I received an email from my friend, Ben, today. In the subject line it read, “Saw this and thought of you, Stacy. :)”

My first reaction was, “Uh-oh!” You know… because he used a little smiley face after the sentence in order to soften the blow.

[heh] I got your number, dude.

So anyway, I drew a deep breath and braved a click of the link.

Er, um, ahhhh, yeah. I suppose this is the part where I admit that Ben hit the target this time around.

[Stacy grinned sheepishly]

Enjoy.

On a different note…

I was organizing my music files yesterday, when I ran across a ‘genre’ discrepancy. You see, when I download music from, um, well, you know… completely legitimate sources, (yeah, that’s it), often times the owner of said music file has the file mislabeled. It’s a royal pain to go through and check the properties of every single .mp3, but it must be done.

For instance, I have the entire “Irish Heartbeat” album by Van Morrison & The Chieftains downloaded as .mp3’s. You would think with an album titled such as this one, the ‘genre’ would be correctly labeled as either, ‘Celtic’ or ‘Irish’ or maybe even ‘Folk Rock’, right? But noooooo. Every single song was mislabeled as (…are you ready for this one?) “Pop/Rock”.

Pop?

Van Morrison?

IRISH Heartbeat!

[sigh]

What are these file sharers; like 10 years old or something?

Maybe I’m just getting old, but um, when did ‘Def Leppard’ become ‘Classic Rock’?

‘Blondie’ - ‘Blues’?

‘BoDeans’ - ‘Alternative’?

‘Bruce Springsteen’ - ‘Hard Rock’?

‘Wille Nelson’ - ‘Pop’?

‘Janis Joplin’ - ‘Pop’?
(WTFartbutters!!!)

‘Mike Reno & Ann Wilson’ - ‘Retro’
(Huh?)

‘Paula Abdul’ - ‘Rock’?
([snicker])

‘Bryan Adams’ - ‘Other’
(Hmmm…? Nope, I’m not going there.)

‘The Time’ - ‘Acid Rock’?

Say what? Oh. Stop. I. Can’t. Take anymore.

On yet another note…

For those of you that have been reading this here blog on a regular basis; I got the job. I start on January 2nd. I’ll have two days of orientation, one day off, and then I get to drive me a fork lift the following weekend. Woot!

I’d say that after being a SAHM for 14 years, driving a fork lift sure as heck beats flippin’ burgers. [heh] Besides, I’m looking at this as an adventure… blog fodder… an escape from reality. …And; “Holy pallet lifters, Batman!” I never imagined I’d get to play Tonka for real. [grin]

Stay tuned for a preview of next week when Stacy says, “Oh, my aching feet. I’m soooooo tired.”

Heh.

On that note…

Hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. See you in the New Year!

I had every intention of taking a week off from blogging, due to the holidays. But something wonderful happened… a Christmas miracle, if you will… and I just had to share.

John Pertzborn (Co-anchor for FOX 2 News, St. Louis, Missouri) just informed me that Belleville police Sergeant, Jon Brough, was released from the hospital today (Friday, Dec 22) and is now at home.

There is no gift sweeter than this one, folks. Nothing material could ever take the place of being with those you love, especially around the holidays.

Keep up the good fight, Sgt. Brough, our prayers go with you. All the best from my family to yours.

–Stacy Anderson

Brough and his family have received an outpouring of public support. Donations may be made at any Commerce Bank branch or mailed to the Jon Brough Trust Fund, c/o Jeanne Dalman, Commerce Bank, 5701 W. Main St., Belleville, IL 62226.

Additional information from Trooper Dave Filkins:

“Just to let you all know, there will be a musical benefit at Grace Church in Fairview Heights on January 13, 2007. There will be local professional musicians (3 groups) performing Bluegrass, Jazz, and Pop music. The groups will consist of Tony Dispasquale and his jazz band, Chris Talley and her bluegrass trio, and the Grace Church pop band. A good time will be had by all.

There will be a freewill offering for Jon Brough and his family during the performance. All proceeds will go directly to their fund. Childcare for all ages will be provided by the church staff so come one,come all……questions can be directed to Trooper Dave Filkins (ISP) at 977-3182.

Thank you all.”

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The Magic of Winter, by D. R. Laird

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Wordless Wednesday

I got called back for my 2nd interview already (Saturday morning). It went well, too. I was told that HR would contact me by Monday or Tuesday to give me specifics on the job; basically hours and pay rate. Apparently there is a differential for weekend employees. No one actually said that I was hired yet, but they were all kinds of excited that I actually requested the weekend shift. Basically, after my references have been checked, then they’ll call me in for training. So, as long as there is nothing wrong with my references… I’ve got the job.

Told ya they hire everyone that walks through their door.

Wanna know what I’ll be doing? This is kinda funny, actually. I’m going to be driving a “Lift Truck” all around a gargantuan warehouse building. I get to play Tonka trucks for real. How exciting is that! [grin] I sure hope I get the hang of this. I don’t want to run anyone over or drop any loaded pallets on anyone’s head. Yeesh. That would kinda suck… for them anyway. [heh]

“Gargantuan — always liked that word; so rarely have a chance to use it in a sentence.” –Elle, Kill Bill 2

On to another subject…

My husband, son, and I went to a Christmas parade yesterday. There just so happened to be about 3 or 4 religious floats in a row, and while these floated by, two young boys were fighting to the right of me. I think they were brothers. They were just being boys, basically. You know, they were punching and shoving and trying to wrap one another in a headlock. Anyway, being influenced by my surroundings, my brainwaves conjured up this question in my thoughts…

When Jesus was just a wee lad of, say 6-8 years old, did he get all male-agressive with his friends or relatives like these boys did? Did he get rough and tumble and wrestle about? Or did he hold up his hands and say, “Aw, c’mon… Let’s just hug.”?

…And then I thought, you know, if he was a rough and tumble kind of lad, mayby later he went on a walkabout and that’s when he found Jesus.

[heh]

On another random note…

Bob and I went to the SS office last week to request a copy of his kids’ SS cards. While we were sitting in the waiting area, a woman to our left was playing an ABC game with her grand-daughter. The grandma would say a letter, (starting with ‘A’), and the little girl would repeat the letter back to her. The girl looked to be between 2 & 3 years old, and was as cute as could possibly be. Anyhow, near the end of their game it went like this:

G-Ma: “…Q”
Girl: “Q”
G-Ma: “R”
Girl: “R”
G-Ma: “S”
Girl: “S”
G-Ma: “T”
Girl: “T”
G-Ma: “U”
Girl: “Me?”

She had turned her palms up, held her hands out, shrugged her shoulders, and had the most innocent, inquisitive look upon her face. When we all chuckled, she seemed puzzled as to why, but smiled anyway. Her grandma tried to get her to do it again, but the little girl didn’t fall for it a second time.

I just had to share that.

Now, I need to get back to the housework around here. Oh joy. Later, my daughter will be singing in a Christmas musical at one of the local churches tonight. That should be enjoyable.

How’s your weekend coming along? Do you have any heartwarming stories to share, or goofy thoughts, or tasteless humor, or in-law holiday horror tales to relate? You’re welcome to share.

I had my first job interview in 15 years today. Three times the lady doing the interview said, “Ooh, I like that answer. That’s good.” I’m assuming that was a genuine response and not sarcasm, ‘cuz it seemed like the interview went rather well.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was worried that my inner (bluntly honest) voice would make an outward appearance, but I managed to squelch it. Well, sort of. I just couldn’t help myself with the last question, which I knew she was going to ask. They always do. I hate this question because it begs for the truth, yet everyone bullshits their way through it. I have a difficult time flinging bs.

Interviewer: “I have just one question left for you. Why do you want to work for our company?”
Stacy (that’s me): “Honestly… because I desperately need to get away from hearing “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy” all day long.”
Interviewer: [chuckles] “How old are your children?”
Stacy: “13,12, 10, 8, and 8.”
Interviewer: “Ah.” [put pen to paper and started writing] “I’ll just put ‘ready to return to the work force’ here.”
Stacy: “Works for me.”

We then took a little side trip into discussing our children, in which I informed her that I home schooled my two oldest during the week, which is why I applied for the weekend shift. She mentioned that she had considered home schooling her son, too, because his name had been found on the top of a list (circulating through his school) which had the word ‘TARGET’ written in big, bold letters at the top. Yeesh. Talk about heart failure. I would have been inclined to pull my child out of school at that point too.

Anyway, the interview went well and now I have to do it again. Argh. Apparently they have a two-interview system and I must now be interviewed by some other, higher honcho.

This is a good sign, right?

So that’s my Friday morning. I’m going to go shopping for stocking stuffers for my munchkins now. Have a terrific weekend, folks.

13 Songs I Like To Get Silly With (Alternatively Titled: 13 Songs That Elicit Shared Giggles And Goofy Choreography Between My 12 yr. Old Daughter And Me.) Before we delve into my musical list here, I just have to say… OMGawd! Twisted Sister sang “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” on Jay Leno last night. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wash that frightening image from my brain. That’s just wrong, folks. So wrong. It was like watching the love child of Tammy Faye Baker and Dr. Frank-N-Furter, complete with holiday inspired, frosty-blue eyeshadow. Let’s not do the Time Warp again. [shudder] I feel so… violated. That song will never be the same for me again. I think I’m going to cry. [deep breath] Please, go on ahead of me. I need a stiff drink and a lobotomy. First up on my list is… 1. I Hate Everything About You by Ugly Kid Joe [heh] Is it wrong that this song makes me happy? 2. Call Me Up In Dreamland by Van Morrison Oh, now this is a fun one to dance to. Yup. We used this one for a bout of morning aerobics Wednesday morning. My daughter and I had fun bopping from the living-room to the kitchen and back again, and again, and again. My son scowled, shook his head at us, and then put his headphones on and turned his back to us. Poor kid. He needs to learn how to lighten up. Yeesh. 3. Pink Shoe Laces by Dodi Stevens One day, about twenty years ago, I was in my basement, wearing a feather boa and doing a little dance number, while belting this song out with gusto. I thought I was alone. I NEVER would have allowed anyone to catch me doing something so… utterly… juvenile. [sigh] In the middle of the song, I twirled around and stopped dead in my tracks. My mom had left the door unlocked when she left the house earlier; and one of my co-workers let himself in after no one answered his knock at the door. I have no idea how long he had been sitting on my basement stairs watching me. But the grin on his face when I spotted him was telling enough. I was left with no choice but to grin back… sheepishly. 4. Suga Suga by Baby Beesh This one has a fun, rhythmic beat. Nuff said. 5. Dancing With Myself by Billy Idol I love me some Billy Idol. 6. 1985 by Bowling For Soup Yeah. You know these guys rock. And I’m not just saying that ‘cuz I rocked out to Wham. [snicker] 7. Almost by Bowling For Soup Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! Now that’s funny! 8. Kung Foo Fighting by Bustop (Carl Douglas) Love it! Oh shut up! 9. I Can Dream About You by Dan Hartman I can dream about you If I can’t hold you tonight Oooh, I can dream about you Oooh, I can dream.. I’m such a dreamer. 10. Inside Out by Eve6 This is a head-bobbing fun song with absolutely brilliant lyrics. See for yourself… Chorus: I would swallow my pride I would choke on the rhines But the lack thereof would leave me empty inside I would swallow my doubt turn it inside out find nothing but faith in nothing Want to put my tender heart in a blender Watch it spin around to a beautiful oblivion Rendezvous then Im through with you Yeah. Love it! 11. Holiday by Green Day Okay, so if you could see me head-bopping and dancing wildly around my living-room in step with this tune… Well, you’d probably think I had epilepsy. So I’m gonna make sure my door is locked this time. [heh] 12. Struggle by Ringside Another bit of head-bobbing fun! 13. What I Like About You by the Romantics Love it! Love it! Love it! Well fiddle. I have a gazillion other songs I’d love to share with you, but I’m supposed to stop at 13. So I guess that’s it. Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a terrific Thursday! Check out these other “Thursday Thirteens”!

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