December 30, 2005

Taking up the charge

Bou of Boudicca's Voice has suggested that we all look back and think about the top ten people of 2005. (By the way, Bou is having surgery this A.M. so please send some good thoughts her way!)

The Ten can be people that have helped us the most this past year. The help could be little things, or big things like making our lives easier or bigger like making the world a better place. So, I'm not sure if I can come up with 10, can you?

1. My son. He hasn't made my life easier, but he sure has made my life more worth living every day. And he is so smoochy!

2. My husband, for all the little things he does when I can't get home from work. For his love and support and nice ass.

3. Chrissy, for being a wonderful friend and offering sound advice when needed.

4. George W. Bush. Sure he is loathed in some circles, and sure I can't say I agree with him on everything. But he has a plan to root out terrorism where it is born and for that he has made my world a better place.

5. While not a single person, per se, I am going to send my thanks and recognition to the members of our Armed Forces who defend my life day and night. For those who have paid the ultimate price, my eternal thanks. You (except for a dishonorable few) have made my world a better place and you deserve to be recognized on every list.

6. and 7. My Aunt and Uncle. I met them for the first time in my life, just this year. It was an eyeopening and learning experience that has enriched my life like almost no other experience has. I am privileged to have met them, honored to be part of the family, and humbled to have so much when they had so little.

8. Everyone who gave of themselves to help those in need after Katrina and other disasters here in the US this year.

9. The elderly couple at the local diner who gave my son a dollar when he was crying just to make him smile.

10. My babysitter, for filling in my role as mom when I can't be there to hold my son and tell him what a good job he has done on something or to just fix him a snack.

There you have it. My top ten list for 2005. I left some out I am sure.

Have a Happy New Year Everyone. May you each experience something wonderful in the coming year.

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December 29, 2005

Christmas Cookies

I love Christmas Cookies. I love baking them, eating them, seeing them arranged all pretty on a plate.

This year I didn't bake any, not a one. I was not in the mood. In fact, I wasn't in the mood for Christmas. Sure I had some Christmas Spirit in the week leading to Christmas but it was fleeting.

Now the New Year is upon us, and I didn't eat many Christmas Cookies and I've been in a perpetual funk over my job. Perhaps my New Year's resolution will be to eat more Christmas Cookies all year round and find a new job.

How about it? Anybody hiring?


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December 27, 2005

After Effects

So, looking back at Christmas Day I can tell you all with great certainty that Christmas sucked.

Yep, that's right. The soon to be ex brother in law made sure of it.

There were some bright spots. My son opening gifts Christmas morning and the new roaster I got from my husband. Want a sure way to smile? Watch my kid open gifts. As soon as he can see the body of the gift he says: "Oh wow! Awesome, it's just what I wanted. Thank You Santa!"

Contrast this with my nephew who says "I don't want that, you mean you didn't get me the blue one? My daddy says I can't have that cause it is too expensive, so take it back."

Then of course there was the obligatory, yelling, throwing of utensils, food, paper and insults that go along with being in my family and you have it - Christmas sucks.

I am officially staying home next year. Home, with my appreciative son, amorous husband and cute as a button pets. I am going to play and I am going to eat cookies, and my evil relatives aren't going to tell me I should lay off the cookies, and my brother in law isn't going to cause chaos and I will go a full day without anyone telling anyone else that they have made a mess of their life.

I'll miss the food, but not the fighting. Although the food fight was fun. . .And I did manage to polish off an entire bottle of champagne watching the not-so-festivities.

Church was very sweet and uplifting and yesterday was much more quiet. Exactly as it should be.

Oh, and to top it all off, I think I burned a $100 Lowes Gift Card. Damn!

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December 24, 2005

Christmas Cheer

I have a little, so here you go!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All My Friends and "Family" in the Blogosphere!


New Entries Can Be Found Below!

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December 23, 2005

Too Good Not To Post

Osama's neice is baring quite a bit in the next issue of GQ.

Who thinks this will earn Allah's praise? She does have a nice set of wheels though, even I must say.

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December 20, 2005

Meme'd again

I got hit with this Meme by Contagion who didn't appreciate all the fun Meme's I put him through.

This one was created by Lee Ann so that makes it good.

Anyway, rules are to name 5 Christmas movies that move me to the spirit.

1. White Christmas. Something about watching Bing Crosby fall in love with Rosemary Clooney that just keeps me enthralled.

2. Scrooge / A Christmas Carol, any version will do. I especially like the old black and white Alastair Sim version.

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas- the animated one. I love it. I sing the theme song all season. I have a nickname derived from that movie. What can I say? A classic.

4. A Charlie Brown Christmas-A masterpiece!

5. A Smoky Mountain Christmas. What can I say, I'm a redneck at heart!

So, I am supposed to tag some people, so I tag Richmond, TNT, and Machelle. Have at it girls! And Merry Christmas.

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December 19, 2005

Killing Time

Wanna kill some time at work? Try this.

My highest score is 321ft and my lowest was 79.6ft.

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December 15, 2005

Christmas Presents Yay!

Last year I lamented the fact that everyone in my family asked me for a Christmas list but failed to buy even one item from the list. I thought I'd repost my post on the subject for you today:

I thought I would share with everyone my Christmas tale. Every year, my family asks me what I would like for Christmas, and every year I tell them that I do not need anything and that they needn't bother. Of course this leads to booing and hissing from the family unit. So this year, I made a list. A very comprehensive list. I gave it to all those persons who profess to be my loved ones. Thinking that this year I saved myself a trip to the store to buy the things on my list, I eagerly awaited Christmas morning. While my family opened their gifts and oohed and ahhed over each package, I was left shaking my head. See, my family in their infinite wisdom chose not to honor my list in the least. In fact, I did not receive one gift off my list. Don't get me wrong, the fuzzy slippers were nice, too small, but nice. I also liked the picture frames sans pictures and the sorry excuse for a briefcase that I received (oh, and did I mention the towels?) My family got what they asked for from me. Geez! However, I had taken time out of my busy schedule to write a list, the least my loving family could do was buy me a copy of MASH Season 7. The moral of this tragic story is of course to cease writing lists. No, not I, I intend to write the same list over and over and over again, until I receive at least one of the items on it from at least one of my so called loved ones. While I realize that it isn't the gift but the thought, I also expected the family unit to put some thought into it! Perhaps next year I will tell them all, I dislike your thoughts, get me a BB gun!

What do you think? Will I get socks? Will I get more towels? Will I get another useless purse (I don't carry one)? Or will I get Dukes of Hazzard Season 3 like I've asked? We shall see. . . How about you? Will you get anything off your Christmas list?

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December 12, 2005

You Say That Like It's A Bad Thing

So evil soon to be ex-brother-in-law has been telling my nephew that he shouldn't want to be around me. Know why?

I'm a fat bitch. Yep, that is right. My 30 something asshat bil thinks it is acceptable to tell his 3 year old son that Aunt Oddybobo is a fat bitch.

Imagine my surprise when I was told on Friday: "Aunt Oddybobo, my daddy says you are a fat bitch and I am supposed to be mean to you. Can I spend the night?"

I explained to him, in my best fat bitch way that being a "fat you know what" wasn't all that bad. I got to eat what I wanted and no one messed with me! Then I told him, "you tell your dad, I'm fat but he's stupid. I can lose weight."

Yeah, I am so going to hell.

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December 09, 2005

I Hate MEMES!

No fair, two within three days? My former blog subject Stevin has gone too far. He has spread a meme virus to me. Blech!

I'm supposed to give a list of my favorite reading material:

As I have a 2 1/2 year old son, my reading has been, how shall I put this? lite!

So right now my favorite reads are:

The Monster at the End of This Book by Grover Monster. It is a suspense-filled literary masterpiece with an unexpected twist at the end.

Goodnite Moon Everyone's favorite board book. Who can forget classic lines like ". . . goodnight cow jumping over the moon. . ."

Mickey Finds a Kitty Simply a fun read. The moral of the story is to not forget your friends . . . or some such thing.

David and Goliath We enjoy the part where David cuts off Goliath's head.

Eight Silly Monkeys Wholesome family entertainment. This one will have you falling off your bed along with each silly monkey.

Oh and not to be forgotten is Green Eggs and Ham. Quite tasty with brown sugar and black pepper.

That's it! I am officially memed out. I could be really rank and infect Contagion with this one too, but for his sake I won't. I can just see it now, his poor head would go flying off his body. Sick. I won't do it to the lad. Besides, he loves Christmas and all, this would just ruin his month. *wink, wink*.

So, I won't curse anyone today, maybe tomorrow . . .

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December 08, 2005

Weird, Who Me?

My "friend" Richmond has memed me! It is of course retaliation for the dreaded alarmclock meme from some time ago. So here goes:

I am supposed to give you five weird habits that I have - don't laugh, the first is a doozy!

1. When I get a clean glass from the cupboard - for myself - I usually clean the inside lip of the glass by wiping it on my shirt. I do this using my right breast as a buffer, so to speak, because at least part of it is the perfect size to fit within the glass. TMI? This also is my way of ensuring that my breasts haven't shrunk (my glasses are wide mouth glasses).

2. Whenever there is a full moon, I greet the moon and then I do a rather Elaineesque dance beneath it. I am not entirely sure why.

3. I can't sleep with my hair down. It has to be in a bun, and I will wake up 2 or three times in a night to fix it. When it is in a bun during the day, I will redo it four or five times throughout the day. And let me tell you, it isn't easy pulling 27 1/2 inches of hair into a bun!

4. Whenever I drink, I start to recite the alphabet backwards so that if I ever get stopped at a sobriety checkpoint I can say it backwards and chalk my inability to walk a straight line up to general clumsiness.

5. I will chew a piece of gum long after it has lost its flavor and until that gum has gotten too hard to chew comfortably.


I am supposed to tag five people for this meme, but I don't know if five people read this blog so I will tag Dear ole Dad - Harvey, Sarah of That's Not Very Nice, and Contagion cause he loves a good meme *wink, wink*

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December 07, 2005

Of Bread and Men

Sarah of That's Not Very Nice, had a little rant about charitable abuses during the holidays and I couldn't let it go. Riddle me this: If you were hungry, had no food for your baby and someone was offering free-day old bread to you, would you take it?

This year has been tight for the Oddybobo family. We have seen our shares of the downers the past two years and it also happens to be significantly colder than this time last year.

As you may recall, my little sister is going through a rather bitter divorce. She has one child, he is three. I love this child as if he were my own. As such, whenever he needs for anything, I try to provide it. You see, his father cares for himself only and lets the needs and wants of his child fall to the wayside.
This year, however, I cannot do for my nephew as I would like.

To make matters worse, asshat brother-in-law isn't paying his court mandated child and spousal support. Add to that a seasonal shutdown at her job, and you get broke. Now, my sister isn't the poster child for thrift. She has made many mistakes and is likely to make more. What she has wanted more than anything in her short life is to have a home with a yard for her son. Her soon-to-be ex would not provide that for her. My family has.

With the lack of funds, the sudden cold weather and a myriad of bills said ex has stuck her with, my sister is beyond broke. I bought her heating oil this week because they had none and I couldn't let my nephew freeze.

Because my sister works full-time at a very good job, she doesn't qualify for any public assistance, including heating assisstance. So, it was with great reluctance that she visited a local charity late one evening last week.

This charity receives a donation of day old bread from the local supermarket. My sister, having not even .99 cents to buy a loaf of bread and nearly nothing to eat at home, eagerly took some of this bread. She was approached by someone working for the charity who asked an odd question. "Why did you take that bread?" Now, the obvious answer is because it is free . . . but what this woman wanted to know was what the motivation was.

My sister explained her dire situation to this young lady. She was told that of all the people who had come for assistance that day, and indeed in many preceeding weeks, she was the only one to take the offered bread. Apparently day old bread is not up to snuff for the supposed "poor".

My sister explained that she would gladly take the bread as it would constitute her and her son's meal for that evening. She also said that at this point, she was there to beg and that she would take anything they could give her.

The young lady next told my sister that of all the people who had sought assistance in the proceeding weeks, she was the only one with a job, with the drive to make a better life for her son and the humility to accept that which was graciously offered to her, rather than the audacity to demand assistance.

My sister only wants to provide for her son. She cannot even afford gifts for Christmas (though I have made sure that he is without want). What she could buy this year was one gift - a pair of mittens so that his hands were covered in the snow. This young charity worker put my nephew on a gift list to ensure he has a christmas. She also made sure that a local catholic charity new of my sister's financial needs so that she has heating oil this winter. My sister hasn't asked for much, just enough to bridge the gap. Her son needs to be warm and fed, she would gladly go without to make sure that happens.

Now comes my question. What possesses an individual to seek charitable or government assistance only to turn their nose at what is offered? Seriously, I know it happens everyday. I recognize the abuses and realize that our society, with all its "social programs" has created this race of individuals who believe that they have entitlements. But what possesses a person to turn their nose at charitable giving? The saddest part is that those who work tirelessly for these charities recognize it too. They see that they are being taken advantage of but have the grace to allow it to happen in the hopes that something good comes from their help.

Having been in dire straits before, I recognize the need to accept with graciousness the charity of others. I cannot fathom demanding certain toys, foodstuffs, or assistance from those who give so freely. What have we done in this country to create such an air of superiority in those people who claim a need?

My sister is scraping bottom, accepting what little is offered with humility and grace and vowing to make a better life for herself and her son. The boost she is getting from this charity over this winter will put her in a position to fend for herself completely later-at least that is my hope. Their help won't be forgotten. As an aside, impressed with my sister's attitude, the charity has given her enough groceries to get through the holidays so that she can concentrate on removing herself from the debt abyss she is perilously close to falling into. And they will be checking with her periodically to lend personal as well as charitible support if needed. She has said she won't take advantage of their kindness and is only accepting the help to ensure her son's welfare.

I wonder, if those who walk through the doors demanding assistance but turning up their nose at free bread feel the same way.

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Once upon a time

. . . I was a large mammal ( a very large mammal). Now? I am a marauding marsupial.

Perhaps my diet is actually working . . .

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December 05, 2005

Christmas Came Early

The Boy was helping to decorate our Charlie Brown Christmas tree when he discovered something wriggling and writhing nearby.

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Her name is Hazel. We think she's kinda cute, how about you? She is the newest edition to the Oddybobo family.

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The Boy loves her and she seems to love him too.

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December 02, 2005

Can you pass?

You Passed the US Citizenship Test
Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!
Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

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I Have A Confession

It's a dirty secret. I pay a poor tax, almost everyday.

I play the lottery. Why? I like games of chance. I am a sweepstakes, lottery, mystery shopper obsessed fool.

I especially like scratch-offs and tear-offs. I once spent $100 at the local VFW on tear-off tickets. (It was with $100 I won on the first $1 ticket).

I am a junkie. In fact, I even plopped down $20 for PA's Million Dollar Raffle because I have a 1 in 125,000 chance to win $1,000,000.00. Not bad odds.

Anyway, this is why I have never been to Las Vegas or Atlantic City. I have an addictive personality. I truly do. In highschool and college it was alcohol, then it was beanie babies, now? games of chance.

I feel bad too. For all the ranting and raving I do about government intrusion, and the lottery is one of those intrusions, I succumb to the pleasures of the scratch-off.

I have but one consolation, PA is the only state which dedicates all proceeds solely to programs for the elderly. Bah!

Is there a gambling program for persons addicted to sweepstakes? Arghhh!

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