FINALLY - The Weekend Update

Just not the one I promised three or four weekends ago.

First things first: (It seems like I say that a lot...) The work drama. My company informed me Tuesday that my position is being eliminated, and my duties are being transferred to our corporate office several states away (Not just me, they're doing the same with all 3 of the positions in our little corner of the department). I will be staying on until Mid-January to assist with the transition, then will be (hopefully) starting another position. I'm not sure yet whether there will be another job for me with this company, or if I will be working elsewhere. (Actually, there's a lot that I'm not sure of at the moment)

This was somewhat of a shock for us, but I'm really OK with it. I've been feeling overwhelmed and a little burned out in this position, so I think a change will do me some good. I also know that God will take care of me.

On to the weekend. Friday, I took off work to accompany Monkey's class on a field trip to Casa Manana Theatre. It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed it immensely. When I took off to go on Mater's field trip last month, I didn't know any of the other mothers, and felt a little out of place. Fortunately, Monkey has FOUR other Cub Scouts in his class, and all their mothers came along, so I had a few familiar faces, and people to talk to. Not that you would know it, but I'm a little shy, and it's hard for me to jump in and strike up conversations. It was a fun day, even if we did eat lunch in the freezing cold* at the park. Brrr.

That afternoon, I took Possum to the airport so that he could go see his mother for the holiday.

Saturday was what the boys and I call a pajama day. They stayed in their footie PJs all day, we played and watched TV, played Cranium Cadoo and snuggled under blankets A LOT. Saturday afternoon, they put on clothes and BEGGED to play outside. It had warmed a little, so they got to play until dark. Oh - and I did lots of laundry. You're jealous, aren't you? Of the glamorous life I lead...

Sunday, the boys skipped off to church with Grandma, and Budman and I headed to the grocery store. When we got back to the house, Monkey headed off for his "best friend's" birthday party, and Budman and I made 10 jars of dill pickles in the afternoon, Mater and I played A LOT of board games, and did some puzzles. I also (finally) got to work on Christmas Presents. I'm making a lot of gifts this year, I can't tell you what I made, though, because SOME PEOPLE who read this blog might see it.

So, there it is, my weekend in a nutshell, not terribly interesting, but then that's life!!


*Yes, I know that to you ladies and gentlemen up North, I'm a gigantic wussy, but it was 37 degrees when i left the house that morning, and it did not warm up much all morning, in fact, it never got above 48 all day.

When it rains...

In addition to the blog changing/moving fiasco debaucle adventure, I'm dealing with a crappeload of work drama, I promise I will update and such soon.


In the meantime, not to sound like a broken record, but...

Don't forget about my friend Holly, Anglophile Football Fanatic. She's donating her November ad revenue to Food for the Poor. Every click counts, so do me a big favor, and help her out!

Day FOUR of her giveaway is today, and people, it just keeps getting better. There will only be one more this week, so get yourself on over there, and get in on the fun...

Please head on over to her place, and enter her contest.

Stop by to visit Copper's Fox, she's got a funny story about my nephew, Tater-tot, and Mater.

Also, don't forget about my friend Holly, Anglophile Football Fanatic. She's donating her November ad revenue to Food for the Poor. Every click counts, so do me a big favor, and help her out!

Day TWO of her giveaway is today, and people, it is awesome. There will a giveaway every day this week.

Please head on over to her place, and enter her contest.

Giveaway Alert!!

My dear friend Holly, of Anglophile Football Fanatic, is donating her November ad revenue to charity.

Food for the Poor, which I had never heard of until Holly began her drive this month, is a charity that provides, well, food for the poor, among other things. I highly reccomend visiting their website, they have some really terrific things in their gift catalog, as well as a greater description of what they do, and ways to help.

But, back on task here. Holly is having a week-long giveaway to go boost her efforts to raise money for her favorite charity.

Day one of the giveaway starts today, and there will be more every day this week. Please head on over to her place, and enter her contest. Or spend a little time reading about some of the funny things that happen in her world. Every click counts, so do me a big favor, and help her out!

Please check back everyday, this week, she will be giving away something everyday, and if I know Holly, it will be terrific!!

What are you waiting for?? Go!!

This is not the post you are looking for.

Forget the weekend update. I don't even remember what I did two weekends ago, and it probably wasn't as exciting as whatever you guys had going on...

Anyway, you'll have to be patient with me for a bit longer, I'm planning some changes to the Empty Mind here, and until I'm finished, posting may be sparse!!

I'll try, though, I promise.

I haven't forgotten

The weekend update is still coming, I've just been busy with other things...

Hang in there!!

And the winner is...

Sorry it took me so long, I seriously underestimated how long it would take to cut out and fold all those comments. (Then my puter decided I didn't hold my mouth just right the FIRST time I typed this entire post out, and refused to save it - UGH)

Anyway, the comments all went into a bag, and Mater just chose a winner.

Without further ado, the winner of my Blogoversary give away, a $25 Gift card to JC Penney is:

cylis9, who said...

Good luck on the walk and thanks for the great giveaway!

Congratulations, cylis9, please email me your mailing address, so that I can send your prize!! Thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway.

If the prize is not claimed within 3 days, I will choose another winner.

Also, I promised to donate all October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association. I just checked my report, and I am proud to say that I will be sending them a check for $20! Thank you to everyone who helped out. I appreciate it more than you can know.

Who am I??

OK, taking care of old business first. The giveaway for my Blogoversary ends today at noon, CDT. If you haven't already entered, get on over there quick. I am hoping to post the winner tomorrow.

I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association, and will post the total for that sometime today or tomorrow.

Now, on to the new business

I found a new blog recently, Why are You Stalking Me?. As I was reading through past posts, there was a quiz, and I just had to take it.

I think it's pretty spot on as far as describing me.. There were only two questions, and I figured there was no way they could come up with something good off two questions, but - well, just see for yourself...

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

First order of business

Well, first things first. I hope that you read Tuesday's post and headed over to Rachel's house to enter her giveaway and click her pages (It's OK, that sounds dirtier than it is) in order to help her in her quest to fight Breast Cancer.

You did? Good, now go again. it's OK, we'll wait here for you.

2nd order of business, is that my baby sister (HA! She's taller than me!!) has FINALLY decided to blog, and I want you all to go check her out, because 1.) she's my sister, and I love her and 2.) She's WAY funnier than I am. But, I'm only going to tell you her link if you promise not to go leave me for her... Well, now that's settled, I can give you directions over to her place. Coppers Fox. I'll be helping her get settled in at her new home, and like I said, she's super terrific, so you'll want to come back and visit her often.

Next, we have a little cuteness from Monkey. Sorry, to my Plurky friends, you've already heard this, but it's adorable, so you'll just have to deal - or you can skip to the next paragraph, if you feel the need.

Last night, while Monkey was rolling around on the floor like a wild, well, Monkey

Monkey: "Mom, when I grow up, I'm going to join the US Army"
Me: "You are?"
Monkey: "Yep, I'm going to fight for our freedom"
Me: "wow..."
Monkey: "Yep, I'm going to leave my family to protect our country"
Me: "Wow, Monkey, that awesome!"

I don't know where he got this, and the thought of my little baby leaving his Mommy to fight for the country, while admirable, is terrifying to said Mommy. Thankfully, I know the Army won't take him until he's at least 10... Kidding.

In other news, he lost his FIRST tooth yesterday at school. The nurse gave him a certificate and a little treasure chest to keep it in, and the Tooth Fairy came last night and left him $2. (First teeth are worth more, she won't be quite so generous next time.)

Mater went to bed early last night, and woke with a tummy ache this morning, no fever, but the little guy stayed home from school today - just in case... I'm hoping he's feeling better for Halloween. it would break his heart if he had to miss out on the fun!

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And, as usual, I must remind you that I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association. And don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Save the Ta-Tas

This month, my dear friend Rachel @ From the Land of Monkeys and Princesses is raising awareness for Breast Cancer, and donating her October revenue to that cause. (I may have mentioned this before...)

Well, now, she's having a super giveaway and you need to go over there and check it out. There are LOTS of terrific prizes, (I've even thrown a small prize into the mix) and I'm sure there's at least one that you want to win. Even if you're not interested in the giveaway, please hop on over to Rachel's place and take a look around. All monies earned in the month of October will be donated to Breast Cancer Research

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And, as usual, I must remind you that I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association.

And don't forget to enter

the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Weekend Update - short version.

I could not even begin to tell you all about the weekend, it was too crazy - so I'll go with this:



And this:



That's what Budman and I did on Sunday. We are now finished with ALL the Halloween costumes for the family.

YAY!!

Now I can start thinking about Thanksgiving.

I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Opposites, wondering and musings...

If the opposite of black is white...

What's the opposite of Red?
What's the opposite of Green?
What's the opposite of Purple?
What's the opposite of Brown?

The funny thing is, when I asked these questions to myself, an answer popped in to my head instantly for each of them. I'll let you ponder it yourself, though, without the interference of my opinion.

Last night was Cub Scouts night. I suck, I have so many pictures, and I really want to do a picture post, but I'm not comfortable putting pictures of other peoples' kids on the Internet, so I'll need to figure something out there, before I can post the tale...

Conversations with Mater:

Mater: Mom, it smells like Butt in here!!

Mater: Mom, Monkey's attackling me!"


Conversations with Monkey:

Monkey: "I'm goin' to town here, Mom!" (while drawing the coversheet for his Cub Scout scrapbook)

Monkey: "Mom, I'm keeping my eye on you!"

This weekend will be spent finishing our Halloween costumes, I really hope I can get them done. I'm still debating whether I want to wear my costume to work or not next Friday. We are allowed to, and will have a contest, but it's going to be a pain to work in all day... Hmmm... Will give it more thought.

Since Halloween is not over yet, I am still in denial about the approach of Christmas. Do NOT tell me how you finished your shopping in March, or how you're already starting on shopping for NEXT Christmas, I will hunt you down. I'll get there, the same way I always do... gradually!

First, I have to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, which involves me planning an elaborate menu, and all of us eating until we explode. Then I will be ready to think about Christmas. After I clean my family off the ceiling.

Have a terrific weekend. I'll leave you with this one - What is the opposite of puce?


I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Once Again...

I am again participating in "It's Not Me, It's You" from Holly at June Cleaver Nirvana.

She's asking "What post would you want your readers to read if they could only read one? She's set up a Mr. Linky at her blog, so go check it out...


Here's Mine: Weekend Update - Mother's Day edition

Go take a peek, and don't forget to head over to Holly's to read more great posts.

I am still donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association.

And don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Scenes from a Walk

A few highlights from this weekend's Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®. The kids did really well considering we dragged them on a 3 mile walk! We had our biggest team ever, My sister & nephew, my Aunt K, Cousins S & S, Aunt K's friend, K, my Dad and Stepmom and Monkey and Mater all walked and had a great time.

Mater - watching the opening ceremony...

Monkey and Mater

Monkey and Aunt K in the T-shirt contest. We didn't win, which explains the look on Monkey's face, but the group that did win was walking for a relative that had passed away the day before... There were a lot of great T-shirts there.

Remembering loved ones...

On our way. (Mater is on Papo's shoulders...) There were TONS of people there.

My Aunt K and her friend, K. (They have the same name, and I would give them names like I've done in the past, but my family has a LOT of 'K' names, and I'm running out of ideas!)

Miles of people...

Bad picture, but this woman was ACTUALLY carrying her dog. Huh??

Mater, Monkey and Nigel

Oh, and our team?? Raised $895.00 so far!! I will still be donating my October revenue to the Alzheimer's Association. Thanks to all of you who sent your well wishes, I appreciate it more than you know...

And don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Blogoversary! You have until October 31...

Today's the Day

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered!

Today, I am walking in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk®. It is the largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's in the nation.

I've told you all about my Grandpa Jack, and why I'm walking. So this morning, perhaps even as you read this, I will be walking a 5K (That's 3 miles), along with my sister, my step-mother, aunt, cousins, friends. This is the largest team we have had, and I'm hoping that Grandpa Jack is proud of us. But mostly, I just hope that he knows how much we love and miss him.

I'm not going to bore you with statistics and facts today - I've already written all of those here and here. Today, I just ask that you spend a moment thinking a good thought for us. I will be donating all revenue for the month of October to the Alzheimer's Association This may not be much, but they're getting it all. I really hope that you will consider taking some of your time (today, tomorrow, sometime this month) to click through. It won't cost you a thing, except time, and it really is for a good cause.

And, if you would like to donate to the Alzheimer's Society, I ask that you consider supporting me in my walk today...

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Now...

Today is also the one year anniversary of my blog. (Technically, it's tomorrow, but then I would have to write two weekend posts - when I normally don't even write one, and... Oh sorry, back to the good stuff) It doesn't really feel like it's been that long, but here we are - one year later!! To celebrate, I am giving away a $25.00 gift card to JCPenney. It's not much, but it's yours, if you're the lucky winner.

Here's how to enter:

1. Post a comment on this post before October 31, 2008. I normally wouldn't make it this long, but since I'm having the contest in conjunction with my Alzheimer's fundraising efforts, the 31st it is. (Don't forget to leave an email address, so that I can notify you that you have won.) **EDITED TO ADD: Contest will close at 12:00 noon on Friday, October 31st.**

2. For two extra entries, write a blog post linking to today's post and this one, and leave the link in a comment.

3. Stumble this post for another extra entry.

(In fact, if you leave all that stuff in ONE comment, that will really help.)

One entry per person, the winner will be chosen at random ('cause I'm ALL about the random), and will be notified by email. I will also post it here. If the chosen winner does not respond in 3 days, I will choose another winner.

Sound fair? If you have any questions, email me (the address can be found on my profile page)

Thank you all for a wonderful year...