Again... 'nother hurricane coming this way. Not to jazzed about this situation.

Fairly alarmed.

Nice picture here. She's quite photogenic.

See Puerto Rico there? (Frances makes the Island look so insignificant.) Well, that's where my mom is. I barely got a few minutes of talk time with her over the phone today because my cell phone is really messed up. Same as when Charley beelined thru here.

grrr...

I'm going to bed.

Yes, another quiz. This one was VERY interesting.
Uh, dunno 'bout the results, tho.

eXpressive: 8/10
Practical: 6/10
Physical: 6/10
Giver: 4/10

You are a XPYT--Expressive Practical Physical Taker. This makes you a Player.

You are clever, sexy and sexually oriented. You know what you want and how to get it. You command attention in a room of strangers, as your charisma, your personality and your spending habits are all oriented toward making an impression on your target sex. You pay attention to details.

You reel people in easily, but have a harder time keeping them around since you are just as demanding in a long term relationship as you are on a night out. Combine your demanding nature with the fact that you're hard to keep up with and easily bored, and you get a recipe for problems with fidelity.

In a conflict, you're brutal -- you know how to unleash one cutting remark that turns a normal fight into a brawl or a breakup. Your general attitude is you just don't have time for fighting -- if you feel like your current partner doesn't understand you, you know you can find another one.

You may see yourself in a parent and dislike his/her choices, so you want to avoid them for yourself. You feel confined by social pressures, both to pair up and stay paired. It will (and should) take you years to settle (and for you, it may really feel like you're settling).

Please use a condom.

*ehem*

You know you want to do it, too. Just promise to share your results. ;o)
Here's the link: 20 Questions to a Better Relationship

I've finally updated my photoblog, Beyond Focus. I really messed up the site when I moved to TCH, but now I'm finally done with the redesign.

Please make sure you update your links to my gallery, since the URL did change:
http://beyondfocus.innerzinc.com/

...I didn't get a chance to see when I lived with my parents because they had some violence in them.

Tonight? Edward Scissorhands. [No, don't laugh. Saw it for the first time tonight.]

My thoughts? I hate that I didn't get to see this movie growing up. Glad I finally saw it tonight. Love Johnny Depp, not as much as Orlando Bloom, but definitely up there. hehe I used to enjoy that series Johnny was in, 21 Jumpstreet. As a teen, I thought they were all so cool. Imagine how I felt watching him star in Pirates of the Carribean, along with Orlando.

*grin*

< /drooling>

Today? The flipside. Yup, so good she got a star for good behavior in the lunchroom. [insert angelic music here]

Me, still feeling the angst of depression, but to hear good news about my girl today did bring a smile to my face.

So today has been one of my low days this month. Yup, it's actually been a while since my depression kicked in. Drugs only make it worse, because I get prescribed the large doses which do nothing but deliver all the side effects. No thanks. Three doctors in my family and not one can help me. And oh, they've tried. So have many others. That's why I don't do drugs. I even delivered both my children without epidural, IV or anything. I've found other resources which have worked well for me, mostly alternative/integrative therapies. But even so, I get my blue days, like today.

This afternoon, however, I received negative news from my little princess' teacher. My little princess did something that little princesses shouldn't do. Seems they were throwing food at lunch time, two little girls, only mine didn't respond when they called her attention. I hear two other people, a teacher and a Dean of who knows what (something to do with behavior) spoke with my lil princess and asked her to behave. Well, she didn't like all that went on, and decided that throwing her lunch tray on top of the other girl would somehow send the adults her message. Five year old lil princess on a short fuse.

*sob*

Baking today. :o) Banana Nut Bread with a twist: I've decided to add some Kahlua® Coffee Liqueur! I'll tell ya if it did the trick. ;o) I'd also love to try my hand at mini-loaf and mini-muffins. Those always look so cute!

Darn, I got hit hard by comment spam last night. Hadn't happen for a while. Funny, cause they waited till just after I got offline to attack. Creeps.

But they're dust now, slayed by Jay Allen's MT-Blacklist. *grin*

________

Had to go downstairs and take a breather. Just got news of this from my old neighborhood. I remember her, lived on the street just behind us, and used to be one of my Avon customers.

Thanks a lot, Jen! Since you mentioned it, my OCD kicked in, and I had to go find the CD and listen to Harry Nilsson's Coconut.

Cause and effect, I have a little party going on here in my studio with my 5 yr old daughter, dancing and asking me to "shake my bootie" with her. *sigh* Well, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do...

Harry Nilsson---Coconut

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one, she paid it for a lime.
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up
She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up,
And said, "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?
I say, Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?" "
Now let me get this straight ",
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank them both up
Put the lime in the coconut, you called your doctor, woke him up,
And say, 'Doctor, ain't there nothing I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?
I say, Doctor, doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, dooooctor, to relieve this belly ache?'
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together,
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better,
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning
Wouh wouh wouh wouh wouh
Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one, she paid it for a lime.
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank them both up,
She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke him up,
Say "Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say, Doctor, to relieve this belly ache?
I say, Doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say Doctor! let me get this straight".
You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
You put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
Put the lime in the coconut, you such a silly woman!,
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together,
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better.
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both down
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the morning
Woo Woo, ain't there nothin' you can take, I say
Woo Woo, to relieve your belly ache,
You say woo woo ain't there nothin' I can take, I say
Woo woo, to relieve your belly ache,
You say yah yah, ain't there nothin' I can take, I say
Waah waah, to relieve this belly ache,
I say doctor!, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say doctor!, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say doctor!, ain't there nothin' I can take,
I say Doctor!, you such a silly woman!,
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both together,
Put the lime in the coconut, then you feel better,
Put the lime in the coconut, drink them both up,
Put the lime in the coconut, and call me in the moooooorning,
Yes, you call me in the morning,
If you call me in the morning, then I'll tell you what to do
If you call me in the morning, then I'll tell you what to do
If you call me in the morning, then I'll tell you what to do
If you call me in the morning, then I'll tell you what to do
If you call me in the morning, then I'll tell you what to do

I'll prolly start posting these at Museful, under writing prompts, but for now, here we go!

1. Olympics:: tired...
2. Wicked:: me! always!
3. Intoxicating:: sex can be so, and me, too!
4. Radical:: challenging
5. Misinformed:: something everyone has suffered with.
6. Triplets:: the cute ones from that Cingular commercial... i certainly wouldn't mind having them. having them, NOT giving birth to them!!
7. Coronation:: just saw one on the stupidest movie my hubby managed to watch today
8. Asimov:: love how this guy's mind works! Foundation series... all the way to I, Robot.
9. Contemporary:: flooding on some floors of this WDW Resort, saw something of the sort in the news
10. 1:: is the loneliest number... as performed by Filter for the X-Files Soundtrack

Perhaps not the first thing that came to your mind. ;o)

I'm talking about thoughts and feelings looming in my head. Writing them out. Purged them, down on paper. Getting to write a lot these days, even though a lot of it is fragmented and random. Then again, so am I at times. But, I'm not complaining -hey, I'm writing again, and that's a good thing.

Go read Grandpa's Gift at Museful.

Yeah, right about now, that's where you'll prolly find CrankyDragon. My young prince and I had an awesome few hours with Cranky and her Hub, Kami and Stuka. Twas very kewl. One thing bad about getting together with friends is time goes by too damn fast.

So I picked up quite a few items she was donating due to the move (there're a few happy people already), and some I'm keeping for myself. That Dark Empire Edition - I can't pry it off BlogBoy's hands, and he won't stop reading! Way past your bedtime.

Today was one of those days where it's just my son and I. I love these, and I know he does too. Some days just get too busy, and even tho we play and talk, the quality in it isn't quite the same as when it's just the two of us. I get to admire my son's mind, how he questions and analyzes things, how in his young age, he can see a pretty big picture. We listened to our favorite tunes, we took new pictures of a tree that I’ve been working on (painting) because I lost my reference ones. We watched the planes fly overhead, and tried to find the right angle. We even shared some tears together... cause sometimes in life you meet really kewl people, and then you only get to share a relatively small amount of time with them, but they reach deep into your heart, often without knowing, and drop anchor. You learn of things you have in common, and eagerly await the next time you get together. Then more positive things happen, and in embracing these, a small distance is created, this one leading them on the road to Memphis.

Well, we managed not to cry when we said goodbye, lol.

Ok, so my sister is pregnant. I told her over a month and a half ago that she was. Did she believe me? Of course not. She dismissed it just like everyone else. But here I am, still stuck with her cravings. No, I'm not crazy, and yes, I do believe this happens, just like many others do.

Tomatoes. Fresh and juicy, sliced and with a little sprinkle of salt. Of course, that wasn't the way I knew she was preggerz. That happened the morning I woke up, made a fresh batch of coffee, and bit into a nice, firm tomato. Some breakfast, eh? After that morning, it was just a matter of finding out who was expecting.

What was another sign? My other weird craving, which went on for one week straight. Crunchy Cheetos and Peanut M&M's. The chocolate part has continually evolved. After the M&M's came Hershey Kisses, now Nutella Hazelnut Spread.

*sigh* Do you have any idea how much my water intake has increased? And how much I cringe at the site of these junk food cravings? I'm a Nutritional Consultant, bloody hell! All this stuff is not part of my diet!!

It was funny in the beginning, where I'd tell my closest friends that I thought my sis was pregnant, and they'd all take it jokingly. Sure, go ahead and laugh. Same I'd tell my sis, until the came one morning carrying a ziploc bag with not one, but two Clearblue Easy preggie tests. "What? You had to do two test just to make sure?" It was even funnier when she came back from the doctors office, with a sonogram pic and the aprox time she's been pregnant. Yup, doc said 6 weeks. Wow, nicely done, Zee.

About a week ago I think, Cranky mentioned she was pregnant. Now I'm wondering what she's craving.

What is it that they say? She who laughs last... But wait, I'm not laughing.

I'm fresh out of tomatoes. :o(

I've uploaded a few of some of the damage I found around my area. I won't upload pics of the homes that were smashed in by trees, out of respect to the ones that suffered such event. I'm humbled and greatful that my family and friends are safe, and in turn I'm helping those around me that need more than I.

You can see some of the pictures here.

Cranky posted some pictures during Charley and the mess he left at the Orlando Executive Airport [go to this post]. I guess she won't be airborne for the next lil while.

Jen was awesome! She even sent me a gmail invite, last one she had left. I tell ya, the lady rocks! Thanks for keeping 'connected'.

All for now, gotta go get grubbin'!

Spent most of the day cleaning up after Charley, as well as doing a few repairs. There are trees down and uprooted everywhere, as well as signs, a neighbor's POD (portable storage system) which dumbled its way down the street along with it's contents, pool covers that have been torn to shreds, shingles decorating the streets like patchwork...

We are lucky to be part of the few who still have energy and water. We've been told to keep off of the streets and use water wisely (moreso because of the pumps having lost energy, and to prevent sewer backups and such.)

There's a thunder storm coming thru right now, windy and very wet. Haven't been able to make phone calls since yesterday, particularly any local ones; reached both my parents and my inlaws in Puerto Rico to let her know we're ok.

All my friends here in Orlando, I'm thinking about you -just can't make any calls.

Jen, thanks for being my out of state contact in case things got worse for us or we had any sort of emergency - bunches of thanks!

Thanks to you all for your warm thoughts, wishes, and emails that we would remain safe. It made it so much easier to ride out the hurricane.

Thanks for keeping in touch!

Some light damage, but most importantly, we are safe. :o) Still pretty gusty here, but it seems Charley is leaving in a hurry.

Does anyone have any more towels?

There's water coming in thru the sliding door and onto the family room; upstairs, water is gushing in thru the windows and has soaked the carpet.

We are fine, all huddled up and ready to get into the 'room under the stairs' -or Harry Potter's Room like my lil princess likes to call it- if we need to.

From WFTV Channel 9.

From my back yard (earlier at about 6:30 PM):

It's too dark and getting to windy to even attempt any more pics.

Hanging on tight!

Up close and personal. At the bottom, Hurricane Charley's 'eye', and further up, where we are.

I.See.Red.

he's big, he's mean, and he's headed this way. i survived hurricane hugo -and its aftermath- when i lived in puerto rico, and hugo was just plain nasty.

my family and i are all prepared (hope i'm not forgetting anything).
___________________________________

"This is a very deadly storm that's approaching our beloved state," Bush said Friday. Bush has declared a state of emergency in Florida and requested that his brother, President Bush, consider declaring a federal state of emergency.
___
-edited-
The Masked Blogger posted some wonderful Hurricane Charley images taken by NASA -his post is here.

So many feelings, not much to say. I think the kids had mixed feelings, just like mom. They grow so fast.

Uh, what room is the weeping party being held at?

She embraced a total stranger with the greatest hug she could muster, and this stranger, in turn, said, "Hi, my name is Mrs. Schreffler, welcome to our Kindergarten family".

I'm excited for my daughter, starting Kindergarten, the glow and wonder blushing her face. Approval, glimmering in her eyes, of what her other home is going to be. Finding her place, getting comfortable in her new space, pointing out the mistaken print of her name all over the place. "It's Kristen, with an 'e'. That's not the way." Still, this didn't bother her more than 5 seconds. She was soon off to exploring the rest of the room, a scavenger hunt to find where everything is placed.

But I'm left with so many sour notes, big and small. No, I'm not PMS-ing; moody, perhaps; pissed off -totally. I guess I was expecting so much more from this experience, and I feel shorthanded, cheated. I volunteer regularly at the school, am a PTA member, worked there, so I have a clear understanding of hour things are done. I personally fill out all the papers pertaining to my children, and of course I know how to write my daughter's name. Don't tell me it was misspelled on her enrollment papers. Honestly, I don't care what you call me, just make sure you know what to call my child, and to address her correctly. As a five year old, I would have been into all the toys and books myself; as the mother of said five year old, I did not feel welcome, did not feel 'at home'. Some first impression.

Sheesh.

Onto my fourth grader.

His classroom? Oh yeah, he doesn't have one. He'll be going to the Media Center on Monday (with the entire fourth grade), because their portable rooms are not ready. Portables. "So, Mrs. Powers, how many children did the school grow for this school year?", I ask. "We've grown 300. The good news is that we have so many new teachers, and our class size is 19. And don't bring your supplies in until I ask, as we have nowhere to place them yet."

Oh, I forget, supplies. Why was I not notified before yesterday during Open House, not to purchase my daughters supplies for school, because the Kindergarten teacher had a particular list for her students? After all, the school did provide parents with a flyer for the supplies needed for the new school year back in June. Supplies for my children were purchased over a week ago. Now, not a single one of the items I purchased for my little princess is on the teachers list. I have to go return all these items and purchase all the new ones on the new list. Then again, why were we not notified about Open House/Meet Your Teacher until Wednesday night? Puh-leeze! Is this a prelude of what this school year is going to be?

I am not amused.

Bitchy, you betcha!

Today is second to last day at the gym (hadn’t mentioned I put in my two weeks notice, did I?), on a regular schedule anyway. I've been added to the sub list, and will then only cover on occasion, when I'm needed, and if I'm available, of course. I'll miss working with all the babies and kids, but I'm moving on to so many more exciting things. ;o) It will be a more fruitful use of my time, with more time left for family. That's what it's all about.

I'm upset, royally pissed off, really, at the fact that I didn't get coverage for tonight, being such an important day for my children, when my youngest daughter gets to meet her Kindergarten teacher for the first time. How am I NOT to be at this special moment in her life? And say what, "Sorry, sweetie, I have to go to work". I don't think so. I have to be with you, my little princess, on the day where you start off a new journey in your life, so that when you and I grow older in years, we can both remember how we were together, on all the moments that mattered. I'll be in my daughter’s life always.

They've been notified. Today, work will have to wait for me.

Spent the last half hour getting the BookCrossing books up here, and adding journal entries for them; I hadn't done that yet from when I picked them up last MeetUp. You'll see the stack of books I picked up there, among the pics. Which reminds me I should post some of the pics I shot while there, hehee. I’ll be labeling a few of my own books later for release at our next MeetUp, coming up fast. Crankydragon gifted me the cutest labels for my releases, I’ve already used two. I’ll have to save one, though, just because. ;o)

Already read one of those books (a re-read actually), my son is reading his catch (which Crankydragon sent his way), I'm currently reading one with my daughter, and I’m still reading Mists, savoring it really. Anne Rice's series will soon follow -specially since I have 7 of hers alone! I always wanted to read her books, but never got around to purchasing a single one.

Going to spend some time labeling the rest of my AVON brochures, as Campaign 17 has begun. You'll be able to read up on my AVON adventures on a separate blog exclusively for that. I’m almost done setting up the CSS for that one, Beauty... Unfolding, then I’ll post the link to it from here.

Beyond Focus, my gallery, is also in the works. That one has been a more painful blog move. *sigh* Hopefully I’ll have it up and running next week. I miss my pictures. I’ve posted new pictures to the gallery, but you still can’t go see. Something I’m trying to figure out with the navigation.

Gee, I'm glad chimed in here and posted an update. Now I must do my blog-run, and read my email.