Happy Thanksgiving!

To celebrate the holiday, I am going to tell you 10 things for which I am thankful.  I stole borrowed this idea from Lin over at Duck and Wheel with String (yeah, I have no idea what it means either, but she is fun anyway).

Instead of giving you the obvious things for which I am thankful like my kids, family, house, etc., I am going to give you funky things for which I am thankful.  These are not the biggies, they are just things you don’t typically think about.

1) I am thankful for Take 5s, the world’s most perfect food.

2) I am thankful for my car.  It may not be much but it gets me where I want to go with pretty good gas mileage.

3) I am thankful for diet cherry Pepsi.  I don’t drink coffee so diet cherry Pepsi gets me going in the morning.

4) I am thankful for the Wii.  It provides hours of entertainment and would even give me a workout if I would let it.

5) I am thankful for Tylenol PM (that is pretty self explanatory).

6) I am thankful for my dishwasher.  I couldn’t live without it (I tried).

7) I am thankful for my handsome Oreo kitty.  He is 20 lbs of fabulous!

I am thankful for books.  I know all about Kindles and Nooks and reading online, but there is something really satisfying about holding a paper and cardboard book in hand.

9) I am thankful for my new pie shield.  I love to bake pies but hate having to create the tin foil pie shield and burning my knuckles.

10) I am thankful for all of my buddies who read my blog.  I realized last night, as I waited for the results of Elle’s surgery, that whether we have met, or not, I still care about all of you.

One thing I am not thankful for is my lack of technical skill.  This post was supposed to be live tomorrow but thanks to hitting the wrong button, it went live today.  Happy Early Thanksgiving!

Elle and Stacy, over at Blue Monkey Butt, recently started their What the Hell Wednesday.  This is an opportunity for me to complain about everything that has been bothering me.  Elle and Stacy know how much I enjoy bitching about everything so they invited me to join them.

If you visited Small Town Mommy in October, you know that I was partially responsible for organizing Libby’s 5th grade social.  You may also remember that it was canceled the day before it was supposed to take place (after most of the planning and purchasing was completed).  Her school has decided to go ahead with the socials for the holiday.  I found this out yesterday.  The social is scheduled for next week.  WTH?  We are supposed to put together a party for 150 kids in a week?  With the Thanksgiving holiday taking up a major chunk of that week?  Since one of my co-chairpeople goes away every Thanksgiving, we can’t even move ahead with anything until next week.  This party is going to be organized in 3 days.  Yes, it is going to be a disaster but hopefully the 5th graders wont notice.

I am having trouble with my blog’s spam filter.  It has become overly enthusiastic.  It has started spamming comments from real people.  WTH?  You are willing to let the occasional Viagra mention squeak by but you will block a real comment from someone who had something intelligent to say about my post?  For G-d’s sake, I beg love people to comment and now you are blocking them?   It did happen on the Miley Cyrus post but it isn’t like the commentor said anything about Miley being naked.

We are traveling to NYC for Thanksgiving.  WTH?  Yeah, I got nothing.  I would rather go to my sister-in-law’s since it means I don’t have to cook and clean.  She takes care of everything.  All I have to do is bake pies which I enjoy anyway.  Life is good.  I have the opportunity to sit here and bitch about things rather than running around like a turkey with her head cut off.

Speaking of a turkey with her head cut off, I am opposed to the personification of turkeys.  The schools spend all week teaching my first grader stories and songs about turkeys.  WTH?  Then we expect them to be pleased about trying to eat it on Thursday.  Try to convince a budding animal activist to eat turkey after a week of turkey songs, stories and craft projects.  C’mon people.  Turkeys are either friends or food, they can’t be both. Pick one and stick to it.

That’s is it for WTH Wednesday.  Stop by Blue Monkey Butt and visit Elle and Stacy to find out what they are bitching about these days.

Also, leave me a comment below about something that is bugging you.  Here is your chance to get it out and it’s cheaper than therapy.

Hey, there, it’s Tuesday which means it is time for Random Tuesday Thoughts.  Today’s thoughts are brought to you by Keely, because they are obviously too scattered to have come from me.

Yesterday, Small Town Daddy took the day off from work.  He totally messed up my schedule (and I think he spilled onions on my coat).  I don’t know how it happened, but I had no time to do anything.  I have to admit, he is much easier to love when he leaves the house every morning.

I also cut his hair yesterday.  Unfortunately, he handed me the clippers and hadn’t loaded them correctly.  So, I cut his hair with a beard trimmer.  I don’t know much about this type of thing so I didn’t know the difference but I am sure it was much more difficult than if I had used hair clippers.  I still did an awesome job.  Who’s next?

I am reaching out to you for assistance.  My 10-year old wants to read the Twilight books.  All of her friends have read them.  I can’t find anything in them that makes them appropriate for a 10-year old.  What do you think?  Should I let her read them or should I keep her the only uncool girl in the 5th grade?

I saw New Moon on Sunday.  Since Libby wants to read the books, I can’t help but look at everything related to them more critically.  I watched Twilight the night before and the vampire (Edward for fans) always looks like he is going to cry.  Why did they make him so whiny in the movies?  He isn’t that whiny in the books.  I honestly find nothing appealing about  whiny vampire.

That is it for randomness.  I know this is short, but I still have a lot to make up from yesterday.  It’s the end of the week (on a Tuesday) and the end of the month.  But, I will still be back tomorrow for What the Hell Wednesday.  Don’t forget to stop by and visit Keely to see the origins of all things random.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway!  C’mon, you can’t tell me that I am the only one whose washer smells funny.  Don’t you have dirty socks?  Don’t you have mildew?  Stop trying to make me feel like I am the only one whose washer smelled funny.  Now, on to our post…

If you have a preteen daughter, I am sure you have heard of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana.  For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past couple of years, can I join you?  No seriously, Miley Cyrus is Billy Ray Cyrus’ daughter who stars in Hannah Montana (Billy Ray is on the program too, I imagine to suck in the preteens’ mothers).  Remember Billy Ray Cyrus?

Anyway, Miley is touring and recently came to Connecticut.  Lots of little girls in the Small Town went berserk.  Except for Libby.  Apparently, my overuse of the word trashy has sunk in.  Libby says she thinks Miley’s music is trashy.  I don’t know if it is trashy or not because I would rather stick knitting needles into my ear than listen to it.  I am just happy Libby doesn’t like it.

Joanna isn’t interested in the music but does like Hannah Montana.  She doesn’t get to watch it very often since Libby hates it.  I don’t think I would let her watch it very often anyway.  Apparently, Hannah Montana teaches little girls to talk back to their parents.  I don’t enjoy people talking back to me.  Especially short people.  If I can use you as an elbow rest, you shouldn’t talk back to me.  What do you think of Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana?  I think Miley is going to have trouble moving past Hannah and hopes her music career is successful since acting probably won’t work out for her.

I know today is supposed to be What the Hell Wednesday, but I am feeling less whiny than usual.  So, instead of WTH Wednesday, I am giving something away.  I received a sample of something called Smelly Washer and have extra for you.   Visit my review blog and enter to win.

Today is Tuesday.  Here at Small Town Mommy, Tuesdays are all about random.  Here are some of the things we have been thinking about lately.

On Friday night, I fell.  I know, I know that makes me sound like I am 100.  No, I didn’t break a hip.  Small Town Daddy booby trapped the garage and tripped me as I walked out to my car.  Yes it was Friday the 13th (I’m just sayin’).

I may have mentioned that I am trying desperately to avoid any type of illness.  I don’t like illness.  I am still recovering from my fall, I don’t want to get sick too.  Anyway, yesterday, I was in Joanna’s classroom reading with some of the kids.  It is fun except for the potential exposure to germs.  First graders have a very slim grasp on hygiene.  Anyway, I was reading with a little girl who enjoyed putting her hands into her mouth.  And then touching everything around her.  I finished reading with her and dove for the hand sanitizer.

While I work, I sit here surrounded by animals.  I am currently sitting on the bed and Hamlet has his head resting in my lap.  Why does my dog like to snuggle?  I think it is because I am reluctant to turn up the heat.  The cat has even started snuggling under the covers.  You know, animals, if you would get a job, you could pay for the heat yourself.  No one is going to pay you to sleep all day.

That is it for my random Tuesday Thoughts.  If you want some more random, stop by Keely’s to check out what others around the Internets have to say.

I mentioned last week that I was invited to an 80s party this weekend.  I solicited suggestions for what to wear.  As usual, everyone came through (even though no one wanted to see me in my original prom dress).  Here is what I wore (you can’t see the yoga pants leggings)…

I just have to say that is the most comfortable outfit I have worn to a party in a long time.

Check out the fabulous 80s makeup (I still miss blue eye shadow and shiny pink lip gloss)…

It was a great party.

Dee Snider was there…

and Tom Cruise stopped by..

The party did reinforce that I should probably not be allowed to tend bar at any time.  Like in college, I have issues determining the correct ratio of alcohol to mixer.  Nobody got sick, but I did end up overindulging (do you know that after a few drinks, you can’t taste the alcohol no matter how much is there?).

Today is Friday the 13th.  I know I should probably be hiding under the bed, but I have things to do so I refuse to be superstitious.  There will be no hiding (although I have five 10 year olds coming over later so I may be hiding under the bed in the fetal position after that).

So far, the day hasn’t been extraordinarily unlucky.  I did have to give Joanna my last $2 because she wanted to buy lunch today.  And there is something bizarre going on with my bank account that I am sure will not work out in my favor, but I don’t think that is unlucky so much as a pain in the neck. Besides that, everything seems to be fine.

I do have laundry to do.  I suppose that could be considered unlucky, but when don’t I have laundry to do?  How about cleaning?  That sounds extraordinarily unlucky, but again, it is there whether today is the 13th or not.

Of course, the power went out at the Small Town elementary school this morning, but since they got it back up and running, no one is coming home early.  I call that lucky, not unlucky.

Of course, it is only 10 am so things could take a drastic turn for the worst.  My mother would say I am tempting fate with this post.

Leave me a comment to let me know if you think Friday the 13th is unlucky, lucky or nothing special.

***Today on Facebook, I am thankful that the power came back on at the elementary school.***

Today is What the Hell Wednesday.  The Blue Monkey Butt sisters decided that I should be given one day a week where I bitch about things (I think it was so they didn’t have to hear me bitch every day) and this is it.  This is when I talk about some of the things that I can’t believe.

I may have mentioned in the past that I have big hair.  I had to share this photo with you (because why shouldn’t you see me at my worst)…

WTH?!? This is why I usually wear my hair in a ponytail.  Although, if I put enough time and product into it, it will turn out OK (ignore the red eyes, apparently Small Town Daddy has no photography skills).

Yesterday, one of the cats found, caught and disemboweled a mouse.  The shrieking that ensued was earsplitting (from Libby, not the cat).  WTH?!?  Where is Small Town Daddy when you need him.  I had to clean up the carcass all by myself.  It was extraordinarily unpleasant.

I was invited to an 80s party this weekend.  I have mentioned that I love the 80s.  My MP3 player could provide the soundtrack for the entire night.  But I don’t know what to wear.  I am 40 lbs heavier than I was in the 80s and I haven’t saved any of my clothes from that time period, except my prom dress, maybe I should wear that (oh, wait, I still have to deal with those 40 lbs).  WTH?!? How am I going to be the queen of the 80s without anything to wear?

I have another reminder event that I can’t remember what it means.  Today, I have on my calendar, “Feed the Hungry Event.”  WTH?!?  Was I going to feed the hungry?  Was there some type of event I was supposed to attend?  Was I supposed to bring snacks for hungry people?  Was it a reminder to eat breakfast?  I wish I could remember.  If I was supposed to be attending your Feed the Hungry Event this morning, I am sorry I missed it.

Today is Veteran’s Day.  For the first time, the kids are in school rather than having the day off.  WTH?!?  Yeah, I got nothing.  I am glad they’re in school.  I have no fighting, arguing or demands.

As part of my Facebook theme, today I am thankful for Entenmann’s chocolate chip filled cake.

Don’t forget to visit the girls from Blue Monkey Butt.  You can find out what others are bitching about today.

Happy Tuesday!  We are going to forgo the whole why we are here today crap, let’s leave it with it’s time to be random.

I have spent the past week as Small Town Daddy’s personal slave (and not in a good way).  Since I work from home, I am the one who gets to take the random (there is that word again) trips to DMV, the car dealer, the post office, etc.  Yes, all these trips were required to replace Small Town Daddy’s car.

Speaking of the new car, I can’t stand our car dealer.  Why do I feel like I need a shower every time I talk to him?  I am going to give you a tip, once you make a sale, stop.  Don’t keep pushing.  It just makes you unpleasant to be around.  I have to go back later this week to return the dealer plates.  Small Town Daddy says they just want to see me again.  Is that because they like my sneer?

My horoscope today says that I need to immerse myself in some good music or a feel-good movie.  I need to get away from it all on an emotional level.  I agree. Too bad I have too much to do.

I got a new phone on Friday.  I then had to return the new phone 2 hours later.  According to the repair guy, I “mangled” the charger and there was no way it could be saved.  I guess I didn’t know my own strength.  Now I am afraid to charge my newer new phone.

I bet you are wondering why I needed a new phone.  I had a perfectly good pink phone that I have had for 3 years (did I mention that it was pink).  I didn’t even close it in the car door like I did with its predecessor.  Since I now work from home, I wanted to be able to use my phone to check my email.  Not my junk email (of which I get quite a bit), but the important emails.  From my friends and readers clients.  Now I can always be reached (I haven’t decided if that’s a good thing, I will let you know).  Sadly, since it is a business phone, it isn’t pink.

On Facebook, I am doing a Thanksgiving thing.  Every day, I need to post something for which I am thankful.  Sadly, today’s entry was that I am thankful I don’t have to go anywhere today (it’s the small things).  I can’t do sweat pant day since both girls have friends coming over (I wouldn’t care with the kids, but their parents will come to pick up at the end of the day.  I should probably get dressed for them).  My schedule this year is not conducive to sweat pant day.  Obviously I have done something wrong with my scheduling and it all needs to be redone.

That is it for my random Tuesday thoughts.  Stop by to visit Keely to see what the rest of the random world is thinking.

Edited: Day was changed to reflect Tuesday rather than Thursday.  Apparently, I really want it to be Thursday so every week I start out wishing everyone a happy Thursday on Tuesday.