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Oct

Save the Ta Tas

By Red 2 Comments

Categories: Cause and family

Did you know October is Breast Cancer awareness month?

Breast Cancer has affected most families but now-a-days more seem to survive it. My Grandmother as well as my Godmother had breast cancer. Both beat it but both passed due to another sort of cancer.

For years I was a smoker and I quit 5 years ago and EXTREMELY happy about that. Considering my family history it is a very good thing. My Mom quit at the same time but we both feel differently about it. She misses it and I don’t except for the mental breaks it would give me or how it represented relaxation but was very stinky.

I hit 41 this year and that means regular mammograms. Oh joy of joys. So this past Monday I went in but it wasn’t my first mammogram. Several years ago I found a lump. Thankfully, it was nothing. This time I got a letter on Thursday:

Dear Ms. Red:

Your mammogram is considered incomplete. In order to complete the evaluation, we need additional imaging studies. Please call to schedule an appointment. You will receive your final results when you complete your additional imaging. Charges will apply for additional services.

Sincerely
Interpreting Radiologist

Obviously this is a form letter and very much thought out as to not alarm someone but as a woman, and a redhead, I have that wild imagination, which brings many questions:

Incomplete?

Additional imaging?

Another appointment?

Charges will apply?

Why would charges apply if they didn’t do the images correctly?

Does that mean something is wrong?

I figured I would talk to Mom since I remember her mentioning being called back before. Plus we all tend to look to our parents to see how to react no matter what our age. Like when we were kids and we fall and we look at Mom to see if she is alarmed or not and if we should start crying.

Mom said she has been called back plenty of times and assured me it’s nothing. Then she tells me she is coming with me. I was surprised and said that wasn’t necessary but she told me that every time she is called back Dad goes with her. After being called back so many times she told him he doesn’t need to go with her because she is positive everything is fine and routine but he insists on going with her. So now she is insisting on doing for me what Dad does for her.

Really I’m not worried… Well 99.9% sure.

If you are looking for a way to help or just for information on Breast Cancer Awareness please visit The Breast Cancer Awareness site.

Sep

The Kensington Labor Day Parade

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: family, fun, holidays and local

If you’ve been to Kensington’s Labor Day Parade before then you have a predefined area to sit along with your family and friends. You also know to bring a bag for the candy that gets thrown at you and a trash bag for the political handouts as well as the candy wrappers.

The parade always starts out with all the politicians:

Then come Kensington’s Fire trucks:

The Kensington Fire Department has quite a fleet of trucks. Oh and here is a small sampling of my family:

There were bands:

… And fighting pirates:

The PTA was rocking out:

While the kids tagged along behind:

Then there were Horses and dogs:

Oh and then MORE Fire trucks from Rockville, Hyattstown and Silver Spring. It was unbelievable how many fire trucks there were:

There was a float… of sorts:

I really hope to see more floats in the years to come.

There were people that had something to say. Some of it was understood some of it wasn’t:

The parade has really grown over the years. I ran into a a lot of friends and even one who was in the parade for a local Stage Hand Union. The problem is… They were at the end and everyone’s ADD had kicked in at that point. Maybe next year they will have a float to really get noticed. I can’t wait.

See this is why I leave the beach early… To not only beat traffic but also to see the parade and then walk into town for the Festival and catch up with everyone after the summer.

If you’ve never trekked out to K-Town for the Labor Day parade I suggest you mark your calendars and make it out for the next one in 2010. There’s nothing like a small town parade and this one is just outside D.C.

Jan

Now that the holidays are over we can breathe a sigh of relief and welcome 2009

By Red Leave a Comment

Categories: Mini Red, family and holidays

The holidays have come and gone… Thank goodness.

I spent Christmas week sick as a dawg. Started with a cold and by the Christmas Eve I couldn’t keep much down. I felt so bad that during the annual Family Christmas Eve Party I went and took a nap. The Family got up at the crack of dawn for 7:30 Mass but decided to leave me be. Yeah I wasn’t doing too well but when I did get up I felt better than I did the day before.

Mom said it was gonna be low key this year and not as many gifts… Yeah right! That woman is off the hook and honestly, I don’t know how she does it all.

Mini Red had a blast especially when she walked in the room to find the keyboard she has been DYING for.

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By Sunday I was feeling better and able to eat. Mini Red’s Dad brought her home. I was a little shocked to see what she was wearing. Her Dad had previously agreed with me that the Goth look wasn’t for her but that seems to be all he bought her. Everything was black with skulls. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not against the skulls but when combined with all the black it’s so unappealing. Oh and the shirt she was wearing… Horrible!

joker2

Mini Red and I ran out to do some errands and ended up at Sushi Damo. It was pretty warm that day but I had to have Mini Red zip up her jacket because the Joker was staring at me and it was unnerving. I think her Dad does it to piss me off and it’s working. When I mentioned all the black and skulls he bought her he pointed out the shoes I got her. Well, the shoes are cool but that is the ONLY thing I got her with skulls. Converse allows you to design your own shoes so that’s what I had Mini Red do and she even personalized them!

converse2

We brought the New Year in quietly while packing. I’m looking forward to 2009 especially with moving into a house. 2008 had it’s ups and downs which started with a new job and a horrible cold. I experienced kidney stones, finding wonderful people, a conference in Orlando, the Big 40 and a long awaited, beautiful wedding in Chicago. I learned a lot in 2008 and realized how much is beyond my control and to just let it go. Several people left my life, not due to death but for their own reasons, some unbeknownst to me and some ridiculous. All were people I knew for a very long time but I’m ok with it.

2009 has many promises… Some good and some bad but I’m ready for it. Just giving Mini Red a home soars above anything else. My upcoming work trip to Vegas helps too but the promise of coming back from that in time to spend Valentine’s Day alone is a small annoyance to get past. Just thinking about this year is exciting… Brotha-Man and SIL just had their second child, a little girl… Awwww. Then there’s the wedding in June…Sis and Viper are getting married.

I hope the new year brings nothing but goodness for all of you reading. I can’t wait to see what 2009 brings but it’s greeted with a new me to face any challenges that may come and I welcome them.

Dec

Did you know I’m a Princess?

By Red 2 Comments

Categories: family

For some reason I was reminded of this story tonight:

This is a story told to me by Mini Red several years ago and it was told to her by my Mom. I found it very odd that Mom would tell Mini Red a story from my Biological Father since he isn’t discussed much… Out of respect for Dad, mind you.

Anyhow, BF used to say he was a Prince because his parents names are Regis and Regina. In Latin Regis means King and Regina means Queen thus making BF a Prince.

Mini Red then says, “Mommy! That means you’re a Princess! So I must be one too!”

crown1

I may be a Princess but I’ve never acted like one although I do have a friend who is a self proclaimed “Very High Maintenance Princess“.

Oct

The Toad Passed on

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: family

Actually I’m serious.

Tonight was the weekly Family Dinner Night and Aunt Peanut was unable to make it. She had to go to a wake for her friend Toad.

When we heard this, at the dinner table, we all stopped and stared at Dad wondering if he was serious. He then told us, “Well at least Forehead and Feet are ok.”

Aug

The party’s almost over… Oh Wait! It’s just the calm before the storm.

By Red Leave a Comment

Categories: Beach, family and vacation

My vacation is at an end tomorrow. All week it’s been The Folks, Sis, Minnie Red and I. Viper arrived Friday night and here it is Saturday morning and suddenly everyone is scurring.

The King is coming! The King is coming!

The final baby proofing is going on… and I’m sitting here writing but I did my part. So Brotha-Man, SIL and The King are about an hour away. This brings our count to 8.

But wait there’s more.

My Aunt and Uncle are driving down with their motorcycle group. They’re gonna break off and meet up with us after lunch. My Uncle has never met Viper and so when he heard Viper was here he knew he had to stop by. This brings us to 10.

But still… there’s more.

Sis has some friends in town and Brotha-Man’s bud, Seal, is also in town. Sounds like there will be a trip over to Seacrets this afternoon. I’m sure we’ll see even more of their friends over there.

Monday I’ll be back at work… Uggggh. Only for three days though. Two of the Chicago girls are flying in late Wednesday and we are trekking back down here on Thursday. There will be 10 of us in total. I can’t wait! What I can wait for is my birthday. I will just pretend it’s not happening.

I’m sure there will be some stories or pictures to come out of today’s events. I will be sure to keep you post as usual.

Jul

Another Beach Weekend but no Buckets for Red this time

By Red 2 Comments

Categories: Beach, alcohol and family

I arrived later than I would have liked on Friday but a little after 6 isn’t bad.

The Moms, Mine and Viper’s, had already been to Happy Hour at Macky’s but no buckets for them. The Dads, Mine and Viper’s, were golfing and didn’t get back til sometime after 7pm. Sis, Viper and Meg came through the door about 8pm.

By the time they had all arrived I had taken quite a few pulls off the kegerator. I don’t really know how many but I lost count after 6… I think it was 6. So when they were ready to hit Macky’s I had to bail. Sis Viper, Meg and Mr. Viper headed over to see what it was like after Happy Hour. This chick hit the pillow and I was O-U-T, out. I never even heard them come in.

Saturday was a full day. The majority of the group took turns on the wave runner then lunch at Macky’s on the beach. I started drinking before noon but since it was on the beach it was ok, right? Some of us then hit the beach for a few hours and it was all we could do to calm Viper down since he was itching to get over to Seacrets and introduce his parents to that scene.

I love to see what people wear when they go out and especially when they come walking into Seacrets. The Mom’s had showered where as Sis, Viper and Meg just threw something over their suits. I changed out of my bathing suit since it’s a once piece and put on my shortish shorts and a tank cause it was gonna be hot over there. Plus if I drank as much as I was hoping to I was gonna need to pee and a one-piece is not your friend in that scenario.

Dad had gotten their first and he has a way of always getting us a table and usually a good one too. We had good seats and definitely got a great view of all the interesting characters. There were several interesting mullets but my camera only captured one. Luckily enough it also caught Mom’s favorite regular… “Teacher“.

But the mullet wasn’t bad compared to the guy Mom named “Lewd Dude“. We noticed him leaning both elbows on one of the tables as he was thrusting his pelvis. Yes he was standing there all alone looking like he was ready to jump the table or any thing that passed him for that matter. When he got really going he rolled up his shorts and started strutting like the beach was his stage. Sis grabbed my camera and got some interesting shots.

He pulls this chick up there with him and… Well… I don’t know what he was doing but notice the bills in his shorts. Oh and did you notice he is wearing goggles. WTF???

You definitely get to see all walks of life at Seacrets and you get to see them drunk. Drunk in the early afternoon, in the late afternoon, early evening and late evening. I love seeing the people with the tattoo’s. Most are awful but here is an interesting couple. There is nothing half-assed about their tattoos.

The funny thing about the beach is how you can leave your stuff and walk away and feel secure that no one will steal it. The same goes at Seacrets especially with the shoes.

Seacrets was a blast as usual. Later in the evening when we were on the balcony we watched as some chick bit the pavement. When she finally got up she proceeded to puke all over herself as her friends tried to walk her down the street.

I never did get any buckets this past weekend but in two weeks I will have a week in OC and I’m sure there will be plenty of opportunity for buckets. In sitting down and looking at my calendar I can see how crazy things are getting but not work wise.

This weekend there is Kings Dominion with my company and the Reggae Festival on Sunday. I can’t believe it’s the end of July already. Minnie Red is off to the beach this weekend and won’t be back til mid-August before she is off to her Dad’s and… Oh my she won’t be home til late August just before School starts. I will have my week at the beach during the White Marlin Tournament. I love watching them bring those fish in.

I’ll be back for less than a week before I’m back at the beach with the girls. There will be 10 of us celebrating… Us and it happens to be when Yours Trulyturns 40 and if you’ve read for a while you know I’m not happy about turning 40. The weekend promises to be outstanding and I’m not even afraid of Imelda’s threats to get me trashed and connect my dots. That’s because my dots are already connected so no fun there. I am so excited about this weekend The Chicago Girls are flying in plus there will be Sis, Squirrely Gurl, Mrs. M and Shortie to name a few. All people I have been known to get into trouble with or rather they get me into trouble.

So if that isn’t enough I will be spending Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Nicole and Louie are finally tying the knot and Mrs. M and I are in the wedding.

So there you have it my summer is OVER. I think I’m gonna cry except for… It isn’t really over and I just can’t wait to experience it all.

Jul

More Buckets coming my way

By Red Leave a Comment

Categories: Beach and family

I WILL leave for the beach early this Friday! I will, I will, I will.

This weekend Minnie Red is off to her Dad’s and I will be hitting the beach, again, with The Folks, Sis, Viper and his parents. I don’t even care that I’ll be the 7th wheel because everyone is cool which is evident by my conversation with Viper this afternoon.

Viper: ready to party this weekend?
Red: Wahoo
Viper: no working!!!
Red: Whaaa
Viper: you are not permitted to work this weekend
Red: Says you?
Viper: i read your blog
you working too much = bucket time
we make our own “bucket list” , of different buckets we have to drink.
Red: No working for me
I need more buckets
Viper: same
buckets it is. my dad psyched to try one
Red: I will be there in time for hh on Friday

No worries Viper… Imelda has put down her foot and warned all of us not to work this weekend. I’m sure I’ll be sending her lots of pics of me and my drinks.

By the time Viper and Sis arrive at the beach I will be buzzing with The Folks and The Viper Folks. The weekend is sure to have some stories. Oh and if you haven’t gotten it the two sets of Folks are hanging out more now that Viper and Sis are engaged.

If you’re in The OC this weekend keep an eye out for us at Mackey’s and Seacrets. Oh and be sure to say hi.

Jul

The King Turns 1 today!

By Red 1 Comment

Categories: family

Brotha-Man and SIL’s first son, The King, turns one today and their second child is due the end of December.

I like being the Auntie!

Jul

To be honest… its been a crap week

By Red 3 Comments

Categories: Beach, family and work

Last weekend was spent at the convent visiting Aunt Dot. Now don’t get me wrong or call me some bad person because I HATE being at the convent. I fully understand that it makes Aunt Dot happy and even though I81 is a beautiful… The other drivers are not. I would rather be at the beach either sleeping or drinking.

I took Aunt Dot all sorts of things that put a smile on her face and Minnie Red and I stayed by her side from the time we arrived until we left. We attended two masses with her and names have been placed in The Book, of people the nuns pray for, as requested and for my own good. We almost saw a few nun fights, which made the trip well worth it. Nothing like seeing some really old religious chicks threatening to punch or shoot each other, especially when they can barely walk or not walk at all for that matter.

By the time I got to work Monday morning my body was hurting due to the uncomfortable sleeping conditions at the convent, not-to-mention the lack of hot water. Plus I must have been griting my teeth because my jaw was killing me.

The best thing about Monday was going over to a Mrs. M’s house to stuff envelopes for a bridal shower we were working on. Mr. and Mrs. M have a frozen margarita machine so the plan was he would fix the drinks while we stuffed the envelopes. The envelopes were done withing 20 minutes but I didn’t leave until almost 2 hours and several margaritas later. My jaw was finally feeling better.

Tuesday, was the happy hour and I got to see some people I haven’t seen in a while. It was a small group but everyone seemed to have a good time and I was pleased with the happy hour prices.

Wednesday, was when the poop hit the fan at work. It’s a lot of blah blah blah and some panic and in the end a shit load of work for my team. This also means working this weekend… Crap! So after work I took Minnie Red to see Hancock because there’s no sense in stressing, right? I then worked that night in hopes it would help me finish early on Thursday so I could head to the beach as early as possible to avoid traffic.

Thursday, I worked from home and nothing got completed as planned. I dropped a load of money on four new tires and they tried to get me to spend another load on more work. They are, of course, mechanics and I am, of course, a woman so you know how that goes. At work there were all sorts of oddities that needed trouble shooting and I tried to pack in between them. I just couldn’t seem to get away from work and so the poop that exploded on Wednesday was still hanging in limbo. I was finally able to pull away around three and feared the drive would be bad but I hoped for the best.

It took two hours just to get to Annapolis and the three hour drive took four and a half, but I was just happy to be there. I arrived just as Brotha-Man and SIL were putting the King to bed so I kissed him goodnight and took a pull on the kegerator. Ahh time to wash the week away even though I knew I would be working while here at the beach.

I was asleep by 10 but I had forgotten about the alarm on my cell phone. That was it and I was awake and it was 5am. I couldn’t help but think about all the work I had to do. Granted the data that needed cleaning had been cut back to only 40,000 but last time it was cut close because it took two weeks to clean 5,000. So I was thinking about all this work and there’s a big party in Bethany on Saturday and I wasn’t going to miss it. Our VP said no one was to work on the 4th but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. So now it’s 5:30am and I’m out of bed, before the King even. I’m trying to be very quiet so I set myself up out on the balcony and I start this gawd awful tedious task.

I missed the King’s first walk on the boards, I missed beach time, and I missed nap time. By the time the crabs arrived I had worked straight through and the data was cleaned and is now ready to be organized before sending to the programmers to be imported. The crabs were hot and the beer was cold so I didn’t even bother to change out of my pjs, that I had been working in all day. At least I was in a tank because I looked as if I had been sitting on the beach and I have the sunburn to prove it.

The crabs were delicious! So was the beer for that matter… and still is. By the time I called it quits with the crabs I took a nice shower and played with the King. He was put in his jammies and Auntie Red rocked him to sleep.

It may have been a crap week and a tough day of work but that little boy falling asleep in my arms washes all the crap away and makes me a happy Auntie.

Happy 4th of July!