10 Years

Dada!, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Happy Anniversary, honey (mwah!)! It's our 10-year anniversary today. We don't have anything special planned, except we're going to Tampa for an extended weekend soon.

I got to be Dora the Explorer a few weekends back. You would think being an explorer would be fun, but most of my work involved telling Swiper (Brenden wanted to be Swiper the fox) "Swiper, no swiping! Swiper no swiping!! SWIPER NO SWIPING!!!" Yawn. No where near as much fun as playing a greedy crab.("WHARS ME MONEY, SPONGEBOB?")

Brenden is back in speech classes, and Jon and I trying to work harder with him. His speech has improved, but he tends to get in a hurry and compress the words he's trying to use. Slowing him down and getting him to enunciate carefully is frustrating for all of us. But we do see (hear) improvement.

A few days ago Brenden got on his knees and straddled Big Fat Kitty and pretended he was riding a horse. He grabbed BFK by the ears and yelled "YEEE HA!" I was turning purple to keep from laughing my ass off, and I made Brenden get off the cat. BFK was royally pissed off (which made it even funnier) but he just doesn't fight back.

We are not amused

We are not amused, originally uploaded by Aviator_edb.

These two kitties are Mojo and Karma; Ed and Jen's new family members. I'm stealing Ed's photos again.

So the specialist looked at the MRI of my neck and explained to me what he was seeing. He was impressed with how roomy the holes in my vertabrae (technical term: foramen) are so there's plenty of room between my spine and the vertabrae discs. the bulging disk between my c6-c7 was apparent, but he said time is the best treatment and it should take care of itself. In the meantime he prescribed me muscle relaxants basically to help me sleep. It still aggravates me some when I try to sleep. Nontheless: hooray!

What I'm Watching: I finally saw Watchmen and I was impressed with how faithful it was to the comic book, right down to specific panels. Jon and I really enjoyed it, but we encouraged Brenden to go play on the computer because this isn't a kid's movie. Especially when we get to Rorshach's backstory. Yikes!

Besides the (for the most part) faithfulness to the source material, the casting was spot on. I only recognized 2 names - Billy Crudup, whom I remember from Almost Famous, played Dr. Manhattan (He of the Big Blue Wang), and Jackie Earl Haley, whom I remember from the original The Bad News Bears, played Rorshach. Rorshach was my favorite character from the comic book and Haley gave an award-worthy performance here. It will probably be a Saturn instead of an Oscar, but what can you do?

The Comedian, Ozymandias, Nite Owl II, and Silk Spectre II were all perfectly cast. I was really impressed with Nite Owl II - out of his costume he was a nerdy middle-aged wimp and when he gazed longinly at his costume, the costume looked silly. However when he finally put on the costume again he looked and acted badass and was a completely believable superhero.

I was a little disappointed at the change at the end, but not really at the change at how the destruction was caused, but who was blamed for it. Actually, that didn't bother me nearly as much as Dr. Manhattan not getting the last word in on the bad guy's little victory dance. One of my deeply held beliefs is the end never justifies the means because things don't end, so when I read the comic and Dr. Manhattan echoed that sentiment it really resonated for me. He should have gotten to say that.

Mal(evolent)

Zoe, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

This post is not really cat-related. But speaking of, our two new cats are devil's spawn but hell, they're cats so that's not unexpected.

I've been having problems sleeping, and while tossing and turning last night I got to thinking about BSG. I miss Starbuck and Madame Airlock mightily.

It might be time for a BSG rewatch, but I have been wanting to re-watch the X-Files as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Not to mention I'm rewatching Lost.

Speaking of Buffy and BSG, Jane Espenson has a co-creator credit for the new sciFi Syfy show, Warehouse 13. It's a little uneven, but cute and I can definitely see the Jane influence in the humor (but without the bite. Usually with Jane Espenson if something is really really funny you cringe because something is about to happen that's the equivalent of being smacked with a two-by-four. Or kicked in the nuts, take your pick). Still, it's something to watch until my other shows start up again.

I mean, show. The only thing I watch religiously is Lost, and that's ending after next season. Well, there's Dollhouse, but I trust Fox about as far as I can throw a moose. Maybe it *is* time to revisit all those old shows. Remind me to buy Firefly and Veronica Mars on DVD before they go out of stock/print.

Jayne says (meow)

Jayne, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

What I'm reading:

I'm pretty exhausted from reading all but the first two novels (which I read earlier this year) in a row in Harry Turtledove's alternate history series- what if the South had won the civil war? There are 11 books in all - the first deals with a second Mexican war when the Confederate states buy enough of Mexico to extend their borders to the Pacific. The U.S. objects and the South kicks their ass again.

Then the next 3 books deal with World War 1 and the U.s. and the Confederacy find themselves on opposing sides due to who their allies are (Confederacy is aligned w/England and France and U.S. is aligned with Germany). During these books I was ambivalent as to whose side I was on. The U.S. invades Canada and treats Canadians like doo-doo, and the Mormons rebel in Utah and they are treated like ultra doo-doo. The South has problems too, like their black population deciding to rebel (England and France convinced the confederacy to give up slavery, but blacks are still treated like mega doo-doo).

I had hope for the Confederacy even though they lost because near the end of the war they decided to let blacks into the army and promised the ones who fought full citizenship rights. I thought that was a step in the right direction.

My hopes were dashed in the next 3 books, an interlude between world wars, when a bitter Confederate Veteran organizes a political Party that pretty much blames all black people for the South's problems. So this Southern dictator rises to power, browbeats the pacifist Socialist president of the U.S. (ya rly) into giving back some of the land they took in Kentucky and Texas, and then launches World War II (the subject of the last 4 books). He also launches the methodical extermination of all black people in the south.

I was definitely on the U.S.'s side during this war, but they weren't good guys. They didn't allow blacks to come into the U.S. nor when evidence of the massacres come to light did they even seem to care.

The books are very disturbing at this point and I wondered why I put myself through them. I guess because ultimately it was a fascinating read. And once I get started on some stupid series I have a tough time walking away from it. Yes, I'm waiting for the next book in the Wheel of Time series. Why do you ask?

But damn, I'm exhausted. I have started on some Dean Koontz books that Nancy gave me. If Stephen King is the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries, then Koontz is the literary equivalent of a bag of Doritos. Not that there's anything wrong with Big Macs and Doritos (mmmmmmmmm).

What Boykins do Best Part Dos

What Boykins do Best, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

My brother Ed and I 'talk' via IM pretty much every weekday. When we aren't bitching to each other about the pointy headed people that make our jobs miserable, we're gossiping. We do not gossip about our neighbors or about movie stars, but we do gossip about movies and TV. Here's a typical exchange:

Sandy says: NBC is remaking the rockford files
Ed says: Someone is doing a Gunsmoke movie
Sandy says: Eesh.
Ed says: and John Hughes died
Sandy says:Yar, I saw that
Ed says: yah. Probably revenge from Jay & Silent Bob
Sandy says: If Jim Rockford is not a middle-aged shlub who lives in a trailer in this 're-imagining' I'm gonna be pissed.
Ed says: yup
Sandy says: Also, if they don't have the answering machine before the credits I'll be REALLY pissed
Ed says: lol, I forgot about that
Sandy says: Man, that was the best part! I wonder if they'll re-do the theme or use something completely different. You know, if John Hughes is dead, I wonder how far off remakes of The Breakfast Club and Home Alone are
Ed says: Ferris Bueller, 16 Candles
Sandy says: Yar, those too. And one of my favorites, Some Kind of Wonderful
Ed says: Weird Science, Planes Trains and Autos, jeez
Sandy says: Yar, Pretty in Pink. The guy defined the 80's
Ed says: Yeah

What does your dad do for a living?

IMG_2940, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

For your viewing pleasure, here is a link to Jon's jump from the blimp. I'm still pretty jealous; he got paid for it!

Kitty Update

IMG_2973, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

I took Zoe Mal and Jayne to the vet yesterday where they received some vaccination shots, a de-worming pill (the vet said it was cheaper just to give them the meds instead of checking so I said go ahead), and a general checkup. They are both healthy, rambunctious kitties. They also have ear mites, a gift from their outdoorsy mom.

Because kitty ear mites are highly contagious, the vet recommended I put the prescribed ear drops in Big Fat Kitty's ears as well. Mal and Jayne took the drops in stride, but Big Fat Kitty was having NONE OF IT.

I'm glad I only know a smattering of cat language because I was cursed out pretty soundly by an angry 22 pound kitty cat. Jon helped so I eventually got the drops in his ears.

I have to repeat the process every 7 days for 4 weeks. I'm looking forward to it.

Unintentional LOLcat

More cuteness, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am embarrassed pleased to introduce you to Jayne (grey kitty) and Mal (black kitty). Yes, he's a guy. I thought he had some tackle, but I was going by what the woman who gave them to me said. Oh, well.

Baa Haabaa

bar harbor 045, originally uploaded by Aviator_edb.

My brother and his wife went on an RV vacation last week to Bar Harbor. So I'm stealing his vacation photos.

The pain is managable thanks to modern chemistry. I don't worry about addiction because when I was going through mastectomy recovery and getting my implant filled every week, the plastic surgeon prescribed me oodles of Darvocet and I popped those like M & M's. When I finally had my reconstructive surgery and recovered and the pills ran out, I essentially had been on pain meds for over 6 months.

When they did finally ran out, I was bummed for a week. Apparently pain meds suppress the manufacturing of endorphins (nature's feel-good chemicals) and it takes a while for natural production to get cranking again. I finally started feeling better and while I did miss the drugs some, the feeling didn't overwhelm me.

If I have to face surgery again, I am buoyed by knowing two coworkers who have had discs removed and their spines fused. Both of them are very happy with the results. We also marvelled at the fact that everything starts to break down once you reach the magical age of 40. What the heck happens when you reach 40? Does your body's warranty expire or something?

I need to find recipes that Brenden can safely cook. Non-heat recipes might be best. He has really taken to messing up my kitchen. I supply him with ingredients I don't really care about - rice, oatmeal, salt, sugar, parsely flakes, etc. and he goes to town. All I have to do is sit at the table and read a book and call him 'Spongebob' every once in a while.

Spongebob is a good role-model in some ways. He is a good example of how attitude affects everything. He loves what most people would consider a crappy job (short-order cook) because he's just a cheerful little sponge. And he is a hard-working, excellent cook and employee. I would love Brenden to emulate those qualities. I just hope he doesn't pick up Spongebob's habit of overreacting to everything (I may be a little too late there to stop that ).

ZOMGWTF

Red Brenden, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Getting The MRI itself was uneventful. I'm glad I'm not claustrophobic is all I'll say. My doctor's office called this morning and the doc must have seen something in the MRI because I'm being referred to a specialist. A specialist of what, I neglected to ask. I also neglected to ask for a hint of what the doctor discovered.

The specialist's receptionist called after lunch, and I'm scheduled for an appointment August 18th and the specialist is A FREAKING SPINE SURGEON. I finally asked some questions but his receptionist was clueless. I called back to my doctor's and he and his nurse are gone for the day so I have to call back tomorrow morning.

You know, my seemingly constant medical problems had me believing I'm some kind of hypochondriac. But wtf am I supposed to think now?

In other nicer news, Brenden washed the dishes last night. He was pretending to be Spongebob working at the Krusty Krab (Brenden likes to cook and makes some good scrambled eggs, too). Every once in a while he would walk over to me (I was sitting at the table reading my Kindle) so that I would have to say "Get back to work, Spongebob! Yer losin me money, Spongebob! Think about the customers, Spongebob!" in my best Mr. Krab's voice. He thought it was great fun. Me, too, arrr.

Randomized Post

Brenden Zoe and Jayne, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

I definitely think my pinched nerve is getting better. I woke up Friday and noticed my arms didn't feel like they were falling off. Waking up is always when the pain is at its worst and I think it's because I try to sleep on my belly so my arms are under my pillow. But anyways they ached and were annoying but I wasn't whimpering like a kicked puppy. I have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow, anyway. I wonder if that vertabrae I broke when I was 15 is involved.

Even though I have given up skydiving and I don't really miss it, I am totally envious of my husband. One of the fun things about skydiving is finding different types of aircraft to jump out of. In my illustrious career I've jumped out of King Airs, Queen Airs, Twin Otters, Super Twin Otters, CASAs, Skyvans, Caravans, Cessna 172s, a Cessna 195 (with a radial engine! that was so kewl!) and fleets of Cessna 182s. I've jumped out of Bell and Sikorsky helicopters and on two memorable occasions hot air balloons.

But I, and the vast, VAST majority of skydivers have never jumped out of dirigables. Yes, my darling husband was down in L.A. (Lower Alabama) jumping out of a BLIMP! And to put salt on the wound he got paid for it! Most of the time you have to pay through the nose to jump out of something exotic like that. It's pretty nifty, he was a stunt double / camera man for a commercial for a Casino down there somewhere. Photos I hope (plus a link to the commercial, eventually) soon come.

Brenden is taking advantage of my disability - Sunday I took him to the local Dairy Queen to play in their enclosed play area. He and whatever kid available were having a terrific time, but after 2 1/2 hours my butt was getting sore so I told him we were leaving. To my embarrasment he fought like hell with me. Disgusted, I gathered everything and headed for the car. My intent was to put everything I could in the car so I could have 2 arms available. I was going to go back and throw him over my shoulder if I could (and whack his bottom good if I couldn't). But instead I turn around and a nice lady was leading him out of the store and he ran to me crying his head off! I was so embarrassed - he thought I was leaving him! Maybe I should have explained to him what I was going to do.

Instead of spanking him I gave him a hug and told him I would never leave him somewhere like that. Sheesh, I felt like such a shmuck. Still, it got him out of the play area...

Speaking of Brenden, I love that he will play with anyone, no matter the age, sex, race, whatever. I so hope he maintains that and doesn't let peer pressure convince him that girls have cooties or people with better suntans are inferior to his pink butt. So I love how much he loves Dora the Explorer. Never mind that she (and Diego, and Handy Manny, whom he likes as well) are hispanic, but one of his heroes is a girl! Well he of course is in awe of Sandy the Squirrel (he thinks I was named after her), but he really enjoys Dora. I hate the commercials I've seen for toys like Dora's make-up kit and Dora's kitchen. They don't need to make her more appealing to girls like that. The only thing I can see that doing is alienating the boy fans she has. Boo!

Guess What?

chickenbutt, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Nerve is still pinched; I haven't done much the last week but pop pills and complain so I'll limit the complaining.

The doc has ordered the MRI; I don't know when it will be scheduled because the insurance company has to okay it first.

Doctor's Visit

IMG_3024, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

The doc ordered some x-rays, and said "Yep, you have a pinched nerve in your neck."

I actually don't know if he saw anything at all in the x-rays; that's just what he told me.

He also said most cases clear up on their own. He prescribed me more painkillers and muscle relaxants plus a week's worth of my old friend Prednisone. If it doesn't clear up or at least start getting better in a week, then he'll recommend a specialist.

I slept better last night, so maybe it's getting better.

Another good post to ignore

A matter of perspective, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

So I think I have won Old Person's Disease Bingo. I think I won Saturay, when I started experiencing a little aching in my forearms. As the day wore on the ache spread to my shoulders, and I managed to sleep for a few hours but I woke up with my back and arms on fire.

I called Jon and asked him to come get me to take me to the hospital when it became apparent to me that the pain was not going to go away. Stacey watched Brenden for us and we went to Decatur hospital. It's a shorter trip to Hartselle's little ER but Decatur is better equipped. I had a hard time staying still in the car seat and that was an excruciating 15 minute drive.

We didn't have to wait long but the entire time I couldn't sit or lay down; I had to continually walk around with my arms crossed over my chest.

I'm having a tough time remembering everything, but the doc eventually ordered some shots for me including a muscle relaxant, a steroid, and "morphine". "Morphine" is in quotes because I'm convinced that there was nothing but water in that syringe. I paced for 20 minutes while the muscle relaxant did it's job. While I was far more relaxed about it, none of the pain went away so I complained but the doc waited another 20 minutes before he gave me something real.

I think I woke up long enough to say "Yep, that did the trick" and I vaguely remember the drive home.

So what the hell is going on? I think it's a pinched nerve in my back. The doc gave me prescriptions for a painkiller and a muscle relaxant, and I don't need them until I go to sleep and then I need them again when I wake up because of pain. The symptoms: burning pain up and down both arms, I can't extend my left arm all the way without more pain, numbness and tingling both forearms and hands, and a loss of strength in my left hand.

Bummer. I go see the doctor tomorrow. If I need another operation I'm going to scream.

Some cuteness for the weekend

More cuteness, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

That is all.
Eom.

Ignore this post and look at the fuzzy kittties

Snug and smug, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

I'm tired today and desperately want coffee. I have not succumbed yet, however.

I'm sorry that XM and Sirius merged. I lost my favorite station, Fred, and 1st Wave is a poor substitute. The new stations all seem to have less variation. I try to listen to Lithium, for instance, the 90's station, but dammit, all they play is Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. I know for a fact there were more than 3 popular bands from the 90's.

I'm listening to Octane as well. It's difficult for me to describe the music. Much of it is hard rock, I suppose, with some reminding me of what I would call progressive. Matter of fact I keep hearing music that reminds me strongly of old skool King Crimson, not that there's anything wrong with that. It keeps reminding me that I only have "Red" on CD. I need to get "Starless and Bible Black" and "In the Court of the Crimson King".

The band that reminds me strongest of King Crimson is Tool, only without all the frippery.

Sandy's Choice

IMG_3027, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Jon and Brenden traveled to South Carolina for Jon's brother's twin's christening. I stayed home and freed myself from the evil clutches of caffeine. I had to do it; I'm pretty sure caffeine is one of my triggers for migraines.

I'm pretty sure alcohol is one of my triggers, too. I couldn't bring myself to give up both of them, not at the same time, so I made what I thought would be an impossible choice - give up the beer of give up the coffee. May nobody reading this have to make such a horrible choice. It's not Sophie's Choice, but it's darn close.

It has been over 100 hours and I'm doing fine. I'm surprised; I'm sure I've been addicted to caffeine for the last 40 years. Maybe my body is just living of a large residual effect and I'm going to crash in 2010 sometime.

Jon and B had fun; Jon reports compared to other kids Brenden is an angel. *Heh!*

Speaking of angels our two new kitties are devil's spawn - especially Jayne. Now if you remember I picked out Zoe and B picked out Jayne. But Brenden prefers Zoe so now she's his kittie and I'm stuck with the cat they call Jayne.

Orange Noms

Orange Noms, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

I took Brenden to my mom's house this weekend (no photos - I forgot to pack the camera). Brenden has wanted to fish since we went there last time so Mom and Price rigged him up a very nice child-sized rod & reel. The reel is a fixed spool type, where you have to hold onto the line, flip the bail open, then let go as you cast. I had to look that up on Google. Google is my friend!

They rigged it up to fish with a cork and bait, which means you cast it then you wait. Brenden wanted to cast and reel it in, cast and reel it in, etc. We went out on their boat, but it was so stifling hot we didn't stay long. Brenden kept busy for a good hour though. Me, I got heat exhaustion. Also I had to convince Brenden he did not want to keep a dead minnow and fortunately Price caught a catfish so B's attention was deflected enough that I threw the poor fish over with only a little whining from el jefe.

Sunday morning when it was still relatively cool, I set up my reel again with a dead minnow (they were all dead from the heat by then) and went about teaching Brenden how to cast properly. The rod & reel are perfect for a little guy - he got some good casts in, but getting him to let go of the line consistently so it would be thrown forward was tricky.

I finally noticed that something was on my line (fortunately Mom and Price have rod holders on their dock) so I reeled in a nice-sized catfish. Brenden was very excited about that. He totally loves the concept of fishing but he has the patience of a ferret on meth.

On our way home Brenden got bubblegum in his hair. We were pulled over on a service ramp on the highway and I was trying to use an ice pack to get the gum cold enough to get off his hair and poor Brenden was crying hysterically. I actually said "what in the world possessed you to put gum in your hair?"

Like I never did that when I was a kid.

That was our weekend.

65 Questions You’ve Probably Never Been Asked

Brenden and Zoe, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

Via Helly's Hellhole

1. First thing you wash in the shower?
My hair.

2. What color is your favorite hoodie?
Grey.

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?
Yes!

4. Do you plan outfits?
Sure. Blue jeans + clean shirt. That's planning, right?

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now?
Mellow. I've cut down on caffeine and I'm surprised at how much better I feel.

6. Whats the closest thing to you that’s red?
A book on XML.

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having?
Sigh. Flesh-eating zombies, blah de blah de blah.

8. Did you meet anybody new today?
No.

9. What are you craving right now?
St. John!

10. Do you floss?
No.

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage?
Sauerkraut!

12. Are you emotional?
Not as much as most people.

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000?
When I was a kid, sure.

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it?
I bite it.

15. Do you like your hair?
Not completely - it's do straight and fine I'd have to use krazy glue to put it up in any king of hair do.

16. Do you like yourself?
Not completely. We get along most of the time, but sometimes we get into some pretty viscious arguments.

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush?
He likes barbeque, I like barbeque, why the heck not?

18. What are you listening to right now?
The hum coming from the server room.

19. Are your parents strict?
Nah.

20. Would you go sky diving?
I did it 1109 times until I got pregnant.

21. Do you like cottage cheese?
I eat it every day for breakfast. so that's a yes.

22. Have you ever met a celebrity?
No.

23. Do you rent movies often?
Not anymore. Used to do it constantly.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in?
No.

25. How many countries have you visited?
I've visited Canada, Costa Rica, and England. Wait, I guess I visited the Bahamas, too; even though Disney owns the island. So that's 4.

26. Have you made a prank phone call?
No.

27. Ever been on a train?
Ever since my little guy got obsessed, I've been on several train rides in the last few years.

28. Brown or white eggs?
What's cheapest.

29. Do you have a cell-phone?
Yes.

30. Do you use chapstick?
In the winter.

31. Do you own a gun?
Firestar 9mm and a Mossberg security shotgun.

32. Can you use chopsticks?
Sort of.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight?
Brenden, Jayne, Zoe, and Big Fat Kitty.

34. Are you too forgiving?
I don't think so.

35. Ever been in love?
Yes.

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow?
Working at the drop zone.

37. Ever have cream puffs?
Yes.

38. Last time you cried?
The end of Battlestar Galactica.

39. What was the last question you asked?
"What version?"

40. Favorite time of the year?
Fall! I've said this before - Winter is cold and no fun because there's no snow. Spring in Alabama lasts 3 weeks and we live in mortal terror because the tornado warning sirens go off almost every day. Summer cranks up immediately and there is no letup. But falls are wonderful, cooler but not so cool you have to wear a coat.

41. Who did you last call?
Wal-Greens to get my migraine meds refilled.

42. Are you sarcastic?
I aim more for sardonic.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect?
Unfortunately.

44. Ever walked into a wall?
Yes.

45. Favorite color?
Blue.

46. Have you ever slapped someone?
Yes. Let's not go into details.

47. Is your hair curly?
Straight.

48. What was the last CD you bought?
An actual, physical, CD? Hrm... I think it was something by Front Line Assembly.

49. Do looks matter?
Yes. I don't think I'm picky and considering my looks that would only be right.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?
I don't want to talk about that either.

51. Is your phone bill sky high?
No. I hate the thing hence don't use it that much.

52. Do you like your life right now?
Yes. Sometimes I feel the grind but more often and not I count myself as lucky.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?
No.

54. Can you handle the truth?
I like to think I can.

55. Do you have good vision?
Hah. No.

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?
I don't think I hate any one. I definitely dislike more than 3 people, but most people I just don't give a poop.

57. How often do you talk on the phone?
As little as possible.


58. The last person you held hands with?
Brenden! We were walking across the street to get the mail.


59. What are you wearing?
Blue Jeans + a skydiving tee-shirt I took from my husband.

60.What is your favorite animal?
Bengal Tiger. Pretty!

61. Where was your default picture taken?
At home.

62. Can you hula hoop?
Heck, no.

63. Do you have a job?
Yes.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?
A pair of flip-flops for Brenden and some shorts for me.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?
I used to do it all the time when I was a kid.

Around the pool

Around the pool 2, originally uploaded by Sandra Maynard.

This photo shows where our vacation to Puerto Rico went. Ouch! It certainly looks a lot better, though.

we really do need to clean the junk out of the back yard, we know. It's a total mess! It's too freakin hot to do anything but swim. And the water was 89 degrees yesterday afternoon!

Jon and I decided not to put the hot tub back on the patio. We're going to pour our own concrete slab to the side and place it there. Yay, I get my window back! (It used to be right in front of that long window in the picture).