We are fam - ily

My family reunion is this weekend. I wasn't sure it was still going to happen, with everyone coming up for my grandfather's funeral. But we are still having it.

I got put in charge of children's activities on Saturday.

Yippee!!

If all I can post on Monday is Buh Buh Buh Buh Buh Buh you'll know why.

A nice reminder of how stupid I really am.

I have submitted my resume for consideration for a position at the local government office. A requirement of this position is that you take the Civil Service Exam. Yesterday was the written portion.

Actually, my sister and I both applied for that position. So we went together to take the test.

Let's just say that the Lord was giving me hints from the beginning. First we went to the wrong effing building.

See, the government was nice enough to send out letters giving directions and a list of items to bring. Since I didn't have to bring any item, I just skimmed the letter.

Just a word of advice - if you get a letter from the government, READ IT ALL. Word for word, and bring it with you, just in case.

Luckily there was a lady in the building and she told us it was at the Civic Center. So we FLY over there breaking all sorts of speed limits and dodging pedestrians. (Hey, if you see a car coming down the sidewalk, MOVE!)

We get there and end up standing in line! There ended up being 121 people applying for this same position.

Let me tell you - some of those people should not have been there. The test was multiple choice. Standard bubble test. Standard instructions read at the beginning. Make sure you make a complete mark, make sure you don't leave any blank, blah blah blah.

Then it's question/answer time. One lady asked this question "So, if we don't know the answer is it better to leave it blank, or guess and fill one in?"

The procter was much kinder than I would have been. I would have said "If it were up to me, I'd fill it in - Now what is your number again?" Then I would have shredded her test when she turned it in.

Anyhow, I started this test and was immediatly heart broken. All of the questions were multiple choice. 100 total questions - 2 hours to complete. These were the sections and my grade (how I think I did - I will not receive actual results for 3 weeks):

1. Spelling D
2. Math F
3. Comprehension A
4. Budgeting C
5. Office skills A

So as you can see, I did very poorly. I now have a wounded self pride - and I think this answers the question on whether or not I should go back to school.

BUT, based on my interaction with the court system in that City - They will hire me right away!

I wasn't kidding about the napping thing....

In previous posts I have mentioned that sleeping is one of my favorite hobbys. This is a tradition passed down through my family. Many people have a hard time understanding this.

When I was growing up my family did a lot of "visitin". My dad has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Plus one cousin that was raised with him like a brother. So every weekend, and sometimes through the week either we would load up in the car and go to one of their houses, or they would come to us.

The normal routine would be visit for a few minutes while we waited to eat. Then we'd eat. Dad (or Uncles) would have some type of sports on. The women would sit and gossip.

Slowly everyone would find a soft place to crash. It could be on the floor. It could be on the couch. The kids would go to the kids rooms and crash on floors and beds.

Everyone would doze on and off for a few hours.

Anyhow. Since I married the sleep nazi I haven't had the pleasure of that much sleeping. Until yesterday.

I went over to my grandmother's to check on her. I've made it a vow to see her at least once a month, if not more.

So I knock and get no answer. That's weird, because I KNOW she's home. So I try the door and walk right in. I yell for her and she answers. She said she'd been napping on the couch. I told her to go ahead back to napping, that I would nap with her. So I crawled onto my grandpa's favorite chair and kicked back. I could still smell a little bit of his cologne. Grandma was back asleep before I got settled in. Then we slept for about an hour until my sister got there with my kids.

We have decided that during my monthly visits we will nap, then just chat for a few moments before I leave. That's enough bonding for us.

Does anyone else love sleep THAT much? Or is my family a bunch of sleepyheads?

Apologies and reminder

Sorry everyone! My computer was down for 2 days so I didn't get a chance to post. Don't forget today is freaky friday!

Item Number 3 - Large Zip Lock Freezer Bags

I always keep a box of these in my house. I have used them for such a variety of things. I mean the obvious reason is for food. If you buy in bulk at the grocery store, yadda yadda. I also use it to marinate my meat and/or veggies.

Here are the other uses I've found:

Storing smaller zip lock baggies of moon sand and accessories

Small Army Men that invade my living room - blend into my carpt (they are camo) and then stab me in the foot as I walk past. I'll have to have a talk with Santa about bringing parent hurting toys to my house.

Dirty Diapers - nuff said.

Puzzle pieces that have migrated to the wrong room, or the board for the puzzle is currently MIA.

Make up and hair products when I'm traveling. I don't want to take a chance that my mousse will explode and get all over my clothes.

Sometimes I just carry an empty one around looking for things to go into it. Ok, I don't do that. If I did then my house might actually get uncluttered - and I can't have that!!!

Must have item #2 - Automatic reset alarm clock

I purchased this alarm clock about 1 year ago and I LOVE it. I never have to worry about the power going out, or daylight savings time, or anything. I can set one alarm for during the week, and another alarm for the weekend and it knows what day it is.

Some may say this is the work of Satan. I say it's genius. Thank you whoever thought of that.

Top 10 Products and/or items I could not live without - Item 1

I think that we all have certain items we just can't live without. I decided that figuring these out might bring insight into my life and the energy flow around it. Or it might just prove I'm a little weird. Whichever. These are in no significant order.

Item No. 1 - My computer with internet. I rely on this so much it amazes me. During the time I was at my Grandmas I realized how much I had come to rely on it. I look EVERYTHING up. Weather, Bank Balance, some funny story I heard on the radio, biorythems, porn. You know, the important stuff.

I also use it to entertain my husband and children when they have run out of ideas to entertain themselves. Which happens a lot. So for the kids I throw on sesame street or noggin and for the hubby I throw on Youtube or Bubba the Love Sponge.

Back before I had children I use to use it to chat. Not so much now. I'm lucky if I have a chance to sit and pay bills let alone surf the web. I need a wireless I can take to the bathroom with me. And a lock on the bathroom door.

Thank you.

As most of you know, my grandfather passed away last Thursday after a difficult and long battle with cancer. He is greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and congregation. He preached at the same church for over 42 years.

The last week and 1/2 of my life have been very sad and chaotic. However I hope to get back into my groove.

I love and miss you pawpaw.

and you are here with?

The best part about DH's family reunion is that no one in his family knows anyone. Well, ok, my DH and his mom and his brother know his dad's sisters. But other than that, they know no one. Nor do they speak to anyone other than the aunts.

Well that stopped this year. I must have had a sign on that said "Talk to me" because A LOT of people did. Here I thought I had perfected the "stay away" look, but apparently not.

The most popular question of the day was "How do you belong in this family?" When I would explain I would just get funny looks. Who do you belong to again? Oh yeah, ok, I know who that is.....

Then I had to open up my mouth about sending out e-mail reminders regarding the family reunion instead of mailing them. That got a lot of interest.

Who are you again?

How long have you been in this family?

Where do you live?

Then I come to find out that Arthur's Grandmother on his dad's side was french? I'm not sure where the Scottish/Irish come in, but I know that it's in there. Now I need to research his family as well as mine.

I WISH I COULD FIND THE TIME. I need to stop watching TV altogether and get on the computer more.

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to research your family tree? I need all the help I can get.

Kill the Thieves!

On Sunday we had the pleasure of attending my husband's family reunion. It was nothing but fun and adventure from the get go. DH wants us to take "the car". You know, the one we have been fighting about. Ok, whatever. So we all load up and take off. About 1/2 way there, we run out of gas. This is because the previous owner had re-routed the gas system so that it was hooked up to a Gallon Jug under the hood to prevent gas thieves.

But do not fear, DH was prepared and had brought fuel with him, so we just had to wait for him to fill up the 1 gallon jug. We then make it to a gas station where he can top off the gallon jug, and re-fill his refueling jug. During this time I run into the store to get pop and ice. My children, of course, come with me.

So my son picks up a roll of Rollos and starts to open them. Then a fun conversation starts.

Me shouting: Little Man - you can't do that!

Princess K: Yeah, that's stealing.

Me: Very good, that IS stealing. Stealing is bad. Mommy needs to pay for it.

Prince S: Oh, ok mommy, here. (He hands the open rollos over and I start to walk towards the pop).

Princess K shouting: Yeah mom, cause we steal ALL the time, don't we?

Wha? Excuse me? Where did this come from? I frantically look around to see if anyone heard her. The lady stocking the shelf quickly looks away so she won't have to make eye contact. The cash register lady is studying the stickers on the counter.

Me: No, Princess K, we do not always steal. We NEVER steal. Stealing is bad, remember?

Princess K: Oh, that's right. Sorry mom.

I hope I got my point across.

Oh not so much to the kids, but I don't want those perfect strangers thinking I steal!!!