Finally - the McD's are getting a family vaction together...

We're going to St. Louis on our summer trip


- we can go to the Zoo and go see the Arch. Have lunch on a river boat. (we may get free tix to the Cards game if the DH remembers to e-mail the chick that works there - but we will be plenty busy w/o those too!) We will also go to Six Flags there and visit various museums - the museums are free (we have passes to the ones here so it's free there), the zoo is free, Six Flags is free (passes here too) and the Cards will be free if we get the tix - could we have planned a better vacation....

I am so very excited - though the 10+ hour drive may leave us a little "closer" than we may care for at the time, but the kids will remember it - for a long time. (I have car bingo printed out and states for the license plate game - the kids are looking at me strangely - they have their lists of video games and DVDs they want to take - remember when you only had the company of your family to keep you occupied!)

and...
Lest you think it a good time to sneak into Dennie's house and clean her out of books and computers - we will have house sitters - notice for those who know who is watching the house I said plural - *grrr* - but what are ya gonna do - for free.

I will be back online sometime next week - y'all have a great summer....

oh and I have a great new book to take w/ me and read - Thanks Bailey! and Raine -

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height.

Dear Dogs and Cats,
The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit th rough the same door I entered. Also, I hav e been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:
1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

From my mama....

Cute!!


Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, are excessively mischievous. They are
Always getting into trouble and their parents know all about it. If any
mischief occurs in their town, the two boys are probably involved.

The boys' mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in
disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys.

The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. So the
mother sent the 8 year old first, in the morning, with the older boy to
see the preacher in the afternoon.

The preacher, a huge man with a deep booming voice, sat the younger boy
Down and asked him sternly, "Do you know where God is, son?" The boy's
mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed
with his mouth hanging open.

The preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is
God?!
Again, the boy made no attempt to answer.

The preacher raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the
boy's face and bellowed, "Where is God?!"

The boy screamed & bolted from the room, ran directly home & dove into
his closet, slamming the door behind him.

When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, . .."What
happened?"

The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble
This time."

"GOD is missing, and they think we did it!"

BEFORE Children: I was thankful for the opportunity to vacation in exotic foreign countries so I could experience a different way of life in a new culture.

AFTER Children: I am thankful to have time to make it all the way down the driveway to get the mail.


BEFORE Children: I was thankful for the Moosewood Vegetarian cookbook.

AFTER Children: I am thankful for the butterball turkey hotline.


BEFORE Children: I was thankful for a warm, cozy home to share with my loved ones.

AFTER Children: I am thankful for the lock on the bathroom door.


BEFORE Children: I was thankful for material objects like custom furniture, a nice car and trendy clothes.

AFTER Children: I am thankful when the baby spits up and misses my good shoes.


BEFORE Children: I was thankful for my wonderful family.

AFTER Children: I am thankful for my wonderful family.

I picked up the summer reading lists per grade per child when we went to the Library Monday. You have never heard such whining. My gosh, you’d think they were asked to live without their Gameboys – indefinitely. Sheesh!

Two of them flat out told me, “I don’t know why you got that.”
I said nothing and held tightly to the color sheets of paper. Later when I suggested they look them over I got a round of shaken heads and frowned faces. I pointed out that each child had already read at least three of the books listed so they had started the list thanks to the Keller ISD. But again, a round of nos echoed through the McD house.

I decided to sweeten the pot – and Spare needs all the incentive to read as he can get, if it’s not sports he doesn’t want anything to do with it. I offered them $0.25 to $0.50 per book (dependant on the length) and for every four books they read from the list they have a free choice and will get $0.25 (they can make up to $40.00 – and still one groaned and groaned – and he is the most avid reader of the bunch. He is almost never without a book – sheesh). Maybe this is wrong – they really do like to read more – than a lot of kids I’d bet, but their choices are very specific and tend not to vary at all.

After glancing over the list, I noticed there were several “girl” books. I cringed and saw my plans for enlightened, well rounded boys float out the window with the fly they let in last time they went outside. But I had an Ah-ha moment. For every “girl” book they read, they get and extra $0.50 – what a deal. If my mother ever offered to pay me to read as a child I’d have been able to pay for this house in full, no mortgage, all on my lonesome! (maybe I exaggerate – but not by much!)

turn up your CD player and shake your thang in the middle of the living room - hahahaha

For whatever reason this makes little boys beg for mercy, promise to never fight and swear to aways eat their vegitables . . . it has yet to produce said results . . . but they will promise everything in that moment - bwwwaaahhhhhh. . . . .

I have taken Amie/Cece/Ceila's challenge and have cranked out 13 whole pages - YAY ME!

I am working on a book inspired by her's and my one-time stalking incident w/ CC. You think if I send him the book when it's published he will finally grant me an interview?!?!?!

awww. . . to get back to the writing . . .

We kinda sorta celebrated yesterday - thrown in w/ an early anniversary and dad has to work today up at the arena. One of the boys' friend's said, "Can't he just tell them no?"

Um, well, when you're dealing w/ ESPN and NBA they don't take to kindly to "no" especially when some of their folks haven't been home for months sooooo...... We gave dad his gifts and I made a cake, then we went to the mall and had dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe - I picked that restuarant and a couple of the kids gritched and moaned but we did all have a good time!

Then this morning I awoke to wee feet in my face, so I woke that child, told him to jump on dad and proceeded to wake the others to do the same. Then I released the hounds who joined in on the ruckus in the McD bed. THEN I jumped on top of everyone - bwwwaahhhhh - you have never heard such squeally boys.... I love making them scream double-bwwwaahhhhh...

I cheated w/ breakfast as I ran out to Sonic and ordered a bunch of stuff instead of cooking . . . . all were well fed and complained very little (for about five minutes)

Now it is time to shove dad out of the house to work... and I need to get writing!


Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!

I lost my debit card. .... SHEESH~~

I never carry a wallet or a purse, 10 straight years of a diaper bag cured me of that for a very long time. I usually only have my license and debt card in my pocket - been doing it for two years - and today whamo-bamo-holy-ma'amo it disappreared. It fell out when I was picking up my Scouts so I know "about" where it is. But that is a pretty big park, soooo..... no telling...

Oddly enough, we got new cards in just this week. But I put off activation it 'cause I have the number memorized on the old one (I shop online - A LOT) - the lady at the back found it quite odd that I knew the number (I didn't tell her I had had the DH's in my hand and all but the last four numbers are the same - but I still knew it by heart)

Even though everything is cool and taken care of, it is scary to think of it out there somewhere...

update: one hour and a trip to Sonic for shakes later... I found the card on the street where I parked to pick up the Scouts... - wheshew.......

I got myself mixed up in MySpace – it was one of those, “everyone is doing it.”

And when I found out my 15-y-o brother had one as well as his 10-y-o cousin, I decided I should try.

There are several writers on their and I am slowly but surely adding to my friends – I even had CC’s dog – hehehehe! (yes his dog has a my space.)

If I am quiet for a bit you can probably find me on their trying to tweak the html in it – which I suck at – and I am using dial up as the wireless went henky this morning.

Oh and I am writing – Amie Cece Celia Stuart what’s-her-face has challenged myself, Raine, Sandy J and a couple of others to write write write and I am – honest… swear….

Come see me… Dennie’s MySpace

Spare and Spare + 1 have Cub Scout camp this week. I went and hung out at the park for 45 minutes in the 100+ temp to pick up said boys plus one other scout – I am not complaining as they were outside ALL day – just saying – it’s hot.

So anyway… I get home and stick my key in the lock and viola I have a new key chain.

You like…


I find my new key chain quite amusing, but the hubby just frowns when he looks at the receipt. The guy at Home Depot thought it was funny - and he tried to get the key out.


(I had to drive w/ it on there to the store ‘cause he didn’t offer to let me use his keys and neither of us were smart enough to take it off the key chain – did I mention it’s 100+ degrees and it trends to make you silly/loopy!

And to hear him bitching up a storm at having to change this out you'd think he wasn't using tools (don't all men love their tools) and he'd been gone for nearly a month working hard . . .

. . . Sheesh

Of course I will say, he installed the new knob and dead bolt but you cannot use them together (thanks to a crappy job by the home builders when we bought the place) - it's one or the other unless of course we put the old dead bolt back on and and use two friggin keys to get int othe front door in Suburban Fort Worth....

And this is after having to replace the battery in DH’s truck – but thankfully he was home to take care of that – I couldn’t have gotten it out of the truck w/o a step ladder – short y’know…

….. strange man in my house. Says we’re related, but I don’t know…. Though he does look a little familiar.

“Did we meet about 14 years ago? I had on a white dress and you have on a black suit…?”

Yep… That’s where I know him from…

Had a great time (as usual) last night with Cece, er, ah Amie, um I mean Ms. Stuart. We watched people and that was entertainment in itself. We saw CC - love him. I was fondled all night - however she wasn't that cute but her husband seemed to enjoy it so . . .



(I am running out of pics so you will have to look at some of my faves . . . no hardship for me - hehehe)


If I weren't so dang tired - had to get up at seven to return the babysitter - I'd be writing like a mad woman. I may make another pot of coffee and see what I can crank out!


Now . . . . let me ask y'all a question. Anyone have "The Sims"? I was thinking of getting it (like I don't have enough distractions going on) to make up my characters. I get tired of trying to figure out what celeb they remind me of or leafing through magazine after magazine to find a face that matches. A while back someone, and please forgive me 'cause I don't remember who, mentioned "The Sims" for doing house designs and whatnot. I wondered if it would work to "build" your characters. I looked at their website, but I cannot really figure out how indepth you can go with the people.

If you have it or have seen it, please let me know what you think of it!

Have a great weekend. . . . . . . . .

Amie (formally know as Cece - or maybe still known as Cece but now selling as Amie - I don't what the hell to call her... so confused!) and I have tickets to see Chris tonight - WOOHOO

I cannot tell you how badly I need to get out. The DH has been MIA for well over four weeks with basketball (Yay - Mavs - they are 1-0) so it has been me and the kids 24/7 and I do mean 24/7 - every morning I awake to find a child whom I know I left on the floor w/ the other kids (yes, they have beds but they like to sleep in the living room when on breaks) only to find his foot in my face and snot on my arm - allergies y'know.

I almost feel sorry for the babysitter - my brother - almost, but he is earning it. I am taking him, the boys and brother's cousin to Six Flags today. And he will have four little (okay not so little as Heir has peaked my height - gawd don't get me started on that one!) worshiping and adoring him - though I did hear desention in the ranks when they discussed how he hogs the Xbox - LOL - should be for a fun eveing in the McD home! OH and their will be gobs of pizza and soda. I thought about trying to sneak to the hubby's hotel - for a bit but I don't know how that will look to the other guys at ESPN - "Dude, I saw some woman go into your room at 2 a.m. - you use all your perdiem for that?" That was bad wasn't it! Sorry - Coffee is just kicking in!

Now to the "WHY" - Mini-me has grown so much over the last few months and if he's not carefull he might be stunted - ever time I say anything he asks, "Why?"

BECAUSE I SAID SO!

Isn't that enough reason - the other boys don't question. They may roll their eyes but they don't question. Every little thing why, why, why, why - holy schmoly - can a mom go crazy when the zenith of why's is reached? I am so close to losing it . . . . .

. . . . so if you read in the news some crazy stalker woman attacked Chris on stage - just know I had a GOOD TIME!

from the cousin-in-law...

I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped onto their belt or purse. I can't afford one.

So, I'm wearing my garage door opener.

You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that people didn't like me anyway.

I was thinking that women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans!

I was thinking about old age and decided that old age is 'when you still have something on the ball, but you are just too tired to bounce it.'

I thought about making a fitness movie, for folks my age, and call it "Pumping Rust."

I have gotten that dreaded furniture disease. That's when your chest is falling into your drawers!

I know, when people see a cat's litter box, they always say, "Oh, have you got a cat?" Just once I want to say, "No, it's for company!"

Employment application blanks always ask 'who is to be notified in case of an emergency.' I think you should write, "A Good Doctor!"

Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do -- write to these men? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen could look for them while they deliver the mail?

Or better yet, arrest them while they are taking their pictures!

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older. Then, it dawned on me, they were cramming for their finals. As for me, I'm just hoping God grades on the curve.

I had a busy day yesterday... I thought when Dallas won and dad stayed in Texas, it would be easier - no such luck... He goes out the door to head to the arena yesterday and his truck wouldn't start. After a trip to Wal-mart to buy (why we didn't have one I don't know) jumper cables and still nothing. So we load the gaggle of boys into the van a schlep from Fort Worth to Dalls in rush hour... might I add listening to Mini-me sing "Mary had a little lamb" - the entire way - and to say it was bad... it might have been okay if he knew all the words, but ALL he sang was Mary had a little lamb ... just those five words and nothing else ... for over an hour...

Since we were in Dallas I tried to think of something to do as I didn't want to turn right around and head home - in rush hour traffic still heaped on. Luckily, the MIL can get zoo tickets through her work so we stopped by her office and grabbed those and went to the Zoo - we haven't been there since Mini-me was a wee tike if at all with him - the kids didn't remember ever going.

We got to see some pretty interesting things - a lizard being fed... live baby mice - ewwwwww.... the giraffes being bathed, up close, right by the window - that was cool ... several animals pooped while we watched, which the boys loved - man oh man! And we got to ride the monrail where we saw lotas and lots of ... ducks... apparently the other animals were hiding, but the boys got to sit in a somewhat confided area for twenty minutes - mom was not complaining!

Then we had lunch with my mama and headed back home... it was a long, yet fun, day -

not only are the Mavs in the finals - WOOHOO - it means dad gets to stay home (in a hotel room in Dallas) for work - WOOHOO



"What do you mean we never took a vacation - you stayed in a hotel room when dad was at the Dallas/Miami game . . ."

Is that cheating!?!?!?!?

YAY MAVS!!! (how sad is it I am so terribly excited??? . . . about sports. . .)

Okay I waited 'til I turned in the contracts . . . as my dearest bud mentioned on her blog I have good news . . . I shall tell you now . . .

I sold another book to Samhain -
called : The Inn Crowd

I am pretty excited ... I am not a two-book wonder - WOOHOO!

Of course SJ was most excited about this sell as she and I plotted the book out one afternoon at lunch and whamo-bamo (apparently my new phrase of the moment) - we have a story that shall be in print!

Oopsy, I guess I better call the MIL as she has gone to checking my blog for news of the family . . . okay so I didn't tell her I hurt myself and she had to read about it on here - my bad!

I will update info on the book as I get it. And just as a note, my second Samhain release, Deadly Mistakes, is posted in the coming soon pages for the September releases . . . yay me!

(A funny from my mama)

One morning, the husband returns after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.

Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says, "Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?"

"Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't that obvious?")

"You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her.

"I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing. I'm reading."

"Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."

"If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the woman.

"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.

"That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment."

"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

Okay - so the DH is working for ESPN and saying, "It doesn't matter who wins the game," does not apply. Had the Heat won last night, DH would be done today (for this round) and would have come home tonight and gotten to see the kids special Cub Scouts advancement on Saturday. But could Miami bank on the 3-1 lead and end the series - NOOOOOOOOO..... So we wait - he may be home Sunday or God forbid they go to game seven it could be Tuesday - again I say ... Damn you Miami

as long as he's home on the 9th - right Cece - if not, I'll be begging sitters - CC is in town and we have tix!

On a fun note - took the kids to Six Flags yesterday, though we only stayed an hour. They were hungry, too hungry to ride anything else and I was NOT about to pay $30 for lunch at the park... so we left. We may go back today (we have season passes w/parking so other than gas... it's not too bad) - it's supposed to rain so it shouldn't be too crowded!

But have I written... some - though I downloaded a Hoyle game disk on my computer - Rummy Squares is my downfall... but I win 90% of the time... yay me!