Buttons the Elf

A couple Sundays ago when Wyatt got home from hunting with Poppy there was a box on the front porch. Wyatt brought it inside and gave it to me. I told him to open it, he did and there was an elf inside with a letter. Wyatt opened and read the letter, it was addressed to him. The letter basically said Santa is too busy to watch every child this year so Santa sent this elf to watch Wyatt. Its a new elf and doesn't have a name so Wyatt named him Buttons. Its a shy elf and wont come to life in front of anyone but may get into trouble at night and will report to Santa at the North Pole every night on Wyatt. We have to put Buttons back in his box on Christmas Eve and Santa will pick him up when he leaves Wyatt's present. If Wyatt is good then Buttons may come back next year.

So Buttons prefers one spot in the living room to sit on a shelf and watch everything. Sometimes Buttons moves to the mantle or the bar but mostly he just sits on the "O" out of the "LOVE" hanging on the wall in the living room.

One day after school Grandma picked Wy up and brought him by the house. Buttons had tied himself to the ceiling fan in the dining room and was flying around the dining room!

One night Wyatt was playing with a slinky and left it on the coffee table. The next morning when we woke up Buttons was tangled up in the slinky! Buttons has brought Wyatt an "elf" toy, a gingerbread man cookie and last night decided we needed candy canes and left 20 candy canes on our Christmas tree!!

One morning last week, Buttons wasn't in the living room (where he stays most of the time). He was in the kitchen, on the counter with flour all over the counter. Buttons had made a snow angel out of the flour!!! Guess who had to clean up that mess???? Not Wyatt!!

Buttons got out a Tonka truck one night that had a ladder on it and he was climbing up the Christmas tree with it. Wyatt got new house shoes and they came on a little hanger. We didn't pick up after ourselves and the next morning we found Buttons hanging from the chandelier with the house shoe hanger! We have found Buttons at the end of Wyatt's bed with the remote control watching cartoons. Buttons was fishing in our aquarium one morning! Crazy Elf!!!!

I think it will actually be sad to see Buttons go. I sure hope Wyatt is good so we get him back next year!

Holidays

I love Christmas time! Except the working in retail part. People should be happy and cheerful but instead people are bitchy and act like I own at&t and I make all the rules, policies and procedures!!!
Okay, enough bitching from me.

I put my tree up a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. I love my tree but it leans (maybe just because of all the weight on the front of it) and I want a bigger one. Bigger house, bigger tree RIGHT??? i have so many ornaments that they don't fit on my tree, i hated packing up a box of ornaments to go back to the garage because they wont fit on my tree!!!

Thanksgiving was so great. It was my first Thanksgiving to host at my own house!!! The turkey intimidated me so mom made the turkey and ham, broccoli and cheese casserole, cranberry salad and corn casserole. Susan made REAL mashed potatoes (because i was going to fix instant), REAL stuffing (because i would have made Stovetop out of the box), pumpkin pie and pecan pie. Heidi made a strawberry cheesecake. Dave made jalapeno stuffed chicken breast and pistachio pudding. I made rolls, green bean casserole, instant mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. We had so much food. It was great and the first Thanksgiving i have never ate turkey or ham because i ate the chicken!!!! It was me, Wyatt, Tony, Alexis, (Tonya was at her moms), Memaw, Mom, Heidi, Susan, John and Dave. Memaw didn't eat with us though. She said she wasn't hungry. Mom thinks MeMaw was disoriented being out of her environment and around people she didn't really know (or remember that she had met before) so I'm not sure how we will do Christmas or future holiday get-togethers.

I didn't get to do Black Friday shopping this year BUT who needs to when i have a little sister like Heidi????? Heidi was at Toys R Us by midnight to get Wyatt a DSI. She was out all night. Never went to sleep. I know she was at Target at like 4 am, Kohls at like 9 am, etc. Good news is, she did get the Nintendo dsi and now that she got Wy his, she wants one!!!!

I have wrapped over 40 presents and still have stuff to wrap. Wrapping is the one part I hate about Christmas but I like the presents to be underneath the tree so wrapping is just part of the Christmas fun!

Tony put up the Christmas lights before Thanksgiving but they blew breakers, broke outlets and blew fuses. Dad changed the outlet, we got an extension cord so that only two strands of lights are hooked together and plugged in together and we still cant keep them on. So i think I'm over the Christmas lights for this year and I'm pretty sure we had three strands of lights last year all plugged into one outlet?????

Wyatt saw Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops with Grandma and told him he wants an electric scooter. Sure hope he gets one!!!!

AN ACTUAL CRAIG'S LIST PERSONAL AD

To the Guy Who Tried to Mug Me in Downtown Savannah night before last. Date: 2009-05-27, 1:43 a.m. E.S.T. I was the guy wearing the black Burberry jacket that you demanded that I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend, threatening our lives. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I can only hope that you somehow come across this rather important message. First, I'd like to apologize for your embarrassment; I didn't expect you to actually crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. The evening was not that cold, and I was wearing the jacket for a reason. My girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol for my birthday, and we had picked up a shoulder holster for it that very evening. Obviously you agree that it is a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head ...isn't it?! I know it probably wasn't fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse walking bare-footed since I made you leave your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me. [That prevented you from calling or running to your buddies to come help mug us again]. After I called your mother, or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, I explained the entire episode of what you'd done. Then I went and filled up my gas tank as well as those of four other people in the gas station -- on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful! I gave your shoes to a homeless guy outside Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all the cash in your wallet. [That made his day!] I then threw your wallet into the big pink "pimp mobile" that was parked at the curb ...after I broke the windshield and side window and keyed the entire driver's side of the car. Later, I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. Ma Bell just now shut down the line, although I only used the phone for a little over a day now, so what's going on with that? Earlier, I managed to get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI, while mentioning President Obama as my possible target. The FBI guy seemed really intense and we had a nice long chat (I guess while he traced your number etc.). In a way, perhaps I should apologize for not killing you ...but I feel this type of retribution is a far more appropriate punishment for your threatened crime. I wish you well as you try to sort through some of these rather immediate pressing issues, and can only hope that you have the opportunity to reflect upon, and perhaps reconsider, the career path you've chosen to pursue in life. Remember, next time you might not be so lucky. Have a good day! Thoughtfully yours, Alex
P.S. Remember this motto ...An armed society makes for a more civil society!

Tulsa State Fair 2009 Overview

We had a great time at the fair this year. First time we have went in a couple of years. We got mega ride passes. I didn't use mine much at all but we definitely got our monies worth out of Wyatt's. We watched a sea lion show and took our pictures with smelly sea lions. We took our pictures with Parrots. Wyatt fished, busted balloons with darts to win a snake, rode and wanted a wiggle car, and rode in a new Ford simulator thing. Wyatt did a bungee jumping thing on a trampoline (not like being dropped off something hooked onto a bungee cord). Wyatt did a trapeze. Wyatt had a snake balloon made by a clown. We went through the petting zoo and fed several animals. Wyatt was interested in all the little "Pay .50 and see the worlds smallest horse, largest snake, smallest woman, etc." We saw a tiny swimming pig show. Wyatt rode everything he wanted to ride, several times. His favorites were the swings and fun houses (he gets the loving fun houses from his Aunt Heidi). We figured out the system though. I would stand in line for the swings while he was on them. He would get off the swings and take my place in line so he would immediately get right back on the swings. I would go to the back of the line and do it again. We did this 11 times in one night. One trip to the fair without Wyatt, Heidi and I did an ion detox foot soak and found out our bodies are filled with gross stuff. LOL. Another trip with Heidi, Kayla, Aaliyah and Sage we spent $20 on dumb candy and Aaliyah fell asleep on me while we were walking around. We saw a hypnotist. Heidi was amazed.

I cant talk about the fair without talking about what we ate. So here goes.....

Pizza on a Stick

Corn on the Cob

Turkey Leg

Pretzel

Chocolate covered Bacon

Apple Dumpling with Ice Cream on top

Chicken on a Stick

Fried Brownie

Candy

Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake on a Stick

Butterfly Potato French Fries

Cheese on a Stick

Fudge (Wyatt even had to bring some home)

Now that sounds like a lot but remember we were there several times and it wasn't just me and Wyatt!! Cant wait for next year!!!

Dogs

Boston Terriers are my favorite breed of dogs. My dad got me stuck on them. About ten years ago I had a male and female named Tango and Trixie. A couple years ago when Wyatt and I had our own house I decided it was time to look for another Boston Terrier. So we got Princess. Princess is the greatest dog ever except she is an escape artist. Wyatt and I found a rescue group that had a small Boston Terrier that we liked and we went to Sapulpa to get her. Well, we didn't end up with the Boston we went to get. Princess chose us instead. So that was in February of 2007. Princess turned 3 on March 17th of this year. Now through the time since we got Princess we have tried having other dogs.

1. An expensive German Shorthair hunting dog that was a gift from Poppy to Wyatt. Wyatt named him Buck (since he was a hunting dog) Buck would dig underneath the fence and then run from me! So we couldn't keep Buck anymore and returned him to Poppy's house. While Buck lived at Poppy's house he dug under his fence and dug into the Jack Russell terrier fence and let a mommy and daddy out. One of them drowned in the swimming pool and the other one was never to be seen again. Buck, needless to say was never seen or heard from again.

2. A Jack Russell terrier, another gift from Poppy to Wyatt. A small female puppy. Wyatt named her Angel. She was really cute! We had her for over a year and we couldn't get her potty trained. I'm afraid she had a learning disability. The final straw was when she had an accident ON my boyfriend at the time and the boyfriend lived with me so Angel had to go. My stepmom wanted her, tried her for about a week, couldn't get her potty trained so my Uncle Randy now has Angel and loves her very much. I hear she is very spoiled at his house.

3. My ex boyfriend wanted a Great Dane so we got a Great Dane on March 2nd. He was full grown and came from Craigslist from a family that was having a baby and already had small children and just couldn't keep him any longer. So we somewhat rescued him. He came with the name Kane. Well Kane was a nice dog but had a long tail. If it rained and he got muddy I always remembered to wipe off his feet but not his tail, therefore I had mud spots on my walls several times. If a child opened the back door to let Kane inside he basically ran over them and got through to smear mud all over the floor. If anyone accidentally let Kane out the front door it was terrible to get him back. He would run all over the place and of course people were scared of him. Kane ate like a horse. So when the boyfriend and I broke up I put Kane on craigslist and got rid of him that day.

4. My assistant manager found a small dog hanging out at his house. He felt he had to get rid of her quickly before his children got attached to the dog. So it was me or the pound!!! What kind of option is that??? So I took the dog home. Named her Bridget. Around the same time I was dog sitting my friends dog Blaze. Well Bridget and Blaze became buddies and so Bridget went home with Blaze when her daddies picked her up.

5. I was looking everyday for a Boston Terrier to rescue. looking at petfinder.com and on craigslist. My Dad knew I really wanted a Boston Terrier. No luck with all these other dogs. Dad had told me there was a red Boston Terrier running around his neighborhood that wasn't taken care of. So on August 27th i was sitting at home and get a call from my sister Jennifer. They had scooped up the dog and had her at dads house. Immediately I went and got her. She looked a bit pregnant and looked very rough. I really wish I would have taken before and after pictures of her. She had dried oil spots on her that made it look like she didn't even have hair in those places. I took her home and gave her a bath. She looked amazingly better. We named her Dixie.

Dixie and Princess are not best friends but they have gotten a lot better. Maybe since Dixie basically lived on the streets she doesn't want to share any affection. When someone comes in the front door Princess wants to greet them and Dixie will fight with Princess to keep her off of the person coming in the door which i think is protecting that person. Maybe I'm just a wishful thinker but I'm hoping this will work out.

31st Birthday

Monday was my 31st birthday. On Sunday when I got off work I went to my dads house to get Wyatt. Wyatt had picked out a cookie cake (in his words, he isn't a big fan of cake) and Wy picked out a card, candle set and some handkerchief thing to go around my neck and keep me cool!!!! My dad said they walked around the store for over 30 minutes trying to find me something. Wyatt is so sweet and its very sweet of Poppy to take Wy shopping for me even if i get a handkerchief to keep me cool! (I didnt get to open my gifts wrapped in Wal-Mart sacks until Monday)
On Monday morning I started receiving happy birthday messages at 2:09 AM. The first one from my friend Shane in Kansas. these continued throughout the day. Dad called me singing Happy Birthday. Mom texted first thing and I heard from all my sisters except Heather Rae (16 yrs old, I'm not a priority). I got ready, took Wyatt to school then came to work. At about 12:30 Wyatt walks into at&t and brings me pink "Hot Princess" roses!!! I knew Heidi was coming to get me for lunch at about 1 but she surprised me with Wyatt! Heidi really does a lot for me & Wyatt!!! We had chili's for lunch. It was great.

I had to come back to work after lunch. I worked 8:30 to 6. Kerri had brought me a really cute chocolate cake with a pink tiara on it! Kerri's mom made it for me. We enjoyed it at work. It was yummy.

After work I went to my moms house. Mom made all my favorite foods. Chicken & Stuffing, Rolls, Pasta Salad, Sweet Potatoes and chocolate cake! Mom, Heidi and MeMaw got me everything I asked for.

My birthday was great. I appreciate all of my family and friends.

Funeral

My friends father passed away a week ago today. The funeral was last Friday. Susan and I went to the funeral together. I think this was the first time I was at a funeral of someone that I had never met. I was there for the living not for the dead. I cried as if I knew the person that passed. I guess that shows how much I value my friendship with Mark Dunsmore. Mark was my old manager.

Another part of this story is on the way to the Riverview Baptist Church in Bixby, OK, Susan and I drive by what looked like a camel. But it had to have been a horse! I'm not sure its legal to have a camel in your front yard. So we turn around and pull right down the driveway of the house the "camel" is in front of and sure enough ITS A CAMEL!!!!!!!!!! So obviously I had to take pictures. The camel was very friendly. He or she came right over to the fence while I took pictures and worried I was going to get spit on! So that was our excitment in Bixby, OK.

"tri-county" fair

Okay, lets talk about this so called "tri-county" fair. It basically sucked. When I was a little girl or even 15 years ago as a teenager, I remember wanting so badly to go to the Collinsville fair. They had rides! At night, driving (or riding) down Main Street meant you would see kids and adults on both sides of the street riding rides, playing dumb carnival games, eating cotton candy, etc. The veterans building was always filled with an arts and crafts show where local artists showcased their handy crafts. i remember tractor pulls (even my little sister Heather Rae got a trophy with a tractor on it for some event with a tractor.) I remember people entering in the "biggest marigold" or "largest tomato" contest. Maybe I was just young so this looked like a bigger deal then it actually was.
This year the livestock barns were busy and that was the only thing. I have no idea what was going on in the VFW building. If there was an arts and crafts show nobody knew about it. I heard there was a parade, that included a couple tractors and Miss Collinsville that lasted like five minutes. I get the idea the "fair" is just the livestock. In conjunction with the fair was "family fun day" on Saturday. This year we had turtle races and weenie dog races. There was maybe ten "carnival" games. basically these consisted of a dunk tank, mechanical bull, duck pond game, cake walk, guess how many is in the jar (what, i don't know), and a couple more dumb games.
Maybe i am complaining for nothing but it was just a big disappointment. Nothing like it used to be. Kinda sad.

TGIF

So, I'm at work.....Again. But I'm off tomorrow.

I think you know when you are getting old when your new manager looks like a teenager. I met him today. He shook my hand and said "Nice to meet you", I said "Nice to meet you," I was only thinking "HOW OLD ARE YOU????????" I couldnt say anything else. I couldnt stop thinking about how much older I think I am then him!

Wyatt is at his dads this weekend. They are picking him up from school today. I miss him already. Just the idea of knowing he is away makes me miss him. But he enjoys time with his dad. Its good for both of them.

I am working Sunday. I hate working Sundays. Its in the middle of the day. Not open and get off early, not close and get to sleep in. Just basically mid-shift. Sundays are sometimes busy, sometimes slow. You never know. But Susan (my work mom) will be here so that makes it better.

This week has went by really slow. The dog I was dog sitting went home to her Daddies and they adopted the rat dog I felt sorry for and adopted from my assistant manager when he found her in his back yard and had to get rid of her before his twin daughters got attached to her. (The rat dogs picture is at the top.) I named her Bridget. She no longer lives with us. I want another Boston Terrier!!!!

stuff....

So, I am at work. A customer standing in front of me on the phone with customer service about something that has nothing to do with a store and nothing I can do to fix his problems. UGH!!!
Sometimes, (most of the time), customers frustrate me like mad! I know I dont act like these people do! Oh well, its a problem that will never be fixed.
My allergies are kicking my butt. Sunday morning I mowed the back yard and it was windy so I thought this will be nice. It wont be as hot. Well, it wasnt terribly hot but the wind caused the grass to blow all over me and I am allergic to grass. So the rest of the day I had a headache and didnt want to do anything else.
Saturday Heidi and I went to Wal-Mart and a couple garage sales. I had to get Kolby's 3rd birthday gift. I bought him a betta fish and the goodies to go with it. Saturday night was Kolby's party in Ramona.
It was my weekend for Wyatt however I lost him to my dad. When the question comes to Wyatt "Do you want to hang out with mom or go 4-wheeling, fishing, hunting etc with Poppy?" Wyatt for some reason always picks Poppy!!!! Makes me so mad. LOL. I think Wy is good for Poppy & Poppy is good for Wyatt. Like 2 peas in a pod.

Wyatts 1st day of 3rd grade.

So today was Wyatt's first day of third grade. His teacher is Mrs. Meyers. Collinsville has grown so much I don't know most of the teachers now. Herald Elementary has 3rd, 4th and 5th grade so this is a new school for him too. Its right by our house. He is excited about riding his bike and walking to and from school (sometimes).
So I got up at 6:30, got ready, got Wyatt up, got Heidi up (she stayed with us last night), we had a small argument about Wyatts outfit (which was supposed to be already decided on). Wy picked Karen's Kountry Kitchen to eat breakfast at this morning and off we went for breakfast.
Eating breakfast the first day of school is our little tradition. He gets to pick the place. Through the years different people have joined us for breakfast. Last year Wyatt's dad ate with us. 1st grade Poppy, Grandma and Heather Rae ate with us. Kindergarten breakfast was with me, Wy, Jen-Jen and Caden. Today Heidi ate with us.
Then we headed to school. First I had to prove to him that other parents are going into the school, other parents are not just dropping off their children before I was "allowed to go inside with him and meet his teacher." So we get to his class. Now I'm not allowed to kiss him goodbye. I'm no longer allowed to take his picture with his teacher, at his desk or in front of the school.
He is really growing up way to fast and the "my moms not cool" syndrome is already starting!!!
Wish me luck!