Wednesday night I stayed up much too late drinking and smoking by our chiminea in the backyard. Something about a fire makes beer taste even better. I managed to put away 2 packs of ciggys in about 5 hours. Needless to say I was hungover on Thanksgiving. I managed to have 1/2 a beer when I got home from my Moms and one ciggy. Friday, around 3 p.m. I said to myself "Hey, it's 3 p.m. and you haven't smoked, try to go the rest of the day." So I did. Now it's Sunday and I still haven't smoked. I wasn't planning to quit. It just sort of happened. When I quit in '96 for 4 years I did it the exact same way. One day I just noticed I hadn't smoked yet and challenged myself not to smoke the rest of the day.

My poor husband has to live with Bitchy-Roley for a couple more days and then the withdrawl should be over. I cannot believe I haven't smoked in 3.5 days. Crazy!

Maybe the best plans are better off unmade?

Good times

I was lying in bed this morning watching some news and the Michael Richards "N" word thing is everywhere. Which led me to start thinking of simpler times, my childhood. The endless pollock jokes, being left in the car while my Mom went in the store, having to be home when the streetlights came on and if I wasn't I was just a holler away. We used to play frisbee, flag football & spud in the street. We were outside all day all summer. We were personally responsible for our actions. Block snowball fights, my side against yours. Never wearing a seatbelt, standing in the middle of the front seat, feet on the bench seat, head pressed up on the ceiling of the car. 5 channels on the tv. No remotes, vcrs, cable. Two kinds of milk, whole and skim. And it came in a giant cumbersome gallon carton that you had to be at least 10 yrs old to use. Kmart and the mall were the only places to buy clothes. Hudsons and JCPenney were high-end. I used to get a frozen coke every trip to Kmart. I had one of those t-shirts that said "two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun" I got picked on in school, but never beat up or shot. I had heroes like the Six Million Dollar Man, Bionic Woman and Wonder Woman. Hollywood and sports stars weren't all over the news 24/7. Peoples marriages/divorces weren't headlines.

I can't believe what a mess everything became in such a short amount of time. It makes me long for the silly 70's.

On another note, John and I got news yesterday that completely blew us away. John's great Uncle Clive died in the spring of 06 and we recently found out he left $750,000 trust to a local park in his hometown. Yes, you read that right, THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS. Which then leaves me thinking, how will I leave my mark? "It's not what I have but what I give. Not what I have learned but what I teach. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's a choice." How can I, little Roley from Michigan, make a difference?

My Parents ~ The Soup Nazis


I was able to sleep in Sunday until 9:30 a.m. I'm not sure when my parents called but they left a message saying they wanted to come over and see Rita at 10:00 a.m. I called them back at 10:15 to see if they still wanted to stop by or if I could bring Rita to their house for a little while.
My stepdad: No, we aren't coming over.
Me: Well, I can bring Rita to you for a little while if you want. John let me sleep in today so I took advantage of it.
My stepdad: No, No. We are making soup.
Me: Soup? What kind? (What I really wanted to say is what friggin soup takes all day to cook that I can't bring your granddaughter over for a visit?)
My stepdad: Bean soup.
Me: (flabbergasted) Well, ok I'll see you sometime during the week then.
Selfish bastard didn't even offer me any soup.

My Husband, the Comedian

I spilled coffee on the sofa this morning as Rita climbed over me. I wiped it up with a damp cloth leaving a few wet spots on the cushion. Rita was very intrigued by them. John says to her: "Punkin, that's wet. It's a wet spot. You'll be sleeping in them at least once a week when your older, get used to it."

Football & Port-o-pottys

While tailgating at Bucs games I am forced to use port-o-pottys (ies?). Recently there have been some changes to these urine smelling saunas! Some really smart woman somewhere came up with the idea of putting handles in the door! No longer do I have to strain to hover or lean against the back wall of such a disgusting thing! I can hold on to the convenient handle right there in front of me. Port-o-potty reinventor; I commend you! You are pure genius!
I don't understand the fascination the universe has with me and Buccaneer football games. It's like Raymond James Stadium is some sort of strange portal for me. A way back machine if you will. The stadium hold 65,000 people. This all started in 2000 when I flew to Tampa with my Sis to see the Lions/Bucs game. We were in the smoking section and walked up to some people to ask where they were from. They said "Detroit" the usual answer when you are from a suburb of, and I said "No really, where?" They said Trenton! Turns out I went to Jr. High with their son. Then there is Jodi. I went K-8 with Jodi in Trenton, and she sits in the same section with us. Didn't find that out for 4 years but holy crap! Small world! There are 2 guys I see at random that I dated before I met John. Last week 2 girlfriends of mine were sitting 3 rows above us - which we didn't know were there until they walked by with beer. Yesterday was the kicker! We tailgate with the guy that owns the two seats next to us. He has a new better seat and sells his tickets next to us every week. So we ask him who is sitting with us. Yesterday it was "a neighbor of a friend of mine." Two 30 something dudes show up. I introduce us and they are Jason & Chris. Jason is sitting next to me and we are chatting, yelling, high-fiving - we totally hit it off. Talking about our kids, astrology, beer etc. I looked over at Chris the guy with him and realized I know him! I said "Chris! I know you - you worked at AVS." He replied "I'm still there, it's been 11 years, who are you?" "I'm Carole" I say, "I was the receptionist there." His reply? "I remember you, you showed your boobs at the Xmas party!"
Who the hell am I going to run into next? My sweet Buccaneer Portal!

Happy Halloween

Happy day after Halloween! I haven't been trick or treating in many years. Last night was so much fun I wish it was Halloween every day! Rita dressed as a dalmation. We went with our neighbors. The 5 year old was a shark hunter and the 16 month old was a shark. I don't remember ever sweating on Halloween. That is Florida for you! There aren't a lot of kids in our neighborhood so when there is someone passing out candy they give you 4 times as much if not more. Our plastic pumpkin was filled in no time. It smelled so good! I couldn't stop sniffing it!! It smells so sweet and it totally reminded me of my childhood!! Rita really had fun and one time she even said "Thank you" after getting candy! Once is better than nunce!
Our neighbors have owned their house for 23 years. They know everyone in the neighborhood. It was so fun being introduced and meeting all the other neighbors. Sometimes we would be at one house chatting for 5 minutes! I also enjoyed seeing the insides of the homes. Some are decorated so cute and beachy!
It was such a wonderful night. I can't wait until next year!