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My Son, the Soon-to-Be Freshman
Jun 21st, 2010 by Babs

I meant to write this over the weekend but since the chair for the computer disappeared when Ben’s friend’s arrived, I figure I’d wait until it reappeared so that I could comfortably type. However the chair still has yet to reappear. *sigh*

Anyway. The Teen graduated from middle school last Friday!

WPS should be sued for cruel and inhuman treatment of its students. The ceremony began at 6:30pm, while the sun was still blaring down (and in our eyes, so I was unable to get any good pictures), and it was 90 degrees out! The girls had it easier, as they were able to wear dresses, but the poor boys were stuck in suits and ties. Except for the Teen. Given that A. Target had nothing left in dress attire in the Teen’s size, and B. I wasn’t going to let my kid suffer, the Teen wore a nice new polo shirt and neat cargo shorts. Naturally he caught crap from the school staff. After an hour of sitting in the sun, listening to the principal drone on and on, while sweat poured off me, I dared one of them to complain to me about it.

After the graduation the kids adjourned to the school for a post-graduation party. The Teen stayed for the whole event, and reported that he had a good time.

The next day one of his friends came over to visit. About an hour later I heard girls giggling as they knocked on all the doors on our “street”. Turned out they were looking for the Teen and his friend to invite them to a graduation party. Glenn made a big deal out out of this, embarrassing the boys in the process. They’re thirteen. Can’t they just have friends who are girls? *rolls eyes*

So the Teen had a good weekend. He’s currently enjoying the 8th grade field trip to Canobie Lake. I expect he will be wiped out once he returns.

Next up is the summer program at the tech school. I don’t care if I have to personally escort him to the bus stop and chain him to a seat on the bus. He will be going.

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We Are Wireless, Again!
Jan 18th, 2010 by Babs

<div class=\"pavatar\">We Are Wireless, Again!</div>

The router from Comcast finally arrived. Actually it arrived on Friday, according to UPS’ handy dandy tracking doohickey. It just sat on the porch on the other side of the house for a couple of days because UPS’ drivers cannot tell the difference between a vacant, in-the-middle-of-being-renovated apartment and one with people actually living in it. šŸ˜›

It didn’t take too long to hook it up. I am glad I didn’t get sucked into ordering a wireless adapter for my computer. I have yet to find a router without a LAN connection. The tough part came when I tried getting the Nintendo DS and the PSP working. After an hour or so of switching between security settings I realized the problem was that, even though the router is backwards compatible, it’s not set that way by default. And the only way to change the settings is through the router’s “web page”. You can’t do it via the software on the CD. šŸ˜›

So now everything can access the internet. Ben is ecstatic because he can finally use his PS3 online. I’m happy because he can now use his PS3 to watch Netflix’s Instant Viewing movies instead of using my computer and the teen can use his Wii to surf online.

Yay!

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What I Did During My Internet Hiatus
Jan 7th, 2010 by Babs

<div class=\"pavatar\">What I Did During My Internet Hiatus</div>

For those of you who weren’t aware, we lost our internet access (and cable and phone) back in October. Funny how these companies actually expect you to pay for their services. LOL Anyways, what was supposed to be a short break from the home internet turned into nearly a three month stint because, as they say, everything that could go wrong did. šŸ˜›

Immediately after things got turned off I started my almost daily treks to the Winchester Public Library to use their computers. I informed those who needed to know of alternate ways to contact me, since my only phone was my cell and the only way I could read my email was via my sites cpanel which Firefox (on my home computer) had the only remaining copy of the password to. I spent most of my daily internet hour doing payouts on King of the World and trying to keep up as much as I could with friends on Facebook. Sadly, because I was unable to set up my own friendlies, my land on KoTW took some major abuse — especially during the week before coming back online at home.

At home I watched a lot of DVDs. First from my own collection, supplemented with ones rented from Netflix. Then I started hitting the library’s collection. Since a good portion of that time was spent crocheting for upcoming craft fairs it didn’t matter if most of it was brainless fodder. šŸ™‚

I finished up my colorguard practices for the year and did an awesome performance at Plymouth. I was very proud of myself! I had posted a video of the show on Facebook, and had planned on doing the same here, but it seems the video’s owner has removed it. Boo!

Glenn has been Glenn. He still thinks that the little drummer boy and I have a thing as well as that the entire drum corps nation is trying to keep it a secret. He insists that the guy was at a practice a couple of weeks before the Plymouth show. At first he said he know because of the look several guard members gave him after something he said. This is despite the fact that none of the Crusader colorguard members knew what was going on until a week after the guy supposedly appeared. Now Glenn is saying he actually saw the guy being escorted out by a group or corps members just as he (Glenn) walked in.

Back in November Glenn had a mild heart attack. I’d love to have some sympathy for him but after I’ll I’ve been though… His own stupidity hasn’t helped, either. He had been suffering from shortness of breath for a week prior and it took him almost as long to make an appointment to see his doctor. The night before the appointment he was wheezing badly, like he had pneumonia, but refused to go to the hospital because he was going to see his doctor in the morning. His doctor took one look at him and demanded he immediately go to the hospital. Apparently his heart isn’t beating all that well (most likely due to all the boozing he’s been doing) and was so weak that his liver and kidneys couldn’t do their jobs and his lungs filled with fluid as the result. Upon release from the hospital he was given strict instructions not to drink. He swears he hasn’t been, yet he’s been doing a lot of “walking” (that requires the car), spending much time in the bathroom, and exhibiting minty fresh breath. Plus he’s also cold and tired about the same time every day (earlier on weekends). He claims this is because of the medications, but he takes the same meds at night that he does in the morning and he has no problem during the day. That’s if he remembers to take them, that is. And yet he’s still cold and tired, then, too.

Last month the rear brake lines on the Taurus either started rotting or some stupid critter gnawed at them. Either way the car was leaking mass amounts of brake fluid. The car was supposed to stay put until we could afford to take it to a mechanic but Glenn is so special he decided to drive it anyway. Shortly before Christmas he was driving down to Arlington, lost control of the car, couldn’t stop, and hit a wall — totaling the car. Did I mention he was also driving uninsured, unregistered and with an expired inspection sticker? *headdesk* I’m still waiting for the “YOU’RE FUCKED!” letter from either the Arlington Police Department or the RMV. We are looking at new cars. Well, new to us. Yesterday I found a 2000 Honda Civic with just 54K on it for under $6500. Damn good shape, too. If the credit union approves the loan we may have it on the road by next week. If we get it, I’m going to do everything I can to get my license ASAP. Not just because we now live in a town that’s apparently too good for public transportation, but because I plan to own that car in the near future — and Glenn will be paying for the gas, if you catch my drift.

Anyways. This has been my long overdue update. I’ll be posting more frequently now that I’m back online at home, especially since it seems that I’ve finally worked out the kink in Twitter Tools. I’m sure I’ll have lots more Stupid Glenn Tricks to share, too.

Stay tuned. šŸ™‚

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Grrrr!
Aug 21st, 2009 by Babs

<div class=\"pavatar\">Grrrr!</div>

I am so pissed right now I could spit nails!

I am amazed at the lack of respect towards me and my belongings — particularly toward my altar. It’s bad enough when Glenn just helps himself to the lighter I designated for lighting altar candles, usually leaving me with nothing to light said candles. Today, however, the preteen took it too far.

I use two “action figures” as representations of my Lord and Lady. Sure, Gundam Wing’s Duo Maxwell and Teen Titans’ Raven may at first appear to be utterly ridiculous choices but I have my reasons. Needless to say I was far from being a happy camper when I discovered Raven had been moved from her special spot and carelessly tossed into the middle of my altar. It seems the preteen had been playing with her. Her paint was peeling, she was covered in sticky dust, and I’m pretty certain he tried to melt her, too.

The preteen has obviously been grounded, but it just pisses me off so much that my family thinks it’s okay to be disrespectful like this.

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Adventures in Stupidity 2
Jul 10th, 2009 by Babs

<div class=\"pavatar\">Adventures in Stupidity 2</div>

Glenn had to drive Ben to work and me to practice last night. Both of us reminded him he needed to get gas. He didn’t get it while taking Ben to work; he didn’t get it on our way down to practice, either, insisting that we had enough to get to the Sunoco along the way home.

3-1/2 blocks away from said Sunoco, Glenn is complaining that the car feels like it is dragging. I point out that I hear no noise from the brakes, or any other noise for that matter, and verbally ponder whether our gass situation could be the cause. No sooner did the words leave my lips when the car stalls.

We walk 3 blocks to the gas station to discover they only carry 1 gallon gas cans. And you must purchase them. WTF? It didn’t help that the attendant was an idiot. The gas can only holds a gallon. Why are you trying to sell me two gallons?

3 blocks back with the gas, which turns out not to be enough to get the car started. So back to the Sunoco for another gallon. Also not enough. So we proceed to do what we should’ve done in the beginning: push the car to the gas station.

The entire way, Glenn is yelling at me to keep my foot off the brake. Um, yeah. I’m helping you push the car, so how can my foot be on the brake? Neverless, Glenn continues to insist that I’m doing this and makes sure that those who help us know this ficticious fact.

By the time we reach the gas station Mr. I’m not out of shape is covered in sweat and ready to cough up a lung. Meanwhile I’m barely breaking a sweat despite putting just as much effort in while wearing a jacket, since I was on the traffic side and the jacket was more visible than the black T I had on. We fill up and head out to get Ben. We were originally 45 minutes ahead of schedule. We ended up being 45 minutes late. Of course Dumbass number 2 didn’t know why we were late because (after his “lecture” on the importance of having minutes on his phone) he left his cell home.

I need ice cream.

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