FYI

1. My hair looks much better. Thanks for asking. I know you were all concerned.

2. I've read on several blogs lately about the authors' obsessiveness with grammar, style, and punctuation. It has me all twitchy. I share the love of all things being done correctly. I LOVE to help my boys with their grammar homework. I like things that have set rules like that. ( I love, love, love to diagram sentences!) However, I'm sure you have noticed that my blog-writing does not exhibit this love of grammar. This is because I really really do NOT have time to edit this thing they way I would edit other things like papers and correspondence. You guys are lucky I even hit the spellcheck button. My competitive and ego-driven self, though, is now freaking out that all of you natural writers out there think that I am some dumb idiot with no grasp of the written language arts. I assure that I can write correctly. I just cannot allow myself to obsess about such things here. It would make me crazier than I already am. I consider the blog more of a conversation with friends than an actual written composition. Can that be my excuse?

Gonna wash that gray right outta my hair!

I have always highlighted my hair. Well, now those highlights are accentuating my *gasp* grays. So, today, for the first time, I am going to actually color my whole darn head to cover those pesky signs of aging. I'm a little afraid that I will leave the salon looking like a goth chic.*

I realize that this isn't that big of a deal. However, to me it feels like turning a corner. Albeit, a vain corner, but still a corner. What's next? Will I be asking Rich to get me some botulism for Christmas?

I can remember when I was 14 or 15 and tried to make myself appear older. What the hell was I thinking?

* Nothing wrong with being a goth chic - just very not me!
* Goth, however, still beats the helmet-like Texas Big Hair

The Short Version

Okay, so I have been a bit remiss in all of the Thanksgiving posting. Here is the short version:

Spent Thanksgiving with one of my bestest friends in the whole world that I never get to see because she is always too far away. It was great. I cooked until I could cook no more and she kept up with the dishes as I blazed through her kitchen. Her kids are so big and old! We ate many leftovers. We went shopping (NOT at 4 am!) We were complete girls and gave her a make-up makeover. The Friday after Thanksgiving was Enid Lights Up the Plains. Very cool small town holiday tradition in the town square. An hour before we were supposed to start heading downtown it began to snow. It kept right on snowing all. night. long. So, there we were in the twinkly, lit-up town square drinking hot chocolate, watching fireworks set to Christmas music as snow was falling. Seriously? Does it get any better? Then the kids started complaining that they were cold. Are you kidding me? Susan and I responded to this by singing and dancing to the music and embarrassing the crap out of them by doing so. We went home and warmed up by the fire (and roasted a few marshmallows in said fire) while watching Elf. Holiday Bliss.

Now I am home and can NOT get my head above water. I am drowning in housework and errands, yet all I really want to do is start decorating for Christmas and sip my drinking chocolate. Must clean first! There are just not enough hours in the day. I suppose sitting here writing this is not helping me to get anything done! So, I am off to tackle the to-do list.

How do you guys do it all? Especially you working moms? I need advice!

Help!!!

I think I am being sucked in...can't hold on much longer....

I am heading to OK next week. SusannaBanana informs me that it is cold and her beautiful historic home can be drafty. Bring warm PJs she says. Since I live on the surface of the freakin' sun where it is still 80 f-ing degrees outside most of the time, this means shopping.

I bought these. I could have purchased the adorably preppy black and white with pink trim ( I still may), but WHAT did I actually purchase??? Freaking cowgirl pajamas! I am being brainwashed into finding this kitschy and cute. Help me!

Yesterday: Evidence that I am weird Today: Evidence that I am an idiot

When I linked to my perfume yesterday I linked to the wrong one! How much of a ditz can I be? The Estee Lauder one I linked to, was one that didn't repulse me during my search for a scent I liked. It was not the winner of that search. Here is the correct one (as if you care).

This is my scent of choice.

I was going to bore you with Thanksgiving menu details, but, alas, you will have to wait for such (and I know you will be waiting with bated breath!) since herself has tagged me with the 7-weird things meme. And, if you know me, you know that I have plenty o' weird to blab about.

Here's the meme info:- Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself.- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.- Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

So, without further ado...

1. I have an issue with counters. Ask anyone who knows me, I HATE things to be on the counter (most especially the kitchen counter). Normal people have things like toasters, salt and pepper, canisters, and the like on their kitchen counters. Not me. They have to be put away after use. I have had to let go of some of this stupidity because my kitchen looked like a vacant house for sale and my husband, rightfully, complained about it looking sterile rather than inviting. Currently I have allowed a pretty glass bowl of fruit (currently empty) and a small wine rack. Also, my beloved KitchenAid now remains out because the dopes who re-did this kitchen were not so smart as the ones from my last house who put in a cabinet especially for the mixer itself, and then built little cubbies into the cabinet for the attachments. Oh, how I long for my cabinet back!

2. I have conversations with people (who aren't really there) in the mirror. Yep, call the crazy bus, I need a ride. Seriously, I bet you all do this, don't you? Someone majorly pisses you off. You can't tell them off like would like to because you have some sense of professionalism and propriety. So,you have that conversation with them while you admire and perfect your bitchy facial expressions and gesturing. Hey, you never know when you might just let "em have it for real, and you need to be on top of your game!

3. I HATE fresh tomatoes. Yes, I know I'm all about fabulous food and cuisine, but I hate fresh tomatoes. It is not fitting. I have tried, really I have. I force myself to eat them on occasion just to see if my taste buds have turned over a new leaf. And every. single. time. I want to vomit. I do happen to very much enjoy sun-dried tomatoes. Weird. I know.

4. My perfume makes me sneeze, but I keep wearing it anyway. I am very very very picky about perfume. Hate most all of them, but love this one, so I'm going to keep on sneezing, and smell good doing so.

5. I lived in Japan for three years and I still hate most sushi? How is that possible?

6. My husband never refers to me by real name. For years, I have been, "Larry." (long story) Lately, however, Ive noticed that he is slowly phasing in "Meredith" and "Meredith Baxter Birney." Is he trying to call me a made for Lifetime TV psycho?

7. I am married to a pilot, but HATE, despise, loath traveling by plane. In fact, my hatred of air travel is so intense, that I do not think the English language has a strong enough word for it. This irony cracks my mother up.

So, there. If you were not already aware that I am weird, now you know. If you already knew, now you have more evidence.

Im not going to tag seven people, because I'm just throwing it out there for everyone! Make me feel less alone in my eccentricities.

See? Not a Pessimist, Just a Realist **UPDATED**

Evidence of the pitfalls of optimism:

This just appeared in my inbox. (blah-blahs inserted to erase name of companies/peoples in case I'm not supposed to publish this crap for some kind of internal company mumbo-jumbo)

November 12, 2007
Due to the problems submitting bids via bid sort programs just before the bids closed on Sunday, November 11, 2007, bidding has been reopened as of 0955 Central on Monday, November 12, 2007 and will close at 1700 Central on Monday, November 12, 2007.There are still intermittent problems submitting with bid sort programs, so please use blah-blah and don't forget to GET AND PRINT a bid receipt.If you already had a valid bid in, there is no need to resubmit. This bid period extension is for those pilots who experienced problems on Sunday, November 11, 2007.

--blah-blah Scheduling -- blah-blah Contract Administration

If he still gets the schedule he was awarded yesterday I'll be thrilled, but I refuse to be excited until that is confirmed (which I kinda doubt will happen). Cross your fingers for us, will ya?

**UPDATE** Thank God I did not tell the kids - he, of course, in spite of your crossed fingers, will not be here. Well, he will be on reserve, so technically he could be here if they do not call him in. Seriously, like some dork isn't going to call in "sick" and my husband won't get called in to fly his trip???? Ha! Experience has taught me better than that! I should not complain I suppose considering those people who will be mourning loved ones who will not ever be there for Christmas morning, or soldiers overseas in hot, sandy places...but seriously, 4 damn years in a row? When do my kids (and their dad) catch a break?

Because I'm Just a Little Bit Nuts

I feel the need to change the colors of the template around to reflect the seasons. Won't the Christmas one be obnoxious? Now if I could only insert a little music player....

Speaking of....

I am so excited! - sort of. Rich has informed me that he will be home for Christmas! (yes, I can hear you all humming now.)

There are still 24 hours until we see that in writing. So, am I an optimist who believes and is excited and thrilled? (he hasn't been home for any of the past 3 Christmases) Or, am I a pessimist who plans for the worst so as not to be disappointed? It is a quandary. I really want to be an optimist. I see myself as a positive person, but I so hate the disappointment that sometimes comes a side-dish to optimism. I felt so badly that he was dismayed when I didn't jump up and down and squeal my delight upon his delivery of the news. You know, as if I have ever reacted that way to anything, ever.

Speaking of the approaching holidays...I was talking to some neighborhood friends who were discussing Christmas card photos. They were saying that when they start getting pictures of only the kids that they assume mom and/or dad has let themselves go OR mom and dad are just sticking out the marriage until the holidays are over. Holy crap! How depressing is that? So, my question for all of you is, do you agree? Do I have to get a family picture taken care of before the man o' the house leaves for the next extended absence?

Speaking of the holidays, have you made Christmas shopping lists? Are there any "it" gifts I am somehow unaware of? Tween boys are a tough crowd to shop for! If you have any of those on your shopping lists, Id love to know what you are thinking of gifting to them.

Speaking of tween boys - Did I mention I had 5 of them in my house all day and night on Saturday? Nice boys. But. did I mention I still have a headache? Do you know how much food tween boys can consume? However, I will forgive them almost anything because they were all so sweet and inclusive of the little Grant who, of course, thought that he was one of them. Favorite quote of the night from Grant:

"Oh crap*, mommy, Luke Skywalker is trying to kill me!" Jamie and all of his friends were chasing Grant with light sabers they won as prizes at the infamous fall festival.

Speaking of the fall festival - did I mention that it seems I'll be doing that again next year?

* I did not say that I approve of this language for my 4-yr -old, I am just accurately reporting the event. I guess I should be mildly thankful that it wasn't something worse given the number of middle school boys here.

Confusion and People Who Are Smarter Than Me

Let's be clear - Texas is still scary to me. The big hair, the weird state pride, the starched denim, the belt buckles, and most especially the blind conservatism...they still scare me. However, there are things I have come to like around here. I've made friends, I've been to the rodeo, and dare I say, this has become home. Its confusing, because while I still find this place bizarre and make fun of it almost by the minute, I'm starting to like living here.

It has taken someone smarter and funnier than me to coin a phrase that describes me to a "T". Tessie over at Messing With Texas called herself a "reluctant Texan." Brilliant!

So, now if the chic who wrote the book that led me to the name of this blog threatens to sue me for stealing her title, I'll have a back-up name, The Reluctant Texan. Wish I had thought of it sooner!

Another Installment From Hooters

Really, we actually do eat at other (better) restaurants than Hooters. I suppose I never mention it because it is never as interesting as what happens at "the owl restaurant." (as Grant calls it)

So, Tuesday night we grabbed some oh-so-good-for-you wings after picking Jamie up from tennis. And, yes, one of my children was still in their Catholic school uniform. The waitress was friendly and not as dumb as some I have encountered at this establishment. When she was taking our order, however, she started to act a little strange. She was distracted and looking around oddly. Finally, she started laughing and looking down at her leg. Then she looks at us and says, "um, he is rubbing my leg!" Grant was sitting at the end of the table and was fascinated by those fake-tan, crazy panty-hose they wear. So, there you have it - proof of my classiness and mothering - my 4-year-old was feeling up the Hooter's girl.

I'm so proud.