I just love Maxine!
Very scary…Both of them! I’m voting for Maxine!
The Pumpkin Patch with my boys
October 16, 2008 — Ms Sparky
From The Mouths Of Babes
October 3, 2008 — Ms SparkyDo you need a break from the daily KBR crap?? Here is a conversation I had with my 5 year old grandson last night after his bath. I had to share it. It is just too adorable.
Let me set the stage. Keelen has just finished his bath and I am trying to get him out of the tub so I can get him into bed.
Me: Come on it’s time to get dried off and get your pajamas on.
Keelen: Grandma I don’t want to wear THOSE pajamas!
Me: OK…which one DO you want to wear?
Keelen: I want to wear my Army Camo ones!
Me: OK (I head off to get the “Camo ones” thinking what in the hell is the difference!)
Keelen: Thanks Grandma. I really need to wear these ones tonight.
Me: Why? (Now I’m curious)
Keelen: Cuz I am going to sneak out later and get ice cream and I don’t want you to see me.(He’s as serious as a heart attack)
Me: You think so huh!! You do know that Grandma can see right through Camo!! (I am trying so hard not to laugh because he is so serious)
Keelen: That’s just not fair. How am I going to sneak around and get away with stuff? (Tears welling up in his eyes. I wanted to say, “Oh I’m sure you will figure it out.” But didn’t want to encourage him. )
Me: It’s not OK to sneak around try to get away with stuff. Now, It’s bedtime…
I got him dressed and sent him off to bed.
I was impressed and concerned at how thoroughly he had thought this whole thing through. He was totally serious!
If that doesn’t put a smile on your face…you’re just not human.
Ms Sparky
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72-Hour Kits (Reminder)
September 13, 2008 — Ms SparkyThis post was moved to Blue Behind Bars on Nov 21, 2008 and can be found by clicking HERE
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First Day Of Kindergarten
September 4, 2008 — Ms Sparky
For those of you new to my blog….I am not just some “crazy old woman” trying to improve working conditions for US workers working overseas and poking KBR with a stick every chance I get. This “crazy old woman” is also a wife, a mom and a full-time grandma.
Today was the first day of kindergarten for my 5 year old grandson and he rode the “big boy” bus all by himself. Independent and fearless. You are looking at a future Marine…OOHRAH!!! (Read the rest of the story here…)
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A Whole New Level Of Pain
August 23, 2008 — Ms SparkyFor those of who have been reading, you know I have been having some problems with my back. I’ve never had any chronic back problems. Just occasional crap from working construction. Nothing major.
I woke up last week with some lower back tightness and have been going to my chiropractor and under going physical therapy. I had been doing great. Yesterday my chiropractor told me my back was looking good but he wanted me to do another day of physical therapy. No big deal. Some back strengthening exercises, some stetching, some shock therapy and some heat.
I was lying on my stomach, my physical therapy was over and I felt great. I put my hands under my chest to push myself up off the table…like a “push up”, and all of a sudden my lower back started to spasm and the worst day of my life began.
I was half on the table and half off and couldn’t move either way. With natural child birth being my worst pain ever, I’ve always compared my pain to that. This was much worse. I was ready to pass out, throw up, I broke out in a hot sweat, I was shaking uncontrollably all over. The muscle spasms, 10 times as bad as the worst charlie horse I’ve ever had, were coming about every 3 minutes and lasting about 1 minute. This went on for at least an hour before the spasms started to ease. I told my doctor it reminded me of labor and if I ended up with a baby at the end of all this I was going to be pissed!
I was there six hours before I could even walk. And I only attempted that because I had to pee so bad! My girlfriend Laurie came and got Keelen. My neighbor Mike came and got me and I called Cal and he flew right home from Ohio.
I walked in under my own power and feeling good and I left in excruciating pain and using a walker. Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate having to have my husband dress me!!! It takes 15 minutes for me to get to the bathroom, so there’s no waiting till the last minute. I went to my Primary Care Physician today and got some good drugs!!!
I really like my chiropractor and I don’t think it was his fault or that of my physical therapist. It was just one of those things.
I am now convinced I HAVE to get this extra weight, I put on after Iraq, back off. That has to be playing some huge part in all this!
On a positive note….I have learned that my maximum pain tolerance is much higher than I thought!
It’s time for my muscle relaxers!! Woo Hoo.
Ms Sparky
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Shock-O-Meter
August 19, 2008 — Ms SparkyFor my regular readers and close friends and family you all know that my lower back has been really giving me some grief. I have learned that the whole “misery loves company” thing really isn’t true. If you persist in trying to make your friends and family miserable, you aren’t going to get any company!!
I woke up yesterday with a pain I could only compare to natural childbirth. I called my new chiropractor and her office didn’t open until 2pm. I was pretty certain I would be dead by then. So I called my old chiropractor/physical therapist and told them I was on my way.
My back muscles were so tight and balled up he couldn’t even adjust me and no amount of massage and heat was going to change that. I have never cried in the chiropractors office. Let me tell ya…..I cried!!!! I’ve had broken bones that didn’t hurt that bad.
He turned me over to another physical therapist that took me to the physical therapy room. He hooked my back up to this shock therapy machine and told me to relax. What?? I’m an electrician. I can’t relax when I am being shocked. All my electrical instincts are telling me to GET AWAY!!! And contrary to popular belief….WE DON’T GET USED TO BE SHOCKED!!! WE DON’T BUILD UP AN IMMUNITY!!!
On a scale of 1-50 on the shock-o-meter, I was only able to get up to 13. I have to go back today for another treatment and I going for 20.
The treatment seems to be working. I could actually dress myself this morning! There’s nothing like having a five year old help you get dressed.
Oh yea…Keelen was with me yesterday at the Chiropractor’s. He asked him “Can you fix my grandma? She’s been kind of cranky!” The things kids say!
Ms Sparky
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Cal Crawford Rocks at Pebble Beach
August 18, 2008 — Ms SparkySome managers just never get the fact that a genuine “Thank You” for a job well done goes a long way to boost employee moral and loyalty. Now I know what an amazingly smart, honest, loyal and committed employee my husband Cal is.
It would appear his company, Siemens Water Technologies Corp now knows it as well. The following article was published in the Divisions Newsletter “The Water Cooler – A Weekly Newsletter for Purified Water Associates” Because I do not have permission from Siemens to reprint this article I have abbreviated the last names to a letter only.
Cal Crawford Rocks at Pebble Beach
August 13 – 20, 2008 Volume 31
Recently, Aaron B. and John K. were in meetings with CDM. Here is what they learned and conveyed to Mike Y., Cal Crawford’s boss in a recent e-mail.
Mike,
I thought I would pass along several extremely positive comments that were received regarding Cal Crawford and the Pebble Beach startup both yesterday and today.
John K. and I were in meetings in CDM’s Walnut Creek office yesterday (on an unrelated project) and ran into Chad B. and Peter T.. We got to discussing the Pebble Beach project; both had extremely positive comments about Cal’s work during the commissioning of Pebble Beach. …..(portion omitted)
Today, while visiting the plant, we spent some time with Brent R. of Pebble Beach Company and Larry (lead operator at CAWD). Brent and Larry both had great things to say about Cal as well.
It was great to hear such positive comments about a colleague!
I wasn’t sure if these comments had made their way back to you…so thought I would pass them along.
Regards,
Aaron
Kudos to Cal. We all thank you for your efforts, hard work and positive display with the folks at Pebble Beach. (END OF ARTICLE)
NICE JOB HONEY!!!
Ms Sparky
aka (Your Wife)
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I Can’t Take Any More!!
August 17, 2008 — Ms SparkyIt has been two months and I am still struggling with not smoking!!! My back is killing me and I would trade a kidney for some relief or a cigarette. I am self medicating. THANK GOD FOR CANADA AND CROWN ROYAL AND 7-UP. I just love Canada. I’m telling you right now…..if the mini-mart weren’t so far away, I’d be freakin’ smoking right now!!!
I don’t know how people live with back pain every day!!! OMG!!! I am going back to my old chiropractor tomorrow. Laurie W…SHHHHHHH!!! I like Cara, but I can’t take the pain!! I am dyin’ here!
Ms Sparky
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Oh My God…..My Back!!
August 12, 2008 — Ms SparkyMy lower back is out and I have been to the chiropractor twice. It just keeps popping back out. So I can’t stand, walk, lie down or sit very long. It’s like I am hyperactive. I am always on the move. Therefore my posts have not been consistent. Thanks for being patient. I’ll be back to normal soon or at least will have some great pain meds. Either way….I’ll be feeling better.
Here are a few quotes from our Commander In Chief! Enjoy
When I take action, I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive. George W. Bush
I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society. George W. Bush
The reason we start a war is to fight a war, win a war, thereby causing no more war. George W. Bush
Now don’t you feel better about your President??
Ms Sparky
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Happy 24th Birthday Tiffany
August 6, 2008 — Ms Sparky
On this day 24 years ago I experienced a level of joy and happiness, that I had only read about. After 36 hours of labor and six hours of pushing, I met a most amazing person, my daughter Tiffany. (I can hear Tiffany now…”No not the 36 hours of labor story AGAIN!”)
Being Tiffany’s mother hasn’t been easy. She’s not for the weak. But it definitely hasn’t been boring. I would love to sit here and say “I wouldn’t change a thing” but that would just be crap. There are a lot of things I would have changed but we survived. As a matter of fact I’m thinking about getting a T-shirt that says “I AM A TIFFANY SURVIVOR!” But I don’t want to jinx it!
Tiffany and Ethan
Tiffany and Keelen
I will say Tiffany has grown into a beautiful amazing woman and I am very very proud of her.
Happy Birthday Honey…I Love You
Ms Sparky
(aka Mom)
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Ki-Be Class of ‘78 30 Year Class Reunion
August 4, 2008 — Ms Sparky
Karin, Debbie & Laurie After Graduation Ceremony 1978
Ki-Be HS, Benton City
Laurie, Debbie & Karin Before 30th Class Reunion 2008
Where does the time go?? It wasn’t all that long ago and we were at our 20-year class reunion. Alright…so it’s been 10 years ago, but still. What is this whole reunion thing all about anyway? Most people I talk to actually dread going to their class reunions. Why??
I didn’t really want to go to this one either and was looking for any excuse to get out of it. But, best friends since the fourth grade, Karin and I always go together and thank God she is always the designated driver. Just so she would have someone to drive home, I went with her!! What are friends for? LOL
I was never one of the popular girls and I wasn’t into high school politics. Either I liked you or I didn’t. I was into horses, studying and my boyfriend Steve.
So why do we travel, in some cases very long distances, to hook up with people we haven’t seen for years and years and may very well never see again. Is it curiosity? Do we want to find out if the cheerleader is fat? Are the homecoming queens boobs running the same race for the waistline as yours? Is that gorgeous quarterback bald with a beer belly? What is the really smart guy doing? Some curiosity to compare our lives with the lives of the most popular, the most talented and the most gifted. Is there some small part of us that hopes we have “out-succeeded” the one voted “Most Likely To Succeed”?
For whatever the reasons many people just won’t go to their class reunions. Our graduating class had about 70 people in it and I’ll bet we are lucky to get a 50% turn out. So where is everyone and why don’t they want to rehash, relive and be reminded of the pain, the angst, the trauma most of us called high school.
That must be why most reunions involve alcohol.
Ms Sparky
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Humor….From Beyond The Grave….Seriously!
August 4, 2008 — Ms SparkyMy mother died three years ago this November. A “sense of humor” is not what we would use to describe her. My mother was literal to a fault. As you might imagine, Mom rarely appreciated my sarcastic sense of humor and we were at odds more often than not.
I had gone to Eastern Washington this last weekend for my 30-year class reunion (another post) and my sister Dollie and I thought it would be a good time to go to Moms grave and place flowers. Her birthday was July 20th and she would have been 68. (Read the rest of the story here…)
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Happy Birthday To Me!!!
July 27, 2008 — Ms Sparky
I can’t believe it’s my birthday again……are the years getting shorter or is it just me? I’m not sure how much longer I can pull off this whole “I’m 29……again” thing!! I’m starting to get “those” looks.
It has been such a “frog in a blender” month, I totally lost track of the days. On Friday, the day before my birthday I was doing an interview with “The Story”. The host all of a sudden wished me a happy birthday. Totally threw me off. I started stammering and studdering….”uh uh uh….oh yeah….your right, it is my birthday!” What a goof ball!!! I hope they can edit that out!
In an effort to TRY to stay away from my cell phone and my laptop I went out and mowed the lawn….we have a 1 acre yard. Before you feel to sorry for me I have an awesome riding lawn mower. For me mowing the lawn is very therapeutic and I always get a great sense of accomplishment when it’s done.
All my roses are in full bloom. I’m just thrilled. I planted 10 new bushes this spring and now have a grand total of 19 Jackson & Perkins rose bushes. I swore I wouldn’t plant any more next year….but we’ll see! The J&P catalogs are like crack to me. I just can’t stay away from them!
Today Keelen, Cal and I took a hike through the woods and to the park. Keelen just had to fall in the river. Fortunately is was just deep enought to get him good and wet. It was great to be away from everything!!!
And through it all, I’m nearly 30 days no smoking and doing great.
To all my friends and family that made this such and awesome year….thanks….YOU ROCK!!!
I’m 48 and damn proud of it. Every crease and wrinkle, every gray hair IS MINE!!!! I earned em’ fair and square! I wouldn’t change a thing……well maybe one thing. I’d take my 20 year old boobs back in a New York second. My original boobs. No plastic surgery.
Ms Sparky
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Priorities
July 23, 2008 — Ms Sparky
Since I’ve been back from Washington DC poor Keelen has ended up on the short end of the “Grandma” stick. I figured after I testified, that would pretty much be the end of it and life would go back to normal. I couldn’t have been more wrong and I am largely to blame. In an effort to keep the story about the soldier electrocutions alive, I posted comments with a link to my page anywhere I could on the internet. I had envisioned that people would come to my page, read my posts about the soldiers, leave comments and that would be it. But that’s not exactly how it happened. Since I’ve been home, I’ve had numerous requests for radio interviews and newspaper articles. I have either been on the phone, on my laptop or on the road to a meeting. This all means that my page and the hearings are getting exposure. And that’s good!
But, poor Keelen has been emotionally abandoned. And that’s bad! I have been so tied up with my page, emails and interviews he has become “cuddle deprived”. Since I got home on July 12th I am guilty of the following things. (Read the rest of the story here…)
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Quitting Smoking-Day Seven
July 5, 2008 — Ms SparkyIt’s day seven on my quitting smoking and I’ve done fairly well. I cheated a couple of times. My God they tasted nasty and I felt dizzy and nauseated. I guess that was actually a good thing.
I’m still a bit “edgy” so I have been trying to stay away from anything and anyone that pisses me off. So if you haven’t heard from me this week now you know why!!! Just kidding….sorta!
At $6 a pack, I am saving about $9 a day not smoking!! That’s about $3300 a year. You can talk health stuff to me all you want, but if you really want to get my attention…talk money. Is that just sad or what? But everyone has to have their own motivation. I will work on the health stuff after I have a few months of not smoking under my belt…again!
I plan on doing a serious detox in a couple of months. That should be fun.
Thanks for all the support and well wishes. My readers rock!!
Ms Sparky
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Happy 4th of July!!
July 3, 2008 — Ms Sparky
Another long weekend!! Everyone is heading to the hills or getting ready to BBQ and set off fireworks! Oh…and don’t forget the cold brewskies!!
It all brings back fond memories of being a child and running around the yard drawing in the air with my sparkler.
For everyone out there who has young children here are some interesting sparkler facts.
Did you know:
- Sparklers burn at over 1800 degrees F
- 16% of all fireworks injuries are caused by sparklers
- Sparkler injuries account for 1/3 of all fireworks injuries to children under 5
Who would’ve figured. I’ve given them to my own daughter thinking they were the safest. Actually children under five should not be given sparklers at all.
For more sparkler safety information click HERE
For more general fireworks safety information click HERE
Celebrate our 232 years of Independence from Great Britain and have a wonderful safe 4th of July.
Remember…..DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.
Ms Sparky
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A 10 On The Bitch-O-Meter
June 30, 2008 — Ms SparkyI have quit smoking AGAIN!!! This is day 2!!
For those who don’t know me well. I was quit 7 years and started again on a construction job in Albuquerque in 2001 Then I was quit for a year after I got home from Iraq in 2006 and started smoking again on a construction job in China in 2007. On both occasions there were electricians and alcohol involved. So I can only surmise it is the fault of the electricians….electricians make you smoke!!!! I have been told, there is nothing that impairs your judgment more than an electrician!
I know I can do this and I really hate smoking. I don’t smoke in the house and I don’t smoke around Keelen. I am totally embarrassed that I smoke and I hide in my own damn yard.
I have been waiting for some peaceful zen-like perfect moment in my life that might make it easier. ha ha ha ha That’s too damn funny. I have so much stuff going on….all good! Some I will even be able to blog about SOON SOON SOON!
My husband is home this week and I thought…”What a great time to quit! He can help keep me honest.” And he’s thinking…”Shit….can someone take me to the freakin’ airport!”
I feel this amazing anxiety. I have been here before and I know it will pass. I am on the patch and my family says I am bit testy and I am trying VERY hard not to be!!! But I know at this very moment…..I could easily kill someone!! My husband has told me that our family is out of season and off limits. But just to be on the safe side….they went to town. Sooo…..if you need to have someone injured or killed ,,,…right this very moment is good for me. (just kidding please don’t ask me to kill your asshole spouse)
I will keep you posted!
Ms Sparky
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To All The Sparrows Out There
June 26, 2008 — Ms Sparky
I live on the west side of the Cascade Mountain range. We have a lot of wildlife, redtail hawks, bald eagles, deer, coyotes, foxes, you name it, we got it.
I was sitting outside watching a pair of bald eagles circling overhead. They obviously had their eye on something yummy. Then all of a sudden a small bird, a sparrow I think, started harassing them. They had probably gotten too close to a nest and this little bird was giving them hell. Those eagles could have snatched this little bird right out of the sky but that didn’t deter it. It just kept dive bombing and chasing them. This went on for about five minutes and then the eagles decided to move on.
I was impressed. This little sparrow stood up to these two big majestic eagles and won. Obviously it felt it was fighting for something important.
I think people are like that. There are people who make a lot of noise, but when push comes to shove they cower in the brambles like a rabbit. Afraid that the big bad eagle will hurt them. And then there are the sparrows. Small and insignificant in the big scheme of things. Considered a pest at times. But when it’s time to take a stand and fight for what is right they will not intimidated.
To all the sparrows out there. Do not waiver in your convictions. Do not be intimidated. Do not doubt yourself. Do what is right for the greater good.
You know who you are! SPARROWS UNITE!!
Ms Sparky
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Parenting Class Graduation
June 24, 2008 — Ms Sparky
FINALLY, Tiffany has completed those damn parenting classes. The ones where she was calling me every night after class and giving me parenting advice. Argh!!! Oh my God give me strength….(to not choke the crap out of her)!
There was a graduation ceremony at the prison. I took Keelen and Ethan and his parents came. It was awesome.
I think the thing that amazed me the most…(well there were two things) was that Tiffany was so pleasant to be around. All that nasty drug induced hatefulness was gone. She was a delight, funny and conversational. The daughter I know and love. The other thing was Ethan. He will be two in August. My how time flies. Although he doesn’t know Tiffany as his Mother, he let her hold him and do all the kid games and activities. He was independent and self confident. His adopted Mom and Dad are doing such a great job with him. I know we did the right thing placing him for adoption with them.
Tiffany made both of the boys gifts and they painted and did some kind of cookie dance. Tiffany was just enthralled and I was having a great time talking to grown ups.
Although I hated the parenting classes…I am proud that she singed up for this twelve week, three hours a night, three nights a week, after working all day, class. She not only completed it, but she excelled in it. She participated and grew as a woman, a mother, a daughter.
I am so proud of the strides she has made. Not just what she is doing, but how she is thinking. Her whole thought process has changed.
I know my daughter is in prison, but I am a very proud mom!! How many mom’s can say that!
The photo above is Tiffany at about 16 months old. Does Keelen look just like her or what!
Ms Sparky