"I hear in my mind all of these voices ..."

Bad week. Baaaad week.

But it's Friday, so it can't be ALL bad, right? I guess.

-----

My boy child is back in Canada. And that makes me sad. He'll get to come back home a week from tomorrow, so maybe it won't be so bad. (At least he's not in Baghdad.)

Was that a poem? You decide.

-----

Looks like we're headed into some perfect weather for the weekend. Maybe I'll get some flowers planted. I wish I had some options when it comes to my flowerpots ... but considering our deck gets NO sun, I'm limited to shade-loving flowers. There's not a lot to choose from.

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I'm working really hard here to jump over this high wall of black that appeared in my head a few days ago. Don't even know where it came from. But I refuse to let it win this time. I am NOT going to isolate myself and worry over things (my old ways of dealing with "the black"). I'm not. Aside from Adam having to leave again, and my husband being his usual "I'm smiling at you, but I don't like you" self, there's nothing worth worrying over. Everything is fine. Hell, most things are really GOOD lately.

Go away, black. I don't have time for you anymore.

-----

Late to the party again, I FINALLY have started watching Grey's Anatomy. I rented the first season from Netflix last week, and so far, I really like it. I'm only a few episodes in, and already I've figgered out why the big fuss is made over Patrick Dempsey's character, Derek (McDreamy).

Yes.

I like.

"I start making a deal, inspired by gravity ..."

The fly boys are home, safe and sound. They pulled in, exhausted as expected, around 4:30 PM yesterday. From what they shared with me, I believe they enjoyed the trip. Overall, anyway. They're considering a different airplane now, based on things they learned down there. Since my knowledge on the subject is nil, I tend to keep my mouth shut on the subject ... I just want them safe at the end of the day. So the dang airplane better be reliable.

I have not received clearance to do so, but I'm putting up a few pictures:

Adam, standing amongst their "accommodations". I know they were both glad to be back in a regular bed last night. (It took me several minutes to decide that the wiggly gray thing in the foreground might be a fallen piece of Spanish moss ... and not a furry snake, as I originally thought)

-----

Don't know what he's doing here, but it looks like he's ironing with surgical gloves on.

-----

Learning to weld -- or impressing little kids -- or both.

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Off to visit my treadmill ... then the dentist. Every day can't be a "Fun Day", people.

"Everything good needs replacing ..."

And she lived to see another day. I don't know what that germ was, but it was a doozy. I feel better now.

-----

I've been productive so far today. My nails are "filled", my skin has been nuked at the tanning bed, and I've turned in a job application. AND I walked on the treadmill before I left the house. The bed is made, too. It boggles the mind, doesn't it?!

Still have the paperwork piled on the desk, but that'll be done in the next couple of hours.

-----

No word from the Campin' Men yet today ... I have no idea when to expect them back in SC. I'm sure they'll be exhausted when they do arrive.

-----

Loved last night's Sopranos episode ... laughed outloud several times (Paulie's shoes, Tony asking Paulie if he'd ever been tested for Tourette's), but the whole episode had me on the edge of my chair. The boat scene, by itself, raised my blood pressure several points. Tension with a capital "T". Lorrrrd, it makes me sad to think of that show ending ... and even sadder to think of HOW it will end. Damn my TV addiction. I'm far too invested in all these make-believe characters and their make-believe lives.

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I'm throwing up a picture of Emilie and her favorite pup, and calling it a Monday.

"You're contagious ..."

This is my world today.

Netflix DVDs.

Magazines.

Tylenol Flu. (Gastric bypass safe.)

Nyquil. (NOT gastric bypass safe. I don't care.)

Puffs Plus.

Fluids.

Cold-Eeze. (Started too late.)

And the Lysol is there for effect. Because man, I feel germy.

-----

If I live, I'll be back on Monday.

"Well, well, it's fine out today ..."

I can't believe it. Sanjaya is gone.

In the end, he almost got to me ... I'm a sucker for tears every time. But then he sang again, and I remembered why he bugs the hell out of me.

"Let's give 'em something to talk about ... other than HAAAAAAIIIIIIIRRRRRR ..."

Guh. But he had me talking, did he not? Sneaky little boy. I think I will miss laughing at him every week a bit. For a 17-year-old, he seemed to handle the national criticism with humor and grace.

Phil survived because he actually improved on Tuesday night. The nerve! But what the hell ... Blake in the Bottom Three? My heart grew another size when I saw the loving way he wiped Lakisha's tears sooo carefully. So what if he wears goofy hats sometimes! The guy can sing, AND he understands about the smearing of the mascara.

But I'm bugged beyond belief that they all got to see Shrek The Third before the rest of us. No fair! (Emilie mentioned last night how she and Jud were discussing the fact that Melinda Doolittle resembles Fiona ... I'll be damned. She does!)

Enough with the American Idol already.

-----

The campers got on the road at an ungodly hour today ... around 5 AM-ish. Hopefully they can stay awake on the Interstate for 9 hours. Jimmy had so many boxes with supplies going into his truck last night, it looked like he was moving out. I know he's not really ... he left his motorcycle here.

For those not in the loop, Jimmy and Adam are planning to build a freakin' airplane. At some point during the building, they're both hoping to obtain their pilot's license, so they can actually USE the airplane they build. Apparently building your own plane isn't as scary and insane as building your own car, or even building your own house. Adam tells me LOTS of people do it ... and they really fly around in them and everything.

It'll be an expensive and time-intensive project ... but one they both want to do with all their hearts. Jimmy has talked about having his pilot's license since he was in his early 20's. It took his son saying, "Life is short ... let's DO this thing!" for him to really consider the possibility. I hope they both can make this dream of theirs a reality.

Thus. the reason for the 9-hour Interstate drive to Florida. There's a big gathering of homemade aircraft and the people who build the things, and the two men from my family will be among them this weekend. I hope they have a blast.

-----

I have the sniffles and a cough. Is it pollen? Is it tuberculosis? Only time will tell.

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"Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don't know and I don't care." - William Safire

"They don't know my head is a mess ..."

Ugh. I have the beginnings of the creeping crud in my chest and throat. I was trying to blame it on the hours I spent in a smoky bar on Saturday night, but now it's Wednesday and it's worse than it was on Monday and Tuesday.

-----

Lots of errands to run today ... I bought a battery-operated fan for the campers to use this weekend in their tent, and during the test run last night, it broke. What did I expect for $12? Actually, I expected a battery-operated fan that wouldn't break the first time someone touched it. Oh well. In the wise words of my Tony, "Whuddaya gonna do?" So that means a trip to the dreaded Walmart to return it. Then I'll head over to Dick's to see if they have a more substantial camping fan. Also, I'll finally be stopping at Petsmart to get a refund for the tainted cat food that was recalled. I bought 12 packs, and there are only 8 left ... which means I may have poisoned my cat on 4 different occasions. She seems none the worse for it.

Let's see ... what else? Shopping with Em for a "business" outfit. Shaking my head in shame as I procrastinate another day over cleaning my disgusting bathroom. Laundry. That'll just about fill the next eight hours.

-----

Got a letter from work today ... asking us to sign up for hours next Wednesday, when we'll be taking calls for the American Idol fundraiser. It beats taking orders for those damn Natural Cures books by a long shot.

------

My new favorite song this week:

"The Story"

(Brandi Carlile)

All of these lines across my face

Tell you the story of who I am

So many stories of where I've been

And how I got to where I am

But these stories don't mean anything

When you've got no one to tell them to

It's true...I was made for you

I climbed across the mountain tops

Swam all across the ocean blue

I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules

But baby I broke them all for you

Because even when I was flat broke

You made me feel like a million bucks

You do...and I was made for you

You see the smile that's on my mouth

It's hiding the words that don't come out

And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed

They don't know my head is a mess

No, they don't know who I really am

And they don't know what I've been through like you do

And I was made for you...

"And it breaks my heart ..."

I don't know what happened to Monday. It was over before it began.

-----

Nice, fast weekend here ... with Emilie and Allie the Pup to keep me company. We spent time at Cleveland Park Dog Park on both Friday and Saturday. People-watching AND dog-watching ... I could stay there for hours. Allie is a very well-behaved puppy, but Maggie got one good kitty-swipe at her nose when she got too close on Friday. And that's all it took. Allie kept her distance after that. She did take out the majority of the hostas in my front yard, but the yard looks like hell this year anyway. Crazy pup ... Em promised to e-mail me a picture to post from the weekend, but I guess she forgot.

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I woke this morning, still feeling so terribly sad for all the families and friends affected by the VA Tech shootings. So many lives ... and for what? There are no answers, and even if there were an explanation, it wouldn't be enough for those families who woke up yesterday, thinking their loved one was starting a normal day at college ... and then, before the day was ended, had to endure the horror and pain of learning they'd never see them again. And that kind of pain lasts forever. My heart is broken for all affected.

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Jimmy is busy preparing for his long weekend of bonding with his son and sleeping on the ground in Florida. The bonding part will be done while they drool over home-built airplanes, and converse with the people who built them. I think they are both looking forward to it a lot. I hope all the airplane fun makes up for the fact that they are sleeping in a tent. (And I'm saying this, based NOT on my own distaste for campground bathrooms, but on the groans and moans that occur when Jimmy tries to get up every morning ... after spending the night in an expensive Sleep Number bed. He will probably be unable to move after a night in a sleeping bag.)

-----

Can't decide, at this early point, whether I will enjoy the solitude this weekend or hit the road for GA to visit my Mom. I suspect Lazy Dawn will win out.

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"My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music." - Vladimir Nabokov

"Trying to get up that great big hill of hope ..."

The ONE WORD Meme:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse
2. Describe your spouse. Overthinker
3. Your hair? Helmet
4. Your mother? Lonely
5. Your father? Deceased
6. Your favorite item? Computer
7. Your dream last night? Pantyhose
8. Your favorite drink? Water
9. Your dream car? BMW
10. The room you are in? Cold
11. Your ex? Old
12. Your fear? Loss
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Alive
14. Who did you hang out with last night? TV
15. What you’re not? Wise
16. The last thing you did? Slept
17. What are you wearing? PJs
18. Your favorite book? Beauty
19. The last thing you ate? Salad
20. Your life? Changing
21. Your mood? Content
22. Your friends? Awesome
23. What are you thinking about right now? Today
24. Your car? Old
25. What are you doing at the moment? Typing
26. Your summer? Unscheduled
27. Your relationship status? Married
28. What is on your TV? Nothing
29. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
30. Last time you cried? Forgotten
31. School? Maybe

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So I have to have 2 old crowns replaced, and a new crown, on top of that. I told y'all I was expensive. I'm slightly happy about it though ... the new crown will take care of the dark filling that shows when I smile widely. It's been bugging me for years.

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Our weekend guest will be arriving shortly. At least I don't have to clean the house in preparation for this one. And she'll bring her own crate to sleep in. Sweet.

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I think it's "Girls Night Out" for me tonight. Maybe I should take a nap, so I don't doze off in the middle of it.

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"Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from things she found in gift shops." - Kurt Vonnegut

"Don't you fight it till you've tried it ..."

I won't say, "I told you so" ... BUT. Byebye Hayley. Next week on American Idol (as if you care): Martina McBride. And while I'm no longer a big country music fan, I do love to hear her sing. But it makes me shudder to imagine Little Miss Sanjaya whispering a country song.

-----

There wasn't a poker win to celebrate last night (thank God!), but he did come in 2nd. And he won his $20 "investment" back. I bet it won't be long before we're hosting those party animals here again.

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Bad news for me: I have a dentist appointment this afternoon. Leave your condolences in the Comments section, please.

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Did I mention we're dog-sitting this weekend? Actually, Emilie is dog-sitting, and we're watching. Jud is off to bachelor-party it up with his future brother-in-law, so Allie is coming to "pend da night" at our house. Poor Maggie. She'll need some Kitty Xanax before Sunday.

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"I gotta work out. I keep saying it all the time. I keep saying I gotta start working out. It's been about two months since I've worked out. And I just don't have the time. Which uh..is odd. Because I have the time to go out to dinner. And uh..and watch tv. And get a bone density test. And uh.. try to figure out what my phone number spells in words." - Ellen DeGeneres

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Adam ... hi. :-) I miss you, and CAN'T WAIT until you are home again. Hang in there. One more weekend.

"I told ya, I was troubled ..."

Hump Day.

Nothing much happening ... the weather sucks. Should be better tomorrow though.

I read today that Justin Timberlake is collaborating with Madonna on her next CD, to be released sometime at the end of this year. I just thought you might want to know about that.

The engineers are playing poker tonight. I hope they will be able to hold the party noise down, wherever they are.

American Idol: Hayley can go, but after that, if Sanjaya stays, I'm ... I'm ... grrr ... well, I'll be ticked off. I'm now officially a Blake fan. #2: Jordin.

And now I'm off for some fun at Sam's Club. Whooooo!

"Write, write on ..."

April 10. And our taxes are done. Miracles still happen.

-----

Easter Sunday was a quiet one at our house. I cooked a medium-sized dinner for all who could come. (We missed you bigtime, Adam.) I thought it all looked very yummy, but nothing tasted like I thought it should. I've always been teased about that ... everyone says I criticise the food I cook. But that's really not what I was doing on Sunday. I think it had more to do with my bypassed gastric. It was all just "blah". Except for the fruit pizza. I had a small slice after we ate. And then, while I was watching The Sopranos, I had another (larger) slice. That last one almost did me in. WHEN will I learn? I was sick for hours.

-----

Speaking of Tony ... and aren't I always? ...

I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT EPISODES LEFT. That breaks my heart. Sad, to be so in love with a TV show, I know. But I will mourn. Mourn, I say.

Loved the episode on Sunday night. Drunk Carmela singing "Love Hurts" ... oy. And the whole "drunk family board game" time was a little TOO familiar. (We always played Monopoly with the Free Parking Money rule too ... "Fuck the Parker Brothers!") Tony and Janice are the most believable brother and sister pair in television history. I love every scene they do together. I had to laugh when Tony got mad at her for telling the family story about Tony Senior shooting the gun through Livia's beehive hairdo, worried that it would make their family look dysfunctional. (ha!) Janice is scarier to me than any of the men in the show.

This is one series that you absolutely CAN'T start watching in Season 2 or 5 ... you must start at the beginning. It's a story told in layers, each scene building on something that happened several seasons ago. It's, without a doubt, the best-written, best-acted TV ever put out there. That was my opinion, of course ... feel free to have your own. :-)

Carmela: "So did you guys look at her hair? Was there powder burns?"
Janice: "She had a bob the next day."

Heh.

-----

It's Paperwork Day in my world. It ranks right up there with Toilet Cleaning Day. *sigh*

"I got soul, but I'm not a soldier ..."

I like The Killers. You?

-----

Better late than never for a Friday entry, I've always said. I got in a little while ago from a wild and crazy shopping trip to the big city of Gaffney, SC. I rode up there with 2 good buddies, we met another girl there ... and we invaded the Outlet Mall. I found some good deals at Bath And Body Works, which made me really glad I went. But I would have enjoyed the time with friends, even if there were no deals to be found. We ended up at Wild Wings in Spartanburg, where we all ate 2 wings each and got tipsy after one cocktail. (Except for Melissa, who prefers her meat "without bones". Heh.)

Thanks for the fun afternoon, ladies. Let's do it again SOON.

-----

Tomorrow I'll be playing with my Dyson, and making a trip to Bloom for Easter Dinner fixins. Not really looking forward to any of that, but I'll feel good when the house is cleaner. I haven't totally decided on Sunday's menu, but I know it'll involve a ham, since I bought that on Wednesday.

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Amy, thanks again! And girrrrl, quit tryin' to get me in trouble. Jimmy has threatened to wring my neck if I spilled his secret before he gives the go-ahead. I keep trying to be a good wife, so my lips are sealed. But we will be at the beach September 15th thru the 22nd. It would be awesome if we were all there at the same time! We will definitely have to plan for that one of these days.

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Adam, thanks for making me laugh all day long ... every time I think about "Zombie Jesus", I have to snicker. Ya goof. Maybe I should have taken you to church more when you were a kid? Naaa ... then who would make me laugh?? Hang in there, up in frozen Canada. Take care of you.

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It's not even 10 PM and I'm going to BED. Have a good weekend, all.

"The days keep scribbling themselves in tidy lines ..."

Q: How do we know when Dawn has nothing to write about?

A: She does one of these ....

1. Explain what ended your last relationship.

I don't think I've ever had one of those.

2. When was the last time you shaved?

Yesterday. I shave before I go to the tanning bed, which is about 3 times a week. I know this falls under the category of "Things I Must Know About That Lady".

3. What were you doing this morning at 8 am?

Checking my e-mail.

4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago?

Getting a goodbye hug from Emilie ... she's back to Clemson for the weekend.

5. Are you any good at math?

Oh Lord. I can add and subtract, does that count?

6. Your prom night, what do you remember about it?

It was 1977, and we were with my best friend and her date. We smoked pot, we went to a "fancy" restaurant, and then we stood around, looking bored, at the prom. It was uncool to dance in '77, I guess. I thought my dress was ultra sexy though ... it was black, had an open back, and I felt pretty in it.

7. Do you have any famous ancestors?

Not a one.

8. Have you had to take a loan out for school?

Not yet.

9. Last thing received in the mail?

An invitation to a memorial service for patients of Lutheran Hospice, to be held later this month. I think I'll go in memory of Grandma F.

10. How many different beverages have you had today?

One. Water.

11. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to?

Kiss. Ha!

12. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach?

I don't think I've ever engaged my brain to that degree when my feet are in beach sand.

13. What’s the most painful dental procedure you’ve had done?

I had a root canal back in the late 80's, and it scarred me for life. I've had another one done more recently, and discovered they don't all feel like the dentist is poking a hot wire down the middle of a nerve. Thank God.

14. What is out your back door?

A deck, with a gas grill, some chairs and a table.

15. What did you do last night?

Cooked an easy dinner; talked to Brandy on the phone; watched American Idol, South Park, and a Sopranos rerun; took a shower; and went to sleep.

16. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair?

My hair usually never touches ocean water, but I don't care what my hair looks like when I'm near the ocean.

17. Have you ever received one of those big tins with 3 different kinds of popcorn?

I got one once with 2 different kinds of popcorn: caramel and cheddar cheese. Tasty.

18. Have you ever been to a planetarium?

I'm pretty sure I have ... but I'm using Brain Boredom Blocker, and those memories are gone.

19. Do you re-use towels after you shower?

Nope ... once I use a towel, it goes to the laundry. It's terrible, I know.

20. Something you are excited about?

The thing I'm most excited about, I can't talk about yet. Hee! Second on the excitement scale is our vacation in September. We have rented the coolest house in Cherry Grove Beach, and I can't WAIT.

21. What is your favorite flavor of jell-o?

Strawberry.

22. Describe your key chain.

It's a loop of strong fabric, Clemson orange with tiny tiger paws all over it, attached to the actual metal ring that holds the keys. (This is fascinating stuff, no?)

23. Where do you keep your change?

In my wallet.

24. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people?

I have no idea.

25. What kind of winter coat do you own?

I made it through the winter without a coat ... my old coat is too big now.

26.. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?

Used to be closed, but now it's usually cracked open just wide enough to let Maggie (aka Fur Maker) in and out. I find we sleep lots better knowing a cat won't be clawing the door and carpet, trying to get in or out. Actually, that behavior belonged to our former kitty (aka Hayley the Devil Cat), and we just kept doing things the same way when we got Maggie.

27. Do you love someone right now?

I love my entire family, including the cat. I love my good friends, too.

28. Have you ever cheated on someone?

Nope, I'm a faithful bitch.

29. Do you have a crush on someone right now?

Why yes, I do.

<-- Him, too.

30.How many pairs of shoes do you own?

I gave away lots, when my shoe size changed with the weight loss, but I'm back up to 31 pairs now. And they're all black and brown. Shut up.

-----

Amy! You say the sweetest things. :-) I was hoping I'd be hearing that sort of thing from my husband, but since I'm not ... THANK YOU. It means a lot!

"But I said 'no, no, no' ..."

And so it's April.

This time of year ... so full of new life (and pollen) ... seems to always find me thinking of funerals. It's been 13 years since Daddy's funeral on April Fool's Day. And now, almost one year has passed since we said goodbye to Grandma F.

So much has changed in the last 12 months. But I don't think I'll ever forget how it felt to be in that nursing home, hour after hour, during her last week on earth. I met her when I was 17 years old, and she was 65. And I'm awed by the fact that I was the person that got to sit by her while she died.

I wonder if she knows how much I miss her.

-----

The weekend was a fast one. Em and Jud came by for a minute on Friday, and Adam and Brandy came for dinner on Saturday ... so all were accounted for and hugged.

The bathroom painting is complete! There's still no doorknob, and the window blinds aren't hung. Today I need to iron the shower curtain, and put the towels and stuff in place. And I still haven't bought a rug. But that's pretty much the way things go around here. It's never really finished.

But yeah. Only our bedroom and bath remain to be painted, and then I can FINALLY call the carpet guy to redo the 2nd story floors!!!

-----

Support group and UPS (Upstate Pouch Support) get-together tonight ... I look forward to seeing those folks so much, it'd probably creep them all out if they knew. Heh.

"Say it all, say it right ..."

Life is quiet right now, so there's not much to blab about. I do hate this weather. It was in the 50's and drizzly yesterday, and about the same today, so far. Typical Spring in the southland though ... 85 degrees one day, sleet the next.

Hey! There's paint on the walls in Em's bathroom! Whooooo! And I'm crossing everything I've got, hoping that the woodwork will be done before the weekend comes to a close. I'm heading to Lowes today to shop for a new light fixture, new sink faucet, towel bars, and window blinds. I think I'll try to find a new rug too. I've already bought a new shower curtain and towels.

It's still not a sure thing, but my hopes are raised ... maybe before I'm 65, we'll have new flooring and I can invite friends over again! I'm so ashamed of my nasty old carpet and torn-up kitchen floor.

-----

If you're so inclined, please say a little prayer for my Mom. She's had a bad week, with her knee pain. She's waiting to hear about an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, and she's ready to have it replaced. If my Mama is wishing for surgery, we KNOW she's in some major pain. I hope this can all be resolved quickly for her, so she can be all well and feeling great by the time our family vacation rolls around in mid-September.

-----

Adam's coming home tonight!

-----

Hope y'all have a beautiful weekend. Don't be an April Fool!

"I find myself choking on all my contradictions ..."

Whoooooo! Cute boys with "fauxhawks" RULE.

Talent?? Thhbbbbtt ... who cares?!!?

OK, let me just get this out of my system and we'll move on. I know ... Chris Sligh messed up. He has no rhythm. He sang ahead of the beat and moved his body behind the beat, which really made me quite dizzy. And since Simon spanked him the first time, he's been like a scolded little boy ... afraid to let his personality really shine. And what I thought in the beginning was a killer sense of humor was starting to look more and more like an unearned air of self-importance and superiority. So, maybe it was time to end the torture and vote him off. His face had the look of someone totally expecting what was ahead, and when we overheard him say to one of the others, "You owe me 50 bucks" ... well, that leads me to believe he knew last night was his night. Buhbye.

And now Sanjaya seems to be embracing the fact that most people think he's a joke. But it pisses me off because he knows his performance can totally suck, and he'll still stick around for the next week's show.

OH! And while I'm complaining, let me add this: I'm jumping off the Lakisha train. She bores me ... her facial expression never changes.

New favorites: Jordin, Blake, and (maybe) Melinda. Melinda's a fantastic singer, but I'm dying to hear her sing something more contemporary. (Like from the early 90's!!!) And her surprised look of "ME?? " when the audience cheers for her is getting old.

I told you I was a cranky old bitch.

-----

Let's see ... what else.

Um.

Nope ... nothing.

Have a good Thursday.

"Love to wash in your old bathwater ..."

It's American Idol Wednesday, here at ATI.

My eyes! My eyes!!! That hairdo ate through my corneas.

Seriously. Is he mocking us?!? I'm stumped for words. But it's obviously keeping me entertained, waiting to see what he's going to come up with next.

Sanjaya singing "Bathwater"

It was another hot, steamy mess ... he forgot some words ... and I bet he'll still be there next week!

-----

Hey Adam. I bought some ply yesterday. See how easily influenced I can be? You tell me it tastes like plywood, and I want to eat one! Mmmmm ... ply. (I actually haven't tasted it yet, but it's on the menu for later today.)

"I will survive (hey hey) ..."

But it may take awhile.

I'm back from my fun in the sun. And I'm a year older. Whoo hooo!

Actually, that may have been my favorite birthday ever. I was near the ocean, I got to lay in the (low humidity) sunshine for a little bit, I got my picture taken with Don Vito of MTV's "Jackass" and "Viva La Bam" in Hooters (this old lady had no idea who he was until they told me) ...

... and I spent the evening in a nightclub with a Birthday Shot Glass hanging around my neck on hot pink beads ... and I danced the night away. Whoo hoo is RIGHT.

The trip was just about perfect. We didn't stay long enough to get on each other's nerves (OK, some of my nerves were "got on" at times ... but I'm a bitch), there was always somebody to hang out with and talk to, and the weather was absolutely perfect for being outside. We ate at Hard Rock Cafe the first night, and at Dick's Last Resort on my birthday. (My condom hat said, "Telemarketer Dick's Phone Sex Specialist" ... hee!) What a great group of women!

-----

But now it's back to the real world. The house is buried in cat hair fluffballs, floating around like tumbleweeds. And there's grocery shopping to be done. (sigh)

(I'm shocked to learn that Anna Nicole died because she had massive amounts of DRUGS in her system. So shocked.)

Before I go, I'll share with you my incredible Birthday Bling, provided by my sweet friend, Kathy ...

Dawn's 48, and doesn't look a day over 47.

"I want to be where the sun warms the sky ..."

Busy, busy ... you?

I leave for "Beach Weekend With The Girls" tomorrow around noon, and I'm still the Queen of Procrastination ... which means I have about 3 days worth of STUFF I wanted to do before I leave. I guess there's no time to vacuum. Drat.

I hope everyone will behave while I'm gone. And I really hope I come home to NO WALLPAPER in Emilie's bathroom. To dream of actual new paint on the walls is to wish for miracles, and I save my miracle-wishing for things that really matter in this world.

Like "Please don't let my thighs scare people on the beach."

"If you give, you begin to live ..."

Welcome, Spring. At 8:07 PM this evening, Spring will officially be here ... which explains the expected high of 56 degrees on Wednesday. I will not complain though, since the forecast for my weekend at the beach is predicting sunny skies, with temps in the low 80's. Whooooo!

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Enjoyed a very quick trip down to LaGrange to visit with Laura and Melody on Saturday night. It was a houseful, considering they have 3 big dogs and 2 cats. Adding me was bordering on overcrowding ... but they were gracious hosts. We yakked the day and night away.

I noticed an alarming (coincidence?) trend on this drive down Interstate 85, as well as the trip we made to Columbus two weeks ago. Drivers are INSANE. While speeding along at 90 mph, some people think nothing of attempting to change lanes without really looking to see if my ancient Toyota was there first. My horn sounded far too friendly, even when I was laying on the damn thing. I wish I had a dime for every time I said "motherf*cker!" on my trip this weekend. This is a sign of age, right? ... the old lady complaining is really picking up lately.

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Em is enjoying her time in Ohio with Jud's family. It's cold there, so I imagine their trip to Charleston on Thursday will be a warm treat for her.

Adam got to come home on Friday! They invited me to dinner on Sunday, after I returned from GA ... Adam made his special spaghetti sauce (YUM) and Brandy made a killer salad (YUM again). I tried my hand at the new Wii. And basically just loved seeing their faces for a little while. Tomorrow I'll drive Adam to the airport for his flight back to the North Country, where he'll stay for another 10 days. I know it's getting old for him, but he's being a good sport. (Being paid to do it also helps with the attitude, I'm sure.)

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Hey, I got my driver's license renewed yesterday. For the first time in 20 years or so, my weight is not a lie. Well, that's a lie. I actually gave them my goal weight, which is 17 pounds under what I weight right now. (Just in case I actually ever get there, ya know.) I'd say that's a major improvement over the HUNDRED pounds I was lying about on the last one.

I was unable to read the eye chart without my glasses. The woman kept telling me to try again, without the glasses, but my eyes just wouldn't cooperate. Now I have the little "A" on my license that means I can't drive without my "corrective lenses".

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Woke at 4:30 AM today, unable to drift back to where I wanted to be. Maybe this means today will be totally productive. I plan to walk on the treadmill, do lots of laundry, show up on time for a nail appointment, and buy a damn bra that fits.