my biggest fear

fo reals yo... I can't believe it myself.. it's Saturday!

All week long I have woke up every morning at my bright and early 6:00 a.m. and then lay in bed till 6:30 because I just KNEW it really was Saturday and someone was playing a horrible trick on me. Nope... no such luck. But this morning... my dream dream came true! Ahhh... Saturday mornings.

Such days like this I wake up at 6:30 instead of 6:00, lay in the bed till 7:00 unless the husband is being SUPER sweet and full of love. Then I get to stay in bed till 8'ish. He was being super sweet this morning. I don't know what got into him but I'm sure he has some super secret plan to get out of the house today wit either his dad or one of his buddies for an extended period of time. As of right now he has been gone to the local Volunteer Fire Department for about... 30 minutes, with one of the guys. I love my husband.

Anyhow, so my time here with the girls and the computer has given me a moment to reflect on recent events and I just had to tell you about one of the things that frightens me the most, I know... beautiful Saturday morning and I'm going to get all morbid on your ass. Sorry about that. So here it goes...

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

Central to Whynot, Central to Causeyville, Central to Vimville
I have a report of a structure fire, report of a structure fire. 1587 Highway 19 South, 1587 19 south, Structure fire, fully involved.

I am startled awake, its 2:13 a.m. and the only reason I know that is I just got completely scared out of my skin by the pager going off.

The husband gets out of bed, puts on his jeans and boots that are always laid out at the end of the bed, kisses me bye, and heads out the door. Then  I hear him on the radio as he pulls out of the driveway...

Whynot copy, Whynot 2 in route to the station

Central copy

Now... the show is on. I get up, go outside for a smoke, get a glass of coke and sit up in the bed listening to the radio. I hear all of the departments check in at the scene, get set up, and then the radio goes silent.....

This is my dark hour, my time of complete grief, my husband is out there at a fire, doing God only knows what, and I have no idea where he is or what he is doing. He is a volunteer fire fighter in our community. He doesn't do it because he gets paid or has a fancy retirement or benefits, he does it because he loves it and he cares about the people in the community. The departments continue to talk on the radio but only on what they call talk around. It only has a short range so they don't clog up the radio with a bunch of traffic just in case there is another fire somewhere else in the county.

I was a volunteer several years ago, I drove and operated our fire truck, I loved it, but I saw the danger, I saw just how easily someone could get injured. Most of our volunteers are not trained, they just go when they are called.

So I sit... and wait... with that horrible sickening feeling in my stomach.... I feel the need to go throw up, but I know it won't do any good.... so I sit... and pray.... please God just bring him home safe... bring everyone home safe... please God put your arms around everyone involved... over and over

and then out of the darkness...

Whynot to Central, Whynot is 10-24, en route to the station

Central Copy...

Its over...

I hear everyone check back in, everyone back at their own stations, everyone.... thank you God.


This wasn't the case a couple of weeks ago.

Recently one of our Volunteers from the other side of the county went on a call, a very routine call. Most of our volunteers not only fight fire, but they are first responders as well. Attending everything from car accidents and heart attacks to Structure fires. 



Please click here for the details of what actually happened to our fallen local hero

February 23, 2011

Larry C. Gressett Sr.

Anonymous The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Wed Feb 23, 2011, 06:00 AM CST

MERIDIAN —

    Services for Larry Cleveland Gressett Sr. will be held Thursday, at 10 a.m., at Salem Baptist Church with Bro. Tom Woods officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with James F. Webb Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

    Mr. Gressett, 33, died Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. He loved his children, family, and Country. He also loved being a volunteer firefighter and was a member of Toomsuba-Alamucha Volunteer Fire Department. Larry was a member of (LEMA) Lauderdale Emergency Management Agency and a member of Salem Baptist Church. He was employed by Webster Electric. Larry lost his life being a hero.





Rest in peace Larry Gressett, you will be missed. 

funny for you

I always knew I would show up in the funny papers.... my friend predicted it, it came true.

Regardless of what they say... I can cook. Really I can.

I don't burn it... I like to make sure it is well done

The hubby burns the steaks... not me

no comment....

I had to, sorry...

I am really getting tired of listening to him hack and cough all night so I made threats to put it on lock down if he didn't go to the Dr. to get healed up. Rarely does the hubby ever get sick so when it happens, it can be pretty bad. This morning he had fever.

Our walk in clinic/doctor starts seeing patients at 1:00, but you need to show up around 12:00 to get a good spot in line and to keep you from waiting forfreakinever. Good luck during flu season, chances are you could be there until the supper bell rings.

So, I get a text from the sweet suffering hubby and I just had to share our conversation...

Him: Sitting at docs this girl across from me has some big feet makes urs look smaaaaallll

Me: LOL. Thank you for making a swamp foot reference

Him: You don't have nothin on this girl

Me: Really? That big?

Him: She is wearing ballet looking shoes and they r huge

Me: haha! Is she huge?

Him: looks tall sitting down, not heavy

Me: So are they abnormal huge? or just BIG?

Him: They are almost the same size as mine

Him: Wide and flat too

Him: By looking at 12 in tile on floor, they are almost 12 in long

Me: Wow!

Me: I feel better knowing there is someone out there like me

Him: LOL

Me: Does she at least have on cute shoes?

Him: She just got called back, she was tall, shoes black.

So, there is the end to it. For you that don't know me I wear a size 9 1/2 wide... completely flat footed. My husband and I have had a running joke calling me names like swamp foot and freak, and that I could ski barefoot. I have no arch, when I walk barefoot on concrete my feet make a slap sound. I can't buy all the cute shoes, I have to pick and choose carefully the style I wear because my feet will flood over the edges. Flip flops are my friend and the only athletic shoes I can wear that will not hurt is New Balance. I make sure I get a regular pedicure even if I do it myself for fear that if I have ghet-toes I will be banned from public places because of my freak skis.

I am by no means making fun of this person, but it's nice to know once in a while that I'm not the only one out there that will never be a foot model.

Can I just complain?

yep... I am in one of those moods. I just want to complain to someone that won't bitch back at me.

So for starters... I have RLS (restless leg syndrome), its that tingling feeling in your legs when you lay down for bed. Ok, so I had the WORST flare up I have ever had. I literally was pacing the house when I wasn't kicking the couch. Somewhere around 2:00 a.m. I finally tried a hot bath. That relaxed my legs long enough that I could pass out from exhaustion. This morning I wake up, against my will but my paycheck needs me, and seriously thought about calling in sick, but I knew there would be no point since my LEGS ARE STILL TWITCHIN! On the way home I am getting some iron supplements and potassium and start taking that before bed.... yep... another pill. Something has got to give. For the last several years I have slept with a bar of soap under the fitted sheet, but for some reason I took it out about a month ago. It is supposed to help with leg cramps, but no one can explain why. The bar is going back. If I still feel like this tonight I'm going to duct tape the soap to the bottom of my feet. If you have any other suggestions, please comment below.

Next... I got a new keyboard tray for my desk at the office... It sucks. For those of you who have keyboard trays... you will understand when i say... this one bites. I can't get it adjusted, its too big, its in my way... blah blah blah.

So enough complaining for now.

I do have a happy thought for you. The husband and I had some friends over the other night for pizza and games. We played Mexican Train. No its not some Beaner international version of that perverted crap boys do in high school. My friend we are talking about Dominoes. I've played dominoes before where you count five, ten, fifteen, twenty points... this was different. the object of the game is to go out with no points.

I think it is supposed to be a kiddo game, but it was SO much fun! Next time we get together I think the Husband and I are going to teach our friends how to play Canasta. My parents taught Hubby and I how to play after we got married, had a standing date every Tuesday night to play. We then taught his parents and we had a date with them every Friday night to play... that was until kids came along. The girls are getting old enough we don't have to chase them around the house every step they take so maybe we can start playing again... but maybe only once a month.

What is love?

Well, I'll tell ya...

The husband and I have a love that is pretty hard to beat. For reals yo!

So to show my true love for my mate... I made him dinner Saturday night before I went for my girls time with my new friend. Redneck dinner... fried deer meat and steak fries. The deep fryer was wide open! I swear that is the most horrible smell in the house after you have fried deer meat, but it taste so good. Besides...  I make the best fried deer steak in the whole world ever... so nah. We enjoyed our romantic little dinner of fattening fried food in front of the T.V., and then my darling of a husband sat in the bedroom with me while I picked and scrutinized over what I would wear to have drinks with chicks... I mean really, I had to look cute!!! He said I should wear a T-Shirt with my jeans and cowboy boots. What'evs... he likes whatever I wear anyway.

That night at one of the local Mexican restaurants, I decided to be festive and indulge in a few Corona with lime, I rarely drink such an acidic beer but I knew I couldn't drink a margarita and be in any shape to drive 30 minutes to get back home... much less stop and get milk on my way. So we sat there, had our drinks, had chips and salsa (yummy), had conversation... ok, we got there at 7:30 and the husband called at 9:45 asking where we were. I haven't had conversation with a friend like that in forever. It felt good to be able to sit down and just relax. This was the first time that she and I had ever really spent time together. Mind you we have had our chats via text or on the phone, but nothing like this. So we had our drinks, paid our tabs, said our goodbyes and went on our separate way.

I crawled in the bed, exhausted from the day and fall right asleep... beer sleep is the best sleep!

I'm not exactly sure when the war started, but I think it was around the time of our first pregnancy is when it really got bad. Yep... the farting. I know your thinking GROSS!!! But you really have to know the Husband and I to really appreciate it. He likes to save them up until he has me in a good position on the couch and let one rip on me where as I like to just .... sneak up and leave a scent trail. He is more of a loud and rumble kind of guy where I'm a silent but deadly girl all thanks to Pop. However disgusting as you think it may be, we think its funny to gross each other out. Seriously... we've been married for 7 years. There is nothing to hide anymore. And honestly... you should be able to let one rip for the one you love!

I know better than to drink Corona with lime for one reason only... I can peel wallpaper when I fart. So since I am usually the one that gets pooted on, I got to enjoy my day leaving the skunk mating scent for the hubby to find me. He was not happy about this at all, especially when I let one go in the bed and he had to linger in it. I saved it just for him since he wouldn't help me sign Kid #1 and Kid #2's valentines for their party at school I was warned that if I did it again I would be kicked out of bed and made to sleep on the couch.

At this point, I'm not sure why, he deemed it necessary to get Kid #1's recorder, lime green in color... yeah the ones you play in kindergarten, and start playing it in bed... like he was some magical snake charmer or something.

So... I let another one one rip... hehehe.

He stole my pillows and I got kicked out of the bed, that was an interesting fight to say the least. I'm not sure who got hurt worse, but I drew blood.

So, out of breath, worn down from the fight, and he is still playing the recorder... I decided to pretend I was asleep... and let just one more little *poot* hang out for good measure.

Him: You fart again? You nasty ass!

Me: Hunh? I'm sleeping jackass.. go away

Him: you farted, I can smell it

Me: your dreaming, go back to sleep

Him: your nasty!

Me: <silently laughing to myself>

I then drifted off in to wonderland happy peaceful sleep knowing.... that I finally got him... I won.... I... AM...THE... FART.... CHAMPION......< and the crowd roars> I get some sort of award for that... right?

Tomorrow is the big day!

If you forgot (not sure how) about Valentines day, I've compiled a list from various websites of a few last minute gifts and date ideas sure to woo over your significant other. Just make sure not to come home empty handed... Enjoy!!!

Try one of these stores for a quick gift:

• At a Toy Store - Pick up Twister, the Milton-Bradley game that's fun for all ages. And even more fun for adults.
• At Lowe's - Pick up an elegant dendrobium orchid, potted and ready for Valentine's Day giving.
• At Walgreen's - Pick up massage oils and body chocolate (available in four flavors) in the Valentine’s Day aisle.
• Grocery Store - make sure to pick up fresh flowers. Most grocery stores carry fresh flowers next to the product department. Hand delivered flowers always warm the heart.

Even if you select them at the last minute, gifts that bear a big red heart are sure to melt hers. Some ideas:

• Heart-shaped locket
• Heart-shaped picture frame, with a picture of the two of you
• Heart-shaped, red-satin box of chocolates
• Heart-shaped candies that say "I Love You"

Quick items to grab and go:

• Stuffed animal from stationery store
• Book of love poetry
• Store-bought book of love IOU's
• Heart-shaped cake or cupcakes from supermarket.

Romantic date idea:

• a new take on dinner and a movie. Cook her a meal at home and pick up a romantic DVD.
• Order take out and have a candlelit picnic at the lake
• sometimes a spa trip can be expensive, purchase some spa treatments at Bath and Body works or the local drugstore and give each other your own spa treatment and massage.
• Create your own drive in movie in your own garage complete with popcorn and a big soda to share.

Old Photos for new gifts:

• load some of your favorite family photos or photos of the both of you together on a data stick and have various gifts made such as a mouse pad, coffee mug, or a calendar
• Take a favorite photo of the two of you and place it in a frame for a special gift.

And above all else... make sure you let that special person know just how much you love them. Happy Valentine's Day!

Hamsters and Fish

My coworker has a birthday coming up so after careful deliberation on what gift I would purchase for her, I found a travel mug for her to use in her new car. Not anything super expensive but very cute. It says I'm drinking coffee; it's too early for wine, for anyone that knows her... this is a perfect fit for the avid Merlot drinker. Plus... I have horrible problem with holding gifts until the actual day has arrived.

I bring the gift in, nothing fancy, no fancy wrapping (I'm too cheap) and set the gift bag along with the mug inside on her desk. Her eyes light up and she starts to squeal, not like a pig squeal or anything, more like a 5th grad girl that just found out she's going to see the new Justin Beeber movie. So, I give her my scissors and let her open the box, and I swear this had to be the best birthday gift I have ever given. She loved it! Nothing like seeing a 40+ woman running around the office giggling and jumping up and down over a coffee cup.

The day went on, nothing else exciting happened, well... something exciting did happen but I will have to share that with you tomorrow <insert evil laugh>, and we all went home for the day in hopes that last nights snow would result in a snow day from work. That was a no go, but we can always wish right? The snow stared about 6:00 p.m. and continued on fairly heavy for about an hour and 1/2 at the house. Resulting in a nice dusting in the yard and about and inch to two of accumulation on the back porch. The husband summoned me to the back door to see the white stuff and then it hit me... I felt like a 10 year old kid again, but rather than freeze my ass off, I let the kids do it instead. The husband thought it was a good time to play a joke on Kid#1. Yeah, he tells her to go put on her coat and her boots (she has already gotten in her pj's for the night) and informs her that she has to sleep outside with Stash Kitty... she was not amused until she made it to the back door to see the snow.

So, while the husband and I watch in amusement from the back door as Kid#1 and Kid#2 stamp stomp and make snowballs I tell him about my coworkers reaction to her fabulous birthday present.

Me: I gave her the coffee mug today, you should have seen her face

Him: She liked it hunh?

Me: yeah, you should have seen her... she was jumping up and down giggling

Him: She even drink coffee?

Me: Like a fish!!!

Him: Like a fish? Does a fish drink coffee

Me: ugh <dirty look, rolling of the eyes>

Him: I don't guess I've ever heard anyone say a fish drinks coffee. How much coffee does a fish drink anyway?

Me: Look, I was just trying to spice up the conversation

Him: <blank stare>

Me: Whatever Kimosabe

Him: Why can't I be Tonto?

At that point I just laugh it off and try to drag the popsicles back into the house with a promise of plenty of fun outside IF we get to have a snow day. Snow days don't happen too often in Mississippi, but when they do it's always fun.

After repeating the conversation back this morning to a friend I learned that not only do fish drink coffee... they drink more than Hamsters.

more stupid stuff for you

Last week (I think) I posted some stupid facts for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to a comment about one stupid law in Mobile, AL about stiletto heels I decided that today I would pick a few stupid laws from various states to post. Enjoy!

I found these at http://www.stupidlaws.com/ and http://www.dumblaws.com/, I'd love to see what you come up with if you have time to search them out.

Alabama:

1. It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
2. It is illegal to wear a fake moustache that causes laughter in church.
3. Putting salt on a railway track may be punishable by death.
4. Boogers may not be flicked into the wind.
5. You cannot chain your alligator to a fire hydrant.  
6. Peanuts are not allowed to be sold in Lee County, Alabama after sunset on Wednesdays.
7. You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time.
8. It is legal to drive the wrong way on a one way street if you have a lantern on the front of your car.

Florida:

1. Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner.
2. A special law prohibits unmarried women from parachuting on Sunday or she shall risk arrest, fine, and/or jailing.
3. If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
4. (SARASOTA) It is illegal to sing in a public place while attired in a swimsuit.
5. Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown.
6. In Miami, it is forbidden to imitate an animal. 
7. It is illegal to fart in a public place after 6:00pm on a Thursday. 
8. It is illegal to have sexual intercourse with a porcupine. 
9. It is illegal for a woman to bungee jump naked on Sunday before midday. 
10. In Miami it is illegal to park your elephant on 8th Street on Sundays after 1pm. 
11. It's illegal to purchase alcohol before 1pm on Sundays in the city of Coral Gables.

Georgia

1. It is illegal to tie a giraffe to a lamp post.
2. It is illegal to take a bath of orange peel.
3. In Peachtree City, it is illegal to be homeless.

Louisiana:

1. It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
2. Biting someone with your natural teeth is "simple assault", while biting someone with your false teeth is "aggravated assault".

Mississippi:

1. A man may not seduce a woman by lying, and claiming he will marry her.
2. Cattle rustling is punishable by hanging
3. Horn honking is not permitted as it might scare horses.
4. If one is a parent to two illegitimate children, that person will go to jail for at least one month.
5. You may not walk a dog without dressing it in diapers.
6. Adultery or Fornication (living together while not married or having sex with someone that is not your spouse) results in a fine of $500 and/or 6 months in prison.

A few more I found from http://www.realstrangelaws.com/

1. In Utah, those seeking to modify the weather need a permit. R653-5-6 
2. In Massachusetts, selling a stink bomb is a crime. 269(15)
3. In Little Rock, Arkansas, it's illegal to honk your horn after 9:00 P.M. at any place where sandwiches are served. 18-53,54-Art. II
4. In South Carolina, its illegal to fish with a yo-yo, and dynamite. 50-13-1190, 1440  
5. Pig-greasing contests are illegal in Minnesota. 343-43.16 
6. In ancient Germany, a swordsman who made a person's brain leak out paid a 24 solidi fine. 
7. In England, Leopold Wrobel was sentenced to five months in jail for whistling the Addams Family theme song.
8. In Eraclea, Italy, its against the law to build sand castles on the beach.
9. A 2004 Rome law bans spherical goldfish bowls.
10. Kentucky lawyers must swear under oath that they haven't engaged in duels.

it's kind of funny...

Life has an interesting way of working things out. My life has done a complete 180 in the last 6 months, but today... I am so glad it did. I figured out that God has a plan for me and the road that I was taking was not part of it. I have been blessed with some amazing and wonderful women in my life. Women that I call my friends. Thank you to each one of you, I hope that you will get the chance to read this.

Thank you for being my rock, and for believing in me. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me with all my problems. Thank you for not judging me. I appreciate each one of you, rather than get in the middle and try to stir up more trouble and more drama you helped me to try and find a solution to the problem. I really appreciate that.

Get lost Jack Frost!

I'm not one to bitch about the weather. It never really bothers me. I can usually adapt to whatever Mother Nature throws at me, but this time... I've had it! I live in SOUTH MISSISSIPPI for a reason. I don't like more than a week of cold weather at a time.

I know, I need to quit my bitchin... it's not that freaking cold right? WRONG! Us hot blooded Southern Women are not bread to deal with this cold weather. How in the hell are we supposed to wear short skirts and show our cleavage when it's 32 degrees outside? Well, we don't. I don't mind sweaters, but I only own like 3? We have had cold winters before, we get snow from time to time, but the blizzard of 2011 has started to get to me. Even poor Moustache a.k.a. Stash Kitty got a free ticket to spend the night in the doublewide last night. I really felt bad for her. Yes.. female cat... named Moustache...  she is a black cat with white socks and a white moustache... Kid #1 named the cat so we went with it. Anyhow...



Anyone that would be willing to whisk me and the Hubby away to Hawaii or any other tropical island so we can thaw out, please by all means... don't waste any time. We are packed and ready to go, just say the word.

I will be patiently waiting on your call.

I don't like Phil

Everyone knows that I am a HUGE Pittsburgh Steelers fan, as well as my entire family. I thought you would enjoy a little something to get you ready for the Super Bowl .

Check it out:  Are You Serious: Blind Phil - My Springtime Bitch

have a laugh on me

I have debated, and thought, and pondered, and all other words that remotely have the same meaning, of what I should post about. Seriously... I got my drama out there, I got my pissed off 'ness out there. So anyhow, I just couldn't come up with anything that was completely awesome. I know, I know, fo' reals yo..  I haven't much to talk about today... so I thought It would be fun just to entertain you with random facts. Ready? Here we go...

***************

1. Cockroaches can live for 9 days after their head has been cut off.


2. The world's largest amphibian is the giant salamander. It can grow up to 5ft. in length.


3. In Cleveland, OH it is illegal to catch mice without a hunting license.


4. Barbie's measurements if she were life size are: 39-23-33.... bitch


5. In the last 4000 years, no new animals have been domesticated.


6. It is against the law to wear stiletto heels on the streets of downtown Mobile, AL.


7. Ants never sleep


8. The human brain is 80% water


9. Singapore has only one train station.


10. No word in in the English dictionary rhymes with MONTH or ORANGE


11. There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live.


12. Dolphins sleep with one eye open... too bad for Chuck Norris


13. A goldfish has a memory span of about 3 seconds.


14. Women blink nearly twice as much as men.


15. Did you know Coca-Cola was originally green?


16. It is impossible to lick your elbow.... I bet you just tried


17. Every day more money is printed for Monopoly than the US Treasury.


18. Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.


19. Michael Jordan makes more money from Nike annually than all of the Nike factory workers in Malaysia
combined.


20. The first toilet ever seen on T.V. was on Leave it to Beaver.


21. George Washington grew marijuana in his garden (really?)


22. It cost about 3 cents to make a $1 bill in the US.


23. Your right lung takes in more air than the left


24. Children are more allergic to cockroaches than they are to cats.


25. Buttermilk does not contain any butter.


26. On average, a disposable diaper can hold up to 7 pounds of liquid


27. Marie Curie, the Noble Prize winning scientist who discovered radium, died of radiation poisoning.


28. All species of beetles are edible


29. Polar bears are left handed.


30. Mosquitoes have 47 teeth.

***************

Ok... I don't know how true any of these are, but they were online... so... they gotta be right? If not... tough shit. You will get over it I'm sure. If not, here is something else to make you laugh.