The Plunger Post

I've got lots of things going on and lots of things floating around the 'ol cranium today. It's still early and I've got to just unload. Some peeps refer to this as the "Random Thoughts" post, but I'll name it Junk That Clogs My Brain.

1. Typical of my "authority issues", I refused to partake in that silly "Earth Hour" thingy where I was supposed to sit in the dark with my family for an hour on a Saturday night. Col had his girlfriend over, so yeah.....no--we didn't sit in the dark with two teenaged lovebirds on the premises. Not a good plan. So, after Becky went home, we instead observed "Earth Night" where we turned off the lights around 11:00 p.m. and they stayed off until around 7:30 the next morning. I think that counts.

2. We are having some walls and ceilings repaired this week by my drywall dude. "Steve" comes over while we're gone, slaps some white frosting-like junk everywhere and leaves. Two days later he sands like there's no tomorrow, leaving me with white dust the invades the smallest of spaces. If you have ever had drywall taped and sanded in your home, you will know what I am talking about.

That dust invades my lungs, my mouth, my underwear drawer, the plates, the china cabinet, the fish tank, the bathtub, Col's stereo in his closet, my shoes, the litter box--basically everywhere. It is nasty and it takes forever to remove from your home and your life. I hate drywall dust. As I am a total neat-freak, I may just lose it Wednesday when I come home to this mess. Pray for me.

3. Can tennis be an indoor sport?! Why does boys tennis season have to be freakin' freezing every single year? Have I not sat in bleachers freezing in the fall for Marching Band Season enough? Does that not count for parent support and participation? Really. Saturday's first match of the season was no less than 10 degrees and WINDY. My hands were numb inside my gloves. Joe and I were decked out like we were going sledding--winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, thermal underwear.......We bailed after the second match. Or was it the first?

4. Check out this month's National Geographic--they do a whole article on a horrible fungus that is killing frogs around the world, called the chytrid fungus. We had a bunch die of this last spring. Those frogs that didn't die in the skimmer quickly (well, not so quickly actually--ick) succumbed to this killing disease. It was awful to watch the few remaining frogs wither and die a slow agonizing death. I think we are clear so far this year. I hope so. Ick. Double ick. Do you know what is more gross than frogs? Dead frogs.

5. I love my new pally Chuck over at Secondary Roads. Homeboy awarded me second place in a major contest that he held on his blog and passed on a mothaload (that's gangsta for "lots") of EC credits to me!! WhoooHooo! Being that I'm super cruddy at mastering the whole EC thing and never have more than 35 credits to my name at any one time, I was floored! It was like winning the lottery! Or getting a new car. Or finding a dollar in your winter coat pocket. Or ....

Anyway, I didn't even answer the question right, Sharkbytes did, but he gave me bonus points for creativity. Okay, so I begged for creativity points--he was nice enough to humor me. Love him. Go visit his blog--he's such a great guy. And I'm not just saying that.

6. Which leads to the whole button thing. I made the decision when I had the blog re-designed not to load up the sides with ads and buttons and such. I originally started the blog to just write and post photos and I really wanted to stay true to that format. Although I think blogroll is fab, I feel like I somewhat betray those who are so good to me by not posting their buttons on the side, but then I go against how I want my blog to look. So, I'm sending my apologies to the pallies because you have to click on the button in order to see who I love. AND I haven't had the time to work on adding all those buttons and links of the blogs I adore. (NOTE TO SELF: gotta do that soon!)

So, would you please forgive me for not putting all of your buttons on the sidebar, but in a special little pocket on the blog? I promise to update my listing if you promise to sneak a peak there one of these days.

7. Which leads to awards. This is something I really struggle with. I love to get awards and I really, really appreciate you linking my blog. The problem is that I don't remember to download the award, link you in return, and then mention more blogs to pass the award to. I mean to, but I don't remember to go back and do it. And then it gets to be too late and I'm all embarrassed that it took me so long, and then I just don't do it because I'm embarrassed.

So, I think, like the Lemonade Award (which I turned into Cocktail Hour), I am going to come up with some other way of acknowledging all of you, who so kindly acknowledge me, that is outside the box. I haven't come up with a solution yet, but I'm working on it. This working stuff has really put a damper on the free time, so I'll maybe have to work on this while I'm at work. My boss will love that.

8. Can it NOT snow anymore. I was really, really disgusted to see the accumulation Sunday morning. It was totally harshing my mellow.

9. And did I mention that some dude at work today asked me what "valley" I was from. What?! He told me I talk like a Valley Girl. Buzzkill.

Like, oh my Gawd! Gag me with a spoon.