One Foot on a Banana Peel

And as old as you act.  Or something like that.  So, what’s your true age?  Not the number of years you’ve actually been hanging around the planet, but the age that your lifestyle makes you.  Are you 40, but running around in the body of a 25 year old?  Or are you 30 and living in the body of a 50 year old? 

If you really want to know where you stand, go to Real Age and take their free quiz.  It’s kind of long, so allow some time.  They will factor in all kinds of things like your health history, your fitness level, diet and even your emotional state and come up with where you are today based on those facts.  They will also give you tips on changes to make in order to improve the number.

My real age is actually the age I am.  I don’t know whether to find that encouraging or be completely depressed.

I didn’t watch the Oscars.  I don’t think I’ve even seen any of the movies that were nominated.  I don’t care who looked beautiful and who was a fashion disaster.  Sorry.

Hoo-whoopin’-ray….it’s the last Monday of February.  And it’s just as gray as all the other days have been.  It’s bright spot?  We didn’t get slammed with yesterday’s predicted ice storm.  Just lots and lots of rain, which when combined with all the melting snow means everything is a big mud hole.  Oh well, I just keep telling myself it means Spring is on the way.  Here’s a cartoon that I thought perfectly captured my feelings for February (click on it to enlarge).

Comic from GoComics

Matt and Ashlei (YES! I spelled it right the first time) came home yesterday and are staying until this afternoon.  We didn’t have a talk of any sort with Matt, though he knows we want to talk to him.  Right up until the last minute I thought Tim and I were going to sit down with him, but then Tim went to bed. 

Sigh.  Tim so hates to deal with anything that might be unpleasant that he will avoid it at all costs.  I’m not really anticipating a big scene with Matt.  We’d just like to talk to him about his plans and priorities and maybe exactly where his "official" residence is.  Just a chat, maybe a wee bit of parental guidance.  Definitely no judgement.  I don’t want to end up in the same boat as Tim’s sister and her husband whose son hasn’t spoken to them in months.  They missed out on his wedding and the birth of their first grandchild because of some angry words exchanged between them.  Their hearts are broken and their son isn’t opening any doors to give them a chance to patch things up.  Anyway, guess that’s on hold for another time.

***Matt and Ashlei are gone.  After sitting here watching them carry a LOT of Matt’s stuff out to the car, I had to say something.  So, when Matt hugged me goodbye I asked him if he was making it official.  He asked what so I spelled it out for him…Y-O-U A-R-E-N-’T L-I-V-I-N-G H-E-R-E A-N-Y-M-O-R-E.  He got a rather sheepish grin on his face and mumbled his way through something that sounded like, "Yeah, I get better rates on school if I’m living there."  Okay, I guess, (No, it isn’t but what am I going to say?)  but I suggested the next time he’s home visiting we hoe out the garbage dump/storage area laughingly refered to as a bedroom.  I promised there will always be a bed here for him, but if he isn’t living here then I’d like to have the room back to where those of us who do live here can use it.  Tim was about me asking that, but Matt was fine with it.  And I called Tim to tell him the "news."  I think he considers anything with Matt now handled and is greatly relieved that he doesn’t have to say anything.  He admitted to being afraid of alienating Matt.

I can’t believe I’m spending my day this way.  It’s not that I haven’t done anything productive.  Because I have.  I’ve done dishes and laundry.  I’ve done a little bit of cleaning.  I did a major dye job on Meg’s hair and saved myself at least $75.  By the way, it looks great…if I do say so myself.  Her lovely, long, thick hair is now a dark brown with a reddish cast and lighter reddish highlights.  It’s closer to her natural color than the previous dark golden brown with blonde streaks.

But, I am digressing.  A lot.  What I can’t believe is that I’m sitting here turning my brain to mush because Meg and her friend got me started watching a America’s Next Top Model marathon on MTV.  They’ve long since abandoned me, but I find that it’s like an auto accident.  I simply can’t look away.  I’m fascinated with how shallow the girls are.  I just can’t imagine being that stuck on your own face.  And please, it’s amazing the new and creative stupidity they are made to participate in with each new episode.  Anyway, I am stuck now because I need to know which girl wins.

I am quite annoyed with Blogsome.  Last night I couldn’t get to my blog without following a link from someone else’s blog and even then it loaded so slowly that I had to wipe cobwebs off the computer when it was finally done.  I couldn’t do anything once I got there.  All my pictures were gone and according to Blogsome, so was the entire file they’re stored in.  It was the same story today so I sent a panicked email to my favorite techie, Rachel, and she found everything to be working.  Now I’m finding the same thing.  All that is missing is the pictures from yesterday’s post.  Some days I just want to throw a brick at the computer.

Anyway, now that Blogsome is apparently going to let me do things with my blog I want to tell you about something I recently got myself into.

You know the A.C. Nielsen company that provides television ratings?  No, I’m not doing that, but my family is now a Nielsen family.  I have my very own home scanning system and every week I report on what we’ve purchased.  I don’t get paid, but I earn points that can be redeemed for all kinds of goodies.  If you’re interested in being a Nielsen family, you can apply at the HomeScan web site.  There is a waiting list and they will tell you it may be months or even years before they have an opening on the panel that your family fits into.  It might be, but don’t let it scare you.  I only had to wait 2 or 3 months.

For those of you who partake of Mardi Gras, enjoy this final day of celebration before Lent.  And remember to eat fish tomorrow.

Me?  I’m not Catholic so I don’t observe Mardi Gras (or eat fish as a religious experience) and I can’t really get excited about a day with "fat" in its name.  As one who needs to get on the diet wagon, but is having a really hard time dragging her big ol’ butt up on the thing, I ask….What’s so great about Fat Tuesday when I could also celebrate Fat Wednesday and Fat Thursday and Fat Friday and….  You get the idea.  Every day is a fat day.

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Yeah, I’m feeling a little bit better today.  The thawout has begun and even though it’s still gray and dreary, 30 degrees feels absolutely tropical!  I even heard some birds singing this morning.  Birds that leave for the winter.  That means they’re back.  Do they know something I don’t?  Is Spring closer than I think?  Oh, Lord, I hope so.

I also started taking my "happy" pills again yesterday.  I ran out a couple of weeks ago and never got them refilled.  They are of such a small dosage I wanted to see if they made any difference.  Apparently, they do.

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And just one more thing…..

WTF???

Is there anyone out there that really believes Brittany hasn’t taken final leave of her sanity?  What was she thinking when she shaved her head?  Surely even she cannot think it looks good (though I admit it looks better than the cheap blonde wig).  Then again look at the pictures of some of her latest foray’s into the public.

Maybe we could take up a collection and buy her a mirror?  Just so she could see herself before she leaves the house.

I can tell it’s February.  The blues are back.  I seem to get a "good" case of them this time every year.  It isn’t S (Seasonal) A (Affective) D (Disorder).  Or at least I don’t think it is.  That’s supposed to be caused by a lack of daylight.  I’m out in the light several hours a day. 

I think it’s just because I view this time of year as so…….blah!  I don’t like the cold and snow and after the first pristine snowfall, the landscape is so bleak and dirty from all the salt and ash used on the roads.  And that stuff makes it’s way into the cars and the house.  This lovely weather also keeps folks home more and there always seems to be less socializing, though I suppose there could be a little more if Tim was home more.  He always seems to start a new work project at this time of year or is just finishing one.  Either way, the start and finish of projects are real crunch times for him and he puts in tons of hours and gets really stressed and he isn’t in the mood to do anything but sit at home and veg.  Aren’t we a pair?

Well, I don’t want to depress you so I’ll quit whining.  I just wanted to let you know why there’s been a decided lack of posting.

It’s Snow Day number 2.  Actually, it’s more of an ice day.  We are in the "lucky" zone of the big storm blanketing the Northeast that got nailed with freezing rain after the snow.  In fact, we’re still getting it and later there’s more snow coming.  Everything is a solid sheet of ice.  It’s at least an inch thick on my car.  Tim spent over an hour chiseling his truck out enough to drive it this morning. 

Oh well, while this is going to put a hurting on my next payday, it could be worse.  We could be among the many without power or worse yet, we could be in Buffalo or Oswego, NY.  Ugh!  I can’t even imagine having to deal with all that snow.

*UPDATE*

The monster storm continues to make itself known.  We got 4-5 inches of snow here before it turned into freezing rain, then rain and back to freezing rain again.  The wind is blowing so hard it sounds like a freight train running right beside the house and the snow is due to make a comeback during the night and keep right on falling through tomorrow.  Different school districts, but Meg and I are both on 2-hour delays already.  If it keeps going I look for at least mine to be off.

First things first.  Y’all know I’m a huge Toby Keith fan so, you’ll understand my excitement that his new single High Maintenance Woman hits the air waves today.  It’s the first release from his next album, Big Dog Daddy, which is due out on June 12.  Ohhh…..I hope that means there’s going to be a tour.

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Now just for some fun, I borrowed this one from Mamalee.  I won’t tag you so relax and see if you learn anything new.

Basics:

Name: Stacy
Date of Birth: August 15, 1964
Birthplace: Northwestern Pennsylvania
Current Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Eye Color: Dark brown
Hair Color: Dark brown with reddish highlights (that’s both the natural color and the enhanced color that hides the rapidly increasing gray).
Height: 5′5″ or 5′6″, it depends on who measures me, the time of day, the equinox…
Heritage: English, Scotch, German
Piercings: 3 in the left ear, 1 in the right ear…and it’s been that way for almost 25 years
Tattoos: None.  I want one.  I’m just not brave enough.

Favorite:
Band/Singer: Toby Keith
Song: At the moment…The Last Dollar by Tim McGraw
Movie: Dirty Dancing and A Christmas Story
Disney Movie: Robin Hood
TV show: Friday Night Lights, American Idol, Bones, CSI Miami, Flip That House
Food: If it swims in the ocean and dwells in a shell…..THAT’S IT!
Pizza topping: Mushrooms and greenpeppers
Ice-Cream Flavor: Strawberry, the kind with big chunks of berry
Drink (alcoholic): Bahama Mama, Coors Light
Soda: Pepsi
Store: Wal Mart
Clothing Brand: Old Navy, Target, Penney’s
Shoe Brand: Too many shoes to pick just one….though my tennies usually end up being New Balance.
Season: fall
Month: October
Holiday/Festival: Christmas
Flower: Zinnias
Make-Up Item: Moisturizer, foundation, mascara
Board game: Life

This or That:
Sunny or rainy: Sunny
Chocolate or vanilla: You’re kidding right?  Chocolate, of course.
Fruit or veggie: Veggies.  Really.
Night or day: Day
Sour or sweet: Sweet
Love or money: Love, but it’d be nice to have both.
Phone or in person: In Person.
Looks or personality: Personality.
Coffee or tea: Tea, please.
Hot or cold: I really don’t like extremes of either, but oh, gee….I guess hot.

Your:
Goal for this year: Stick to the diet.  Stick to the diet.  Stick to the diet.  Stick…
Most missed memory: If my memory is missing how do I know what it is?
Best physical feature: My eyes and my smile and dimples
First thought waking up: Nooooooooo!
Hypothetical personality disorder: Procrastinator Extrodinaire
Preferred type of plastic surgery: Total body lyposuction
Sesame street alter ego: Oscar
Fairytale alter ego: Donkey from Shrek
Most stupid remark: Well, duh!
Worst crime: Speeding
Greatest ambition: To make it through today and leave a positive impact on those I’m around
Greatest fear: Cancer…Snakes…Sharks…take your pick.
Darkest secret: If I tell you it won’t be a secret anymore.
Favorite subject: English/literature
Strangest received gift: A box full of live chicks.
Worst habit: ……………………………………………..huh?  Oh yeah, procrastination.

Do You:
Smoke: No.  I can’t even stand the smell on others.  It kills my sinuses, which is weird since I grew up with a lot of smokers.
Drink: Now and then
Curse: Yes, though I’m working on not doing it.
Shower daily: Why?  Can you smell me clear over there?
Like thunderstorms: Love them!
Dance in the rain: Not recently
Sing: Very, very badly and never in front of anyone but my family.
Play an instrument: Air guitar
Get along with your parents: My dad died 13 years ago.  Sadly, that improved our relationship tremendously.  My mom lives right nextdoor.  ‘Nuff said.
Wish on stars: No
Believe in fate: No
Believe in love at first sight: Yes

Can You:
Drive: It’s what I do for a living so I hope so
Sew: I passed home ec. in high school so I guess that technically I can, but do I?  No.
Cook: Yes.
Speak another language: Sure!  Thanks to 3 years of high school french I can sing the French national anthem and tell you that Philip is at the pool with Anne.
Dance: Yes.
Sing: I believe we covered this already.
Touch your nose with your tongue: No
Whistle: Yes.
Curl your tongue: Yep

Have You Ever:
Been Drunk: Oh, yeah.
Been Stoned/High: Well, since my mom and my kids don’t read this…..yes.
Eaten Sushi: NO! NO! NO!
Been in Love: Yep, still am.
Skipped school: Again, since Mom doesn’t read this….yes.
Made prank calls: Who me????  You’d better go catch your refrigerator!
Sent someone a love letter: Yes, I can be mushy that way.
Stolen something: Probably as a kid, but I don’t remember.
Cried yourself to sleep: More than once.

Other Questions:
What annoys you most in a person? Knowitallism
Are you right or left handed? I started out lefthanded, but my dad hit my hand everytime he saw me using it and it was still in the days when schools didn’t deal with lefties very well, either, so it didn’t take me too long to make the switch.
What is your bedtime? 9:30-10:00 on weekdays (hey, I get up at 4:00), God only knows on the weekend.
Name three things you can’t live without: My family, friends and books.
What is the color of your room? Which room?  The one I’m in….yellow.  My bedroom….faded, it needs a paint job.
Do you have any siblings? No, I’m a lonely only.
Do you have any pets? 2 dogs, Scooby and Elvis and 2 parakeets, Bing and Tequila
Would you kill someone you hate for a million dollars? No
What is you middle name? Lynn
What are you nicknames? Ace, Space
Are you for or against gay marriage? I have my opinions, but to each their own.
What are your thoughts on abortion?  Again, to each their own.
Do you have a crush on anyone? Toby Keith and Kyle Chandler, different as they are, both are off the yum-o-meter charts.
Are you afraid of the dark?  Nope, I’m afraid of what’s in the dark.
How do you want to die? In my sleep.
What is the largest amount of popsicles that you have eaten on one day? I have no idea and why on earth do you want to know?
Would you take a bullet for the one you love?  Sure….where do they want it to go?
What is the last law you’ve broken?: The speed limit

In a Member of the Opposite Sex:
Hair color: Black, but any (or none) will do if the total package works.
Eye color: Any, but blue is really hot with the black hair.
Height: Tall
Weight: Average.
Most important physical feature: Eyes and smile (and a nice pair of Levi’s ain’t bad, either)
Biggest turn-off: Lies.

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And now something I bet you never thought you’d see from from me (and in the same post as a Toby Keith mention).

Congratulations to the Dixie Chicks!

Album of the Year

Record of the Year

Song of the Year

Country Album of the Year

I don’t agree with your politics, but then there are a lot of people out there whose politics I don’t agree with and I can still like them.  Ladies, it was your arrogant manner that was so off-putting to so many.  Think before you speak.  There’s nothing wrong with caring about the feelings of others or showing respect for your country and its leaders (whether you agree with them or not).  There are ways to protest without trash talk. 

Even though many of your fans refused to buy your new album, many radio stations refused to play your music and I believe I heard some of your concerts had to be canceled due to lack of ticket sales….I guess you showed us.  Some liberal yahoos out in the Land of Make-believe think you’re great no matter what the public (who put you where you are, by the way) thinks.

Enjoy your awards.

Several months ago I removed the music videos from my blog because many of you reported that it messed up your viewing of the blog.  Couldn’t have that so, away it went.  Now I’m a technophob and I don’t like to go messing around too much in the inner workings of my blog because if I screw it up too badly I don’t have a clue how to fix it.  That explains why OFOABP has been music free for so long.

Skip ahead to today and find me (who’s been sick the last couple of days) feeling a bit better (but not really better enough to do anything all that physical) and bored out of my mind and just brave enough to start messing around.  I think I have stuck the video screen in a safe place that won’t bother anyone.  Let me know.

In other news, Matt and Ashlei were here Wednesday.  They spent the night and left Thursday morning.  Not sure what is going on there.  Basically, Matt’s moved in with her, but doesn’t seem willing to actually admit it to us.  I told him he needs to come home one of these days when we aren’t all sick and his dad has five minutes because we need to sit down and talk about some things.  He just said okay.  On the bright side, he hugged me goodbye of his own free will.  Huge deal!  The kid has been "allergic" to hugs since he was 9 or so.

Megan got her FFA journal finished on Thursday, just in time for her teacher to submit it to the state competition.  He seems to think she has a decent chance with it.  It would be wonderful if she places.  It would do a lot for her confidence.

No new snow and it’s been a bit warmer.  It’s a whole 20 degrees.  More snow is on the way in the next few days, though, and I think when I saw the forecast for the next few days there was one day in there with a predicted high of 3.  Ugh.  Me thinks I smell another delay or school closing.  I don’t know yet about Megan’s school but Ligonier is no longer off on Presidents’ Day.  Boo….the downside of snow days.

Tomorrow is Elvis’s birthday (our dog, not THE Elvis) and Meg baked cupcakes with bones on them.  Tomorrow she’s going to take them and Elvis across the street to celebrate with his mom, dad, and brother.  The people will love it.  Elvis gets Christmas and birthday cards from them with "family" pictures.  Too funny.

Also tomorrow, Meg and I are going to a Basket Bash.  You buy tickets with numbers on them and drop your numbers in for the gift baskets you want to win.  I went last year and the baskets are very nice.  It’s a good fundraiser for a smalltown (not our town) library.  My mom was supposed to go, too, but has to drive my aunt and another elderly couple of cousins to a funeral in Ohio.

Well, I’m off to waste some more time doing nothing.