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April 13, 2007
Friday The 13th, A Picture Friday
Sometimes I forget how many pictures I take in a day, and before long I have a folder on the computer of all these pictures, I love looking at them and remembering where I was, what I was thinking, what caught my eye.
Here is the sign of the Handy Market in Burbank, where Faith and I went one day for barbecue chicken and ribs, they set up a huge smoking grill right out on the sidewalk on Saturdays. It is so good! This was a cloudy, windy day and the sign looked like something you'd see back home, maybe down in Mississippi or off the Bayou, where you know they'd make good crawfish:

- - -
And here are mysterious guests to the West Hollywood Stitch 'n Bitch last week. I couldn't go last night because I was working late. But these sketchy (hah) characters showed up all the way from Australia. I loved their accents. They hid their faces behind hand-knit socks (her) or books (him) and it was very cloak-and-Addi:

- - -
YA'LL THERE ARE BABIES DAMN NEAR COMING OUT OF MY EARS.

Adorable Evan with his hot mom Allison there on the left, and happy Sam with his hot mom Annika there on the right, over at my house the day we had a yard sale. We had so much fun that day and I got to hold both babies and didn't drop either of them!
And here is Faith with her niece Mia, who I must say is the cutest girl EVER in her rockin' tie-dye outfit:

I think I am at that age now where a lot of my girlfriends are having little humans who drool. Luckily they are all so darn cute you can't help but love 'em. Also, seeing Allison and Annika handling momhood and doing so much work and still staying sane and looking cute is very inspiring, and makes me think I should stop complaining about the times I get so busy I don't have time for laundry and buy panties from Rite Aid.
Panties which do not fit, in case you're wondering.
- - -

I still take pictures of things people say with their cars, even though I sometimes forget to post them on the internet.
If you spent $40,000 on a purse, would you stick a bumper sticker on it or hang an engraved luggage tag on it with a saying? These are the things I wonder. I muse. Sometimes I drink wine and muse.
- - -
Which is how I came by these images:


Yes, those are actual photos of my television showing a sweet couple hugging. Because I was home one night and it was late and I was tired and wine-y and catching up on my Oprah show, this must have been back in February, wait... I think it was actually on Valentine's Day (!!!) and anyway, this show was on and the story was about a young African boy whose whole family was murdered and he was an orphan and met this pretty girl on his way to a refugee station. And he begged someone to take a picture of her and he carried the picture in his pocket for years and years even though he got sent to live in the USA and never saw her again or knew how to contact her.
Until one day he was on vacation, years later, IN CANADA, and he walked into a church and THERE SHE WAS. And they fell in love and he had that picture still in his pocket and now they were married and she was having his baby.
And I saw him hug her like that with so much love and joy and I did the ugly cry and took a picture OF MY TELEVISION SET because I am a dumbass and optimist and believe in true love and wanted this picture to remind me of it, because sometimes I go on dates where I am hoping an earthquake will strike so I have a good quick exit and so I NEED reminders of true love to keep me hopeful even when I am literally praying for a nice, minor 4.5 temblor whose epicenter is Starbucks.
Ya'll know.
- - -
And finally...
BOB SMILES.

SOBA DOES NOT.

Hope you have an awesome Friday and try to manage to stay out of the superstition and the wine, at least to the extent that you don't find yourself taking pictures of your own television set to remind you about True Love.
And watch out for Starbucks tremors. Just in case.
Posted by laurie at April 13, 2007 08:50 AM
Comments
Looks like Soba is sporting a smirk. Love all the pictures. And remember, when on a bad date, you could just pretend you felt an earthquake, and then leave.
Posted by: Laurel at April 13, 2007 08:56 AM
Great. Now I'm crying like a silly girl over a stupid Oprah show. Just when I thought I had proved forever that I am a tomboy.
Posted by: Shannon B at April 13, 2007 08:59 AM
yay fridays, even the thirteenths
Posted by: smokeyJoe at April 13, 2007 09:03 AM
How big of a dumbass am I for blubbering over you telling the story of their love.
And... I threw a fit and got it? Oh please. You should have thrown your broken heel at her.
Posted by: Fianna at April 13, 2007 09:06 AM
Ha ha, the ugly cry! The last time I did the ugly cry was when I watched Steel Magnolias last week.
Oh god! Shelby!
Posted by: Karen at April 13, 2007 09:09 AM
To add to the babyness of your post: today was my daughter's due date 14 years ago. After being hospitalized with preterm labor two months earlier, my Monica was almost a week late.
She's DEFINATELY not a baby anymore and her nickname now is Demonica. Any relation to her due date?? Only Satan knows.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Liz R at April 13, 2007 09:14 AM
I bet Soba smiles when the World Domination plans are going well. She just makes damn sure there are no cameras around.
Love the Bob smile! Thanks, I *really* needed that today. (Pan-baby losing weight, not good...)
Posted by: ccr in MA at April 13, 2007 09:15 AM
I'm still curious about the quality of Rite-Aid panties.
Posted by: Spastic at April 13, 2007 09:15 AM
the mention of the ugly cry always cracks me up. everyone knows the ugly cry :) we've all done it to tv programs and movies and songs...
Posted by: rhett at April 13, 2007 09:20 AM
Wine or not, that story is enough to make anyone cry the ugly cry. Very justified. Crying at The Waterboy at the end when, after winning the big game, he says he loves his mama? Or when Kevin Costner carries Whitney Houston to bed in The Bodyguard? Not. Not at all justified. (But I did it anyway.)
Posted by: Dr. B. at April 13, 2007 09:22 AM
Happy Bob, haughty Soba. Love you, Auntie Purl!
Posted by: Gwyndolyn O'Shaughnessy at April 13, 2007 09:23 AM
Just don't tell your bad date that you felt the earth move, because he might get the wrong idea.
Posted by: B. at April 13, 2007 09:23 AM
I wish I had Rite-Aid panties right now. (Do they have those in Canada?) Anything panty-esque for it is finals season and I've had no time for laundry...
Also, your pictures are ADORABLE. Kitty luv.
Posted by: Amanda S at April 13, 2007 09:23 AM
Sorry CAP, but that vanity plate fumes me:
I see the "ISawIWantedIThrewAFitIGotIt" here too and it bugs big time.
To the women who drive around with these:
What, are you a little bratty baby and think this behavior, even in jest, is remotely cute? You infantilize yourself and keep yourself unempowered by playing "look-at-me-how-high-maintenance-i-am-but-isn't-it-cute". Grow up and act like a grown woman already.
Love the babies and the story about the two that were reunited though.
Posted by: finance girl at April 13, 2007 09:24 AM
I love that story!!!!
But I really want to know if you have submitted Soba to http://www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com/cgi-bin/seigmiaow.pl.
She may not have the coloring, but she has the expressions! I am waiting for the perfect photo to submit my favorite nefarious feline.
Posted by: Cory at April 13, 2007 09:26 AM
Soba smiles... just in that creepy, unsettling way that lets you know that evil plans for world domination are in the works.
Posted by: Tasha at April 13, 2007 09:27 AM
I just happened to stumble across your blog the other day and it is wonderful. I enjoy your musings so much...particularly on days like this when I'm stuck in the office. It's also nice to have a reminder of home, as I am a Georgia boy who is now smack dab in the middle of New York.
Posted by: Tom at April 13, 2007 09:27 AM
When you do the ugly cry - the cats look away and pretend nothing is wrong. When I do the ugly cry the whole freaking family shows up to watch and make fun (and pass kleenex). Sometimes they bring it up a dinner the next night too.
No matter what I never seem to get rid of the ugly cry...just thinking about the folgers commercial at christmas where the big brother shows up & he makes coffee with his little sister......
Posted by: cursingmama at April 13, 2007 09:31 AM
Wishing you a major tremblor, Toots.
Happy Fri.
Posted by: jillieofthevalley at April 13, 2007 09:32 AM
I took pictures of the Roloffs on TV the other day because I love Matt and Amy Roloff and his family. Have you watched Little People, Big World?
http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/lpbw/lpbw.html
I'm only 5 feet so I consider myself an honorary member and get inspired by Matt because he doesn't let anything stop him and I love the way he talks to his kids.
I also took picture the other day of my laundry because I thought it was funny how OCD I am with sorting socks and how the boys use the bathroom as their own personal hamper.
Posted by: psychomom at April 13, 2007 09:32 AM
I enjoyed the Oprah story. I love the sign it does look like small town rural USA sign.
Have a wonderful Friday!!!
Rite Aid panties? LOL
Posted by: Yonancy at April 13, 2007 09:33 AM
There is a website dedicated to cats that look like Hitler? At least cats are taking over the world, without writing Mein Kampf or similar stuff.
Anyhoo, love the story about the couple - why wouldn't you want to photograph your telly as a result?
Keep it coming,
David the Brit x
Posted by: David the Brit at April 13, 2007 09:36 AM
I honestly thought I was the only one who did the gut wrenching ugly cry (usually brought on by something on the TeeVee) - I am soooo relieved. Still a spaz, but not the only spaz! That is ever so much better...
Posted by: aileen at April 13, 2007 09:38 AM
Love the pics and love your blog. I have no superstition over Friday the 13th (though I plan to drink plenty of wine tonight). My husband and I were married on Friday, April 13, 1990. We think it's an especially lucky day. When our anniverary falls on a Friday, like it does this year, we're thrilled!
Posted by: Janine at April 13, 2007 09:41 AM
I dunno. I think it's OK to throw a hissy fit every now and then. I like to go into the kindergarten room after school and roll around on the rug like one of the kids. This is after I swing on the monkey bars on my way across the playground.
And I thought that 13 was a lucky number...
Posted by: Dagny at April 13, 2007 09:42 AM
Crawfish????? I thought they were MUD BUGS!! I lived in Shreveport for 12 years. Learned a few things there. I loved it though, and wouldn't trade it for anything. Still have a good friend there.
As for crying at Oprah, Laurie, that is who you are. Don't be ashamed of it!!
And finance girl, I agree with you on the plate holder. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there like that, you learn to just smile and move along.
Loved smiling Bob. And Soba? Maybe he is planning to do something with the mound of "poo" in the neighbors yard. Maybe that is why he is smiling. Just a thought >^..^<
Posted by: Kitty and Whiskers mom at April 13, 2007 09:42 AM
Aww, I love that picture of me and Sam. But I assure you that any sanity is an illusion! I am only keeping it together by sheer inertia (that is the one where an object in motion stays in motion, right?).
Posted by: Annika at April 13, 2007 09:46 AM
Rite-Aid panties are the devil. Walgreens aren't much better.
Posted by: April at April 13, 2007 09:49 AM
The (weird) things I like to take pictures of are old, decrepit, paint-peeling, broken-down, decaying, abandoned buildings. They fascinate me. I want to make a coffee table book of them someday. There's one building I pass every year on my way to the beach that has really fascinated me, and I stop and take a picture every year, and they're now renovating it, which is a kick. I documented it here: http://tinyurl.com/2emghd
Have a wonderful weekend, Laurie!
Posted by: Mary in Virginia at April 13, 2007 09:51 AM
Aw man, your cats are great, your thinking is great, it's all great. Thanks!
Posted by: Jennifer at April 13, 2007 09:52 AM
Laurie, Just a note to tell you (once again) how much I love reading your blog. You make me laugh, smile and sometimes cry. You are so generous in sharing your life with us. Thanks and have a great weekend!
Posted by: Ellene at April 13, 2007 10:03 AM
Coming out of lurking to THANK YOU for the Oprah photos! I saw that episode and loved it at the time. I cried, too. The pictures are a great reminder of a beautiful, inspiring love story.
Posted by: Liz at April 13, 2007 10:05 AM
We live in Toluca Lake and we have been lured into that smokey barbeque heaven before. We always wonder how the people who live around there can stand it. The smell is AMAZING. I think they must either get really fat because they can't help but eating barbeque every weekend or they get totally turned off of barbeque for life. That would be sad.
Posted by: Liz Harvatine at April 13, 2007 10:07 AM
Maybe I need a bumper sticker that says "I'm A Big Girl and I Make My Own Car Payments," but I'd rather have one that says "PAID FOR!"
Posted by: Jill of the 7 cats at April 13, 2007 10:11 AM
The Secret people tell you to focus on a picture of what you want and it will come to you. Guess it worked for that boy from Africa. What a story!
Enjoy your weekend!
Posted by: Dora at April 13, 2007 10:11 AM
Laurie - you bring SUCH a breath of fresh air into my day. Thanks. Love the Bob Smile, want to know about the quality of Rite Aid panties and don't want to tell you how many times I've wished for a limited seismic event.
Posted by: Leslie in Mass at April 13, 2007 10:13 AM
I love when things are Meant To Be. And I'm not talking about pitching a fit to get a car. I keep hoping that today being Friday the 13th will bring about closure to the bad week it's been, with the bad things starting LAST Friday. Closure always good, though sometimes I have trouble with the potato chip bag.
Posted by: PlazaJen at April 13, 2007 10:14 AM
All those babies have my ovaries screaming. The cuteness!!
And lovin' the Bobsmile. Oh, he is too damn cute. And Soba?? How can anyone be surprised about the Soba's expression?
Posted by: Mish at April 13, 2007 10:18 AM
i'm the Last Superstitious Weirdo Alive who refuses to walk under ladders, and when people break mirrors, i utter "Oooo, now you gone and done it..." ominously. But, 13 has always been my lucky number. Good things have always occured on the 13th, or somehow 13 was involved in some freak coincidence that made me go "Well, ain't that something?"
BTW, how's the 365 Project going? i wasn't able to start my own this year, but i'm resolving to next year.
Posted by: Jessi at April 13, 2007 10:19 AM
Awwww....I love that you classify "the ugly cry"--it's so apt- 'cuz it's not the Angry single-tear cry, or the sympathetic slightly-pinked-up pretty-cry. It's the ugly scrunchy-faced full-body wrack cry of joy for others and temporary despair for yourself cry. Ah yes, I know it well. (No worries- Love will find you- all the love and humor in your heart is acting like a beacon on a foggy night-- the trouble is that you have to cope with all the graceless Starbucks skeeters and fly-into-your-teeth bugs before the beautiful glowing luna moth of love shows up. Gawd I hate bugs in my teeth....)
Posted by: Susan at April 13, 2007 10:27 AM
SO AWESOME that you took that photo of your TV.
Posted by: EverydaySuperGoddess at April 13, 2007 10:27 AM
Let me know which Starbuck's in the Valley are potential earthquake disasters, and I'll make sure to avoid them for the near future.
Posted by: Erik R at April 13, 2007 10:28 AM
I love Friday the 13th, don't you? (The day, not the movie)
Teri P
ps. Sweetie.... babies don't come out of ears.
Posted by: Teri P at April 13, 2007 10:28 AM
You always make me smile :-) Thanks for creating a space I look forward to visiting every day :-) Happy Friday!!!
Posted by: Lori at April 13, 2007 10:38 AM
I love Charlaine Harris! It's great to see other people enjoying her books, even if they are just trying to hide their identities.
Posted by: Melinda at April 13, 2007 10:42 AM
I never put stock into the whole "friday the 13th" thing. However this morning I was reading about Jem and the Holograms (the cartoon from the 80's) on Wiki when my office phone rang. I answered it by saying "This is Jem." My coworkers are now questioning my sanity. Bad luck struck, but in the noncaffinated form. I can live with this.
Posted by: Justin at April 13, 2007 10:44 AM
I have been waiting for your new post! Now it is here, and I am so happy. You have made my day! I love the pictures from your TV, you can see his joy!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend Laurie!
Christina
Posted by: Christina Moctezuma at April 13, 2007 10:48 AM
I read an article about that African boy in National Geographic around Christmas time. I'm such a freak that when I found out he lived in my town I almost called the university that he worked at to see if he had somewhere to go for the holiday.
I balled at the end of that article. I would not have made it through the whole Oprah episode!
Posted by: Angela at April 13, 2007 10:51 AM
Ya know, that's not where babies come from. Just sayin'...
/runs
Posted by: Cookie at April 13, 2007 10:59 AM
I have a feeling you just gave someone a business idea of sticking bumper stickers on purses.
Posted by: Neil at April 13, 2007 11:07 AM
ok, i'm not even pre-menstrual and that story about the african boy and the picture of the pretty girl meeting later in adulthood and falling in love made me get a little misty.
and if you need me to call you while on a bad date so you can get out of it, just let me know. i used to get a friend out of hellish meetings by paging her all of the time.
Posted by: maryse at April 13, 2007 11:09 AM
ahhhh, psychomom -- Little People, Big World -- talk about a ginormous cry during this week's show. Luckily, I live alone with cats. One walks away when I cry and the other comes and sits next to me like a little meatloaf until I'm done.
Laurie, snuffle those kitties for me, smiling or not.
Posted by: Marilyn at April 13, 2007 11:11 AM
Glad to see I'm not the only one who cried at your TV picture story...I can't watch Oprah, she does that to me all the time...and I sure don't need help with cryin'...Love the signs, you should see me when I drive on Rt. 66..Thanks, Laurie for your blog, you touch my heart so often...
Posted by: Debby at April 13, 2007 11:19 AM
As an australian living in the US i love the incognito aussies pic.
And as for the ugly oprah cry - everyone's done that!
Posted by: yvette at April 13, 2007 11:19 AM
love me some smirky Soba!
Posted by: Jennifer W. at April 13, 2007 11:20 AM
Happy Friday to you. And damn you for making me sniff and tear up when I saw those TV pictures and read the story.
Posted by: BigAlice at April 13, 2007 11:20 AM
Must be sumpin' in the air, for I've been needing some reasons to believe in True Love lately myself.
(You know it's bad when you cry the ugly cry watching the "Let's bring ya'll up to speed" show of Grey's Anatomy and they do the love montage. Sheesh!)
Hang in there.
Posted by: Not Faint Hearted at April 13, 2007 11:23 AM
OMG! That story is so awesome!
Posted by: Pamela at April 13, 2007 11:26 AM
Laurie,
thanks for this post. I actually saw this show and I cried too when I saw it. You cheared me up also (as always when I read your posts), mom just told me that my cat of 12 years has a tumor on her liver and .. well.. you know how much we can love our animals, so unfortunately, I'm not having a good Friday today. Anyways, thanks for making me laugh all the time!!
Posted by: Nathalie at April 13, 2007 11:29 AM
Oh sweetie...I've been a lurker for a while now, but today I must tell you to hold on...true love does exist and will find you when you least expect it. I love love love your blogs. You make me laugh every day. Lisa
Posted by: Lisa at April 13, 2007 11:37 AM
Happy Friday the 13th! Buy a lottery ticket today - what the heck?
I forgot to leave the laundry quarters with Frank this morning - he has the day off and was all set to do the laundry - a chore he despises - and get it out of the way and whooops! But he laughed when I called him from work and said if that was the worst thing to happen to us on Friday the 13th, he'd take it.
My horoscope has been saying all this week things like "Don't argue with people who have opposite opinions, they're right," and "Other people continue to be the boss of you today." I have spent the entire week biting my tongue, listening more and talking less and I am tired. When, Laurie, does this Leo get to go back being Queen of the universe?
Posted by: OtherLisa at April 13, 2007 11:41 AM
Between your "no wagon" post the other day, and Oprah's Wednesday show about finding happiness, I think something is starting to click.
I also saw the show with the African couple, and did the ugly cry. No photo of the tv since I can never find my blessed camera. And of COURSE they met again in Canada! We're terribly romantic. ;)
You and your cats are fantastic. Happy Friday!
Posted by: Angela at April 13, 2007 11:45 AM
That is an interesting question you posed in regards to the bumper stickers and license plate frames. How true that we don't adorn other major purchases in such a manner. My biggest thing against having one on my vehicle is that I do not want to offer up a single phrase summation of myself to the world at large. Still, I love many of the things written on them and think some are very funny. I just haven't found anything that I would choose to advertise myself with 24/7. I guess this is also one of the reasons I do not have a tattoo. Of course, this is just for me, and I am often entertained by the choices others make and what works for them.
Posted by: Sarah at April 13, 2007 11:54 AM
I used to buy lots of socks at Rite-Aid as just I couldn't seem to buy grown-up department store socks; I still do at times. It works. Thank you for all the love on your posts. It so confirms my belief (which sometimes notches down to hope) that life on this waterball is working out. I guess I will continue to put my drop in the bucket and the rings go out to who knows where...
My heart sang, my face smiled and my blood pressure dropped a ton, at the picture of Bob Smiles.
Thank you.
Posted by: harriett at April 13, 2007 11:54 AM
My neighbor has a frame on her license plate that says "If you're riding my ass, you better be pulling my hair."
Posted by: Mary at April 13, 2007 12:12 PM
Mary....Soda just came outta my nose LMAO!!!!!!!
Psychomom...my kids too think their bathroom is their persoanl hamper too :) I drives me crazy!!!!
Posted by: Yonancy at April 13, 2007 12:19 PM
Okay for everyone who needs to know:
TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIA
Fear of the number 13.
My Squeaker looks like your Soba. And good lord that cat has 'tude!!!!!
CAP have a grest weekend.
Posted by: Elynn at April 13, 2007 12:22 PM
I need a cat that smiles.
I have a complainer.
I have a 'Soba'.
I have a commenter.
I have one that wants me to open a can of food--NOW!
I love that picture of Bob!
Posted by: The Other Ruth at April 13, 2007 12:23 PM
Mary....Soda just came outta my nose LMAO!!!!!!!
Psychomom...my kids too think their bathroom is their personal hamper too :) I drives me crazy!!!!
Laurie,
You are so blessed to have an awesome online community of friends...Your blogs brighten my day ...You have no idea how reading your blog, and all of the comments you get do good to my soul.... You rock..
Posted by: Yonancy at April 13, 2007 12:24 PM
I love that you take lots of pictures! I think it is a great compliment to the "diary". I'm trying to do that more and I've had fun with it. I still feel a little silly sometimes that people are wondering why the crazy girl is pulled over taking pictures on the side of the road.
I'm sure soon that feeling will pass as I take more.
Posted by: Amy N Texas at April 13, 2007 12:26 PM
My baby girl was born on Friday the thirteenth, fifteen months ago today! I think we are going to howl at the moon in our skivvies tonight as a celebration.
Posted by: Laurellee at April 13, 2007 12:35 PM
You are so funny! I crack up out loud in my cube every time I read your blog! Was the Handy Market good, we are going for summer vacation to LA? Bob is beautiful. By the way, all Sam babies are cute, mine is.
Posted by: cutup at April 13, 2007 12:41 PM
I have a cute Evan. He is seven. Not so much a baby.
I was thinking of you today, driving down the road. I saw a pick-up truck that was advertising dog poop removal. Was wondering what you decided to do about your situation!
Posted by: suetreiber at April 13, 2007 12:55 PM
I bawled my way through that show too! I near choked I was so into the ugly cry when they hugged. I am a silly romantic fool.
So many beautiful little drool-y faces! So cute.
I hope you are having a good Friday the 13th and true love manages to find you sooner than later.
Posted by: Dorothy B at April 13, 2007 01:10 PM
Oh, Laurie, Soba smiles! It's just more of a, um, *smirk*.
How is Victor? 'Cause, Victoria is still hanging out on the counter, with big leaves but a rapidly shrinking bulb (or whatever it is), and I'm guessing I should put her in some dirt before she sprouts legs and a thumb and hitches her way to California to meet her long lost twin.
:)
Posted by: carrie at April 13, 2007 01:27 PM
carrie -- Victor is looking, uh, so-so. I'll take a pic this weekend and post. He's in dirt, though.
Also, about the Oprah show -- glad to see I am not the only old softie out there LOL :)
Posted by: laurie at April 13, 2007 01:38 PM
This is totally off subject and I apologize to anyone who's offended by my interrupting, but I'd love to know what you, Laurie, and all your devoted and insightful Purlanians think about Mary Winkler, the Tennessee preacher's wife who's currently on trial for blowing the preacher away with a shotgun. It sounds like he was a nagging jerk, but that's why we have d-i-v-o-r-c-e in the civilized world.
The quote in today's news that got me was "Winkler said she got a job at the post office and that experience taught her to stand up for herself. 'That's the problem. I have nerve now, and I have self-esteem. My ugly came out.'"
There's so much wrong in this, it's hard to know where to begin. (First of all, since when does working at the post office build self-esteem? Just sayin'.)
I guess why I thought of you is that we've all seen you getting back YOUR nerve and self-esteem. And while I'm sure there were times when "Mr. X" and "shotgun" occupied the same thought balloon, what we've had the privilege to watch coming out is a lot of beauty: humor, kindness, willingness to try new things and try being a new person.
Maybe it's the knitting, or the cats, or the wine, but you're looking less and less Crazy all the time.
Posted by: Jill of the 7 cats at April 13, 2007 02:05 PM
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_103002326
who says we have poor quality education here in OK?! i wish they'd done this when i was a kid.
Posted by: courtney at April 13, 2007 02:34 PM
Glad I'm not the only one who prays for earthquakes! Makes me feel less guilty.
Love the pics! I missed you at S&B last night!
Posted by: Bridget at April 13, 2007 02:40 PM
Jill, Laurie's a "normal" crazy, a normal "Southern" crazy. That's a good thing. ;)
I saw the headlines on that story but didn't read it. My ex is a long time postal employee and I gotta say, he could STILL use some help in the self-esteem department. That's kind of a strange thing for that lady to say, that working at the post office got her to stand up for herself? Well, they're very strict because obviously they have to handle thousands of pieces of mail each day and alot of it is very important, it must get to the right address as soon as possible, etc., but I think it's just her own personal experiences and issues with whatever was going on at her place of employment. That she pinned her so-called "growth" on the post office is just a misplacement, I think.
As far as today being Friday the 13th, I'll just say, TGIF! Thank God It's Friday! Or as our kitties would say Thank God I'm Feline!
Psychomom, I love the Roloffs, too!
Posted by: Leeny at April 13, 2007 02:44 PM
Jill, As a survivor of physical and emotional abuse I would dream about killing him but knew that was not the answer. That would make me as bad as him and I refused to lower myself to his level. I had loved him once and knew that we needed to get away from eachother before it got ugly. We were not good for eachother no matter how much we loved eachother.
Posted by: psychomom at April 13, 2007 03:10 PM
Oh and I doubt the Post office had anything to do with it.
Posted by: psychomom at April 13, 2007 03:11 PM
I love you and your optimistic, TV-photographing, panties from Rite-Aid crazy ol' self.
Thanks for the pictures.
Posted by: Laurie Ann at April 13, 2007 03:21 PM
I think that maybe the 'preacher's wife' mght have meant was that getting a job- gave her 'self-confidence' and self-worth? That she was able to contribute, think for herself, and know that she as more than what one person (her husband?)thought of herself?
As a teacher from OKLAHOMA.. just wanted you to know that I was an art teacher in Oklahoma and taught my (over 80 4th and 5th graders volunteered to come in at recess to learn) students how to knit about 20 years ago when I first learned how to knit. I've also taught my students how to knit.. at various times that I've been living/teaching overseas. :D
Posted by: Jeannie in Korea (for now) at April 13, 2007 03:26 PM
Soba, baby, I love you!
Posted by: Kristen at April 13, 2007 03:30 PM
What does Bob know that we all don't know? He's definitely keeping secrets.
Posted by: Deb at April 13, 2007 03:38 PM
That Bob. Such a delightful, full-on smiling kitty!
FWIW, I've taken pictures of stuff on my TV, too. And for reasons that were nowhere as good as yours.
Posted by: Karen B. at April 13, 2007 03:48 PM
You have some very expressive cats...
Posted by: marit in norway at April 13, 2007 04:10 PM
Oh, boy, the ugly cry. I read this earlier and wasn't going to comment but I had mine on the car ride home tonight. I don't think people really get it until they have had the ugly cry. I told myself as I gasped for air..."At least I'm not the only one, Laurie does it too." Love ya sweetie!
Posted by: Krista M at April 13, 2007 04:35 PM
AWWWWWWW - that's the sweetest love story I have ever heard in my life. Wow. Truly amazing.
Posted by: Carmen at April 13, 2007 04:49 PM
Psycho mom, have you ever done the "ugly cry" because of things that were done to you? (the physical and emotional abuse) I am a survivor of the emotional abuse, but still get bits and pieces from the "other source" via my son. I think that I do the ugly cry more for my son because he is in put in the middle of all this "stuff," and its not fair to him.
Posted by: A Survivor at April 13, 2007 05:22 PM
OH, NO! I did stay out of the superstition, but I didn't manage to stay out of the wine. I had to finish off the bottle of Little Penguin--Trader Joe's in ABQ does not sell wine before 12 noon on Sunday, and I had to be on the road before then. Hence, the Little Penguin. Yes, I loved the Oprah story! Happy Friday 13th.
Posted by: Nancy at April 13, 2007 05:27 PM
I'm getting all emotional here reading all fo these postings. All the positive emotions, everyone being vulnerable. Everyone sharing their inner most feelings/secrets.
Posted by: Kitty and Whiskers mom at April 13, 2007 05:53 PM
Just had to add to all the love comments here today, with thanks to Laurie for bringing them and us together. Today would have been my parents' 44th wedding anniversary (my mom passed away nearly 5 years ago, my dad last October)-- not a perfect marriage, but certainly crazy lusty smooch-all-over-the-house love. My dad had been very sad on this day for the last few years, and so now I get to hope they're together. Peace to them and all of us.
Posted by: me at April 13, 2007 06:09 PM
Jill, I think the preachers wife said all she had to say at the end of her statement, that her "ugly came out."
Pyscho mom, I can empathize with you, though I just recieved the emotional side of it. There are times to this day I wonder what I did wrong if anything, people reassure me that I was just being me. And you put it quite gracefully, saying that " We were not good for eachother no matter how much we loved eachother."
Posted by: Kitty and Whiskers mom at April 13, 2007 06:13 PM
i brought in a starving cat that looked just like bob...we named him ed. he was the best natured cat i ever, ever had. he would start purring just because he had a happy thought...alone. he was soooooo very thankful to be brought into our house. he was in terrible, terrible shape. i just loved his colors...his pink nose...and yes, he smiled alot! i loved on him constantly to make up for the rough life he had for awhile...and he appreciated it. i just know that.
Posted by: denise t at April 13, 2007 06:42 PM
Hey Laurie, thanks for the sweet story - made me cry too in a nice way! I am just a big pile of mush.
Posted by: Joy at April 13, 2007 07:12 PM
hah! normally friday the 13th doesn't bother me cuz my birthday is april 1. however, this year i got got big time. my wedding band has 4 small diamonds in it, and it slipped so the stones were on the inside of my hand, when i grabbed the screen door because it was swinging, and the damned thing popped a stone out, and i never did find it. i damn near cried (we just got married in september). thank goodness i have insurance to replace the stone.
Posted by: minnie at April 13, 2007 07:18 PM
Seeing the extent of your camera clicking, makes me wonder just how much you spend on batteries in a month....
Posted by: Eve at April 13, 2007 07:27 PM
I love your blog. It always makes me smile, somethimes laugh out loud. You have a way with words my dear, and although I am not a cat person, it seems that your cats know you are special too. You can see it in their eyes!
Posted by: Mary Alice at April 13, 2007 07:45 PM
A survivor, I ugly cry for everything. Happy, sad, proud, scared..... I'm a cry baby.
My sons are not from the abusive husband. Luckily we never had kids so I was able to walk away (I ran) and never have to see him again.
But I have worried and do worry about all the "stuff" our kids see and go through. Life isn't fair (cried about that too) but through CAP's blog, I've learned that I am not alone and I am doing the best I can right now. I think your son sees and knows the truth, kids are way smarter than we give them credit for. Hang in there.
Posted by: psychomom at April 13, 2007 07:50 PM
psychomom, you know what? I adore you.
Posted by: laurie at April 13, 2007 08:09 PM
And the thing is, I always thought I was such a weirdo, always one step to the left of all the cool kids. I cried too much, laughed too loud, never had just the right outfit, sweaty under one armpit.
But online I have been blessed to meet ya'll and still to this day can't believe there are so many women out there who get it, "to the left"style.
Posted by: laurie at April 13, 2007 08:43 PM
Here's photographic proof that I wrote the quote from C.A.P. on my monitor.
http://www.twango.com/media/Bratfink.public/Bratfink.10065
You GO, Laurie.
And whoever asked, I'm guessing C.A.P. either has special battery packs for her camera [like me] or rechargeable batteries [like I had for my last shitass digital camera.]
No to say that Laurie's camera is a shitass digital. MINE was.
Q: Doesn't working at a post office learn ya how to 'go postal'?
Posted by: The Other Ruth at April 13, 2007 09:29 PM
I adore you back.
Posted by: psychomom at April 13, 2007 10:09 PM
When I was living in Germany, I hung out with some friends. Went to the US, lost track of everyone. Ended up working in Phoenix Arizona. 15 years later one of the friends from Germany was working in the same place. Their office was around the corner from mine. True story.
Posted by: kathleen2 at April 13, 2007 11:10 PM
Wow, that is amazing! That's a story to restore your faith. I gotta go tell someone. And I like the pics of bumper stickers and such! You're right, that's a lot of money to spend, then sticker up, but I suppose people view their cars as extensions of themselves, as least as far as I've seen. Have a great day!
Posted by: carrie at April 14, 2007 01:41 AM
Is a 4.5 earthquake an excuse to get on out of your marriage? I had one of those with my ex before we actually got hitched, and maybe I should have taken that as a good moment to run. What do you think?
Posted by: Krista at April 14, 2007 07:05 AM
Awwww...bob's smile is melting me. I saw that Oprah show and thrice-divorce me loved it! I really, really need to see things like that!
Posted by: Beverly at April 14, 2007 07:24 AM
I just had to take a moment this morning to tell you how much I love your pictures and captions of your cats!
Posted by: Cheryl Fuller at April 14, 2007 09:22 AM
I have a Bob and a Soba at my house but they are my kids Ian is very loving and smiley and Ruby while loving plots to take over the word. Laurie love everything you write. You cheer me up almost everyday
Posted by: Missy at April 14, 2007 11:12 AM
Psychomom, thank you for the wonderful words of wisdom. And he has said on numerous times that he "just doesn't understand his dad." I feel very blessed to have found such a wonderful group to blog with. Glad to know that I am not the only one.
Any one for Destiny's Child - I'm a Survivor?
Posted by: A survivor at April 14, 2007 03:08 PM
I,too, love your blog. I have had a link to it on my blog for a few months and I try to read yours daily. You seem to be coming out of your divorce-daze, bit by bit. Lots of people say it takes two years to get over a long term relationship, but it seems to be a gradual thing. One day you'll wake up and it won't be such a defining thing in your world. Love your kitties, that Bob! Keep up the great blogging, you are an inspiration to others.
Posted by: judith at April 14, 2007 07:46 PM
Reading about the Oprah show photo just made me tear up a little bit.
Posted by: Elizabeth K at April 15, 2007 06:15 AM
thank you for the true love reminder. i horde stories like that to keep me hopeful.
Posted by: malia at April 16, 2007 08:24 AM
You might hear your bioclock ticking, but think: having kids means nursing babies. At some point, right after the little darling GNAWS on one of your most sensitive parts, you fuss at him and he just backs up a little and DROOLS all that milk you burned so many calories and stretched out so many bras to create. And he won't know why you're upset, and won't understand the Band-Aid covering the milk bar.
Still, they can be cute. Don't forget about the college fund.
Posted by: Leif at April 17, 2007 09:12 AM








