Bunny Burrow

Just another sign I'm a blonde...

Well, have you ever been on the phone trying to get some information from an automated customer service recording?

Sure, we all have.  Right?

Well, have you ever done this while sitting at your desk in front of your computer? 

Again, no big deal...

Well, have you ever tried inputting requested information from the automated voice via your KEYBOARD and not the keypad on your telephone and then wonder why the idiots can't figure out what you are trying to send?

No?  Me neither then...

<Walks away humming.>

101 Lies about me

Liz over at This Full House made these 101 Lies for me as part of an auction that I won from the March of Dimes Walkamerica for Barefoot Princepessa. 

Go Visit Liz today and tell her that Chana sent you after you enjoy her rendition of my 101 Lies.  Enjoy:

1. I love to read but can’t, I mean like ALOT
2. If you are wearing shoes that expose your toes, I have to lick them -- I can't help it
3. I buy spoiled food in excesses and then "save it" (what's up with that?)
4. I don’t like to talk.  Actually, I love to mime!  Even though I know many other languages; whenever I call information for a listing or a wrong number calls me, I pretend to be stuck in a box...this is wrong, I know
5. I hate my middle name, but love to use my middle finger and am flipping you off, right now

6. I escaped from a reality show once, while pretending to take a bubble bath

7. I always have something burning in the house, somewhere

8. I love smelly babies
9. Fall is my least favorite season…in fact, I can’t stand summer or spring, either
10. I used to breed, that’s why they call me Bunny
11. I was in a deep relationship with X-Files’ DAVID DUCHOVNY and we were members of the Mile High Club
12. I also breed Crickets
13. I used to have my belly-button pierced but one night I took out the ring and fell asleep and the next morning the hole was GONE (101 Lies Editor’s Note: Okay,  I’m  not even touching this one, Chana!)
14. I don’t care for nature…it leaves me cold
15. I dissected a fetal pig in college, and ate it - YUM!
16. I made a wrong turn once and got lost in my own backyard and I don’t even know how to drive
17. I have stripped naked and danced with a fruit basket full of crickets on my head for a good back rub
18. The Phantom of the Opera is my favorite musical and I douse myself in honey and dress in drag to see it every time it is in town
19. I twist people’s heads when I'm tired
20. I was a bit of a freak when I was young and have a split tongue

21. I believe that one day we will all stand before God and be judged (101 Lies Editor’s Note: Okay,  I’m  not even touching this one, Chana!)
22. I am hungry all the time, so I got a job as a taste-tester
23. I get cravings and usually get my way...I mean this (see #15 above)
24. I don’t believe in true love and lust for men who are over 50 years old
25. I am a natural blonde, ok dirty blonde with highlights and I can prove it - wanna see?
26. I believe the French are just an excuse for ketchup
27. I am smart! (exclamation point)
28. I am in my 80's...I have had work done but still found nothing compares to Botox
29. I don’t know why they made the movie Urban Cowboy
30. Putting an end to birthdays is a must for me, no matter whose it is
31. I don’t wear night gowns and have false teeth
32. Sometimes I pretend to lure tricks on the computer and laugh about it
33. I have never been to Texas and proud of it

34. I lose my kids about 3 times a week (you'd think I'd learn, right?)
35. I love to get motion-sickness so I always have to sit in the front of the car...this is really sad because I hate to travel
36. I don’t have any eyebrows
37. I don't understand Pig Latin (101 Lies Editor’s Note:  He'ssay if ullfay hitsay!)
38. I forgot what life was like before pictures
39. Did I mention I invented Botox?
40. If you smoke in my house, you had better be on fire – did I mention I like to burn things?
41. I am a Mary Kay distributor, but I hate the color pink!
42. I love to bake bunny rabbits
43. Baby clothes sucker me in every time, even if I don't know any babies to buy for at the time -- I HAVE to look just pretend I’m pregnant doing it
44. I am good in the shower (although Simon from American Idol would undoubtedly disagree)
45. I have a fetish for paper cuts, pins, and all sorts of stationery machinery with moving parts
46. I was thought of as being “good with my feet" in high school
47. I am disappointed and illegal – that’s just how it is
48. I wish everyone was about 2 1/2 inches shorter
49. I hit on men
50. My body thinks it's a good idea to mass-produce
51. I love to eat raw onions, anyone who thinks otherwise just stinks
52. I can always spot unpainted toes in an instant...so please check your sandals before stepping on me please
53. I am a pyromaniac and live on the water
54. I have a memory like an elephant (HEY, I said ELEPHANT and nothing else!) and a terrible temper (OKAY, So I said ELEPHANT and TEMPER!) so if you say something mean to me you'd better mean it because I'll never forget it -- it's a curse I have (HEY, speaking of curses here’s a F-BOMB in your face!) and I'll even remember the weather and what you were wearing when you said it!  (HEY, I’m talking to YOU!)
55. I have 2 of the smartest children ever (101 Lies Editor’s Note: Okay, I’m not even touching this one, Chana!)
56. I am not skinny; I just pee like an elephant -- like GALLONS
57. I hate Christmas and think all holidays should be banned
58. I love to sneak up on people, jump on them from behind and scream until their eardrums burst
59. I can’t pronounce my name (can you?)
60. I collect fake antiques
61. I have a hoodie jacket in every color, and wear nothing else…I mean nothing!
62. I am certifiable (is this a word?) and enjoy scuba diving outside of classrooms
63. And I swear at ignorant people
64. I am thinking of creating my own reality television, maybe
65. I have loved a woman named Lucy
66. I will always watch the old claymation holiday episodes (refer to #62 above)
67. I have proven to some that I am not the most athletic by dancing naked with a fruit basket full of crickets on my head
68. Lemons freak me out AHHHHHHHH!
69. I dabble (is that a word?) in the stock market and bunked met with Martha Stewart
70. I have always said I wanted 2 kids, but now I have 10 ;)
71. I grow my very own weed vegetable garden in the summer
72. I am a hopeless romantically
73. What is Tivo, anyway?
74. I am involved in organized crime and take stuff from everyone I know
75. I have worn a mask since birth and people who are extremely pigeon-toed scare me
76. I would do anything for a family of crickets
77. I cop feels and like it when it hurts
78. I can recite the "Big Mac" song from the 70's...ask me and I"ll sing it to ya (refer to # 62 above)
79. I always have to pee in one bathroom cabinet when I go to a guest's house and have done this ever since I was a child so be careful what you put in there, this can't be helped
80. I don’t lie (I know, hard to believe -- huh?)
81. I used to be very snotty and people mistook that for being shy, but I’m not….Bitch!
82. I lie more than anyone I know (point in case, as I am stating this in a list of 101 lies)
83. I like to sleep outside when it rains on Sundays (refer to #62 above)
84. I love to gamble (refer to #69 above)
85. When I stop at red lights I HAVE to freak out the driver in the car next to me and make them all paranoid – yeah, I’m talkin’ to you!
86. I used to bean babies and am not embarrassed to admit this (okay, maybe just a tad)
87. I believe one of the most painful things in life is to be injected, especially by someone you love, deeply
88. I adopt homeless crickets and proud of it
89. I don’t believe in second chances, so I aim
90. When I am repeating something someone else said, I have to change my voice (this is not always attractive to the person) and mimic them (refer to #62 above)
91. I don't understand why some people brush their teeth; smiles are one of the most unattractive features of a person
92. I am addicted to online spades (101 Lies Editor’s Note:  HUH?!?)

93. I was born to run – yeah – and Bruce Springstein dedicated it to me!
94. I don't like to drink out of cans, but can crush a full one against my forehead…wanna see?
95. I am the youngest of the family and the “best looking” of 4 daughters...the others say I am snotty. Imagine that!
96. I tend to make heart shaped incisions on my head (see #62 above)
97. I make the best weed in the world
98. I can’t swim, but tan topless and can get any man to save my life
99. I have too many clothes..ok too many moles also,...and boils...sigh...
100. And I don’t think I’m MILF-worthy

Happy Easter

Betty better study!

I surfed through Blogazoo yesterday and on the first page, which is sort of administrative, it stated that there was another Beta test going on.

Am I the only one that thinks of Betty, my beautiful (beta) fish, when you first hear this? 

Yes, I am a natural blonde...

And on a more gentle note my sister sent me this.  It has music if you want to turn your speakers on, but what I really love is the wording.  Isn't she sweet?

Another one of those things...

Got this little ditty from Joe:

1. What time did you wake up this morning? 5:30, and yes that was AM

2. Diamonds or pearls?  You have GOT to be kidding!  I have to choose one?  Sheesh!  Pearls, I guess...no wait, diamonds -- no, definitely pearls.  Right?

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?  Robots, and just last night!  This is a definite must see if you have children.

4. What is your favorite TV show?  Ughhh... well, it's a draw between Desperte Housewives, CSI, CSI Miami, Boston Legal, Without a Trace, and Medium

5. What did you have for breakfast?  Myoplex Lite shake in French Vanilla (afterall, I had THREE -- count them, THREE -- desserts yesterday)

6. Peach yogurt or granola?  Granola but I like granola in my yogurt so there!

7. What is your favorite cuisine?  Italiano

8. What foods do you dislike?  Raw onions, protein bars and things that stink.

9. What is your favorite crisp flavor?  Umm, HUH?  Like crispy foods?  I guess salty things like pretzels, chips, etc...

10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?  The CD that I burned myself using Itunes (was I not supposed to divulget this?)

11. What kind of car do you drive? 2004 Mercedes E500

12. Favorite sandwich?  Grilled chicken pannini

13. What characteristics do you despise?  Ignorant arrogance

14. Favorite items of clothing? Velour capri pants with matching hoody

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  Well, since I just had my big vacation to Italy -- I think I would have to either go with Ireland or England.  For some reason, the thought of France scares me still.

16. What color is your bathroom?  Gold and burgandy. (Sounds gaudy but isn't)

17. Favorite brand of clothing?  The GAP and polo

18. Where would you retire to?  Some place that actually has 4 seasons, beyond that I'm not to sure.  Colorado maybe?

19. Favorite time of the day?  Mealtime! ;)

20. What was your most memorable birthday? Well my last birthday in Italy was pretty special, before that I would have to say my 17th surprise birthday part.  I guess I remember it the most because it was a big surprise.

21. Where were you born?  Dallas, TX

22. Favorite sport to watch? Basketball or anything my children are playing

23. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?  Nobody because I ain't sendin' it...

24. What book are you reading now? Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

25. What fabric detergent do you use?  Cheer in the MEGA size container

26. Coke or Pepsi?  I go back and forth..but typically Pepsi

27. Are you a morning person or a night owl?  Evenings are better for me I think.

28. What is your shoe size?  7 1/2

29. Do you have any pets?  Yes, my dog (Mr Beaujangles aka Beau), 2 cats (Mattie and Jazz), and a Beta fish (Betty)

30. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your friends?  Nope

31. What did you want to be when you were little?  A nurse or a teacher

32. What are you doing today? Nothin...

Let go of my Lego

This past weekend I got to see my great-nephew, Kennedy! :)

He is walking and growing up way too fast.  He is working on the whole talking thing and I was bound and determined that he was going to be saying something before the day was over.

As we sat in the floor, we were playing with legoes.  He was mumbling and grunting around and I kept picking up the legoes and calling them by name, color, etc.

I finally took his little face in my hands and started saying very slowly and over-articulated "LE-GO".  I took his hand and put it close to my mouth and repeated "LE-GO" several times.  Then I put his hand close to his mouth and said "LE-GO".

Kennedy is such a happy little guy.  He couldn't wait to please me.  He snatched his little hand away, grabbed the first big lego he could find and shoved it straight into my mouth.

Yes, I guess I asked for that one...

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Here is an old Irish Blessing that I would love to share:

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

As sweet as that is, on the flip side: Wear green or get pinched! ;)

THANKS

I cannot begin to tell you about the comments/emails I have been inundated with about all the support, thoughts and prayers going out for my Dad today. 

I was stunned as I sat here at my computer and through a veil of tears realized that this little box that I type information into actually goes out into the world via the internet and reveals a part of me to others who visit my blog.  You blog-friends out there have really shown me the power of prayer and positive thoughts in the blog world.  Just saying thank you seems so inadequate but I do thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Instead of responding to each and every one, I am typing this entry so everyone who was concerned can get the status of my Dad.

First of all, there was no bad news today.  My Dad came through surgery and everything looks great so far.  So if I were to continue yesterday's entry it would go something like this:

I am 36 years old now and my Dad isn't the young whipper-snapper he used to be.  It is hard for me to see my Dad as anything other than a very strong man no matter what his physical condition.

The doctor gave us great news upon completion of the surgery.  Some of the people that were waiting with us today to hear news of my father were so overjoyed they were in tears.  I just stood there as the doctor walked away not knowing what to feel. 

This is what I wanted to hear but somehow I had to see for myself.  I had to stay and see Dad and know that he was going to be okay. I had to be prepared for whatever the future may hold.

Due to the long duration of the surgery nobody was able to see Dad until he got in his room which was several hours after the surgery.  He had oxygen, a catheter, a morphine pump, 2 drainage tubes, an IV, staples and bandages everywhere and probably other things I wasn't even aware of. 

Because he had a tube down his throat for the lengthy operation his throat was killing him and he was babbling about how bad it hurt.  He couldn't swallow or talk well.  None of us were quite sure if he was coherent.  He motioned for me to come close. 

As I leaned over and took his hand, I managed to make out that he was saying he probably would have to wait until Monday before we could make a trip to the dump.

That's when I knew he was going to be just fine...

 

I'm always prepared

I was 6 years old.  My Dad and I had the day all to ourselves.  My Dad worked 2 jobs when I was growing up and this day fell on a summer day when it was just the 2 of us. 

Dad had been working out back on some cars and needed to take something to the city dump.  Well, not being too keen on the idea, he promised me it would be a fun experience.

I really didn't have much of a choice so away we went.  There I was in blonde pigtails sitting on the front seat of his huge blue truck with the hot vinyl seats leaving their imprints on the back of my legs from the Texas heat. 

I really don't know where we were to this day but it was some abandoned road in the middle of NOWHERE.  We managed to dump whatever it was we went to dump and I about had an attack of nausea due to the stinch.  We talked to some old men and left.  It wasn't a short trip either and the smell seemed to hang in the air.

On the way home my Dad looked at me and asked if I saw a gas station anywhere near.  I said I hadn't seen one on the way there.  As a matter of fact, there was nothing for miles.  My Dad, trying to suppress a grin, asked me how far I could walk. 

A look of horror came over me.  I looked over at the instrument panel and we were on EMPTY!  We sat there in the middle of a rural dirt road motionless.  He asked me what we should do.  I had no idea but I was about in tears. 

It was hot, the feeling of dump stinch still hung in the cab of the truck, and I was tired.  What a fun summer day, huh?

Dad looked at me and asked if I thought he would let us run out of gas.  I just looked at him, not sure how to respond -- being that we HAD. 

He then got out of the truck, stretched his legs and looked up and down the road.  He peeked in the through the truck window and asked me if I could help him push.  That's when I knew we were in big trouble. 

He opened the door back up and flipped a little switch somewhere near his seat.  Without looking at me, he started up the truck and we drove away.

I was looking at him in astonishment for some time when he turned to me and told me that the truck actually had 2 tanks and only one of them had been on empty.  He told me that Dad was always prepared and always had a 'spare'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am 22, single and pregnant with my first son.  I got through the act of telling my Mom and don't get me wrong, it was not the best situation but I couldn't manage to get the words out to be able to tell both parents at the same time.  I had to tell her so she could at least be prepared when I told Dad.  I just didn't think I could bare to have my Dad be ashamed of me.

When I told Dad, he didn't judge me or lecture me.  To my amazement he only asked me what my plans were.  I guess I should state here, in case you haven't figured it out, that I have to learn things the hard way.  I never listened to anyone's advice and had to learn from making the mistakes myself.  Stubborn does not begin to describe me. 

My pregnancy was not an easy one to say the least.  I wasn't prepared in any way and the stress was horrendous.  I ended up with shingles and toxemia.  I had an emergency c-section and then we ended up staying in the hospital for a week.  The story in it's entirety is here.

I didn't know until I held my son for the first time how I could possibly love someone so much and unconditionally. 

I think I have mentioned this before but I named Shane after my Dad, my biggest hero.  When all was said and done I was concerned that my parents might have trouble accepting Shane.  I wasn't married and they did not want to have anything to do with Shane's father. 

I came home from the hospital and stayed with my parents for a few weeks.  During those weeks my Dad, being retired and at home everyday, bonded with Shane and I got to see his loving relationship develop with his new grandson.

I finally asked him if he felt the same way about Shane as he did the rest of his grandchildren since he hadn't really been prepared for his arrival.

He just grinned and told me that Dads were always prepared. 

That's when I thought back to many times and then remembered that Dads WERE, in fact, always prepared and usually had spare room in their heart.

Maybe none of this makes any sense to you, and until you have walked in my shoes you have no idea of all the life experiences I have been through with my Dad.  I can honestly say that there will never be a man like my father.

My Dad is having an operation tomorrow.  If you have any spare time in your day on Tuesday, please say a prayer for him...

My family is all trying to be prepared.

Thank you.

Dinner together?

This weekend we decided to meet some friends for dinner.  We were craving Italian so we chose Carraba's, a GREAT place if you haven't tried it by the way.  Yes, it's a chain but it's not like any chain restaurant I have ever been to.  So there!

Anyway, we chose the time and decided to meet directly at the restaurant.  Scott did the phone calling and arranging.  A cell phone call on the way told us they were 'very close' and that they would go ahead and get us a table and order our iced teas.  Great!

We get there and.. no friends.  We look and look but they are nowhere to be found.  Hmmmm... 

Scott goes on about people and their warped versions of time, blah, blah, blah.  We got us a table and ordered a pizza appetizer.  Scott is still going on and on about our friends and where they might be until I am sick of it.  Pizza arrives and still no friends.

I finally decide to call and check up on them only to have them tell me that they are indeed at the restaurant and have been waiting for us for quite some time.  I quickly scan the place again but am sure they aren't there.

I look at Scott, shrug, and hand him the phone.  Oh my gosh!  Turns out they went to the Carraba's on the OTHER side of town!  That's what happens when you let the guys plan the arrangements.

Now what was that about warped versions of time?  Sigh...

Well we had dinner at the same restaurant with friends this weekend, just different locations? Does that count?  We DID do a follow up comparison after dinner and I think our dinner was better! ;)