The List

I found this to be very powerful. Please read when you have the time.You will understand.This was sent to me by a friend, it is a bit long, but very wonderfuland meaningful. Please read when you have time. Happy Monday!======================================================================================================================Marriage Partnership, Fall 2005

The List That Saved My Marriage

What an inventory of my husband's shortcomings taught me
By Becky Zerbe

The day had come. I'd lasted as long as I could in my marriage. Once myhusband, Bill, left for work, I packed a bag for myself and our14-month-old son and left our home. It was the only year in our marriedlife when we lived in the same town as my parents. Obviously theconvenience of being able to run to Mom and Dad made my decision toleave Bill easier.With a tear-stained, angry face, I walked into Mom's kitchen. She heldthe baby while I sobbed my declaration of independence. A washcloth andcup of coffee later, Mom told me she and Dad would help me.

I was comforted to know they'd be there for me."But before you leave Bill," she said, "I have one task for you to complete."Mom put down my sleeping son, took a sheet of paper and pen, and drew a vertical line down the middle of the page. She told me to list in theleft column all the things Bill did that made him impossible to livewith. As I looked at the dividing line, I thought she'd then tell me to list all his good qualities on the right hand side. I was determined to have a longer list of bad qualities on the left. This is going to be easy, I thought.

My pen started immediately to scribble down the leftcolumn.Bill never picked his clothes off the floor. He never told me when hewas going outside. He slept in church. He had embarrassing, nasty habits such as blowing his nose or belching at the dinner table. He never bought me nice presents. He refused to match his clothes. He was tight with money. He wouldn't help with the housework. He didn't talk with me.The list went on and on until I'd filled the page. I certainly had more than enough evidence to prove that no woman would be able to live with this man.

Smugly I said, "Now I guess you're going to ask me to list all Bill's good qualities on the right side.""No," she said. "I already know Bill's good qualities. Instead, for each item on the left side, I want you to write how you respond. What do you do?"This was even tougher than listing his good qualities. I'd been thinking about Bill's few, good qualities I could list. I hadn't considered thinking about myself. I knew Mom wasn't going to let me get by without completing her assignment. So I had to start writing.

I'd pout, cry, and get angry. I'd be embarrassed to be with him. I'd act like a "martyr." I'd wish I'd married someone else. I'd give him the silent treatment. I'd feel I was too good for him. The list seemed endless.

When I reached the bottom of the page, Mom picked up the paper and went to the drawer. She took scissors and cut the paper down the vertical line. Taking the left column, she wadded it in her hand and tossed it into the trash. Then she handed me the right column."Becky," she said, "take this list back to your house. Spend today reflecting on these things in your life. Pray about them. I'll keep the baby until this afternoon. If you sincerely do what I ask and still want to leave Bill, Dad and I will do all we can to assist you.

Facing facts, Leaving my luggage and son, I drove back to my house. When I sat on my couch with the piece of paper, I couldn't believe what I was facing. Without the balancing catalogue of Bill's annoying habits, the list looked horrifying.I saw a record of petty behaviors, shameful practices, and destructive responses. I spent the next several hours asking God for forgiveness. I requested strength, guidance, and wisdom in the changes I needed to make. As I continued to pray, I realized how ridiculously I'd behaved. I could barely remember the transgressions I'd written for Bill. How absurd could I be? There was nothing immoral or horrible on that list.I'd honestly been blessed with a good man-not a perfect one, but a good one.

I thought back five years. I'd made a vow to Bill. I would love and honor him in sickness and health. I'd be with him for better or for worse. I said those words in the presence of God, my family, and friends. Yet only this morning, I'd been ready to leave him for trivial annoyances. I jumped back in the car and drove to my parents' house.

I marveled at how different I felt from when I'd first made the trip to see Mom. I now felt peace, relief, and gratitude. When I picked up my son, I was dismayed by how willing I'd been to make such a drastic change in his life. My pettiness almost cost him the opportunity to be exposed daily to a wonderful father.

Quickly, I thanked my mother and flew out the door to return home. By the time Bill returned from work, I was unpacked and waiting. A new outlook I'd love to say that Bill changed. He didn't. He still did all those things that embarrassed and annoyed me, and made me want to explode.The difference came in me.

From that day forward, I had to be responsible not only for my actions in our marriage, but also for my reactions. I think back to one of the items: Bill slept in church. The minute he began to doze always marked the end of my worship time.So often I thought he was rudely uninterested in the message-and my dad was the preacher! It didn't matter that Bill was unable to stay awake any time he sat for a longer period. The entire time he spent nodding, I spent fuming. I'd squirm in the pew, feeling humiliated. I'd wonder whyI ever married this man. I knew he didn't deserve a wife as godly as I was.Yet now I could see myself as I truly was. My pride was hampering a valuable portion of my life-my worship. This problem wasn't Bill's; it was mine.

When Bill fell asleep in church, I began to bathe that time in gratitude and prayer. I took my eyes off Bill and myself and looked to God. Instead of leaving the services in anger, I left in joy. It wasn't long before Bill noticed a difference. He remarked at lunch one Sunday, "You seem to be enjoying the services more lately. I was beginning to think you didn't like the preacher." My immediate instinct was to explain how he'd ruined so many services for me. But instead, I accepted his statement without defense.

Remaking the list.

There have been many times through the years I've had to remake the list. I've continued to ask God to forgive my pathetic reactions and give me his wisdom in dealing with my marriage.

Fifteen years later, at the age of 49, Bill was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. He had to quit his teaching job, leaving me to support our family, which has led to trying days and nights of worry. Watching him fight to maintain abilities to function daily has been inspiring to my sons, as well as to me. We've had to depend on our faith that God is in control-especially when we feel so out of control. We've searched the Bible for answers to questions we struggle to understand.We've spent hours with every emotion from anger to grief. We've asked,"Why?" We've claimed God's peace that passes all understanding. Regrettably, many days I've run short on patience, even though I know Bill can't prevent himself from doing things that try my nerves.

I realize my responsibility is to respond with the love God would have me show. I cry to God to love through me-because I know I'm not capable of loving Bill as God is capable of loving him.Many times I've thanked God for a mother who was a spiritual mentor. Though she must have been tempted, she didn't preach to me or offer her opinion on my behavior. She guided me in discovering a truth that's saved a most treasured possession-my marriage.

If I hadn't learned to respond as a Christian wife to Bill's small problems, I wouldn't be able to respond appropriately to his larger ones now.My son came home one day and asked, "Mom, what are we going to do when Dad doesn't remember us?" My reply was, "We'll remember him. We'll remember the husband and father he was. We'll remember him for all the things he's taught us and the wonderful ways he's loved us."After my son left the room, I chuckled. I was thinking of all the things I'd remember about this man who loved his family and his God. Many of those enduring memories are those same annoying little habits that made their way onto a list of bad qualities so many years ago.=================================================================

Stress, Stress & More Stress

I HATE STRESS!!!

Stress is enemy #1. I have been under it so much lately that it is not even funny.

I am very vocal if I am not comfortable with my stress level. E is not as vocal but can take it better than I can. The thing that bothers me is that my high stress level is what is affecting my chance of conceiving another child. Found that out from my doctor. That scares me. E and I both want another child but in order to do that we have to eliminate the amount of stress in my life. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to do that.

I will have to give E mad props though. His boss, BossMan J, made a comment ot him about making the initiative to be at the office early. He and E talked some more and somewhere in there it was mentioned about E picking up or dropping off B. BossMan J made the comment about how his wife does all that with the kids. E looked at him point blank and said "Your wife does not have a job. She can do that. But my wife does and it is NOT fair to her to have her do both pick up and drop off when she works a full time job too."

Mad props can be rewarded in so many ways ;)

I think it is unfair when those who have the luxury of their wives not having to work think that the rest of the working world husbands should not have to be responsible for their children. I believe that they need to help their wives more and give in 50/50. I firmly believe that my child will be enriched even more by both of us working together to care for him. I believe that he will learn the true value of compromise and working together.

Off my soapbox now.

A Prayer for a Dear Friend

I have just received some very sad news. A dear friend of ours passed away in her sleep suddenly today. Her name was Vicky McCleary. We have known Vicky and the whole McCleary family for a very long time and she was a wonderful supporter of her daughter and a good friend of ours, Jennica. My heart breaks for Jennica as she is a little bit younger than myself and E. Her mother was only 48 years old.

Please keep Jennica and her father, Tim, in your thoughts and prayers. They have always been an extremely close family and I know that this will be an extremely rough road for them.

Like I said before, this is not a good year for parents. I think I am ready for 2005 to be over with.

I DON'T WANT MY TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE!!!!

The time is coming. I will have to get my Texas Drivers License.

Here is the thing. I do not want it!!!!! And I have to get it!!!!!

I was out on the road delivering quotes and a new baby kit. I think I was cut off at least 10 times and then I stopped counting. I was furious. No use of turn signal and no regard for those on the road. I am a considerate driver and I was beyond myself by this point. I have had it.

Also, picking up B from school there is this one light. After 5 PM no one is considerate. They will pull through and block the intersection so that those with the light cannot get through. I had sat through this light for 5 turns and I lost my stuff. I flipped everyone off (double flip as both hands were going) and started cussing obsessively. Do I really care what anyone thought at that point. Not really. I did have to do a quick apology to B in the backseat and luckily I had the radio loud enough that he did not even realize what I was doing.

So from that, I do not want my Texas drivers license. 1) It will admit that I am a resident of this state and from where I am at emotionally I do not care to admit that. 2) It may mean that I need a lobodamy in order to drive here. 3) No reason three but I needed to add it.

I need a break and a fresh start on everything!

Fire Ants and Late Night Work - Both Can Be Evil Things

The past few nights have been pretty busy and somewhat painful!!

Wednesday night we went to E's office to bring food to HollaBack Girl and D-Man. This was at about 8 PM. It was important to me that E contacted the grandparents of his that we are speaking to and let them know we are okay and not in the direct path of the Hurricane. After that, we set up the VCR's to tape LOST for Hollaback Girl and America's Next Top Model for me. Have to get my reality TV fix. We got there at about 8:30 to give them a break and to feed them Vitamin Crap as Martini would put it. Got back late and that meant B was down to bed late. Not good. But he woke early the next morning and went to school with E.

Last night E, D-Man and the two new techs from the merger were moving stuff out of the office that was bought out and over to E's office. B and I went over and brought water and snacks. They needed to eat so I volunteered to get some food for them. Went over to Chick-O-Lay, as B calls it, and ordered quite a bit of food. B stayed with the guys and "helped" to move the copiers. Which meant standing behind the copiers as they were being pushed down the ramp to the truck with his little hands on the copiers. Fed the guys so they could continue for the night.

Took B power grocery shopping and laughed when I saw that the grocery store was bought out of bottled water. We had purchased three cases of water the week before so I was not worried. But boy it was funny to see. I know that we are all freacked about the Hurricane but to see the reality of the freaking out is crazy.

Came home to prepare B for bed and to watch The Apprentice. I "heart" Donald Trump as he is a good business man and a caring soul. All traits I admire in a business professional. As I sat down to take my shoes off my right foot was hurting. Realized why when I took my sock off. I had been bitten by fire ants in two places on my toes. I am highly allergic to insect bites and swell and itch horribly. As I got B bathed and ready for bed I called E and asked how soon he would be home. He was 10 minutes away. I let B stay up to see E because he barely saw him. It made for waking him up this morning a bear but it had to be done.

After B went to bed so did we. E helped me out quite a bit with my foot and made sure I was taken care of. He also gave me a Tylenol PM to sleep without the pain.

Woke up to the pain again this morning and the foot had swollen some more. Got dressed and tried to put on work shoes. It was not happening. The pressure was too much. So I am at work in sandals. Not professional ones either. If anyone asks, I will be more than happy to show them my foot.

But the news of the day. E is geting a work reward and I am a part of it. They are arranging a babysitter for the night for B and E and I will be wisked away somewhere for a romantic overnight getaway. I am excited and nervous at the same time. Jsut nervous about the Hurricane and what is going to happen. It may not be happening but the weekend and Rita will tell.

Preparing for Catastrophe

The past few days have been a true test of wills. As we have Hurricane Rita threatening Texas, we are all under watch as to what to do next.

For me for work that means not being able to write any Property and Casualty policies. No new auto, no new renters, no new homeowners, etc.... We are now reduced to writing only Life, Health and Bank. The heat and pressure are on now as the end of the month is near and we are 4 life policies away from where we need to be. I have been having massive headaches as a result. I hate stress.

We also have been receiving catastrophe e-mails instructing us on what to do. Phone numbers needed, policies to print out, computer and electrical equipment that need to be moved up, etc... For me it is scary. We do not know how far inland the Hurricane will come but we will be as prepared as possible.

Today, I will be going to the store to stock up on non-perishables and water. We also need to find more books and other ways to entertain ourselves if we should lose electricity.

Power Bars and peanut butter, here I come.

We have been offering rooms in our home to those that have been evacuated from Houston. So far no takers but that may change.

I will keep updating as much as I can. But the important thing is that our friends in Ohio know that we are safe and select family members know that we are safe.

All Is Good With A Hot Bubble Bath

The past few days have been extremely stressful. Main part of the stress. MONEY!!!

I will be shorted two days pay over the next two checks. And I discovered today that the next two check are for 10 days, not 11 days. So technically, I will be shorted two days per check. Bills will be even tighter to pay and not fully possible. I have got to get a second job.

E and I started clashing on the work/family issue. He has become used to working extra time since we were in Ohio and he was here in Texas. I felt that I had fallen back into the single mommy role again and that was not acceptable. If that was going to happen then why did we even bother to move here? It was pointless. So, we had our discussion and reminded him of what Martini passed along to me. She has a sign in her office to remind her "Family First". It is easy to forget that when you get wrapped up in work. Are you working for your family or is work working you? I brought up that we need the Family First, Job Next. We don't want it that is states Job First, Family moves back to Ohio.

He worked to partly resolve that. He returned home last night, made dinner for us, spent quality time and put B to bed. Then we drew a hot Jacuzzi bath to finish our family discussion in a relaxed atmosphere. It worked and we both went to bed fully relaxed. It was worth it.

This morning it continued. He got B up, dressed and took him to school. I had the full morning to get prepared for work and focus on the day ahead of me. Tonight I will pick up B and we will hopefully have another good family evening.

Viva La Debt!!

First: Props to me!!

On Friday, I completed an application for my first CD customer through SF Bank!!! This client called Friday morning looking for the interest rates on CD's and said she would be in to start the application process. I was not sure if she would show but she did. And to my surprise, along came a $20,000 money order for the CD! I could not believe it. But was very happy to help her.

On to the weekend....

Got paid and was informed that I was not to be paid for this past holiday or for sick time until I have been at this job for 90 days. I was sick about that. If I would have known that I would have brought the pink-eyed B with me to work, contagious and all, along with my non-vocal self to the office. So now my next two checks will be shorted 8 hours to make up for the time I was paid on this one.

Then E got his check. They raised the health insurance and took more from his check. Once I saw what the amount was they were taking per pay I about threw up. For a month he is paying almost $670 for all three of us. I know there is less expensive insurance out there. I have asked, begged and pleaded for the dec page for their company insurance and no one has been willing or able to share. If they did not want me to work on it that is fine. Just let me know!!

I did my research and found a family insurance plan that has maternity and prescription drug for 1/2 the cost of his current coverage. Drawback and advantage, it has a high deductible. Drawback - deductible. Advantage - Health Savings Account can be opened and is a tax benefit. I can work with that. Now we have to get the money together to start it. The pay is retro that is taken out of his check. Bleh!! Now I can't use that.

Then to sit down with bills. We are still paying bills from Ohio and his apartment in Austin PLUS the bills from here. It is a tremendous strain on us right now. I was wanting to get my hair cut and colored this time and once again I have had to push it back. I thought we were supposed to be ahead of the game and I feel further behind then ever.

Picked up E's new car yesterday. One huge highlight. They filled the tank to the top. He is in heaven with the car and it's little features. I had to hear about them all.

Then we went to a furniture liquidation sale. They are closing this little shack of a store and slashed the prices. I didn't see that big of a price slash but we found a beautiful four piece living room set that I thought was perfect. It is a sofa, loveseat, one and a hal fperson chair and ottoman. I thought for sure they were not offering financing because that was the only way it was happening. But they were and we qualified for 12 months no payment. Yeah!!

There went the tax return this year!!! This ought to be interesting.

Being Sick Ruins Everything

I know it has been a few days since I last blogged. But I have been feeling extremely under the weather. I am a go-go type of person and this has knocked me on my butt!

It started out as a simple summer sniffle and escalated from there. By yesterday I had no voice to speak of. And because of the work that I do, I NEED a voice! It is a necessity.

To top it all off, B woke up and could not open his eyes. They were sealed shut. I had to get the wet washcloth, hold it over his eyes and when he could finally open them I saw what I definitely did not want to see. Pink eye! He had gotten pink eye from somewhere. Therefore, neither of us to leave to go to school or work.

And to add insult to injury, it was E's birthday. Our plans to go out for dinner were shot! E really was not in the mood to celebrate his birthday so that put a damper on the whole thing. At work they had a cake for him. The cake was just wrong. They got a large Longhorn symbol on it and the score from the UT vs. OSU game. They thought it was funny. I did not see the humor in it and I am sure my fellow Buckeye fans can agree with me on this.

Here is hoping to a better Friday.

It's All About The Color Purple

Purple is now officially my favorite color.

Many crazy reasons:

1) It was the color behind my beloved Mrs. Ohio International sash.
2) My State of Texas Notary seal came in. It is purple ink in a lilac colored case.
3) It is ALF's favorite color. I am amazed when she does not wear the color.
4) My water bottle holder is purple with maribou feather on it. Everyone comments on it and loves it.
5) Dimetapp comes in purple and tastes like grape. Which has helped me immensely battle this summer cold.

On the last note, what is up with Tylenol coming out with coating on their OTC drugs that tastes like different flavors? It is brilliant but funny. For example: Vanilla Coated Tylenol PM and Cool Burst Coated Tylenol Cold.

Weekend of woe and wonder

Had a pretty decent weekend this tiem around.

Friday night we went out on D-Man's boat. It is a Cruiser Yacht. Thought I had missed my chance to go as I got stuck in traffic dropping of B to Hollaback Girl. I was thoroughly frustrated but they assured me that we could still make it. E and I met up at the office and headed over to find HB had just gotten there also. Headed over to the dock and they came for us. E was like a duck out of water as he had been raised on Portage Lakes. His grandparents owned several boats so he knew what had to be done. He was allowed to drive the boat and help dock it. During the trip we looked at houses we could never afford and found a boat stuck out in the middle of the lake. We towed them over to a dock and continued our journey. Made another trip around and picked up HB's husband. Came back to the dock we were at and went dancing. All of this would have been much more fun for me if I had not been sick to my stomach all day long and well into the night. Picked up some ginger ale and Saltines and finally by 12:30 AM my stomach had settled. Not without my stomach turning one more time at the smell of Taco Bell.

Saturday was spent car shopping. We had decided to let them total out the other car. It was close in cost to either repair or replace and due to motor damage we replaced it. We went to one of E's accounts and looked at another 2003 Mazda. He has decided to go ahead with the purchase as he enjoyed driving it. I checked everything out and agreed to it. We spent the rest of the day dealing with financing and delivery instructions. It was really starting to irritate me. Now I know why I try to finance beforehand but this helped me with the selling of car loans for my job. We finished at the dealership and headed home for a little rest before the OSU vs. UT game. Went to Hollaback Girl's house for the game. Since I am bad luck for OSU at times I left the room and played computer games while E watched the game and B played with the kids that were there. Didn't help as OSU lost. We are still being razzed for it.

Sunday was a major lazy day. It was raining so we stayed in. I watched the Wife Swap marathon and the boys rested. Got some cleaning done and read a good book. We made a fun S'mores dessert that was one that B could do and made dinner. About 7 PM I was getting antsy so we went to McDonald's for B to play in the play area. It was fun for him and E and I got some quiet time together.

Here is hoping for a good week. It started out with a small summer stuffiness for me. I hate being sick!!

Scrappin the Night Away

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Scrapbook fever is back!!!

Got together last night with KelsAngel and Hollaback Girl for a girl's night and scrapbooking. Went to KelsAngel's house last night. She was a wonderful hostess with pizza and wine to go around. She was also given a bag of clothes that she let us look through. I acquired three shirts and three pairs of jeans! YEAH!!

We spent the night organizing as the girls each got new scrapbook bags. It was like watching kids at Christmas time. It was fun. They were so excited.

I was able to get one page done for our work competition and do a few more cards. I am also into cardmaking right now and made some beautiful cards to sell. Will probably work some more on scrapbook pages after my next paycheck. Need to get photos printed from the digital camera and there is a great deal at the grocery store near us. Each print is $.15 per print. I can handle that.

On to the weekend. We will be car shopping as the Mazda was totalled out. There was engine damage and the power steering was crushed. E has been informed that we need to keep it relatively inexpensive for a new car. I want to pay less, not more, on a new loan.

Plus we are going out on BOssLady's boyfriends boat tonight. A semi-date for E and I. How exciting. Will fill in on more details later.

Dad updat: Heart is operating on 30% capacity. 35% is where they consider for heart transplant. All three of the new arteries from the bypass have collapsed.

Dreams and What They Mean

Last night I had two very vivid dreams that I remembered. It happens on occassion and I wanted to know a little more insight on them. Here they are and what I interpreted from www.dreammoods.com

First dream:

I was back at BossMan's house in Ohio to watch the OSU vs. UT football game. I arrive in the house and everyone was cheering at the game. The whole cheering of O-H-I-O and many other usual Ohio State hoopla was going on. But the main focus was on the game. Then I did the worst thing. I made the Longhorns symbol in the midst of the hoopla.

Interpretation:

Football
To dream that you are watching or playing football, signifies that you will have great satisfaction in your work and your goals will be achieved as you progress through your life.

To dream that you are on a football field, represents competition and showing off. There is a lack of cooperation in some area of your life.


Second Dream:

I am in a hospital and I was in a room in which results were being looked over for a couple that had been trying to have children for quite some time. They had gone through in-vitro numerous times and it was not successful. I was asked to go out to the couple and let them know that they were pregnant with twins. The in-vitro worked. They wanted me to tease the couple and say that it was not a success but I could not in my heart of hearts. So I went to tell them that it was successful, they were pregnant and it was twins. The joy and excitement was overwhelming. Emphasis on the pregnancy

Interpretation:

Pregnant
To dream that you are pregnant, symbolizes an aspect of yourself or some aspect of your personal life that is growing and developing. You may not be ready to talk about it or act on it. This may also represent the birth of a new idea, direction, project or goal.

If you are pregnant and having this dream, then it represents your anxieties about the pregnancy. In the first trimester, your dreams usually consists of tiny creatures, fuzzy animals, flowers, fruit and water. In the second trimester, your dreams will reflect your anxiety about being a good mother and concerns about possible complications with the birth. Dreams of giving birth to a non-human baby are also common during this period of the pregnancy. Finally, in the third trimester, you will tend to dream about your own mother.

To dream that you are pregnant with the baby dying inside of you suggests that a project you had put a lot of effort into is falling apart and slowly deteriorating. Nothing works out the way you want it to.

Twins
To see twins in your dream, signifies ambivalence, dualities and opposites. It also represents security in business, faithfulness, and contentment with life. It may also mean that you are either in harmony with or in conflict between ideas and decisions.

To see twins fighting in your dream, represents a conflict between the opposites of your psyche. One twin signifies emergence of unconscious material and suppressed feelings, while the other twin represents the conscious mind. There is some situation that you are not confronting.

Any thoughts?

I am blessed and I thank God for it.

Yesterday proved to me that there are others that are much worse off than me. And was a constant reminder that I am blessed.

We had three families come in from Louisiana. Two of them retired and one with young children. Our insurance company is the only one to offer advances of their claim money at this time. Score one for us! I felt bad for the family with the younger children. I was allowed to give the children teddy bears that we have so I was happy about that. Each of those families reminded me of what I have and to be thankful.

My brother had to go for his next pre-trial yesterday. It turned out to be the same BS just on a different day. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that all she is after is money. It was proved again in the courtroom and that just bothers me. Since my brother does not have a lot of money I have a bad feeling that she will try somehow to go after my parents and what they have. Which is not a lot either. I have had it with her and her selfishness. But it made me thankful that I am not married to an idiot.

And we received a letter from the Witch-In-Law. On the guilt scale (1 to 10 ranking) it was about an 11. And I am still referred to as "And your family". She wants to work on the problem but can't since he won't talk to her. Duh!! You are married to an alcoholic and we have done our best to let you know what needs to be done. Once again, I was proven how thankful I am to NOT be in a destructive relationship.

And for all of that, I give thanks!!

One last note. HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!! She is three years old today.

The things that children pick up on from thier parents...

This weekend was a nice long relaxing weekend that I truly enjoyed. We have not had a three day weekend together in eons and it was just what the doctor ordered.

We went Friday night to get some of the best Chinese I have ever eaten. It is the best in Round Rock and we were thrilled to be referred there by our friend Hollaback Girl. At dinner I received a surprising call. It was from the original Mrs. Int'l 2004. I have not spoken to her since January and was shocked to hear from her that night. She had a rough beginning to this year and she is starting to come back around to being her old self. We chatted for over an hour on the phone with promise to have more time to talk to one another. She is one of the women that I got close to over the week at Mrs. International and am thrilled to call her a friend. She is a dynamic woman!! Came home and received a present from another dynamic woman that I respect. It was my State Director from Ohio! She sent me a lovely card and a present. It was my DVD from Mrs. Ohio 2005 pageant!! I have been waiting on this and was ecstatic to receive it. I also received a lovely earring and necklace set. They are gorgeous. So Friday Night was a Pageant Night!!!

Saturday we took the time to drive around and find more good deals over Austin. We found the Once Upon A Child here. It is a beautiful store but just a little pricier than the ones in Ohio. But the quality is different also. Fair trade. Also had to take care of my scrapbook needs and pick up a few papers. I am in the midst of making a recipe scrapbook and need paper with food on it. Martini will be jealous as I found a page that has martini glasses all over it. Have to find a good martini recipe to go with that one.
Then went on the search for cheap gas. What a laugh!! I will not complain too horribly as prices in LA and GA are around $5 per gallon. But it still does not make me happy.

Sunday was a new experience. We went to the Catholic church here. I came from an amazing Catholic Church in Ohio and am hoping to find one that can compare. This church was not it. We immediately went to the small chapel where small children can be in. It was very crowded and loud. B was an angel. I was so proud of him. He got antsy towards the end but I was happy he lasted as long as he did. We then left and hit Juarez for some breakfast tacos and pastry. It is quick becoming a Sunday tradition. We spent the rest of the day at the house and watched Hollaback Girls kids while she and AC Man took a bike ride. We then invited them for pizza on the Pizzazz. The best kitchen invention ever made next to the Magic Bullet.

Monday was a time for good relaxation and time to give back. We did some housework and searched through our clothes and toiletries to see what we could donate for Hurricane Katrina Relief. We are being hit hard for donations as we have people here from the Hurricane. We all chipped in and have about four boxes full. We will drop them off tonight. B is even donating toys. Not by his own will but by our letting him know that there are other little kids who lost all of their toys and they would like something to play with. As a result we were able to get rid of the last of the Witch-In-Laws toys. I am thrilled.

And on my own personal pride. I got E to do some low impact aerobics with me. He needs to get into shape and I want to tone up a bit. So he agreed to do it with me. So there we were in the living room doing a Jenny Craig workout tape. As he builds more endurance we are going to advance to the next set of tapes. If we do it at least for a half an hour a day we should see some results.

And for the piece de le resistance.... This is what B uncorked on me yesterday as we were putting him to bed.

TexasQueen - "Did you go potty?"
B - "No."
TexasQueen - "I want you to go potty before you go to bed!"
B - "I want a million dollars!"

I knew that the phrase would come back to bite me soon. I didn't realize it would come back at the ripe old age of three.

My phrase usuallys ends with "I want a million dollars. Looks like we are not getting what we want right away!"

Sigh....

Open Letter to Texas Banks - Y'ALL SUCK (except maybe one)

To Whom It May Concern:

I have moved to Texas a little over a month ago and have been EXTREMELY disappointed with the lack of ATM's that do NOT accept deposits from my banking institute. I have been all over Round Rock and over parts of Austin and have only found THREE, yes I said THREE, that accept my deposits from another bank institution.

Did it possibly occur to you that people may not want to use your bank or your tellers? I am the type of person who will fight with your underpaid and underappreciated employees to the point of making them cry. All because your banking institute is greedy and charges unnecessary fees that make me vurry vurry angry like dis! :(

I have found a banking institute that not only gives AMAZING interest rates but I do most of my banking through the Internet and over the phone. I do not fight with them and we have a great relationship. I am even reimbursed for withdrawals!! Can you do that for me? I do not think so!!!!

The only thing I want at your institute is the ability to make my deposits. I do not have direct deposit so I need to have more ATM's accessible to me. I ask you to work on that.

I will have to give credit to TruWest Credit Union. Two of their branches DO accept my deposit. I am even happy to recommend that people use their ATM's and give their $2.00 service charge to them for withdrawals for the sheer convenience that they offer.

I highly recommend that your ATM's become more accessible. It makes your bank a few dollars more on deposits and will make me and others that have other banking institutes very happy.

Thank you for your time!

Melting Pot and Car Wrecks

Okay. We have had our share of fun stuff to happen. Here is the good and not so good of it all.

Tuesday night we celebrated our 6th anniversary. FINALLY!!! We asked Hollaback Girl to keep B for us. In exchange, we take their kids while she and AC Man take a bike ride. She is loving it!!!

We went to the Melting Pot. For anyone who has not been there it is a fondue restaurant that is FABULOUS!!!! The waiter we had was amazing and the food was not the only thing that was cooking! Sparks were flying with E and I and we had a wonderful night. And the food was great too. ;)

Picked up B and went home. Put him to bed and had a comfortable night together.

Next morning went well until about 7:30 AM. Got a call from E. Not sure if it was to say he was at work or that he loved me or what. He sounded upset. He had been in a car accident. He is fine but was so upset about it. Thank goodness I am in Insurance as I handled it very calmly. I am used to this sort of thing and knew what to do. They pulled off to the side of the road and exchanged information. His car is non-driveable. He hit a repo tow truck. No damage to the tow truck but the hood and the radiator are gone on E's car. Dropped B off and went to the scene of the accident.

First thing I did was look at the car. E was in the cop car about 500 feet back. I checked in the front seat to see if he was there and he was not. I figured at that time that he was across the way or in the cop car. Checked to see if the air bags had deployed. They had not. I was thrilled. Part of it meant that the car is not a total. Checked the front of the vehicle and concurred. It had hood damage and front bumper damage. I figured a couple grand worth of damage. Then saw E. He was fine but ticked off about the accident. Talked with the cop who had to be the coolest cop I have ever talked to in my life. I respected him and he respected me. That I like.

Car was towed to the body shop and I drove E over there. Reminded him that the accident could have been a lot worse and told him to be thankful that he is alive. He eventually quieted down about it and we got to the body shop. They concurred that it was salvagable and most likely around $3,000 in damage. I was close.

The only issue we are having now is the insurance company. We have been with them for 5 years and when we moved we stayed with them. I told the agent that I wanted the same coverage as we had in Ohio and he was to do that. Now he is saying that we do not have rental car coverage. I to9ld him look again as he was supposed to have matched my policy in Ohio. He said he will get back to me.

I would hate to do it, but I may need to play the E&O card. He will not like that and he knows that I can do it and know how to do it.