.She's the new friendly neighborhood crossing guard. She's located at the corner where I turn right every morning to drive the not-even-a-quarter-of-a-block to Boogie's preschool. I know this woman

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1149300792531153792006-06-02T18:56:00.000-07:002006-06-02T19:13:12.546-07:00

Last night, my husband had his annual Open House at his school, so I had to take Boogie to her "Dad's Night" at her preschool. I went with her and her grandpa and it was great. It started with us sitting outside while all of the kids in the school got together on the bleachers in front of us. Along with the music director and his acoustic guitar, they sang 4 songs that they've been learning this

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1149127369391307602006-05-31T18:28:00.000-07:002006-05-31T19:02:49.490-07:00

Today at work, I had to purchase a gift card for one of our clients. I had looked at the American Express Traveler's Cheque card, but the minimum denomination was $300. I decided to check out the Visa TravelMoney card, but after searching the entire Visa web site, I couldn't find anything on a minimum order. I decided to call their customer service center for help. VISA Rep #1: Hello, this is

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1147282481858570682006-05-10T10:13:00.000-07:002006-05-10T10:34:41.890-07:00

Here are just a few of the things I've witnessed while driving in my car this past week ... I think I spend too much time driving.1) On Saturday, I drove to the party store to pick up balloons for Boogie's 4th birthday party (we had a great party. I can't believe she's 4 already ... although at times, I can't believe she's ONLY four.) Once I got off the ramp of the freeway, I had to make my way

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1146459307156034842006-04-30T21:41:00.000-07:002006-04-30T21:55:07.166-07:00

As many of my small readership know, I took the LSAT last December. It came from a discussion that my husband and I had had a few months before. He asked me if I could do any job, what would it be. My first thought was ... a lawyer. So I decided to take the LSAT to at least see if I'd do well enough to apply and get accepted to a law school. I scored in the top 35% (not great, but good enough to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1146115456637636822006-04-26T21:47:00.000-07:002006-04-27T06:09:37.350-07:00

My sister-in-law sent me an e-mail that talked about all the things girls do when we drink too much. It was pretty funny ... and sadly so true. It reminded me of my young and carefree days when I didn't have to worry about being a role model to my kids or a good wife to my husband, when a giant mortgage and the daily pressures of maintaining a home were in the distant future. 1. WE HAVE

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1145812616302675962006-04-23T10:06:00.000-07:002006-04-25T06:05:21.683-07:00

You know those people who drive around in a car loaded with thousands of stuffed animals crowded in the back window? I've never understood what that meant. I just know that it's annoying driving around behind those many plastic black eyes of puppies, kittens, bunnies and other animal forms made popular by Ty. But yesterday, I saw a sight even worse than the multitude of stuffed animals in the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1145727525151373152006-04-22T10:36:00.000-07:002006-04-22T10:38:45.160-07:00

I know I just posted, but after I got off the computer, I walked back in the living room and saw Dak with one of my husband's new Sports Illustrated magazines. I took it from him and got an IKEA catalog for him to look at. He saw me take the catalog out of the magazine rack, so after looking at the catalog for a few minutes, he walked over to the magazine rack and started looking for through the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1145726503501915172006-04-22T10:06:00.000-07:002006-04-22T20:44:58.716-07:00

Em and I had a conversation the other day that resulted from a bunch of other topics that ran into several tangents (not an unusual occurence for either of us). It started with us talking about her boyfriend, and how he always seemed so excited when he made plans with other people. Here's how the conversation progressed:Em: But see, he's not really that way. Sometimes he seems excited because the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1145334563155961722006-04-17T21:10:00.000-07:002006-04-17T21:29:23.166-07:00

Today, I have proof that aliens are indeed living among us. I could say that I was abducted by aliens, to have some sort of excuse for not posting in, how long has it been? About three weeks? No, I've just been busy in the I-have-two-kids-and-work-full-time-at-a-new-job-that-doesn't-give-time-to-blog-at-work-anymore mode. I know, I know, millions of people do it, but let's just say, it doesn't

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1143930347315678872006-04-01T14:09:00.000-08:002006-04-01T14:25:47.330-08:00

It's April Fool's day. A day to play pranks on the ones you love the most, and those who perhaps you don't love so much. I remember back with I was a kid, the playground at recess was filled with childish pranks: "There's a hole in your pants ... APRIL FOOL'S!" "You have something on your nose ... APRIL FOOL'S!" It's funny how somethings never change from one childhood to the next (on a related

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1143172541173265742006-03-23T19:47:00.000-08:002006-03-23T19:55:41.186-08:00

I just have to say that I'm the luckiest mom in the world. I just downloaded some pictures from my camera (something I do about every 3 months or so). It's always great to relive those fun moments in our household where we take goofy pictures or photos of our kids doing miraculous things.These pictures aren't of anything in particular: Boogie and Dak enjoying spinning in the chair in the office,

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1142910295463676972006-03-20T19:02:00.000-08:002006-03-20T19:04:55.476-08:00

Don't you love those days at work where you so wrapped up in a project that you suddenly look up and it's lunchtime? Or better yet, that it's quarter to five and almost time to go home? Every day that I've been at my new job ... all four days of them ... have been that way. Already I've revised an ad for a conference directory, redesigned the home page for a new web site that will be launching

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1142517784537081372006-03-16T05:55:00.000-08:002006-03-16T06:04:53.200-08:00

Oh, I know there are a lot of things wrong with this country, although it's still the best place on earth to live as far as I'm concerned. My beef today is with America's voting in American Idol. Last night, I watched in anticipation to see who would be in the bottom three. While I knew Kevin should be the one to go (even in the brief recap you can tell he can't stand on his own to those others),

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1142358625313505982006-03-14T09:37:00.000-08:002006-03-14T15:49:10.036-08:00

When I was younger, my mom would take me and my sister to the local beauty college to get our hair cut. At that time, the Shag look was in, and I look back in horror at my old pictures with my scraggly bangs and wisps of hair in my face with it longer in the back, similar to Joan Jett. I can't tell if my hair looked bad because of the style or that it was done at the local beauty college.Once,

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1142270531131054432006-03-13T08:57:00.000-08:002006-03-13T09:23:40.660-08:00

Warning, this post contains a graphic photo that may be disturbing to some viewers. Proceed with caution. Look at the face of this doll. What emotion does it evoke? A harmless childhood plaything, that drinks from a toy bottle and closes its eyes to nap? Or a form of true evil, conjured from the depths of hell to scare the living daylights out of everything being it encounters? For me, it's the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1141756132369341212006-03-07T10:26:00.000-08:002006-03-07T14:04:34.743-08:00

It’s my last week of work at my old job, and I just have to say that I am BORED! I thought I was being nice by giving them three week’s notice so that all of my projects could be transferred over. Our department has been operating lean because a senior person was told to leave, and a part-time person is on maternity leave. We do have a full-time temp who is handling the part-time person’s

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1141424150181699792006-03-03T14:14:00.000-08:002006-03-03T14:15:50.196-08:00

Have you ever noticed that there are people who are just meant to be together? I’m not talking about that happy couple down the street who can’t stop holding hands, or the old married couple who just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Yes, they belong together, but not in the way I’m talking about. I mean those whose weird idiosyncrasies complement each other. Sometimes, it’s an obvious

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1141242758157219302006-03-01T11:49:00.000-08:002006-03-01T11:52:38.170-08:00

This morning, I got the kids ready, dropped off Dak at daycare and then took Boogie to preschool. As I was unbuckling her seat belt, her little friend came running up to the car.“Look, at my slippers!” he cried. I turned around and looked at what he was wearing, and suddenly realized that I had forgotten what day it was. Pajama day. How could I have forgotten? I remember thinking when I received

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1141107272028398012006-02-27T22:07:00.000-08:002006-02-27T22:14:32.043-08:00

Yes, once again, it's raining in Southern California. The biggest news event in weeks. And thank God we have the media to help us get through or I don't know what we'd do. Just tonight, they gave tips on driving in the rain:1) Check your tire tread2) Make sure your lights are working in the front and back3) Change your windshield wipers4) Don't drive through standing water.Need I remind everyone

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1140844881983724762006-02-24T21:11:00.000-08:002006-02-25T11:25:22.473-08:00

I feel like I've been away forever. It's amazing how you can think that your life is filled to the rim (with Brim ... I'm sorry, am I showing my age?), and then life hands you even more. A good thing came out of all the drama ... I got a new job. I start in a few weeks, but am still at my current job, transitioning stuff over. It's a good move for me: more money, more responsibility, more

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1139599157374535372006-02-10T11:18:00.000-08:002006-02-10T11:19:17.390-08:00

Last night, I sat in Boogie’s room as she got ready for bed. As she was getting ready to put on her nightgown, I patted her little booty. She laughed and said, “Don’t touch my booty!” “But it’s so cute. I love your booty. It's so cute and little!” I replied.Then she looked at me. “Mommy, when is my booty going to be big … like yours?” Ouch.

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1139265979809736012006-02-06T14:43:00.000-08:002006-02-06T14:46:19.826-08:00

So after my language-challenged episode last week, I redeemed myself this weekend in a rousing round of Scrabble with my husband. Typically he wins this game, not because he spells better than me, or knows more words, but because he takes hours during each turn looking for just the right word that will allow him to not only get a triple letter score on J, but a double word score as well. Saturday

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1138832352574812082006-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:002006-02-01T14:19:12.590-08:00

So I'm home today, and decided to turn on Young and the Restless while I was eating my lunch. I've watched this show off and on since I was a little kid, and saw it for the first time with my grandma. The funny thing about soap operas is you can not watch it for months or years at a time and still know what's going on after about 10 minutes of watching it. By the way, how old is Victor Newman?

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1138732274530683892006-01-31T10:29:00.000-08:002006-01-31T10:31:14.546-08:00

This must be my week of self-deprecation, but go with me on this one. I’ve always considered myself to be a fairly smart person. Granted, I’ll never win a prize for solving calculus equations, or be able to conduct experiments that result in the cure for cancer, but I know my way around the written word. I know that irregardless and pronunciate are not words. I know the difference between your

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1138577854322063002006-01-29T15:20:00.000-08:002006-01-29T15:37:34.336-08:00

When I was about 3 or 4, probably about the age that Boogie is right now, I walked up to my mom who was lying on the couch. (I don't remember this from my own memory, but it's a story my mom has told a few times). My mom had been sick and wasn't feeling well, which was why she was lying down. I lovingly placed my hand on her arm and said, "Momma?" She replied, "Yes, my child" (well, she probably

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1138388884765752822006-01-27T10:58:00.000-08:002006-01-27T11:08:58.826-08:00

This morning on my favorite radio station, they were talking about people who use those little tiny surveillance cameras in their homes. You know to monitor their sleeping babies, or the nanny who's watching their little bundle of joy to determine whether they are treating them as they should. Sometimes they use these cameras for not-so-innocent uses:Caller: Hey, guys, it's John from Downey. (I

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1138054507523187992006-01-23T14:14:00.000-08:002006-01-23T14:15:07.540-08:00

This weekend, an old friend from Florida came to visit me. We had missed each other when I went out to Florida last August. So we haven’t talked in a long time. She’s one of those friends, of whom I have just a few, who I truly consider a friend. One of those who doesn’t get upset that we don’t talk every week. One who can pick up the phone after six months or so, and just pick up where we left

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1137276461054912832006-01-14T13:34:00.000-08:002006-01-14T14:07:41.070-08:00

Today I took Boogie to her first ballet lesson. After we took her to see the Nutcracker at the Performing Arts Center this Christmas, she's continued to talk about ballerinas, especially Clara from the Nutcracker, and she practices putting up her arms and standing with one leg behind her. So this morning, I dressed her in the required uniform: pink leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, hair

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1137090260807271862006-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:002006-01-12T14:29:17.206-08:00

Since I'm not inspired to talk about something fun or interesting that's happened to me, I thought I'd steal from Whoorl (who took it from someone else, who took it from someone else, and I'll tell two friends, and they'll tell to friends, and so on, and so one ... come'on don't you remember those Breck commercials with Heather Locklear?). Anyway, I digress. Would I be me if I didn't?[A is for

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1137002204433524982006-01-11T09:38:00.000-08:002006-01-11T10:54:48.993-08:00

Last week, I went to see my eye doctor for my annual checkup and to order new contacts. I've been wearing contacts for nearly 20 years, and glasses for almost a decade longer, so these exams are pretty routine for me.At least they're supposed to me. Typically, I have my exam, if the optometrist chooses to give me a new type of lens, I get a temporary pair, they order my contacts, I go in for a

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1136694814011121232006-01-07T20:23:00.000-08:002006-01-07T20:33:34.026-08:00

Well I finally heard a phrase that I never thought I'd hear from my own flesh and blood. Not the "I hate you" phrase. My husband got that one last week. It nearly broke his heart. Today, I got the "Mom, you're so evil!"Wow, that's harsh. Am I like the evil stepmother in Cinderella? The evil Jafar in Aladdin? The evil wicked witch in Wizard of Oz? The evil fairy godmother in Shrek? Is Boogie

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1136676754029889412006-01-07T14:50:00.000-08:002006-01-07T15:32:34.380-08:00

Now that I'm considering applying to law school, I decided to have my transcripts sent to me. It's been more than a decade since I've been in school so I couldn't remember what my grade point average was. While I hope that my work experience will help me when they consider whether to accept me into the law schools around here, I just wanted to see where I stood on GPA aspect. I got my transcripts

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1136500473053443492006-01-05T14:32:00.000-08:002006-01-05T14:34:33.063-08:00

Okay, so what month is this? I thought it was January, but that can't be right. It's 85 degrees outside! My drama queen of a daughter, upon leaving the doctor's office today, whined, "IT'S HOT! IT'S BURNING MY FACE!!" Indeed it was. Who knew we'd have to turn on the air-conditioner in January?

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1136480320508833792006-01-05T08:45:00.000-08:002006-01-05T08:59:28.653-08:00

When I was younger, I wasn't really a "kid person." You know, the ones who shriek with glee at the sight of a child? Who were the neighborhood babysitters? Who always wanted to have 5 kids running around the house?I wasn't that person. I didn't like to have little sticky kids running up to me, putting their cherry-lollipop-covered hands on my new pants, or rubbing their snotty noses with their

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1136400673720288882006-01-04T10:28:00.000-08:002006-01-04T19:41:47.366-08:00

My husband has never officially been diagnosed with ADD, or obsessive compulsive behavior, but I have to take on the role of doctor here and say that he needs help. I should have recognized the symptoms when we first started dating. We were going with a friend to Busch Gardens (an amusement park in Tampa, FL) to meet another friend. As we started out the door, he said, "Hold on a second, I have

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135797380498550942005-12-28T11:00:00.000-08:002005-12-28T12:35:56.196-08:00

I saw them again this morning. The same two women who gave me great amusement last week. The same two women who I wanted to post about last week, but just didn't have the time. Last week, I was heading out to drop my son off at daycare. I basically just need to cross from my neighborhood to the neighborhood across the street. I looked left and saw this ancient old car going about 5 miles an hour

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135723743245674262005-12-27T14:36:00.000-08:002005-12-28T11:00:35.103-08:00

An actual conversation I overheard at McDonald's during lunch today:Mickey Dees Employee: Can I help you?Customer: Yes, I'll have the California Cobb Salad with grilled chicken. (don't ask me why she's ordering a salad at McDonald's. Order some fries, woman!)MDE: Is that for here or to go?C: For here.MDE: That will be $4.95. Is that to go?C: No, it's for here.MDE: It's for here?C: Yes, it's for

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135623303915840452005-12-26T10:34:00.000-08:002005-12-26T10:55:03.926-08:00

Christmas eve is typically spent with my husband's family. All 50 or so of them. It's a night that begins with a church service, then a trip to his aunt and uncle's house to eat tamales, watch the kids open their presents, and then participate in a white elephant gift exchange that lasts through midnight. It's always a late night filled with the screams of kids running around, tearing paper, and

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135364499552633082005-12-23T10:59:00.000-08:002005-12-23T11:01:39.566-08:00

I noticed that someone found my site by typing in the search "a heartfelt note to mom." Seriously, how heartfelt is that note if you're looking online for examples of notes that other people have written?

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135362453309350062005-12-23T10:13:00.000-08:002005-12-23T10:27:33.320-08:00

So, I got my LSAT score back today. To be honest, I had no idea what kind of score I was going to get. Never in my life have I taken a test where I didn't have some kind of idea of how I did. When I was taking the practice tests, I'd think I was doing well, only to score myself and realize that I didn't do well at all. So going into the test, I just thought I'd just take it and see.But a small

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135231499903130102005-12-21T21:41:00.000-08:002005-12-21T22:07:29.476-08:00

When I met my husband, he was balding. Sure he had some hair on the sides, and a few wisps of hair on the top, but you could pretty much call him a bald guy. It didn't matter to me. I thought he had a handsome face, a great sense of humor, and an intelligence that can't be matched.When he moved to California, he started shaving his head. With his Raiders' shirts and baggy pants, he could be

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135147920416806792005-12-20T22:47:00.000-08:002005-12-20T22:52:00.426-08:00

I am officially done with my Christmas shopping! And I got my Christmas cards out today. Now, I just have to wrap everything. Gone are the days when my cards were out the first week of December, when all of the decorations when up the same day as the tree. Now I still have bins of stuff in the garage that I'm just too exhausted to unwrap and find a place for. Yes, we have a beautiful tree, the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1135134150917065642005-12-20T18:57:00.000-08:002005-12-20T19:02:30.926-08:00

I've not only been slacking on my blog-writing duties to post something, hopefully something funny or thought-provoking, every day. Of course, I read so many great writers on other blogs that I sometimes feel inferior. But I still try to come up with some creative thought that will inspire people to read.But I've also been slacking on my blog-reading duties. I find that I can't find the time to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1134976289988281012005-12-18T22:58:00.000-08:002005-12-19T07:06:05.683-08:00

Tonight, we took the kids to see the lights in a neighborhood that is famous for its awe-inspiring displays of twinkling lights, animated characters, and nativity scenes. Tonight, I've never seen so many of the same life-size Santas waving from the front porch and singing Christmas carols. There must have been a sale at Target (or wherever else you get those giant Santas). At least they are at

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1134760992662267372005-12-16T11:02:00.000-08:002005-12-16T16:47:09.050-08:00

Undercover Celebrity recently posted about her annoyance at not receiving holiday presents from our vendors at work. That she always believed it was one of the perks of working with vendors. I had a different thought that I never expected gifts from them at all. And to prove that good things come when you least expect it, yesterday I got a gift basket from the very same vendor that she raised her

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1134589733041923122005-12-14T11:37:00.000-08:002005-12-14T11:48:53.053-08:00

Last night, Boogie's preschool had a Christmas concert. We got to go out to see her and her classmates sing a variety of Christmas songs. We were so proud of her. She was one of the few who knew all the words to the songs. Even her teacher says she's the best singer in the class. She also was not afraid to be on stage. She waved to us in our seats with the biggest grin on her face. It was also

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1134454221656414272005-12-12T21:11:00.000-08:002005-12-12T22:28:42.630-08:00

Boogie and I decorated the tree this weekend. She did a great job helping me hang the ornaments. I even left the ornaments where she hung them. For a few minutes, but then my anal-retentive nature took over and I had to do some rearranging. In my defense, I had to move some the ornaments that were hanging precariously from the branches. We don't want them to fall and break do we? And the ones

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1133845705238746422005-12-05T20:50:00.000-08:002005-12-05T21:08:25.250-08:00

I've just spent the past four days in a whirlwind of activity, and I have to say that I'm exhausted. I thought the Thanksgiving weekend was hectic. It was nothing compared to this.On Wednesday night, my mom flew in from Tennessee to visit and see the kids. She hadn't been out here since little Dak was born. While it was a good visit, I felt on edge the whole time. My mom and I have never had what

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1133050086816109942005-11-26T15:45:00.000-08:002005-11-26T16:19:18.083-08:00

A year ago my son was born. I'll admit, when I first found out I was having a boy, I was a bit surprised. I had always pictured myself with two little girls. Not that I'm the frilly pink type, but I just had gotten used to the sweet conversations with my little girl, the quiet times when we snuggled on the couch reading books, having tea parties, and brushing each other's hair while creating fun

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132976523386468352005-11-25T19:33:00.000-08:002005-11-25T19:42:03.396-08:00

I was nice enough to give you the time when you asked for it. Nevermind that your mouth was covered with grease from your French fries and crumbs from the Whopper you undoubtedly wolfed down. That should have ended our conversation, especially when you saw me look back at my magazine after telling you it was 12:40.What about that event gave you the impression that I still wanted to talk? Did you

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132782585560971852005-11-23T13:36:00.000-08:002005-11-23T13:49:45.573-08:00

I'm off today. Not really a vacation since I'm spending the day (except for this moment to post) doing some major cleaning of the house before the 20-some-odd people convene at our house for the Thanksgiving feast tomorrow. Actually, despite all the cleaning, it's been kind of nice being in a quiet house: no kids screaming because they can't have a cookie, that someone is taking their toy, or

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132640481722601242005-11-21T21:38:00.000-08:002005-11-21T22:23:18.673-08:00

My husband and I just got back from a weekend in Las Vegas. We're not high rollers, so we stayed in a small casino on the Strip. It's more our style: low-stake tables, cheap beer, and non-pretentious people to meet as we gamble the night away. Here are a few highlights from the trip:OUR ROOMWhen we checked in, we were told that we were being upgraded to a suite. Nice, we thought, thinking we were

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132339566946850812005-11-18T10:45:00.000-08:002005-11-18T10:46:06.963-08:00

My husband has this prized possession that causes me to shudder every time I look at it. It’s this god-awful flannel blanket that he received as a gift many years ago. In addition to being dingy and pilly, it has this horrible-looking Aztec print in red and blue.My husband uses this blanket all the time. No matter that we have a very warm microsuede comforter. He covers himself up with the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132250866761390532005-11-17T10:01:00.000-08:002005-11-17T10:07:46.773-08:00

We finally got a new computer. After 6 years, our little Gateway PC is finally ready to retire. It’s been a good little computer, never had any problems, but I think computers have double the number of life-years as dogs, so our little 84-year-old has worked hard. We’ll find a good rest home for it, to live out the rest of its years.Now that the eulogy is over, it’s time to celebrate the new

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1132082185059488392005-11-15T11:07:00.000-08:002005-11-15T11:17:13.856-08:00

I hate cold water. I've never been the kind who could run and jump into a cold swimming pool. I was the one who painstakingly stepped inch by inch into the pool, rubbing water on the next part of my body to get wet. I know people say that it's worse than just jumping in, but it works for me.I spent 12 years in Florida, living near the Gulf of Mexico. The water there was always warm, sometimes too

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1131676252129405992005-11-10T18:06:00.000-08:002005-11-10T18:30:52.146-08:00

Just a few of the things that have annoyed me recently.- Why do people think it's OK to change a baby's diaper and just leave it in the parking lot? It bothers me when people litter in the first place. I don't understand why people just toss their fast-food containers out of the window as they drive 70 miles an hour on the freeway, or throw napkins and gum wrappers out at the traffic light. But a

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1131303185118808272005-11-06T10:39:00.000-08:002005-11-06T10:53:05.133-08:00

Is it a guy thing, or simply my husband, who has a hard time doing things out of his comfort zone? I'll admit, we're a pretty routine family. We order take-out from the same places each week, enough so that they recognize my voice on the phone, and have my order waiting when they see me drive up. Because we have two kids, we don't really explore many places outside of a 10-mile vicinity of our

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1131036500847873772005-11-03T08:47:00.000-08:002005-11-03T08:48:20.860-08:00

It happened again. A little girl at Boogie’s preschool said something to her that just breaks my heart. Boogie loves to draw. Ever since she could hold a crayon, she’s loved to scribble. Lately, her drawings are getting better. She can draw faces, and bodies with hands and feet. And she loves to draw flowers. She can stand at her easel and draw for hours.But yesterday, one of the girls told her

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1130975721548413192005-11-02T15:50:00.000-08:002005-11-02T15:56:12.820-08:00

I told this story to the girls at lunch today, and thought you might enjoy taking a trip with me down memory lane to reminisce about an event that I wrote about in a post a couple of years ago. Enjoy!August 2003Today my husband and I actually had a date. An afternoon without little Boogie where we could feel like the days when we were young and carefree, able to take in an afternoon movie without

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1130039567332701662005-10-22T20:37:00.000-07:002005-10-22T20:55:29.570-07:00

As I sit here, my face freckled with paint, I'm thinking about all that my husband and I have done in the past 24 hours. I have to say that we've been busy.Last night, after Dak went to bed, but while Boogie was still awake, we taped the ceilings and baseboards, around the fireplace and the windows in the living room to get ready to paint today. I'm so proud of us. After only 4 1/2 years of

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1129756694243106152005-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:002005-10-19T14:18:14.250-07:00

Maybe no one has told you, but you have to watch your kids closely, especially in the street. Maybe you thought that it was only a parking lot, but have you not seen how quickly cars drive up and down the lanes? Maybe you thought that since your son was in a stroller that he was safe. Apparently you were mistaken.Your son has legs long enough to reach the ground in the stroller. How else could he

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1129514087800507732005-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:002005-10-16T18:54:47.806-07:00

As I was driving the family to breakfast this morning, the conversation in the car went something like this:My husband: Boogie, you know who I love?Boogie: Who?MH: Mommy.Boogie: I love mommy too.MH: I love mommy this much (stretching his arms wide).Boogie: I love mommy this much (I assume stretching her arms wide ... I couldn't really see her since she sits behind the driver's seat.)MH: I love

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1129261399881824902005-10-13T20:42:00.000-07:002005-10-13T20:43:19.886-07:00

I just have one question. Do people really buy those Survivor buffs that they advertise at the end of every segment of the show? And if so, who are these people?

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1129134115607846842005-10-12T09:18:00.000-07:002005-10-12T09:21:55.613-07:00

As you’ve read in past blogs, my little 3 ½-year old daughter, Boogie, is a genius. Here are just a few of the conversations we’ve had over the past few days.Last night in the bathShe was splashing around in the bath, pretending to swim, or rolling on her back to be a mermaid with her hair flowing around her. She started kicking this little dolphin toy that floats in the bath. I told her to stop

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1128398206086916662005-10-03T20:56:00.000-07:002005-10-03T20:56:46.093-07:00

My husband occassionally comes up with some pretty good ideas. Not all the time, mind you, but when he does come up with one, it's a good one!At times, we have struggles with Boogie in getting her to eat her dinner. She likes playing around, and moving her food around on her plate. No amount of "Fine, you'll just need to sit there all night until you're done, " or "OK, we're finished with our

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1128099360670874582005-09-30T09:49:00.000-07:002005-09-30T09:56:00.676-07:00

Today we celebrate our 5-year anniversary. What a milestone we’ve achieved in our whirlwind marriage … not to mention our relationship as a whole. We’ve gone through so much, and have come out stronger than ever. I love you more today, than I ever could have imagined.I think back to that first time I saw you, when you stopped me in my tracks, like I’d run into a brick wall. I knew in that moment

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1127927956822892782005-09-28T10:18:00.000-07:002005-09-28T10:19:16.826-07:00

I’ve lived in Southern California for six years now, and I still can’t get used to the Santa Ana winds. In any other place I lived, if I stood at the window and saw the trees blowing vigorously in the wind, I’d assume that it would be at least cool when I walked outside.Not so with the Santa Anas. Today, I looked outside and saw the pine trees swaying back and forth (yes, we have pine trees down

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1127754351286183582005-09-26T10:04:00.000-07:002005-09-26T10:05:51.293-07:00

I’m not the kind of girl who is afraid of a lot of things. Yes, clowns scare me, and porcelain dolls scare me, and bugs like wasps, June bugs, cockroaches (if you’ve ever seen them in Florida, you’d know why), and big spiders scare me. I’m also afraid of heights … hmmm … let me start over.I AM the kind of girl who is afraid of a lot of things. And spiders are no exception. I don’t mind the daddy

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1127487946764024282005-09-23T07:51:00.000-07:002005-09-23T08:05:46.770-07:00

Yesterday, as my husband kissed me and Boogie goodbye as he headed off for work, Boogie spoke up and said, "When will I get married?""Married?" I replied. "Oh, you'll get married when you're bigger. When you're a grownup.""Cuz I've always wanted to get married," she said. Always? All 3 1/2 years that she's been on this earth?"Why have you always wanted to get married?" I asked."Because I want to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1127230896879708022005-09-20T08:13:00.000-07:002005-09-20T08:41:36.886-07:00

One of the great things about living in southern California is the weather. With the exception of a few months in the summer and winter, it’s pretty much mid-70s all the time. Even in summer, where I live it only gets to about 80-85 in the summer, and 55-60 in the winter. The climate really is the best that I’ve ever lived in (and I’ve lived a lot of places).The bad thing about this is when the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1127175037732870952005-09-19T17:02:00.000-07:002005-09-19T18:45:17.610-07:00

This weekend, we took the kids on a little vacation to the mountains to stay at the lake house of Em’s boyfriend. We were there with two additional couples: one with a little girl, and one who is just dating and childless. While I knew it before, this weekend illustrated the extreme differences between couples with kids and couples without.The Childless Couples- Childless couples are able to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1126462167266290662005-09-11T10:54:00.000-07:002005-09-11T11:09:27.273-07:00

On this day, four years ago, I learned about two things that would change my life. The first, as with everyone else in the world, was learning about the attacks on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. I still remember the drop in my stomach as I learned about the attacks, and then the horror I felt watching the towers collapse. Knowing the devastation I felt, all the way across the country, I

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1126302170765278672005-09-09T14:29:00.000-07:002005-09-09T14:42:50.773-07:00

So I'm listening to my favorite morning show on the drive to work, and they're reading e-mails from listeners on a variety of topics. They're usually pretty funny, but this one e-mail shocked me. It wasn't really funny, just amazing that a news reporter in our area could be so dumb. (I guess I shouldn't really have been that amazed ... I hate the network news. They're always looking for news when

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1125358703828235432005-08-29T16:25:00.000-07:002005-08-29T16:38:23.836-07:00

This week, I have a vacation from work. Little Boogie's preschool is closed this week, so I took time off, and we're going to fly to Florida to see some family and old friends. I haven't been back in three years, so I'm pretty excited to see everyone.We don't fly out until tomorrow morning (so I won't be posting for a while ... not that I'm that consistent anyway, but just don't look for any

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1125178688016911292005-08-27T14:02:00.000-07:002005-08-27T14:38:08.023-07:00

So, I've been tagged by Lainey to talk about books. It's amazing that she knew to tag me ... we've never actually met, but she somehow knew that I'm a book lover too. The blog world is so small. So here we go.1. How many books I own.I couldn't even tell you, I have so many. My husband thinks I have too many, but I've always wanted my own library, and to be able to utter the words: I"'ll be in

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1124667822524990322005-08-21T16:08:00.000-07:002005-08-21T16:49:45.113-07:00

Here are some highlights from my anniversary weekend. It was awesome and exactly what we both needed to reconnect and realize why we married each other. Not that we'd forgotten, but with two kids, you tend to lose sight of each other sometimes.Day 1- Breakfast at the Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano. This was a tip from Undercover Celebrity, and boy was she right. Awesome food and a great

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1124373347306904132005-08-18T06:51:00.000-07:002005-08-18T06:55:47.313-07:00

Well, we're off to enjoy ourselves at a fancy-schmancy resort to celebrate our anniversary. We're going to do all the things that single people, and childless couples take for granted: sleep in late, lounge by the pool, have a quiet dinner, go to the movies. I can't wait to sip an umbrella drink while I read a good book and soak up the rays. I can't wait to have an uninterruped conversation with

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1124301945339024202005-08-17T10:59:00.000-07:002005-08-17T11:05:45.346-07:00

Dear Old Woman with the brand new Mustang:When you merge onto the freeway, you must know that the speed limit is 65. Not 40, not 35, but 65. I know that on a typical morning commute, the cars may be going slower, but on a day like today, when the traffic was moving quickly, you are allowed to speed up.Also, when a car starts merging over with its hazard lights on, let them in. They're trying to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1124259502390893842005-08-16T23:02:00.000-07:002005-08-16T23:18:22.396-07:00

My husband is known for watching random shows, usually on the Discovery or History Channels. He's been known to watch a whole afternoon marathon on fire ants or dredging up some ancient ship. He tends to channel surf to find the most obscure shows to watch.Tonight took the cake. During the commercials for Rock Star: INXS (the greatest show on right now), he stumbled onto the public access channel

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1123866454576944002005-08-12T09:53:00.000-07:002005-08-12T10:08:31.926-07:00

After my rant in yesterday's post about the frustrating nature of my husband's indecisiveness, I just had to say that he is the best man ever.This morning, the alarm didn't go off. We've been having problems with it for the past few days, but luckily I've just happened to wake up early enough for it not to be a problem. This morning, at 7 a.m., my husband woke me up. I had 30 minutes to rush to

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1123822226308920382005-08-11T21:30:00.000-07:002005-08-11T21:50:26.316-07:00

I just had the best dinner ever ... a piece of string cheese and a carb-smart chocolate-covered ice cream bar. Yeah, that's what dreams are made of.The reason I had this pitiful excuse for a dinner is because we went to IKEA after work today to get a new desk for the office and didn't get home until 8:30, at which time little Dak was screaming for a bottle, and Boogie needed help getting ready

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1123560823209903582005-08-08T21:00:00.000-07:002005-08-08T21:13:43.216-07:00

My husband says that I have the memory of an elephant. It's both a blessing and a curse for him. A blessing because I remember where he put his keys, or his mother's birthday. A curse because I remember every conversation, disagreement or time that he annoyed me, and will bring it up at random, inopportune times.But I think my daughter has me beat. She remembers which book is which, based on the

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1123476609424886222005-08-07T21:36:00.000-07:002005-08-07T21:52:08.753-07:00

This morning at breakfast, my husband and I were talking about Em's favorite game. I was explaining the nuances of Shag, Marry or Push Off a Cliff. I told him that sometimes you gave a choice of three of the hottest celebrities. Sometimes you gave three hideous choices, like the girls and I at work have done about the quirky characters that we work with.Me: Let me give you an example. Sela Ward,

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1122962475518609602005-08-01T22:55:00.000-07:002005-08-01T23:01:15.526-07:00

In just a little more than two weeks, my husband and I will celebrate our 5-year anniversary here. Our real anniversary is not until the end of September, but he'll be back teaching school and it's difficult for him to get time off. So we decided to celebrate early.I am so looking forward to this trip. Four whole days of nothing but ourselves, lounging by the pool, getting a massage, eating a

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1122758802554186492005-07-30T14:19:00.000-07:002005-07-30T14:26:42.560-07:00

Today, Boogie was looking through one of our Better Homes and Gardens magzadines (as she calls them) and called me over to look at one of the pictures. It was an ad for doublemint gum, and it featured these two blond doublement twins on a bicycle built for two."Look, mommy, look! They're so pretty!" I agreed and asked if she wanted to keep the picture. She said no, and then continued looking at

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1122678203477476912005-07-29T15:54:00.000-07:002005-07-29T21:30:59.870-07:00

Today, I took the day off from work. Not to take the kids to doctor's appointments, not because I was sick myself. Just because. Well, actually it was a comp day that I took because I had to work last Saturday. But even so, it's nice to have a day off when most people are at work.It's been a good day so far. I slept in until 8 a.m. It felt great. My husband woke up with the baby at around 7, and

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1122445523840797282005-07-26T23:04:00.000-07:002005-07-26T23:25:23.846-07:00

I recently discovered our local indie-rock station as I was scanning stations on my way home from work. It took me back to my college days: going to frat parties and listening to some local band do covers of Violent Femmes, the Cure, or the Smiths. The songs were either morbid and dreary and we'd all just kind of sway together to the music. Or it would be fast and furious, and we'd all be jumping

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1121658482054104982005-07-17T20:15:00.000-07:002005-07-17T20:51:47.960-07:00

Today, my husband and I started a long-overdue project in our house ... to redo our office closet. We're going to equip it with shelving, drawers and cabinets so that it looks like an office library instead of a bedroom closet. I've mapped out how it will look; hopefully it will look that way when we actually install everything. Although, IKEA products are usually pretty installation friendly, so

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1121309233425166512005-07-13T19:01:00.000-07:002005-07-14T07:02:18.293-07:00

I sometimes make up stories about the strangers I see in my every day life. Maybe the couple driving in the car in front of me is arguing about when he's going to propose to her. Maybe the lady in her mid-50s in the leopard-print mini-skirt and teased hair really isn't looking for some young arm candy, but is on her way to a masquerade party. Maybe that young teenager is really part of the CIA,

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1121145498257924902005-07-11T22:02:00.000-07:002005-07-11T22:18:18.263-07:00

Today, on the 40th birthday of the Slurpee, we decided to take a little stroll down to the local 7-Eleven to get a free frozen treat. It took me back to 5th grade, when I'd make the trek the two blocks to the 7-Eleven to get a Coke Slurpee (mixed with just a touch of cherry), and a Jolly Rancher watermelon stick.This evening, when we entered the 7-Eleven, the scene was quite a bit different than

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1121019436605251202005-07-10T11:01:00.000-07:002005-07-10T11:17:16.610-07:00

It's happening already. You know, that weird thing that girls have to be as cruel and mean to each other as possible. The way that a girl can't just be mad at a person; she has to get a whole gang of people to be mad at that person as well. The way that girls can just not like another girl, just because.It's happening already to little Boogie, and she's only three years old. It started a few

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1120719957104679892005-07-06T23:51:00.000-07:002005-07-07T09:07:58.050-07:00

In order to protect the not-so-innocent, I decided to remove this entry.

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1120627725826599222005-07-05T21:59:00.000-07:002005-07-05T22:29:28.066-07:00

Today I served on jury duty. This was the first time, in the 18 years that I've been a registered voter, that I've ever been called for jury duty. Somehow, I expected a little more than what I got. I arrived promptly at 8 a.m. and sat down for orientation. While waiting for everyone to sign in, I checked out some of my fellow potential jurors. I must admit when I got ready this morning, that I

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1120537971530361152005-07-04T21:14:00.000-07:002005-07-04T21:32:51.550-07:00

I'm just a little afraid ... I think my neighbor has it in for me. To be fair, she might not know I'm her neighbor, but the way she challenged me today, I'm keeping my eye out.In our little suburban neighborhood, the house across the street and two houses down from us is one of those houses. You know the ones. The houses with sheets for curtains, with overgrown weeds and no flowers in the front

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4102334.post-1119922792722028232005-06-27T18:25:00.000-07:002005-06-27T18:39:52.730-07:00

It may be a politically incorrect thing to say as an independent woman in this day and age, but I hate Oprah. I used to like her a lot. She had some good topics to help improve my life. I even went to see her when she did her powerful woman seminar in L.A. a few years ago. I suscribed to her magazine.And I think that was the straw that broke it. Maybe it was seeing her face on the cover every

Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08874643144716622597noreply@blogger.com9