Paul Potts

Final performance. Was Simon about to cry?? WHAT?? He performs Nessun Dorma again, but more of it. I hope his career goes far!

Paul Potts won :)

I just read that Paul Potts, the opera singer competing in Britain's Got Talent, won tonight. I hope they post his winning performance on YouTube soon! That little girl also sang 'Ben' as her second song, dunno if she went to the final performance. It was cute, although the song creeps me out since it's about a RAT???

Grillerin'

Pa came over today, and pa-in-law.. he brought his female friend. This as great, considering I have been holding on to their Las Vegas photos since January. Gah. However, that worked out since handing him the photo album covered part of his pa-day present. Since I have a chef living in my basement, then we lucked in on WHO got to cook today. BWAHHA! "YOU WANNA GO BACK TO LIVING IN YOUR CAR!?! DAMN RIGHT YOU'RE GOING TO GET YOUR ASS INTO THAT KITCHEN!!! NOW SHUT UP AND COOK US SOME STUFF!! AND IT BETTER BE GOOD!! BIATCH!!"... bwahhahahah! He's downstairs crying now.

But a while back GirlNextDoor and her hubby discovered a grill at the curb. Now, since it was 'bulky trash' week, they assumed it was for bulky trash. I think they're crazy and that someone took it out to the driveway to wash it.. and basically they stole it... but, regardless, I HAVE A NEW GRILL! My last one sucked. I bought it at a garage sale and if I remembered where I would drive by and hurl it through their front window. It didn't have a thing which stopped all of the charcoal from falling through the bottom. And, I had to use charcoal because.. well, other than that I fear fire or exploding propane tanks.. the first fence-jumping dog we had chewed the cable to the gas. Anyway, long dull story short.. GirlNextDoor and her hubby stole someone's really super awesome grill out of their driveway.. and gave it to us :) Mainly because I'm pathetic and can't grill cuz my grill was crap. It's shiny and pretty and has 3 little grilly things to put food on inside. There is a clicky button which starts FIIIIRE.. and even a side burner incase I want to .. like... cook a pot of something. I don't know. But it's neat and free and my neighbors are the best. Not only the ones that steal, but also the ones that are silly enough to leave kick-ass grills outside to be stolen.

However, I was also wondering, what if they just didn't want it anymore because something icky happened in it? Like they cut up their cable installer guy and ate him.. after grilling him on this grill? That's bad. Right? And no, those are not my cigarettes in the photo. The whole idea of someone smoking while cooking for me makes me annoyed. And yes, those are pots of herbs on the bench. They're going to the back yard to be planted tomorrow, along with the grill. It belongs on the back deck, but I couldn't convince anyone to take it there today. Slackers. Like it's fuckin' Father's Day or some shit. I'll be glad when I can get back to bossing his ass around again tomorrow!! I mean, HE was in VEGAS on Mother's Day. Did I complain?!?! Well, yes. I did, actually. I don't care if it was work. I don't know when watching women spin on brass poles became WORK?? I don't care if he IS the brass pole inspector. I realize someone has to make sure they are kept clean and up to codes.. but on Mother's Day?? I think someone is lying to me. Why haven't I met his employer? Why is he always paid in casino chips or buffet comps at shady dirty casinos? Why doesn't he get a W2? I really should ask him these questions....

I know what Brit-Brit was thinking..

"Wait, you look hotter than I do! Let's duck in here and change really quick!"

"What? Damn. You still look hotter than I do. I hate you. Don't ever hang out with me AGAIN!"

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all those Papa's out there. And to MrNV. I say enough nice things about him I think... so I'll post someone else :) I took these photos off of a video a while back, it is of MrNV's dad playing the piano with Monkey. He was just over a year old. Sooo cute :) Well, except that he kept trying to shut the lid to smash Grandpa's fingers. Wicked and Cute :) Although the more I look at the first photo, the more he looks like some evil troll from a scary children's movie. "Guess my naaaammeee!!!!"

Saturday Download

Again, a post for me to vent. Disregard-ayezzz if you pleeazzze :)

Most abused journal,

So yes, brother dear is staying with us again. After finding out last week that his girlfriend kicked him out again, he showed up at the same nearby grocery store parking lot drunk and sleeping in his car. Well, we found out his location when police knocked at our door at 5 in the morning.. looking for his family. "We can't leave him there.." We told them to arrest him then, but that the family is tired of bailing out his 50 year old self. Tough love, we thought. But they did leave him there. I printed out all of the information for all of the local shelters he could stay in, and put it on his window. We toughed it out for 2 days, leaving him in the parking lot to bake. Taking him water and crackers. But it didn't last. I felt I would sleep better if he were at least parked under the tree out front for shade. Sleeping off his drunkeness.. jackass. Pissing himself. Puke on the ground. My patience just doesn't understand why he does it. When he sobers up I just want to slap him when he even tries to blame it on his girlfriend, he's been a drunk for years. He'll go months.. just fine.. then BLAM! And the whole family goes into chaos. And I remember why I don't like my mother. I love her.. I have to, but I don't like her. She's two-faced. After a couple days out front, we allowed him to come inside and he's sleeping downstairs now. This time he finally accepted it's over with the girlfriend, so I'm happy for that. She took him back last time because he got his tax return and had already booked tickets to Cali for a week. I'm not stupid, I know what kind of person she is. If you love someone, then you try to help them cure whatever is wrong with them. She never does. She's not a nice person, and never does anything social with our family. I know she's a user, so I can understand his frustration when he says that he doesn't feel she loves him. Duh? So, he's in our home now. Well, on an inflatable bed in the basement.. which isn't so bad with cable and such. Better than a grocery store parking lot.

But my mother. She's cold. After we brought him inside, she and my step-father wrote a nasty email then sent it to ME. "Give this to him". Screw you. I wrote back that I'm working towards the positive, and that I didn't want to be the bearer of negative. Plus, I had hardly spoken to him at the time. He's lucky my husband is so understanding and has a heart of gold. But it was full of sarcasm and just nasty comments about him being a 'loser'. From his own mother. Yet, when they came by my house she was all cuddles and love with my brother, and I wanted to scream. I don't want to hate her. But she's evil. To treat her own child like that, it's just disgusting. My father helped my brother for many many years. Giving him a job, nice cars, paying for his rehab twice.. and so much more. Legal bills. Car repair bills. Bailing him out right and left, because he didn't know what else to do. He can't now, he's barely able to take care of himself. And we've had conversations, he feels bad that he can't let him move in with him. But I fully understand. As it is I'm working towards my father moving in with us and selling his home. It's too much for him, he's not well. But where was my mother during all this time? She started her NEW life when I was 16 and has never once helped my brother. Ever. Yet she will go on and on about how we have 'done too much' and he's 'got to do it on his own, because she's had enough'. But never, she has never helped him. Never bailed him out of jail, which we have done repeatedly. All of us, my sisters, father and I. Had we called mom back then? Yeah, right. Never took him in and offered him a place to stay. Never once showed him any motherly compassion. But, face-to-face, she's all about how it's his girlfriend's fault and how she needs to be more understanding. Yet behind his back? She spent hours over there bad-mouthing my brother.. because she called to tell me all about it. I cut her off. At least being older now, I know how to end an unwanted conversation with her. "Oh, Monkey is crying.. gotta run."

I'm trying to bite my tongue. When she starts on her 'I'm a victim of my son' bullshit. She's a horrible mother. She was a horrible mother. And regardless of how sweet and wonderful people think she is when they meet her.. which she is.. she is still a bad mother. And I hope that I never behave the way she does. As far as parents go, I don't think I fared too well. However, I would take my father any day. He may be a nutty freak of nature, but at least you know where you stand with him. If he's pissed, he'll tell you and then you're done with it. There are no mental games. And all of the fun times I do actually remember from my childhood, were with my father. All I remember about my mother is that she constantly started fights with my dad. She always slept on the couch, and she was cold. I remember my father crying and I remember the depression he was in when I returned from Switzerland. And I remember when they did finally file divorce papers, he said there was no way in hell she would get custody.. and it made me feel wanted. Because she never once asked me if I wanted to go with her.. she actually told me to stay with my dad. Not that I would have left him, but she didn't know that. Her excuse was that she couldn't afford to take care of me, "Your father has more money." Which was bullshit, and she knew it. He was broke and unemployed when she left. We were living in a rented home and the only car we had was an old unreliable 1964 Jag XKE because she took the family car. She never called. Never invited me over. Yet to talk to her now, you would think my father tore us kids away from her. In her memory, she was alone and pining for her children. In reality, she was continuing one of her many affairs and trying to get my sister's boyfriend to move in with her.

I don't feel better. But at least I got it out. So I can remember why I'm so angry with her this time.

Awake and Annoyed

I hate waking up early. But, what can you do :) So I'm wasting time while my brain tries to wake up. I tried this Kabalarian name test.. and the results were funny. Are these people really serious? I thought it was just a joke. I read mine, and thought 'could apply to anyone'. But my husband's made me chuckle. I guess if you know him, you know he's a smart know-it-all wanker at times. Prolly why I married him. If he were stupid I would have put a bag over his head and saved everyone the trouble. These are his results:

• Although the name ***** creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it limits self-expression and friendly congeniality with a moody disposition.
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the heart, lungs, bronchial area, worry, and mental tension.
• Your name of ***** creates a quick, clever mind capable of grasping and assimilating new ideas.
• You are rather studious, mentally challenging each new idea before accepting it.
• Because you learn so quickly you have little patience with those whose mental processes are somewhat slower, and you could become supercilious or somewhat "know it all" in your attitude.
• This characteristic could make you rather unpopular with your associates.
• Although you are very knowledgeable and intelligent, you often find spontaneous verbal expression difficult.
• You crave friendship, understanding, love, and affection about your reserved manner appears forbidding to others.

For mine, I'm just basically a procrastinator. As if I didn't already know this.

• The name Lorraine creates the urge to be self-expressive and happy, but we point out that it causes procrastination and lack of confidence, and thus you are unable to realize your goals and ambitions.
• This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the liver, bloodstream, and fluid systems.
• The name of Lorraine creates an easy-going, good-natured personality, meeting and mixing easily.
• You appreciate the company of others, to the point that you do not like to be by yourself for very long.
• You are gifted with natural expression, both verbal and musical, but you would find it tedious to study music and practice theory.
• Anything that involves concentration or just plain hard work, you prefer to avoid as best you can.
• Although you have many creative, original ideas, procrastination is your worst enemy because you can seldom make decisions and carry them out.

And of course, the Monkey:

• While the name Alexander creates the urge to be self-expressive and happy, we point out that causes a scattered and emotional nature.
• In the long term, it can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the liver and bloodstream.
• Your first name of Alexander makes you extremely generous.
• You have a bubbling, spontaneous nature and a happy-go-lucky outlook which helps smooth the pathway of life.
• Also you are sympathetic to the needs of others.
• Interested in art, music, singing, dancing, and anything of an artistic nature, you could become a very fine performer.
• Your spontaneous expression stands you in good stead during arguments or debates, though you are perhaps too outspoken and inclined to sarcasm.

So, there y'are. Everything I need to know and I can now move my life forward having had all of these important facts pointed out.

"Con te partirò"

Paul Potts of Britains Got Talent did it again... sheesh! I wonder if this will mean our next AI tryouts will be filled with opera singers? Bet cha. And that female judge lied, she cries ALL the time :)

I love cool FREE things!

Today I found out there is a website that you can use for free.. that will track any cell phone number. Which is SO COOL! MrNV had to run some errands, so I entered his cell number.. and the satellite zoomed in on his exact location! HOLY COW!! However, since it is free, they have some sponsors pop-up ads which aren't appropriate for kids.. so I don't recommend kids using the service!!

Get to the link HERE

OK..

I need to get a hobby. I caught this on another blog today, and she's so cute! But seriously, does that female judge cry all the time or WHAT? I didn't think anyone out there would cry as much as I did .. for no reason at all! I guess I feel better now.

Bunnies and Monkeys

Yesterday MissA and CrazyG came down to play with Monkey. Shortly after they arrived, as always, other little unknown children followed. Seriously, they're like kid magnets :) So MissA wanted to build a Mayan village in the sand box, and then let Hasenfeffer destroy it. I think he was a bit confused at first, but finally got into the thick of things.



I uploaded quite a few videos mainly for MissA and CrazyG, but if you want to see the rest because you just LOVE bunnies.. then you can view the others;

HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE

My favoritest song in the world

OK, I admit I can not listen to Nessun Dorma performed by the King Luciano without crying. But this guy rocks! Why doesn't our AI pump out performers like this? Did this guy win 'Britains Got Talent'???

**Update** His name is Paul Potts. I guess the show just started, so we'll have to see if he wins. He really is impressive. Does anyone else cry when they listen to this song?!?!? Man.

Stupid blogger. So I updated the information, and it removed the video link. I don't know why it always does that. So, view the video HERE on Youtube. Seriously, you should do it!! He's not Pavarotti, but pretty freakin' amazing for a 'carphone' employee!!

Upside down 150 feet in the air...

For 30 minutes no less. Bwaahha! Holy Cow!! Story HERE.

Spelling Bee Champ

I remember watching the spelling bee, and the winner really cracked me up. Very matter-of-fact with his answers. So I was happy to see this CNN interview. I have read a few places that he may be autistic? I'm not MAKING FUN OF HIM! But seriously, he is totally lacking in Social Skills 101 :) It just made me chuckle to see the talking head struggle with the interview.

From the gahhhhden..

Monkey brought me some mushrooms today :) I have no idea why he can't get it right that they are not mushrooms. It's OK though, I always confused mushroom and marshmallow growing up.

And no, his shirt does not say Ass Clown :) But I have been tempted many times to cover the 'CL'. Because.. let me repeat.. I am a bad mother :)

Holy cow!

I was browsing Flickr to see if anyone had any cool tornado photos. This lady took this spectacular photo last month in Colorado. SO cool! Where was I???

Humbug!

We took the neighbors storm chasing. I don't think we impressed them :) We never caught a tornado, but did manage to see some neat-o tree damage. And we got to drive through some crazy rain.. and even some hail! If you like, you can view the slideshow HERE.

So, now I'm going to watch 'Ultimate Tornado' on National Geographic Channel and pout. ..sigh..

Very sad.

I don't like to blog about public stories a lot, especially when they're so sad. But over the last few days I have been hoping that a local girl kidnapped Saturday would be found alive. A beautiful little 18 year old girl was kidnapped in the parking lot at Target in Overland Park, KS.. which is across the border from Kansas City, MO. They kept showing surveillance video, it was still daylight and the parking lot was full. She was merely 2 spaces from the front door. Some guy rushed her as she was getting into her car and then drove off in her car with her. Later they found her car at a nearby shopping mall.. but she was gone. And they kept showing the cash register surveillance of her paying for some rolls of gift wrap and a present she had purchased for a friend. It's always so incredibly sad when anyone is killed, but when it is so random it really shocks you even more. It's not like she was at some drug house party with a bunch of losers, she was just shopping at Target? How many times was I out goofing around at 18.. cruising shopping malls and such. She was going to a graduation party, and graduated from the same school district I did.

I feel so sad for her parents. I just can't even imagine ever going through that. They were so brave in the news conferences, and even her sister would get up and answer questions during the search. They found her body in a local park yesterday.. they narrowed her location down by cell phone pings. And they did arrest the guy lastnight, so at least there is some closure for the family. They had surveillance of him leaving the same store just before she did. He was only 26.

Anyway, God Bless Kelsey Smith and her family.

Playing with old photos

I had to look up some photos for my pa today, and came across these. They always make me chuckle. I love old photos where my 3 siblings and I still actually liked each other. Before my brother became an alcoholic and my sister (J) a drama queen. So there is me, the baby.. the next would be J, she is 6 years older than I am. M, the oldest sister is 9 years older, and my brother A is 10 years older. The photo with the pigeons is Trafalgar Square in London. I love that photo, sorry if I have posted it before. And the old family car, my dad's favorite Toronado. He's still sorry he sold it. So silly :) The one where I am a wee baby and everyone is wearing a coat, that is just before we moved from Edinburgh, Scotland to Texas. Ahh... memories. I'm not sure but I could be checking for a dirty diaper in that last photo :)

Stuff du jour

What happens when you mix a yellow lab and sidewalk chalk art?

Took the Monkeys to check out a local skateboard/bike park yesterday. It's sort of neat. The son of a friend is staying with us for a week, and loves to skateboard. But didn't bring it this time. What can ya do.

Annnnnd, I have dirty tomatoes growing in my gahhhhden :)

And then there is the last photo. I love sitting at my desk watching the Monkey and his loony friends play. It was cute, all of them playing in the sand box. However, the child I just can't stand.. he is in the foreground? With his back to the camera with the dark green shirt. He had to ruin it all. Monkey and the friend on the right were wrestling.. just wrestling. No ass kicking. But annoying child wanted to join in, and his idea of joining in was trying to kick them either in the shin or the knee. I kept yelling, "Stop kicking!".. but he didn't. They went out of view for a bit, and next I heard the whaling of Monkey. He came around back and was holding his groin. Short story, idiot child kicked Monkey in the crotch. Very hard. Hard enough that when we went to bed lastnight the area was still red. Idiot child then said Monkey hit him with a stick, so of course I was pissed. Knowing idiot child though, it was probably Monkey's final straw with the kicking. So I lectured Monkey lastnight on how hitting someone with a stick is NOT the thing to do, and just leave if he is being an idiot. Which idiot child is always doing. He didn't really explain what happened though. Today I found out that actually idiot child kicked Monkey, and then Monkey hit him with the stick. I'd like to hit that kid with a stick. And I know his mother won't say a thing to him. I know kids will hit each other, and I know Monkey can have a mouth on him. I try to hold my judgement until I hear all of the sides :) But, there just isn't any excuse for intentionally kicking someone in the groin, you know? There is a difference between wanting to hit someone, and seriously wanting to do him harm. So. Anyway. Welcome Summer. I so wish they would move. I really do.