One of THOSE days...

I think it is best to honest and upfront right off the bat.

Okay, so I don't always practice that, but today I will be.

I am grumpy today.

Every little thing is irritating me and of course having an almost-three year old just makes it so much easier to deal with. Yes, I do want to sit here and scowl. No, I don't want to do housework. Yes, I do want to take a baseball bat to the Dish satellite outside. No, I don't want to hear your problems, because I have my own. Yes, I fee like pulling my hair out, and scream and cry for no good reason other than because I feel like it.

Well, now that is out in the open, I suppose I can offer a bit of explaining.

There is a mountain of housework and yardwork that needs to be done, and I tried doing the yardwork yesterday to only then have my allergies go all Hulk on me and make me feel like crud. But I still managed to get the meatloaf and potatoes made and cooked. Then bedtime came much too late on a day that I had been up since 5 am due to my lovely little girl thinking that was a perfect time to be awake.

And just for the record, as soon as I hit the pillow I was out. I mean dead to the world out. I don't remember my husband coming to bed, let alone when our daughter climbed in with us.

I know what you may be thinking: Dusti, that is the best kind of sleep. Why are still grumpy? Well, because it felt like mere seconds. I closed my eyes when it was dark outside and then three seconds later I opened them and light was coming in through the window.

Next, we have the Dish going out. I can deal without the tv. Especially since all of the season finales have happened. But what do I tell a little girl who wants to watch Mickey Mouse? So we call Dish, they send a technician. Technician said it was the receiver going out, so we order a new one. We get it last night, plug it in, to only have half of the channels working. Call them this morning, they send a technician. Again. He says he can't find anything wrong with it. All things are working properly. Well, it would appear that isn't true, now, would it?

And then there is the combination of just feeling crappy, hating my hair/clothes/body/need for makeup/etc. and no motivation or means of fixing the problems. And to put the proverbial cherry on top of my sundae of angst, I am stressing and fretting over things that are in a limbo state and I have absolutely ZERO power to change or speed them along.

So, do I feel better after venting? I suppose a small tiny bit of me does, but it doesn't solve any of my problems!

Well, here's to hoping that tomorrow is a better day.

Questionable setting, maybe. Delicious food, absolutely!

You see them on the corner. Their white painted sides splashed with bright colors and the little awning that overhangs the window allows for the smell of the contents inside to drift out into the open air. The smells are enticing and mouthwatering and the food is borderline ecstasy.

Yes, we are talking about the iconic taco van. Or also known as taco wagons.

These little gems of Latin culinary delight are probably some of the best Mexican food one will ever eat. And let me tell you there is no skimping on the fixins! Whether it be a taco, burrito, enchilada, or a sampling of all three, they come stuffed like Thanksgiving turkeys!

And oh, the taste. Fresh ingredients, authentic flavors, it all mingles and dances on the taste buds, gently guiding one into pure bliss.

Okay, sure, the environment can seem a tad shady. And the looks of these taco wagons do appear to be on their last legs, but that shouldn't deter one from enjoying one of life's pleasures. Looking at it logically, these taco wagons are someone's livelihood. They get shut down, they are not bringing home the bacon; unlike an actual restaurant where there are employees who don't care for proper cleanliness, or if they do get shut down it is just a small blip on the massive corporate radar. No, these little self sustaining treats are cared for by actual people wanting to bring the masses delicious, well prepared food.

Now this also leads into the discussion of Chinese restaurants. In my experience (and I have had many Chinese food experiences) the best food you will get are from the small, little crumbing buildings back off the main roads and tucked into a corner of town that many think not to venture.

Forget these chain stores! PF Chang's? PUH-LEASE! Uh, yeah, only if I want to have my wallet pillaged for mediocre. The Lucky Palace? Point me in the direction! Panda Express? Only if I am in a hurry and it's nearby. Lee's Chinese? I'll have some more of that! And of course there is the ever great invention. The China Buffet.

We try new places a lot. Most, not the best looking in the bunch. I have never had food poisoning and I even bought homemade tamales from a lady going up and down the street selling them wrapped in foil and being taken out of a cooler in a wagon. Best I ever had. Wish I could find her again.

We shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, right? Certainly we shouldn't judge a person by the way they dress. So why not try being open minded over where we eat. You may just find you've been missing out all along.

Mini Sequel (I should have saw this one coming)

Well, I blame myself for not expecting this to happen. It really is in the norm of how things proceed in our home.

My husband comes home for lunch yesterday after reading my blog.

Husband: "Does this mean I get to buy a new game today?"

Me: "Hi, honey. Glad you're home. Is that what you got from my blog?"

Husband: "Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 comes out soon. So I'm getting it, right?"

Me: "I never said that. I was pointing out a fact of how our mall expeditions go. I don't recall saying you get a game."

There is moment of pause as I am sure he realizes this point in truth.

Husband: "Well, the first one is really cheap. I can get that one."

So as you see, the discussion of video games must imply that he is going to get spoiled once again. Reason is a foreign concept to him while the words "video games" are being tossed about apparently so haphazardly.

Point to parents: Do not spoil your children, for this is what happens.

Oh, and he accused me of making him sound like a "nerd" because of his love for video games.

......

I merely posted about conversations that have taken place; more or less in that manner.

Make of that what you will.

Quick Plug!

And to inform you all (which so very sadly may be a small small number) the manuscripts I am working on are posted at www.textnovel.com and two of the three have received the Editor's Choice Award, which is in a word, fantastic!

Shades of Grey was my first and Delusions is the second. Each are entered into the current contest running so please drop by, read and vote!

I love you all!

The loves that bind us...

Okay, so I am just a wee bit behind on updating my blog. Yeah, the pre-New Years resolution to write in it nearly everyday, with weekly being the most I go, well, we all can see how that went. There must be a punishment for such behavior, yet I know not what it is. But whatever it is, I am sure I deserve it.

Oh, the power of love and the things that love drives us to do. First, let me just say that the love I have for my husband has lead to some interesting conclusions. Yes, he is spoiled beyond belief and usually gets whatever he wants. Whatever you do, don't take him to the video game store or he will revert back in the the ever insistent child who begs and pleads for every shiny thing he sees. Of course, too often than not, I do give in. Hence conclusion number one: I give in way to easily when confronted with big, pleading, green eyes and a handsome face.

Conclusion number two would be that I can dish out the tough love, yet become incredibly guilt ridden for doing so. Like when we are at said video game store and I tell him only one video game and firmly put my foot down that the second desired game must be placed back on the shelf. Inevitably the anticipated pouting comes and usually a full fledged lip quiver accompanied with puppy dog eyes.

Now, I am prepared for this reaction since it is a common follow up to the word "No" (regardless of the reason). I do my best to not look at the face and to direct my attention onto the debit card that is exiting the wallet to complete the purchase of the first video game. I find if I actually pay attention to the money magically deserting my bank account it makes it easier to repel the Pout.

Oh, and to just make it clear, I can be quite stoic in my decision while in the video game store. It is, however, the walk through the mall and to the parking lot, that my resolve may begin to shake.

Husband: "You know, honey, that (fill in blank of game that was left on store shelf) game got a really good review."

Me: "I know, so we will get that one next time."

Husband: "Well, everyone already has that one and they keep asking me to play it. They said it's the best of the year."

Me: "You should have gotten that one then, instead of the one you bought."

Husband: "But this one is supposed to be better."

So, yes the conversation is a problem, but certainly one can overcome it. The final nail in my coffin of guilt is the viewing of the commercial depicting the postponed video game in all if its glory, which is of course, is sucker punching my poor husband and reminding him of the fact that he is the only person in the world who does not own it.

"Me: "Okay, tomorrow I will swing by the mall and pick it up."


And all of this is the prelude to my angelically beautiful daughter, who, in fact, has inherited her father's green eyes and being a girl, knows how to use their full world dominating power. I think we need not go into detail of how store outings result with that one.

Then there is the cookie. Or ice cream. Or cupcake. Or whatever gluttonously sinful delight that is out there, be it sweet or salty. Somehow, my ability to say "No" is non-existent in these situations.

The love that binds me, is the love that conquers me. C'est la Vie.