So...on a more personal note....

I don't know why I'm being such a slug about Christmas this year.  I have grudgingly agreed to put up a tree, as of today it's still sitting in it's box in a corner of the living room.  I have declared that there will be no cookie baking this year, much to the dismay of my brother-in-law who looks forward to my cookies every year since my sister doesn't bake.  And I haven't given any thought of gifts, let alone actually shopped.  I think I had all my shopping done by Thanksgiving last year.  I don't even have a wish-list for myself, which is really frustrating Nate since he's the one who drew my name *L*  All I can think of is car wash gift certificates 

My good friend, also named Terri, informs me that once the tree is up I will feel more Christmassy.  We shall see.  I think Nate is going to force me to do something tonight *L*  Have I mentioned how much I love that kid?   Especially when he's being forceful. 

Note to self - get Christmas cards.

Alrighty then...

TT finally stopped calling me sometime right before Thanksgiving.  That's been nice, not seeing Michigan Call on the caller id.  I hope that I was of some help to him in our counseling sessions *L*...he bought that truck, now maybe he'll get some teeth, put on some weight & find himself a nice girl.

Saw Ed last week on my way to the park, raking leaves at his Uncles house.  He waved me into the driveway so I stopped & talked for a few minutes.  He apologized for how he had treated me the last time I saw him...probably the first time in 12 yrs he has apologized for anything.  I kidded him about "just couldn't do 5 kids, huh?" and after he recovered from his shock that I knew where he'd been, laughed & said a man can only take so much.  He looked rough, and like he weighs about 100 lbs, but was in good spirits.  He's looking for a job, again, and wants to take me to dinner if he ever gets one.  Our non-relationship relationship is so weird.  The truth of the matter is, no matter what he has done in the past, I love him.  Not a romantic love, not a want him to live with me love, but love none the less.  I don't know if I will ever not love him, and truthfully, I am glad that I don't hate him.  I just wish I could figure it out.  Maybe I've just come to think of him as something of a child.  I dunno.  All I know is that with Nate's dad I wouldn't have peed on him if he was on fire, with Ed, I'd do anything I could to help him.

I must say that since I've confessed to being a MySpace whore I've found that a lot of my friends from here are closet MySpace whores.  So I am in good company     I'm still not sure what it's all about, I guess just meeting new people.  No one really blogs there.  Anyhow, the meeting of new people...I have.  About 3 weeks ago this guy left me a note, he lives in Akron also, about 10 minutes from my home.  So we've been talking through MySpace and then AIM and then phone.  We set last Friday as a meeting date, at the Holiday so that I'd be with friends.  He ended up having to do something with his daughter so that didn't happen.  Then we talked Saturday and was thinking of meeting for dinner and then I blew him off to go out with my sister & her husband. 

Sooooo...last night we were talking on the phone and he asked if he could come over.  And I let him.    Now, Sunny One, before you drive to Ohio and spank me, Nate was home.  Ok, here's the particulars: his name is Bill, he's 40, which is 6 yrs younger than me, he's divorced for 2 yrs, has 2 daughters 14 & 15 who live with him and they all live with his mother.  He works in a factory, doesn't make a lot of money, has teeth, he's kinda cute, he's not the brightest bulb in the pack, but he's funny and very laid back and he DOESN'T drink, at all.  We talked, watched TV, played a little kissy face and then he went home.

I don't think he's going to turn out to be the great love of my life, but I do think he'll be fun to hang out with, so, what the hell.  It's not like I'm doing anything else at this point, so why not.  

Alrighty...I've been trying to write this for 2 hrs now and keep getting interrupted so I might as well give in & close it out *L* 

You kids have a lovely evening ~ You know I will!!  

Mr. Gates, do you believe we are currently winning in Iraq?  No.

Well, no shit!  And you know what?  If politicians continue to control our actions in Iraq, we're never going to win there.  Let the military minds run the military...wow, what a concept!!

These people piss me off.

And I'm really starting to get disenchanted with President Bush.  I've been fighting myself on this topic, but, border control, MexiCanadAmerica, "talks" with Iran...we, kids, are going to hell in a handbasket.  What will America look like in 10 yrs?  In 5 even.  I'm afraid it won't look anything like we are used to. 

Maybe wearing a burka won't be so bad...afterall, I aint as cute as I used to be. 

I see that I haven't updated since 11/20/06.  So I'll give you the blow by blow for the last 2 weeks.

Tues. 11/21/06 - um....

Wed. 11/22/06 - well.....

Thurs.11/23/06 - hmmmm.....Oh yeah, Thanksgiving!  Family over, turkey turned out super moist & delicious, everything yummy.

Fri. 11/24/06 - Shopping with Diane & Mom - every Joann Fabric's within the greater Akron/Canton/Cleveland area and threw in a Pat Catan's just to be different from every other year.

Sat.  11/25/06 - I dunno, I think Diane & I went to Walmart

Sun.  11/26/06 - Probably went shopping

Mon. 11/27/06 - Worked, went to dinner with Diane, went down to Donzells but they were closed

Tues. 11/28/06 - Diane went home ~sigh~

Wed. 11/29/06 - Depression returns with a vengeance

Thurs. 11/30/06 - I really don't know.

Fri.  12/01/06 - Met Judy & Gary at the Holiday and drank a couple beers discussing vacations I will never be able to afford to take with them even though they want me to

Sat.  12/02/06  Cleaned/did laundry, made tentative plans to meet some guy from Myspace for coffee, decided not to meet him and went to dinner with my sister's family instead, then protestingly went to the Holiday with them, which was as terrible a decision as I knew it would be. (My sister + alcohol = NO FUN)

Sun. 12/03/06 - Got up in a mood, didn't go to church.  Went & picked up a few groceries, ran an errand that I didn't want to run for my ex sister-in-law, made dinner that no one ate but me (pork tenderloin/sweet potato casserole - Nate opted for Taco Bell), watched the first 6 episodes of Heroes that I taped last week when they ran a marathon, so that I could figure out what the hell is happening , was harangued by Nate until I finally went with him to Walmart at 10PM to buy a schmucking Christmas tree that I could happily do without this year, came home, finished dishes & took my sorry sad ass to bed.

See, you didn't miss anything.

Hope you kids are all doing well, maybe I can catch up on everyone before the year 2010.  

I'll update soon, I swear.  If anyone tells you I've become a MySpace whore, don't believe them    (http://www.myspace.com/terilyns)

For now, I leave you with this little photo, as seen at the Army-Air Force Football game: 

You kids have a lovely Friday ~ You know I will!!  

Morning kids.  My friend Diane just called from Chicago, where she has a 3-hr layover before arriving here, well, in Cleveland, at 12:52 pm.  I cannot wait to see her!  Let the festivities begin!

So of course all weekend I cleaned, what else do you do when you have a house guest coming?  Nate, once again, got kicked out of his bedroom to make way for our guest.  He went to Walmart and purchased an air mattress & cleaned up his real room in the basement and that's where he'll be for the next 8 nights.  (Diane is here until next Tuesday.)  Everytime he gets kicked out of the spare room he does a little work down in his demo'd room...maybe if I invite enough over night guests he'll get that room done, huh? 

I see someone is curious as to how I am reacting to Charles Rangel planning laws to reinstate the draft.  This is Rangel in 2003, when he FIRST introduced a bill to Congress to reinstate the draft. 

Rangel: 'For those who say the poor fight better,
 I say give the rich a chance.'

With Army recruitment and reenlistment numbers exceeding the goals, I am not surprised that the Dem's want to force enlistment.  I mean, that's what they do, find something that is NOT a problem, and then try to 'fix' it.  Look at our economy...the best it's been since what year?  Before the elections a couple weeks ago, unemployment was at something like 4.4% but we really didn't hear much about it, did we?  Nope, but now that the Dem's are going to be back in power, why, look whats already happened, unemployment is at 4.4%, they are gods! 

We are governed in the way that we deserve...Someone said that.  Well, something like it, anyhow.  In Teriterms it simply means that if you're gonna be stoopid enough to vote these smuckers into office, then you have no choice but to deal with what they bring to you. 

The Dem's took over both houses on the 7th, and on the 8th they started back-peddling from their election promises.  War in Iraq?  Bring the Troops home?  Well, Mr. Howard Dean explained on the 8th that they really couldn't do anything about the War in Iraq, or Bringing the Troops home.  I don't know what happened in that 24 hour period but you voted for 'em, now deal with 'em.  Border control? Nope, sorry, we're not building a fence, a 'virtual fence' is going to have to do.  Ok, but you know what?  If a 'virtual fence' is good enough to protect our country then it should be good enough to protect the Senate & the House.  Let's get rid of all those security guys with guns and just put up a virtual fence to protect our Congresspeople & Senators.  That could be a test of the system they believe so much in.  Right?

But I digress..........The Draft.  Stupid idea, and one that I can't see going anywhere.  History shows that an all volunteer military are more effective, because they are not being forced to serve.  Rangel's assertion that more "rich" kids would be forced to serve their country is bullshit, look at Vietnam.  College deferment, anyone?  How many "poor" kids are able to go to college to avoid the draft?  The outcome is the same, the rich who do not want to serve aren't going to, period.  In my opinion, the men & women who voluntarily serve their country are the best suited to defend our country, because they believe in what they are asked to fight for, they are not forced to fight for it.  Contrary to popular liberal belief, I have yet to speak to one Soldier who said they joined the military to get a college education.  And I've talked to a lot of Soldiers.  Probably more than the average lib has.

Ok, enough of that...I'm sure I'll have more to say after the bullshit actually starts becoming public debate.

Had an interesting conversation Friday night with someone who told me they "support the troops, but not the mission".   I'd love, I mean really, really, really love to have someone who says that give me details on how they support our troops.  The person I was talking to on this topic could not answer that question, didn't even offer up a "I pray for them every day" or "I have one of those ribbon magnets on the back of my truck".   So, anyone who may have that mindset & reads me, please tell me in what way you are supporting our troops, I am very curious.  I'd be more than happy to detail out how I do if you'd like.

Ok kids, I got work to do before I go pick up Diane.  You kids have a wonderful day, and if I don't see you before hand, Happy Thanksgiving to each & every one of you, even the Libs.  

Bo Schembechler

Bo Schembechler's legacy includes the most wins in Michigan history
 -- and a winning record against the Buckeyes.

Rest in Peace, Coach.

Simply beautiful day today!  It's only 44º, but the sun is shining and a brisk walk in the brisk air in the park was just what the doctor ordered for lunch today.  Life is good.

I gave up on the Richard Simmons tape...I am just not coordinated enough for it.  Instead I am walking at lunch, weather permitting, and doing crunches & leg lift type things at home in the evenings.  23 lbs gone as of today.  Yippee!

I have this huge worm-caterpiller lookin thing crawling very sllllooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy around my office today.  Don't know where he came from, or where he's trying to get to, or how long he's allowed himself to get there, but I'm thinkin he aint gettin anywhere fast 

Everything with Nate & I is ok.  We're just not talking about it, problem solved...It's the American Way.    I appreciate all the input, you guys are the best, for sure.

Am I wrong for having glee in my heart because Ed's car is back at his Uncles house today?  Driving to the park I go past the house everyday and I had an evil laugh when I saw his car there.  5 kids just not his cup of tea, huh?  HA!!  I am so mean.  Now if only he'd try to get back together with me again so I can shoot him down, that would just be tits.  HA HA!!!  Nah, I'm not that mean.  No, really, I'm not.  ~evil laughter in the background~

I am highly recommending that you watch Glenn Beck tomorrow night at 7:00 PM ET on CNN Headline News. 



He is doing a special report on President Tom (Iran) and other fanatical folks from the Religion of Peace.  He has video of their speeches and what they're REALLY saying to their people in contrast to what they're saying to us.  And experts who really know what they're talking about, not self-proclaimed experts like Nancy Peeloossiii and John F. Kerry.  Really, I think everyone that can should watch & get yourself edumacated on this topic, because friends & neighbors, we are looking at BIG trouble in the very near future.  If it doesn't terrify you that now we are talking about negotiating with President Tom & his ilk, you must just have your head down in the sand.  I'm serious, try to watch it.  I know a lot of my readers attend church on Wednesday nights, but Tivo it or whatever, just don't miss it.

Public Service Announcement is now over.  Thanks for your attention. 

Ok, I reckon I should go do what they pay me to do..whatever that is.  You kids have a terrific Tuesday ~ You know I will!!! 

Protected under this one...if you should see it but can't, let me know 

(If I sub to you, you should be able to see)

Never let it be said that our Troops have no sense of humor 

Enrich your life, adopt a soldier today at   Soldiers' Angels

Protected post above this one....if you can't see it & would like to.....ask me.